Re: Christmas past...
 

Funnily enough,first year i lived in Spain,was amazed to see bar-b-qs on the beach, i thought it was great, beats freezing yer nads off here imho.

Re: Christmas past...
 

I had a (five star hotel) christmas in Funchal Madiera - wonderful.
We were a group of over 45 singles.
The food, the weather, the company were all brilliant.

Re: Christmas past...
 

Bit of a traditionalist where Christmas is concerned, North West Europe, cold, snow, fog & ice has to be, wouldn't have it any other way. :)

Re: Christmas past...
 

Thats the way to do it.;)

Re: Christmas past...
 

Funchal is one of the nicest places I've ever been too, the street slay down the cobbles was something to behold:D

Re: Christmas past...
 

Punch used to say that when he'd clobbered Judy:D

Re: Christmas past...
 

Same here DiG!

Gone cold here finally after some decent snow in the Alps.

Drove to Pavia yesterday to visit a friend in hospital - the view was amazing of the snow on the mountains, beautiful sunny, freezing day - all the colours were really vivid.

Expecting snow tomorrow so it may start to feel a bit festive at last - still have all the presents to buy so i hope we don't get snowed in, though i quite like it when that hapens!:)

Re: Christmas past...
 

Don't know about the Alps mobertol, it looks very alpine outside my gaff this morning:D

Re: Christmas past...
 

Lovely Jay -are you on for a White Xmas in Ossy then I wonder?

Everything looks so much prettier when covered in snow, white, clean and untouched....Am such a romantic! Not a thought for everyone struggling to go about their everyday business:D

Re: Christmas past...
 

Well it sure looks like a Christmas Card scene outside this morning:D

Re: Christmas past...
 

Don't mind the cold and snow at all so long as it stays white and crisp rather than grey and slushy.

Bring on the gluhwein and the gingerbread! :drunk:

Re: Christmas past...
 

Got to agree with that Sue & by Gingerbread I assume you mean Lebkuchen. :)

Re: Christmas past...
 

Oh yes the ones with pink or white icing not the chocolate ones.

Usoally buy some each year but have forgotten so far... will have to see if they still have some in Aldi.

Re: Christmas past...
 

I make my own -they are dead easy and make a nice pressie for friends. I also make Chocolate truffles (would you believe i still have chocolate from some Easter eggs that needs using up)

Last year I was dead keen and made a selection with mince pies and Cantucci (almond biscotti) for friends. I also made my own patés and terrines too -am still waiting for inspiration this year...

I have put the dried fruit steeping in Brandy and Port for the mince-meat this aft. -once you've tried home-made you'll never buy Robinson's jars again! (I use Delia Smith's recipe without the suet!):)

Normally I also make home-made ravioli with a braised beef stuffing on Xmas eve, while listening to my Xmas CD's.:D

Re: Christmas past...
 

As I don't yet have a proper kitchen in this house I don't cook more than I have to.

Always used to make my own mincemeat usually at the same time as pudding and cake so about 6 weeks before Christmas to give it time to mature. Sometimes didn't use it till the following year.

Also have a pate recipe to die for...