Merriment

And a yummy quick biscuit recipe

The stillness of the morning carried an unusual musical chorus in the air; chainsaws. Here, there and everywhere people are clearing paths, unblocking roads and trimming the broken branches, the aftermath of storm Darragh. When I was little growing up by the Giants Causeway the gales would blow fierce in high drama; once blowing our treehouse into the field next door. These most recent storms in quick succession have done similar (or worse) damage, with no chance in between for repairs and so the forest is full of fallen trees like a giant game of pick up sticks and the shoreline is unrecognisable with the tons of shifted sand and seaweed.

A huge old Oak down at Rathmullan

I have been focussing on reconnecting to the spirit of the season, the excitement of the festivities and throwing myself wholeheartedly into mulled wine, mince pies and as much merriment as I can muster. My lingering friend anxiety still hangs on in the shadows. But I’ve got the Christmas music on, the tree and decorations are up and I treated myself to a sparkly new dress in anticipation of a couple of festive outings; this might realistically be half an hour in the pub but we’re worth it!

Dreamy wallpaper at Rathmullan

We escape to Donegal for a break, shoulders dropping as we drive over the Foyle bridge, deep relaxing breaths as we follow the Swilly shore up to Rathmullan. We spend the days lounging by the open fires, soaking up the cosy comfort of the hotel and the easy company of family. Made all the better by chowder and Kinnegar, swims, wild windy walks and reading the newspapers. Just the thing, a miraculous medicine of sorts.

This time last year I wrote a list of the simple pleasures of the week and I thought it’d be a nice recreation, once again the highlights read like a little poem.

In a cosy pub

Sharing my knowledge

Swimming, freezing

Sunny views from the edge

Greeting our neighbours

Festive food and random fuel

Galloping on the beach

Blue sky puddles

New reading

IN A COSY PUB

Pints with friends and candlelight.

SHARING MY KNOWLEDGE

Teaching my style Christmas baking; Yule logs, biscuits and Choux Concorde

FREEZING, SWIMMING

Getting chilly in the Swilly, still dipping every week

SUNNY VIEWS FROM THE EDGE

A walk with my one true at our favourite spot

GREETING OUR NEIGHBOURS

This big guy has a twin on the other side of the road.

FESTIVE FOOD AND RANDOM FUEL

Our christmas sandwich and a delicious fridge raid hash scenario

GALLOPING ON THE BEACH

Thundering hoofprints on the sand, what a wonderful sound

BLUE SKY PUDDLES

Never not amazing

NEW READING

Lovely book by one of my favourites on here!

And in time for gifting; Ricciarelli biscuits

RICCIARELLI

250g ground almonds

230 icing sugar plus 50g for rolling

Tsp baking powder

Tsp vanilla extract

Lemon zest from one lemon

2 egg whites

Preheat oven to 160 degrees and line a couple of baking sheets with parchment. Mix all the dry ingredients in a large bowl using a whisk. In another bowl use an electric whisk to whisk the egg whites until stiff then fold carefully into the dry. Shape into walnut sized balls, roll in the icing sugar and shape into little rough diamonds, bake for 10-15 minutes. Have with strong coffee (or alcohol!)