Thursday 11 December 2014

Present Shopping Finished

Apart from two little Christmas Eve/Boxing Day presents that DB still has to buy, we have finished all present shopping. Hoorah!

We went to town first thing to try and avoid the crowds but there was a blockage one way so had to go in another way, good job we know so many ways in! Agreeing to meet in a cafe in an hours time, we went our separate ways. I was one present short when we did meet so had to borrow just a few more pounds to complete my shopping.

Whilst DB watched the recording of The Apprentice (I can't stand it), I wrapped up all the presents I had purchased and put them away. Washing was hung on the line for a bit of a blow but with the sun already setting, it was almost but not quite, as damp as when it went out.

DB ironed the washing from the other day (yes, he does the majority of the ironing), a ham, cheese and chive quiche was made for tea:
Using up the left over pastry, I managed to make a few Maids of Honour. Didn't quite have enough ground almonds left from another cooking day, so made them up with ground rice/semolina instead. They taste just as nice but have more of a crunch - cheaper than ground almonds as well:
The jam was a little too runny to begin with so it boiled out in places. Also, didn't have my baking head on when making the pastry. Although you are not supposed to, I normally use some S.R. Flour in with the plain flour - about 1/4 of the weight required. Forgot this time and the pastry came out harder than normal but everything still tasted fine.

11 comments:

  1. Isn't it a great feeling when all the pressies are bought and wrapped. I've yet to get to that point I'm afraid! Your quiche looks delicious and I often add ground rice to almonds in similar recipes for tarts. P x

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    1. I was beginning to think I would never get there, my brain seems to be on other things!

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  2. It all looks delicious. I tend to make mini bakewells, jam tarts with a sponge topping, nothing special. I love the Apprentice but I have found the quality of candidates this year lacking in a much needed skill......COMMON SENSE!

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    1. I would agree with that remark from what little I've seen, too busy trying to over ride each other.

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  3. Well done it's a relief when it's all done, you can relax now,x

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  4. I think I would almost prefer to do the ironing than watch The Apprentice! However, like DB, my Significant Other (!) does most of our ironing. Well, his and the bedding. Mine er.... well I get round to it......
    Your cheesy-hammy-eggy-thingy looks just the ticket, and to be honest I frequently make it sans pastry. but then I suppose it is a frittata.....

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    1. If truth be told, I prefer quiche without the pastry as well, which is how we eat it most of the time.

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  5. I bought my last pressie yesterday too. Well, except for DH's, but then we've agreed to only get each other a token gift and spend some money on a day out in the New Year instead. As I didn't even start my pressie shopping until the middle of last week and most of the food has also been bought and stashed away, I'm pretty pleased with myself. I'm hoping DH will give a hand with the wrapping this weekend. Now I have the cards to write out...yes, I have left everything until the last minute this year but then last month we had our unplanned trip to Wales for Mother-in-law's funeral so I'm a bit behind.

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    1. Always good when things come together, although as you found out last month, life occasionally throws a spanner in the works.

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  6. Hello, like you I really dislike the Apprentice, would rather wash my children's sports strips by hand. I too have managed to do all my pressie shopping, what a relief, spent way too much as usual. I'm not sure about you but, I'm trying to cut down on all this pressie business, we all seem to have everything we need and more. Have good weekend. Woo xx

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  7. We have a set price for us and DS and FDiL, and a very small (if not free) limit for close friends. We saved our £2 coins throughout the year and that has covered most of it. Have a good weekend yourself!

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