ingredients

currants, raisins, sultanas
and mixed citrus peel
soaked in brandy

organic undyed dark cherries
(I long for unfashionable red cherries)

the best Spanish almonds

plain flour, cinnamon and mixed spice

butter, eggs, treacle
and muscovado sugar

and a perfectly lined cake tin.

Another thing ticked off The List...
Go me!!

Leave of Absence

Eeyore's Plight
The House at Pooh Corner (1928
E.H. Shephard

My favourite Christmas card so far
from the lovely people at
Peter Harrington

*****

It's the Dept Christmas Party today...
I'm otherwise occupied...

Why don't you go and visit Julia in Prague
and share her joyful posts
about preparing for Christmas
in the Czech Republic?

two turtle doves

My Christmas cards have arrived
and they tone perfectly
with my cushions!

*contented sigh*

Weird?
What are you talking about?
Doesn't everyone do that?

I have just remembered
that MissM did the envelopes last year.
Which is awkward.

Maybe I will collect her early.
I am sure that she won't mind
missing her soirée...

Fantasia

Our Lady of the Fruits of the Earth

MissM
I am going to a ball next weekend...
and the theme is 'Fantasia'
MrsM immediately thinks of dancing elephants
but this is not what MissM has in mind

Titania

MissM
I am going as Titania
MrsM wonders about the Charming MasterN...
will he go as Oberon?
or Bottom?

La Belle Dame Sans Merci

MissM
I can't decide which heels to wear...
definitely not the black and white ones
because I got spectacular blisters last weekend.
MrsM realises that she has never thought
about what sort of shoes Titania wears.
Probably not black and white heels.

Vanity

MissM
Could you pick me up on Thursday or Friday
because I have a dance on Monday
and a soirée on Wednesday.
MrsM tries not to smile
but it is very hard.

Nimue (Niniane), Damsel of the Lake

all paintings by
Frank Cadogan Cowper (1877 - 1958
'The last Pre-Raphaelite'

*****

This post is for Hermes,
whose blogs have been a daily source
of inspiration and pleasure.

Coffee Time

Right...down tools everyone.
No talking about work...OK?

"The home-made mince pies
are supplied by the lovely wife
of the Professor of Interesting films."

"Did anyone hear
Isaac the Postman's Elvis impression?
It was legendary...
Or perhaps 'unforgettable'..."

"Talking of Elvis...
There were fried peanut butter sandwiches
at the Research Group party last night."

"Never mind the sandwiches...
there was a Somerset cider cake...
Austrian Stollen, Italian Pandoro
and Spanish nougat...
it is a very international student group."

"I saw some student feedback this morning
and there was one fabulous comment
'his voice is so soothing
that he should record relaxation tapes
with Peruvuan pan pipe music...'"

"and another form which just said
'Marry me...'"

"I have seen 17 students in Santa hats today
and it is only 11 o'clock..."

"They are selling gingerbread 'people' on campus..
No stereotyping around here, thank goodness."

"The Department Office is covered in fairy lights
and the Daniel Craig grotto is tinselled up."

"I think that the new Head of Dept
should ban the twinkling Santa feature...
it would be a kindness to everyone."

"Is it true that the academic
who is 42 and a quarter
is doing a charity run this weekend
dressed as Santa?
Photos on Monday will be compulsory."

"I see that You-Know-Who
is wearing his red fleece top...
it MUST be nearly Christmas."

Right..drink up...
back to work now...no slacking

*****

for Ali M in Plymouth

Traditional* Advent Cocktail

One measure** vodka
One measure elderflower liqueur
One measure pink grapefruit juice.
Add to ice in cocktail shaker***
Strain**** into cocktail glasses
Embellish with lime slices

Notes
*
'traditional' as of Sunday 4 Dec 2011

**
South African Airways shot glass

***
Douwe Egberts coffee jar

****
tea strainer

MrM and MrsM sip their Advent cocktails
in their winter white sitting room
and agree to take personal responsibility
for maintaining this important family tradition.

Thank you to Lecia for this delicious recipe.

Winter White

When your children leave home
everything associated with Christmas
is soaked in memories
which is wonderful...
but also overpowering.

This morning I decided to make
some new memories and new traditions
because...well, I can if I want.

I filled the house with white flowers:
white orchids, white pointsettia
white hyacinth and white narcissi.
It felt fresh and wintry and made me happy.

I turned up the volume on the iPod
and at that moment
I felt the Christmas tingle again.

(MrM's beer Advent calendar made him happy too.)

Patent Medicine

"I'm very eager to hear your comments on my essay, unfortunately my rabbit has fallen rather sick and ... I need to feed him by syringe every 30 minutes and ...[and so] its rather hard for me to leave the house today."

*****

I was not well yesterday.
(Winterval 'flu - nothing serious)
This email from a student was sent to me
by the Young Academic
to cheer me up.
It worked.

Where is MasterM?

It is his birthday today
so...
he might be partying as the sun rises

or watching cricket in the shadow of the mountains

or maybe just sharing a beer with friends.

but MasterM is going to be here in January.
MrM has booked the flights
and we can't wait to see him.

Surrender

Aaaargh!

It's 1st December
I can't ignore it any longer...
I need to order cards
buy presents
make cake
do turkey

C'mon Christmas...do your worst