Christmas biscuits!

So 'tis the season to be jolly and time for the work Christmas party. Last time I missed it because they decided to have it the day I was flying off on holiday. I was having a really horrible time of it anyway because I'd managed to catch swine flu a week before my holiday and got over it just in time for my flight. I was seriously afraid of passing it on to other people but my doctor assured me I would be well enough by the time I had to go. I was well enough, just a bit weak and also a bit annoyed at all the last minute things I hadn't been able to do because I was in quarantine at home (I was as cross as Mr Flibble).

Well anyway, this year I planned to make cupcakes with holly leaves for the party, really professional awesome looking ones. But it was when we had that awful snow, and since the ice was keeping the buses away I didn't bother. But then 2 hours before the party my sister offered to drop me off so I decided to rush and make them. They came out ok but as you can see they are nowhere near awesome:

unawesome cupcakes

In fact now that I am seeing them again, they look pretty crap :-p. I didn't cream the butter and sugar for long enough and I didn't have time to make proper red holly berries. It didn't matter in the end, as it turned out there was so much ice on my sister's car that we couldn't even get it out of the drive let alone to the party. Oh well. I've ended up working at 3 Christmas parties at the children centres I work at so I don't feel like I missed out that much. 

So then I thought I'd make Christmas biscuits instead of giving cards this year, including some for the pre-nursery group children I work with. I decided to make stain glass biscuits; angel shapes for colleagues and Christmasy shapes for the kids. I wanted them for a Wednesday but was working full day on Tuesday so ended up making them on Monday night till after midnight. Yeah I'm not really that busy, I'm just a great procrastinator. I was super sleepy all Tuesday but the biscuits actually turned out quite well :-). The angels weren't as great as I expected so next time will just do the circle ones. 

These were made with a basic biscuit recipe. I cut out the inside shape and baked for 5 minutes, then added a crushed boiled sweet in the gap and baked for another 5 minutes so that it would melt. I love the result, the light shines right through them especially the lighter colours and they are great for hanging on the tree or by windows. I threaded some red thread through mine before handing them out (hence the holes in case you were wondering). Would have preferred gold but couldn't find any so I settled for wrapping them in gold tissue paper.

My cousins on facebook liked them so much they've asked me to make some when they come round for the roast dinner so am looking forward to making a new batch. Probably try smaller cut outs next time and experiment with patterns. I am also going to try and send a batch to my best friend in Brighton when the weathers a little better and I can be sure the post won't get stuck in the snow.

Meanwhile, am having fun planning my New Years Party with the cousins. Was originally going to have an Alice in Wonderland theme but not many people are coming. I'd planned a whole bunch of things but it'll be a waste if only a few people come so am postponing it till spring. By then the weather would be warm enough to have it in the garden (hopefully) and I can set up the chaise lounge and sheesha (hookah) for the caterpillar. Have a lot of great ideas for it all and can hardly wait. 

Instead of that theme, I've decided to go with a simple Video Game party theme. Have quite a few ideas for that too and if it turns out well will post some pictures. I am seriously obsessed with bento box's right now and the cute little characters people make out of food. If you don't know what I mean then check these guys out: My Mealbox. For the party, I'm going to try doing the Boo Bento with rice seeing as he's from Super Mario and goes with the theme. Plus I love rice :-p. 

I've decided against costumes as we've already had a street fighter 4 costume party (to celebrate the release of the new game, yes we are super nerdy) but might dress a little funky anyhow :-p. Oh and here's a pic of me from our street fighter party, I was Juli from SFAlpha 3. My real hat looked stupid so I drew one in and then it looked fake so I cartooned the whole thing up. Overdid the hair a bit I think...

"Yes Sir!"