Showing posts with label christmas. Show all posts
Showing posts with label christmas. Show all posts

Sunday, December 4, 2011

Simple ideas for Christmas decorating

Each year I seem to do less and less decorating for the Christmas season and what I do changes slightly.  One thing stays the same- simplicity.  There was a time when I went all out and it took days to set everything up.  Now I do a bit here and a bit there as the mood hits and presto, I'm ready. Here's a few sneak peeks at this years efforts. I like to reuse what I have in different ways and I depend on greenery from my garden to add life to the arrangements.This year a can of silver metallic Krylon spray paint has been my friend.  I'm spraying everything in sight.

 This is plastic and was a bronze colour last year.  It was weary from the weather last winter and a shot of metallic silver brought it back to life.  I left a few hints of the bronze showing for variety.  This is one of my all time favourite wreaths.

Directly below it is my flower pot that has been every colour possible. I like the silver.  I also spray painted the stalks of dried goat's beard from the garden and inserted them in a bed of broom.  The ornaments were ones I had on hand except for the purple one.

 
 Here's the arrangement on my front door step.  There's a carport on my house so it works well to protect things from the wind and snow.

 The only addition to this display on my dining room table is the insertion of the amaryllis.  I've had it for awhile and it changes location and has a new purpose each year.

 My fluorescent green berries and beads get a new home in this lovely green,  bronze, and black vase.  The candlesticks are usually in the dining room. It's all very understated.
 
On the picture frame mantle in the family room I'm using a repetition of varying heights of candles  and spray painted pine cones.  The wreath was gold with cream and pink poinsettias from years ago. It took on a great sculptural look when everything was sprayed the same colour.

That's where I am so far.  More ideas later....

Tuesday, December 28, 2010

Pre-Christmas lunch at Mussel Inn, Glasgow

Many weeks before Christmas Day, it was decided that the people who were not going to London should have a meal together somewhere fancy and also try something out of the ordinary. Hence, with some scouting and researching, we came to an agreement to give Mussel Inn a try. Their Christmas Menu managed to tantalise our tastebuds and thus, attracting us to said restaurant.


However, we were not able to dine at Mussel Inn on Christmas Day or the Eve of Christmas because Mussel Inn was not open on those days. Therefore, 23rd Dec 2010 marked the day we planned to satisfy our cravings. With the change of plans, some who were going to London the day after were able to dine with us.

Mussel Inn was just a 15 minute walk from the halls. Pretty chilly day to be out walking.





When we arrived at Mussel Inn, the table reserved for us was set up with a present for each person. Inside the wrapper were tiny gifts like mini book keychain, cards, screwdrivers and others.






Ambience wise, I'd say its a great place to wine and dine. It wasn't noisy when the lunch crowd came in. Service was not too shabby either.



Some of us ordered the 2 course meal. A basket of bread and butter was served to us on the house. The bread was refillable which complemented the the Seafood Platter main course.



Appetizers:


TOASTED GOATS CHEESE ON BAGUETTE SLICES WITH CAPER AND BELL PEPPER RELISH


CREAMY SEAFOOD CHOWDER

TEMPURA TIGER PRAWNS SERVED WITH SWEET CHILLI JAM AND CREM FRAICHE
Main Course:

GRILLED SMOKED CHICKEN WITH MELTED MOZZARELLA ON PENNE PASTA, COOKED IN ROASTED RED PEPPER SAUCE



SEAFOOD PLATTER: QUEEN SCALLOPS, SCOTTISH SALMON, COLEY, TIGER PRAWNS AND MUSSELS ALL POACHED IN A RICH SEAFOOD BISQUE TOPPED WITH CHIVE CREME FRAICHE
A third choice which none of us ordered was Grilled Seabass on Lemon and parsley mash with sweet shallot, tomato and crayfish sauce. It didnt sound too bad, but Mussels were definitely the main choice on most of our minds.

We skipped the dessert. The choices were:
Apple cinnamon strudel with vanilla cream and honey
Warm sticky date pudding served with toffee sauce and ice cream
Affogato- Coffee, Ice Cream and a Liquer of your choice.
Coffee or Tea.

The meal was great. A tad bit too rich for some of us who had the chowder and the platter. Nevertheless, it was a good experience which I don't mind repeating if I were to earn in pounds ;)

Monday, December 27, 2010

Christmas gifts - The exchange

To friends:

Picture taken from Amy coz I didn't take any pic of this.

Pretty christmas chocolates

From friends:
Just pictures of cards and gifts received for Christmas.








Sunday, December 26, 2010

After Xmas humour

Christmas came and went.
I enjoyed everything done throughout the three days.
The memories were definitely worth keeping.
I've even added a 'christmas' tag here!

Not going to elaborate much till the next post.
Just wanted to put this up in conjunction with all the glorious food I've been having over the past three days:

Gambar Belangkas