Right about now everyone is rushing about readying for the holidays. (Mimi and I are just in from a bit of shopping ourselves). It’s the season of expectation and we all have visions of sugar plums and dreams of perfection dancing in our heads. My goal this year is to relax and be in the moment, enjoying my free time away from the LIOLI set with family and friends, and to enjoy a good laugh when things don’t go quite according to plan.
Take plum pudding for example. Growing up in London, the steamed, fruit-filled dessert was always the grand finale of our Christmas dinner, brandy-soaked and set alight when served. Some cooks hide a silver coin inside which is said to bring luck to the person who finds it. My grandmother was a proponent of that age-old custom and I’ll give you just one guess as to who swallowed the six pence as a little girl.
Fast forward a number of years and my sister is now carrying on the family tradition. She starts making her homemade puddings in September, soaking them in brandy for months before packing them up and shipping them to those lucky enough to be on her Christmas list. Better than the store-bought versions from Fortnum & Mason in Piccadilly, my sister’s pudding is my favorite thing on earth and something I look forward to every year. It was also something I had twelve dinner guests around my table eagerly anticipating last year because I had told them what a treat they had in store.
Did I mention that plum pudding is steamed before it is lit on fire and presented to the oohs and aahs of all the guests? This is an important point, especially since I had forgotten to remove the hard plastic in which my sister wraps the pudding for shipment. Sadly, it melded with the pudding as it steamed and we managed to get about a tablespoonful each that wasn’t actually plasticized.
Call it another lesson learned. Here’s hoping your holiday traditions happen without a hitch!
What a great story and would love to get my hands on that pudding recipe…. did o tell you I don’t cook or bake? but my husband is a great baker.
My grandmother was from Italy and made a very similar pudding. It was out of this world. Merry Christmas to you and Mimi.
Hillary that is a smile for the ages, love your show and laugh. Happy new year
You’re adorable Hilary, and no one can beat you on designing and planning the redo of a home! Happy New Year to you!♥️
Hilary I love, love it or list it. I watch y’all all the time.so talented. How I wish I had the money to do my trailer. Long story on my life. Alot of sadness,but even though my place is very old,I’m 67, and I never felt I had roots anywhere till I moved here in 97 my roots are buried here. Live my yard,and it’s in the country and I like it that way. As long as this place holds together I never want to leave. I sure wish I had the money so you could come and do yo magic. But I have few bills,which thank God, I get them paid each month. Sometimes it’s hard to make it through the month. I doubt you do trailers any way. Any who, God bless you and Jacqueline (tell him hi). Love y’all. ⚘✌ Wanda
Love all of your designs but also love your clothes, especially your tops, blouses etc. Any labels you regularly shop?