Category Archives: Yule/Christmas

I have a number of people around me right now who are feeling their aches and pains. So as Yule gifts, I am making rice bags, those lovely cushions that can go into the freezer or the microwave and help heal the bumps and bruises of life. These can be made in any size of […]

Folding paper shapes is an ancient craft. In Japan it is called Origami and there are hundreds of figures that can be made from a single piece of Kami paper. A popular shape is the crane and the accompanying legend is that if someone folds 1,000 orizuru (cranes) they will be granted a wish. In […]

I was pleased to find a creative outlet for container soy wax while making the Butterbeer candles last month and thought I might take it a step further for some fun fall and winter candles that would make cute gifts for the appropriate person. The glass cups were happened upon in a dollar store last […]

Mincemeat has an interesting history, a bit of which we will get to in a moment. I thought though that I would start with the pears as this mincemeat has no meat in the recipe. I first came across a pear mincemeat recipe in a Ball recipe book at least two decades ago. It was […]

Merriam-Webster defines sachet as “a small bag containing a perfumed powder or potpourri used to scent clothes and linens.” This is a variation on that idea, made with scented wax and decorated with nature’s beauty. Glitter, embeds and other whimsical items are also decorating options. Be aware though that anything dyed (such as crafted leaves) […]

As the wheel turns and we move towards Imbolc, I generally get an urge to clean. It just seems natural to me after the Yule decorations disappear, that clearing cupboards, class supply boxes and fridge of leftovers is the next step. A richly flavoured cookie for the dark half of the year and those who […]

Technically a truffle is a soft chocolate and cream mixture otherwise known as ganache. This is a half and half mixture of marzipan and chestnut puree with infused fruits that can be easily rolled into balls and coated with cocoa, icing sugar or almonds. Option number two is to get out the chocolate and finish […]

Italian/Sweet chestnuts are in many markets and specialty stores this time of year, a sure sign that Christmas is near and while roasting on an open fire may come to mind first, I wanted to do some experimenting down alternate pathways. I had chestnut puree sitting on a shelf  ( 900 ml/3 1/2 + cups […]

Not all the my playing with that big can of chestnut puree ended up in something sweet. A bowl of this silky smooth soup makes a richly filling main meal and a smaller cup, an excellent starter for Yule or New Year’s Eve dinner. Doubling the ingredients below would be appropriate for a larger group. […]

I have trouble calling these Florentines as what I remember from years ago, was a square, had candied peel and a shortbread bottom with bottom and sides dipped in chocolate. Maybe these can be called a lighter variation? Super crunchy, spider-web thin almond toffee cookies flavored with orange zest? However they are described, they bring […]