K.J. Chapman's Blog, page 29
December 15, 2018
Blogmas Day 16
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No Bake Foodie Gift
What is in store for you on Blogmas day 16? Well… I have a simple no bake treat idea that will cost no more than a few pounds and will make teachers, classmates, colleagues, and secret santas very happy.
Foodie gifts look great when presented in cellophane baggies. Here’s a link to the ones I purchased on Amazon for less than £2. Cellophane Baggies.
Hot Chocolate Spoons
This idea is incredibly simple yet effective. Kids especially love melting these into a mug of hot milk.
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What you will need:
Spoons: You can use any spoons of your choice.
Chocolate: I like to do milk chocolate for kids. You can go rich and dark for adults.
Baby marshmallows: This is optional. You can use festive sprinkles.
Method:
Melt the chocolate. I do mine in the microwave. Heat on a medium heat for 1 minute. Stir well, and then heat for 20 second intervals. Do not rush this stage or you’ll end up with grainy, clumpy chocolate.
Lay your spoons on a baking tray and fill with your melted chocolate. (See picture above.)
Top with the marshmallows or sprinkles.
Place the tray in the fridge until the chocolate sets.
Once set, remove from the fridge and place a spoon or two in a cellophane baggie and tie with a ribbon. You can also add a gift tag that says ‘stir into hot milk’.
(Picture from Blogmas day 14)
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I hope you’ve enjoyed this post. Time restraints don’t have to stop us making treats or getting crafty with the kids this Christmas. Also, if you are on a tight budget, I’m sure your loved ones will appreciate these foodie gifts.
Content belongs to K.J.Chapman
December 14, 2018
Blogmas Day 15
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Etsy Christmas Jumpers
I have found 5 Christmas jumpers on Etsy that I think would make brilliant party pieces or gifts.
The Shed Outlet have a brilliant Drake jumper for £19.95.
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Bachelorette Shirt stock the must have Buddy the Elf jumper. This is one of my favourites because I like gaudy and festive.
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The winter vibe is strong in Game of Thrones, so Print Bar are right on the money with this jumper.
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PRZM Creations have an awesome Grinch jumper for sale. This is a close second to the Elf jumper for me.
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Any Peaky Blinders fans out there? Here’s a blinder of a jumper from AC Print Workers.
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Content belongs to K.J.Chapman
QOriginal image sources can be found via the above links
December 13, 2018
Blogmas Day 14
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We Got Our Jingle On
Whilst procrastinating on Pinterest, I saw a fun idea that hasn’t really taken off in the UK…yet. ‘You’ve been Jingled’ is a great way to spread some Christmas cheer to friends and neighbours.
I told my daughter about it, and she begged me to start off a jingle train. Our targets… her besties.
We bought a gift bag and filled it with some treats. We made a little poem to explain the concept to the recipients and to encourage them to join in.
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When you jingle someone you’re not supposed to be caught leaving the treats. As this was near impossible in our situation, us Mums had a chat before hand, but the children were none the wiser.
We had good fun doing this. It is always a bonus knowing we’ve put a smile on someone’s face too.
If you want to get your Jingle on, here is the poem we created:
‘You’ve Been Jingled!’
We wanted to spread some Christmas cheer,
After all it’s that time of year.
These goodies come from us to you,
With hope that you will do it too.
Leave your treats, but don’t get caught,
Show someone they’re in your thoughts.
Merry Christmas!
Content belongs to K.J.Chapman
December 12, 2018
Blogmas 13
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Free Christmas Cookbooks
I downloaded 5 free, Christmas cookbooks from Amazon last month. I have read through them all and will give you my honest review. I am an amateur in regards to all things cooking, so I will base my reviews on the quality of the instructions and simplicity etc. I will include links for you to get your copies if you wish.
Holiday Cooking Made Easy by Les Ilagan
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My Review:
I give this book 4/5. This cookbook is crammed full of recipes, some new to me, and some that are twists on old classics. A lot of effort has gone into compiling this, and the recipes are laid out well.
Christmas Recipes by Cheryl Leonard
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My Review:
I give this book 3/5. This is not quite my cup of tea, but thats not to say it won’t be yours. Some recipes require expense such as crab meat.
There are no pictures in this book, so I can’t visualise the meals, but it is laid out well, and a vast array of dips, sauces, butters, and spreads are included.
Christmas Drink Recipes by Kelly Michaels
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My Review:
I give this book 3/5. I never knew there were so many Christmas drinks! The various hot chocolate recipes are right up my street, but as I’m not a fan of coffee or peppermint, that rules out quite a few.
There are no pictures in this book either, but the recipes are simple and concise.
Favourite Christmas Cookies by Various Authors
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My Review:
I give this book 3/5. This book is based on the favourite recipes of the characters in the authors book- Ten Christmas Brides. It’s a cute idea.
There is an introduction to the recipe in regards to the characters which was unique, but the recipes themselves didnt excite me. I wouldnt say they were all that Christmassy either.
Easy Recipes for Christmas Cooking by Various Authors
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My Review:
I rate this book 4/5. This book is crammed with content. There are pictures with each recipe and the recipes are Christmassy.
There’s even a planner, so you get the timings of all aspects of your Christmas dinner spot on.
The opinions expressed here are those of K.J. Chapman and no other parties
All books reviewed on this blog have been read by K.J.Chapman
K.J.Chapman has not been paid for this review
December 11, 2018
Blogmas Day 12
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The Great Sprout Debate
After getting into a debate about the importance of a sprout on my Christmas dinner plate, I decided to do my own research for Blogmas day 12… an Instagram poll, of course.
I know you’re just dying to find out what percentage of people enjoy a sprout with their Christmas dinner.
*Drumroll please.*
Well, there you have it. Instagram has spoken. 71% do enjoy a sprout with their Christmas dinner.
Now, the real debate is how long you cook your sprouts for. I like mine soft, but my husband likes them with a bit of bite to them. (I think overcooked are less bitter). That is a whole other post that I do not have time for. Maybe next year. *Edges out of sight*.
Do you enjoy a sprout with your Christmas lunch?
Content belongs to K.J.Chapman
December 10, 2018
Blogmas Day 11
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Slow Cooker Hot Chocolate
When I saw this recipe on Delish.com, I just had to have a go. My slow cooker is a vital part of my cooking. I love the dump and run idea behind them. I’ll hold my hands up and say that I’m not the best cook, and slow cookers disguise that fact.
I wanted to make this recipe on the night our local Christmas lights were turned on. The lights turn on starts the Christmas season in my household, so topping it off with scrummy hot chocolate was a must.
Ingredients:
1/4 cup cocoa powder
1 1/2 cups choc chips
1/2 cup sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup heavy cream
6 cups whole milk
Mini marshmallows
Combine ingredients in the slow cooker and stir well. Cook for 2 hrs on low.
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The recipe calls for the marshmallows to be added 10 mins before serving to allow them to melt a little. I am not a marshmallow fan, so I skipped this bit and simply garnished my husband’s and daughter’s drinks at the end.
Family verdict… O.M.G. It was delicious. I implore everyone to have a go at this recipe (see link above). It was so easy to prep and the result was nommy.
A great way to end a festive night.
Content belongs to K.J.Chapman
December 9, 2018
Blogmas Day 10
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Donations not Cards
Blogmas day 10 is all about something I saw for the first time yesterday. Dontsendmeacard.com is a site set up to stop people wasting money on cards and postage etc and to make a donation to charity instead. It is a great way to cut down recycling and help charities.
It’s such a simple yet ingenious concept. You pick your charity, choose how much you would have spent on cards, compose an ecard with your message of choice, pay via card or paypal (the money goes straight to that charity), and then send up to 100 ecards to friends and family.
Unfortunately, I have already sent Christmas cards this year, and I have given to charity, but this is a must for me next Christmas. I would also be thrilled to see that someone I know has donated to charity in lew of giving me a card.
I just had to share!
Content belongs to K.J.Chapman
December 8, 2018
Blogmas Day 9
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Unisex Secret Santa Gift Ideas
There’s nothing worse than being a secret santa to someone you don’t really know, or someone who is hard to buy for. The small budget makes everything ten times harder. That is why I’ve taken it upon myself to find 5 unisex, secret santa gifts for under £10 each.
This is such a simple, but elegant gift. Bonsai trees are suited to both male and female recipients.
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Alcohol is a go to secret santa present for the over 18s (UK). This kit is a little more thoughtful than just giving a bottle of wine.
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If you want to go down the humourous route, this mug is the perfect secret santa gift. Who doesn’t want a new mug for work?
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Do you work in an office? Desk calendars are the perfect unisex gift.
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‘Not another mug gift’, I hear you cry. But just wait, this one not only looks like a camera lens, it self stirs!
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Content belongs to K.J.Chapman
For original image sources, click links
Book Review: My Zombie Christmas by T. Strange
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My Zombie Christmas by T. Strange 2/5
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In this excerpt from My Zombie Boyfriend, necromancer Edward Grey and Undead Canadian Kit Ward spend their first Christmas together. Exchanging gifts ranging from odd to adorable and having dinner with Edward’s parents, they learn about life, love and the naming of cats.
Review:
I know this short story/ excerpt is to entice you to read the main book, but there is zero context, backstory, or character development. What kind of zombie virus? What are the effects?
I’m a lover of the zombie sub-genre, but this was bizarre. Is it a cosy romance, is it a horror? I was left baffled by the narrative and that cover.
The opinions expressed here are those of K.J. Chapman and no other parties
All books reviewed on this blog have been read by K.J.Chapman
K.J.Chapman has not been paid for this review
