The Gentle Art of (Festive) Domesticity.....

I feel like that that old advert of Cadburys Caramel- do you remember? When the lovely sultry Mrs.Rabbit tells Mr. Beaver to 'slow down and have a Cadburys Caramel'- not that I am lovely or sultry!It's just that I am a little perplexed by peoples attitude to the Festive Season.....

Why is everyone running around in such a bad tempered fashion??

I understand that time is a precious commodity but really!We ventured out on Sunday to the 'shops'- something we NEVER do- Sunday is for papers in bed and a roast lunch!But we had had a problem with our beloved vehicle on the Saturday so with a courtesay car at our disposal- (Thank you!) we went off on Sunday morning....

Feeling 'Merry and Bright'!

What an experience...,everyone that I said 'Merry Christmas'to looked rather shocked and hardly anyone said it back- apart from a lovely young lady on a checkout at Sainsburys and one lady in Marks and Spencers- everyone shopping seemed so bad tempered...I don't understand why?

Especially when online sites can really help with ensuring that you do not have to venture onto the High Street if you do not wish to....

 Munchkin has NO intention of going anywhere....

We were glad to get home and indulge in a bit of Christmas Spirit! Carols and Mince pies- not gin- though I am partial to a bit of Sloe Gin at this time of year....

I still believe that Christmas is absolutely what you make of it and I still find it the most JOYFUL time of the year and no-one needs to be a slave to 'commercialism'...

  My intention this Yuletide!

I really do....

Do you remember that wonderful quote in Miracle on 34th Street?

'I'm not just a whimsical figure who wears a charming suit and affects a jolly demeanour. You know, I... I... I'm a symbol. I'm a symbol of the human ability to be able to suppress the selfish and hateful tendencies that rule the major part of our lives. If... you can't believe, if you can't accept anything on faith, then you're doomed for a life dominated by doubt.'

I first heard that years ago and it always stuck with me...

 Another saying I have always loved on this tin that I treasure ....

Once home I decided to get Festive and make some cards....

Mincemeat and  Mincepies...

I adapted the mincemeat from a  recipe by Mrs.Beeton that has no suet in it and NO sugar- just honey- it was DELICIOUS!!

And I put some vanilla essence into the pastry mix too.....mmmm.

After all that activity there was only really one thing to do....

 

 Sit back and have a Cadburys Caramel- I mean a cuppa and a cinnamon rock bun...

We are off to Totnes Late Night Christmas Market tonight which is usually FULL of Festive Cheer!

Wishing you all a Festive Holiday with lots of Love and Laughter

and 

Have Yourself 

a 

MERRY AND MAGICAL

time...

Warmest Wishes,

Callie- Noelle
x x x

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas......

....Here at The Gathering Room-(my little studio)...

The Thursday craft morning is very enjoyable and we are making all sorts,Christmas Cards,Christmas stockings,Festive scented Pot-Pourri....

Cards in the making....

Crafty bits ready to use....

 Christmas Decorations have been arriving....

'Tis the season....

 As well as Christmas Cards...

Wrapping paper...

And gift tags....

All from our favourite artist- Sally Swannell....

We have a few Christmas Markets to attend over the next few weekends so I am off to get making...

Hoping your preparations are as enjoyable as ours!

Warm Wishes for a Wonderful Week,

Callie

x x x

Up and Running.....

Well we are finally there!

My other blog,craft studio and web site are up and running...

The Studio is ready for its first craft morning this Thursday....

 Jars of goodies....

 Some Crafty bits and bobs....

 Ribbons and Hearts...

Card Making.....

And the website is ready too...

www.merryandmagical.co.uk

So pop over and have a look...

Warm Wishes for a Wonderful Week,

Callie

x x x

Birthday Goodies.....

I hope that everyone is warm and well as you read this!!

We have only had a small sprinkling of snow here though the moors have had icy roads.

I don't remember it being this cold so early- it is my Birthday at this time of year and it is usually pretty wet and windy!

Talking of Birthdays- I must  tell you about the cake I made this year....

Turkish Delight and Rosewater Cake.....

It was DELICIOUS!!!!

It may sound sickly sweet but because of using dark chocolate powder in the sponge and then melted dark chocolate on the top it really cuts the sweetness of the turkish delight....

So a simple chocolate sponge has cut up GOOD turkish delight added into the mix, then baked.When cooled, melt some dark chocolate over a bain marie then add rose water and pour over the cake- I topped it with rose creams- again dark chocolate ones so not too sweet!

It didn't last very long and I DIDN'T eat it all...

In between cake baking and celebrations I also got some lovely goodies.....

 I think people know me quite well.....

After celebrations were over time to get preparing for Topsham Market, I am doing an ordinary one and a Christmas one so time to get busy.....

 Here's Millie.....

And Mollie.....

And  a hot chocolate gift set.....

I was up until late last night sewing and decorating festive hearts- photographs to follow!

Warm Wishes for a Wonderful Week,

Market Goodies........

Hello! Well this weekend was my stall at Topsham Market... and I thought I would show you a few of the goodies that I took with me...

Cath Kidston Soap Gift Cards......

I often make these, they are a lovely little gifts......

Some of the rose goodies.....

I scent all the rosebuds with a rose and geranium oil which is heavenly.....

The lavender soaps and dried lavender.....

The beautiful Phoenix Cards are starting to sell well.....

It was a good market this time which I was pleased by, as it has been pretty quiet recently - I would like to find a regular spot locally but it is not easy!  Anyway I have managed to secure a spot at Topsham in October, November and December!  So I must turn my attention to making things for that time of year next......The Phoenix Cards Christmas Catalogue is currently on its way to me and I have had a preview of the selection - WONDERFUL!!!

When I got home there were some beautiful  roses on the patio table waiting for me....

In a jug with some fresh Rosemary.....

With some geraniums from the garden....

They don't look quite real.....

 All left by a lovely neighbour!!!

Warm Wishes for a Wonderful Week,

Merry Christmas To All and To All a Goodnight.......

Well, Christmas week is finally here and the winter weather has come too....I hope that none of you have been stranded!

We have done well with our pledge and our festivities this year have been done without the help of the high street (but with the exception of one supermarket shop which I think is allowed?!?)

I have made marmalade.....

 .....made decorations.....

baked, cooked, sewn, thrifted and recycled and had a HUGE amount of FUN doing it - and all on a shoestring!  Though I must admit the thing I have needed above all else is time and for having that this year I am truly grateful.

And now all the gifts are made and wrapped,  it is time to open our hearts and our home to loved ones.....

.....The Angel Window that greets them...

.....The Festive Dresser.....

.....Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree.....

.....The Festive Dresser's little sister....

  Warmest Winter Wishes to you all and to all a goodnight!

Cally x x x

Secrets,Stockings and Santa....

If it's too early for Christmas for you then don't read on!!

 This is my lovely little patchwork bear called Adventina sitting on a shelf with her friends.They have been very excited this week as there has been lots of festive preparations going on.

I am doing a secret santa and a stocking swap so I have been busy reading the blogs of the ladies that I am paired with and picking out some little things that I think they may like, I have selected the goodies now and have photographed their parcels but obviously we can't see them before they do!!

But it has really got me in the festive mood and as I am having a Christmas coffee morning soon I thought that I should set about preparing for it!

As the cake and mincemeat are all sitting in the pantry ready I thought I should turn my attention to the surroundings and get things looking festive...

 

 A Cosy Corner....

 

Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree....

 

Warm as Toast...

 

  All Done...

Now onto making sure that the Christmas Cupboard is ready too....

Warm Wishes for a Wonderful Week,

Cally x x x