At Last!!!! .......... an Update

As happens, to the best of us, life sometimes gets in the way of blogging and I have abandoned this blog for the last three months, while leaving it available for anyone to read.

I continue to deal with chronic illness in my very near and dearest. I also continue to deal with terminal illness in my very nearest and dearest too. This all takes it's toll and something has had to give ... and I have needed my holiday from blogging

Over the coming months I plan to brighten up this blog, which could do with a fresher look and try to make at least one post per week ...



Christmas is going to be a very different experience this year. The celebrated Christmas lunch for twelve people is to be cooked by my son, age 23. He has to cope with his gluten issues and my gluten issues, so maybe not your traditional ingredients. We have managed to get gluten free gravy sorted out + a gluten free Christmas cake and pudding. We haven't done a huge amount of preparation for this gluten free Christmas feast, most of our gluten free alternatives have come from the high street, so to speak, as you can see!!

Bread sauce - I don't like this, so haven't even tried to find an alternative
Gravy - Bisto Best
Stuffing - home made alternative based on rice
Christmas Pudding - Sainsbury's
Christmas Cake - Sainsbury's

I also like a flavour of Italy with my Christmas, this crept into my Christmas experience about three years ago, so on the days leading up to Christmas I take a trip to Winchester News in Winchester. This is really a newspaper shop that has all sorts of Italian goodies. The man who runs this store shows me what he has in stock that is gluten free. I usually leave with a carrier bag laden with a 'Taste of Italy'. This time my haul included marzipan biscotti and a bottle of Il Santo

Try my gluten free cinammon coated nuts, recipe here

Happy Christmas to all of my readers :)