December 8. The darkness and chilly temperatures that signal winter has arrived, in spite of two weeks to go until winter is official.
I've begun a little bit of food preparation for Christmas. Five things, in fact, to tie this post to Five on Friday. Spiced Pecans, seen above, Cranberry Orange Shortbread, Chocolate Marshmallow Roll, and Homemade Marshmallows. The fifth, Rugelach, is half-done - the dough is chilling in the fridge.
The paperwhites are emerging nicely, reaching up to the skylight in the entrance hall. These colder days have been sunny and that brightens up my spirits a lot.
This evening, Tim and I went for a walk. Toques, scarves, gloves and our heaviest jackets helped keep out the wind. How lovely to come home to a cup of hot chocolate, complete with homemade marshmallows floating on top.
Linking with Five on Friday, hosted by Amy of Love Made My Home.
I'm feeling the chill here even at 55 degrees. To me that's cold; especially inside the house. Brrr! Your holiday treats sound lovely. I'll start making some soon to put in the freezer. Both my boys arrive just before Christmas. Have a fabulous Friday and a wonderful weekend. Tammy
ReplyDeleteI see a glimpse of your beautiful advent calendar - what a great idea! Would be glad to see it in more detail! Happy Christmas preparations - remember the Zen :)
ReplyDeleteI loved your advent calendar too Lorrie, so beautiful. I loved the sound of your treats, particularly the pecans. Take care.
ReplyDeleteAll of your treats sound delicious and a nice cup of cocoa after a winter walk sounds good, too! Love your Advent calendar! Keep warm and cozy! xx Karen
ReplyDeleteYummy things for cold days... exciting to see grow the paperwhites.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy youtr time
There is nothing like a cup of hot chocolate to revive one! I didn't plant any indoor bulbs this year. I planned to but things got in the way. So I may buy myself a pot of 'ready done' ones.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely five. You have reminded me that I need to get some indoor bulbs. Once the Christmas festivities are over it's lovely to have the smell of spring bulbs. Have a cosy weekend. B x
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful to see the bulbs looking so green and fresh. I could just fancy some hot chocolate right this minute! Have a fun weekend.
ReplyDeleteYou make it all sound festive and wonderful, which I'm sure it is. I just read another blog talking of homemade marshmallows. We're having a cold snap here too this weekend. Wonderful for us!
ReplyDeleteIt is chilly here too this year!I love your advent calendar and the hot chocolate looks delicious. Such a wonderful time of year xx
ReplyDeleteYour advent calendar is wonderful. It is certainly getting to be winter here - the snow is falling and so are the temperatures! Our heat is definitely on now. I haven't started cooking for Christmas yet but I will be making peppermint patties this week as they can keep for a while.
ReplyDeleteHappy Five on Friday
I had to look up the word "Toques" & learned a new term from you today, Lorrie.
ReplyDeleteVery cozy post...love these little peeks into your world.
A winter walk followed by hot cocoa with homemade marshmallows sounds like a lovely evening. I'm going to put that on my "to do" list. I'm not sure whether I've ever tasted a homemade marshmallow. Are they noticeably tastier than store bought?
ReplyDeleteYour spiced pecans look like an ideal treat to have out for the holidays. Something a bit healthier among the sweet treats. Have you ever posted your recipe for them?
How nice it will be to see those paperwhites in bloom!
I like the ornament Advent Calendar. Before my tea obsession began, I was a hot chocolate drinker. Now I'm off to google homemade marshmallows...
ReplyDeleteP.S. Have you ever tried infusing your homemade marshmallows with tea??? When I wen to the RBG Tea Festival, we got to sample Earl Grey marshmallows.
ReplyDeleteWonderfully Christmassy and delicious!
ReplyDeleteWishing you and yours a happy weekend and third Sunday of Advent!
Mmm the hot chocolate and marshmallows does look just the thing to come home to after a cold winter walk. Those paper whites will be lovely at Christmas:)
ReplyDeleteI'm putting homemade marshmallows on my 2017 goal list. I always forget about them, and everyone who makes them says they're wonderful.
ReplyDeleteAlways love your posts.
Your house must smell wonderful with all of that lovely baking! I hope that you have enjoyed making it all and will get to enjoy eating some of it too!
ReplyDeleteOh I love the candied pecans so much. It makes me almost tempted to add them to my list. Homemade marshmallows look delicious in the hot chocolate. I once tried making them and it was disaster; so I bought ones recently made by someone else. Enjoy the baking and playing in the kitchen.
ReplyDeleteI love these days leading up to Christmas although they are busy, busy, busy! I almost reached into the computer screen to grab me some of those pecans! they look wonderful! Enjoy the season, Lorrie!
ReplyDeleteYum, Lorrie! Your bulbs growing now are so encouraging. Ice is causing some of our trees to bow! I lasted less then ten minutes outside yesterday taking some photos of our freezing front pond even though I was bundled up. I am going to go heat another pot of hot water for tea...and put some soup in my crockpot :) xx
ReplyDeleteA good chilly five. I'm trying to remember the last time I had hot chocolate. Looking at the snow outside right now this could be a good time for some hot chocolate...
ReplyDeleteThose paper-whites are growing well ...
ReplyDeleteAlways nice to come home and enjoy a nice warm drink after a winter walk!
All the best Jan
Now that's something I would like to try...homemade marshmallows! Looks as if Christmas is well begun in your home.
ReplyDeleteHello, Lorrie
ReplyDeleteSuch a heart warming post. It is not so cold here, your post makes me remember that we have only three weeks left! Your hot chocolate looks delicious and it is a good idea to put mushrooms on it. I will try it!! Have a good new week.
Looks like you are well on your way to getting ready for Christmas. I need to get my act together and get started. Have a wonderful weekend and thank you for stopping by my blog this week.
ReplyDeleteThanks most sincerely for this so heartwarming post, dearest Lorrie !
ReplyDeleteHope you're enjoying the best of weekends,
I'm sending blessings to you,
with utmost gratitude
Xx Dany
Christmas is the only time I really bake and I so enjoy it.
ReplyDeleteThank you Lorrie for your visit! I have been away from blogging for too long. So refreshing to see your beautiful posts again. Seasons Tidings xo
ReplyDeletetrès joli calendrier de l'avent
ReplyDeleteet plein de bonnes choses pour les fêtes
pas de neige en Normandie mais beaucoup de brouillard
bon dimanche
bisous
I've never made homemade marshmallows...you make me want to try that! :) I just got back from a morning walk ; it's about 22 degrees and I was bundled up, but we had the first show that actually covered the ground and I just had to be out in it :)
ReplyDeleteYou have been busy with Christmas baking, it all looks delicious. Have you been enjoying ths snow you've been getting. Our grandkids out there are loving it.
ReplyDeleteYum! Spiced Pecans, Cranberry Orange Shortbread....Recipes? They sound yummy. When you make this stuff ahead of time do you freeze it until Christmas? Just wondering how to keep it fresh for the Holidays. Nice yummy post. Glad you joined Five on Friday. Now I think I'll go make some Hot Chocolate!
ReplyDeleteCindy