Christmas Pudding & Brandy Butter.

OK - so apparently this online rambling nonsense is becoming a semi-foodie blog (thank you everyone for your tweets, texts, comments on FB xx). Yes, I do make my own Christmas puddings, usually a few years in advance. They hang from my kitchen ceiling where it is dry, with good circulation so they never go mouldy. This recipe was given to me by my dear friend Shirley Baker, who was about 70 years old at the time. It was her grandmother's recipe, so I guess that makes it a tried & true delicious recipe. Sadly, Shirley passed away a few years ago now. She was a wonderfully naughty woman, who showed me that it is brilliantly OK to age with gumption (& a bit of beer on a Friday).

Shirley's Christmas Pudding.

12 oz plain flour
1 packet of suet
8 oz breadcrumbs
8 oz sultanas
8 oz raisins
8 oz currants
8 oz dried apricots
8 oz dried figs
8 oz dates.
¼ lb mixed peel
1 tbsp mixed spice
½ tsp cinnamon
6 oz brown sugar
Grated rind and juice of 1 lemon
6 eggs
1 grated carrot
1 grated apple.
Mixture of nuts to add.
Alcohol for soaking fruit: brandy/sherry/port - soak the dried fruit at least 3 months before making the puddings

1. Place a saucer in the bottom of a large pot, fill with water & put it on to boil.
2. Sift the flour.
3. Mix the suet into the flour.
4. Add the breadcrumbs, fruit, spices, sugar, carrot, apple & lemon rind.
5. Beat the eggs well & mix all together.
6. Add the lemon juice & mix well.
7. Divide the mixture into 2, & place into well floured cloths.
8. Plunge the puddings into the boiling water & boil for 4 hours.
   
9. Keep the puddings covered at all times.
10. Remove the puddings, cool & then trim the excess fabric.
11. Hang the puddings until they required: they will keep for years if they are stored properly.
12. When the pudding is required boil it for a further 2 hours.

Brandy Butter

125gm butter
1¼ cup brown sugar
¼ cup brandy

1. Beat butter well
2. Add sugar & beat well
3. Add brandy & beat well
4. Store in the fridge
   

Terry Told Me Off!!!

I have had a very timely reminder from a dear friend, in that I have not updated this blog in like FOREVER, & he is totally correct. But given that he has publicly shamed me on Facebook with his reminder, here is my payback - here is a photo of the gorgeous Terry & myself at a work Christmas party in 2oo8.

So, what has happened recently?

• We had a great Christmas, which we spent with my brother's in-laws. It was a fantastic & joyous day, with none of the family members having to work at all. Brilliant! It was a 10 hour party marathon, & I would think that it was one of the best days I have ever had.
• The boys spent NYE with my bother & his wife down at the beach. Jem & I were both off, it was a stinking hot night, but then the power went out during a massive thunderstorm. We lit candles to see, but that just turned out to be disastrously too hot, so we blew them all out & were then covered in stinky candle smoke for quite a while. Not as romantic as you would think really.
  
• Both Jem & I have had holidays at home, but took consecutive 2 week blocks to try to cover the school holidays as best we could. We're both back at work now, & the boys go back to school at the end of next week. Mum & Dad are doing the grandparent thing & all seem to be enjoying themselves.
  
• Both boys have moved up a grade at school, Jack being now in Grade 5 & Tom moving into Year 7. It's been a marathon of book buying/covering, clothes buying/naming, shoe buying & form filling. Both boys are looking forward to the new school year to see all their mates again. I just feel like I'm getting old & am losing my babies as they march into adulthood at a very rapid rate.
• The animals continue to rule the house. We are their very obedient servants, so all is right with the world.

So, what now?

• I promise whole heartedly to Terry to be more diligent in my ramblings here.
• We have "Briards in Ballarat" coming up on March 7th at our home. All the gang will be here it seems, plus a new member, Miss Tee who is just a delight & I can't wait to meet her & her Mum! Will definitely have a ramble or two about that day!