December 2025

Excitement and Anticipation

My winter simmer pot will be on the stovetop throughout December, filling the house with delightful scents. NB I always add a few drops of vanilla essence to this cornucopia of fruit, herbs and spices!

Snow in November! I thought the snow delightful, though I know for many, it was incredibly trying. On the morning of the snow, my daughter, who was staying at home, missed her bus, I drove her to Richmond station. As I turned the key in the ignition, great, soft flakes of snow began to fall. Driving through Petersham the snow gradually became heavier, by the time we were at the Star and Garter, there was definitely more, the windscreen wipers were working over time (I wondered if it was it because we were at a higher altitude at the top of Richmond Hill?) Of course the snow was both too light and the temperature not cold enough, for the snow to settle in London, it was enchanting.

I rather hope there is some snow in December, a few years ago the fountain froze at The Petersham Nurseries, it was so very beautiful. ( And a great excuse for a glass of Mulled Wine, rather than morning coffee!)

Isn’t it magical?

Have you ever had a quiet December? I have no recollections of one. My eldest son was born on December 11th, it has always been a busy, but joyful month.

Next weekend I’m going to Winchester, with a few friends from one of my bookclubs, we’re on a ‘Jane Austen Pilgrimage’ visiting the cathedral to see Austen’s tomb (as we read Tracey Chevalier’s A Single Thread, a few years ago we plan to look at the kneelers too!)

I believe there is a Christmas Market, we’ll take a mooch around, in the afternoon we’re off to a hotel for a fun filled evening challenging each other with The Jane Austen Quiz book. The following day we’re visiting Jane Austen’s House, in Chawton.

Somehow or other, I have found myself organising the Nativity Tableau on Christmas Eve at my church. My raison d’être is to ensure my little grandsons can be the sweetest, tiniest shepherds ( they are aged 3 and 1) any other role would be too much, but I love the idea of them walking down the aisle with sheep tucked under their arms. We have a traditional script and an extremely talented lady who plays the organ and guitar, there will be many of the favourite carols.

I’m excited to have the whole family together for Christmas. The Thanksgiving meal we have just had was the perfect dress rehearsal. My Turkey from Suffolk was utterly delicious, the meal, although different from Christmas, was super. Like Christmas there are plenty of left overs, a few Turkey Pies, plus a gloriously rich stock for warming soups and sumptuous risottos which I’m planning for the week ahead.

Turkey and Ham Pie - I use ready made Puff Pastry, plenty of egg wash and cookie cutters to decorate.

My mincemeat is ready, I’ll be baking a quantity of pies over the next few weeks. Obviously I love ensuring there are always some small pies, in a tin, ready for visitors, but I also love a large pie, warm from the oven. A slice, with either cream or ice cream is the best pre-Christmas pudding.

I’ve very nearly reached my goal of 150 books read this year, I was so thankful when Angie at Changing Pages, recently shared a list of ‘quick reads’ aka Novellas. I downloaded several onto my Kindle.

The Friend (you may need a handkerchief at the end!) and Sandwich are both fabulous, read in one evening novels.

Why did I not read any of these Jilly Cooper books as a teenager, they would have helped my so much? I can see the 17 year old me identifying with each of the heroines, I also dressed in Laura Ashley and brought Bronnely soap for friends birthdays. I rationed myself to four during November, I’m saving the rest for those quiet days at the end of December. (Each is easily read in an evening!)

In my kitchen the Christmas recipe books are out.

I have many, many more Christmas recipes books, but these four were the most used in my kitchen last December!

I listen to the news on Today and PM (BBC Radio Four), for the rest of the day the radio is usually tuned to Classic FM (I love the mixture of familiar classics and traditional carols that they play throughout December.) I have a few ancient Christmas playlists on my phone, which I will listen to as the month progresses. My favourite last year was Annie Lennox’s Christmas Cornucopia. I have happy memories of my daughter and I singing along to it when I picked her up from school.

I mentioned last month that I intend to read a selection of mid-20th Century women’s ‘middlebrow’ novels next year. I am slowly compiling a list. I am trying to read 60 different authors. I will share my list in January, and tell you which books I am reading each month. In preparation I’ll read some Christmassy Miss Reads. They’re already on my iPad and will be ideal for those occasional calm evenings one is able to grab during December.

Wishing you a Happy and Peaceful Christmas and New Year.

Judith xx