I read other blogs and they like to give things away.  It may be a voucher or a homemade item.  Bloggers also like to give away parts of themselves.  I see answers to imaginary questions and snippets of the things they like and dislike.  It's the getting to know you part of blogging.  You may never meet, but by sharing a part of you there is a connection.  That connection may lead to a new follower on your blog and so it continues. 

So my virtual friends (I feel I can call you that, as you are reading this now), what to give away?  I could tell you things about me?  I could share what I am wearing?  I do love outfit of the day posts, its like people watching from my own home and I love seeing what people wear.  I don't own a crafty shop to give away my home made treats, so what can I offer? 

The two things I am good at is collecting cookery books and being a Master Butcher.  So what I give to you is my knowledge.  Need a recipe for that random ingredient in the cupboard- let me know, I might be able to help you find it?  Ever wondered where your steak came from or which part of the pig a pork butt came from- and before you try and answer, its not it's actual butt!

I may get no questions, but hopefully if I do I can help and for now thats my idea of a giveaway- until maybe I actually have something to give away.

The Butcher & Recipe hotline is now open! 





I set up that counter, if you were wondering.

This is what a random Sunday in my house looks like.........

To start with I would like to say that I don't mind wrapping gifts.  They may not be perfect with straight edges that line up but they usually look good when they are the right way up- don't ask me about the bottom where all the folds and tape are!  I like a nice bit of string and ribbon and this year even adorned my packages with festive stickers that match the labels.  My issue is with what I have to wrap.  Has anyone else noticed that companies have created a whole new style of packaging that is set on different angles with sharp edges and big bits stuck out at the front and back!  What is this about- do they take pleasure knowing the hassle it will cause us happy wrappers? 






I know that you should always buy good paper- cheap paper is more hassle than it is worth with ripped corners and hard to fold edges once it is applied to any package.  I also know it helps to be organised with all of the wrapping supplies easily to hand.  So armed with my good paper and supplies I set off to cover the gifts and its not long before you find a strange corner on a box or a sticky out bit that just tears through the paper- this all leads to one thing, WRAP RAGE!! 





After taking a few deep breaths, I calm and resume wrapping.  You then come to the gift that no matter what you do it is obvious what it is, even covered in paper, wrapped in a bow its bloody obvious its a Toblerone.  Its a small triangle box, what else is it going to be!  You ask yourself, why am I wrapping this?  What is the point? 

I already know the answer, the point is the joy on my children's face as the paper is torn in a frenzy from everything within grabbing range.  I lost the right to open my own gifts when I had children, as it always seems they volunteer to take paper off anything regardless if it is for them or not!  I suppose its why pass the parcel is so exciting- you always knew whatever was in the middle wouldnt be the most exciting prize, its the anticipation and excitement of taking the paper off.  I loved pass the parcel and I love Christmas so I will just have to make more Mulled Wine (this is a must in the wrapping supply list) and remain a happy wrapper.  I will think of the smiling faces tearing my hard wrapping work up on Christmas Day and its not so bad after all!