QBOTMC News - Strip Star Block, Christmas Tips and Baked Cranberry and Brie
Published: Tue, 11/27/18
We hope you've had a great week. It's been a busy but productive week here, and that's
always a good thing. I like to feel like I'm getting things done, and crossing them off my
list. I am almost ready to fully embrace Christmas (have to have my early December
birthday first though), and almost in spite of myself, I have done half of my Christmas
shopping and am feeling quite relaxed and happy about the rest!
I'm a proud Mumma too this week. Both Master 14 and Miss 12 are getting some sort
of end of year award at school this year (which goes some way towards making me forget
fairly dismal report cards...!!), and Master 14 seems to have settled in well in his new
proper part time job, and is getting regular shifts now. Happy days!!! Is it too soon to
ask him to contribute to the household water bill to offset those r e a l l y long showers
he's been having? What is it with teenage boys - first you have to nag, threaten, then
drag them to the bathroom to have a shower, then you have to repeat the exercise to
get them out. And don't get me started on not-even-teenage girls...!!
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This week's block is a really pretty pieced star block and a good one to try if you still need
some Christmassy ideas.
Please click the link below to download the Strip Star block.
http://www.onlinequiltmagazine.com/members/content/f/id/709/
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It's not too early to start your planning, and I found these 10 Commandments of Christmas
Planning Online and thought them worth sharing....
Christmas party commandment: plan once, enjoy the night
The first step is to create three master lists - guests, menu and shopping - that will help you
keep track of everything for the party. Keep the lists in your handbag so you'll know exactly
what you still need to purchase and how many guests have RSVP'd at all times.
Christmas party commandment: make the guest list work
You might want to call guests before you even set the date for your party. Inevitably, not everyone
will be able to come. But if "it just wouldn't be the same without them," make sure they're free and
invite them then and there. Your other guests should be invited as soon as you set the date. Try
to give people no less than three weeks' notice -- remember, holiday schedules fill up fast. A
good strategy: Invite friends and family by phone, then follow up with a written reminder. Or
let your Christmas cards do double duty -- as a holiday greeting and an invitation.
Christmas party commandment: sort the food and drinks
Whether you're planning a brunch, a cocktail party or a barbecue, food and drink are your party's
most important ingredients. The first thing to plan is the main dish. Jot down a list of recipes
you're confident cooking and build the rest of the menu around it. And don't make things too
hard on yourself. If you'll be cooking a complicated main dish, go for simple side dishes that
can be easily prepared in advance. Don't rule out convenience foods like barbecue chicken
served on platters of fresh iceberg lettuce or Turkish bread and dips bought from the local
kebab shop.
Take a careful look at the servings each recipe provides and make sure you have enough to feed
your crowd. This is well worth planning as over-catering is an expensive hassle while under-
catering puts a real dampener on a party.
Finally, don't forget to budget Christmas drinks. Plan to have a variety of nonalcoholic drinks on
hand. It's best to buy more than you think you'll need. Buy lots of ice the day of the party. That
way, you won't have to waste precious fridge space. When it comes to alcohol, don't feel obligated
to set up a full bar. Unless you're having a cocktail party, it's fine to limit your selections to wine
and beer.
Christmas party commandment: compile a comprehensive shopping list
Look over each item on your menu and list everything you'll need to make it happen. Note each
ingredient, then check your kitchen for what you have in stock and what you need to buy. Make
sure you have all the serving equipment you need to dish out your food and drink plans. No kitchen
ever has enough serving platters during party season, but cheap platters can be bought from $2 shops
and covered with foil to "make-do" or stretch what you have. When it comes to glasses for drinks,
some bottle shops will offer free glass hire if you purchase enough alcohol from them - just be
sure to plan it in advance as this service is busy at Christmas.
Christmas party commandment: make sure your kitchen can handle it
It's quite pointless to plan a party that your kitchen can't handle. Every kitchen has space constraints;
make sure you know yours. For example, can your refrigerator fit all those platters of cold hors
d'oeuvres? Can your stove handle heating the five dishes you plan to serve hot at the same time?
If not, now's the time to make adjustments and plans. The sanest way to shop for a party is in stages.
Divide your shopping list by store and buy all the non-perishables you need as early as possible.
Christmas party commandment: go for visual appeal
A beautifully set table can make even plain food look elegant and inviting. And you don't need to
spend a lot of money to do it. Start with a great tablecloth, add a bowl of Christmas balls, fruits or
candles. Candlelight is the kindest light of all but can be hot and dangerous if there are children
attending the party.
Christmas party commandment: make food ahead of time if you can
Waiting until the last few days before your party to cook everything just doesn't make sense -
especially when, if you examine your menu, you'll see that much of it can be prepared ahead,
frozen and reheated. Your children can - and should - help out to get the party ready and then
help host it by clearing away glasses and passing around nibbles.
Christmas party commandment: don't go insane cleaning the house
Don't attempt a top-to-bottom housecleaning before your party. Confine your efforts to the rooms
your guests will see and use - close the doors to the others. Clutter removal is key to the rest of
your housecleaning. Consider setting up several food areas so that everyone has enough space to
mingle but eat. For example, use the coffee table for nibbles, your buffet top for the cheese
platter and the laundry bench for drinks service.
Christmas party commandment: enjoy yourself
The final commandment is both the hardest and the most important thing - have fun! It takes a lot
of planning and effort to pull of a Christmas party, and most guests are delighted that you have
invited them along. They don't care if you forgot to put out the nice cutlery or your dog threw
up in the front yard. So take a deep breath before you open the door to guests and relax.
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I found this quick and rather yummy addition to any cheese platter this festive season
Baked Brie and Cranberry in a Cob Loaf
Ingredients
450g/1lb white cob loaf (this is a small round loaf)
200g/ small whole brie round
1/2 cup whole berry cranberry sauce
2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves
Toasted flaked almonds, to serve
Honey, to serve
Method
Step 1
Preheat oven to 200C/180C (356F) fan-forced.
Step 2
Cut cob loaf crossways about 3cm/1 1/4in from the top. Reserve lid. Remove centre of
bread to create a hole the same size as the brie. Discard centre of bread (or keep for your
turkey stuffing). Place cranberry sauce on the base and around sides of hole. Top with brie.
Sprinkle with thyme. Season with salt and pepper.
Step 3
Replace lid. Enclose in foil. Place on a baking tray. Bake for 35 minutes or until cheese
has melted. Remove from oven. Stand 5 minutes. Remove and discard foil. Sprinkle
with almonds and honey. Serve, and slice and enjoy!
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Until Next Week - Happy Quilting!
Regards,
Jody & Annette