8 Weeks Until Christmas

Hello again.

This name of this photo is "beach-beverage-caribbean." It is here because I think there is something in the photo for everyone. Do you feed revitalised after a day at the beach? Would a holiday on an exotic island be great right now and who doesn't benefit from a delicious drink in a curvaceous long-stemmed glass?  

The post this week is about self-care at Christmas. This is a time to do something just for yourself. It doesn't mean that you don't care for your family less and I don't infer that you should ignore them and go your own way but make time for yourself. 

Now is the time to plan what you want to do so that you will not forget yourself when the Christmas panic really sets in. There are squillions of things you can plan that will renew your energy and give you the resilience you need to be bright and sparkly through Christmas.

Have a night or two away with someone you love.  

I have just spent the weekend at the beach with John. The weather was glorious. The food delicious and it was time to take a few deep breaths, relax and spend time together.
I recommend it to anyone. 

Why not plan a night or two away? Book it in so you can look forward to it. 

Buy a good book to read or a couple of DVDs.

A bit of escapism is good for everyone.  







Plan to catch up with an old friend.

It is very easy to lose touch with friends 
without realising it and before long, the years are rolling
by and you can't remember when you last spoke to them.

Give them a call and plan a coffee catch up, a meal out
or a trip to the movies.


Get to know someone new.

Do you have a work colleague who you 
would like to get to know better.
Make the first move and have a coffee with them. 

Try a new recipe.

Be daring and try cooking something that scares you just a bit. Practice it a few times. Treat the family like guinea pigs.

You never know, it might make it onto the Christmas table.

There is still time to plan all of these activities ready for Christmas.

I have found a fabulous website owned by Marquita that is dedicated to emotionally resilient living. It has some great articles. The most recent one that I have read recommends putting time in your calendar for yourself. So, I have made appointments with myself in my work calendar. These half hour appointments I devote to going for a walk, shutting my office door to read a book or eat my lunch in peace. My days are more manageable and I go home less tired and frazzled each day. Here is the link to her article about self-care. 

Why Self-Care is Critical to Your Success


Note: All photos labelled used are free for reuse on Google.

Chocolate-Coconut Cookies

How simple can you get! Mix it all together and cook. Just the sort of recipe that I like.

These are very 'moreish' and it is very easy to just keep eating. 

They can be made any size. I like this size because they are small enough to look a little delicate. This batch made about 40 cookies- A great size for gift bags. 


INGREDIENTS

1 cup Condensed Milk- This is almost a full tin, leaving just enough for something evil like spread on bread or drizzled into coffee. 
4 cups Shredded Coconut
2/3 cup small Choc Bits
1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
1/2 teaspoon Almond Extract









METHOD

1. Mix all ingredients together
2. Drop teaspoonfuls onto sprayed baking tray (or lined with baking paper)
3. Bake at 160 Celsius until just golden about 10 -15 minutes 
4. Let sit until firm
5. Cool on tray
6. Store in airtight container.  

9 Weeks Until Christmas

It's nine weeks until Christmas and I have no idea what we will be doing for celebrations, so the task this week is to get in first and start the conversations.

• "What did we do last year?" 
• "Who's turn is it this year?"
• "Are we giving presents?"
• "Did we give presents last year?" Well, if you can't remember, it can't have been a memorable occasion so why bother this year?
• "What are we going to eat?"
• "Not cold barbeque chickens again? It's always cold chickens." 
• "Will there be fruit mince pies?"
• "It will be so hot." 

Same questions, same discussion.






Please don't get me wrong. I don't mean to hijack Christmas or dictate what our celebrations will be. There should be no need to do that to ensure that the festive season is relaxing and enjoyable. 

Use principles of customer service to negotiate a great Christmas for all.

Be Clear

Be willing to explain what you want this Christmas. 

• Have you had enough of the stinky hot barbecues at the beach? Be willing to admit it.  
• If you can't face another cold barbecue chicken with salad, be willing to admit it.
• Do you want a quiet Xmas eve at home rather than going to Auntie Agnes' for roast turkey? Be willing to admit it.
• Don't see the value in pressies for all, especially those you haven't seen since last year's turkey dinner? Be willing to admit it.  

Be Helpful

It is all very well to provide your list of "don't likes" but it won't make you popular with your family and friends. You will be tainted as a whinger and may not get invited to anything!

Instead, think up some interesting and novel alternatives that you would like and that you think others will also like. Then all you have to do is sell one to them! Simple.

• Sue and Jack hate to cook and you are scared you will die of food poisoning after going to their house. Suggest a restaurant meal. Pick a couple of 'nice' places that they might like to go and offer to make the booking.
• Alex never stops talking about himself. Can't deal with that at Xmas? Then what about a trip to the movies. That will keep him quiet.
• Oh, the cold chickens! Offer to provide the meat. Do something delicious and different and you will have the gig every Xmas.
• Too many screaming children? Hot dogs and a pool party will keep them happy. Remember to keep an eye on them.  

Listen to their Needs

There is no good in coming up with a bright scheme that others can't participate in. 
Everyone has commitments- work, children, friends, other family members. 
Don't put others in the situation where they are forced to decide between your amazing and maybe outrageous, unconventional Xmas fun and having turkey with Auntie Agnes.


Do What you Say

• Did you agree to cook the Xmas pudding? 
• Is it your job to collect menus from restaurants?
• Was it your idea to find party games for the children?

Then do it! If you don't, you won't have any bargaining power next year. 


Next week, we talk about treating yourself well during the festive season.  

John's Incredibly Simple, Dangerously Delicious Chocolate Slice

INGREDIENTS

250g packet of sweet biscuits.
eg. Nice or butternut.
(note: I used gluten free gingernut biscuits from Woolthworths for this batch which were less than 250g. Reduce butter to suit.)

125g butter
(note: Use less if packet of biscuits is less than 250g.
 The gingernuts needed only 60g.)

200g crushed nuts
(note: I use the cheap ones from Woolworths.)

Tin condensed milk

350-450g chocolate melts (milk or dark)

METHOD

1. Crush biscuits
2. Melt butter
3. Mix biscuit crumbs and melted butter
4. Push into lined 18cm x 28cm slice tin
(note: Can use different tin if you don't have this size. Depth needs to be at least 4cm.) 







5. Sprinkle crushed nuts evenly over the top.

6. Pour condensed milk over the top of the nuts. 


7. Place chocolate melts over the top.
(note: Lay them on as thickly as you wish. For this batch, 
I did not completely cover all of the milk. It does look more 
elegant if there is a smooth layer of chocolate rather than my
rustic look.)   
8. Bake at 180 celsius for 30 minutes.

9. Cool in tin, then refrigerate for at least 2 hours before cutting into squares.  

10 Weeks Until Christmas

It is only TEN weeks until Christmas. 

This is about the time, every year that I get agitated about Christmas. Why? I am not sure really but it always seems so much effort. It's not like it sneaks up on us; the Christmas decorations have been in the shops for weeks and our letterboxes are already at risk of workplace injuries from trying to hold up the weight of all the catalogues being forced into their letter sized slots. 

So what is Christmas really about? Well, it means many different things, such as:

• a break from work
• a time to eat and drink too much
• a time to reflect on the year past and start thinking of New Year's resolutions that you know you probably won't keep
• a time to catch up with family and long missed friends
• a time to cook your favourite recipe or try something new
• gifts under the Christmas tree
• endless Christmas carols at the shops
• lamenting a lack of funds to buy the gifts you wish to buy
• a time of increased loneliness
• a day at the beach
• a celebration of the birth of Jesus, the son of God.

This year, I have decided to tackle Christmas rather than let it drive over me like a ride on mower. I will be organised and realistic about what it means to me and what I am expecting from it. Each week I will post my tips for how to make Christmas what it should be regardless of faith or situation. It should be relaxing and a time to connect to others.

Helping me will be Annabelle my alter ego. She is the creation of my beloved partner John. Not only is he creative and talented, he understands me so well that the facial expressions he draws really do tell how I am feeling. 

So I invite you to come along for the countdown to Christmas. 
Subscribe to my blog and you won't even have to remember to check in every week. 

Until next week..................

    

   

Greek Almond Biscuits

INGREDIENTS

3 cups almond meal
1 cup castor sugar
3 egg whites
3 drops almond essence

1 cup flaked almonds - optional



METHOD

1. Mix all ingredients apart from flaked almonds in a bowl.


2. Roll teaspoon amounts into spheres, footballs or crescents. Use a larger amount if you desire.

Optional- Roll in flaked almonds if you wish. I don't usually bother because they don't seem to stick too well and taste just as good without 

3. Place on baking tray lined with baking paper.

4. Bake at 180 (fan forced oven) until only just brown.

5. Dust in icing sugar to present. 

These look  fabulous presented in a jar or on a lovely china plate. 

A STORY OF SEVEN SUMMERS - Hilary Burden

The cover of this book caught my eye at the bookshop. Alongside a very handsome rooster is a photo of an elegant pair of red stilettos- an unlikely combination.

“A Story of Seven Summers” tells the story of Hilary Burden who was living a glamorous life as a busy, high-flying, globetrotting magazine journalist based in London who decided that she wanted to make her own life and didn’t know quite what it was. As she states in the book, “While dating the exciting kind of men you meet in big cities, I fantasized about a partner who could also throw a dog on the back of a ute.” 

Hilary returns to Tasmania after leaving in her early twenties, having never imagined that she would return. The run down house that she purchased and called “The Nun’s House” provides a vehicle for her to meet the locals and settle into country life within a small community. There was no particular plan, but things just worked out. The book is written in a casual manner that has an infectious quality about it. Each page eloquently describes some beauty of nature, a challenge of life or an encounter with a kindred spirit.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It must have taken guts to leave a lifestyle and income on the other side of the plan. There is no pretense in describing her cash flow problems or hiccups in her love life. The story is so “normal.” She took it on the chin when things in the garden didn’t work out or when projects she was hoping to work on failed.

There are some lovely recipes in the book, borrowed from those who are close to her.  The photos are all black and white, that, being a photo enthusiast, I found a little disappointing but it did emphasize that life can be lived simply and very happily. After all, there are other ways to explore the beautiful island of Tasmania with photographs in this modern world.     

Follow the link for some beautiful photos:

The beautiful island state of Tasmania, Australia

Quick Chocolate Macadamia Truffles

This is one of those quick, emergency recipes to whip when you are caught short for something to take on an outing. The delicious little squares look fabulous tied a cellophane bag with ribbons and baubles.

Caution, it will sweat in warm weather so is best stored in the fridge. 

Ingredients 

3/4 cup dark chocolate chips 

(I use Nestle or Cadbury melts)

120 ml condensed milk

1 tablespoon butter

1/3 cup macadamia nuts, 

roughly chopped (or pecan nuts)  

Method

1. Place all ingredients in large microwaveable bowl.

2. Zap in microwave on medium power for 30 secs at a time until melted, stirring between.

3.Stir until smooth.

4.Stir in nuts. 

5. Pour into greased dish. 
6. Refrigerate until set. 
7. Cut into squares

These also look lovely in foil candy cups. 

Enjoy!

WARRIOR PRINCESS - Mindy Budgor

Warrior Princess

The cover of this book caught my eye in the bookshop because of the bold terracotta colour and the bright red nail polish. The two didn’t seem to quite belong in the same landscape.

The back cover reads, “Warrior Princess in the funny and inspirational memoir of Mindy Budgor….” That got me in. I am into inspirational stuff and I am always fascinated by others’ lives, their struggles and achievements.

The book chronicles the journey of Mindy, who travels to Africa to undertake volunteer work building schools and hospitals in the Maasai Mara. She asks a chief why there are no women warriors, to which he replies, “Women are not strong enough or brave enough.” Mindy, who I get the feeling, believes that she can do anything, decides to take on the challenge to become the first female Maasai warrior. 
    

This book is written in a very casual, conversational style. It reads more like a novel, complete with a few swear words. The story is easy to follow and you get some glimpses of Maasai life.

I found some parts of the book a little disappointing. Mindy’s friend Becca also took the same journey and became a Maasai warrior, but there are no pictures of her in the book. She was there with Mindy every step of the way. She seems to be an elusive character. Can’t find her on Google either.

A few more photos of the forest, plains and village life would have been interesting as well. Mindy does, however, vividly describe these with her words so you get an idea of the atmosphere she portrays. The epilogue is well worth reading as it gives an insight into her life after leaving Kenya.

The inspiration for me is the fact that through the actions of two women, the Maasai in Loita, Kenya are working to change tribal law and allow women the right to become Maasai warriors. There is no suggestion that they have to do so, but to be given the opportunity if they wish.

An easy read, written in a light hearted way. This book does, however, deliver an important message about making a difference.

I found a short interview that Mindy recorded for the BBC. Take a listen.
Meet the Author - Mindy Bugnor