Christmas Archives - Savour the Moment

16 December 201916 December 2019

Christmas Tree Festival

A variety of Christmas Trees all decorated and lit

St Peter’s Church, Clayworth, Nottinghamshire – first ever Christmas tree festival!

Christmas tree festivals are community events that bring people and local organisations together. Individuals and groups supply and decorate a Christmas tree. This particular Christmas tree festival is St Peter’s first ever! There are currently fifteen trees in this inaugural display, all lit, decorated and on show collectively. But for a limited time only – from now until Saturday 21st December. It is not here for long and St Peter’s in Clayworth, North Nottinghamshire will be open every day until then from 10.00am until 4.00pm.

Local organisations get involved

A couple of local organisations have provided a themed tree to reflect their business, such as the popular local bar and restaurant ‘the Blacksmith’s Arms’ https://www.blacksmithsclayworth.com/. Then there’s the ‘go to’ website for all events, things to do and what’s on information for the North Nottinghamshire area https://www.innorthnotts.co.uk/

The glow from the lights of two Christmas trees — Find out what’s happening in North Nottinghamshire from this pretty tree

An opportunity to visit the Traquair Murals

So, if you missed the ‘big one’ in town, now is your chance to savour flavour of this individual display. Enjoy this smaller but cosier exhibition in a local, historic, village church. Take advantage of this opportunity to see the ‘Traquair Murals’ as St Peter’s is home to the largest works of art in the East of England. They are are well worth a visit in themselves. You can read all about them here: https://savourthemoment.co/country-life/the-traquair-murals-the-what-murals/

Edible tree decorations to take away ‘Treats and Treasures’

A couple of the trees are decorated with edible treats. Help yourself to one or two – take some home or pass them around. This is a free event but there are opportunities to leave donations. There is a safe in the wall near the door for donations and also one or two collection boxes near the trees. Refreshments are available too.

A Christmas tree decorated with edible treats, chocolate coins and peppermint candy canes — Treats and treasure tree – help yourself to chocolate coins or peppermint canes

Heartwarming and unforgettable

Every Christmas tree festival is unique and has its own charm. St Peter’s would welcome your visit. It is a heart-warming and unforgettable sight especially when the trees are lit and it’s dark outside.

Share the joy

In recent years Christmas tree festivals have become increasingly popular as a way of bringing communities together. They provide the opportunity to raise money for the church or local charities. Most importantly they share the joy of the Christmas message and add a little extra sparkle to the Christmas festivities.

Blue and white Christmas trees — A blue and white theme

Don’t miss this chance to visit, time is running out – it will all be over on the evening of Saturday 21st December.

28 December 2018

Goodbye 2018, Hello 2019

Goodbye 2018. That was the year that was

That was the year that I started my blog. I visited places, made things, shared experiences with the grandchildren and blogged about them. It was an amazing summer. I loved it.

Fishing takes patience — Fishing on the Chesterfield Canal

Recipe archive

One day my blog will be the place that my children go to for the recipes that they currently request on a regular basis.https://savourthemoment.co/my-recipes/how-to-make-the-perfect-braised-red-cabbage/

Red cabbage and apples help to make a colourful display of all the ingredients required to make the perfect braised, red cabbage — All the ingredients needed to make the perfect, braised, red cabbage

Guest blogger

I did some guest blogging on a couple of other sites like https://thegrandparenthub.com/ this is a site that shares ideas and things to do with the grandkids and is full of inspiration. And then there’s my local ‘What’s In and What’s On’ website for my region https://www.innorthnotts.co.uk/ which is full of things to do and places to visit.

Travel

Travel played a big part in my life during 2018. South coast of England, east coast of the USA , west coast of the USA and Scotland. There is an old saying ‘travel broadens the mind’ so perhaps there should be a bit more of it.

Route 66, Santa Monica — The end of Route 66 is on Pier Park, Santa Monica

The New Year is just around the cirner

2019 is already beckoning and it would be good to get to know my own country better. Perhaps an extended tour of the UK in a motor home? https://www.justgo.uk.com/ All suggestions gratefully received.

Get active

There should be more exercise. I could sign up for a ‘long walk’ or train for a half marathon. Again, all suggestions considered. I do need a challenge.

New skills

And then of course there is ‘sausage making’. I recently purchased a sausage maker. That is a story/blog, for another day.

It’s the best policy

I have to be honest and admit that I don’t like the turn of the year. The ticking of the clock. The anticlimax. The resolutions. The stepping into the unknown. But it is just another day with a different number when all is said and done… isn’t it?

Hello 2019

So, with some trepidation I will welcome in 2019. It boils down to two things: being healthy and happy. That is all I wish for my family, friends and of course you and me.

Happy New Year dear reader, I hope it will be kind to us.

24 December 2018

Wishing you warmth and good cheer this Christmas

Angel chimes, with lit advent candles on the mantelpiece by the Christmas tree.

I wish you a very happy Christmas and a healthy and prosperous New Year.

This image makes me think of the poem ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas’. It contains all the names of the reindeer: Dasher, Dancer, Prancer and Vixen Comet and Cupid, Donner and Blitzen and of course Rudolph. Which got me nine points in a recent pub quiz!

Wishing you warmth and good cheer this Christmas.

27 October 2018

Savour the Homemade Christmas Mincemeat

Mincemeat – it goes back a long way…

About thirty years ago a friend convinced me that homemade mincemeat was the best. She was not wrong and pointed me in the direction of Delia Smith https://www.deliaonline.com/. Yes of course I had a Delia Smith cook book (well four actually), seriously who didn’t back in the 80s? I loved that book, I never had a failure from it! However, I did adapt and ‘improve’ a little and put my own spin on certain recipes. But in the main, we have Delia to thank for this delight.

Ingredients for mincemeat — The glorious ingredients for mincemeat

The origins of mincemeat

I love the origins of the mince pie too. The ingredients for the mince pie we know and love can be traced back to the return of the crusaders from the Holy Land. Middle Eastern methods of cooking (which sometimes combined meats, fruits and spices – Heaven forbid!) were popular at the time. Pies were created from such mixtures of sweet and savoury foods (I am not sure about that either!) In Tudor England, shrid pies were formed from shredded meat, suet and dried fruit. The addition of spices such as cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg was, ‘in token of the offerings of the Eastern Magi.’ During the English Civil War they were banned, on account of its connection with Catholicism. Crikey! The hubster would never have survived. I also believe it is ‘bad luck’ to refuse a mince pie (I avoid being offered one) and… you should always make a wish as you bite into the first one of the season.

Everyone loves a mince pie… well nearly everyone

They are well-loved in our household. My son loves them with an almond paste/marzipan top. The hubster just loves them! Fortunately (or unfortunately) I DON’T. Anyway, here is my recipe for homemade Christmas Mincemeat:

The equipment you will need:

Ingredients

450g cooking apples, peeled cored and finely chopped
225g shredded suet http://www.atora.co.uk/
350g raisins
225g sultanas
225g currants
225g ready mixed chopped peel
350g dark, soft brown sugar
Grated rind and juice of 2 oranges
Grated rind and juice of 2 lemons
50g ready chopped almonds
4 teaspoons mixed spice
Half a teaspoon ground cinnamon
Half a teaspoon ground nutmeg
120 ml brandy

What to do:

Fresh fruit prepped for mincemeat — Prep the fresh fruit

Mix all the ingredients (except the brandy) in a mixing bowl. Put the bowl into a preheated oven 120^oC for three hours.

Fill your house with the amazing Christmassy aroma.

After three hours remove from the oven and allow to go completely cold – then stir in the brandy. Fill some clean, sealable jars or plastic containers.

The finished product, Homemade Christmas Mincemeat

It makes this much! Enough for probably 100 mince pies! It will keep for a very long time. Yes, it is a faff but it is definitely worth it. Savour the Homemade Christmas Mince Pies!