Giving ~ Eating ~ Receiving ~ Xmas 2009

I always get excited to make and bake at christmas time and this christmas was certainly no exception! I was inspired by Sophie this year to make some pretty gifts for some lovely ladies using some kimono fabric and some quilting quarters I received as a gift last christmas. I think they came up a treat and I still have some left over, so even better for birthday or just-because gifts in 2010!
I also love making a ton of the usual treats, shortbread, biscuits, (gluten-free) sago plum puddings, and of course my traditional gift to family and friends is a good old bottle of homemade baileys!! I do however insist that those wanting some provide their own bottles, so usually I end up with the odd whiskey bottle, grolsch bottle and of course the traditional large vodka bottle!! I also (with a little help from my man who has the skillz to operate a scroll saw), made a brooch for my sister - seeing that I couldn't buy her a REAL miniature daschund one out of Tasmanian Blackwood, would do - right?!
Xmas this year was a reasonably relaxed affair, full of food (of course) but with my nasty headcold it wasn't so full of tasty alcohol...so not too much baileys and bubbly for me this year! My lovely partner made a delicious pancake breakfast with lots of cherries and mango in-tow, we had a full on turkey, ham, roast veg and lots of pud lunch at my Dad's (cooked by my very organised and meticulous step-mum), and then a lovely supper at my (as good as) mother-in-law's, with fresh prawns, cups of tea, lovely pate and even more delicious fruit and homemade mini christmas cake (all devoured to the sounds of James Taylor and Cat Stevens)!!Then of course the booty! I got some lovely gifts this year and most of them practical which is even better. My sister's boyfriend's gift definitely topped my list as the cutest thing ever! Not only are they beautiful, but extremely useful. These Russian dolls are actually measuring cups! My old ones are now in a bag awaiting drop off to the nearest op-shop!! How adorable are they - and the tops and bottoms have measurements in them. So there goes Christmas for another year!
Hope you all had a great Xmas, ate too much, caught up with friends, relatives and met new people!

x Han