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Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

Living well in the urban village

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Getting Ready for Christmas

December 12, 2012 by Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

At our house, it isn't Christmas until the fat lady swings...

At our house, it isn’t Christmas until the fat lady swings…

Christmas is less than a fortnight away, and we’re not ready.

We’re actually not even close to ready. Normally by this time of year, we’d have Christmas presents sorted, meals planned and the house tidy.

This year, we’ve been frantic – Pete’s siblings arrive on the weekend and I haven’t even thought about what I’m going to feed them. I’ve only just started making Christmas presents, and things keep breaking down – the dishwasher, then the oven, and now the back (guest) toilet.  We haven’t had time to make any jams, Christmas cakes or puddings.

Sigh.

I’ve decided there’s no point stressing about it all. Sometimes life affords you a little control, other times you just have to hang on for the ride.

So we’re having a low key Christmas. I’m going to glaze a couple of hams, because they’re easy, and having a leg in the fridge means we’ll never be caught short of a meal…

Judging from the garden, it will be a squash-based festive season. After years of whinging about not being able to grow zucchinis, we are on the verge of a glut.  The tromboncinos look ready to take off as well. I’m sure we’ll be sick to death of them in a month or so, but at the moment I’m so excited by how fast they’re growing that I keep running outside to admire them…

This year we’re going with tried and tested favourites from the kitchen, including…

…Vanilla sugar…I’ve made a huge 3kg batch, ready for packaging up…

…Chocolate chip cookies…

…World Peace cookies…

…and lots of moulded chocolate treats (more to come in a future post!)…

If you’d like some ideas for homemade gifts, please have a look at our Christmas page.

The tree finally went up last weekend, and it’s always a joy to pull our fat mermaids out of their box…

Here’s the third mermaid in the set…

How are things going at your place?

I’m sorry if I haven’t stopped by your blog for a while – it’s been really hectic.  But it’s also been a month filled with family and friends, so I’m certainly not complaining! ♥

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Posted in Food & Friends, Frugal Living | 67 Comments

67 Responses

  1. on December 12, 2012 at 7:05 pm bizzylizzycooks

    Oh Lordy, Celia, if you have your tree up, you are far more organised than me!!! Help…. Love your fat lady… and such deliciousness is going on as always. Happy cooking love.


    • on December 12, 2012 at 8:20 pm Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      You too, Lizzy! I hope you’re enjoying the season – I know you’ve been flat out as well! xx


  2. on December 12, 2012 at 7:10 pm Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella

    I still haven’t even conceived of getting our tree up! So you’re already ahead of us by a mile :P


    • on December 12, 2012 at 8:21 pm Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      Small Man was insistent on the weekend! And our tree is huge – it fill ups the entire corner of the living room!


  3. on December 12, 2012 at 7:12 pm Jo Smith

    Every year I have a big list of things I would like to make for Christmas and every year I run out of time (or I have very poor organisational skills). A low key Christmas that includes your wonderful goodies sounds great.


    • on December 12, 2012 at 8:23 pm Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      Thanks Jo! Some years we make a really good go of it, others are less productive. It’s so hard to predict how Nov/Dec are going to be, so we just take it as it comes. Low key and manageable are just what we need this year! Hope you and your lovely family are enjoying the season! :)


  4. on December 12, 2012 at 7:29 pm Eha

    I thought I had seen every possible Christmas ornament possible – but never anything as much fun as your gorgeous fat lady :) ! And methinks you are way ahead of 90% of us!


    • on December 12, 2012 at 8:24 pm Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      Eha, thanks for the encouragement! Aren’t the fat ladies gorgeous? I’ve just added a photo of the third mermaid since everyone is so taken with them! :)


      • on December 12, 2012 at 9:09 pm Eha

        Thanks for telling: I thought I was seeing things and better go to bed :D !


  5. on December 12, 2012 at 7:32 pm My Kitchen Stories

    Yes it is already here. At least this year I am off a few days before Christmas so I may not have any excuse to complain about all those last minute things. I am sure you will create some incredible food and your garden will help you provide. Hope it is all OK for you Celia xxx


    • on December 12, 2012 at 8:25 pm Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      Thanks darling! Do you and Skater have an exciting Christmas planned?


  6. on December 12, 2012 at 8:05 pm lindasgarden

    Celia your post is awesome I only put my tree up last night and have not even thought about nice edible’s so will try some of your lovely ideas out
    have a nice time and seasons greetings to you and your family


    • on December 12, 2012 at 8:25 pm Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      Thanks Linda! All the best to you and your family too! :)


  7. on December 12, 2012 at 8:06 pm Jeannette

    Like everyone else, I LOVE your fat lady mermaids!!!! They would put a smile on anyone’s face, I think.


    • on December 12, 2012 at 8:26 pm Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      Jeannette, I’m not usually possessive, but every Christmas, no-one is allowed to hang the ladies on the tree except me! :)


  8. on December 12, 2012 at 8:14 pm lambsearsandhoney

    Celia, I just adore your fat ladies – where, oh where, did you get them?!


    • on December 12, 2012 at 8:31 pm Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      Oh Amanda, you have no idea how long I’ve hunted around for more! I bought these over a decade ago from a local antique store – they were only $8 each – and I’ve never been able to find any more. I’ve just added a photo of the third one in the set for you! :)


  9. on December 12, 2012 at 9:16 pm Claire @ Claire K Creations

    Celia you look pretty organised to me! We’re hosting a Christmas dinner here next Sat and I’m so very far from organised!


    • on December 15, 2012 at 4:51 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      Claire, you are one of the most organised people ever! Can’t wait to see how your dinner goes! :) xx


  10. on December 12, 2012 at 9:33 pm J Cosmo Newbery

    Christmas? That’s weeks away. Isn’t it?


    • on December 15, 2012 at 4:52 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      Oh yes darling, don’t worry about it. :)


  11. on December 12, 2012 at 9:37 pm thecompletecookbook

    Seems quite a few of us are having to hang on for the ride this year Celi.
    My mom is the first to arrive this evening with a steady flow or family arriving over the next few days. Enjoy your family time Celi.
    :-) Mandy xo


    • on December 15, 2012 at 4:52 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      Mandy, it sounds like you’re in for a wonderful few weeks! Enjoy! xx


  12. on December 12, 2012 at 11:37 pm Heidi

    I do love your mermaids- I saw some very similar in Chincoteague last season- I’ll have to look and see if they still have them.
    I have made the first surge of gifts (and delivered them to an early family party.)
    I haven’t been blogging much lately due to working very diligently every morning and evening on gifts- everything homemade this year- I just DON”T want to go shopping!
    Hope your holidays shimmer with joy and anticipation- Love you!


    • on December 15, 2012 at 4:54 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      Heidi, I’ve found out that the mermaids were made by an American company called Katherine’s Collection – they have a huge range of just the most gorgeous decorations! Here’s their website:

      http://www.katherinescollection.com/Home

      Hope you and Frank and your wonderful family have the best Christmas ever! Lots of love xxx


  13. on December 13, 2012 at 1:12 am Norma Chang

    I too love your fat mermaids. Serving freshly harvested home grown squashes at the Christmas table, what a treat. Looking forward to reading about what you do with the tromboncinos.


    • on December 15, 2012 at 4:55 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      Norma, the tromboncinos are growing sooo fast! We’ve eaten one already – they’re great, like a slightly sweet zucchini – really great in a stir fry. We’ll try and collect some seed at the end of the season – email me if you’d like me to send you some! x


  14. on December 13, 2012 at 1:40 am ChgoJohn

    From now until the holiday, the days just seem to tick away, one after another, in a blur. Seems, though, that you’ve got a good handle on things. Love the cookies and chocolate but you’ve a gft preparing glazed hams! Mmmmm.


    • on December 15, 2012 at 4:56 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      John, thank you! It’s been hectic – the relatives are all here now, so I’m replying to these comments before they all get up – then we’re off to the fish markets at 7am! Hope you’re having a wonderful festive season, dear friend! x


  15. on December 13, 2012 at 3:20 am cravesadventure

    Love the mermaid ladies:) Your kitchen must smell so GREAT! Have a Great Day:)


    • on December 15, 2012 at 4:56 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      Renee, hope you have a wonderful Christmas too! x


  16. on December 13, 2012 at 3:46 am Suelle

    You might feel way behind with your preparations, Celia, but I’ve done nothing except order some meat! It will be a very low-key Christmas here too, but I still need to get a bit more done.

    Your chocolates and cookies look perfect, and courgettes are the perfect antidote to rich food! LOL!


    • on December 15, 2012 at 4:57 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      Suelle, I’ve decided low key is good. We’re not fussing, so anything we come up with is a bonus! :) Enjoy your lovely family this Christmas!


  17. on December 13, 2012 at 5:25 am Meaghan

    I hope you and your family have a wonderful Christmas Celia. Thanks for all of your fabulous posts this year and I look forward to another food-filled year next year. You’ve been a terrific inspiration to me. Thanks again and have a very merry Christmas…


    • on December 15, 2012 at 4:58 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      Meaghan, thank you so much! It’s so rewarding being able to share our adventures with you all! Merry Christmas to you and your family!


  18. on December 13, 2012 at 8:19 am Promenade Claire

    Loving the fat lady swinging!!!!


    • on December 15, 2012 at 4:59 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      Claire, isn’t she a hoot? I hang the girls up high, so small people with slippery fingers can’t get hold of them! :)


  19. on December 13, 2012 at 8:32 am Jane @ Shady Baker

    Hello Celia, I love the idea of not stressing about it…really its not worth it is it? I need to remember these words constantly! Your tree is pretty, love the mermaids! The vanilla sugar is a great idea too. Stay cool & happy tromboncino growing and eating! x


    • on December 15, 2012 at 5:00 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      Jane, it’s always been our approach to entertaining. When we were younger, we used to hold a HUGE Christmas party every year. Some years we went all our and cooked and prepped for days before hand, other times we served sausages on a slice of bread on a paper napkin. No-one seemed to mind either way! Thanks for all the tromboncino advice, and enjoy Christmas with your lovely family! xx


  20. on December 13, 2012 at 8:33 am kenandjan

    Merry Christmas to you and yours.. I look forward to following you in 2013.
    may your Christmas be filled with fun, family and laughter.. and a very Happy New Year as well :)


    • on December 15, 2012 at 5:01 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      Thanks so much, Jan! Best wishes to you for a Merry Christmas and a great 2013!


  21. on December 13, 2012 at 9:52 am alison@thisbloominglife

    ‘Tis the season for stressing, you’re ahead of us. Kids finish school today and I haven’t done one bit of shopping – oops. I’ve got some vanilla essence I made to give away (once I buy some bottles). Take care and enjoy the family and friends, after all that is what it is all about! Alison xxx


    • on December 15, 2012 at 5:02 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      Thanks Alison! And thanks again for the succulent inspiration! My siblings in law arrived with a few pots for me yesterday, so I was pretty chuffed! All the best for a wonderful Christmas!


  22. on December 13, 2012 at 9:57 am Rufus' Food and Spirits Guide

    We have that fat lady ornament in purple. Sadly we don’t but I wish we did. Great post!


    • on December 15, 2012 at 5:03 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      Greg, she’s no longer available, but there are other great designs available from the same manufacturer, who are US based:

      http://www.katherinescollection.com/Home

      Opening champagne today! Have a wonderful Chrissie!


  23. on December 13, 2012 at 12:50 pm sponge

    Wow! The cookies looks deliciuos! Enjoy time with your family,that’s what this season is about.


    • on December 15, 2012 at 5:03 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      Sponge, it really is, isn’t it? Enjoy the season! :)


  24. on December 13, 2012 at 3:32 pm Liz

    I’m glad I’m not the only one wishing I had a couple more weeks to make the presents and goodies that I want to. I’ve made crackers, almond bread and lemon spread for gifts but haven’t got to the candies yet. Food for Christmas day is easy–my very generous brother-in-law has given me two beautiful lobsters!!!


    • on December 15, 2012 at 5:04 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      Liz, that sounds wonderful! I’m a bit more organised now – have three batches of cookie dough in the freezer, ready to do mixed platters next week, and have made a huge batch of mixed nuts. Have a great Christmas!


  25. on December 13, 2012 at 3:55 pm EllaDee

    I know you have more to do, but you have done so much… and it all looks wonderful. All I’ve done is a lot of onlne shopping and put up the tree! I now have ornament envy ;)


    • on December 15, 2012 at 5:05 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      ED, I’m sorry to give you ornament envy! This is the closest I can get to sharing the mermaids with you all! :) Have a great Christmas love! xx


  26. on December 13, 2012 at 10:50 pm Tandy

    I’ve done nothing for Christmas! Those marrows look fantastic. Hope the loo gets fixed in time :)


    • on December 15, 2012 at 5:06 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      Thanks Tandy – loo is fixed (I’m still heaping blessings on the head of our darling plumbers). Have a great Christmas! xx


  27. on December 14, 2012 at 12:29 am Anne @GtSlamseysFarm

    Your fat ladies are fab and so is your garden. Squash based festive season sounds interesting! I’m just pretending that Christmas is ages away – saves worrying about all the things I should be doing (or have done already). A x


    • on December 15, 2012 at 5:06 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      Anne, we’re having our first great squash season, and I’m really excited! Hope Christmas is enjoyable and not too stressful! xx


  28. on December 14, 2012 at 1:27 am Thetoymaker (@Thetoymaker)

    The wonderhub decorated the tree last night. The boy was working doing the lights for “It’s a Wonderful Life” at the local community theatre. I “supervised” meaning I sat on the couch and ate my dinner.

    “Inner Peace Through Lowered Expectations” is my motto. Do what you can, enjoy the time and forget the rest. Relax. Big Hugs, Maz.


    • on December 15, 2012 at 5:07 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      Bless you, my darling friend, you are a true kindred spirit! Flat out like a lizard drinking today with all the family here, but enjoying it immensely! Lots of love to you all! xx


  29. on December 14, 2012 at 2:13 am Glenda

    Celia, I just love your fat mermaids. I am so jel, jel:) Have a wonderful time with your family.


    • on December 15, 2012 at 5:08 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      Thanks darling! We’re even now – you have a Santa that blows smoke rings! :) Merry Christmas to you and Maus! x


  30. on December 14, 2012 at 5:49 am InTolerantChef

    Feeling for you Celia! I feel so unprepared this year too. My trees have been up for a few weeks though, as that’s non-negotiable! Your mermaids are just so cute, have you got the matching fish as well? I saw them at the Bredbo Christmas Barn- just about the best shop in the entire world!!
    Ham is terrific as a fill in, we have it fried for breakfast, baked for dinner, slabs in sandwiches, and slithers to nibble on in-between :)
    Merry Christmas Sweetie!


    • on December 15, 2012 at 5:09 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      Becca, thank you so much for putting me onto Bredbo – they know who the maker of the mermaids was! Can’t get them anymore, but they have a wide range of newer models! Enjoy the season with your lovely family, darling! x


  31. on December 14, 2012 at 10:04 am Kari @ bite-sized thoughts

    I’m not ready either, so I feel your stress. Going low key is a good stance to take, I think! I love your ideas for gifts, too, and those chocolates are beautiful.


    • on December 15, 2012 at 5:09 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      Kari, thank you – sometimes it’s easier to just capitulate rather than try and stress out just before Christmas! :) Hope you get a chance to take it easy too! Merry Christmas!


  32. on December 15, 2012 at 2:34 am sallybr

    Celia, your “disorganization” puts my most organized days to complete shame… :-)

    I absolutelly LOVED the fat mermaids – my gosh they are cute, adorable, and so self-confident in their plumpness!

    we don’t have a tree yet, we don’t have gifts wrapped, many gifts not yet even decided. I feel always rushed and running after something that I cannot quite reach. Oh, well…

    ENJOY THE RIDE, MY FRIEND, that’s what matters!


    • on December 15, 2012 at 5:10 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      Sally, sometimes we get a say, other times, life just happens. And either way, it’s usually good! Wishing you and Phil all the very best this festive season! xx


  33. on December 15, 2012 at 2:35 pm Jan

    Celia your buxom, lovesome Mermaids are so gorgeous. They make me smile and they seem to be all about generous love and laughter. Thanks for all the enjoyment your blog has given me all through the year and a very merry Christmas to you and your family and love, laughter and contentment in the New Year.


  34. on December 15, 2012 at 3:07 pm Sally

    Love the fat lady swings!



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