This morning, on a whim, I baked my own - repeat - baked my own - mince pies! OK I'm not that good, I used a ready rolled shortcrust pastry and bought a jar of the most basic mincemeat. I made a dozen pies with lattice pastry tops, sifted icing sugar on top and served them up warm to the chap doing my garden. If I say so myself they were really good. What gets me is that every year I make mince pies and I am always buying jars of "luxury" mincemeat. The simple ones I made today were much nicer.