Baking Challenge I Mince Pies

Every year me and mum make nearly 200 mince pies. My mum likes giving them to all of her clients along with friends and family. (and obviously we need a load too!) So every December we set a date in the calendar to batch bake all the mince pies. After years and years of doing it we've got the process nailed! I start making the pastry and then when it starts coming together mum takes over, she'll then roll it out and cut out the bases and the star tops. I put all the pastry into the tins and fill them with the mincemeat. 

We don't follow a recipe so i can't give you that but making the pastry is pretty standard and as far as putting mincemeat in them goes, it's pretty simple. 

The pastry we make is a simple butter, flour, caster sugar and water pastry and then we're partial to a bit of brandy mixed into the mincemeat too! (only a little bit though!) Some people suggest coating the pastry or using a glaze but we prefer not to and keep them real basic. Over the years they've gone down really well and we've had nothing but praise for them. 

In case you were wondering, we freeze the mince pies and only take them out as and when we need them. We sprinkle some icing sugar on top - the snowy look - and then put them in a cellophane bag with a couple of choccies too! They look super cute! 

Check out the picture of the BIG mince pie on Instagram too!

A Hand Written Letter.

Too much of our lives are spent online and avoiding contact with people. We send a text, an email or post on a Facebook wall rather than getting up and going to speak to whomever it may be. It's a shame really, human interaction is a beautiful thing! 

When my friend went off to uni we made a promise to send each other hand written letters, it was a way of keeping in touch and having something tangible to keep rather than just always calling, Skyping or texting each other. Don't get me wrong, we do that too! But by sending a letter, its a way of sending something more personal and my friend always tells me how lovely it is to receive something from home.

We've been keeping up with it for some time now, we go through phases of sending a few a month to not receiving or sending one for a few months. It will all depend on how busy we are and what else is going on in our lives at the time. But we will always reply to the last letter. Even when there isn't a lot to say. 

Me and my friend often make more of the letters by including different things in each one, it makes them even more exciting. I sent my friend a calligraphy/typography sketch I did in my last letter and i'm sure I will come up with something Christmassy for my next one! It can be as simple as an old photograph to a little present like sweets or chocolate!

It's difficult to understand the feeling of receiving a hand written letter until you get one. It's one of the best feelings, it's an instant mood booster and will put a massive smile on my face every time! I got home from work today to receive a letter from said friend and I instantly went from "I had a crap day" to "ooo a letter from my friend". 

So, I challenge you to send a letter to your best friend, a family member or someone you just haven't spoken to in a while. Make their day. 

If you're worried about what to write, trust me, it really doesn't matter. Me and my friend can go absolutely ages without having anything interesting to say but you'd be surprised what you come up with when you start writing. Just tell them about your day, it's more interesting that you think and it could spark a really interesting conversation, you never know! 

Let me know how you get on in the comments. Do any of you already have a penpal?

20 small reminders.

I can't remember where i saw this list but it's one i really like (i'm pretty fond of lists!) and i think you guys will be able to take something away from it too. Let me know in the comments what you think. 

1. Be thankful for what you have before asking more of yourself and others.
2. You will only regret the things you don’t do.
3. Forgive AND forget, not letting go of the past will fester into bitterness.
4. Eliminate negativity.
5. Eat well.
6. Have a consistent sleeping pattern.
7. Stop worrying so much.
8. Say ‘yes’ more.
9. Read more, you can never learn too much.
10. Why walk when you can run?
11. Dance like nobody’s watching.
12. Love fiercely (and fearlessly)
13. Take more photos.
14. Swap excuses for apologies, even if you’re right it doesn’t hurt to be wrong.
15. Spend more time outside.
16. It’s never too late to learn a new skill.
17. Do what you love and love what you do.
18. Listen to criticism but don’t take it personally.
19. Quality not quantity.
20. Talk about your blessings more than you talk about your burdens.