Christmas is Coming!

I refused to acknowledge this fact properly until November this year.  I have refrained from buying up decorations yet but I have made a little start on presents and cards.

I like to make my own cards and visiting Idee was inspirational so there will be more on that in the coming weeks.

I also saw some great decorations and I just can't wait for December to start trimming the place up on the first Advent.  Speaking of which I am keeping my eyes peeled for an advent wreath again, haven't seen any yet but we did get our advent calendars at the Hachez outlet.

On the gift front I have started my shopping.  Living away from home and travelling with Ryanair is not ideal for getting those gifts back with us so I love online shopping and getting things delivered to family to hand out when we get back.  Some of my favourtie websites for online shopping are:

Next

Not on the High Street

Boots

Amazon

This year we'll be in Germany for Xmas with Nico's family before flying back to celebrate with friends and family in England.  I am sooo looking forward to it.  In fact I am looking forward to the whole season with the Christmas markets and the school festivities - I still haven't quite decided which classes are going to have the Xmas film Elf inflicted on them yet but it will happen.

So be ready for lots of Xmas updates in the next few weeks, I hope you don't get bored!

Recipe: Morrocan Meatballs with Salad

Ingredients:

• 175g millet
• 200ml vegetable stock
• 50g sultanas
• 3 tomatoes, chopped
• 1/4 cucumber, chopped
• 125g black grapes, hlaved
• 4tbsp fresh parsley
• juice of 1/2 lemon
• 300g lean lamb mince
• 1 bunch spring onions, chopped
• 2 garlic cloves
• 2tsp harissa paste
• 2tbsp tomato puree
• 3tbsp fresh coriander
• 170g Greek yoghurt
• 2 tbsp fresh mint
• juice of 1/2 lemon
• 1 small garlic clove

Instructions:

1.  Cook the millet with the stock until ready.
2. Transfer to a large bowl and add the sultanas, tomatoes, cucumber, grapes, parsley, lemon juice and seasoning.  Allow to cool.
3. Combine the mince, spring onions, garlic, harissa paste, tomato puree and coriander.  Season well and shape into twelve walnut sized balls.
4. Fry the meatballs, turning regularly until cooked through.
5. Combine the yoghurt, mint, lemon juice and garlic.
6. Serve the meatballs with the salad and yoghurt mix.

Driving in Bremen

On Sunday, I took my friend for a driving lesson.

Bremen has a special driving practice centre where you can hire dual control cars by the hour or take your own to practice.

I'd been a little worried about them accepting my English license but in the end they didn't even check it - just took our signatures for the insurance and handed over the keys.

My biggest shock was the hill that we had to drive up to access the grounds.  I hadn't expected to drive myself (especially as I have limited experience with a left hand drive) but was told that I had to drive up there and then swap with my friend.

I was also surprised my how hilly the grounds themselves were.  It's something that I always forget in my time away from England because Bremen just does not have hills.

So even though my friend has had several lessons before, the hills and getting used to the new car made the experience a little more nerve testing than I had expected but we both got used to it and I got back in one piece.

It did make me appreciate driving instructors much more and the first thing I said to Nico on my return - "We are never teaching our own ids to drive."

Craft Corner: Crochet

While in my favourite craft shop last week, I discovered a cute little crochet learner kit and snapped it up as it's something I've wanted to do for a while.

It wasn't very easy to follow but with the help of a handy you tube video I completed this project over the weekend - it's a pan holder.  It's not perfect but it's not a bad first attempt either.

I am looking forward to trying some more projects once I get Christmas presents out of the way.

Project Life - Week 30

Despite my promises to myself last week, I didn't take many more photos this week so there is a lot of journaling again and I am not overly pleased with the look as it's not really pulled together but on the positive side, the week is well documented and I am looking forward to the next week and getting more in there.

The Saturday Update

Another mixed up week this week with a bit more time off.  I'm feeling better than last week though and I've been a little more productive in starting on those November goals already with a little crochet project and getting some more Christmas shopping done.  

I'm planning to start on the Christmas cards this weekend and tomorrow I am taking my friend out for a driving lesson!  Should be fun.

It is well and truly November now with miserable weather and the heating back on so I'm trying to focus on all those good winter things like hot drinks, candles and crafting.

Just a short one again this week - hopefully more to report next week!

P.S. Some amusing trip advisor reviews.

November Goals