Brownies instead of the French Buche!

Our First term at school (in Niort) ended yesterday; I left the 'college' at quarter to five, by the time I drove home it was 6 p.m. A bit of rain but no fog and i was driving against the traffic! It's the first time ever that I've finished teaching only three days before Christmas. I remember finishing on the 21st a few times in England. 

After dinner, Steven and I watched a lovely film called Regarding Henry. We'd never watched it before and we both enjoyed it. While I was watching it, I fancied sketching something so here it is: 

Walnut Chocolate Brownies

Brownies are the sort of thing that shouldn't work at all, but in the same way that uncooked cake mixture is a delight, brownies are often better than the most perfectly cooked sponge cake. Be brave and take them out while still squidgy – they'll firm up when they cool.

Ingredients 
Plain chocolate, broken up into chunks 100g
100 g poudre
200g Butter, cubed 
3       Medium eggs, beaten 
250g Golden caster sugar  - 
250g Plain flour 
2 teaspoons of ginger syrup 
Method
1. Preheat oven to 180°C/gas 4. Melt the chocolate and butter. Cool. 
3. Beat the eggs with the sugar, pour in the cooled chocolate mixture, add a pinch of salt and sift in the flour. 
4. Beat until blended and stir through the chocolate chips and walnuts.
5. Pour into the tin and bake for 25–30 minutes (don't use a fan oven; the brownies will just become dry). 
6. The outsides will look crackled and the inside will feel firm but will still be gooey.
7. Allow to cool in the tin for 20 minutes. Slice into squares.

Jesus is the reason for the season

Only a week left

at work

the pupils' eyes

dilate at the thought of 

Christmas

They can't wait

for Christmas day

I pray that every child

on that day hear Jesus' voice

whispering in their ears

I love you

You are mine

I knock on your door

Let me in

A precious note

signed 

Jesus-Christ, 

the Saviour of the world.

2 Clean Christmas jokes!

1 Christmas Spirit
It was just before Christmas and the magistrate was in a happy mood. He asked the prisoner who was in the dock, 'What are you charged with?'
The prisoner replied, 'Doing my Christmas shopping too early.'

'That's no crime', said the magistrate. 'Just how early were you doing this shopping?'

'Before the shop opened', answered the prisoner.

2 Father Christmas Calls

Alex was five; all his Christmas presents were always signed, 'from Father Christmas.'

A little while after Alex had opened all his presents on Christmas morning, we became aware that he was looking quite down in the mouth for no obvious reason.

'What's the matter, Al?' I asked.

'Ummmm, 'replied Alex slowly, 'I really hoped that you and Mummy would give me something for Christmas.'

Christmas celebrations in the Kerygma bus!

Ems baked a delicious ginger house!

Joy, Sarah and Brian

Tonight, thanks to Colin and his team, the youth in Hixon had a great Christmas celebration. There were games, a quiz, gifts and carols. We all had a great evening! We had party food and delicious deserts. One of the game had a twist, somebody would call out a card, i.e. the queen of club and if you had it you could retrieve a gift that someone had, but it was not yours because somebody else could get it back ...so those gifts were only yours at the very end of the game! The children were very excited and keen to get their gifts back, the most popular were those, funny big plastic glasses, chocolate orange and a big box of chocolate bars (I can't remember the name now, oups!)
Have a lovely evening and God bless you! Remembers the Lord loves you so much, He is a loving Father and is looking after you. :)

Butternut squash and nut roast?

Steven and I decided that Imogen (who is a vegetarian) would have a nut roast this Christmas..and I thought I would cook it! However, those of you who know me will not be surprised to hear that I left it a bit late. Two days ago I tried to cheat and get one from M&S but to no avail, they did not have any left! Not taking no for an answer, I bought all the ingredients in Tesco and last night I was scouring the Internet to find an easy recipe! 

However, I had to deal with an emergency so I was in no mood to bake it then and feeling emotionally exhausted. 

Today has been great, we've just come  back from a convivial Christingle service in Hixon church. I am still humming Come and Join the celebration. I have found a perfect recipe. Click here to see it on the web! However as Imo does not like onions or garlic, I will have to make some slight changes..so we shall see! Below is the recipe adapted for children or fussy teenagers!
450g/1 lb peeled, deseeded butternut squash, cut into cubes
225g/8 oz raw, chopped hazelnuts, almonds, pistachios and brazil nuts
Provencal herbs
salt and pepper 

Put the butternut to roast for half an hour at gas mark 7/ 220 C. When the squash has finished roasting, mix all the ingredients together, then press the mixture into a lined 2 lb loaf tin. Bake for 60 mins at gas 190 C. Imogen has looked at it and cut a little sample and all is good. 
Have a blessed Christmas and may the Lord bless you in abundance. 
Yours in Christ.