Aftermath is not quite the correct word to use as it means a situation after something ruinous has happened.
I wouldn't say that Christmas Day was ruinous by far!! Looking on the good side of things, as Christmas Eve and Day was a quiet affair this year there is not so much to clear up or to put back in place.
Father Christmas has been very observant this year as he was spot on with my Christmas present :
I particularly requested a backpack bag especially for when I go walking so I can carry a snack with me or do some shopping on my way back home. It leaves my arms and hands free so I can get into marching mode. I also wanted it in RED ....brilliant red!!
🌟 Thank you Father Christmas 🌟
Lazy darning II
Another hole in Sr P's jeans. He still hasn't noticed my first Lazy darn! Follow link to post about that here !
Out comes the iron!!
I am not much good at drawing but I think this looks like a cat...doesn't it?😊
Oldest park in Alicante
A new look-see and wander around the oldest park in Alicante which was looking particularly splendid on a mild sunny day during the Christmas holidays.
When I was looking at these gigantic trees in Canalejas park I remembered reading on Poppy Patchwork's post My heaven her love of trees so I thought I would add a few photos of these trees that this park is so famous for. I believe they are Ficus trees and I have been told they are over 140 years old.
If only trees could talk!! I would gladly listen 😮.
This is one of the most popular parks in Alicante City. It is in the heart of Alicante and it is situated right by the port area and near to the Postiguet beach. A pleasant walk leading to the esplanade.
The Explanada de España is one of the most popular areas in the city and always busy.In normal times you would see small groups of people sitting or standing chatting away, playing dominos,cards,chess or parchis (Ludo). The Spanish are very fond of Ludo and it certainly isn't just a child's game for them.
It is also a good place to meet up with someone because everyone knows where this is.
🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳
Spiced Snow Cookies (Snøkake)
They are gone!
I would say they were a success!!👏
I usually make some cream cheese chocolate chip cookies,Jam tartlets and a Bakewell tart for Christmas goodies. I know this is practically sacrilege but we don't like mince pies or Christmas pudding or traditional Christmas cake. Actually that is not quite correct Sr P does like Christmas pud. My Mum always used to send him a mini one from the UK every Christmas. Anyhow.. I wanted a change from the usual and something different.
Eclectic Home and Life has been posting several recipes of Scandinavian Christmas goodies on her blog recently and this one, Spiced Snow Cookies, seemed the easiest.
I was a bit dubious about adding the spice because I have to be careful with spicy things in this family and also new cookies + spice could have meant a reluctance to try them. I therefore added the extra Cocoa powder (actually I used pure drinking chocolate powder instead of Cocoa. It is thicker. I always use it when a recipe indicates Cocoa as it produces a stronger chocolate taste. ) that is mentioned in the recipe if not using spice but I also added the cinnamon as well but not the other spices.
Chocolate and Cinnamon do go together!
They were delicious and as I said at the start they have gone! (except for a little stash in the freezer😄).
I would definitely make them again! Thanks for sharing Eclectic Home and Life
🍰🍰🍰🍰🍰🍰
Welcome back to Jill at Emerald Cottage. It so nice to see that some bloggers are returning to blog land.
Dear bloggers, I am preparing my mind to face lots of positivity and hopefully new thoughts and ideas will be incoming during...the fresh New 2021!!
It is just around the corner!!
Enjoy Twixmas
keep well
Amanda :-)
What a lovely bag! well done father Christmas on getting it just right. Those trees are amazing wow, like you say I bet they have some stories to tell. I quite like plying Ludo in fact it was my favourite board game when I was a child. Those cookies look amazing but I have eaten so much sweet stuff I really must get grip. I wish you all the very best for 2021 Amanda and look forward to hearing about all your new ideas. xx
ReplyDeleteYou would do well here then Linda if you are Ludo player and you don't need to know much Spanish either :-) A Happy New Year to you too Linda xx Ax
DeleteIsn't Father Christmas clever to know exactly the right bag? And yes, that does look like a cat. I wonder if your hubby will notice this one? The ficus trees are magnificent and I can quite believe they are 140 years old - those wonderful, gnarled trunks are gorgeous. I hope 2021 is everything you're hoping for. (Bet I can guess what number 1 hope is, the same as everyone's!) xx
ReplyDeleteHi HH, I rather think Father Christmas is more observant this year as he obviously saw the print off I stuck on the fridge door!! I bet you can :-) A x
DeleteYour lovely bag will be useful when you go walking. I have a red bag that I like to use for best around about Christmas time, but not this year. You've done a good job with the jeans patch and the cookies sound delicious. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Linda for stopping by. I am indeed happy with my new bag and that it is so practical.....lots of pockets!:-) A x
DeleteThat looks like the perfect bag. Lots of pockets and will keep your hands free and EVERYONE will see you coming, or going as it were! :-)
ReplyDeleteThe trees look much like the ones we used to see on Maui. Sometimes I wonder if travel will ever be in our lives again. There are so many places we would like to visit, Spain being one. Italy and New Zealand are also high on our list. Maybe someday. We have hope now with the vaccine don't we?
Happy 2021 Amanda!
Blessings and hugs,
Betsy
Hi Betsy....All I have to say to Sr P when we meet up (sometimes he comes to pick me up on my way back from walking) is to look out for the red bag......I have no red dancing shoes but I do have my red bag :-) NZ is definitely one of the places I have to visit as I have family there! A x
DeleteWhat a perfect present for you.
ReplyDeleteI love trees and those are beautiful, ancient specimens. They bring so much to our busy and frantic world. Everyone seems to calm down and become quieter in a grove or wood.
Your cookies/biscuits look and sound delicious.
Here's hoping 2021 will be a better year.
Best wishes
Ellie
That is very true ......I hadn't really thought about but a shady grove always feels so relaxing and a place to stop and sit for awhile. Happy New Year Ellie lets hope it will be a better one! Amanda x
DeleteYour new red bag is just stunning Amanda!! Happy festive season to you .... your spiced snow cookies look delicious & I wish I could reach into my screen for a little taste test. Have a wonderful New Year. xx
ReplyDeleteThank you Julie! I have just made a coconut cake ..what a disaster I burnt it good job I put some of the Snow Cookies in the freezer !:-) Happy New Year Julie! Amanda x
DeleteI'm trying to get to all my blog friends who write and thank you for your honesty and transparency. We share some very personal things besides knitting. It requires stories that we may share with each other that are sometimes embarrassingly funny and sometimes sad. Thank you for your part in our bogland
ReplyDeleteThat is very considerate of you Kathy. Thank you...greatly appreciated :-). keep well Amanda x
DeleteThe ficus trees are beautiful. Your backpack is Gorgeous! The sidewalk has a fun and interesting design.
ReplyDelete🎉Happy New Year
Thanks! The mosaic of the sidewalk was done by hand ...I believe in the 1950s. Tiny pieces of ceramic tiles!! Happy New Year ...lets hope it will be a good one :-). Amanda x
DeleteI enjoyed following along on your walk, the pavement is so unique and the huge trees are amazing! Your cookies look yummy. We didn't even make one batch for xmas but maybe in the new year! Bravo on your perfect backpack.. I can see you enjoying that for years to come. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)
ReplyDelete*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*
*H*A*P*P*Y* *N*E*W* *Y*E*A*R*!*
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Hello Teresa,Thank you for calling in. I am super pleased with my backpack and it is comfortable too. I have done so much baking I have decided to give it a rest for a week or so! Happy New Year to you and your family Teresa...may it be better!! A x
DeleteYou will be the most stylish hiker out there, what a fantastic backpack! All the best for the New Year - hope it will be better and brighter.
ReplyDeleteAmalia
xo
Thanks Amalia! At least they will see me...I can just imagine "The lady with the red backpack!!" ha! Ha! Happy New Year ! Amanda x
DeleteHow lovely to be welcomed back so beautifully - thankyou! I must say I'm enjoying being back, reding everyone's blogs, I've missed you all.
ReplyDeleteWishing you and all your family a very happy and peaceful New Year, Jillxx
Thank you Jill. Happy New year to you and your family as well ! A x
DeleteDear Amanda, I am so glad you are also back in blogland. I think I am going to fly over and grab that fabulous bag of yours, it is perfect! Stay safe and Happy New Year.
ReplyDeletePlease send me details of your flight. I will be waiting for you :-) Happy New Year Mere.xxx
DeleteHappy New Year to you and your family Amanda...Wishing you all good things in 2021 🌟✨ (love your new bag too! ♥️)
ReplyDeleteThank you Susan!! My new backpack reminded me of Teddy's backpack....adult size :-) A x
DeleteI've just found you're back blogging! Huzzah! I shall have to catch up when I've got more time. I love that red bag - it's lovely. Well done Santa Claus!
ReplyDeleteThanks for calling in. I returned to blogging last July. I thought I looked for everyone I had on my blog list!! Obviously not because you are still active...sorry about that! You are on my blog list now. A x
DeleteDear Amanda, Have a good and healthy New Year!
ReplyDeleteThe red bag is beautiful and those trees are so majestic.
The cookies look delicious !!!
Hello Loes,Thanks for calling in :-) Happy New Year. May it be better!! A x
ReplyDeleteYour 'lazy' darning is terrific! When my son was needing patches I used those same iron ons - but I just put the square or rectangle on - didn't occur to me to cut in cute shapes! Well, in my next life I hope to remember the way you are doing it! : )
ReplyDeleteHello June ,thanks for stopping by my blog and commenting. I see from your blog you like quilting so I feel my lazy darning is a bit cheeky and so "lazy" in comparison to what you must create with needle and thread or machine sewing. I am not much good at ordinary sewing! :-) I am going to go back to your blog to have a better look around and admire. Keep well Amanda :-)
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