A little love on my christmas list

Maybe its my age 

(quite possible - I am teetering on the edge of grumpy old lady-dom!)

or maybe it is rather the spirit of the age,

as we all realise how close we are to increasing uncertainty and change,

and that in this strange and convoluted planet of ours we are amongst the lucky ones who really, honestly,

don't need much more in our lives!

So what to put under that tree or in that stocking? 

I quite like the idea of focussing on experiences rather than "stuff", and taking my dog for a walk in the lanes recently, I discovered a small notice on a stone wall advertising bread making classes - amazing that right here in the middle of Wales I can learn how to make Breads of the Middle East . . .

Homemade pitta coming up !

My husband will be opening an envelope from under the tree (hopefully he is not reading this!) informing him I have booked his first skype Darija (moroccan arabic) lesson . . .

I have been getting inspiration from sites like Help Refugees for some stocking fillers!

And have been hinting broadly for THIS BOOK to be under the tree with my name on it

I also think it is great to support small businesses and peoples online creativity, and have earmarked these bags from Moroccan MustHaves

This Bristish Brand - Wawwa - are donating a hat for a hat
and the beanies look pretty cool too

Trust me - there will be plenty of Prosecco, silly hats and slightly more frivolous gifts being exchanged on the day, but I am planning to have one or two of these items in the stockings in a small attempt to spread the joy a little this holiday season.

Merry Christmas & Seasons Greetings

X
Pauline

cheers!

It's that time of the year when I start feeling all creative about cocktails.

Its a christmas thing . . .

It is also the time of the year that you can find fresh pomegranates in the markets of Morocco

so when I saw this little recipe on The Bojon Gourmet, I had to share it in the spirit of the season!

I thought the idea of grilling the lemon is interesting . . . ?

Just follow THIS LINK to the Alannas blog for the full recipe and instructions
Happy Holidays
x

happy holidays

I'm languishing in the tropics this festive season

so will be taking a little break from the blog

happy holidays to you all!

x

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churros, chocolate . . .

and continuing with the Christmas train of thought.

Yes, I know, churros are not traditionally a Christmas thing, but for me and my family they are most definitely a holiday thing - whenever my children are visiting their grandmother in Spain, one of the things on our to-do list, is a visit to the Churros Lady's caravan at the Saturday market (strangely several other items on that list involve food as well!)

I have, once, a long time ago, attempted to make a batch of churros myself - but they where pretty much inedible and any nigella-aspirations I had, crumbled (along with my churros) to the ground!

 So when I stumbled across this recipe and images from the pages of Sugar Thumb,

 making  it all look enticingly do-able,

 I decided that this Christmas holiday I will become
the . . .  Queen of Churros!

I will be laying down my pen,

switching off my laptop,

 and wishing you the gift of time this festive season,

 time to make churros - or whatever else takes your fancy!

click HERE to go to the recipe on the Sugar Thumb blog

ps: please let me know if you do try this recipe - along with the end results!

{despite saying that I will be switching off my laptop, 

you will no doubt still find me plonking about on facebook from time to time}

a little love this festive season

Well, December is officially and unavoidably upon us 

and it is time to start getting into the spirit of things I think.

With this in mind I remembered  having seen on the blog  Why Morocco about the Love cards that Yves St Laurent created every year - sending out handmade wishes to friends and colleagues. The original poster forms of these cards are exhibited in the gallery of the Majorelle Gardens in Marrakech

Such a lovely idea

& what a good wish to usher in the new year , 

simply wishing your friends love!

images via Why Morocco

I'm afraid i am usually guilty of rather hurried emails as the year draws to an end, 

or at best dashing into the nearest stationary shop and buying a pack of cards off the shelf ( in my defence I do try and buy a card that donates a little to a good cause )

but - in case the cards go missing in the post this year . . .

here is wishing you love

You might be running out of time to lovingly hand craft your own cards this season, but you certainly still {just} have time to to hand write your wishes this year. 

So I did a little window shopping on Etsy for you and found these cards by artist Zana Lokmer, available via her shop on ETSY  - I love how the bright colours of her paintings translate into a christmas card just waiting for you to dash down your message and pop it into the post!

x

 cards by  Zana Lokmer, 

available via her shop on ETSY