Our Twelve Days of Christmas

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December 2009

My 12 days of Christmas

ON THE FIRST DAY of Christmas my girls open up the 13th door on their Advent calendars then we make our Christmas cake. My mother is here from England to share in this old family tradition.

Here is the Christmas Cake recipe thats been passed down through our family from my Grandmother, Nanny Eva.

Preheat oven to 300F. Grease and line your cake tin with double layer of buttered baking paper.

We wash, dry, chop where necessary the following:

6 oz dates
4 oz apricots
12 oz raisins
8 oz glace cherries

In my big Mason mixing bowl we cream the following: (you could use a stand mixer)

6 oz butter
6 oz brown sugar

then add the following:

6 large eggs
1 tablespoon corn or golden syrup or treacle
2 tablespoons rum

Stir in the following:

2 oz ground almonds
8 oz flour
1/2 teaspoon salt

Pour batter in prepared cake tin. Bake in centre of oven at 300F for 3 hours.
When cooked, cool on a rack and store in airtight container.
Poke holes in cake and drizzle rum over on a regular basis for 12 days ( or longer)
Finish by covering cake with a thin layer of jelly, rolling out almond paste into a thin sheet and covering cake.
Cover with icing and adorn with decorations – my kids love this part – we have a santa. sleigh and minature trees.

Second day of Christmas

Mac, the girls and I walked to the christmas tree stand at the church just a block away from our house. We picked out the tallest tree we could find, this year it was soooo cold we really couldn’t see the shape of the tree, we just bought it on good faith. Once installed in the sitting room it revealed its lovely shape and scent. The four of us took turns popping up the ladder to place ornaments we have made as a family or that I’ve collected all my life. Its an eclectic collection but each glass bauble or ornament has special meaning. Each year the girls take turn to place the angel on the top of the tree. Cameron’s turn this year. Turning the lights on is always such a treat.

Third day of Christmas

I ran into the city with the girls in tow. We hit the flower district and came home with swags and ropes of ferny greenery, magnolia and other scented goodies to dress the balustrade, railings outdoors and the christmas table. My girls were fascinated by a wreath tying demonstration and we have decided that we will make our own next year.

To anchor my garlands and wreath I’ve used bows of burlap. I love its rustic chic with the pinecones, holly, eucalyptus, and fir. We wired the pinecones onto the ropes of greenery and swags. This is such a fun thing to do with the kids and it’s so comforting to see the house dressed for the Holidays.

I shopped at :

US Evergreens Inc
805 Ave. of the Americas
212 741 5300

Fourth Day of Christmas

Must do, must see day in the city. I caved in at American girl, made a special purchase and then shouted the girls afternoon tea there much to their total delight. We zoomed across to Saks 5th Ave to see the gorgeous windows and lights, then across to Rockefeller Centre to see the tree which is totally divine this year. It’s such a charming scene with skaters and a definite nip in the air. We had a super day which I’m sure the girls will remember.

Fifth Day of Christmas

Hartshorn Portraiture’s annual Christmas party for our staff at our house is always fun.

We exchange secret santa gifts which is hilarious.

Anthony David’s is doing the food for me this year, God bless them! Julie and I did it last year but we decided to take an easier approach this year and will enjoy not being tied to the stove.

We like to thank our staff each year with this party, we are indebted to their individual dedication to our business and our clients.

I’ll post photo’s after the party!

If you’d like Anthony Davids to cater your holiday bash click this link for info.

Sixth day of Christmas

A quiet day for the girls to create their christmas cards. My girls love drawing, glittering, cutting felt and wool then gluing onto card to create special gift cards for their grandparents and us. I make sure they have plenty of supplies in their art and craft room at the top of the house.

It’s nice to have some quiet time with my parents, while they are doing this, to reflect on the year. The uncertainty we all felt in January regarding the economy has eased at years end and we’ve made it through once again with a great team of people and terrific clients supporting us. We have a new member of our family this year, my brother Alistair and his wife had a baby in Australia. Mummy and I can’t wait to get out there to meet this special little person.

Stay tuned for the final six days of Christmas next week.

Below: The girls craft room is a scene of organized chaos with sewing machine and art materials.

final note

I love my library fireplace arrangement. Themix of fir and berries smells wonderful.