Christmas baking - Rum Balls

For a number of years now I've been making these yummy little balls for Christmas.  They are easy and quick, with just the right amount of sweetness.  Technically they aren't Rum balls though because I use Sherry instead of Rum, but Sherry Balls just doesn't sound right!   I think they would work with whatever alcohol you've got floating around.  The recipe comes from my good friend Bridget who I shared a house with almost 20 years ago.  She never measured out any of the ingredients, just added them by sight (incidentally she does this with her crocheting as well - she can't really read a pattern, but can look at something and whip it up.  Super clever eh?), but I managed to tie her down to writing this out for me.   OK, here's the recipe;


1 packet of Marie biscuits (any plain sweet biscuits would work if you can't get Marie)
2 tablespoons of Cocoa
1 can of condensed milk
1 cup of dessicated coconut
1/2 a cup of sherry 
1/3 cup of sultanas (optional)

1. Crush the biscuits and combine them with the rest of the ingredients in a bowl.

2.  Roll tablespoon sized balls in your hand and then roll in extra coconut.  It's as simple as that!!  Refrigerate and enjoy. 






Have a safe and Merry Christmas everyone!

Tina xxx

On my hook this week...

Over the last week or so I've been finishing off a few projects - mainly little Christmas gifts and decorations.  I've found the gentle rhythm of crocheting to be soothing amongst all the craziness that this time of year can bring.

I made these little balls for my 4 month old baby for Christmas, using the pattern from Nicki Trench's book, Cute and Easy Crochet (love, love, love, this book).  I must admit that I was a bit hesitant at first - I'm not sure why now because they were rather easy and fun.  I put a bell in each of them along with the stuffing, so they'll rattle when she shakes them.

A few years ago our family decided not to buy Christmas presents for the adults, but instead give the money we would have spent on a gift to a charity of our choice.  I always get a little something for my parents though, so the children can give something instead of just receiving.  This year I thought I would crochet this little basket to put mum's gift in rather than using wrapping - that way she can re-use the basket.  There are plenty of tutorials on the web for crochet baskets - for this basket I did four rounds of half double crochet (US terms) for the base and then 5 rows of half doubles and then two rows of double crochets, finishing with a row of half doubles. 

I found the pattern for this lovely little Christmas tree at One dog Woof.  There are three different sizes which are made to go over wine and champagne corks - how clever is that!!  You could really jazz them up by adding little coloured seed beads for lights,  embroider little stars on them or use sticks for the trunk.   I plan on making a few more when I get a chance - wouldn't a cluster of them look fabulous??  Maybe with a little deer standing amongst them...... 

What have you been up to?? Have you been able to get some hooking time in amongst all the Christmas preparation??

Tina x

Five more sleeps...

This time of year is just crazy isn't it ??  The weather here has been ridiculously hot -  41 degrees Celsius today, there are crowds of people everywhere you go, baking to get done, wrapping of gifts; there is a long list of things to do before Christmas Day.   I'm really trying to slow down and enjoy it though.


The older two children finished school last Friday so in an effort to stay away from the crowds and out of the heat, we've been busy around our little house......

........Decorating our Christmas fruit cake with bright red stars.........

.......Making winter wonderlands in glass jars.......

......Baking lovely little Christmas pies.....

and painting rocks for our succulent garden......

Have a great weekend,


Tina xx

Christmas Reindeer

Whenever we have travelled overseas I have brought home a Christmas decoration for our tree.  We have a wood candy cane from the ancient redwood forest near San Francisco, a blue and white Snowman from Belgium, and our Christmas star is made by a silversmith in San Diego, USA.  I love that our tree tells a story.   Once upon a time the decorations on the tree were all the same, usually balls of the same colour.  It was pretty, but now our tree is full of little stories from our life; our travel souvenirs and decorations made by the children each year.   They are all different sizes, shapes and colours.  It is very us and I love it. 

I have been looking for a Christmas reindeer for some time to add to our story.  Not just any reindeer though.  Nothing too sparkly or shiny, too precious or delicate.  I haven't been able to find the 'right' one.   Today as I was Christmas shopping I saw the perfect little reindeer in a window.    She is beautiful.   I love her sweet, gentle face.   She sits on our cupboard like she has always been a part of our family.  

As I was paying for her I saw this gorgeous little owl too.  It's made of glass and the surface looks aged.  Well, I just couldn't leave him there.  Isn't he lovely??

Although these new additions haven't come from far away lands, they form part of our story; when I get them out each year I will remember that they joined us the year my fourth babe was born ..... a most wonderful year indeed.