Monday, December 24, 2007

Plum Pudding and another Birthday Pressie for Mitchy

Mom and I are making plum pudding today. This is my gram's recipe. She used to make it all the time but hasn't in awhile so mom and I decided to make it again this year! The last time she made it was in 1994 so it has been awhile - and I wasn't even born yet and neither was my furmother!

See that jar of currants and raisins. They've been soaked in gluehwein overnight. The recipe calls for apricot brandy but mom and dad's German friends, Phil and Amy made this delicious German spiced wine for mom and dad to enjoy and mom thought it would be awesome to soak the currants and raisins in this liquid. Check out our plum pudding steamer. It looks like a miniature trash can!


The recipe starts off mixing all of the dry ingredients together - sugar, flour, soda and lots of spices - ginger, cloves, nutmeg and cinnamon. Next you add chopped nuts. This is one thing that I COULD taste in the recipe. There are lots of raisins and currants that I can't have! booooooooooo

Fruitcake mix goes in there too and mom did give me a tiny sample. It was good!

The recipe also calls for 1 cup of suet! SUET???? Isn't this the stuff you feed the woodpeckers, mom? Why would you want to put bird food in our plum pudding?
Well, instead of using shortening or butter, the recipe calls for suet, Maggie! Wait till you taste how good it is!

It is very tasty, mom - even as just batter! I can't wait to try a smidge of the finished product!

Here it is in the greased mold and ready to be steamed for 3 hours in a kettle of boiling water! Don't forget the lid, mom!

And here we are 4 hours later - mom called gram and gram said that 4 hours would be better! Tada~~~~~~

Now all we have to do is to make the hard sauce, which consists of LOTS of butter and some confectionary sugar and some apricot brandy! Our mouths are watering! We can't wait to have a slice of this awesome smelling delight!


I know turn the blog over to Mitchyman!

Dad was at the post office today picking up packages and he brought one home that had our names on it but mine was the FIRST one mentioned! The package was from our buddies Stanley and Stella!

We opened the card first! Maggie says the animal on the front looks just like me! DOES NOT, MAGGIE! The inside says that this is a HUGE birthday so that's why Stanley and Stella chose a hippo! Seeeeeeeeee - Miss Dummy! They said that a first birthday is one of the biggest events of life and it only comes around once! I'll never stop celebrating, Stanley and Stella! Thank you so much!

I got this cool blue octopus stuffy and this AWESOME Gooberboy bandana! Maggie is very jealous - I can tell! She kept on sniffing it and getting all huffy and she actually tried to rip it off me a couple of times! Maggie is not usually this pushy so I KNOW she wants my bandana very badly! You're not a boy - you can't have it, Maggie!
They also sent us a new Kong ring and this one squeaks! Our other one died awhile back!
And we both got a snoozle to keep us both busy on those cold days in the workshop when it's just sooooooooooooooo B-O-R-I-N-G! yummmmmmmmm - thank you!
And Maggie even scored! She got a plush Mr. Carrot or is it a Mrs. Carrot?! Mom says Maggie can take this upstairs with her to her bed so I don't rip off the leaves! I would never do that! *wink wink*
And mom even scored! Stanley and Stella's girl sent mom the most beautiful necklace ever with an Airedale charm! Mom says she has to choose just the right outfit and she's going to wear it tomorrow for Christmas! Mom wants to know if you made this, Lisa? It's just gorgeous!


Thank you so very, very much Stanley and Stella and Lisa for all of the beautiful and fun and tasty gifts! We really appreciate it! You guys are way too generous!

Hey guess what, guys? I'm officially 13 months old today! So the celebration continues.......

Have a Merry Christmas everyone!

Love ya lots,

Maggie and Mitch

43 comments:

  1. Wow you guys have been busy! i hope i get some great gifts like that. A lady my sister works with got me a present, sister said i can open it tonight!

    :)

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  2. Those are some great pressies! The cake looks really nice. I hope you were able to lick the spoon. Love, Martha

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  3. Can your mom share the plum pudding recipe with mine? It would go well with the roast and yorkshire pudding my humans have!

    Merry, Happy Christmas!

    Dory

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  4. Mom says gluehwein is yucky. She had it in Germany and didn't like it at all so dad got to drink the whole bottle. Have a merry Christmas

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  5. Wowee! Great presents. I'm waaay jealous of the Goober Boy bandana so I might have to help Maggie steal it off you, hon.
    I used to have a kong ring but the squeaker came out. Mum put it in her mouth and made wild squeaky noises which totally unhinged me.

    Merry Christmas to you all!
    big love
    Mojo

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  6. Wow that looks yUMMY!!! I am coming over for some, ha roooo!!!! Nice pressies!!!

    Hugs,
    Sitka

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  7. Yummy looking plum pudding and great presents.

    I'm sure you're all going to have the best Christmas ever.

    Toodle pip,
    Harry x

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  8. OMG! Maggie! Mitch!

    What a wonderfulest ever day! The plummest ever pudding looks so goodest ever! Mitchy's birthday pressies are terrific and the wonderful necklace from Lisa is fabulous ... and very specialiest ever!

    Merry Christmas to all at your house!

    Love,

    Putter ...:)

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  9. That sure looks VERY YUMMILICOUS !!!

    Merry Christmas and enjoy the holiday :)

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  10. The cake looks really goooood!

    The pressie are great.you sure look good in that Goober Boy scarf, no wonder Maggie is jealous.

    Merry Christmas to you and your family.

    Luv,
    Snowball

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  11. Hi Maggie and Mitch!

    Thank you so much for the greeting card! Oh you two look so good on print you should be on the billboard! hehehehehehe

    The pudding looks really really yummy!

    Have a merry christmas!

    Love,
    Reina

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  12. Mmmmmm, me want pudding. You guys are so lucky. You get so many yummy yummy baked goods. Mitch, what a score from Stanley and Stella! You are a goober boy, and I could see why Maggie wants the bandana, it is sooo cool! Keep on celebrating year round buddy. I'm 1 & 1/2, but I celebrate all the time still!

    Merry Christmas to you both and to your family. I hope Santa Paws brought you lots of goodies!

    Your pal,
    Kirby

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  13. Merry Christmas, guys! We hope you get big slices of the yummy looking cake and pressies and cuddles and all that is good today!

    the WriggleButts

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  14. Ooh, I've seen that Mr. Carrot before. I think he's a mister :) That plum pudding recipe looks great. My mom says hard sauce tastes yummy..as if she'd ever let me try some :(

    Merry Christmas to you!!

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  15. Wow that's a neat necklace and the pud looks delish. It's very high.
    Our pud is made with fresh breadcrumbs rather than flour.
    They're all yummy according to Tess lol.

    Chrissy hugs and tail wags
    Noah, Willow, Tess & Lucy

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  16. What great gifts! Stan sure does know how to shop.

    I read about your cooking today. Very interesting. I didn't know that fruitcake came in a mix. And that "pudding" you made didn't really look like pudding.
    What's going on here????

    Happy Holidays everybody!

    Love and Koobusss Kisses,
    Koobie

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  17. The plum pudding turned out beautiful and the presents were fantastic!
    Merry Christmas from
    the whippet waggle and the servant, too

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  18. Merry Christmas my friends, to you and your family ...
    Kisses, Faya

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  19. Hi, Maggie and Mitch!
    Mitch is still celebrating his birthday! Nice presents for you two and your mom!
    That plum pudding looks delicious! Maggie, as always you are very nice helping your mom!
    Merry Christmas for you all! I hope Santa grants all your wishes.
    Kisses and hugs
    Lorenza

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  20. Hey, MitchMan!

    We can't believe your present got to you so soon (we usually send birthday gifts about 2-3 months AFTER the birthday). Your Goober Boy banana looks amazing on you. We chose Harley colors since you're a biker boy too. (We can make a matching dew rag for your dad if you want). Keep the celebration going!

    Maggsie, we hope you enjoy Mrs. Carrot. She's very snuggly, just like you!

    Mama de Maggie & Mitch, our girl DID make the necklace (one of a kind) just for you. She hopes you love wearing it half as much as she loved making it.

    Merry Merry Christmas and goober smooches all around,
    Stanley (for Stella & my girl)

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  21. everything your Mom cooks looks delicious!!! Mitch got some great presents, Stanley rules.

    Merry Christmas!!

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  22. Plum pudding? Sounds great & it looks great! YUMMY! Those are some nice pressies for Mitchy boy... Merry X'mas to you guys & have a great year ahead of you guys!

    Love licks,
    Solid Gold Dancer

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  23. Yummmm our mom loves homemade plum pudding she said it is the best and yours looks wonderful.

    Merry Christmas Maggie, Mitch and your mom and dad.

    We love you guys so very much too

    ~Scrappy and Pebbles

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  24. YUM!
    Is there anyway you guys could send me some a dat plum pudding??
    You guys really scored with all your pressies!
    And that necklace is soooo pretty!
    MERRY CHRISTMAS-
    Mack & Mom

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  25. It seems to be ..plum pudding.. delicious.
    It suits at Christmas.
    ...wanting eat also by me...
    It toasts at wonderful Christmas. :)

    from loved ume tyan

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  26. Wow that plum pudding looks delicious.. Mmmm we can almost taste it... Merry Christmas....Gus and Louie...

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  27. Hey Maggie...
    That cake looks yummy!!! Let me know if you got a little nibble ok? I love the 'dale necklace...your Mom will look sooooo boootiful in it!!!

    Merry Christmas Pups!!! Licks to your Mom and Dad too!!!

    Lots of licks, Ruby

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  28. Merry Christmas Maggie and Mitch! I am drooling over the cake! hehe

    big hugs and licks
    Amber :)

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  29. Merry Christmas, Maggie and Mitch! And to your parents, too!
    Love from all of us,
    Amber

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  30. Merry Christmas M&M! you sure are good kitchen helpers. that was a great package that Stanley sent to you. way to go Mitch, on streching out your birthday to last an entire month. good job. we can't want to see your christmas pressies.

    your friends, the 4 Bs

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  31. Ok, can I come live with you guys? My mom NEVER makes anything cool like that, in fact she never cooks at all. My dad is a good cook and all, but never anything like this (and lets just say that he's VERY stingy with the sampling).

    We could play with carrots all day long and cuddle when it snows.

    Just let me know, I'm looking for a box right now to send myself in!

    MERRY CHRISTMAS Maggie, Mitch, and to everyone in your happy home

    Love,

    Bogart & Lulu

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  32. Oh your mom looks like a wonderful cook! I want to visit YOUR house! And I am glad you are having such a WONDERFUL burpday, Mitch. I've never stopped celebrating my first, either!

    wally.

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  33. That cake looks really yummy. We wish our girl made things like that. Glad you are having a great Barkday - those pressies looked fun.

    Hope you and your family have a very merry Christmas.
    Comet and BLU

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  34. Merry Christmas Day, Maggie Mitch and your pawrents!

    I have had a pawsome day, but we liked your recipe in this post.

    We use suet for something in Scotland called Dumplings........oh my are those dumpling boys yummy!

    so we know your recipe will be cool!

    Jeannie and my Dad Keith say, thanks for being our Pals.....

    and here is to more wonderful Barn Raisings!

    Marvin and his crazy family!

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  35. Merry Christmas Maggie, Mitch and all at home! I hope you have some leftovers for me??

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  36. That looks yummy! Hope your Christmas is great! It's officially Boxing Day at my place now.

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  37. You two have been so busy! That plum pudding looks awesome! Love the toys too - looks like your Christmas is off to a fantastic start!

    Hope you and your family have a very Merry Christmas!

    River

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  38. Maggie and Mitch
    I bet that was the yummiest evew plum puddin..you'we Mom with youw help is the bestest bakew awound!
    Those pwessies wewe pawsome.Mitch I love the banana on you!

    I hope you and youw family had the happiest Chwissmuss!
    smoochie kisses
    Asta

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  39. Those are awesome gifts!

    Love
    Boy n Baby

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  40. I never had plum pudding before and that look yummilicious.
    Hope you doggies had a pawsome Christmas

    ~ Girl girl

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  41. Your Mom is way cooler than our Mom. She never bakes anything!! Except liver brownies...guess she's not to terrible. But that pudding & fruitcake looks Yum-O!

    Hope you had a great Xmas!

    Sherman, Penny & Lola

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  42. Oh My Goodness! That Plum Pudding looks fabulous! Did you get to taste the final product? I'd be beggin for some of that!

    That Stanley and Stella, they are good friends to have...Always VERY thoughtful...Their Momma is raising them the right way!

    Love,Herc

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