‘The Twelve Days of Christmas’

    On the twelfth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me...

    12 Drummers Drumming

    11 Pipers Piping

    10 Lords-a-Leaping

    9 Ladies Dancing

    8 Maids-a-Milking

    7 Swans-a-Swimming

    6 Geese-a-Laying

    5 Gold Rings

    4 Calling Birds

    3 French Hens

    2 Turtle Doves

    And a Partridge in a Pear Tree.

…..I’d actually prefer it if my true love just gave me chocolate!

Ok, I know the twelve days of Christmas don’t start until after Christmas day itself, but since its now December and I’m eager to wrap myself up in the Christmas spirit, I have commandeered the ’12 days’ for my own culinary exploitation.

Between now and Christmas day I will be experimenting with 12 really Christmassy recipes. That is, 12 super indulgent but healthy vegan recipes that will last you through the Christmas season and hopefully beyond! So to that end, many of these recipes will be sweet treats, but I’ll also try and throw a few savouries in there too!

Ooooo, so many ideas already buzzing around my mind. Based on my current obsession for ‘spices’ there will be plenty of vanilla, ginger and cinnamon thrown around the kitchen in coming days along with plenty of fruit and nuts. Oh and course chocolate…but that’s so obvious it almost goes without saying!

Just for fun I’ll also be picking out and linking to a few of my favourite crafty ‘pins’ on Pinterest that have caught my attention to sum up the Christmas crafty spirit of giving, and maybe a few of my own crafty endeavours too. 

Now, it's time to get the decorations down from the loft, put the Christmas music on, get the mulled wine warming on the stove... and cover myelf head-to-toe in tinsel!  This is our Christmas tree topper... isn't she cute? (although her expression seems to be one of silent displeasure at the anticipation of having a pine tree up her skirt again!)

In amongst all the lighthearted sillyness, for me the true spirit of Christmas is all about sharing and spending time with those that mean the most to you. It’s about the simple things….food, a thoughtful gift, heartfelt words in a card, laughter. It’s about giving what you can to enrich the lives of those around you and taking the time to appreciate everything you have. All those small things in life that are so easy to take for granted at this time of year.

So, go forth and smile, laugh, make, bake, create, indulge, enjoy, be happy and healthy….

…And most of all, be thankful.