News from L&F

POLLY'S MARVELLOUS MINCE PIES
... so named, because they are!  The key here is the mincemeat:pastry ratio, and the lack of lid.  Traditionally I do a star for each, and I will draw a veil over the behaviour of some of my family -...
THE PASSAGE OF TIME
Reader: I’m a year older than when we last spoke.  My birthday was yesterday, and I’ve fought hard all my life to keep it distinct from Christmas.  Increasingly it’s swallowed up in the general gaiety, and as time goes on...
CORRIDOOR CREEPING
Stockings!  Where do we stand on stockings?  Without doubt, they’re my favourite bit of Christmas.  I hope I don’t shatter anyone’s Father Christmas based illusions when I say that creeping around the house in the dark swapping empty kilt/welly socks...
THE FINAL COUNTDOWN
Yesterday was the last of our 2023 Fairs, this time at the magnificently named Grimsthorpe Castle – and it was as jolly cold as it somehow sounds.  From now on it’s all downhill to Christmas, and if the lack of...
THE CHRISTMAS TREES COMETH
Speaking of new traditions, as we were …. here at L&F HQ it has become something of a thing that Isobel and I go and choose the trees for inside the house.  (There’s a huge Wellingtonia in the garden that...
MICHAEL BAUBLE...
Another day, another two firsts: we’re at Sandringham Christmas Fair this weekend; and the glorious new baubles, which are going like hot cakes.  Christmas music in the background (thank you Michael), cold enough to feel seasonal, full enough for atmosphere...
'DON'T PANIC MR MAINWARING...'
Right: don’t tell anyone, but it’s almost November.  Which means it’s nearly December.  Which means we’re in the run up to Christmas (having had our first retail order for Holly Ovengloves as long ago as May!).  The utterly gorgeous new...
… AND WE’RE BACK!
All the right people got married, the weather didn’t beat us and even a last minute disaster with my outfit failed to spoil a truly wonderful weekend.  So now it’s back to matters L&F with a spring in our step,...