Part 1Winter Gardens Aberdeen December 2011

Spent a wonderful afternoon in the Winter Gardens behind glass .

http://http://www.aberdeencity.gov.uk/community_life_leisure/parks_open_spaces/pos_wintergdn.asp

I have been many a time but 1st time in December ,I am now going to take you on a journey of wonderful plants.

The cyclamen were amazing like treasure full of jewels

The cacti were in large hanging baskets and in full bloom

 

The Primulas were so colourful and a real pleasure

 

The Hibuscus was like a tree so big

The Silk Tree

 

 

Scotkat

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Garden Memories Part 2

Waited 5yrs for my Tree Peony to bloom

Got the pleasure for a short while then snapped in gale force winds.

 

 

Golden Torch thought this was turning out pink but was delighted when it bloomed a beautiful white.

So looking forward to when it blooms again this year.

 

So like my Alpina clematis and always get a second flush of blooms to delight us.

 

My Unknown Camellia  blooms every year

And Daphane a must have in the garden the perfume is wonderful

 

  Its so nice to go back and look at garden photos when in winter there is not much in bloom

 

scotkat

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Garden Memories Part 1

Its so wild and windy but so nice to look through garden images.

Where we can look back on what we have had in our garden or seen in my our travels.

These were some of my fuchsias I had in 2009

I think these are such a cheerful flowers with happy faces 

 

A Favourite Clematis

I so enjoy clematis in my garden the pleasure is a delight and lasts for so long.

Alpina Frankie  

 

Soon be seeing crocus in our garden

 

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My Christmas Cake

When first married used to buy a ready bought Christmas cake .

As nice as they were well memory serves well and thought so at the time .

 

As years went past I started to make my own cake and for a number of years num have used family recipe that was passed down which I even modified and dried cranberries.

Everyone this year I choose to buy Mary Berry's Christmas Cake Pack

An excellent cake thank you

 

But I did add Brandy for a few weeks

Had taste on Christmas day was rather full to really enjoy but as you know a must have.

And as the cake matures the better taste it has.

What can I say about shortbread .

Melt in the mouth with added cranberries

And lastly homemade cranberry sauce

 

And was truly amazing cinnamon stick,fresh lemon zest ,brandy ,cloves and apple juice.

All this nice homemade food shall need to go for plenty walks everyone.

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Butternut Squash and Lime Soup

Just made a pot of this excellent soup.

Just had to share. If I was to give marks for this wonderful soup it would be:

10 out of 10 - First class

http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/butternutsquashandli_7923

Thanks goes to James Martin for this wonderful recipe.

First time making this soup but will sure be on my list of Favourites.

The limes just finish it off nicely.

I have a raised kitchen herb bed but think I shall pot up Hanging Herb Pots in 2012 with Basil, Coriander and Parsley to hang on my Clematis Arch.

Enjoy!

Scotkat

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Fresh Cranberry Shortbread bars

I came across this recipe this afternoon and just had to share it

. http://coleensrecipes.blogspot.com/2009/10/cranberry-shortbread-bars.html

 

Just ready to go in oven .

 

And as I had enough fresh cranberries decided to make an am so glad I did .

They are so good

This recipe could so easily be adapted with many types of fruit

Enjoy

Scotkat

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Mincemeat Slice

Just out of oven and dusted with icing sugar.

The recipe is on the Trowels forum: http://forums.trowelslg.com/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=2427 I also added dried cranberries to the mincemeat.

Scotkat

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Baileys Chocolate Truffles

Today my project was to make Baileys Truffles. See recipe on the Trowels forum: http://forums.trowelslg.com/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=2411

Dry Ingredients for truffles

All mixed up

So tasty but now in fridge to chill

I think these would be nice with dried sweetened cranberries to instead of sultanas.

May add the cranberries to 2nd batch 

Scotkat

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Christmas Mincemeat Pies

1st Batch just made 

Pastry

 

I made Christmas mincemeat pies this morning here is recipe I used for pastry.

http://gardenerscorner.co.uk/forum/recipes/20422-mince-pies.html

 

Orange Zest

 

 

Juice of fresh orange added to whisked egg

Just out of oven   

Scotkat

 

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Gingerbread Cup Cakes made this afternoon

This afternoon we made some gingerbread cup cakes using this recipe: http://uktv.co.uk/food/recipe/aid/640627

Didn’t quite turn out the same as the picture but tasted good nonetheless.

Scotkat

 

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Cranberry Fudge Recipe

Fudge now set and cut into pieces, its so tasty!

You need to keep in fridge as its a soft fudge.

Now no nipping into fridge for a taste before Christmas.

Recipe Link

Scotkat

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Christmas Crochet Necklate finished

I guess you are now all wondering what a necklate is by now.

Its not a scarf as all you might think but its an accessory to wrap around your jacket coat or favourite sweater.

Lets first start with the Bohemia finished crochet hat which I decide to use the driftwood pattern which I love but still this yarn to think to crochet with maybe lends itself to be knitted with large needles but ever so warm.

Now the necklate I so love this is my very own design of a pattern .

It only has 3rows.

You can adapt the amount of stitches depending if you want a short necklate or longer.Hard to see but the white yarn is glitter yarn and very effective.

I did use the rest of the Bohemia yarn for this and very happy of how it has turned out

And now for my Christmas necklate Selling pattern of necklate on Esty 


You really don't see the glitter effect but its tuned out just how I wanted  it


In progress Cranberrie fudge

After simmering add cranberries
 
Give a good stir to mix well

Spread mixture into a lined baking tray and chill for 24 hrs


So moorish if anyone would like the recipe happy to post on next blog
Scotkat

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Update on sideways crochet scarf

 

Well everyone I guess you are wondering how it is coming on .:)

 

Big mistake love the pattern but using Bohemia yarn is too chuncky and scarf was not sitting good.

So have rattled it down as it just was not perfect.

My scarf  has 60 chains and using shell stitch stitch working on my 8mm tunisian hook.

And I am so thrilled as decided to design my own pattern  .

Made a driftwood hat with the rest of the Bohemia yarn .

But you will need to wait a little bit longer to see the photos.

Watch this space

 

Part4: Crochet & Knitting

Christmas crochet skirt all finished

I am pleased how it has turned out .

Next year I think I will try to crochet snowmen to add to it.

Need to look for a pattern for a snowman.

 

Pleased with the effect

In progress posy wreaths

Nearly finished these

 

Scotkat

 

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