Czech out our Christmas Celebrations! 

This year saw a pretty international gathering for Christmas festivities at Wykes Manor, as the family were joined around the festive table by lodgers and house guests from Poland and the Czech Republic. We were also joined by Dora, from Hong Kong who booked a retreat with us over the Christmas period. 

On Christmas Eve we returned from some last-minute shopping that's become a bit of a family tradition. Actually, all our shopping's last minute. Moving on. 

This is the sight that greeted our eyes and cold, hungry bodies. More delights were to come! 

Once everyone was sat down, platters of fried meat and bowls of a delicious potato salad were brought from the kitchen, whilst our glasses were filled with champagne. After grace and a toast to the old and new year, we sat down and hungrily tucked into this traditional Czech fare.

I've tried to find the Czech names for the dishes we ate, but google has failed me this one time! Do leave a comment if you can help!

Time for a festive toast!

Our wonderful chefs take a well-earned break around the festive table.

Dessert- these were delicious with coffee, or champagne! 

The three eldest van Spyks show you how not to pose for photos. 

Thank you to all those who made this such a special day! 

Domestic Goddess Makes Christmas Special 

Phoebe Claus. 

She came in a flurry of apron strings and festive ribbons, armed with sewing machine and recipe book. Her task - to equip us to be the best hostesses this festive season. 

First on the To-Do List  - Ginger Cake! - 

Before we knew it, we were up to our elbows in cake mixture, busy lining tins and measuring out the spices for Phoebe's acclaimed Ginger Cake. The spices give this delicious cake a festive air, whilst its light, gooey texture and subtle flavours ensure it will be a winner everywhere, whether you're wowing guests or giving it as a gift. Perfect served hot or cold with custard, cream, you name it! We ate ours still warm from the oven, heavenly with a mug of hot tea. 

Next Up - Christmas Decorations - 

After home-made spicy pumpkin soup, we cracked on with the day's activities - Out came the needle and thread, the crimping scissors and colourful fabrics. 

Simple felt rectangles were sewn together by sewing down through the centre, leaving a few stitches in between each piece of felt, and topping with a loop of Christmas ribbon at the top of the tree.When hung, this felt Christmas tree turns gently around, giving some bright festive colour to your room. 

  - The Mulled Wine Mix - 

Juniper Berries- can't say they're a usual ingredient in my cooking, but who knew they made mulled wine?! We simmered these gently, along with a rich assortment of sugar and spices to make mulled wine syrup, ready to be heated up with bottles of red wine to take the chill out of those cold dark nights. 

Art Attack - Christmas Card Bonanza 

D-day approaches. 

Yep, you got it - Christmas! Jingle those bells and buy in the wrapping paper! 

Isn't it sad that 'Christmas' fills some of us with dread - We worry what to get for who, will it be enough - will they like it?! About the deteriorating condition of our bank balance, or ending up looking like the fat man in red yourself. 

If you're in the commercial sphere, then there are the additional worries of producing Christmas stock, and then selling it at a profit. 

This year I 'm guilty of dreading Christmas on both accounts - shops need their Christmas cards, and they need them quick. 'But it's nowhere near Christmas', you mutter, I don't feel Christmassy yet'. 

And that's before you've even got started on your little sister's wish list. How sweet that she's so good at writing now!

There are ways around the Christmas-brain-freeze (hope you enjoyed that pun). Some recommend playing Christmas carols. Or indulging in some mince-pies - only because you have to, obviously.

Collecting holly sprigs from our garden helped. These were the starting piece for creating some new designs, endowing my usual line drawings with some of the festive spirit. 

Playing Kiss Fm  very loud on the radio and singing all the (wrong) lyrics at the top of my lungs probably didn't.

If this is the first time you've seen this face - apologies. 

Of course, if you're lucky, then you'll have a cosy little nook where you can hide away to produce your mini masterpieces. This is mine - 

Time to get down to work! 

However I find the best way to get over these pre-Christmas blues is to remind yourself what it's all about. Getting back to basics, it's the story of perfect love. The kind of love that you'll sacrifice all for, even sending your son down in the most vulnerable form. The kind of love a mother has for her newborn baby. The love reflected in all the visitors meeting this little one for the first time. 

So my last endeavour tried to reflect this - the heart of Christmas.