We snuck out early this morning, before anyone else’s lights were on, and delivered four hampers of home-made gifts to the neighbours’ doorsteps. In each one we’d packed a bottle of home-made wine and a pint of home-made beer, a box of four eggs from the chickens, a jar of tomato chutney, another of apple chutney and a jar of apple jelly.

All went well until the last moment when Pat next door opened her curtains and caught us pondering the hamper from the opposite side of their fence.

Beyond that, the cat’s been fed, the chickens have been given an extra large scoop of layers pellets to celebrate the festive season, and the cupboards and freezer are full of a week’s-worth of cooking and baking. We’re ready for our guests.

Merry Christmas!

Related posts:

1. Christmas presents… already
2. Apple chutney recipe
3. The first tally of 2008