...............youtube. These are 'veganised' and from several years ago.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yRkD7wyxSJo
I won't be trying any of those ideas but will be making the wartime Christmas pudding that was a success last year.
One of the recipes from one of my Home Front Wartime books..............
WAR TIME CHRISTMAS PUDDING
This shouldn't be made until just a few days before needed - unlike traditional Xmas Puds and is how it is written in the Wartime Christmas book by Maria and Andrew Hubert.. When I made it in December 2024 I only had 2½ oz suet so adjusted everything down and it made 1 small pudding and another even smaller.
4oz Breadcrumbs 2oz Prunes
4oz Flour ½ teaspoon salt
3oz Suet ½ teaspoon Bicarb
2oz Sugar 1 Grated Carrot
1 Tablespoon of Treacle 1 Grated Apple
4oz Raisons Little Grated Nutmeg 4oz Sultanas 1 Egg ( a reconstituted powdered egg in wartime)
Optional is a Tbsp of Brandy or Whisky.
No timings are given but I covered with greaseproof paper and foil and tied down with string and steamed over gently boiling water for a couple of hours for each pud. Reheated portions in the microwave for 30 seconds and another 30 seconds if needed.
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| Before covering and steaming |
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I finished reading Silent Bones by Val McDermid - the latest in her Karen Pirie series. It was a really good read - several old cases for the Historic Cases Unit to unravel. I've reserved a couple of the earlier titles as I got in at the end of the series rather than the beginning.
Day 15 of the coffee advent was Holiday Blend again, the only one that hasn't appeared yet is Cinnamon - not sure I fancy that anyway.
We had our last Keep Moving exercise group meeting before Christmas, most people said they would be too busy next week. I've not got much left to do except write a 'for all eventualities ' shopping list and go shopping.
Went to see YGS in his school Christmas Nativity thing. He was the Donkey and remembered his lines. Only reception and year one do a play. The older classes have a carol service. One of the ladies at Keep Moving has children much the same age as my two eldest - same primary school in the 80's too- and we were trying to remember what they did at Christmas back then. My mind is a blank but surely we went to watch something? We moved away to the coast before Youngest Daughter started primary school in 1992 and at her school they had the most brilliant teacher who wrote a play for every Christmas - not religious - as there were several children at the school who were Plymouth Brethren and JW - but usually about caring for the environment or something similar, the whole school took part and it was held in the village hall with room for everyone. I remember them well. I was much less stressed with YD than I had been with the two eldest who were only 17 months apart - the 80's is a blur!
Oh goodness, late 80s/early 90s a blur here too with 3 under 5. I have a clear memory of sitting up gone 1 p.m. (very very late for me) wallpapering a little bungalow dollshouse we had been given for the girls. Then the morning they woke at 3.30 a.m. and there was bedlam as they started on their stockings! I had to go and read the riot act :) I can remember what they did at Junior school Christmases but it is bound to have been a Carol Service (Welsh schools were strong on religion).
ReplyDeleteI used to make Christmas puddings when mum was alive, but when she died I was the only one that liked them.
I stopped making Christmas puds a few years ago but then found this wartime recipe which is rather good - not heavy.
DeleteIt was 3 under 8 for me - not quite so hectic but it was the 2 under 2 that was hard work!
A quick pop in this morning to say thank you for introducing me to Strands-wow-I really enjoy doing it daily. Catriona
ReplyDeleteI like it because the hints mean it's very doable!
DeleteI really enjoy the Karen Pirie books, the tv series not so much. One memory of Christmas school entertainment, my daughter's class were dressed up and singing Rudolf the Red Nosed Reindeer and one little lad was singing out of tune at the top of his voice, the giggles from the parents watching was contagious.
ReplyDeleteThat sounds like good fun. We all smiled at one little girl who shouted all her lines - very loudly - at least we could hear what she said!
DeleteSince Speaking and Listening became part of the school curriculum, children are expected to speak in public - it may only be in front of the class, but it is important that every child has the experience, to build confidence and the opportunity to become articulate.
ReplyDeleteNo problem with YGS - after he didn't talk to the ladies at pre-school - he's made up for that since
DeleteI remember when my 2nd son was in pre-school and said he would be Santa in the Christmas show so we practiced all week saying "Ho ho ho!" and were quite excited. Turns out he wasn't Santa but he did open the show playing Jingle Bells on the xylophone which really surprised us!
ReplyDeleteAll those Holiday shows are so sweet!
What a lovely surprise!
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ReplyDeleteOur school band has a concert, but you are on stage only if you play an instrument which leaves out many children.
All schools should have a Christmas holiday stage performance. The kids love it and so do the parents and grandparents.
The children do their performance 3 times so that the rest of the school watch first then parents/grandparents/younger siblings . There isn't room all at once .
DeleteAt my Grandsons Catholic primary school they do a trad nativity play. And they video the dress rehearsal. Parents who can't be at the actual performance can pay a donation to charity and the download the video. My daughter had to be away for work so she did this. The teachers say the dress rehearsal us a better one to video , as children arent being distracted by the audience. An excellent plan imho
ReplyDeleteMy children went to a Catholic school and there was always one class that did a Nativity play. Other classes sang carols or did some other type of Christmas play.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.