More knitted xmas decorations...

little green mittens

just hanging around the house

creating some xmas atmosphere...

Just a quick knit, but so very cute to hang all around the house....   I had fun knitting these little ones !

home made xmas decorations

I have been busy making some new xmas ornaments. 
In an old magazine (2009 ! Never throw away old magazines...) I found the pattern of these angels.

With some left over wool from Zeeman, I started knitting.  All the pieces are knit seperately : the body, the arms, the sleeves, the legs, the short pants, the hands, the hat.  Next, make the heads, piece of cake compared to the teddybears.  Then you sew it all together, put some filling in and look how pretty they have become !

angel wings on their backs

one in red, with buttons and a starry staff

and one in gray, with metallic buttons sprinkled all over

The most difficult was to find the wooden stand.  Nowhere to be found in Oostende...  I had to travel to Bruges, and found it in a crafts shop called 'De Banier'.   I know, you can make it yourself.  But me, wood, and carving ,  it's not a good combination.  Murphy(*)  is always sitting on my shoulder, and I don't want to loose any fingers in the process...


 (*) Murphy, from Murphy's law - you know that guy.  When things can go wrong, they will go wrong....

Christmas dinner

Tonight my parents are coming over for Christmas dinner, and my table is all set.

The meal is as good as ready.  We are having :

champagne with small appetizers, and a first share of (small) gifts.

3 slices of home made pâté with salad and croutons
(my father in law is a retired butcher who made many of his preparations himself.  His pâté is the best ever.  He is also a hunter.  He has made the pâté from animals he shot.  Not really a nice thought, but his artisan pâtés ares made of hare, wild boar and partridge.)
A second share of gifts.

Then,  home made shrimp croquettes  -  home made by my husband I am proud to say. ( My kitchen was a mess, but the croquettes are very good.)
A third round of gifts.

Then, a taste of pumpkin soup with cream.  On my menu, I call it pumpkin cappucino.  Sounds real funky, doesn't it ?  I am going to serve it in glasses. Showtime !
Another round of gifts, if there are any left over by now -  haha.

Next is the main course : stew of deer.  Yes, we are eating bambi's dad...  I have prepared it according to a tv show by one of Belgiums best cooks ever : Jeroen Meus.  It smells delicious.  Along with it are cranberries, chicory, mushrooms and mashed potatoes with celeriac.

And then dessert.  I know myself : after this dinner (and all the wine) I am tired and quite fed up with cooking.  So I bought some ice cream and I will serve it with a good cuppa coffee. Along with some sweet Belgian truffles and chocolates of course.

By then I am dog-tired and we will fall into the sofa with a last drink.  Many cheers to Xmas,  love and peace, and we wish you all the best.  Tomorrow, a very late & small breakfast (just a vitamine drink perhaps...) and in the late afternoon we are invited for coffee and cakes at my in-laws.  Another load of calories, and probably no time to blog.  See you all next time !

more home made Christmas decorations

Just a quick giveaway for the members of my knitting club...

these hearts are made of felt, and filled with lavender

I made a little bag to put the gifts in, made from old wallpaper.