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November 2010
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December 2010

Springerle and shortbread molds

Springerle-and-shortbread-molds
Springerle-molds

Springerle-molds-small There's nothing like home made shortbread, all buttery and melt-in-the-mouth deliciousness especially for gifts at Christmas. But I've discovered these Springerle German biscuit molds and fell in love with their intricate and ornate designs. They look more like artwork than mere molds and I can't wait to put them to the test. Although I must admit, Springerle biscuits look challenging and I feel disaster in the air. For the finished product, see the Springerle Baker website

The recipes are traditionally anise-flavoured and the dough is embossed into the mold and then allowed to dry before baking. I think I'll try the Gingerbread version instead as it's a favourite in our household. I'll post the results in the next few days if I can photograph them before they're all eaten. Fingers crossed they work out too!

I'm embarrased to say the I've collected quite a few molds over the years and above is just a small selection. The Springerle molds are a recent addition and can be purchased on Etsy


felt Christmas tree diy pattern

Trees1

Trees

Lovely diy felt Christmas Tree pattern to make courtesy of All Sorts blog by talented illustrator, Jenny B Harris. So cute and pretty and snowy....

I sometimes wish that it snowed in Australia at Christmas to experience the cold and be all snuggle buggle in the home. Eating a traditional baked lunch would be a delight coupled with a mandatory afternoon snooze luxuriating under a mahair blanket. A wee nip of eggnog sets you sailing to slumberland

But the reality of Christmas Day here is always a muggy, humid, sticky mess of high temperatures and lots of sweating over baked turkey and other traditional fare. Afterwards there's swimming at the beach or walks in the park or eating alfresco or playing tennis at 10pm. Hmm, maybe it isn't so bad after all...


hand-carved stamp giveaway

Handcarved-bauble-stamp-give-away-on-Go-Make-Me

Hello dear readers! I've had fun in the last few days hand-carving stamps into bauble shapes. If you'd like these bauble stamps to make Christmas cards, tags or use as a repeat pattern to create wrapping paper, simply leave a comment with your email and I'll draw a winner this time next week on 8 December is now closed. Good luck and may we have peace and joy for Christmas!


edible Christmas trees





Aren't these Christmas trees just adorable? I'm in the process developing my own recipe and have unfortunately run out of time to post today. Enjoy the lovely ideas and recipes that I've found around the internet. I love the chocolate tree (top) from French Patisserie Lac via Foodbeam blog. Next is a stunning Christmas Cookie Tree recipe from Food and Cook blog and the Sugar Puff Trees recipe below from Delicious Magazine. Better get baking to compete with these lovelies!

Sugar puff trees