Saturday 20 December 2008

Happy Christmas!

Well, the present got wrapped, the class was prepared and the dessert got finished... I even got some sleep! Should you be wondering (and even if you weren't... indulge me) the dessert was a Christmas cheesecake. When Joe did his GCSE in food technology he chose cheesecake as his "product" which meant week after week of different cheesecakes which we all tried and tested. As a result we've become cheesecake affectionados. When I decided I would like to make a Christmas cheesecake we got quite carried away thinking of all the different flavours we could include. So this is basically Nigella's New York cheesecake on a ginger biscuit base, with the vanilla and lemon replaced with cinnamon and orange, topped with a cranberry compote... it was well received!


So with all that done, the last class taught and the last commission delivered, today I've actually started some real Christmas preparation... helped of course by a glass of mulled wine and the obligatory Christmas CD.

There has been lots of baking...

And I've even managed to get a Christmas cake in the newly repaired oven - okay, it won't be the most mature cake we've ever had but I've just taken it out and it smells pretty good! Still time for marzipan on Tuesday and icing on Wednesday!

The decorations have gone up... including the mistletoe (a girl can hope???)


And the tree was finally put up and decorated with lots of old favourite decorations and several new ones this year too - thanks to some lovely bloggy gifts!


My favourite though is still my fairy. Sometimes I think she must be as old as me... but not quite! She always looks a bit of a floozy with her sparkly knitted dress and broken wing, as though she's had a glass or two too many but out she comes year after year to top our tree.


I've a sneaky feeling this might be my last post before Christmas... still presents to wrap (and buy or finish making!) plus on Monday I'm driving Jacob and two of his friends all the way to Birmingham. Not like other families, to see a pantomime or perhaps the ballet... but to see The Mighty Boosh! I'll tell you all about it when I come back.
Meanwhle, thank you all so much for sticking with me and my rambling. It has been lovely to meet so many blogging friends this year. So I'd just like to wish you all...

A wonderful, peaceful and happy Christmas!

30 comments:

  1. Hope you have a lovely Christmas - I feel exhausted just reading your blog, you've done so much. Your tree looks gorgeous and a new fairy wouldn't have the character of the one you have. As for the cheesecake, well I'm trying not to drool onto the keyboard.

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  2. Gina ~ you are an inspiration. Thank you for wonderful posts, great comments, mouthwatering baking and incredibly creative work.
    I wish you a very happy, peaceful, RESTFUL Christmas.

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  3. Your tree looks beautiful! And the cake looks scrummy too even in its uncooked state. I'm sure Stewart will oblige with the mistletoe if not I've a Stewart here who's partial to a bit of mistletoe! lol

    Have a really lovely Christmas Gina and a very Happy New Year. I hope you get to put your feet up and imbibe the odd glass!

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  4. Have a fantastic Christmas Gina!!!! With lots and lots of love from all the Lockets xxxxx

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  5. Happy Christmas to you too Gina!

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  6. Merry Christmas Gina! I hope you and your family have a wonderful time.

    Your 'makes' always look fabulous - whether culinary or otherwise. Keep up the good work. Your blog is always a pleasure to read.

    Take care. xxx

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  7. So, what time are we coming over for tea?! All looks delicious!!!

    I'm so glad your oven is fixed now - just in time or it would have been Pot Noodle for Christmas lunch.

    Have a wonderful Christmas, and let's plan our next Extreeeeeme Crafting moment for early in the New Year!

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  8. Happy Christmas Gina,
    Hope to see you in the New Year

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  9. A very Happy Christmas and a Prosperous New Year. Thank you very much for a very interesting blog.

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  10. That fairy does look a bit rakish doesn't she? I can see why you're very fond of her though.

    Wonderful baking as usual - so glad your oven's back in the land of the living.

    The Mighty Boosh? Sometimes I get it, mostly I don't.

    Have a restful and lovely Christmas Gina. Love from all the pebbles xxx

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  11. Happy christmas and a happy New Year...
    Barbara

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  12. Hi Gina,

    A very Merry Christmas to you and your family!

    I LOVE cheesecake and your Christmas cheesecake sounds absolutely delicious!

    Love your tree and decs - the fairy is great!

    Best Wishes

    Clare

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  13. i love your fairy, she gorgeous - and therefore a lot like you!!! have a wonderful christmas and a happy new year

    lots of love

    xxxxx

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  14. Mature or not I'm sure the cake will taste wonderful! Have a lovely christmas, it was nice meeting you at the ERTF dinner.
    Miriam

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  15. Happy Christmas to you too! I've had that kind of day today, baking, decorating, wrapping, sorting ... very good for getting in the mood with a nice sherry to top it all off!! xx

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  16. Good luck with the mistletoe, with baked goods like that I bet there'll be a que! Have a lovely week, xxx

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  17. Oh YUM at all that lovely food ... and I love your fairy! Have a lovely Christmas.

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  18. Merry Christmas to you and yours. I cannot believe that you have managed to do all that cooking. The cheesecake looks gorgeous and I am sure that the cake will be as well.
    It has been lovely reading all your posts over the last year. I have thoroughly enjoyed seeing the things you and your students have made and the things you have been sent.
    I am looking forward to another year of wonderful posts.

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  19. Hi Gina

    Just popping in to wish you a Merry Christmas. Your Christmas cheesecake looks delicous!

    And I love your fairy - she looks like she has lots of personality.

    I am all for drinking mulled wine during the festive season too :)

    Take good care and have a wonderful Christmas.

    I hope 2009 brings lots of great experiences your way.

    Much love

    Dot xx

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  20. I have that Christmas CD!! It lives in my car and only gets played 2 weeks in the year.

    I'm glad you're all finished with the preparations and can relax.

    A very merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you and yours. I hope it's a good one.

    xMx

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  21. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year Gina, hope you have a lovely time with the family. Your cheesecake and Christmas cake look delicious. Jane x

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  22. Happy Christmas, Gina. It sounds as though the Fan My Flame household are all set for plenty of good food and fun!
    Alicex

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  23. Ooh how I would love to be around you at this time of year - all that wonderful home cooked food you produce - and you manage to stay so slim too :)

    Have a wonderful Christmas Gina and a very happy New Year.

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  24. Wishing you a wonderful Christmas, my that cheesecake looks very yummy! Looking at your photos has reminded me that we have no mistletoe, oh dear ... My daughter loved seeing The Mighty Boosh!
    Kimx

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  25. here's wishing you the warmest of hebridean fire-sides with love and happiness over this season and for 2009

    May your stars always be bright,
    and the winds of change never knock your baubles down!

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  26. "I've also finished off another commission... a doll which again I can't actually show you yet for a couple of weeks. This one really was a challenge!"

    Gina, was the challenge to truly reflect the good looks and intelligent manner of the subject?!

    The doll is really fantastic - thank you so much!

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  28. pretty little angel...delicate :)

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