Head of Dairy Diary; I'm passionate about producing high quality products that our customers will cherish. I'm also a mum of three and I enjoy cooking, walking, gardening and painting with my family, as well as printmaking (when I find the time!)
Not just for mince pies, here mincemeat is mixed with cake mixture and baked in a muffin tin to make these adorable little cakes – ideal for everyone, young and old.
1 Write all your ‘need-to-know’ information in the Useful Numbers section. I find it really embarrassing that I can’t remember my car registration plate, but a quick peek in my diary reveals all!
2 Use your dates reminder stickers to note everyone’s birthdays.
You’ll never miss that important date again.
3 Jot non-local contacts’ details in the Family & Friends section of your diary.
Have you ever got to the post office to post a card or parcel only to realise that you don’t have the address details to hand?
4 Be more inventive at mealtimes.
We all get stuck in a rut, cooking the same meals week-in-week-out. Vow to cook the Dairy Diary recipe every week and discover a whole host of new favourites.
5 For other meals, jot ideas on the relevant space in your diary.
You can easily see what you’re planning to cook and write your shopping list accordingly.
6 This may seem obvious but write everything down, yes everything!
If it’s on paper it’s out of your head and gives you a better sense of wellbeing.
7 Keep all your jottings in one place.
Instead of scribbled lists on various different pieces of paper, write all your thoughts and ideas on the Notes pages at the back of your diary and you’ll always know where to find them.
8 This one may seem a little strange, but I’ll reveal it anyway!
Over the years I’ve discovered, with much trial and error, which colours suit me best (and the colour you wear can make a huge difference to how well you look), so I have a handy colour chart made from paint swatch cards hidden in the pocket of my diary for quick reference. Et voila, no more bad choices when clothes shopping!
It might be hectic, but this is my favourite time of year for baking.
I love the fact that you can call on friends you seldom see with a Christmas card and something scrumptious and catch-up on life’s latest events.
Get your pinny on folks and then go spread some happiness!
Here are my favourite Christmas bakes – they’re all really easy to make but taste just fantastic.
Dainty Iced Gingerbread Cute mini gingerbread, decorated with icing and tiny silver balls – the perfect gift when visiting friends. recipe
Christmas Flapjacks With pecan nuts, ginger and cherries, these flapjacks are really special. Pop in a tin, wrap in ribbon and give as a gift. recipe
Mince Pies with Marzipan A delicious twist on the ubiquitous mince pie, these little morsels topped with marzipan are perfect for the festive season. recipe
All these recipes are taken from our fabulous cookbook, Dairy Diary Favourites, which is packed with recipes that you (and all your friends!) will adore.
Win this really useful baking set
Enter our competition to win these fantastic prizes.
I REALLY wish I was allowed to enter this one. They make great additions to any baker’s stash.
Make baking a breeze with this fabulous Vonshef Baking set, which comprises: