Feather your Nest Friday, 20th December, 2024.

It has been a week of getting ready for Christmas! There is a lot of joy in catching up with people and giving.  Also I think thanking people who were helpful and supportive through the year (and that includes so many of you) is lovely.  Life can fly by but when we stop and think about our Christmas list and all we have to be grateful for we realise there are people who need to be thanked.

I am going to have to not overthink this post so I will keep this bit short... but Andy and Dad both absolutely LOVED Christmas.  Andy said last Christmas was "the best Christmas ever."  I am so glad it was.  All December I felt the same thing which was to appreciate everything and every moment.  To make the most of it all.  And I did.  

A lot of us have had losses, health problems and a hard year.  We need Christmas more than ever though, not less.  So I hope we all have some of those truly special - remember forever - moments.  The best way to do this is to appreciate what Christmas is really about, the gift we have been given,  and to be the miracle someone is praying for.  

I have really noticed that even the smallest kindness has a big impact.   Thanks to the present cupboard and working away on little gifts all year I love to be able to give something to someone who doesn't expect it!  I think people are amazed someone even thought of them honestly.  

I made my annual Coconut Ice.   Most were wrapped with pink ribbon and rosebuds but a few were tied up with string for the men.  Some went into gift hampers.

Some has been saved to go onto a desert platter I am making up tomorrow.

Also I made shortbread.   

This tin is traveling with me tomorrow.  It is our Christmas with Lucy and her family! 

The plain square ones were for a man and they went into a tin I saved from last year. 

I had a heap of really big and very ripe lemons.  I made lemon cordial... this keeps eight weeks in the fridge.  This is for family so I didn't even soak off the labels!   Everyone saves me bottles and jars which is so helpful!  It is really delicious.  I used 22 big lemons.

Reading one of my favourite blogs it hit me how a picture truly does say a thousand words.   If you would like to see what I mean see this post Jennifer of Elephantz  The picture was her shelves full of jars with fabric covers.  That photo just said  "I love my home.  I am one happy and contented woman" to me.   It hit me as so beautiful.   All my Proverbs Women images came to mind.  So I thought I must realise a photo of something homely can be very heartwarming and inspiring. 

I decided to email Jennifer to tell her my thoughts.  In the longe room I already had a parcel from her waiting for Christmas.   She replied to me to open the parcel!

In the parcel there were four of the jar covers!  haha!  She thought to make me some BEFORE I saw them!  That is the same as being gifted something before you knew you wanted it!  😊

The garden is producing!  I have my baby pumpkins.  I love them so much.

Despite some hot days and having to throw a wet towel over them my cucumbers are looking good!

I have been picking cucumbers then someone also gave me some!  

I am making Nanas tomato, onion and zucchini pie as always for Christmas Day.  Actually a couple.  This will use a few.  Then I think Zucchini slice and I will process some to freeze and freeze dry. 

Sonja reminded me about zoodles.... instead of noodles... so I will be using them this way too!

Tom did almost all the work on this cake.  He was so proud.  He added the "snow" on top.

I have my new 2025 planner and even two new pens to write in it.  Thinking over the year and making plans for the new year is one of my favourite things.

I hope you have a wonderful Christmas.  What have you been doing this week?  Did making things during the year help you be ready?  And what have you been baking or preserving?   Food gifts seem to be a massive hit.  When you see the price of things in the shops you can figure out why! 

Thank you all for being with me all year.xxx