Christmas in July has gone to the dogs

We normal have a Christmas in July celebration with a roaring fire, delicious hot midday meal, and a few fun treats. We do this to make winter more fun and because we can’t have a traditional Christmas on 25 December as it is far to hot.

This year there will be no celebration due to the pandemic. No sisters and their families, no in-laws and no auntie. I decided yesterday that if I couldn’t have a big celebration I could still have the cake. I made three cakes. I didn’t have certain ingredients so I substituted; extra sultanas and raisons and a packed of mixed fruit instead of currents. Lemon and orange zest instead of peel. They look pretty yummy and I gave them a good brandy shower.

‘Cause we need a little Christmas, right this very minute, need a little Christmas now. Mame

Do you know We Need A Little Christmas from Mame. If not [you are sadly missing out] you can listen to it here:

One cake will be eaten plain and the other two will be iced. I have made a frog for Micahel and my new Sir Choc book and he will repose on top of one.

I have also been making fondant dogs for this new book. Our latest addition is a bulldog. He was supposed to be based on Ollie, Pete from BeetleyPete blog’s dog, but I got the colours a bit wrong. Ollie is much darker. The cute face and wrinkly skin is right though. You can find a picture of Pete and Ollie here: https://beetleypete.com/about/

If you don’t know Pete’s blog you should go over and have a look. Pete writes terrific serialised stories and blogs lots of fun posts about life in the UK, past and present, as well as posts about Ollie’s antics and adventures.

Maybe I’ll decorate one of the cakes with dogs …

Christmas in July has gone to the dogs this year

Published by robbiesinspiration

Robbie and Michael Cheadle are co-authors of the Sir Chocolate series of books. We both like to write and bake.

114 thoughts on “Christmas in July has gone to the dogs”

  5. Hurrah that you will soon be getting vaccinated! We in Massachusetts (USA) have a pretty high vaccination rate and are feeling a bit more comfortable socializing outside the house. Sadly, however, the Delta variant is spreading through the ranks of our un-vaccinated fellow citizens (I heard on the media that 99% of recent deaths in the USA due to COVID have been un-vaccinated human beings…) So we may end up having to lock down again. We shall see… Deep breath in. Deep breath out. On a happier note, hurrah for your Christmas in July cakes! They look delicious. I continue to be surprised and delighted by what you can create with fondant, too. I love when one blog/blogger starts inspiring/influencing other blogs/bloggers. In closing, I note that I share your love of “We Need A Little Christmas” and even recorded it with a wonderful jazz pianist a few years ago. Here’s a link to my version if you are curious: (https://songwhip.com/willmcmillan/we-need-a-little-christmas)

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    1. Thanks for sharing the link to your recording. I really liked your version. This is one of my favourite songs but I grew up singing Broadway along with my mom’s records. I am sorry to hear about your infection rate. It is the Delta variant we have here too. I will be very happy once we are all vaccinated and I can’t understand anti vaccers.

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  8. I love your fondant dogs and frog Robbie. I am sorry to hear that things are not going well with the pandemic. I hope that things settle down and get under control soon.

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  14. I’m sorry to read many countries are still in lockdown mode, Robbie. But seems you’ve made the most of it with your cakes and fondant dogs! Which are all amazing! Yes, I love that song, now I’ll hear it in my head all day! 🌲🎁 Have a great week!

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    1. Hi Terri, I’m glad you like the song. It is such a happy one. It is winter here and viruses do thrive in winter. Last winter was also bad and things improved greatly in the summertime. That seems to be the pattern.

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    1. Hi Tandy, at least things are not so bad where you live. At least you can have a party of some sort. It is chaos and confusion here with so many people sick and dying. Three people I know died this past week from the virus. A Christmas theme is always fun.

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    1. Hi Colin, sculpture was my favourite aspect of art at school. I gave up art because I had a bit of a touchy feely teacher. I do like the fondant art but have never considered trying sculpture again. Maybe when I retire and have more time.

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    1. Well, it has no religious significance. We have our religious celebration in December the same as everyone else, of course. It is just a great excuse for a family gathering and we usually do a bit charity project. This year, I had started making 110 Christmas crackers using toilet roll inners and crinkle paper. These were to be stuffed with homemade chocolates and delivered to an old age home. Sadly, we can’t do this either because of the pandemic but there is always Christmas in December. I do a big charity project then too. That is my favourite part of Christmas.

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  23. Hola Robbie, Loved your blog and photographs. I’m sure all your cakes will be delicious, but, surely, only cannibals can eat your dear little doggies?! Enjoy and hope the virus takes a hike soonest. Hugs xx

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  28. Hi Robbie, I love your family traditions they are uplifting. Yes the pandemic and other stuff really put a spanner in the works. I hope dad is getting better. Hugs to you all.

    Your fondant creations are really something as always.

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    1. Hi Barbara, life is full of adversity and always has been. We just have to set our mind to getting past it. I have decided that I will have a nice July even if a pandemic is raging. Now, my countrymen are also on the rampage and looting and burning down shopping centres. Life is never dull.

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      1. I hope things settle down for you and your country. I’m glad things have calmed a bit in America. And in our state, it’s as if there had been no pandemic. I’m wondering what the fall and winter months will bring, though. Take care.

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  30. The fondant dogs are adorable. I love the Ollie look alike especially. Sorry you are missing your Christmas in July but hopefully, all will be back to normal next year. xo

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    1. HI Darlene, I am not sure what will happen here. I doesn’t seem like many of the native African people are getting vaccinated and I’m unable to discover why. The vaccinations seem to be available to them so it might be a deliberate decision. We should be getting vaccinated next week and I will be very happy once that is over.

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  31. The dogs are precious, Robbie! Did you look at photos to get them right? I love how they are so unique with the different fur, size, etc. I’m sure your baking was amazing! Happy Christmas in July x

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    1. Hi Christy, I have a lot of books that provide tips and instructions on how to make various things out of fondant. They show you how to make the jowls for example, and the wrinkles. I use these books and my own imagination to make my figurines. Thanks for your well wishes.

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  32. We’re doing Christmas in July this year too, Robbie, since December was a bust. Your cakes sound delicious and the frog and dogs are so cute. I hope you have a lovely celebration. Maybe Christmas is going to dogs, but they look delicious.

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    1. HI Diana, that is great. I know a few people who are celebrating Christmas late this year because of lockdowns in December. Lets hope we’ve seen the last of those by the end of 2021. I am glad you like my frog and dogs. I am enjoying making them, they are a good challenge for me.

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  35. Oh Robbie, I’m sorry to hear things aren’t so great there, I did see on the world news. I do hope you guys gets your shots real soon. They really are bringing down the numbers in my city.
    The fondants are beautiful too. ❤

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  37. Sorry that you won’t be able to have the whole family around the table to celebrate Christmas in July Robbie but those cakes will be much enjoyed.. Love the fondant frog and ‘Ollie’ and I am sure Pete loves that his lovely friend has been the model.. Looking forward to showcasing the new book for the Reading Room when available…hugsx

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  39. There was me thinking you were being extra super-efficient, Robbie with your Xmas cakes…Now I know you have two Christmases..double cake can’t be bad…Love the dogs and good to hear you are getting vaccinations… no such luck here…I hope the troubles we are reading about are not close to where you live ..stay safe x

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    1. Hi Carol, July would be a bit to early, even for me. We are already eating one cake. The troubles in South Africa didn’t filter into the suburbs in Johannesburg but the financial losses, which run into billions, will impact us all. It is very disappointing that this has happened and I expect a lot more immigration of educated people to happen. I am encouraging my sons to study in the UK now. They can’t stay here, there is no future for them.

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      1. I always think it is sad when young people have to escape the country of their birth as it is no longer safe and or no future prospects …South Africa has had problems for years and years..I obviously have my own thoughts on some of the causes such a shame when a country could potentially end up going backwards rather than forwards as all the ones that could take it forward leave…Have a great weekend, Robbie x

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  40. You are unbelievable, Robbie! Lol Not with celebrating Christmas in July – this maybe could be also better here ;-)- but with another great fondant creations. As i had seen the bulldog on Sally’s teaser posting, my first thoughts were on Ollie. The frog is so lovely. I am sure sometimes you will get your own museum, because thats really unique. Thank you for sharing, and have a nice weekend ahead. xx Michael

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    1. Hi Michael, thank you for wonderful encouragement. I am glad you like my fondant figurines. You will love Lord Humbug who I am making this weekend. Lord Humbug is a play on the word humbug which means either deceptive or false talk or behaviour or a boiled sweet, especially one flavoured with peppermint.

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  41. Robbie, those fondant figures are awesome! I’m sorry to hear that three people you knew have died from Covid recently. It’s a worrying time and I’m sure that anything that you do like this to raise spirits makes a positive difference.

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    1. Hi Alex, thank you for visiting and commenting. Keeping busy doing things I like makes me happier and happiness is contagious. Terence and I should have our first vaccination this week and my mom and aunt will have their second so they will be safer in two weeks time. The figures in the UK and USA certainly indicate that the vaccinations work.

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  42. I remember reading about some Australian folks who finally got their white Christmas… but they weren’t happy since they couldn’t play outside in the sun and have shrimp on the barbie.

    Location, location, location. I love the play Mame!

    Your animals look just wonderful. I’ve played with polymer clay. I haven’t done that in a long while. I once made a small image of a humpback whale. I like it when things turn out realistic. 🙂

    Hope you had a yummy celebration!

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      2. Oh so sorry, Jules. That was quite blonde of me. It is nice to have snow sometimes. A lovely surprise when it comes. The UK is also like that. It doesn’t always snow but it is fun when it does.

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