Being an expat in Australia the Christmas in July is strong in our traditions. There is nothing better than an excuse for cooking a turkey (in the cold!). I love the smell of it that pervades the house for hours. I love making stock with the turkey carcass and keeping it in the freezer for risottos and soups. I love making mincepies and putting on the christmas music. I love the excess of vegetables. And the friends. And the wine and merriment. We rotate this pleasure with some of our English/Irish friends and do the "bring a course" method. This year we actually managed to have the "do" in June (A first - it's usually in August, September and possibly even October - almost never in July). I cooked desert and made "little mincemeat souffles" which is a recipe by Delia Smith. Those Australian's amongst us need to remember that mincemeat has nothing to do with meat but is fruitmince. Those UK people amongst the readership will know of Delia.
I learned to cook from Delia and her fail safe recipes have led to my absolute confidence that whatever I cook, it will work out fine - so have ended up very adventurous and never afraid to try a new recipe - even when I have friends coming for dinner and I've never cooked it before. I also made Rhubarb mincemeat (fruitmince) mincepies which is a Nigella recipe if my memory services me right - this is absolutely delicious. couldn't find this on Nigella's site but did find it on a blog called Chocolate Teapot which sounds pretty appealing in its own right.
Must admit that we do the whole turkey things at Christmas too, but that is much more hit and miss with the weather and there have been plenty of times that I have found sweat pouring down me, with the oven on full blast and it's hotter in the kitchen than it is outside (which can be 30 degrees plus).
Winter or summer - I do love it. I wish we could have more excuses for a turkey!
There are a few Christmas patterns around that I thought I'd remind you of, some old, some new - to get you in the festive spirit too.
New pattern by Kellie Wulfsohn of Don't Look Now - 25 more sleeps
Another one by Kellie called White Christmas (and don't forget her Oh Christmas Tree and first day of christmas which I have blogged about before).
Rosalie Quinlan's new little Christmas book "Petit Noel" - love the mini bunting. Lots of quick and simple projects in this booklet. Quite achievable!
There are some gorgeous projects in here. A combination of stitchery, applique, patchwork etc. I particularly love a hanging heart that has a bird wearing a christmas hat and scarf. It's very cute and I will be stitching this.
There's also Natalie Bird's little booklet "tis the season" which has gorgeous stitcheries as well as lots of different ideas as to how to use them. Here's the quilt that features all the stitcheries....
And the penguin bag which shows an alterantive use for a stitchery ... love it and the hexagons...
So a little to inspire you here!
Have a great July - with or without "christmas" - and don't forget to make some simple stitching plans to get on with for December's gifts...
