Helen Redfern

Yule Log

It might look quite good. But it didn't taste it. Ugh. Not making that one again.

Oh well, can't win 'em all.

(What shall I do with the one in the freezer though? What's that? Palm it off on my nephews? OK).

Edible Decorations

I realise that the last few posts have been about food. Actually cake. I make no apologies for this. Christmas time for me is when I can bake in the kitchen, radio playing, coffee to hand. When I can watch Jamie, Delia and Nigella with a notebook and glass of wine, making notes, planning the Christmas dinner which in reality is over in ten minutes. But I love it. I love planning the meal, the gravy and the bread sauce and all the cakes and biscuits that go with it.

Unfortunately my Yule Log this year was rubbish (and I made two of them, bah!). My tree biscuits, however, have been a big success. We (I?) have eaten many of them but a few remain on the tree and I can smell their spicy scent as I sit here. Gorgeous.

Apologies for the quality of photo. It was taken with my phone. Maybe Father Christmas will bring me a better one.

 

My Christmas Present to You: Malteser Cake

'Tis the season for kindness and giving and what better present could I give you than this fabulously simple recipe for malteser cake. And for those of you who worry about baking there is no oven involved. It's so simple. And delicious*.

• 100g butter
• 200g milk chocolate
• 3 tablespoons golden syrup
• 225g finely crushed digestives
• 225g maltesers

Melt together butter, chocolate and syrup. Add crushed biscuits and maltesers and mix quickly. Pour into a greased or lined tin. Chill until set. You could then drizzle with white chocolate or just sprinkle with icing sugar for a festive effect.

*Disclaimer. The author of this blog takes no responsibility at all for mass consumption of this recipe leading to feelings of sickness. Especially if alcohol is involved. You have been warned.

Scale Watch: Better Than New

This morning I tweeted that I thought today was going to be a rubbish kind of day. I know, I know so much for thinking positive. See as I was walking home from school that greyness, that bleakness tried to grab hold of me again as it occasionally does.

It always hits me when I'm tired and run down. I've worked hard this week on home stuff so over the course of Christmas I don't seem to be cooking all the damn time. (But I'll tell you all about that, with gratuitous pics, in another post).

When the small girl had her mid morning nap I decided to sort out my clothes. I believed I had none for the Christmas period and wanted to know exactly where I stood. I tried on a pair of trousers I wore before I was pregnant. They didn't fit, I knew they wouldn't as they were small (for me) but they almost fit. As in I could fasten them but not do up the zip kind of fit.

I was amazed. So I tried on some more stuff. That fit too. I had to dig out a belt. Which also fit. In a fit of excitement I dug out some of the clothes from under the bed that haven't seen light of day for a year and nine months.

They fit too.

"I have a brand new wardrobe" I tweeted, I was so excited. But this new wardrobe didn't consist of new clothes.

No. In the words of Bette Midler in The First Wives Club

It's better than new- I haven't worn it in years. Look at me I have a waist, I have legs, who knew?

Incidently I haven't weighed myself in weeks.

Cookie Christmas Tree

Cookie Christmas tree. First attempt.

Pink Birthday Cake

Now, as I've decided not to update my cake blog for a while, the gratuitous cake pictures will have to be posted here instead. Sorry about that.

Just how much did Bobby Davro make me laugh?

If you would like to know how I got on at the pantomime hop over to Have A Lovely Time and read my review. And if you would like to donate, I won't stop you. (Oh yes she will, oh no I won't).

Ahem.

My next house (please Father Christmas)

 
My favourite movie house of all time has to be Kate Winslet's house (left) in The Holiday. So I was very excited to discover (thanks to Keris) a site called Hooked On Houses. And it was interesting to find out the exterior of Kate's house (I forget her character's name) was built from scratch for the film in just a fortnight (so why it has taken weeks for my bathroom to be done I don't know). Then there is Jude Law's house (middle). Yes. I'd like that one please.

Naturally I also love the house in Something's Gotta Give (far right). But you probably knew that from a previous blog post.

Blogging about pantomime

Last night I took my son to see Cinderella as part of the Great Panto Review. This is a fabulous idea from the blogger Linda Jones. I contacted my local theatre (currently playing Cinderella) and they very kindly invited me to their press night. A wonderful time was had by all and I'm currently composing the review in my head.

So what is this Great Panto Review? Well, it is this. UK parent bloggers have contacted theatres all over the land requesting review tickets. When this happens they'll go along to the pantomime and then come home to write a review. The blogger and family get to see the pantomime for free, the pantomime gets publicity and, this is the fabulous bit, the blogger and anyone else who wishes to, makes a donation to NACCPO a rather wonderful charity supporting children and young adults with cancer.

You can find out more on the Have a Lovely Time blog. My review will be coming soon.

One Year

After so long as a trio I never believed, or should I say, dare believe, that we would become a quartet. Her first birthday, today, is somewhat of a shock to me. I know time goes quicker as you get older but this is just ridiculous. My son's first year, some five years ago, took about three or four times as long. It was painful, bleak and grey. Very, very grey.

This year has been tiring, hard work and grumpy at times. But, in comparison to the other first year, it has been a rainbow. 

I am incredibly grateful.