Tipple | Swedish Glogg

The Swedes know a thing or two about keeping cosy in winter. Try this mulled wine, Swede style

A warming spiced drink that fills your home with the smells of Christmas is just what you need to kick off December. Pop on some carols, get your Christmas cards and pen out and welcome winter Scandi style

Makes 2 litres

2 oranges
350ml water
12 cloves
3 broken cinnamon sticks
4 star anise
10 bruised cardamom pods
A grating of fresh nutmeg (optional)
6 x ½cm-thick slices of fresh ginger
250g demerara sugar
4 tbsp dried cranberries (traditionally raisins)
2 x 750ml bottles of red wine
250ml brandy
4 tbsp flaked almonds, toasted

1 Squeeze the juice from one of the oranges into a large pot, then add the water, spices, ginger, sugar and cranberries. Gently simmer for 45 mins, then bring to the boil and let it bubble away for 2–3 mins, adding more water, if needed.
2 Thinly slice the remaining orange. Add it to the pot, along with the wine, brandy and toasted flaked almonds. Simmer for a further 15–20 mins, or until it’s fully warmed through. Serve while warm, ladled into heatproof glasses.

Recipe and styling by Rachel de Thample. Find this and more festive tipples, recipes and fun in our bumper December Miscellany, starting on page 65.

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Recipe | Blackcurrant and Bay Creme Brulee

A fruity, custardy festive pudding sure to satisfy any cravings for a sweet treat

Who said you had to wait until Christmas to bring out the festive puds? An afternoon making something sweet and sticky to brighten a dark winter evening is always time well spent. This fruity, festive twist on a creamy pud is just one of the recipes in our Night Before Christmas feature in our December issue by Erin Baker. But we think you can make it as early as you like. And perhaps have a practice run or two beforehand just to be absolutely sure you’ve got it right…

Serves 4

4 large egg yolks
4 tbsp caster sugar
400ml double cream
100g blackcurrants
6 fresh bay leaves, separated
40-60g golden granulated sugar

1 Preheat the oven to 150C/Fan 130C/ Gas 2. In a mixing bowl, whisk the egg yolks and caster sugar together until the mixture begins to lighten in colour.
2 In a small saucepan, heat the cream with 2 of the bay leaves until almost boiling. Remove the bay leaves. Add a little of the cream to the yolk mixture and whisk well, repeat adding a little bit each time, whisking throughout, until all the cream is incorporated.
3 Divide the blackcurrants evenly across 4 ramekins, then pour in the hot custard and stand a bay leaf in each (leave it propped against the side, it'll be easier to pull out later).
4 Move the ramekins to an ovenproof dish deep enough to accommodate hot water two thirds of the way up the side of each ramekin. Bake until barely wobbling in the centre, this should take around 30-45 mins.
5 When they’re almost completely set (you can tell if there's only a slight ripple in the middle when they're jiggled), gently tease out the bay leaves. Leave to cool to room temperature, then chill.
6Sprinkle the granulated sugar generously, but evenly, over each custard. Smooth the surface with the back of a spoon then caramelise using either a cook's blowtorch or under a hot grill. If using a blowtorch, work the tip of the blue flame lightly over the sugar. If using the grill, allow it plenty of time to heat up first: they need to be caramelised quickly to allow the top to set without melting the underneath. Leave to cool at room temperature for 10 mins before serving, garnished with blackcurrants.

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Identifier | Christmas Pudding Charms

It’s Stir-Up Sunday, and if you’re doing a pud today and nervous about how it will turn out, perhaps all you need is a charm…

The tradition of gathering together to all have a stir of the pudding is said to have been brought to Britain by Prince Albert. A coin was dropped in before everyone took a turn at mixing and the person who unearthed the coin on Christmas day would be blessed with good fortune in the year to come, apparently. 

And charms were agreed to be so charming they soon moved on from simple thrupenny bits and sixpences to include more items, each said to have a different meaning. You can buy sets of pudding charms still, or fashion your own from things you have about the house. Here are a few charms and their meanings.

Coin
Coming into money

Thimble
If a single woman finds it they’ll remain single another year

Button
If found by a single man he’ll remain a bachelor

Horseshoe
Good luck

Ring/bell
A wedding is on the cards

Wishbone
A wish will be granted

Anchor 
They will have a safe year, protected from danger

Don’t forget to clean your charms first (cleaning them in Coca Cola is recommended) and then sterilise them in boiling water for 10 minutes. And warn your recipients that there may be a charm in their pud, otherwise there may be bad fortune, and possibly a trip to the dentist on the horizon for them instead.

Read more about Christmas puddings in our bumper Misceallany in the December issue, in shops and on sale in our online shop now.

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More from our December issue…

Seven of our favourite card games

Join our card school and learn to play a few traditional games

When the evenings draw in and there’s a chill in the air, it’s the ideal time to dust off a pack of cards and cosy up for the evening. Whether you’re a green visors and whiskies card shark or more of a cup of tea and a quick hand of rummy before bed type, we hope you enjoy learning some of our favourite games.

Black Jack (Brit style)*

BASICS: 4-6 players; 52-card deck. Each player gets seven cards. Remaining cards are placed face down as stock with top card turned over as the starter. First player lays a card on the starter, which must match in either suit or rank, or draws a card from stock. The player continues laying cards in sequence until they can’t go or they lay an action card.

ACTION CARDS:
Two: next player picks up two cards, unless they can play a Two and make the next player pick up four.

Eight: next player misses turn.

Black Jack: next player picks up five cards. A second Black Jack makes the next player pick up ten. Red Jack cancels.

Queen: follow with a card of any suit.

King: reverses play order.

The first person to shed all their cards wins. However, when a player can win on their next go, they must call ‘last cards’ or have to draw a card.

*It’s different to the US gambling game ‘Blackjack’.

Eights

A game best played with two people, also known as Crazy Eights or Swedish Rummy

BASICS: 2–7 players; 52-card deck

Each player receives 5 cards (with two players, each receives 7 cards). Remaining cards are placed face down as the stock, with top card turned up as the starter. First player lays one card on the starter, which must match in either suit or rank. If unable to do this, the player must draw a card from the stock. When the stock is exhausted, a player unable to play must pass.

Eights are wild and can be played on any card, regardless of its suit or rank, with the player specifying its suit. Play ends when any player lays his last card. He scores the total of cards remaining in all other hands: Eights score

50, aces 1, face cards 10, the index value for all others. With two players, the first to reach 100 points wins.

Knockout whist

The classic family favourite. Sniggering at the word ‘trumps’ never gets old.

BASICS: 2–7 players; 52 card deck; Ace is high

Seven cards are dealt to each player. The next card is turned up and becomes the trump suit. The player to the left of the dealer places the first card. Each player must follow the suit led, if possible. If not, play any other card, including a trump card. The highest trump wins the trick or, if no trumps are played, the highest card of the suit led. The winner leads the next trick.

Once all cards are played, players without any tricks are eliminated. The player with the most tricks picks trumps for the next hand; if two people have the same amount of tricks, cut cards to decide. The number of cards dealt decreases by one each hand, until only one player – the ultimate winner – remains.

Ninety-Nine

BASICS: 2 or more players; 52-card deck; you’ll need chips or counters.

Each player is given three counters and dealt three cards.

To play, place one card face up in the centre of the table, calling out the total value of the face-up pile before drawing the top card from the stock. Each card adds its face value in points. Jacks and Queens count as 10.

The following cards have additional effects:

3: skips next player

4: no value, reverses play

9: value of 99

10: adds or subtracts ten from the total

King: no value

Ace: value of one or 11.

If the player cannot place a card without taking the value of the pile over 99, the round ends and they lose one counter.

The winner is the last person left with counters.

Oh Hell!

A trick-taking game, beloved by Bill Clinton and Steven Spielberg, in which the object is to take exactly the number of tricks bid

BASICS: 3-7 players; 52 card deck; Ace is high

Each player is dealt a hand. There are many variations but typically, with

3–5 players, 10 cards each; 6 players, 8 cards each; 7 players, 7 cards each.

Each successive hand is played with one card fewer. After dealing, the next card is turned up and becomes the trump suit. Each player now bids for the number of tricks he thinks he can win. The player to the left of the dealer starts. Each player must follow the suit led, if possible. If not, play any other card, including trump. The highest card of the led suit wins the trick unless ruffed, when the highest trump wins. A player who wins the exact number of tricks bid scores 10 plus the number of tricks bid.

Klondike Solitaire

BASICS: 1–4 players; 52-card deck

One of the most popular versions of Solitaire, Klondike is typically a solo game, but it can be played as a group activity where everyone works together to solve the same shuffle. Players sort cards into foundation piles from Ace to King by suit, while organizing cards into descending order with alternating colors in the tableau.

Klondike is perfect for those looking to relax or sharpen their strategic thinking, either individually or as a team. You can try Klondike Solitaire here and even compete to see who can solve it fastest.

Red Dog

Beat the top card of the pack by having a higher ranking card of the same suit.

Basics: 2–10 players; 52-card deck; Ace is high; you’ll need chips or counters.

Five cards dealt to each player face down (four if more than eight play). Players put up one or any number of agreed chips to make the pool. First player can bet one chip or up to the number in the pool (‘betting the pot’). The dealer turns the top card of the pack. If the player can show a higher card in the same suit he wins back his bet and the pool. If he can’t he adds his chips to the pool, discards his hand and it’s the next player’s go. You can forfeit a hand by adding a chip to the pot and discarding your cards. When there are no chips in the pot, each player adds more and play continues.

More fun and games…

More ways to stay cosy at home…

Make | Edible baubles

Iced gingerbread baubles look beautiful, smell fantastic and taste pretty good, too

Makes 20

175g dark muscovado sugar
85g golden syrup
100g butter
350g plain flour
1 tsp bicarbonate of soda
1 tbsp ground ginger
1 tsp cinnamon
1 egg
Ready-to-use royal icing

1 Preheat the oven to 180C/Fan 160C/ Gas 4. In a medium saucepan, melt the sugar, syrup and butter. Once melted, let it bubble for 1-2 mins, before removing from the heat. Leave to cool for around 10 mins.
2 Place the flour, bicarbonate of soda and spices in a large bowl. Add the egg along with the cooled sugar and butter mixture. Stir with a wooden spoon to form a dough. Wrap the dough in clingfilm and chillfor 30 mins. Meanwhile, line a couple of baking sheets with baking parchment.
3 Once the dough has chilled, allow it to come back to room temperature before rolling out to approximately 5mm thick on a lightly-floured surface. Cut out as many shapes as you can, then, using the end of a paper straw, make a small hole at the top of each biscuit for hanging. Continue rolling and cutting until all the dough has been used.
4 Carefully transfer the biscuits to the lined baking trays, leaving a little space between each one. Bake for 12 mins, or until golden. Remove from the oven and leave to firm before transferring to a cooling rack. If the hole that you made has closed up a little, use a skewer whilst the biscuit is still warm to open it up again.
5 When completely cool, decorate with royal icing using a piping bag and a small round nozzle. Once the icing has hardened, thread your choice of ribbon through the hole and hang on the tree.

Find the rest of the edible bauble recipes, including Stained Glass Orange and Cinnamon Biscuits and Butternut Squash and Peanut Butter Dog Biscuit tree decorations, in our December issue, starting on page 25.

And if you’re inspired to bake more gingerbread, you might like to read First Catch Your Gingerbread by food historian Sam Bilton, which is out this month.

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Recipe | Lamb hotpot and mustardy greens

Gather friends and family for an afternoon walk, then come home to hotpot and slow-cooked comfort food. The traditional Lancashire hotpot, originally made with mutton, makes a virtue of simplicity

Lamb hotpot

A hearty casserole that deserves its place as a classic

Serves 6–8
2 tbsp plain flour
900g diced lamb
2 tbsp vegetable oil
2 large onions, sliced
1 large garlic bulb, cloves peeled and left whole
8 small shallots, peeled
500g Chantenay carrots, scrubbed
1 tbsp Dijon mustard
1 tsp chopped fresh rosemary, plus extra to garnish
500ml chicken or vegetable stock
750g Maris Piper potatoes, unpeeled, scrubbed and cut into 5mm slices
40g butter, melted

1 Tip the flour into a bowl, and season with a few pinches of sea salt and a good grinding of black pepper. Add the lamb and toss to coat in the flour. Heat half the oil in a large ovenproof casserole dish and add the lamb (you may need to do this in two batches). Cook for 5–6 mins, until brown all over, then transfer to a plate with a slotted spoon and set aside.
2 Add the remaining oil to the same casserole dish and gently fry the onions for around 5 mins, until translucent. Add the garlic cloves and cook for a further minute before adding the shallots and carrots. Cook, stirring, for a further 2–3 mins.
3 Return the lamb to the casserole dish, and add the mustard and chopped rosemary. Season and stir well, before stirring through the stock.
4 Preheat oven to 180C/Fan 160C/ 350F. Arrange the potato slices on top of the lamb, overlapping slightly to create a lid for the hotpot. Brush with the melted butter, season with salt and black pepper, and cover with a lid or foil. Bake for 11⁄2 hours.
5 Remove the lid or foil, turn up the oven to 200C/Fan 180C/400F, and cook for a further 30–40 mins, or until the potatoes are golden brown. Garnish with rosemary sprigs.

Mustardy greens

A tangy mustard dressing is a punchy match for cabbage

Serves 4
200g savoy cabbage, shredded
200g curly kale
200g frozen peas
25g butter
2 tbsp wholegrain mustard
1 tbsp Dijon mustard

1 Cook the vegetables in a pan of boiling salted water for about 4 mins, or until just tender.
2 Drain the vegetables well. Return the pan to a low heat and gently melt together the butter and mustards. Return the vegetables to the pan, season and serve immediately.

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From our November issue:

More autumn recipes:

Create | a mental health shelf

Why a small corner dedicated to your happiness is a vital part of any home

The art of curating is comforting and grounding. Gathering things together that go with each other or work with each other is calming and comforting, and it’s lovely to just remember a few of your favourite things, whether they’re raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens, or a few treasured books and CDs.

For a mental health shelf, you gather together your favourite things that bring you comfort and joy, so that on a down day or in a blue moment, you have a little stash of things to lift you. They might be books you return to again and again, comfort DVDs best enjoyed with a roaring fire and a cup of tea, a picture that makes your heart sing, yarn and needles or colouring pencils and a notebook to lift you out of the doldrums, or simply a favourite old threadbare teddy. 

It doesn’t even need to be a shelf; a bag or box will do just as well. Heck, you can even create a mental health shelf in your mind, where size and reality are no barrier; who said you can’t have dragons and elephants on an imaginary mental health shelf if they make you happy?

You might already have something like this at home. If not, we hope we’ve inspired you to make one. The above is a picture of our editor at large, Iona’s mental health shelf. It includesbooks - Cold Comfort Farm by Stella Gibbons, Alan Bennett’s letters and the complete Mapp and Lucia novels; some childhood favourite DVDs (Moondial and The Box of Delights) to transport one back to Sunday afternoons with tea and crumpets and BBC1; some illustrated jazz musicians, a candle that smells of the sea (to complement the shells from the East Sussex coast) a copy of her favourite comfort-read magazine (of course) and a snail (because we all need a surprising snail now and then). 

But we’d love to see yours, too. Take a photo and send it to us at thesimplethings@icebergpress.co.uk with a short note about what you keep on your shelf and why. We hope to share them in a future issue. 

From our November issue…

More balm for your soul…

Playlist | A Christmas Gift

Listen here

I don’t want a lot for Christmas
There is just one thing I need…

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Things to make and do at home

This time round we’re embracing lockdown from the start and doing it our way. Here’s how you can, too

Back in our October issue we shared some of the hobbies and skills we had learned in the last lockdown, and saw a few of your proudest moments, too. From virgin stitchers who were soon knocking up their own frocks to newbie gardeners overwhelmed by an autumnal glut thanks to their own hard work (and occasionally overenthusiasm).

With another few weeks at home stretching before us, we thought we’d share the feature again in case anyone had missed it.

It might just inspire you to take up sewing, invest in some hens or pen a novel, or perhaps it will spark off a completely different idea. Maybe you’re taking it easy this time and simply making the most of evenings in with a good book, a film you’ve always wanted to watch and a bit of gentle colouring. We all have to find our own way here, after all. While the world may not be your oyster right now, we hope you’ll find plenty of things to do and moments to treasure at home. We’d love to see photos and hear all about whatever you’ve been doing to keep busy.

Make yourself a cuppa, put your feet up and read our feature What I Did This Summer. You can download it to read or print below:

More things to make and do at home…

More ways to do ‘home’ well this winter…

Seeking out | Happy news

Good news is all around us, if you just know where to look

In our November issue we met Emily Coxhead (pictured), founder of The Happy Newspaper, along with several other inspirational ‘shiny, happy people’ whose job it is to put a smile on your face. 

With the world as it is, there’s never been a better time to look for good news, so we’ve collated a list of a few places you can go to find it. 

1. The Happy Newspaper

As a self-described ‘platform to share positive news and wonderful people, there’s lots to make you smile here. Visit The Happy Newspaper to buy online or find your nearest stockist. They even sell ‘happy confectionery’ should you feel in need of a really strong dose of happy. 

2. Positive News

A magazine and a movement that aims to change the world for the good. It is published in print every quarter and daily online and you can buy a copy through our own online shop, picsandink.com. Find our more at Positive News. 

3. The Good News Network

A US-based website with good news, lifestyle and business stories to cheer your day. The Good News Network. They also publish the GNN Podcast, which is a happy treat for your ears. 

4. BBC Uplifting Stories

Even Auntie is getting in on the happy news act now, with a special section on BBC News’s website for stories to uplift. Find them at the BBC website and search uplifting news. .

5. Squirrel News

Why squirrels, you ask? Well why not, we say. But also, they pick only the most nourishing nuts to store away, not the ones that will do them no good. And that’s what Squirrel News, based in Berlin, does too. Visit them here: squirrel-news.net. 

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More from our November issue…

More happy news…

Fun | Games to play around a fire

We think a good Autumn bonfire should be as much fun as a Summer campfire. Here are a few simple games to make sitting around a fire for an evening a proper event

With warmer clothes, warmer drinks and something to prevent soggy bottoms, November bonfires or fire pits can be just as much fun as summertime ones. But with chillier conditions and hands tied up with gloves and cupping hot drinks, you need games that don’t require cards or too many props. Who wants to be hunting around for a three of spades or a dice in leaf mould in the dark, after all? We’ve collated a few of our favourite games for around the fire that can be played with no kit at all. And if it gets a bit too chilly, they work just as well cosied up by the fire indoors too. We won’t tell anyone. <winks>

1. Spot the lie

Each player has to make three statements, one of which is a lie and two of which are true. If the lie isn’t spotted they get to go again. If they are caught out, play moves to the next person.

2. Fortunately/Unfortunately

This one’s good fun for kids too and can get quite raucous. The first person starts with any statement they like to begin a story. So it might be: ‘I went to the library to borrow the latest John Grisham…’ They then add an ‘unfortunately’ statement, for example. ‘Unfortunately, Prince Charles had come in just moments before and borrowed it himself.’ Play passes to the next person who adds a fortunately statement, such as: ‘Fortunately, I caught him up in the car park and asked if he’d mind lending it to me when he’d finished.’ Play continues with each player starting with a fortunately and then an unfortunately statement alternatively. Make them as ridiculous as you can. Play until you can’t stand any more!

3. Winking Assassin

You need a few players for this but it’s ideal for dark evenings. One player each turn is ‘The Godfather’. Everyone must close their eyes while the Godfather walks around the circle behind the players and taps one player on the back. That person is the assassin. The Godfather sits down and normal conversation continues. The assassin must surreptitiously wink at the other players one by one. If you’re winked at you ‘die’ (in dramatic, blood-curdling fashion, please). If you see the assassin winking at someone else you may accuse them, or you can make a guess any time. If you’re wrong, though you are also ‘dead’. The person who correctly identifies the assassin without being winked at is the next Godfather. 

4. The Alphabet Game

One player shouts out a letter of the alphabet and at the same time another player shouts the name of a category. So it might be ‘B’ and ‘countries of the world’. You can either go round the group with each player naming a country that begins with B or just all shout out as many as you can at once, which is louder and more fun. Get creative with your categories. They could be chocolate bars, politicians or things you might find in your kitchen drawer. 

5. Twenty One

This is an old drinking game (but it works just as well with hot chocolate). You do need a few people for it. Five or six is ideal. You go round the group ‘counting’ from one to 21. Each player can choose to say either one, two or three numbers, as long as they are in sequence. If they say just one number play continues in the same direction. If they say two, the direction of play reverses. If they say three the next person skips their go. If you mess it up you take a swig of your drink and start again from one. If it gets to 21 the person that says ‘21’ gets to add a new rule for the next round, eg on every odd number you have to clap, or on every number divisible by five play reverses and skips a player. 

6. I went to market and I bought…

An oldie but a goodie and also one that works well with kids. Player one starts by saying ‘I went to market and I bought…’ and naming an item: ‘12 eggs’, for example. Play continues round the circle with each player repeating the list so far and adding their own: ‘I went to market and I bought 12 eggs, and a pint of milk’. Keep going until someone messes up the list. Make your shopping items as complex as possible to make it harder. ‘12 Cotswold Legbar blue eggs’, perhaps. 

7. Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon

One for film buffs. Link any actor to Kevin Bacon in as few leaps as possible. So for example, Elvis Presley: Presley was in Change of Habit with Edward Asner, Edward Asner was in JFK with Kevin Bacon. So Elvis Presley has a Bacon Number of two. (Edward Asner has a Bacon Number of one). See if you can think of quicker links back to Bacon than the other players. 

8. Hum that Tune

Just like Name That Tune but you can only hum. Pick a song or TV theme you think you can hum well (hint: go for songs light on percussion and heavy on strings) and hum it until someone guesses what it was. Play passes to the person who guesses first. 

9. World Map

This is nice and easy and geography buffs will love it. One player says the name of a country. The next player has to think of a country whose name starts with the last letter of the previous country so play might go: England, Denmark, Kazakhstan… You can also play with counties, names. Bands, whatever you like. 

10.  Noises off

Pick a ‘theme’ - it can be anything really: ‘in the forest’, ‘horror movies’, ‘Christmas’. Everyone then takes turns to make a noise ‘from’ that theme. So if you’d chosen Christmas you might make the noise of a Christmas pudding being lit, a robin singing, Santa coming down the chimney, Brussels sprouts being chopped etc. You can only use your mouth, hands and feet to make the noises and ‘actions’ aren’t allowed. This is NOT charades. Charades is for wimps. 

In our November issue, we are celebrating all that is magical about fire. Buy this month's The Simple Things - buy, download or subscribe

From our November issue…

More games to play outdoors…

Sponsored post | International Elf Service

Each December night, a magical letter appears mysteriously around your home … ready for the children to find, shriek excitedly and discover what's been happening with the Elves in the North Pole. All together, these letters form a magical Christmas Story.

 If you’d love to sprinkle your Christmas with even more magic this year, then step into the magical world of International Elf Service – where delightful storytelling and illustrations are combined with the excitement of family traditions, precious family time, inspiring imagination, and creating childhood memories to treasure forever.

These Gold Award-winning collections of secret, personalised, eco-friendly Christmas Elf Letters from the North Pole include a truly stunning, personalised, chocolate-free and experience-rich Advent Calendar-style collection of letters – Elfie’s Christmas Advent Letters Ultimate Story Bundle (2020 Edition) 

Appearing mysteriously around the home each day through December, each magical letter opens a door into the Elf world as they share their top secrets with the children about what pranks and adventures they are up to in the run up to Christmas!

Secretly delivered (by grown ups!) along with a map of the Elves Christmas Village and a letter from Father Christmas, each daily letter tells a magical Christmas story taking children and families on truly unforgettable literary journeys - a wonderful way to bring a huge dollop of Christmas magic into your home!

With exciting new themes, mysteries and adventures happening each year, children can follow the hijinks of these endearing little Elves year after year, escaping to a world of Magical Wind Machines, Cinnamon Mines, and Emergency Pyjama Meetings.

Adorned with beautiful hand-drawn illustrations, each spectacular Christmas Elf Letter, created using 100% recycled paper, is covered with splats, smudges, and splodges that you’d expect from busy Elves who always make a huge amount of mess!  

And for the grown ups…you get to secretly unwrap each sustainable gift box that has been lovingly assembled by hand and beautifully wrapped using a soft, cotton Candy Cane cord bow for an extra dollop of festive delight! Have a sneak peek at the letters and brown envelopes tied with rustic jute twine that sit upon natural wood-filler spirals sourced from pine and spruce managed forests (more commonly known as wood shavings from the Elves’ workshop!)

International Elf Service personalised, eco-friendly Christmas Elf Letters are the most wonderful Christmas tradition to bring even more magic, joy and family togetherness into your home at this extra special time of year.

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From our November issue…

Recipe | Cattern Cakes

Make these Cattern Cakes for St Catherine’s Day or to remember the Catherine Wheel on Bonfire Night

St Catherine’s Day falls on 25 November and celebrates St Catherine of Alexandria, who was condemned to death on a torture instrument known as a breaking wheel. Catherine wheel fireworks are named after her because of this association and foods celebrating her day – such as cattern cakes – are made in the shape of swirls. The day was once widely celebrated and known as Catterntide. In Medieval times it marked the beginning of Advent, which actually begins on 29 November this year.

St Catherine is the patron saint of spinners, weavers and lacemakers, and the latter used to take their annual holiday on this day. In her wonderful book Cattern Cakes and Lace (Dorling Kindersley), Julie Jones writes that lacemakers would set aside a small sum of money to provide tea and cakes on this day. This is based on her recipe for Cattern cakes, but slightly adapted.

Makes 8-10 cakes
275g self-raising flour
¼ tsp ground cinnamon
25g currants
50g ground almonds
2 tsp caraway seeds
200g caster sugar, plus extra for sprinkling
100g butter, melted
1 medium egg, beaten

1 Preheat the oven to 190C/Fan 170C/ Gas 5. Sift the flour and cinnamon into a large mixing bowl and add the currants, almonds, caraway seeds and sugar.
2 Add the melted butter and beaten egg and mix to form a soft dough.
3 Roll out onto a floured surface to about 2cm thick and cut out rounds using an 85mm biscuit cutter, then lay them onto a piece of baking parchment on a baking tray.
4 Take a knife with a sharp point and draw a swirl into the surface of the biscuit, then sprinkle on a little sugar.
5 Bake for around 10 mins or until they are browned and slightly risen. Cool on a wire rack.

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More from our November issue…

More Bonfire Night ideas…

Make | Personalised Seed Packets

A thoughtful gift for a new gardener or anyone you want to share the joy of your garden with

Spend a happy weekend afternoon making gifts inspired by nature. In our November issue we have instructions for making goats’ milk and lavender soap, imprinted clay dishes and also these simple but beautiful personalised seed packets.

You will need:
Seeds
Pressed flowers (to make your own you will need to press them at least 2 weeks in advance of using)
Glue
Pencil
Pretty paper to make the envelopes
Plain paper for flower description
Scissors
An old empty seed packet or small money envelope
A bowl of water
Thin cardboard
Pen

To make:
1 Place the empty seed packet in a bowl of water until the glue eases apart. Be very careful when doing this, as the paper will have become fragile. Leave to dry before using to make a cardboard template, by drawing round the edge on the piece of card.
2 Use the template to trace around on the wrong side of your pretty paper to make the seed packet. Fold, and glue the sides together.
3 Fill the seed packet with seeds (around 10 per packet), before gluing shut. We suggest seeds they will be able to sow in springtime, or seeds for herbs that can be sown straight away.
4 Cut out a plain piece of paper, approximately 1 cm smaller all around than the seed packet. Carefully stick a pressed flower (ideally one of the same type as the seeds) to the front and label it with the flower name. Stick the label to your seed packet with a thin layer of glue.

Maker’s note: Planting advice you’d like to pass on? You could make another small label for the back and list it here, along with the date the seed packets were made.

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More weekend projects…

Halloween | Simple spells

It’s Halloween. Why not try a little magic?*

• When you’re in the shower, visualise the water removing any anxieties and worries from the day before.

• If you’re feeling unwell, make a soup and while stirring it chant, “Cold, flu and ills be gone, healthy body from now on.”

• Make a love oil. Blend 5 drops each of rose and lavender oil and 120ml carrier oil. Shake the jar and focus on the intent of the oil (to bring love or friendship, say).

• Be a positive force. Help others, act with love, cut the gossip and try not to judge.

*Adapted from The Good Witch's Guide by Shawn Robbins and Charity Bedell (Sterling)

More Halloween activities…

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From our November issue…

Sponsored post | Avalon Organics

A little about essential oils in beauty for everyday self care

We all know the power of fragrance, and how certain smells can evoke a feeling, trigger a memory or change our mood. Essential oils are highly concentrated oils extracted from plants and are used in beauty not only for their aromatherapeutic properties but also their skin and hair-enhancing qualities. Whilst the Ancient Egyptians are often credited with the invention of essential oils, other ancient civilizations were using essential oils around the same time, including Indian, Chinese, Greek and Roman.

Some Popular Essential Oils and Their Beauty Benefits

Lavender
One of the most revered essential oils in beauty and health products, lavender has powerful anti-inflammatory, antifungal and antibacterial properties, not to mention the calming aromatherapeutic properties of the oil. Its anti-inflammatory properties mean lavender oil is often called upon in formulations for acne and other skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis. In hair care, lavender essential oil may help hair grow thicker and faster, whilst its anti-inflammatory properties may help with scalp conditions such as dandruff and itchiness.

Lemon
We all know how uplifting the smell of a zesty lemon can be, well when we diffuse lemon essential oil it can enhance our concentration and have an energising effect, as well as removing toxins from the air. In both skin and hair care, lemon has a balancing effect on oil production, so is great for those who suffer from greasy hair and shiny faces. When it comes to body care, use lemon essential oil products in the bath or shower to improve your mood and tone the body, and even reduce cellulite.

Rosemary
A member of the mint family, rosemary has long been touted for a range of health and beauty benefits. Studies have shown that rosemary extract can improve cognitive memory function in ageing brains, as well as combatting the signs of ageing in the skin.In skincare, rosemary can help protect skin from UV rays and free radical damage, increasing elasticity and reducing sagging and age spots. When it comes to hair care, rosemary essential oil offers superior cleansing properties, as well as helping keep the scalp healthy and moisturised.

Peppermint

The active ingredient in peppermint is menthol, and has been proven to help with headaches and pain relief. Many also swear by peppermint oil for relief from gastrointestinal ailments such as IBS and acid reflux. When applied topically, peppermint oil has a natural cooling effect which can soothe irritation and inflammation, and can be an effective cleansing agent thanks to its natural antiseptic and antibacterial properties. In hair care, peppermint oil can help with any dryness or itchiness on the scalp, and may even stimulate hair growth by increasing blood circulation to the hair follicles.

Tea Tree

Tea tree is one of nature’s most potent antibacterial and antiseptic agents, and as such is used in many therapeutic beauty products. You will commonly find it in hair care products used to treat conditions such as itchy scalp, dandruff and psoriasis, due to its antibacterial properties. Likewise in skincare, tea tree oil is a hero ingredient for many suffering from acne, and is often used directly on the skin to treat breakouts, as it inhibits bacterial growth by mixing with our skin’s natural oils, preventing them from becoming food for the bacteria. When it comes to nails, tea tree oil’s antifungal properties may help in reducing the growth of trichophyton rubrum, a fungus that causes nail fungus and athlete’s foot.

Avalon Organics offer a range of essential oil-led hair, bath & body care products, available in store at Waitrose and online at waitrose.com Indulge your senses with some aromatherapeutic self care every day, and your skin and hair with the power of botanical-based beauty products. As well as the lead essential oil, all shampoo and conditioner formulas are enriched with Quinoa Protein, Aloe, Babassu Oil and Vitamin E, and all products are NSF-certified to contain organic ingredients, and EWG VERIFIED™, which means it meets the Environmental Working Group's strict ingredient standards and features the EWG VERIFIED™ seal on its label.

From our November issue…

Fancy up | Hot chocolate

It might be difficult to improve on a good thing, but that shouldn’t stop you trying

No autumnal walk is complete without a hot chocolate at the end of it. We fell a bit in love with the recipe for Spiced Hot Chocolate by Lia Leendertz in our November issue’s ‘Nature’s Table’ pages. You can find it on page 14. And we were inspired to hunt around for other ways to make a hot chocolate a bit fancier. Here are a few ideas…

Things to stir in...

Butter and rum

Gingerbread syrup and a cinnamon stick stirrer

A dollop of peanut butter

Peppermint essence with a candy cane stirrer

A shot of espresso and maple syrup

Irish cream whisky

Dried lavender (steep in the milk beforehand)

A dollop of ice cream (any flavour, added at the end)

Chai spice and vanilla extract

Grated orange zest

A pinch of cinnamon and cayenne pepper

And a few things to sprinkle on top…

Good old marshmallows

Crushed nuts

Dessicated coconut

Smashed up boiled sweets (butterscotch works well)

Cake decorating sprinkles

Chocolate chips

Your favourite biscuits, crushed

Blackberry coulis and cream

Chopped fudge pieces

Cinnamon and brown sugar

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Yarn Bomber's Toolkit

Psssst! Considering moonlighting as a guerilla knitter? Over here… We’ll sort you out

We met some rather marvellous yarn bombers for our ‘Modern Eccentrics’ pages in our November issue. The women in question have been yarn bombing their home town of Dorking in Surrey with colour and style for several years. You can read all about them from page 76.

Yarn bombers (aka guerilla knitters) use their craft to make political points, raise money or awareness for charities and sometimes just to make people smile or think. If you’re inspired to do some yarn bombing of your own, you’ll need a few bits and bobs to get you going.

Here’s a guide to what you need for your Yarn Bombing Toolkit before you head out under cover of darkness with your knitting. 

• The permission of the owner/local council (and in lieu of that, the cheek of the devil and a winning smile should the police arrive).

• A head torch so you can shine a light on your work hands free.

• Sturdy, waterproof shoes (you never know what you may have to climb on or through). Also hand wipes, as you never know what you may inadvertently put your palms in either.

• A raincoat in case of showers.

• A hat to keep you warm (and to pull down to hide if your neighbours drive past).

• A floral silk scarf or knitted corsage to give off the impression of being a mild-mannered woman who’s vanishingly unlikely to interest the long arm of the law.

• A small first aid kit, just in case.

• Your knitted ‘installation’.

• A map of the local area so you know where you’re going and can beat a hasty retreat if that seems best. 

• Spare yarn and a large needle for stitching your piece in place.

• Wire and garden ties (like you’d use for tying back in the garden).

• A good pair of scissors and a pen knife (if you’ve never used that thing for getting stones out of horses’ hooves, now may be its time to shine). 

• A camera to take some shots of your finished work. 

• A strong sense of mischief.

• A Thermos of tea to warm you up and toast your hard work afterwards.

• A fulsome apology and some nice biscuits to offer if you should happen to be asked to move on. 

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More from our November issue…

More crafts that might change your life…

Sponsored post | Jason Haircare

Hair and skincare experts JASON share their hair care tips for the colder months

Whilst we often think about how the colder weather affects our skin and change products accordingly, can you say the same about your hair?  Hair can also be affected by the winter weather, we just don’t feel it like we do our skin. Read on to discover more.

Firstly, the low humidity in the cooler months can dry our hair out. The dryness in the air raises the cuticle, zapping out moisture and leaving hair looking and feeling dry, as well as brittle and prone to breakage. Extreme environmental elements can also contribute to this: moving between the cold outdoors into centrally heated homes and offices dries hair out and can lead to the dreaded frizz. To minimise these extremes, it is best to don an extra layer and only resort to turning the heating on if you really have to. Using a humidifier can help keep moisture in the air (as well as your hair!).

What we eat plays an important part in our hair health too. As the temperature drops our diet may not always be as complete and balanced as in the summer months. Winter finds us craving carbs, stodge and comfort food over healthy salads and fruits. This can leave our hair looking dull and feeling lacklustre. For great hair, ensure you are eating a protein-rich diet. Biotin has been identified as an important ingredient for hair growth, and can be found in a variety of foods but only a few contain particularly rich sources of it, including raw egg yolk, liver & leafy green vegetables such as Swiss chard.

Other external factors which may affect your hair health include:

Pollution, which damages our hair the same way it does our skin. If you live in the city, you might want to consider wearing a hat or scarf to protect hair from exposure.

Over-use of products, which over time can build up, causing dullness and adding dead-weight to hair. When looking for products, look for natural and organic types formulated with botanicals and  free from harsh chemicals that may strip your hair’s natural oils. If you are a daily hair washer, try to reduce the frequency of washes, start by going to every other day and see where you end up. The fact is, many of us wash our hair too frequently and this upsets the balance.

Over-styling, which can cause dryness and frizz. In the winter months particularly, try to limit use of heated styling devices and go for more natural looks - curls created with plaits and pins, natural waves and more up-dos.

Finally, make sure you are using the right hair care products for your hair type. New and improved reformulations with clinical testing from JASON mean that you can be sure that your hair is being given the best possible care. JASON is inviting you to see the results for yourself and join their JASON Hair Care Challenge. As an introductory offer, you can buy the shampoo and get the conditioner free till 15th November. You will also be automatically entered into a prize draw when you share your results with the opportunity to win a year’s supply of JASON hair care products. Click here to discover the new formulas and find the right products for your hair to get started on your #JASONHairChallenge !

From our November issue…

Sponsored post | Seasonal Snuggles

As the temperature drops, thoughts turn to staying snug and towards the magic of the season

BLACKDOWN SHEPHERD HUTS

Curl up with a hot chocolate knowing that a cosy winter can be depended upon with a Blackdown Shepherd Hut. A calming space to just sit and listen to the crackle of the log fire and to feel the warmth weave through the hut as the sheep’s wool insulation wraps its toasty arms around the walls. Whether you’re after an additional family space, a garden retreat or something quirky for your dream business, these hand-crafted luxury huts offer you a sanctuary to escape to and to tune back into yourself. Find out more at blackdownshepherdhuts.co.uk.

INTERNATIONAL ELF SERVICE
Each December, daily magical letters mysteriously appear, ready for children to find and discover what the Elves are up to in the North Pole. Stunning, hand-illustrated, personalised, eco-friendly letters from International Elf Service: Gold Award-winning Advent Calendar, with new adventures every year. Bring Christmas magic into your home and create precious childhood memories. Magical Letters. Inspired by children. Delivered by grown-ups. Enter SIMPLYMAGICAL20 at checkout for 20% off. Internationalelfservice.com.

EUROSTOVE
With winter just around the corner, there’s no better way to combat the chill than to cosy up in front of the mesmerising flicker of a stove fire. The Nestor Martin Harmony range of wood and multifuel stoves, available from Eurostove, offer both comfort and the latest in combustion technology. They burn efficiently and already conform to the forthcoming Eco Design directive, due to come in to effect in 2022. Available in a range of sizes, they’re the ideal addition to any room. For more information on Eurostove’s full range, visit eurostove.co.uk

BORN PEACEFUL
At this time of year, the Danish concept of Hygge is never more appealing. There’s no direct translation into English, but it’s the idea of feeling happiness, joy, contentment, warmth and tranquillity, like when you’re cuddled up with a loved one in front a roaring fire, or perhaps soaking in a candlelit bath. Born Peaceful’s Hygge blanket can help achieve this state of cosiness with its beautiful yoga and relaxation blanket. Made from ultra-soft non-pilling fleece and finished with wool whip stitch, it features the brand’s dove design and thoughts on the true meaning of hygge. To find out more, visit bornpeaceful.com.