Alfresco Smoked Cooking Chorizo (Unearthed)

I often buy Unearthed prosciutto and olives, and was pleased to read that their range of products has expanded recently. One of the latest additions to the range is Alfresco Smoked Cooking Chorizo. This spicy Spanish cured pork sausage is seasoned with paprika. It works as a splendid ingredient in stews and casseroles.

Croutons with chorizo

These short sausages have a smoky aftertaste and are oozing with a paprika-favoured oil when cooked. Just add a handful to roast potatoes for a lovely kick.

The first dish I tried them in was Chicken with chorizo and dates. I fancied a combination of sweet and spicy.

Chicken with chorizo and dates
Ingredients:
half a chicken, cut into pieces
2 chorizo sausages
2 carrots
1 parsnip
1 leek
1 sweet pepper
a handful of chopped dates (about 80g) plus several whole dates
1 orange, sliced + juice of 1/2 orange
1tbsp Wild Rose el hanout spice mix
olive oil
sea salt with rose petals
rice to serve
As I buy a whole chicken once a week, I tend to use one half for soups, and another for different dishes, like stews, casseroles etc. You can use several chicken legs or thighs instead, rather than half a chicken cut into pieces.
In a hot pan fry pieces of well seasoned chicken. Once browned on both sides, remove the chicken and place in a roasting tray with the sliced vegetables and skinned & chopped chorizo. Add the dates, spices and slices of orange & orange juice and place the tray in the oven preheated to 180C. Cook for about half an hour or a bit more, stirring once or twice during this time.
Serve with basmati rice.

I haven't bought BBC Good Food magazine for a while, so I'm not sure if they still feature the recipe suggestions for the so called Cheat's Dinners. I enjoyed reading their menu ideas for those who cannot/won't cook/are short of time etc.

My recipe suggestion for the butternut squash soup with chorizo croutons is along the same lines.
Cook a bit, "cheat" a bit. I had a tub of Glorious New England butternut squash soup in the fridge that needed using as well as a couple of slices of ciabatta left from the previous day.

You need a tub of soup (600g) or the equivalent amount of homemade butternut squash soup, 1 small chorizo sausage, two slices of ciabatta, 1 tbsp olive oil, a few sprigs of thyme.
Slice the ciabatta into small cubes. Skin and chop the chorizo. Quickly fry it for a couple of minutes in a frying pan, add the croutons and drizzle the olive oil over the croutons. Mix everything well, keep stirring until the bread is crispy. Add the thyme too (optional).
Serve the hot soup with the croutons and pieces of chorizo scattered in the dish.
It was very tasty, and anyone can make it.

Butternut squash soup with chorizo croutons

And if you have time and energy to cook more sophisticated dishes, how about this beautiful casserole?

Chicken and chorizo casserole

If you like what you see in this mouthwatering photo above, you might want to read the recipe for Portuguese chicken and chorizo casserole.

For more information and recipe ideas visit Unearthed.

Disclosure: I received a pack of chorizo for the purposes of testing and reviewing. All opinions are mine.

A tale of a stolen Christmas wreath (with a happy end)

Once upon a time there was a little boy, and his name was Eddie. He loved everything about Christmas. Christmas tree and all the baubles made him ecstatic. So he was very glad to have a Christmas wreath attached to the front door at the beginning of December. Eddie was very proud of it, and it was truly a beautiful wreath, made of branches with little red apples. Very festive, with a touch of "merrie olde England" look. Probably not the most magnificent wreath in the neighbourhood, but much loved and admired by Eddie and family.

One day (last Sunday, to be precise) the wreath was gone. It looked like it was stolen by some heartless person who didn't think that stealing Christmas wreaths was wrong on so many levels. Eddie was saddened, Mama was upset, two older men in the family shrugged their shoulders and mumbled that it was not the end of the world. Yes, it wasn't the end of the world, but pretty upsetting nevertheless for people who care about such things.

So, indignant Mama wrote a note and stuck it on the door with the scotch tape. The note read "Whoever stole our Christmas wreath, hope you enjoy it" (she was very tempted to add "low life" but resisted, but she did swear under her breath, that's Mama for you).
The next day they got some sympathetic comments from the school bus driver and assistant and some neighbours, who expressed their disbelief at the un-Christmasy spirit of the thief. What next? Stealing the mince pie and a glass of milk left for Santa?
Mama ran around a few shops to find the wreath that she liked the look of, but was appalled at the prices, and came home empty-handed. She complained to her friends on Facebook and got a lot of supportive comments from kind people.

In the evening Papa arrived home from work and beckoned Mama to the front door, saying Have you seen the door? Mama opened the door, and stopped in her tracks. There, attached to the door knocker, was a shiny new Christmas wreath, colourful and festive, and a little note tucked under her own note which said "Sorry to hear of your loss: Probably not as good as your original one, but maybe acceptable as a temporary replacement!" The note was not signed. The mystery benefactor didn't want to reveal their name or be thanked in person.

Mama was amazed, touched and moved. Eddie was delighted to have a new beautiful wreath.
She wrote another note, thanking the lovely person for their wonderful gift and their kindness, and wishing them a Merry Christmas.

The beauty of the act of kindness is that they didn't expect us to reciprocate. And this little miracle happened in our street.

Our Christmas tree and one enthusiastic boy

"Is it Christmas yet, Mummy?"

Every morning in the last month or so Eddie wakes up with a question if Christmas has arrived. He is particularly concerned about Santa not forgetting to visit him. He is so full of enthusiasm about all the Christmas-related business like doing the cards, Nativity play in the nursery, stories about Jesus, Santa's imminent arrival and of course, our Christmas tree.
Decorating a Christmas tree is one of my top pleasures of the season. I have always loved it, for me it is a pleasure bordering on magic. As my older son is 11 now, he doesn't show much interest in the Christmas paraphernalia. Not Eddie. He is super eager to help and get involved. He was absolutely ecstatic when our John Lewis Vintage Blue Christmas tree arrived in a big box.

It is a tall 7ft tree, which looks very realistic. You know, when you see things online, they might look different in real life, but our tree looks as splendid (if not better) as the image shows. It was easy to assemble - the tree comes in three big pieces plus a stand, you just need to slot all the pieces together in the right order, and adjust the screws on the stand for the tree to be stable. You will also need to adjust the branches and fluff them up (the branches are hinged).

It is really heart-warming to see our tree in its full glory. The tree itself reminds me of the Russian forests. It is a perfect basis for any decorative style. Consider yourself an artist with a white canvas, you can create anything you want with it, and give it either a traditional look or a modern minimalist one.
The branches are made of Polythylene, and look hard wearing.
We usually have a real tree from the garden centre, but I am converted now.

Felt So Good Mini Christmas Wreath (Multi) and Santa Coat tree decorations

Our tree was delivered with a whole packet full of Christmas tree decorations by Felt So Good. They are truly funky, cute and innovative. I love it that they were made in a small cottage in the Himalayas. I told Eddie that they were made in the faraway land, hand-stitched and embroidered, and he was fascinated. He kept asking me if they knew he would receive them. I said, of course, they knew. Very colourful felt toys vary in design. There are mini-wreaths, Santa coat, mini Santa, penguins and squirrels, spotty presents and stockings. Charming and adorable.

Felt So Good Snowflake and Penguin with Red Scarf tree decorations

My very own Elf

We didn't put a conventional star or an angel on the top. We actually do have a few angel decorations on the tree, but there is a flying elephant sitting on the top. It's Eddie's masterpiece, made with love from a recycled milk bottle in the nursery. Eddie was thrilled that his creation is at the very top of the tree.
We also added a string of lights, and they twinkle merrily, adding to the festive spirit.

Last summer, when I knew my Mum was coming to visit us in July, I asked her if she could bring with her a few of my old tree decorations. She carefully wrapped four of them in bubble wrap and carried with her all the way from Russia. I look at them, and travel back into my childhood. When we were kids, my parents would wrap the walnuts in foil and hang them together with the mandarins on the Christmas tree.

Decorations from my childhood, vintage Russian glass ornaments

Eddie has been so proud of his decorating skills that he insisted on having his photo taken next to the tree. He goes around it and repeats every few minutes "What a beautiful Christmas tree!". I imagine all his nursery class will be informed on what a fabulous tree he has at home.

Eddie loved the big box in which the tree was delivered, and has been playing with it for the last few days. One day it is a house, the next it is a boat. We cut out the windows in it, and Eddie painted it with blue gouache. Simple pleasures of life. Boxes are fascinating toys, which appeal to a child's imagination.

It is lovely to walk in the evening in the neighbourhood and see all the twinkling lights and decorations on the Christmas trees in the houses. Some of our neighbours are very particular about the style. One of the ladies always goes for the pristine white look, the other decks the tree with lots of gold.

We are very proud of our beautiful tree and love all our colourful decorations, each toy tells a story and each one is a joy.

Disclosure: we received a Christmas tree from John Lewis and a selection of felt decorations by Felt so Good for the purposes of reviewing. All opinions are mine.

Felt So Good Stocking with Snowman tree decoration

 

Cupcakes for the Christmas Fayre

Now that Eddie is going to the nursery and Sasha to school, I had to do two lots of Christmas baking for the school fayre (not sure why they insist on the "olde" spelling of the word, maybe it sounds more Christmasy, according to them?).
I needed some rather easy recipes that would work well, and wouldn't contain any nuts.

Chocolate cupcakes (makes 12)
Ingredients:
2 medium eggs
150g caster sugar
30g cocoa
130g self-raising flour
1tsp baking powder
120ml milk
100g butter, melted
1tbsp cherry syrup (optional)
1 dark chocolate bar (100g)
30g butter
1tbsp golden syrup or honey
Maltesers and chocolate drops for decorating

In a mixing bowl beat the eggs with sugar and cocoa. Add the flour, baking powder, milk, cherry syrup and melted butter and mix well. Line the muffin/cupcake tray with paper muffin/cupcake cases. Spoon the cake mixture into the paper cases, about 2/3 full.
Place the tray in the oven preheated to 180C. Bake for 20 minutes. The cupcakes should be risen and quite firm to the touch. Take the tray out and remove the cupcakes on the rack. They should be completely cooled before icing.
Break the chocolate bar into pieces and put in a small bowl above the pan of the gently simmering water. Add the butter and syrup. Once the chocolate has melted, stir the ingredients together and take the bowl off the heat. Let it cool for a few minutes before using it. Use a spoon to pour some of the chocolate mix on top of each cupcake and decorate with Maltesers, chocolate chips or whatever you fancy.
I made six bigger cupcakes in muffin cases and six smaller cupcakes in cupcake paper cases.

Eddie thought I need some help with testing and tasting.

As Sasha is a big fan of Jelly Bellies, we also made a batch of vanilla cupcakes. That is, I baked, and he helped to decorate.

Vanilla cupcakes with Jelly Bellies (makes 12)
Ingredients:
3 medium eggs
175g caster sugar
1tbsp vanilla syrup (optional)
1tsp vanilla essence
50ml milk
160g butter, melted
175g flour
1tsp baking powder
1/2 orange (juice)
6tbsp icing sugar
Jelly Bellies

In a mixing bowl beat together the eggs with the caster sugar. Add the vanilla syrup (I used Gourmet Vanilla Syrup), vanilla essence, milk, flour, baking powder, butter and mix well.
Line the muffin/cupcake tray with paper muffin/cupcake cases. Spoon the cake mixture into the paper cases, about 2/3 full.
Place the tray in the oven preheated to 180C. Bake for 20 minutes. The cupcakes should be risen and quite firm to the touch. Take the tray out and remove the cupcakes on the rack. They should be completely cooled before icing.
Mix together the icing sugar and orange juice. Add the juice a bit at a time, reaching a yogurt-like consistency, you don't want it too runny. Spoon over each cupcake and decorate with Jelly bellies.

Game pie with leeks and mushrooms

When a reminder came last Saturday to have a look at the forthcoming vegetable box from Abel & Cole, I was curious to see what's on offer. A game pie mix looked good, so I added it to the basket. I looked through some of my cook books for inspiration and decided that I will make a festive game pie, with mushrooms, leeks and cranberries.

I was also impatient to test my two new OXO Good Grips gadgets: a Smooth Potato Masher and an angled measuring jug. A game pie would go nicely with mashed potatoes. I was very pleased to have a new measuring jug, as my old measuring cup has mysteriously disappeared. I suspect that one of my guys "helped" me by recycling it by mistake. I used OXO Good Grips measuring cup to measure the right amount of wine for the sauce, and milk for the mashed potatoes. It has a non-slip handle (great for when your hands are wet). You can see exactly how much liquid you have used, all the measurements are clear, both on the outside and inside the jug.

OXO Good Grips Angled Measuring Cup

Game pie
Ingredients:
500g game pie mix
2tbsp olive oil
1 medium leek, finely sliced
2 medium carrots, chopped
1 parsnip, chopped
8 + chestnut mushrooms
a handful of chopped thyme and rosemary
1tsp wild rose el hanout spice mix
a handful of cranberries
300ml red wine (I used Cabernet)
1 mug of stock (I used a vegetable stock cube)
puff pastry for the lid

Brown the pieces of meat in a deep frying pan with the olive oil, then add the sliced vegetables, cranberries and chopped herbs. Cook for about 15 minutes, stirring from time to time. Season well. Pour the wine, about one third at a time, and add more, as it gets reduced, the same with the stock, don't pour it all at once, and cook under the lid for about 45 minutes on low. Put the contents of the pan in a deep pie dish. Cut the puff pastry lid with a hole inside. Place the pie dish in the oven preheated to 180C and cook for 20 minutes, until the pastry is golden.
I have asked my friends on Facebook if I need a pie funnel, or whether I would be fine without one. Some people suggested using an egg cup to support the lid. Well, we don't really use the egg cups, and those that we got as gifts are made of melamine, so not suitable for the task. I did cut out a small opening in the middle for the steam to escape, but as the pie was packed with meat and veg, there was no space for the lid to collapse, even if it wanted to. So, technically, I didn't really need a pie funnel. The pastry absorbed some of the juices but wasn't soggy.
It was a real comfort food, especially when served with the mash. A great combination of flavours and textures, with the cranberries adding a festive touch, and the red wine making it rich.

I have shamelessly used a ready-made puff pastry. I thought about making my own, then decided that I didn't have time or energy. I am sooo not the GBBO material. In fact, I am a self-confessed queen of Jus-Rol.

Testing OXO Good Grips smooth potato masher

For the mashed potato and parsnip, cook two chopped potatoes and two parsnips in salted water until soft. Add some warmed milk, a bit at a time and a generous dollop of butter.

Typically I use my old wooden masher, so I was curious to find out how the OXO Good Grips Smooth Potato Masher will do the job. It is very light, and works with less pressure on your hands. The handle is broad and soft and comfortable in use. A stainless steel mashing plate has a fine grid and mashes the vegetables smoothly and effortlessly, leaving no lumps. As the mashing plate is shaped as an oval, you can move it around the pan easily and get all bits mashed perfectly.
I would imagine it is very handy to make the baby food as well.
My score for both OXO products: 5/5.

Disclosure: I received two OXO Good Grips products for purposes of reviewing. All opinions and a recipe suggestion are mine.

The World of Miss Clara Gift Set (Barefoot Books giveaway c/d 15 December 2013)

Barefoot Books is an award-winning publisher, renowned for its distinctive collection of books. Their hardcovers and paperbacks are enjoyed by both children and their parents. We love Barefoot Books and have quite a collection at home. Some are so well-loved that we need to keep the pages together with the scotch tape.
The World of Miss Clara Gift Set (Barefoot Books) is a splendid collection of three books: The Princess and the Pea, The Snow Queen and The Twelve Dancing Princesses. All these titles have been beautifully illustrated by the French artist Claire Guiral aka Miss Clara.
Each book in the set is accompanied by a story CD.

All three books are illustrated in the same recognizable unique style. Miss Clara uses mixed media and digital technology to create a series of enigmatic collages, where 3D characters blend in with the paper cuttings, fabrics, splashes of paint and photos.
They remind me of Somerset Studio magazines on mixed media that I used to buy in the past when I was dabbling in the mixed media myself.
Each book is a pleasure to read and admire all the fascinating details of the illustrations.

"The Princess and the Pea" is adapted from the fairy tale by Hans Christian Andersen and retold by Xanthe Gresham. Her style of writing is beautiful and very poetic.
Just listen, how the story begins:
"There was once a prince whose heart was skinless. It quivered like a leaf in the breeze and shone like sunshine on a drop of water. And sometimes such a faraway light would well in his eyes that the servants laughed behind their dusters"
This sensitive prince goes travelling around the world in search of a perfect partner. Of course, when you are looking for perfection, you are doomed to be disappointed. Or maybe not? One stormy night, a young girl seeks shelter at the palace. "Her eyes were the very colour of the rain, her hair tangled with the petals of storm flowers and water flowed in and out of her shoes". The queen makes up a bed for her, with twenty feather mattresses and twenty embroidered eiderdowns, and places a hard little pea under all the mattresses.
Even if you are familiar with Andersen's story, you will enjoy the masterful retelling of the tale.
And only imagine how wonderful it is to discover this story for the very first time?

While revisiting the old favourites, I thought to myself: I wish I have seen these mesmerising illustrations when I was a child. I would have loved them so much. I remember spending hours with books, reading and drawing, trying to copy the illustrations

The second book in the set - The Snow Queen - is another superb edition which retells a classic fairy tale by Andersen.

This story centres on the struggle between good and evil. An evil troll creates a mirror which reflects the bad and ugly sides of the human beings. The mirror gets broken, and the splinters of glass scattered themselves all over the world and continued their evil work. When boy Kay encounters the Snow Queen, she blows him a kiss and with it two splinters of the magic mirror. One enters his eye and the other, his heart. His best friend Gerda goes on a perilous quest to free Kay from the wicked palace and the world of the Snow Queen.

These illustrations are so atmospheric, I can almost feel the blasts of the cold wind.

The last book in the set -The Twelve Dancing Princesses - is a charming story of love and romance.

As every fairy tale, it starts with Once upon a time... Each of the twelve princesses was given the name of a flower. There is a mystery of the slippers reduced to rags and tatters every night. Where do the princesses go at night and how do they leave the palace unnoticed? Will the riddle be ever solved?

Miss Clara works her magic again with the miniature maquettes of princesses, the scenes and the outfits are ethereal and hauntingly beautiful.

Any of these books would make a splendid gift for Christmas or birthday.

Barefoot Books are offering my blog readers a special 25% off Christmas discount code. Just use the code MAXIMKA when you place your order at Barefoot Books.
The code will be valid for one week only, from Tuesday December 3 to December 9.


And that's not all!

Barefoot Books have kindly offered a great prize for my blog readers. One of my lucky blog readers will be able to choose any book from Barefoot Books collection.


If you would like to win this prize, please fill in the Rafflecopter form.
T&Cs:
Only the first step is mandatory: all you need is to answer the question by leaving a comment (there is no right or wrong answer)
(if you login as Anonymous, please leave your Twitter name or FB name, so that I could identify you, I do not suggest leaving the email address in the comment)

All the other steps are optional, you don't have to do them all. All it takes to win is just one entry.
Only one entry per person is allowed (however, you can tweet daily to increase your chances).
The giveaway is open to the UK residents only.
Once the Rafflecopter picks the winner, I will contact them, if they do not reply within a week, the prize will be allocated to another person.

If you haven't used the Rafflecopter before, you might want to watch this simple video.
The giveaway will close on 15th of December 2013 (midnight from the 14th to 15th)
And the question is:
Please visit Barefoot Books and tell me in a comment below which book you would choose if you win.

 (You don't have to make the final choice now, just pick any book you might enjoy, and the winner will have a chance to browse the shop again and choose what they want)



a Rafflecopter giveaway

If you enjoyed reading this review, you might like to have a look at my older reviews of
The Adventures of Achilles
and
The Barefoot Book of Mother & Daughter Tales
and
The Shape Song Swingalong

Disclosure: I received The World of Miss Clara gift set for the purposes of reviewing. All opinions are mine.

Playful Advent giveaway (c/d 13 December 2013)

"I'm late, I'm late", I keep saying like The White Rabbit. I meant to start this giveaway early in the morning, but with it being Sunday and kids asking this and that, I'm afraid I am fashionably late.

I invite you to join in my Playful giveaway. Each day for 12 days I will be revealing a new gift (chocolates, gift tags, ribbons, vouchers etc) and asking a new question.

Day 1 gift: a personalised teacup and saucer.

The winner's name will appear on this cup

I have been doing gifts for my little man's teachers and TAs, writing their names with porcelain paints on china cups, and have one spare cup. The winner will have a name of their choice written on the cup.

For a chance to win this prize (and those that will follow) just answer today's question.

1. What gift(s) do you ask Santa for this year? (please go to question 2 below for 2 December)
Please leave a comment below.
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I can see that day no.1 was a big success, many thanks for all your comments, I really enjoyed reading all your wishes. I won't be able to comment on each one, but wanted to say that I appreciate each and every one of them.

Now, day no.2 is here. The other day I happened to be browsing the chocolate aisle in Waitrose, when I noticed the shiny new chocolate bars. I'm a bit like a magpie, shiny things attract me, even better when they are chocolatey. I haven't seen them before but I liked the sound of Seriously Velvety hazelnut truffle milk chocolate and Seriously Nutty almond milk chocolate. Hope you will like them too. If the winner is allergic to nuts, I will try to buy an alternative nuts-free version, though as they are all together on the shelves, I cannot guarantee they are not contaminated.

Question for Day 2: When it comes to Christmas desserts, are you a traditionalist and go for a Christmas pudding, or do you enjoy a slice of panettone (or any other alternative dessert)? (question 3 is below)

Two chocolate bars

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As I am going to be on the run all morning, I decided to reveal the third prize a bit earlier today, and hope you don't mind. You can always leave an answer to the previous question until the giveaway is closed if you want.
In fact, I wanted to mention, if it's the first time you are on this page, don't think you have missed the giveaway. You can start right now, and good luck!

For Day 3 I offer you a Tiptree trio: 2 small 42g-sized jars of jam (black currant and strawberry with champagne) and a little dish with a spoon to serve jam.

Trio of Tiptree goodies

Question no.3
What do you like for breakfast on Christmas day? Anything special like a full English or continental breakfast or something very light to have space for a big meal ahead?


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Day 4:
We love Kelly's of Cornwall ice cream, it's fabulous in summer and winter. Just the other day I served it with caramelised kumquats.
To share our love of Kelly's, today's prize is four vouchers for Kelly's of Cornwall ice cream of your choice (this prize will be dispatched by the brand representative separately).

Four tubs of Kelly's of Cornwall ice cream (Vouchers)

Question no.4: What is your favourite way of eating ice cream: in a cone, straight from the tub or in a fancy glass or dish like Knickerbocker Glory? (find question five below)

For a bonus entry, Like Kelly's of Cornwall on Facebook and leave a separate comment that you do/did so.
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Day 5.
The prize of the day - five vouchers for any Rachel's Organic yogurt.

Five tubs of Rachel's Organic yogurt (vouchers)

Question for day 5: What do you plan for Christmas dinner, is it a traditional turkey, goose or duck? A huge ham? or  a vegetarian feast of flavours like squash and blue cheese Wellington or nut log? (question 6 is below)
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Day 6.
Today prize is a selection of cardmaking goodies, six in total, to continue with the theme, including two lovely A5 Decoupage & Pyramage Kits from Papermania, two sheets of beautiful Glitter transfers (Papermania), a small book of notelets (Papermania) and a paper craft tape (4x5m rolls).

Six cardmaking goodies

And the question no.6 is: Christmas cards, homemade or bought? And if homemade, how far in advance do you start making your Christmas cards? (see a new question below)

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Day 7: More chocolate is added to the total prize:
a selection of Green & Black's mini chocolates.

Seven mini-chocs from Green & Black's

Question no.7: What is your favourite brand (and type/flavour) of chocolate? (see new question below)

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Day 8: a small but useful pack of festive Christmas gift tags from Waitrose (8 tags in a pack).

Eight Christmas festive gift tags

Question no.8:
What was the best Christmas present you ever received?
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Day 9. Oh my, it is already day 9. Soon all these goodies will be sent to one of my blog readers, who hopefully will enjoy unpacking, eating and crafting.
For day 9 you will get Nine Ladies Dancing, or to be precise, nine metres of Gisela Graham wide ribbon (63mm wide), very pretty and festive.

Nine metres of festive ribbon by Gisela Graham

I have been entering hundreds of the Advent competitions online like crazy, but have nothing to report win-wise, except two teeny-tiny bubbly Santas from M&S Pass the parcel.
My question no.9 is: do you enjoy entering Advent competitions or cannot be bothered, and have you been lucky? (see new question below)

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Day 10: Time flies, we are on day 10 today. And the prize for today is ten Swiss chocolate truffles from M&S (milk & dark). Very moreish.

Ten Swiss chocolate truffles

Question no.10: What is your favourite Christmas song or carol?

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Day 11: We attended our younger son's Nativity play yesterday, and he was a little calf. Not a major part, but one can argue that the cows are more important than the three kings and shepherds as they came later, while the cows where present at the time of the birth.
For day 11 there is a small bag of white chocolate coins, I didn't open the netting to count 11 coins, so there are more than 11, but do forgive me for not being very precise with the numbers.

Question 11: Do you love pantomimes, and which is your favourite Panto?

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Goodness me, it is already Day 12. Have you had any wins from those Advent comps? They seem to elude me, and I'm on the point of giving up on them. Wishing you all good luck!
Now, the last prize to be added to the total one is a set of 12 Gisela Graham Jingle Bells in white and red.

Question 12: What is your dearest Christmas memory? 

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T&Cs:
The giveaway is open to the UK residents.

You don't have to answer questions every day, but do come and have a peep at what will appear.

If you answer questions every day, you will have a bonus entry for each separate comment. There will be a different question every day (a new question and photo of the gift will appear some time around 9am).

The giveaway will end on the 13th of December (last prize/question will be posted on the 12th). The winner will be chosen from all entries and contacted at once. If the winner doesn't respond in 3 days, I will redraw another winner (sorry, for the short notice but due to the nature of the gift - I will have to write a name, wait for 24 hours for it to dry before baking in the oven) I want to make sure everything arrives before Christmas.

I will do my best to wrap the gift in the bubble wrap etc, but if it arrives in pieces thanks to the Royal Mail, I won't be sending a replacement, as I don't have any spare cups.

This giveaway is not sponsored, I have bought most of the prizes (except one that was offered by a brand).

If you are commenting as Anonymous, please leave your name in the comment and some means of contacting you, like your Twitter name.

That's it, folks!
Good luck and Merry Christmas!

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Thank you for all your wonderful comments, I really enjoyed reading them.
It took me ages to write down all the names on little pieces of paper, and the winner as selected by my younger son Eddie who cannot read and can be considered a totally fair & unbiased judge, is...

JENNA GLEAVE

Big well done, Jenna! I have emailed you, you have three days to get back to me (as specified in the T&Cs above). Hope to hear from you soon