I actually bought a Christmas tree.  Clearly getting soft in my old age - though I still have very little excitement for anything xmas related, other than overeating.

presents and everything

It's black (bah humbug etc), skinny and 'pop up' - ie it's just a spiral of fake tree.  Came pre-decorated and pre-lit - but I've removed several hideous baubles, and swapped the harsh blue LEDs for some nicer warm white ones.

And I've added a few of my own decorations, though there wasn't really much space! Some holographic stars and mirror music notes from Ikea, a silver bead chain (instead of manky tinsel), and these tiny little hazel elves bought from the local craft market:

even cuter in real life!

The rest of my decorations are too big for the tree, so are hanging on a stand thing on the mantelpiece.

Today I've made my traditional cake - mincemeat and marzipan teabread.  It's so good!

As well as that, the last few weeks have been a bit of a mincemeat baking extravaganza:

• half a dozen mince pies
• mincemeat mini muffins
• more mince pies
• mincemeat flapjack
• yet more mince pies, but with 'posh' cassis (blackcurrant) mincemeat
• mincemeat and marzipan cake
• another batch of cassis pies to finish the jar off.

In my defence, some have been eaten by people at work and hungry kayakers.  But yes, I quite like mincemeat.. mmmmm

tags: cooking xmas