Christmas ......?

This weekend it seems most of neighbours decided to start decorating their houses for Christmas. I'm entirely sure why, there's probably some ancient Swedish by-law that we've missed. 

Growing up we didn't even think about decorating the house until after December 2nd, as that's my mums birthday and birthdays are all about you.

When we first moved into together, Jim and I, decorated the house and tree quite late (in fact we left it so late the first year we were in our own flat that we couldn't even buy any tree lights!), and usually after the kids are in bed. And presents only appear on Christmas Eve.

We obviously knew that Scandinavia celebrate Christmas Eve, rather than Christmas Day, what I didn't realize is that the radio station I (sometimes) listen to is now playing '100% Jul musik'.

I've heard some corkers too - I saw mommy kissing Santa Claus' in Swedish with a samba beat no less.  I like Christmas, but come on - it's still only November!

I think my twitchy eye is back......

Gingerbread

The darker nights, mounds of tea lights and candles for sale everywhere heralds the arrival of all things gingerbread! It might actually herald Christmas really.

After several months devoid of pepparkakor (thin ginger biscuits), they are for sale everywhere. Which is great as we love them, especially with a cuppa - dunking is optional, but it must be a quick dunk or else they don't stay firm and will plop into your tea, which is not nice.

It's not just gingerbread cookies, but there are ginger crisp bread, ginger chewy sweets and even our beloved cinnamon buns now come in a gingerbread flavour!

It's about now that I start thinking about baking my own ginger based goodies. Jim bought me a lovely baking book all about gingerbread, so it will be fetched down off the bookcase and I will sit and pour over it wondering if this will be the year that I make my epic gingerbread house (without the help of structural supports); or hanging decorations without the dogs eating them (not a chance); or a beautifully sticky gingerbread cake with lemon icing from Nigella Lawson.

Right now though, the ginger goodies will have to wait, as for the first time the kids and I are making a Christmas Cake.