Sunday, December 20, 2009

Christmas treats!

Gosh, it’s hard to believe it has been two weeks since my last post… where has the time gone?!

For me, the time has gone to good use!  Making special gifts for friends and family, socialising with those I hold dear, cooking and baking, wrapping and card-writing… I could go on – but don’t worry – I won’t! he he…

My family and I caught up with our group of friends yesterday for a Xmas picnic lunch, and I made the always-asked-for Feta and Rosemary stuffed cherry tomatoes:

Tomatos

They really are very tasty!  Would you like the recipe?

Ingredients:  24 large cherry tomatoes; 100g soft Feta,crumbled (about 1 cup); A few sprigs of chopped fresh rosemary; Approx 2 tablespoons basil (or black olive) tapenade

Method: Wash tomatoes and remove the stalks.  Turn the tomatoes upside down so the stalk-side is at the bottom.  Now cut a cross in the top of each (but do not cut completely down the tomato).  In a small bowl, combine the Feta and chopped rosemary.  Spoon a small amount of tapenade in to each tomato and top with the Feta mixture.  Place on a greased oven tray and cook in a hot oven (200c)for approx. 25 minutes, or until tomatoes are just tender.  Serve warm or cold, garnished with a little extra fresh rosemary.

Before I left the house for the get-together my dining table looked like this:

Xmas wrappings

What do your tables look like at this time of the year?  I bet they’re tidier than mine! LOL…

Rosie and I received some exciting parcels in the post this week too!  Rosie’s special little friends in South Australia made her a cute ornament for our tree – one that will be treasured for years to come!  Here is Rosie putting it on the tree…

Rosie on tree

And here is a pic of the little angels who made it for her!  Their mum, is the gorgeous Dawn, a fellow gum tree designer, and she is an absolute angel, too! :-)  Thank you darling girls!!! {Hugs!}

he he he… I must share this!  As I write, Rosie has been running around with a a small blanket in each hand, flapping her little arms and pretending she is a fly!  I stopped writing and have been chasing her around with an imaginary can of fly spray (making “pshhh” noises) and she has been giggling her little head off!  Ahh – kids are so much fun aren’t they?!!!

Getting back to Christmas treats!!!! The second surprise I’d like to share with you was from the lovely Deb in New Zealand.  I opened her parcel to be greeted with this beautifully wrapped gift…

Deb ornie wrapped

And opened it to reveal this stunning hanging heart ornament…

Deb ornie on tree 

Deb chose the Dickins quote especially because I am English!  Thank you darling Deb!!! {{Hugs}}!!

Gosh I feel so spoiled!  Next time we chat I will show you some more of my precious Xmas ornaments.  For me, Christmas is about remembering the ones we love, sometimes it’s hard not to get caught up with the busy-ness (is that a word?) of the crazy season – but it’s because we like to “give” that it becomes crazy!  I have quite a few sentimental ornaments that have been made or gifted to me, and it’s wonderful that each year they trigger special memories… they are what I will share with you!

Until next time – enjoy the season!!! 

Hugs! Vikki xo

14 comments:

Deb said...

Hi darling girl, stuffing wee tomatoes..... you have far too much time on your hands!! lol, just joking they look and sund yummy.
So pleased your like your wee pressie, just a little way to say Thank you for being such a good friend...
big hugs Deb

I Purr-Furr to Craft said...

What a lovely post, Love the dining room table, lol! that used to be me until i took over the pool table!
Thank you for your kind words on my post, Love it. You too have a super Christmas, TTYS
Sue
XXXXXXXXXXXX

Abby and Stephanie said...

I can assure you my dining room table looks worse. Lovely gifts you'll treasure forever. Those tomatoes looks delicious.

Kiwifruit-Shiree said...

my table looked like yours on Saturday, but the tidy fairies have worked their magic,and it is pretty clear now!!
Your feta toms look rather delic!! must try them out. Have a marvelous Christmas Vikki!!

Unknown said...

Mmmm those tomatoes sound yummy , thanks I've saved the recipe , speak soon xxx

A Spoonful Of Sugar said...

Your feta and Rosemary Tomatoes look delicious!! Your dining table looks neater than mine - it is nice to have a gift wrapping station set up at this time of year:) Enjoy your final preparations,and I hope you and your family have a wonderful Christmas and an amazing 2010!

Anonymous said...

You have been spoiled, you deserve it. I hope you will be spoiled more, I hope my surprise will arrive before X-mas. My dining table is always tidy, but my sewing table is a mess and I won't show it ;0) I hwish you and your family a great x-mas

Simone de Klerk said...

A post with lovely pictures, sweet dear Vikki! Such lovely suprises for you and Rosie. And the heart with the Dickens saying is a treasure.
I do recognize your table as if it were mine. Glad to see I'm not the only one!
Heel veel liefs voor jou!

Kerryanne @ Shabby Art Boutique said...

MMmmmmmm... now that's a recipe I just have to try. I have a sneaky feeling that they won't last long in our house.

Gorgeous gifts too. Lucky you.
Hugs,
Kerryanne

Jenny of Elefantz said...

Yum yum yum in my tum tum tum as the Vicar of Dibley would say!!!

I Purr-Furr to Craft said...

Hi Vikki, this is the post i sent to Jodie of Ric-Rac and i am posting it to you, because you are equal to my feelings on this subject,
I so totally agree Jodie,
This year having become both a reader and a blogger, (always a crafter) seeing your work and other indie crafters at the stitches and craft show this year, TOTAL BLISS! i have discovered that not only am i not alone, But i am not disabled, but differently abled, I can do what i love in my own home in my own time health permitting, and feel i am making a difference in this world.
I want to thank you (and i will be thanking Vikki too) for your part in my emerging, (encouraging me to go and do blogging)
I love your energy, patterns, stories etc.
Have a Wonderful Christmas, a happy New Year and i want encourage you in all your ventures. (one day i would LOVE to thank you in person).
I don't want to scare you and sound like a stalker or anything, just letting you know what you have done for me.
Keep blogging, dreaming and sewing new stuff, Love it all.
Just want to say
THANK YOU
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Anna Rosa Designs said...

Hi Vikki,
Lovely reading your post.
Ah, sweet gifts for sweet gals.
Merry Christmas to you and your family.
Hugs,
Anna

Sharon (Stitches on Mars) said...

Hi Vikki,

My table doesn't look like that beacause i haven't been wrapping presents recently...its just a matter of time and size...maybe a whole room is what i need LOL.
I just love your heart ornament from Deb too.
But I have to say the best bit was imagining you chasing flyRosie with a spray can.
Hugs,
Rosie

prashant said...

pleased your like your wee pressie, just a little way to say Thank you for being such a good friend...

Work from home India

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