New Year's Eve 2019 & New Year's Day 2020

New Year's Eve we did some nibbling and noshing on a ploughman's inspired dinner that was made up of festive leftovers. We enjoyed more Fortnum and Mason's Sparkling Tea beverage to sip on and ring in the new year.      

New Year's Day for dinner we kept it very simple with oven roasted ham and vegetables. The vegetables were parsnips, carrots, potatoes, and yams lightly seasoned. 

... and for dessert we devoured a slice of clementine cake with added mixed citrus peel for an energizing, cleansing pudding.


Hope everyone had a fabulous and celebratory New Year's Eve and that the first day of the year was a relaxing one. Wishing everyone the best in 2020! - JD 

Christmas 2019

Christmas Eve, after we had our usual nibbles an drinkies at our local pub and a walk to enjoy the festive lights; we settle for some homemade tomato soup, a dinner roll and a glass of Fortnum and Mason's Sparkling Tea beverage, to close the night.  

Christmas Morning, for brunch we had a round of homemade cranberry almond scones with Devonshire cream and fresh fruit to keep us going until an early Christmas dinner. 

Christmas Dinner, was Cornish hens, Brussels sprouts with blood orange vinegar and mashed potatoes, homemade stuffing with lashings of gravy.

... and we rounded out our dinner with a slice of Fortnum and Mason's Figgy pudding. Although lashing of custard may have been in order, a slice unadulterated was perfect! 

Boxing Day, was a quiet one spent with friends. We offered some of the usual... cheese and biscuits, olives, dried fruit and of course, my baking. However, I did make a savoury galette, cranberry cocktail sausages and coronation chicken cups. 

What Christmas of ours, would not be complete, without our Fortnum and Mason's order. A nice sampling to enjoy now and throughout the year. Loads of decadent things... honey, sauces, hot mustard, tea, jams, marmalades, puddings, glacé fruit, coffee, biscuits, chocolate, anniversary Heinz ketchup, and sparkling tea beverages.

Hope everyone had a wonderful Holiday time. Whether sharing, enjoying or relaxing, we had a lovely one! - JD