Stir Up Sunday

Stir-up Sunday, the Sunday prior to the first of Advent, is the traditional day to begin preparing the Christmas Pudding.  Spices, dried fruit, alcohol and sugar - all mixed together and steamed gently for many hours - then reheated on Christmas Day.  Traditionally everyone in the house should stir the pudding - I think because it is jolly hard work to get it mixed together properly... but it is also meant to bring luck, and give you a wish too.

What a difference a year makes....

2011 - Madeleine aged 4 1/2 months

2012 - Madeleine at almost 17 months. This year she was mostly interested in tasting the ingredients, but became most proprietorial when she was given her own spoon!