Oh My Eight Days Till Christmas & something to make your house smell wonderful

Heres something to make you home smell of Christmas.

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups fresh cranberries

3 tangerines, halved

3 whole cinnamon sticks

2 star anise (optional) gives a strong black licorice smell.

1 teaspoon whole cloves

1 inch piece fresh ginger

1 vanilla bean + 1 tablespoon vanilla extract

1 small branch fresh pine

1 cup apple cider, pomegranate or cranberry juice

water

Instructions

Combine all the ingredients in a medium size sauce pot. Fill the pot with water until it reaches 3/4 the way full. Place the pot on the stove and bring to a gentle boil. Reduce the heat to a simmer, adding more water as needed. I let mine simmer for close to 4 hours and then let it cool over night and simmer again the next day. Just be sure to keep adding more water.

Are you feeling the pressure?, stressed or are you sick of the whole Christmas thing and everything that goes into the preparation for one day of excess? The last week before Christmas we are looking at some ideas for cutting Christmassy corners for the big day...If you are not a happy person in the kitchen you can buy everything you need, with little effort from you in the kitchen.

If your watching the pennies, I would suggest a trip to

Aldi or Lidl they have some fabulous Christmas food which would certainly take the stress out of cooking, or you could take a look at Marks and Spencer they also have a nice range.

I will also have a few recipes so you can make and freeze, and anything else I can think of, I hope it fills you with peace and enthusiasm.