Category: General ramblings

Better run and home-made gifts

Evening

After my bath last night (and deep heat) my leg felt better today, so after work I went on a short, 3 mile, gentle run to help loosen it further. I took it easy and although I felt ok, made myself stop after those 3 miles. The run was good, although it was colder than I had anticipated so was still chilly every time I stopped (to cross roads etc).

Then it was time to sort out the gifts I have been making.

I made some cranberry and white chocolate fudge- I used the Rachel Allen recipe for white chocolate fudge and added in cranberries for a festive touch. I was going to add in pistachios too (for the green colour) but I wasn’t sure if anyone was allergic so they are in the cupboard for another time. I got some little food gift bags from Sainburys;

I think the bags make it look so cute- much better than in a sandwich bag!

I also melted a few squares of dark chocolate to finish off the Mickeys I made for Andy (and the Minnies for me 🙂 )

Also a picture of the baby christmas cakes I made for our work tea tomorrow. I halved a christmas cake recipe and cooked it in a small square tin, once cool I cut it into little squares, covered each one with marzipan and then icing. (This I did on Sunday).

🙂 I am thinking that they will go perfectly with a cup of tea after work (its a sort of end of term social at school for all the staff) and as they are quite small people will have one.

Off to pack up all the presents to take to work now, so exciting- night 🙂

Quick update

Morning all

I have had a busy few days- Thursday was body pump night (last one of the current track list), and before I managed to make the dough for my gingerbread house, and bake the sides, and after I made the rest of the dough into little cookies (most of which I took to work).

On Friday I was stiff, and managed to fit in a 3.7 mile run after work, before the shopping was delivered. I only needed 2 layers as it was positively mild- maybe 6c! Then my parents came over for a Christmas get together as they are off too. Last weekend I made stollen loaves and had saved one for last night (the recipe said they were better if left as the flavours mingled even more), I was worried it would have gone stale or hard, but it was still moist and delicious- success 🙂 They took home the cake I made for them;

I didn’t set the alarm today, and woke up at 9.30 which is unheard of! So am letting breakfast go down before my long run. At least it is not as cold today.

Later on I am going to finish the gingerbread house- I am taking pictures as I go along this year so be warned! 🙂

Later guys!

Nakd day

Hi all

Thanks for all the comments on the last post- I appreciate them all.

Today started with some cherry porridge- I cheated and added half a bag of nakd cherry raisins to the porridge before cooking.

The result- lovely porridge with bursts of sweet cherry in each mouthful 🙂

I also had my last nakd berry bar at break time this moring.

Then the other day I ordered some more new nakd bars (me and Andy have gone through the box already) and they arrived today.

I ordered a box of cocoa mint and a box of cocoa delight, as they were my fave. But look closely and you will see that a pixie has left a few freebies in there too in the form of a cashew cookie and pecan pie bar. How exciting 🙂

Yum. And a totally nakd packed day was enjoyed by me!

After work I went straight out to dinner with some old friends, and it was fab to catch up with them all. I love catching up with people I have not seen for a while, and bonus- we arranged to meet up in January so we have something to look forward to 🙂

Night

Recipe success!

So a while ago with the teapigs giveaway my fave sounding recipe was the spiced apple cupcakes from Laura, but when I made them they sunk and burnt- I had halved the recipe but don’t think I did it right! So anyway, I decided to make the recipe again but this time bake it in a tray, instead of cupcake cases. I also made the icing and I have to say that the icing is amazing- so fudgey and delicious! I didn’t have any dried milk powder but it seemed fine without it.

The recipe is from Veganomicon , and I would say that they are amazing- I only had a little slice but the apple is so sweet and spiced, and they have a lovely autumnal flavour. Mmmm.

I did some wrapping when I got back from work today so now the tree looks lovely.

After work it was time for aerobics (after a nakd gingerbread bar- very seasonal! )- there were loads of newbies today, and although it was freezing I had bags of energy. The songs were great which always helps. Also I normally try to avoid looking at myself in the mirror (one side of the studio is mirros and we spend most of the time facing ourselves) but today I was thinking that actually I looked okay in the mirror. Workout gear is not very forgiving and normally shows any lumps, plus when you are leaping up and down the jiggle doens’t always look that attractive. But today when I caught glimpses of myself I was quite happy with what I saw. So I am feeling good about that too. I feel healthy on the inside (which I think is really important) but it was good that I felt I looked healthy too- does that make sense?

Now it is time for a gingerbread cookie with some tea- love it 🙂

More festive fun

Evening all

I was inspired by some other blogs for some close ups of my decorations, so skip to the bottom if you want to read about my run instead!

I got this moose candle holder from Copenhagen last year- Andy and I went there for 3 days last December for our christmas presents to each other. It is so pretty 🙂

I love the Happy Holidays theme in america- and I also love gingerbread, and Minnie mouse. Andy got this for me one summer from the disney christmas shop.

The Snowman is my ultimate Christmas film, so when I saw these I had to get them. Normally they hang on the tree, but they are heavy and the little branches cannot hold them this year.

This is a tealight holder from Whitards. When there is a candle in it, the light glows from the little holes and it looks so pretty 🙂

Another disney present from Andy- a cute gingerbread Mickey with the disney recipe in it too- bonus 🙂

Ok, now onto the normal stuff!

After work I wrapped up and went out on a 5.7 mile run. I was thinking I would take it easy as my legs were stiff today, but I did it in 54 minutes so I was pretty speedy, not sure what happened! I think the cold is helping! There was fog while I was driving home, and the frost did not melt from the trees all day, so it was quite spooky, but also really beautiful as all the trees looked like they belonged on a card. I was a bit worried that the pavements would be icy, and as I was running there were twinkling bits, but they were fine. Phew.  I did see a couple of other runners, which is always nice- I always feel pleased to see other people getting out there (and it proves I am not crazy for going out).

I also got around to icing some of the gingerbread cookies to take into work;

I am hoping to spread the festive cheer, as it is so busy at the moment that no-one is pausing to enjoy the fun stuff.

I might do some wrapping later 🙂 The bottom of the tree is all lonely!

Night