Cake thirty-two

Xmas Cookies

Every year I wait for Xmas time to come, yes, I do feel like a child in a way, maybe because I have nice memories from my childhood. My family was quite small, it was just my mum, my dad and I, but my mum’s sister and her husband were always with us. They had no children and they considered me their daughter. My mum used to decorate the house, my dad made the nativity and Xmas tree. The table for Xmas Eve dinner looked gorgeous and very elegant, like a table of a five- star hotel, since my mum looked after all the details. But it was never pompous. There was a kind of ritual I still cherish, before dinner we all gathered around the Nativity, which wasn’t in the same room as the Xmas tree and we sang a few songs waiting for Father Xmas, I called it Father Xmas and not Santa Claus, to arrive. Suddenly the bell rang and my father went to open the door. It was just a matter of minutes, but they seemed hours to me.. At last he shouted - it’s Father Xmas, he’s brought a lot of gifts, do come and see! So I rushed to the sitting room and ... there it was, the Xmas tree all surrounded by big and small packets! I stood open-mouthed in astonishment... I can still remember how excited I felt...

What was inside the packet wasn’t that relevant, it was the  atmosphere and the waiting that mattered! Once my mum’s brother and sister came from Sicily and for that occasion my dad had put up a huge Xmas tree that touched the ceiling. It was like an event for me, I wouldn’t have been alone waiting for the bell to ring, my little cousin was there too. You may not guess how mad he went when he saw all the gifts under the tree! We often like to recall that moment, nice memories to share. 

At that time I didn’t realize the time my parents took to make all the preparations. It was simply natural...

So when Xmas is approaching, it’s something I cannot help, I get into the same state of mind. I do my best to continue this tradition of joyful and almost timeless atmosphere.. It’s like a tribute to my parents and my aunt Lucia who've dedicated their lives to me. 

song: Any time at all

All I had to do was call and my father and aunt were there

also visit : http://time-for-cake-making.blogspot.it/2014/01/cake-thirty-two-xmas-cookies.html

Cake seventeen - 2013

Xmas Fruit Cake 

I’m definitely a Xmas lover, I love the days before Xmas when you make all the preparations - Xmas tree, Nativity, house decorations and last but not least cakes and cookies. I also like cooking for Xmas Eve and day but cakes are my favourite! I start mid-November baking the Xmas Fruitcake as it tastes better if yoy store it for some weeks. I like the smell of candied fruit and raisins which fills the house and makes me dream of small and cosy Tea Rooms in Devon or Cornwall. Yes! One of my dreams is to have a small Tea Room and bake a few cakes a day. 

I’m able to leave all the rest behind when it’s Xmas time. My kids say I get obsessed by Xmas baking which could be true, I must admit.. but they all love it in the end... and have their favourite recipes to be prepared. When you love something, you simply do it, without considering how tired you get and how long it takes!

song: Because 

There's no real reason for love

Cake seventeen

Christmas Fruit Cake

There are mixed feelings about Christmas and some of us don’t like  it for several reasons. I can see their point but I personally love it! I think there’s some kind of magic in it which, unconsciously, takes you back to the fancy world of your childhood and you shouldn’t loose. I love everything about Xmas, from the preparations for Xmas Day to the lightings in towns. 

I like to decorate my house, to buy and put up my Xmas tree and make the crib with the help of my children even though they’re grown up now. I like the smell of a real tree, of the wet moss in the crib and of the gingerbread cookies decorations. I might be a dreamer but I believe it’s a time we all stop for a while and consider our family bondings and real values. 

It’s also my favourite time for baking as I can set my fancy free. 

I start well in advance, mid November making the Xmas Fruit Cake and an Advent Chocolate Calendar and then continue until Christmas making Father Xmas House, cookies and cookie decorations.

Song: Happy Christmas 

Xmas Day’s over but I think it’s always time to wish each other a Merry Xmas, a message of peace and love

see recipe:
http://time-for-cake-making.blogspot.it/2012/12/cake-seventeen-christmas-fruit-cake.html