Nollaig na mBan

Today, 6th January, marks Nollaig na mBan, 'little Christmas' or 'Women's Christmas'. I'm not really one to bask in a holiday embedded in outmoded gender roles, but the idea comes from the fact that women, who do basically all household and domestic work, should take today off, while their men-folk do the housework for the day. It's also the day when the Christmas decorations are taken down, so sadly the wreath will be coming off the door and the coloured strings of lights will be put away for another year (or at least until it gets dark and they offer some hygge).

Here's an article on the history of the tradition in Ireland. 

I have, as you can tell, conflicted feelings about the day. I love celebrating the work women do and the things we contribute to society (life being the primary one I'm thinking of), but the idea of celebrating your right to take a day off from domestic work makes me ill at ease - women shouldn't have to wait until today, when weeks of hard work have taken their toll, to have a rest. 

That being said, I suppose I'll make the most of the day, and eat a slice of cake on behalf of womenkind everywhere. Cheers to that!

Have yourself a merry little Christmas

So, it's Stephen's night. I am in my comfiest clothes (leggings, fluffy socks and an oversized jumper, if you were wondering), and I am home alone, with a selection box, Pukka tea, a gorgeously scented Muji candle, and...myself. I know Christmas is a time for family, but I am savouring this evening, just for me to enjoy. 

The last few weeks...months, really...have been incredibly hectic. Even Christmas wasn't so much of a reprieve, although I can't complain: I haven't done any work in 3 days and I stayed indoors for about 35 hours straight, something I basically never do. That being said, I cooked Christmas dinner (with help from my brother), and tomorrow I'm travelling to England to spend the time until the New Year with Leo and his mom.

It's nice to be able to take the time to be alone (as I keep saying, if my recent posts are anything to go by), but it takes a certain inner strength and determination to be alone the evening after Christmas. To be honest, I am a little lonely (we had lunch at my aunt's and it was simply the most convenient thing to get dropped back here for heading to the airport). But I know that I've had a very hyggeligt few days, and tomorrow I will be back in Durham with fairy lights and lovely food and movies and company.

Below are a selection of Christmassy snaps: all the Christmas trees I've had the pleasure of hanging out with in particular.

I feel very lucky to live the life that I do. I think we should all try to feel lucky.

Belated Christmas Post #3 | A Plethora of Holiday Images

 

Christmas Trees | Cookies | Self-Decorated T-Shirts | Paper Chains | Fireplaces

 

Belated Christmas Post #2 | A Million Gingerbreads Shall Be Baked

I don't know a man alive that doesn't love gingerbread men. Well, I know one,  I have a friend who would rather not eat gingerbread, but I'm convinced she's never given it a solid shot and should welcome the spicy crunchy goodness into her heart.

Not only Christmas, but the entire winter period, is incomplete for me without having endless, fresh batches of gingerbread people in circulation. They're so easy to make, absolutely delicious, and I'll always favour something I've baked myself over a shop-bought item.

I follow this BBC recipe, it's incredibly simple and the biscuits turn out great every time.

          Ingredients

350g/12oz plain flour, plus extra for rolling out

1 tsp bicarbonate of soda

2 tsp ground ginger

1 tsp ground cinnamon

125g/4½oz butter

175g/6oz light soft brown sugar

1 free-range egg

4 tbsp golden syrup

Preparation method

1. Sift together the flour, bicarbonate of soda, ginger and cinnamon and pour into the bowl of a food processor. Add the butter and blend until the mix looks like breadcrumbs. Stir in the sugar.
   
2. Lightly beat the egg and golden syrup together, add to the food processor and pulse until the mixture clumps together. Tip the dough out, knead briefly until smooth, wrap in clingfim and leave to chill in the fridge for 15 minutes.
   
3. Preheat the oven to 180C/350F/Gas 4. Line two baking trays with greaseproof paper.
   
4. Roll the dough out to a 0.5cm/¼in thickness on a lightly floured surface. Using cutters, cut out the gingerbread men shapes and place on the baking tray, leaving a gap between them.
   
5. Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until lightly golden-brown. Leave on the tray for 10 minutes and then move to a wire rack to finish cooling. 
   
   *I used x2 the measurements to make a double batch. At times, I have also used molasses instead of golden syrup as I think it's a more nutrient-rich alternative, but it does make the biscuits a darker colour, so be warned. In addition, I chop up a root of ginger into tiny pieces and mix it in, because ginger is really good for you and I love it. 
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

 Best eaten fresh from the oven when they're still ever so slightly soft in places but mostly crunchy. De-vine, as Candy Crush would say.

It's Almost Christmas!

My internet access has been outrageously limited of late, I really only access the internet from my phone, so there haven't been any substantial blog updates, apologies!

I have so many post ideas lined up, but they'll have to wait until the new year. I'm basking in the last few days of the Christmas build-up here. Everyone is in great spirits, after the shocking year Ireland has had (cough, austerity, cough), things are definitely looking up. There was even a flurry of snow yesterday. Never say never :)

I'm looking forward to a day of Cadburys Selection Boxes, watching Love Actually on RTÉ, and cooking Christmas dinner for my reduced-numbers family.

For now, I'll leave you with a selection of my all time favourite Christmas songs; I Wish it Could Be Christmas Every Day, Fairytale of New York (an excellent cover my everyone's favourite Irish pop-ska band), and Last Christmas. George Michael, you have my heard forever.

Nollaig Mhaith!! xoxo