Hello!

It’s Christmas week, and if you are anything like me, you may have opened this newsletter during a quick pause between baking, writing and wrapping. I hope there’s a lovely hot drink in your hand, and that you can relax for just a few moments while we catch up.

I also hope this newsletter finds you well, and excited for Christmas as well as the fresh start the New Year brings.

I’m so looking forward to the celebrations to come, and yet, as much as I love Christmas, I know it can also be a challenging season. I hope that everything is festive and bright in your corner of the world, but if you are experiencing a season of loss, my heart goes out to you. My parents passed away over the holiday season some years ago, and my family and I lost loved ones this year, so I understand how this can be a very bittersweet time.

One of the ways I like to embrace the season as well as remembering those my family and I miss is by keeping their recipes and traditions alive. It's these small, familiar comforts that bring warmth, connection and joy, not just at Christmas, but throughout the year.

A Peak Behind The Scenes

My husband and I have been doing some last minute Christmas shopping in London as well as catching up with friends and family.

If you would like to see more of our adventures, you can see them on Instagram - one post sharing some of London's Christmas decorations and a Bridgerton Christmas Afternoon Tea and another of a very special shopping trip.

Things That Are Bringing Me Joy

Familiar rituals and traditions - It's the little things that bring me pleasure and a sense of continuity; things like putting the angel my Dad gave me when I was a child atop our Christmas tree, making my family recipes like my Mom's mincemeat (and her Mincemeat Oat Squares), going to church on Christmas Eve and cooking Christmas dinner with our son.
The holiday spirit - There's that lovely spirit in the air that makes me feel part of something even if I'm on my own. I love the feeling of community I get even just from shopping in our local village.
Connecting with family and friends - I love gathering together on Christmas Day but I also enjoy meeting up with people all through the holiday season. Whether it's dinner with friends at a local restaurant, a walk in the countryside, an outing to a stately home or the party we plan to attend on New Year's Eve, I love the chance to spend time with people I don't see often enough. For those who are too far away to see in real life, I enjoy 'walk and talks' on the phone as I walk through the fields and forest near our home. And I love receiving letters and Christmas cards!
Relaxed Entertaining - There's so much going on this time of year, I enjoy keeping things as relaxed as I can. You can read my top tips for Holiday Entertaining Without Stress here.
Recipes passed down through the generations - The familiar flavours of these classic, timeless recipes always bring me comfort and joy. Here are just a few of the treats I love to make, especially at this time of year:-

Aunt Irene's Christmas Squares

This easy gluten-free traybake from my lovely late Auntie has been part of our family's Christmas celebrations for generations.

Recipe here

Aunt Dorothy's No-Bake Christmas Squares

I'll be thinking of my wonderful Aunt Dorothy, who passed away earlier this year, when I make these delicious treats.

Get the recipe

Cranberry Oat Crumble Bars

You can serve these bars cut in squares on a cookie tray or in larger pieces with a scoop of ice cream or some cream for dessert.

Here's the recipe

Chocolate Banana Bundt Cake

This rich and delicious chocolate cake is perfect on its own or with a scoop of your favourite ice cream.

Get the recipe

You can find more Christmas recipes and ideas on the website.

Links marked with an asterix (*) are affiliate links - As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

This week I'm...

baking, wrapping, packing, and getting ready to celebrate.

Reading - The Christie Affair* by Nina de Gramont

Watching - Emily in Paris Season 5

Listening to - The Happier Podcast Episode 563 - Gretchen Rubin and her sister Elizabeth Craft discuss one-word themes for 2026. Have you chosen yours? I'll be revealing mine in the next newsletter!

Making - More of my Mom's No-Suet Mincemeat . My family and I have used two batches already making mince pies for bring and share gatherings, and I made a Mincemeat Cake too.

That's all for now. I'm off to do some more baking! Wishing you and yours peace, happiness and a wonderful Christmas!

Thank you so much again for being a subscriber. Remember you can reply to this email with any questions, comments, suggestions or just to say hi. I love to hear from you.

Warmly,

April x