There's No Place Like Home, There's No Place Like Home...

I will be posting on my weekend's pursuits soon... unfortunately little things (work, eating, sleeping, car in garage, hellish public transport, messy flat) got in the way yesterday. But bear with me, after being utterly knackered out, a little fairy lightbulb of an idea pinged into life above my head. This weekend, I shall be mostly preparing at home, for celebrating at home (well, the outlaws' outpost in the frozen north- a lovely place full of cider, cheese and bracing walks along the Lancashire coast). It fits frugal, it fits things-to-do. Plus, it's warm and I can do it in my PJs.

Formby Beach In Winter- Brr!

Celebrating at home is one of the best ways to have a fun-and-frugal time; and, because Christmas celebrations are traditionally home-based (indeed frugal and home made, or 70s/80s tacky, are the new 'good taste' if mags and Channel 4 are to be believed!).

Here are my plans:

First off, as any healthy schools co-ordinator will tell you, dehydration is a killer. Even at low levels it can affect your efficiency and effectiveness in pursuing ... well, whatever your current interest is. In this case: Christmas cheer. I lost my train of thought there - probably through dehydration. See what I mean??

For many, it's a time to crack out the vintage port. We did this a couple of years back; I must admit port isn't my forte and I rather embarassed Sir Florizel of Tweed by describing the vintage (oh yes, it was a vintage port, natch) as a cross between gin and Vimto, then referring to the bottle as the 'Ginto' for the next 48 hours. It did, however, result in Sir Florizel of Tweed's Universal Panacea: a cure-all consisting of two shots of gin (or Vodka), a shot of Vimto cordial, topped up with boiling water. It really does cure most ills! I think he just realised that he could save abot thirty quid a pop by giving me this instead of the proper stuff.

If you have slightly higher standards in beveragery than I, check out these easy-to-make recipes:

Paula Deen's hot drinks: I am a Paula Deen addict. She's an Americal celebrity chef, more of the Nigella as-much-cream-and-butter-as-you-can-muster ilk than a Jamie O (...ironically making junk food rebelliously cool to teens, rest of rant removed...). Anyway, I'm not saying Paula is in any way whatsoever healthsome- I use one maybe once a month, max because these recipes are utterly calorific, but at least it's consistently bad for you with no mixed messages (like 'other brands, too salty, my brand...errr').



Yes there is butter in those mugs.

Hots drinks like this are fabulous for a winter take on the tea-party, accompanied by some dainty 'high tea' bakes, mince pies and a cheesy movie. But after dark, it's time for something a little stronger. Oh shame, the hours of daylight are so short... as my old auntie would say 'the bar opens at twelve'...

I would go for mulled wine myself. Or some lovely cocktails - the Good To Know website might not be the most frou-frou and fashionable website, but it is fantastic for simple recipes such as:
Cheesy red and yellow pepper canapes
Smoked Salmon Blinis
Christmas Dinner canapes (oh yes!)
...but, if you are having peeps round for Christmas drinks, I have to recommed these olive penguins: so Christmassy, so camp, so perfect. While I'm at it, I thoroughly recommend Cut Out And Keep for simple craft inspiration: projects are added all the time, by users, so even complete clutzes like myself can manage most things!

OK. So I have my recipes sorted. Next up, decor... aside from the cheesy ole tree, that is.

Byedy bye...