Domesticali

Nearly over and yet to begin

So, that was Christmas then. All over for another year. It was so very lovely. But feeling slightly let-down afterwards seems inevitable.

Perhaps there's a secret knack of taking pleasure in the aftermath. But I have yet to find it.

I have an irresistible urge to just get on with the New Year now.

Perhaps that is the secret - to look forward and not back. So in that spirit, here's my resolution for 2010:

You can't very well dodge a resolution worn about your person can you? And it's a great deal more fun than the loose wight, do more housework, yada yada yada variety.

From here.

Winding down

Big fat fluffy flakes of snow have just begun to fall outside our window and I couldn't be happier. It feels like time to hunker down now and enjoy the festive season.

Just time for one last trip out to deliver seasonal sustenance to the bookshop. If ever there was a group which needed a bit of thoughtfulness, it's those who work in retail this time of year. Madness. So the card seemed particularly appropriate.

Hope you are all managing to do the same.

Radio link

Well, some of you did ask... here's a link to Jo Thoenes show on BBC Radio Oxford. Mark from Mostly Books is their new book recommend person and this was his first slot (which begins at 1:07 in the programme, with the cupcakes' moment of fame at 1:23).

And then Mark gets pretty much a whole half-hour to talk about the shop and how it began. It's funny, I've been working there for coming up for 2 years now and sometimes it's easy to take for granted just what a special place it. And how much energy is invested into making it so.

So hooray for independent shops. Are you giving them some of your Christmas spending?

Cooking for the radio

Cupcake performance anxiety - not sure if it's a real condition, but I am suffering.  In which direction does perfection lie?

Regular or bite sized? Orange butter-cream or cream cheese frosting?

The decoration dilemma - whole cranberries, dried cranberries or cranberries frosted in egg white and sugar? Maybe sprinkles?

See, my cupcakes need to be good - they are making it on to BBC Radio Oxford. Or into the studio at least. If there is on-air sampling or smacking of lips on Wednesday, I'll link to the listen again feature. 

It's for a review of  Cupcakes from the Primrose Bakery. Because you really can't review a cookbook without sampling a recipe can you? And their cranberry cupcakes are well worth a sample. I should know - I've eaten at least 6 today. It's all in the name of research, naturally. How we suffer for our art.

All set

Productive weekend? Ours has been. We did have plans, but they fell through, and goodness knows, there's been more than enough to fill the unexpected gap in the schedule.

Trees are up. Yes, that is trees plural. One real, one plastic-fantastic and one for the boys to do with as they please. Mostly, because I am too particular to let them loose on the other two.

Perhaps it's time to loosen up a little with the tree obsessiveness. Especially since I overheard this phone conversation between hubby and his friend (husband of my friend):

Hubby: Are you on for a beer tonight?

DT:  (says something on the other end of the phone)

Hubby: Oh you deserve it then. We've had ours already.

When he came off the phone, I asked what we'd had already. The fight about the Christmas Tree. Who knew? It's an annual ritual apparently. In more than one household.

If you signed up for the 7 Days of Specialness Project, you should have had an email from me with details of your  partner. If you haven't, get in touch with me quick.

Seven Days of Specialness Project

So it looks like quite a few of us fancy feeling a little bit special this February. So here are the full details of the Seven Days of Specialness Project - a swap to brighten up the dark days.

To sign up, you need to email me (alisonhudson03@hotmail.com) and include the following:

• your name
• your blog url
• your location
• mark your email 7 Days signup

I will leave sign ups open until 6pm on Sunday 13th December.

The following week, I will email you with details of your swap partner. This will be a simple back and forth swap (so you will be sending to and receiving from the same person). Do email them, introduce yourself and exchange addresses. For me, one of the best elements of swapping has always been the  connection made with another blogger. Making a new friend just might be the most special gift of all.

Now, the swap package itself. The Seven Days of Specialness Project is inspired by all the wonderful Advent calendars that have been appearing in blogland of late. So your swap needs to be split into elements that can be opened over 7 consecutive days in February.  How you do this is only limited by your own creativity.

It is up to you to get to know your swap partner and to imagine what might make them feel special. Like all the best Advent Calendars, this is not supposed to break the bank, it is meant to be a tiny treat to raise the spirits.

Your package needs to be in the post by February 1st.

Sound simple enough? Let's hope so! I'm looking forward to feeling extra-special this February.

December

When I opened the curtains this morning, it looked like this outside.

Glorious, proper frost, no sign of rain (nothing short of a miracle given the last few weeks here) and December! My favourite month of the year by a mile.

Not least because it begins with treats for me. Though I'm not really supposed to have this until Christmas, but hey, hubby's in India this week, so he'll never know I sneaked a photo of it.

Those are my boys' fingerprints cast in silver clay by the very talented Emma of Silverpebble.

There's something about that piece of jewellery that just gives me the tingles. I just have to be patient before I can wear it. Torture. Now I know how the children feel about their advent calendars. Really - Johnny was so excited about getting into his this morning that he opened it whilst in the buff. I have a photo, but it's not for sharing here!

I have serious advent calendar envy this year. Not on the childern's behalf - they are more than happy with the hideously commercial (but chocolate-free) Lego variety. But really, all the stylish advent calendars  I've been seeing are just wasted on the children. 

I'm thinking of having advent in February for grown-ups. 'Seven days of specialness' or something along those lines. Perhaps a swap is in order -  anyone interested?

Happy December!