Blogmas Day 10: Mini mince pie pastry bites

This is my first foodie post of Blogmas 2018 and it’s a tasty recipe for all you mince pie fans!

I have developed a real love of mince pies over this recent festive season but as I follow the SW plan I’m trying to find ways to enjoy my favourite festive treats and stay on plan (ready for the inevitable over indulgence on the main days of Christmas)

So, this recipe, although SW friendly is still great for anyone looking for a twist on a classic, a bite sized treat of Christmassy goodness that won’t add to the waistline as heavily as a traditional mince pie might.

This recipe uses Light puff pastry, so a bit different to the traditional short crust.

It is so simple, and those recipes are the best kind.

Ingredients

-One roll of Tesco light puff pastry (Not frozen)

– A jar of Tesco Mincemeat

-One egg, beaten. (To egg wash)

-Sweetner (To sprinkle)

(This post is not sponsored by Tesco but I did an online shop when I ordered these and wanted to keep it simple when working out the syn values using the Slimming World app)

Recipe

Roll out the pastry flat and cut into squares (roughly 5cm x 5cm)

I weighed each square to make sure that it was 20g each. If you aren’t on SW you won’t need to be so particular.

On each square add a teaspoon of mincemeat.

Fold over the pastry from one side to the other and crimp along the edge to stop any leakage.

Lay the back onto the baking parchment that the pastry comes in, on a bakig tray.

Beat the egg and brush over the top of each one to help them turn golden.

Sprinkle each one with a little sweetener.

Bake in the over for 10/12 minutes on 200Β°.

Enjoy hot or leave to cool.

I prefer them warm with a cuppa.

These work out as 5 syns each which I don’t think is too bad. One with a cuppa would be perfect to get that festive mince pie hit.

20g (ish) of light pastry 4.5 syns

1 tsp mincemeat (0.5 syn)

Total: 5 syns each.

Enjoy!

Until next time,

Roseanne πŸ™‚

Blogmas Day 9: My top 10 Christmas films

Watching Christmas films is a sure fire way of getting into the festive spirit, and there are some brilliant Christmas films out there.

I thought I would share a few of my favourite Christmas films with you. If you havn’t seen some defiantly check them out.

Hopefully I’ll be able to fit as many of them as possible into the weeks leading up to Christmas.


Deck the halls (2006)

‘Steve, suburban dad and Christmas enthusiast, finds a wrinkle in his well-ordered existence with the arrival of his new neighbor Danny. Danny has big dreams and plans to illuminate his house with enough holiday lights to make it visible from space. Not to be outdone, Steve declares a war of one-upmanship with Danny that threatens to drag the Christmas spirit through the slush.’

How the Grinch stole Christmas (2000)

‘In this live-action adaptation of the beloved children’s tale by Dr. Seuss, the reclusive green Grinch decides to ruin Christmas for the cheery citizens of Whoville. Reluctantly joined by his hapless dog, Max, the Grinch comes down from his mountaintop home and sneaks into town to swipe everything holiday-related from the Whos. However, the bitter grump finds a hitch in his plans when he encounters the endearing Cindy Lou Who.’

Santa Clause (1994)

‘Divorced dad Scott has custody of his son on Christmas Eve. After he accidentally kills a man in a Santa suit, they are magically transported to the North Pole, where an elf explains that Scott must take Santa’s place before the next Christmas arrives. Scott thinks he’s dreaming, but over the next several months he gains weight and grows an inexplicably white beard. Maybe that night at the North Pole wasn’t a dream after all — and maybe Scott has a lot of work to do.’

the-snowman

The Snowman (1982)

This half-hour British production faithfully recreates author Raymond Briggs’ classic children’s holiday tale, in which a young boy’s snowman magically comes to life and whisks him away to the North Pole to meet Santa Claus. Appropriate for very young children, the film has no dialogue, relying instead upon its images to tell the tale.

Arthur Christmas (2011)

‘Set on Christmas night, the film tells a story about Santa Claus’s clumsy son Arthur Claus who discovers that the Santa’s high-tech ship has failed to deliver one girl’s present. In response, he goes on a mission to save her Christmas, accompanied only by his ageing grandfather, a rebellious yet enthusiastic young Christmas elf obsessed with wrapping gifts for children, and a team of eight strong, magical yet untrained reindeer.’

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Elf (2003)

‘Buddy was accidentally transported to the North Pole as a toddler and raised to adulthood among Santa’s elves. Unable to shake the feeling that he doesn’t fit in, the adult Buddy travels to New York, in full elf uniform, in search of his real father. As it happens, this is Walter Hobbs, a cynical businessman. After a DNA test proves this, Walter reluctantly attempts to start a relationship with the childlike Buddy with increasingly chaotic results.’

Love Actually (2003)

‘Everywhere you look, love is causing chaos. From the bachelor Prime Minister of the United Kingdom who, on his first day at 10 Downing Street, falls in love with the girl who brings him his tea, to a hopeless sandwich delivery guy who doesn’t think he has a chance with the girls in the U.K., so he heads for Wisconsin. From aging rock stars, to a stony headmistress, to a monolingual Portuguese housemaid–love arrives in many forms, shapes and sizes. Here, ten separate–but intertwining–stories of love all lead up to a big climax on Christmas Eve, proving that love is the driving force in all of these people’s lives.’

Jack Frost (1998)

‘As a touring musician clinging to dreams of stardom, aging rocker Jack Frost never had much time for his wife, Gabby, and young son, Charlie. A year after Jack’s tragic death in a car accident on Christmas Day, Charlie plays a mournful tune on his father’s harmonica. Much to his surprise, the elder Frost is magically brought to life as a snowman on the family lawn. Given a second chance, Charlie and Jack struggle to make up for lost time.’

The Greatest store in the world (1999)

‘Geraldine and her two daughters, Livvie and Angeline, are living rough on the streets on London, just before Christmas. When their van blows up, they must find an alternative place to stay. At first, they live in temporary housing, but the conditions are unbearable. Geraldine reacts quickly and the family decides to take up residence in Scottley’s, the best department store in London. They must keep it a secret from doorman Brian (whom the girls call Mr. Whiskers), and a couple of bumbling thieves who want to rob the store safe of its jewels.

Santa, Who? (2000)

This one is a made for television film.

Santa Claus falls out of his sleigh and develops a case of amnesia right before Christmas. An afraid-of-commitment TV news reporter finds him and uses him on TV to get audience while vowing them to find his family. In the meantime, Santa works in a mall. The TV newsreporter’s girlfriend’s son repeatedly tries to convince the adults that he is the real Santa Claus, which the adults refuse to believe. All the while, Santa’s elves are looking for him. Near the end, a couple thinks it could be their grandfather who has grown a beard, and take him with them.


What’s your favourite Christmas film?

Until next time,

Roseanne πŸ™‚

Blogmas Day 8: A Festive get togetherπŸŽ„

As a group, me and my friends from school try to get together as much as we can (which proves more difficult as the years go by! Damn adulting) we often get together for birthdays and other such occasions and for the last few years I’ve organised something to get us altogether at Christmas too.

We’ve done Secret Santa to death now amongst us all, we have done a festive party at mine and Tim’s a few years in a row now too so we needed something different this year.

In the end we opted for a nice and easy festive meal out together at a restaurant.

We went to a local restaurant called ‘The Oyster Reach’ which is part of the Beefeater chain.

Christmas themed party wear/jumpers was the dress code.

They had both a set and festive menu to choose from and I think we all went for a mixture in the end.

Most of us enjoyed three yummy courses. I went for Calamari to start, my favourite starter.

The festive burger for my main, which alot of us chose.

It was probably the most juicy burger I have had in a while, very tasty.

& I couldn’t resist a cheeky side of pigs in blankets! Well it was a Christmas meal after all.

For dessert I had this delicious chocolate orange melting pudding. Chocolate orange is my favourite flavour combo, heaven.

It was great to get together, catch up and just have a laugh and some yummy food.

The perfect way to spend time together at this time of year.

How do you like to celebrate at this time of year?

Until next time,

Roseanne πŸ™‚

Blogmas Day 7: My advent calendars

One of my favourite bits of Christmas is the build up and of course advent calendars are a big part of that.

I thought I would share with you guys which calendars I have this year.

This is the first time during a blogmas (& I think this is year 3 of me doing it) that I havn’t had a beauty advent calender. None of them took my fancy this year and the ones I’d had previously hadn’t changed a lot either. Plus is it just me or are they very expensive!!

So let’s take a look at the ones I did go for.

Chocolate first of course! And the king of chocolate, so it had to be, Cadburys.

I went for the ‘1994’ style edition as I thought it looked super traditional plus I’m a 90s kid so I thought it was cool.

I love having a little chunk of Cadbury chocolate every morning to look forward to.

I also got myself a colouring advent calendar too, just for a bit of fun!

You get a different picture for each day of advent and they are all Christmas themed.

It’s quite relaxing doing my colouring in the evening whilst I catch up on I’m a celeb.

What advent calenders have you guys got?

Until next time,

Roseanne πŸ™‚

Blogmas Day Six: My Stocking gift guide πŸŽ

There are five essentials, in my opinion in order to create the best filled stocking. Each one working well with the others, resulting in a perfectly balanced Christmas stocking of dreams.

Obviously, this is just my opinion but the Christmas stocking is one of my favourite traditions at this time of year and one of my favourite things to shop for.

I will include a few options of items that I found for each category to help you out if you are a bit stuck.

1. Something cosy

Christmas is all about being cosy so this us very important. I always think cosy socks are a winner, those lovely fluffy ones are perfect. If not socks then maybe some gloves or a new wooly hat or scarf or a Christmas T-shirt to wear on Christmas day.

2. Something tasty

I usually opt for chocolate as you can’t go wrong really. Although of course you can taylor this to the person who it is for, picking up their favourite sweet or savoury treat. Chocolate coins or a chocolate santa are also a nice festive options

I love to receive a Terry’s chocolate orange in my stocking.

Some options…

  • Chocolate orange
  • Brussels sprouts shaped chocs
  • Chocolate coins
  • A Chocolate Santa
  • Chocolate reindeer
  • Their favourite sweets

3. Something to do

This could be anything but I think it derives from my childhood of having toys in my stocking haha. We always had something to occupy us until mum and dad got up. This could be a little game, maybe a puzzle, a dvd to watch, a book.

4. Something to pamper them with

This could be a nice shower gel, maybe a festive scented one? Maybe one they wouldn’t buy everyday. If they are a bath bombs fan like me you could include one of those or something simple like a face or hair mask.

5. Something fun

I think it’s always nice to have something silly in your stocking. This is dependant on the person of course but it just adds an element of fun. Last year I got my husband beard lights because he has grown his beard. They were a laugh and just a bit of fun.

I hope you find this handy and enjoy getting your Santa on when creating your stockings. Just have fun with it, you really don’t need to spend alot to make a great stocking

Happy Shopping

Until next time,

Roseanne πŸ™‚

Blogmas Day Five: Our Christmas eve plans πŸŽ…

Although of course Christmas day is the big day, I love Christmas eve and Boxing day too. Any excuse to stretch out the festivities a bit longer.

We usually spend time with my nephews Noah and Casey and my twin sister on Christmas eve and of course this year my niece Evie is a bit older and can enjoy the fun too.

It’s quite a nice chilled out day but full of fun and food.

I will get some yummy food in for breakfast for me and Tim to enjoy before he has to work.

Then me and my sister’s are going to get together and do something fun with all the kiddies.

When it gets darker we head over to my mum’s and pick her up so that we can carry out our tradition of looking at the Christmas lights around our local area. I love this tradition, it’s one of my favourite festive pastimes and it really gets you into the spirit.

After we’ve looked at the lights we head to Sarah’s for some yummy treats and relaxing in our new Christmas PJs. We don’t do full on Christmas eve boxes for the boys yet as they are still a bit little, but we do all get some new, cosy festive pjs, hot chocolate and a couple of festive activities for the boys to make or colour before bed.

We also have a Christmas film on in the background too, probably ‘The Grinch’ as we all like that.

Once the boys are in bed the adults enjoy our festive feast.

We always just get a few things that we can all share and enjoy together.

This year we are going to get a Camembert, with bread to dip, Nachoes and some pigs in blankets. It’s going to be delicious. I can’t wait!!

What do you like to do on Christmas eve?

Until next time,

Roseanne πŸ™‚

Blogmas Day Four: A festive day out πŸŽ„πŸš‚

Last weekend me, my husband Tim, twin sister Sarah and her husband Dan and kiddies, Noah & Casey went away for a winter weekend away.

We stayed at Rose Farm in Great Yarmouth, in a lovely little static caravan.

It was lovely and reminded me of our family holidays from years gone by.

One of our activities on the Saturday was a little railway journey and it felt really festive.

There was a little winter chill in the air, just enough to need to wrap up all cosy, which added to the festive feels.

We went on the Bure Railway from Wroxham to Aylesham and it was just lovely. The boys really enjoyed themselves.

To add a little extra festive cheer, there were loads of Christmas decorations.

And when we got to Aylsham there was a Santa’s grotto as well as even more lights.

So festive! πŸŽ„πŸŽπŸŽ…β›„

It was a lovely weekend and it made us all feel really ready to start having lots of festive fun days. Bring on the next Christmas activity.

Until next time,

Roseanne πŸ™‚

21 days to go!

Blogmas Day Three: Festive Decorations Haul πŸŽ„

I love it when you start to see the Christmas decorations in the shops and now that it is December all the shops are full of the most festive of displays.

Me and my eldest Nephew had a look round one of our local stores (The Range) to see what festive decorations they had to offer, and we weren’t disappointed.

Here’s our little haul πŸŽ„


Hanging decorations


Hanging berry star with gold glitter.

Rustic Heart woodland wreath.

Hanging bell decorations.

Tree decorations


Red glass ‘Merry Christmas’ bauble.

Clip on red and gold glitter birdies.

Rustic bell decoration with foliage.

So festive!

Until next time,

Roseanne πŸ™‚

Blogmas Day Two: The Christmas Tag πŸŽ…

To start Blogmas off I thought that I would do a Christmas tag. Christmassy questions to get into the seasonal spirit. I love hearing about peoples Christmas traditions, food, favourite songs etc so I thought this would be a bit of fun.

I have chosen these questions from various different lists, and hopefully you guys will find these questions interesting. I’ve split the questions up into categories just to mix it up from last year.

Lets go!


Decorating

Is your Christmas tree real or fake?

Our Christmas tree is fake. Its what I always had growing up and so that’s what we had when we moved into our own home.

How do you decorate your home at Christmas?

Like a grotto! (that isn’t an exaggeration!!) I go all out with a different colour scheme for each room, just to maximise the festiveness.

I also love to have a wreath on the door.

What is your favourite Christmas colour?

I love the traditional Christmas colours of red, gold and green.

What tops your tree?

We have a red star that tops our tree. This came as part of the tree decoration set that my mum bought us when we moved into our own place.


Food

What do you usually have for Christmas dinner?

Tradtionally, my family always had turkey and gammon for our Christmas dinner. We usually have either Turkey or Chicken at my father in laws.

What is your favourite sweet treat at Christmas?

A Terry’s chocolate orange.

What is your favourite Christmas food?

It has to be the Christmas dinner, in its entirety. All those delicious components together to make one amazing meal. Pigs in blankets tho.

What is your Christmas day breakfast?

Although I am a firm believer that chocolate is 100% a legitimate breakfast for Christmas day, as a child my mum always made us have something proper for breakfast, therefore I always make me and Tim something. I usually make something we wouldn’t usually have such as dippy eggs and soldiers (A classic) or Pastries (Pan Au Choclat, Crossaints etc) and fruit juices.


Christmas Day

Do you open any presents on Christmas Eve?

No. We have Christmas eve boxes for the boys but we open all our presents on Christmas day.

Do you wake up early on Christmas day?

Oh yeah! I’m such a child when it comes to this aspect of Christmas. Anything from 6am is fair game to me. You get more Christmas day if you are up earlier haha.

Christmas day attire, Smart or Casual?

When I was younger I used to wear something nice or new to my Nana’s for Christmas lunch. However, as an adult I now choose comfort. I have even been known to wear a Reindeer onesie all day. I do usually opt for a Christmas jumper at the in laws though.

What would be your dream place to visit for the festive season?

I would love to go back to Florida at Christmas. I bet the theme parks look so cool and Disney would be SO magical. America does holidays well.


Christmas traditions

What is your favourite Christmas tradition?

My favourite tradition is driving around our local town together, on Christmas eve, to see the Christmas lights. Its a fun Christmas eve activity and makes you feel really festive and excited for the big day.

Name a Christmas tradition from your childhood.

When we were children and went to my Nana’s for Christmas day we used to have little present bags from my Nana. We would open our main presents from Nana at home in the morning with mum and dad, and then once we had, had Christmas lunch Nana would get out the little bags and we would open those. It spread the presents out a bit and it was a nice little bag of goodies, usually chocolate, socks, Shower gel and so on.

When do you start getting excited about Christmas?

Urm October??!! haha. As soon as Halloween is out of the way its fair game I’d say. Although, from the 24th November on wards I start decorating and that’s when it gets super exciting.

Do you have an advent calendar?

Of Course! I always have a chocolate advent calendar which is usually Cadbury’s. I have previously had different beauty advent calendar’s but I couldn’t decided on which one to get this year (Some are so pricey!!). I’ve also had colouring advent calenders too which are cool and super fun!


Christmas favourites

What is your favourite Christmas Song?

Last Christmas By Wham!

What is your favourite Christmas Film?

I don’t know if I have a favourite but I like ‘Deck the halls’ and ‘Elf’. I also love to tape the ‘Made for TV’ Christmas films haha.

What is your favourite Christmas activity to do?

I love going to the annual Christmas panto in our local town, a bit of Christmas shopping, stopping for a hot chocolate, decorating.

What is your favourite TV to watch at Christmas?

The soaps usually get pretty good at this time of the year, especially Eastenders. I also love watching I’m a celeb which is usually on at the beginning of December. The Doctor Who Christmas special, Harry Potter & the Philosphers Stone.


Until next time,

Roseanne πŸ™‚

πŸŽ…πŸŽ… BLOGMAS 2018 πŸŽ…πŸŽ…

Its that time of year again!


Blogmas is back.


If you aren’t familiar with Blogmas then basically it is 24 (or 25) festive posts from the start of December up until the big day itself.

The rules, one post a day, and make them fully festive.

Christmas is 100% my favourite time of the year.

Yeah, it’s a bit chilly but I am so ready for some serious festive fun.

I hope you enjoy these posts throughout December and if there’s anything in particular I can do let me know.


Which sort of Blogmas posts are your fave?


Until next time,

Rohohoseanne πŸŽ„