BS: Christmas ideas and fun 2021

Subject: RE: BS: Christmas ideas and fun 2021
From: Donuel
Date: 27 Dec 21 - 05:03 PM

Our tree topper is a large stuffed muppet called Beaker.

Subject: RE: BS: Christmas ideas and fun 2021
From: Donuel
Date: 27 Dec 21 - 08:00 AM

The family played cards against humanity
Not to be confused with Enemy of Humanity.
My law firm is currently defending 'Cards'.

Subject: RE: BS: Christmas ideas and fun 2021
From: Mrrzy
Date: 26 Dec 21 - 06:04 PM

Play In The Manner Of The Adverb. Gets everybody up and moving but one at a time, uses brains too.

For those unfamiliar, it is like the game Americans call Charades (in French Charades is different. No idea about the Brit one). Everybody writes adverbs on bits of paper. Pick a bit of paper when it's your turn, and players give you things to do In The Manner Of The Adverb.

Unlike Charades, props and talking are allowed. So when everyone was failing to guess from Walk across the room or Sing a song what an adverb was, when asked to Order dinner In The Manner of the Adverb, a player drawled What wine goes well with fettuccini, daaarling? and we correctly guessed Yuppily.

Fun!

Subject: RE: BS: Christmas ideas and fun 2021
From: DMcG
Date: 26 Dec 21 - 04:27 AM

A rather split family gathering this year. I was with my sister in law, her husband, her son and his wife, and their toddler.

SIL's husband is a professional chef, so took over the kitchen and produced a very impressive meal. followed by some home made Christmas puddings.

All my offspring celebrated Christmas at their own homes, so we were rather spread out. My daughter tested positive for covid by lateral flow mid week, and got her formal PVR result on Christmas Eve itself. We we not greatly surprised because her husband was positive at the start of the week. However, she introduced him to our family tradition of playing Snapdragon, which is basically setting fire to raisons in brandy, then picking them out and swallowing them while they are still alight. It was a popular game in the past, being referenced in "Through the Looking Glass" for example.

Subject: RE: BS: Christmas ideas and fun 2021
From: Mr Red
Date: 26 Dec 21 - 03:50 AM

Well one my presents from GF was millionaires shortbread, but the caramel turned out to be hard toffee. So I have to eat the shortbread first & cut the caramel with scissors.

& my present to myself is a spirit level on a wrist strap, in response to a sarcastic question by a moderator on Geograph.co.uk - the Azimuth-o-matic. - the platform is there's to lord over.

Even my efforts in due diligence will count for nought if they so choose rejection. But any new image that might look dodgy will have been balanced with the toy, AND they will be told -
(have!).

Subject: RE: BS: Christmas ideas and fun 2021
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 25 Dec 21 - 09:21 PM

Well I very slightly overcooked the turkey but I got away with it. By the time we sat down to eat at five o'clock I was a quivering wreck, a Christmas Day tradition. The experimental prepared-earlier frozen roasties were a triumph. It was a pity that the parsnips hadn't yet had a frost on them, but they were still good. I cooked all the greens, four varieties, to perfection. My carrot, swede and turnip rough mash has become a bit a speciality of mine and it was very good. I've found that it freezes perfectly and can be reheated in the microwave, saving stove-top space. Mrs Steve's stuffing, bread sauce, gravy and cranberry sauce, perfect as ever (though no bloody bread sauce for me, thanks, no matter how good!) As ever, the challenge is to get it all plated up and thrust in front of everyone before it all goes cold (I have tactics...), but we managed it quite well this year. Good to have everyone here (just family), unlike last year's Boris-led debacle.

Tomorrow, cold turkey, cold boiled ham, jacket spuds, salad with the best extra virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar dressing and a jar of pickles. Or will I do a dauphinoise...

Subject: RE: BS: Christmas ideas and fun 2021
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 25 Dec 21 - 12:20 PM

There is a Nissetroll sitting discretely (and discreetly) on top of the piano - by herself and mostly hidden - in line of sight to guard the gift area in the next room. (They usually guard a tree, but this one is good at guarding garland and lights.) With a change of plans that makes my head spin, my holiday plans went from driving up to my daughter's house today to having her come down with several people to my house instead. Since her call midday on Thursday I've scrambled and this morning I'm baking. They'll be here around 1pm for lunch.

Subject: RE: BS: Christmas ideas and fun 2021
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 25 Dec 21 - 11:37 AM

Christmas dinner is half an hour away as I type. Fizz is about to be uncorked. I've eaten the pope's nose already (the greatest treat of my culinary year - no competition for it either - the deluded fools present in the house don't know what they're missing). Carving knife, where art thou...

Subject: RE: BS: Christmas ideas and fun 2021
From: keberoxu
Date: 25 Dec 21 - 12:58 AM

And a Happy Christmas from America's East Coast --

of course,
on the other side of the pond,
it has been Happy Christmas for a number of hours already.

Subject: RE: BS: Christmas ideas and fun 2021
From: leeneia
Date: 01 Dec 21 - 03:09 PM

while we're talking about giving - a donation to the Mudcat is certainly a good thing.

Subject: RE: BS: Christmas ideas and fun 2021
From: leeneia
Date: 01 Dec 21 - 03:08 PM

This Sunday we are going to hear Britten's Ceremony of Carols, a wonderful composition.

Subject: RE: BS: Christmas ideas and fun 2021
From: Thompson
Date: 01 Dec 21 - 10:25 AM

And Unicef has a scheme where you can give vaccines to countries that don't have them, a nice thanks when you get your own vaccine.

Subject: RE: BS: Christmas ideas and fun 2021
From: Donuel
Date: 30 Nov 21 - 09:06 AM

If you are in a position to give, giving is probably the greatest gift that you can do that in turn helps you too. There are almost 10,000 honorable charitable organizations to choose from or simply improve life in your microverse. Today is giving Tuesday but everyday is a good day to give.

Subject: BS: Christmas ideas and fun 2021
From: Donuel
Date: 26 Nov 21 - 09:49 AM

Elf on a shelf is out, now its Mensch on a bench from Jew Gooders. As for fun there is always song but funny
christmas songs are taking last year's back seat.
There are no 'Are you shittin me Elmo' due to shartages.
It looks like the trend is more traditional this year which is fine by me.