Ho ho ho

Photo: Courtesy of Variety Santa Fun Run

So this is what Mr T and I did last night - that's us at the very back, we were late. Surely no better way to make a running comeback in the pouring rain especially when charity's involved. Sign me up for next year. Too much fun.

My Creative Space

...has taken over the living room floor. I'm slowly finishing off our Christmas crackers. Come the 25th, it will be interesting to see if the snaps work, I fear they were glued in a little too enthusiastically.

Studded with jewels

The deliciousness of pomegranates was only made clear to me last Christmas when my contribution to the table called for one in Nigella's Festive cous cous. More recipes were sourced to make the most of them. Though more often than not I was happy to enjoy the crunchy sweet seeds swirled through greek yoghurt. So very glad that the season is upon us again.

Last night I took the opportunity to make Pomegranate Ginger muffins. Using self raising flour and adding some lemon juice and a couple of tablespoons of yoghurt were my changes. I like 'em. I like 'em a lot.

This week in the garden

Yet another harvest. I sowed some more seeds. Here's hoping the weather stays mild and doesn't kill off this lot of seedlings like it did with my last lot.

Christmas crackers

This year Christmas is at our place. It will be a small gathering of my family and Mr T's parents. Previous years there had been talk of making our own Christmas crackers, but the sheer number of guests meant it was a bit daunting with everything else that needed to be done. Not this year though.

The crackers will be filled with chocolate, scratchies and jokes that made Mr T and myself laugh out loud.

But wait, there's more

It's been six months since I've run by the river, I love what's appeared since I've been gone. Mentally the break has been good, physically it hurts like hell. But it's good to be back.

Drifted in

With classes over for the year and time running at great speed, I've not a chance to put pen to paper for Sketch Saturday. Instead a study of a seed pod that made its way into the garden this week.

Tasty treats

Last night I whipped up a batch of Smitten Kitchen's Pepita Brittle, it must be noted that I was conservative with the heat after a failed attempt at honeycomb earlier in the week, so it took a little longer to develop into a golden brown. But it was certainly worth being patient. This stuff is good!

I presented a couple of bags to the neighbours as a small thanks for hosting the pre-Christmas cheer get together last night. As a result there were additional requests. I'll be making deliveries tonight.

Sick of seeing the scalloped edge stickers yet? Unfortunately I'm not.

This week in the garden

The harvest continues. Every couple of days another one or two strawberries is ripe for eating. They seem to be sweeter than last year.

Saucy

I have found my sauce for cold noodle salad. It's based on Nigella's, but I replace a tsp of honey with mirin, because I love the flavour.
Sauce • 2 tsp rice wine vinegar • 5 tsp soy sauce • 1 tsp mirin • 1 tsp honey • 1 tsp sesame oil • pinch of chili flakes. Omitting the tahini like in this recipe, means the noodles don't stick together quite so much.