Christmas Embroideries, 3 Ingredient Fruit Cake, Knitting Too

Hello all and thank you for stopping by so close to Christmas Day. 

It's been busy. I've set up things that light up...the wreath, two small trees, several candles. I've been shopping and wrapping gifts with the usual seasonal feelings of panic about getting it all right. 

I've been keeping the feeders full and watched this little tableau one morning.

The three of them were calmly eating together after one of the squirrels had climbed up and jumped on the pan feeder, conveniently tipping the seeds down for them. 

I baked a fruit cake. I've been seeing so many videos of folks making the 3 ingredient fruit cake, I had to give it a try. Tony is a fruit cake lover so I figured it would have to be pretty bad for him not to eat it. Luckily, it is tasty despite my using the barest of ingredients. Mine included the dried fruit on hand which was mostly raisins, currants, cranberries and dates. You soak your fruit overnight in a chosen liquid. I chose black tea. Then you mix it with self rising flour and bake it. I should have baked it longer but I was eager to try it. I thought it was fine and the fruit cake lover loved it.

Yes, this is truly just the three ingredients of fruit, flour and liquid unlike some recipes that claim that but actually require more when you read the fine print.

I will be making this again and using real fruit cake fruit like the glace cherries and also a different liquid maybe Baileys or juice to heighten the flavour. HERE is the link to just one of the sites that features this recipe. 

I finished my little Merry Moose embroidery. Such a fun little stitch.

And I took four of the little orphan Christmas embroideries and sewed a little mat. I have lots of this pretty Christmas fabric left over from a past project. 

And I had a matching fabric in the darker green that worked out well for the trim and back.

I've been thinking lots about possible RSC projects for the new year. There are two patterns I keep going back to and I'll share those soon. Perhaps I'll work on both just to have some variety with this particular challenge. Meanwhile this year's quilt is still at the flimsy stage. I have to take out all the papers/cardboards but just before that decide on the edging pieces if I want it to be straight on the sides.

So it requires a little decision making which I'm not in the mindset for just now.  

I've also been knitting on my afghan to be and enjoying that for a change.

Perhaps you've seen this....the wonderful Barbara Brackman shared a quilt pattern for those who may be thinking of sewing an authentic period quilt to celebrate the 250 anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. You can check out the information here... a beautiful Anniversary Quilt Pattern.

I think I have everything ready. Our gift exchange is tonight and then everyone back here again for the dinner tomorrow. It's so nice to still have a younger boy in the family who is still so excited about Christmas. 

If celebrating, I hope your Christmas is wonderful and you all get to enjoy some holiday time.