Nigella's Chilli Jam.

I made Nigella's Chilli Jam for Christmas presents and gave it all away. It was really popular and so easy to make, so I thought I'd make some more.
Me and chilli don't really mix, I think I'm allergic to it, but a little bit is ok.

 I halved Nigella's recipe .

dissolving the sugar and vinegar

*warning* wear rubber gloves when preparing the chillies!

chop the chillies and peppers

add chopped peppers/chillies to the saucepan

bring to a rollicking boil 

when the jam thermometer reaches the 'jelly' stage remove from heat and cool 40 mins

ladle into jars and label

And this is how I like to eat it....... on a Ryvita cracker with Philadelphia cheese.

Lisburn Square must have eyes and ears.  It saw me taking photos and it heard me talking.
Then it told Alex Attwood  and he said, "No way is John Lewis coming to Sprucefield now.

John Lewis at Cheadle Royal near Manchester

Lisburn Square.

Today as I was passing through an empty Lisburn Square it reminded me of my last post, and the photo, where I was sitting in the John Lewis store near Manchester and thinking to myself how nice it was. Well it got me thinking whatever happened to John Lewis coming here to NI? It seems to me that most of the shops in Lisburn Square have managed to vacate themselves without any competition from the likes of John Lewis.

It should be a nice busy shopping area. Can you see anyone?

I used to go into this gallery, but not anymore. Closed. Mind you, I never bought anything in there.

I think that this hire shop might be open and accessed from the 'Clockwork Orange' shop next door, but you couldn't tell from the shop front.

Coopers used to be a busy cafe.

  The Kitchen is open. Hooray.

Coopers. Closed.

Paparazzi. Closed. I liked the clothes in this shop but it was overpriced.

Next door to Paparazzi. Closed. 

There used to be a clothes shop here too, Mother Earth clothing. It didn't last long.

                                 This used to be Pretty Woman. Closed. For Years.
                                     Lisburn women don't buy lingerie, it seems.

                                                   Golf Outlet. Closed. Who plays golf?

Turner &Todd. Closed. An itsy bitsy shop. Tat, my husband would say.

French Connection. Closed. Ferme. Shut.

The Jean Scene. Jeans no longer the scene? Closed. 

Editor. Closed. Nothing to write home about.

Dragon.  Closed.  That didn't last long.  What was it?   Oh yes, more overpriced clothes.

It's not all doom & and gloom. 

There are a few shops still open -  and if you are in Lisburn Square try The Square Bistro Cafe. 

Highly Recommended.

       Hmmm ..... when is John Lewis coming to Lisburn?

New Year.

I was in England to see in the New Year. 

Now it's almost time for the decorations to come down.

 These hanging stars were in the John Lewis store at Cheadle Royal near Manchester.

 This tree was covered in bright white lights and I snapped it going past in the car.

This is Bramhall Hall. Inside it was decked out for Christmas and open to the public to visit.   

I was sorry I missed seeing that.

I liked these two boys scooting around the tree.

Down in the village of Bramhall there was a wonky tree propped up with sandbags. 

It looked a bit sad.

My sisters tree always looks good as she has beautiful decorations and quite a few of Swarovski crystal.

There was this lovely little glass tree, she'd bought in America, sitting on the mantlepiece.

I think it's always sad when the decorations have to come down.

Christmas Eve.

In Donegal and there's a bit of my Christmas tat hanging up.

My little grandson has been creative too and made a jam jar lantern.

Happy Christmas!

Christmas Trees.

Out and about at the weekend, in the local town, doing a bit of Christmas shopping and looking at the decorations.

There was a nice window display in our local Department Store.

 I wondered would anyone feel sorry for the 'Last One' tree and buy it.
 That modern tree with all the coloured lights was very pretty.

 Then I felt sorry for this tree that had seen better days.

 Decided to head down to the Island Centre where the big tree hangs out. It was looking good.

 It was a gigantic tree.

With gigantic baubles to match.

 Then I saw this little tree framing the moon. I was pleased with this Christmassy photo.

 Then heading home, back through the town, this tree outshone them all!

A Host of Angels and a Christmas competition.

It was our craft group Christmas lunch last Thursday.
The subject this year for our competition was 'An Angel'.
In the past I've been quite vocal about the lack of entries for our competitions and also for some of the group projects.
Well, as you can see from the table, our members excelled themselves this time! There was a host of angels of every description on show.
There is a special cup for the winner of this competition and I've yet to get my hands on it!!
Maybe this time, I thought.

So take a look at some of the entries.

It was stiff competition.

 My favourite was this choir of angel mice, but I'm sure I saw a worried look in their eyes. 

Because that's MY angel they're competing with!

Well, they needn't have worried because they were the judges favourite too!

The Winners.

Congratulations to Janet!

Gingerbread Santa's.

My gingerbread men I originally made for my craft group 'Afternoon Tea' exhibition have had a Christmas makeover.
I think they look much happier as Gingerbread Santa's!