What’s Hot Christmas week
This is a bit late today as I have spent the morning searching high and low for the cable to transfer photos from my camera to the computer. I finally found it in amongst all the christmas chaos.
The how:
To play along, it’s as easy as writing up your own hot/not list on your blog and then linking back to me here at loobylu.com and then adding your url to the widget below.
Hot
Solstice is hot: – We had lots of guests last night and our Midsummer feast this year consisted of roast chicken and vegetables, pavlova, Paul’s Christmas pud and chocolates. We drank pimms and lemonade, sparkling champagne and sparkling red. After dinner the children made fairy rings and then Phil took them out way past their bedtime to see the christmas lights in the streets nearby (which apparently was the “most awesome thing ever”) followed by a new Tove Jansson book read by Nan for bedtime stories. Everything was a little bit sparkly last night.
Pavlova cooking: – Something that went just right. My first trial pav was you classic pav laden with cream and berries. It was so good. For Solstice I tried Jamie O’s version with some lime juice and coconut stirred through the mixture. I found it just a little too sweet but still successful.
I made a scrap fabric wreath! Inspired completely by Nan and her easy to follow instructions.
Paper snowflakes: – I can’t stop making them. There is that wonderful moment of surprise when you unfold the snowflake and discover what the delicate cuts have made. I use this image as inspiration (via @Maggie) and here are some instructions.
Aunty Cookie’s kind loan of her wizz bang badge making machine: – Don’t slow down near me or I might whip you up and turn you into a badge. It’s too much fun.
Christmas carols on my ipod: – Our little music box in the kitchen is blasting out the christmasy tunes – we have Charlie Brown’s Christmas, Sufjan Stephens, Vintage carols with the likes of Bing Cosby and Doris Day, Christmas in Sweden (from Anna’s kind gift over at Dos Family)
Alma: – (above) the beautiful (but creepy) animated short is available to watch online for a short time this Christmas. It is so hot. She is an exquisite character.
Not
Food fail: – Tears and a bashed head while meringue cooking. Failed dips (too much garlic in the beetroot, too much smoke in the baba ghanouj) and a slightly dried out solstice chicken. Argh. never mind. It’s the company & conversation that counts.
Last Monday: – Monday was a bad day. I don’t need to go into it really, but it consisted of tired, tantruming children, tired parents, awkward (awful) social moments and failed culinary plans.
I didn’t take a single photo of our Solstice party! So not hot. I guess we were living in the moment.
So how about you?
Responses
23rd December 2009 at 6:38 pm
It looks (& sounds) like the perfect Christmas week to me.
AND Christmas just wouldn’t be Christmas without a couple O hiccups. Best not to focus on those. xxx
23rd December 2009 at 8:02 pm
Merry Christmas to you and your family Claire.
Meant to say the other day, yes Ana Ventura is such a sweetheart. I am so glad I was lucky enough to meet her. I told her I’d first of her many years ago through you, and she said, ah yes, Claire bought one of my paper dolls.
xxx.C
23rd December 2009 at 10:39 pm
Snap! We’ve got a scrappy fabric wreath on our front door too, with a hanging reindeer.
Your solstice dinner sounds just perfect. I like my babaganouj smokey!
24th December 2009 at 12:47 am
just sat and watched Alma with Lil and thought it brilliant! scary, but brilliant! how addictive is Vimeo?! Thanks for your lovely comment on my blog, have a wonderful Christmas and a happy & healthy 2010 x
24th December 2009 at 4:37 am
This sounds lovely! I tried pavlova once. Epic fail. I will get the courage one of these days to do it again. Merry Christmas!
24th December 2009 at 1:43 pm
I love that you celebrate the solstice! I try to too, even if I just light a candle. I think a winter solstice party is on the cards for next year though…
And well done with the pav – they can be so tricky!
Thanks so much for your beautiful blog and have a very merry Christmas!
24th December 2009 at 1:56 pm
merry christmas and thanks for all your inspiring posts and lovely links! the snow flakes are wonderful! p x
24th December 2009 at 6:14 pm
The chicken wasnt dry, the potatoes were excellent too! Had such a great night : ) Love alma as well, gorgeous.
24th December 2009 at 8:03 pm
Merry Christmas and thanks for your great blog. Enjoy the silly season.
24th December 2009 at 8:05 pm
hey claire – so glad to hear the meringues worked. Have a great christmas. x
28th December 2009 at 1:51 am
Hi Claire
Your blog is like rolling into one all my favourite things. Just love it. Hope your Christmas was wonderful. I’ve put myself as number 16 on the whats hot and whats not and am planning on doing the entry on wednesday x
29th December 2009 at 11:25 am
Beautiful, Claire!
So glad you all had a lovely Christmas. I love the wreath, I am keen to get one started next year, but will hold off until November, like a sensible person.
Tim and I got crafty and created our own tree (gum branch fallen at the local billabong and eventually became a TWIG with just four gum leaves dangling precariously because I kept breaking it – washing it for spiders eggs – no frightening wildlife inside for me! – and then unwieldy doorframes getting in the way!).
We eked out paper decorations and it was oh so much FUN.
29th December 2009 at 6:31 pm
The fabric wreath is beautiful! Happy Holidays to you and to your family! Your bog has helped me a lot for the whole year! Thanks!
30th December 2009 at 5:22 am
My four year old is also loving your blog and she keeps asking to “visit that place with the pretty picture of the girl” Apparently Alma is a favourite of hers as well 
31st December 2009 at 6:05 pm
Hi Loobs!
Just wanted to say HAPPY NEW YEAR to you and Phil and Les Girls! I missed you this year!! We shall be seeing lots of each other next year, I hope! Have a wonderful holiday and big smooches in your direction!
xx
1st January 2010 at 12:48 pm
oo i did not know of alma – thanks for sharing i am off to check out the link but from this pic it looks very cute! just saw fantastic mr fox – it was fantastic ; )
a bit late but a merry chrissy and very happy new year. i look forward to dropping by in 2010 x
2nd January 2010 at 3:29 pm
I came across your website and thought this was a great idea to share whats hot and whats not! Happy New year!
5th January 2010 at 2:37 am
Claire! Is that beautiful little girl your BABY?!? I think i have been away far too long, she was just a tiny little looby loo the last i saw her! She’s beautiful and precious! What a sweet sweet surprise!
tanya
5th January 2010 at 1:36 pm
I am SO glad the pav worked out. I had nothing but complaints from ungrateful sorts about the toffee on top even though the meringue and everything was a smashing success. I love your pics – thanks for sharing again. I love your blog! Cat. xo
5th January 2010 at 1:56 pm
Hi,
Found ur blog while bloghopping. Wishing you a happy and fruitful 2010!
7th January 2010 at 6:19 pm
i’m doing a hot and not this week, even though you’re having a break! happy new year! j x
8th January 2010 at 7:14 am
I’m finally trying a hot and not list after several years of being a faithful (though silent) reader. I hadn’t written anything on my own weblog in a while since I just started working and needed a little structure to get started. The list was really fun to make and helped me focus! Thanks so much for all your inspiration and beauty. You’re wonderful!
13th January 2010 at 10:34 am
My boys and I just watched “Alma” – loved it. My 11 year old had his eyes closed in the most suspenseful part! Thanks for the link.
14th January 2010 at 1:20 am
Dear Claire, your blog was my first blog 7 years ago.
Then I opened mine, and now i have 2 children and 2 blogs (in Italian).Thanks for inspiring me, then and now.
17th January 2010 at 9:11 am
Alma is amazing! The animation is beautiful. Thanks for the link.
And I think I will try the wreath and snowflakes next Christmas they are fab.
18th January 2010 at 1:21 am
Hope you and the fam are well. And if you get a moment I hope you’ll stop by my blog soon I have something for you!
18th January 2010 at 7:37 pm
Merry Christmas – loved Alma & the wreath, this is one of my favourite blogs. Hope you are having a good break from everything.
21st January 2010 at 10:34 am
I love your picture of the fabric wreath, but especially that little glittery Kinder made decoration on the bottom. Ella’s same one was on our tree this year. Happy memories of Kinder!
26th January 2010 at 9:18 am
I loved Alma!! Creepy but cool! Sounds like you’ve been having a good holiday!
23rd December 2009 at 3:06 pm
Merry Christmas Claire! Loving, loving your hot’s this week…especially the fabric wreath, just beautiful!
’see’ you in 2010 x