After a Slow Start

The funny thing about "celebration" cakes is that some people consider them difficult to make - they are a faff to make, but difficult no.
This year I have used Mary Berry's Christmas cake recipe sans the apricots (man of the house has taken against them) and although the proof is in the eating nothing has sunk, nothing is burnt and there isn't a dip in the middle; success!
Today I rustled up another two; 6 inch ones (don't know what that is in metric) which make marvelous gifts especially if you lay it on think how complicated they are to make;-)
The day before you want to bake soak your fruit in brandy. Here are all the ingredients bar the fruit - it's basically an all in one method - mix it together, then add the fruit.

Almost ready:
Mustn't forget their "hats"
Just out from the oven.

After playing in the kitchen for a few hours I needed a rest, so I made myself a cup of coffee, took the last mince pie (12 were made last night!) and wallowed in the cream tin gorgeousness of the Garden Trading catalogue which had been delivered this morning......if I hadn't already commited to living in the Brora catalogue I'd be inside this one.....yummy.