'Happiness can be found in the darkest of places if one remembers to turn on the light'
• 3 days to go! •
Autumn/Winter are my favourite months and I have really enjoyed my new found appreciation for walks, especially during these seasons.
So, thanks for that 2020 (because there isn’t alot else fo thank you for)
❄ Winter Walks ❄
Until Next Time,
Roseanne 🙂
Time for another baking post!
Especially because I feel like I haven’t done enough of these this Blogmas!
I do have another recipe up my sleeve, that I am hoping to make for our Christmas day dessert, so keep your eyes peeled for that one too 👀
Chocolate Orange is one of my absolute favourite flavours ever, but I also think its quite festive too.
I used a ‘Tasty’ recipe this time which I will leave a link for here
I obviously adapted it to make them Chocolate Orange flavoured.
I added some cocoa powder to make the cookie batter chocolatey, a little orange extract instead of vanilla and I used chopped up Chocolate Orange segments, instead of choc chips.
These don’t take long to make, honestly the longest part is refrigerating the mixture for a minimum of 30 mins before baking. They only take 15 mins in the oven.
This is how they turned out. The chocolate orange pieces were all gooey 😍
They are a lovely, soft cookie.
Let me know if you give them a go!
Until Next Time,
Roseanne 🙂
Well those 20 days have flown by!
Madness.
I hope everyone is doing ok here, in the UK, after the Corona announcements yesterday.
But, let’s try and enjoy what festivity we can, safely.
& one of the things we’ve still been able to enjoy is one of mine and my husbands favourite traditions…
The Christmas Panto!
This years panto, which we would usually watch at our local theatre, was offered as a live stream.
As you can see, this year it was their adaptation of ‘The Snow Queen’.
There were still a few people in the theatre (Covid regs in place) but we watched it on the live stream, from the comfort of our own home.
It was a blended panto, so that it worked for both the in house people and those watching at home, and honestly it was really impressive.
The way they incorporated the videos and video montages into the show as well as special effects onto the screen during certain moments was really impressive.
Considering you weren’t actually there it really was a lovely, intimate and immersive experience.
They also added interactivity to the show which was fun.
The troupe was made up of only 5 people, which is alot smaller than usual, but they did a fantastic job (as always) and they still played their instruments live, (always a favourite part of ours) They are all so talented.
It was great to see some of the familiar faces from pantos past.
And, it was as hilarious, fun and silly as always!
We thoroughly enjoyed the show! With snacks & drinks in hand.
I’m so glad we could still enjoy this tradition. Theatre is one of our absolute favourite pastimes, we love watching a show whether it be in a small theatre or in the West End.
It’s such a valuable and important part both of the entertainment branch and of our lives, and I for one hate to see it struggle.
We added a donation to our ticket cost to help support our local theatre.
I also donated to the Theatre Support fund. I’ve left a link below for you to check out how you can help, and the cool ‘The Show Must Go On’ merch that they have available.
Until Next Time,
Roseanne 🙂
Only 6 days to go guys! Less than a week 🎄
During December, me and my friend at work have been trying out different mince pies. We work together two days so on a Monday I would bring one in and on a Thursday she would bring one in.
We got to try six different mince pies during this time, and we rated them to see which ones we preferred.
We tried the following Mince Pies:
• The Rankings •
We went for a few categories to score each mince pie on, these were:
And then we gave them an overall taste each.
• The Results •
Aldi Specially Selected
Appearence: 9/10 & 8/10
Overall taste: 7/10 & 7/10
Pastry: 7/10 & 7/10
Fillage: 8/10 & 7/10
Overall Rating: 7/10 & 7/10
Gregg’s
Appearance: 8/10 & 8/10
Overall taste: 5/10 & 7/10
Pastry: 6/10 & 7/10
Fillage: 8/10 & 7/10
Overall rating: 5/10 & 6/10
Sainsburys Bakery
Appearence: 8/10 & 8/10
Overall taste: 8/10 & 8/10
Pastry: 9/10 & 9/10
Fillage: 5/10 & 5/10
Overall rating: 8.5/10 & 9/10
M&S Puff Pastry
Appearence: 6/10 & 6/10
Overall taste: 6.5/10 & 8/10
Pastry: 5/10 & 3/10
Fillage: 3/10 & 3/10
Overall rating: 6/10 & 7/10
Waitrose
Appearence: 8/10 & 8/10
Overall taste: 9/10 & 6/10
Pastry: 8.5/10 & 8/10
Fillage: 8/10 & 8/10
Overall rating: 8/10 & 8/10
Co-op Locally Sourced
Appearence: 6/10 & 6/10
Overall taste: 10/10 & 10/10
Pastry: 8/10 & 9/10
Fillage: 10/10 & 9/10
Overall rating: 9.5/10 & 9/10
So, the winner of our taste testing was… (drum roll please)
The Co-op Locally Sourced !
These are my favourite and even with trying others that hasn’t changed, and my friend agreed too.
Which Mince pies are your favourite?
Have you tried any of these ones?
Until Next Time,
Roseanne 🙂
I LOVE festive food (& food in general) and Christmas is one of those times of year where we indulge a little more, enjoy a few of our favourite snacks and have a nice time.
… I like having some of these, particularly, at Christmas as they make me feel super festive, but obviously alot of them can be had at other times of the year!
Here are some of my favourites…
A absolute festive staple.
This is one of my favourite chocolates. I would of course eat this at other times of the year but, I often just get the grab bags or bars, saving the actual chocolate orange for christmas time.
It always feels so festive, perhaps it’s the Christmas/clementine similarity.
And thanks to old Saint Nick, I always get one in my stocking.
Now I do only eat these ones at Christmas! Mince pies.
These are a treat that I have started to like only over the last five years or so, and I love them throughout November and December.
Me and my work friend did a mince pie taste testing this year so look out for that in a Blogmas post to come.
Shortbread is my favourite type of biscuit and I LOVE them at Christmas. I especially love the M&S Christmas, musical tins. These little packs of Chritmas trees are delish too.
Tesco’s Christmas shortbread selection tins are my favourite in terms of taste, super delicious and with lots of sugar on top.
PRINGLES! The ultimate crisps.
I try not to eat tooooo many because they really are addictive!! So I always get these for Christmas as they are a buffet essential 👌🏻
Sour Cream and Chive are my absolute fave.
Hot Chocolate is a Christmas must have!
Perfect for the cold weather and these are a couple of my favourites.
I recently discovered the Cadbury hot chocolate and how good it is. I’m sure I’ve tried it before but not made it well, because I can’t get enough of it now!! I was definatly making it wrong Haha.
Mint hot chocolate is my favourite flavour and there is something about the minty taste that makes me feel super festive.
Hot chocolates are so cosy 🥰
Crackers & cheese are a Christmas must have. Great as a little snack or part of an epic buffet.
& finally…
Our tipple of choice!
It’s got to be a nice, ice cold fruit cidar. I don’t really drink casually, but I do love to have a few of these in the fridge, ready for the festive period 🎄
It’s one of the times of year that I do actually fancy a casual one here and there.
What are your favourite festive snacks?
Until Next Time,
Roseanne 🙂
• Stocking Fillers •
I love stockings and finding little bits to go in them, (helping out Santa obv!)
I generally go by the rule of something edible, something to do something to wear, something to pamper and something fun/silly!
I feel like the fun/silly present is easier to be more specific, depending on who the stocking is for…
So, here are some general ideas for you!
Another little pamper product such as a bath bomb or something similar. Lush have some funky, festive ones.
I hope this helps!
Until Next Time,
Roseanne 🙂
• My Favourite Festive Drinks •
I love a Coffee or drink from a Coffee shop and especially the festive flavours around at Christmas time.
So, here are some of my faves…
Costa: Terry’s Chocolate Orange Hot Chocolate
This was yummy.
If you were one of the first wave of people who ordered this you also got a Terry’s choc orange segment with your drink.
This was a really, yummy, creamy hot choc… it could have done with a little more orange flavouring though!
Costa: After Eight Mint Hot Chocolate
This is my favourite festive drink by far.
Because what’s more festive than a hot chocolate.
And the mint syrup is super festive too.
Me and my twin sister get this every year, its sooooo good.
I think it’s usually just called a mint hot choc but, it’s been branded around After Eight Mints this year… I could be wrong though (it could always have been)… anyway, you also got a After Eight Mint on the side of your drink.
Again, I think there were limited number of these.
Starbucks: White Mocha Frappe with Peppermint Syrup
This is a new discovery this year thanks to Zoe Suggs Vlogmas! & my sisters recommendation.
The White Mocha Frappe is super delish and flavourful on it’s own, and the peppermint flavour makes it super festive.
It’s a really tasty drink.
This is great if you prefer a cooler, refreshing drink.
I’m really hoping I get a chance to try the Caffe Nero ‘Salted Caramel Latte’ & their ‘Mint Hot Choc’ before the christmas season is over!
Caffe Nero is my fave.
What’s your favourite festive drink???
Until Next Time,
Roseanne 🙂
So, here are my top 5 ways to well and truly get into the festive spirit!
1. Listening to Christmas tunes
Whilst I’m still at work, and there are still lots of restrictions in place for going out, this is one of the things that has made me feel the most Christmassy.
We have been listening to them lots at work and in the car.
If a Christmas sing along doesn’t get you into the festive spirit, what will!!
2. Watching a Christmas film 📽
I LOVE Christmas films for adding a bit of festive cheer into your life.
Even more so as the cinemas are closed. I miss it more than I thought.
I shared some of my faves in a earlier Blogmas post so check them out here !
Grab some popcorn, your fave festive chocs, a hot choc perhaps? And you’ve got yourself a super festive afternoon.
3. Reading a Christmas book 📚
As soon as November hits I start the festive reads and I don’t stop until February.
If you love festive books as much as me then take a look at these ones, they are some that I’ve really enjoyed.
Books are a great escape from reality and perfect for a bit of festive downtime during the Christmas chaos.
4. Christmas Day Prep 🎁
I love wrapping presents, planning Christmassy activities and of course planning the Christmas eats too.
I know that this year is going to be a bit different in terms of Christmas, but its important to make the most of the situation we are in, enjoy what we can do and not focus on what we can’t.
And hey, you might even end up with a new fun tradition thanks to 2020!
I love stocking up on a few of our favourite Christmas treats, like mince pies and slowly picking up buffet bits and bobs, from various shops depending on what they have each year.
And wrapping presents for my loved ones always makes me feel super festive 😊🎁
5. Festive baking 🥧
I really enjoy baking and festive flavours (except you cinnamon 🤢) so I always look forward to baking at this time of year, especially when you can indulge a little more, guilt free, and try all your efforts.
I’ve been looking up some yummy ideas to inspire my baking over the next week or so!
Here’s a festive recipe I’ve already tried out. They were super yummy!
Until Next Time,
Roseanne 🙂
So, here we are! Day Twelve.
Today has been both festive, productive and fun.. my kind of weekend in the run up to Christmas.
Me & hubby had a little lazy start, followed by a yummy breakfast because there is no better way to start a weekend.
After that I went Christmas shopping with my sister, which was fun!
And we well and truely shopped until we dropped.
But, I managed to get the everything that I needed!! Which is awesome.. I mean, I nearly lost an arm under the weight of my bags, but its all good because the Christmas shopping is done!
When I got home from town I had a nice, relaxing, festive bath.
Gotta love a Lush Festive Bath product.
This one smells so good and is a reusable bubble bar! ‘Elfie Stick’
It was so nice to chill after a fun but hectic time in town.
Feeling refreshed, I have now spent the evening sorting out what I bought, wrapping some more presents.
Super festive!
I’m now about to start decorating our second tree… because I decided one was enough and so I grabbed another one today, in town.
What’s your idea of a fun, festive day?
Until Next Time,
Roseanne 🙂
Last night me and Tim went to a Drive In cinema.
I’ve always wanted to go to one of these and when I saw that they were doing showings nearby, OF CHRISTMAS FILMS, I thought it would be a fun little outing.
We went to see ‘How the Grinch Stole Christmas’
This is one of my favourite Christmas films, its lovely and hilarious.
Who doesn’t love the Grinch!
We grabbed a McDonalds beforehand as you can obviously take your own food in your car, they did have food services but it was a little pricey.
We also took some popcorn to have whilst we watched the film!
We were a bit worried that it would be freezing but I think we got lucky with the evening that we went, it had been a much milder day.
We did take a duvet to snuggle under anyway because it was still a little chilly and why not!
It was really great to find something fun and festive to be able to do together that was actually really COVID secure.
You stayed in your car the whole time (toilets were available but we didn’t need them, but apparently they were also cleaned after every use too) They have your Number plate registered so all you do is listen to a quick information brief (you stay in the car for) but obviously everyone is wearing masks, and then you obviously sit in your own car for the film, so very minimal contact with others.
I’d never really thought about how the logistics would work in terms of the sound, I’ve only ever been to a Outdoor Cinema screening, but you just set your radio to a particular station and the sound of the film plays through your car radio and you watch on the big screen that they have up.
It was really good fun and this was my first Christmas film of the festive season.
I really enjoyed doing something ‘normal’, this was an ideal festive activity during the current climate.
2 weeks to go!
Until Next Time,
Roseanne 🙂
Roseanne Byford 