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Altaira
Superuser
Dec 20 2024, 5:11pm
Post #1 of 71
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Have a Holly Jolly Fiesta Friday!
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*jingles Fiesta bells*
Greetings, everyone!
Well, who would have thunk it? It's late December and the last Fiesta before Christmas. I was out buying goodies for my client and neighbors Wednesday and the holiday hustle and bustle was in full force. I love going to World Market this time of year. Not just for the wonderful selection of holiday goodies they have, but the atmosphere is so festive. they even put out urns of free flavored coffee you can enjoy in little paper cups while you shop. In addition to gifts for the client and neighbors, I always manage to come away with a few for B.G. and I, some of which we've already enjoyed. yum!
I know some of you already have all your presents purchased (how DO you do it?). What do you do to keep yourselves busy? Baking? Watching holiday movies? How about the rest? Will you be out taking advantage of last minute holiday sales? Let us know!
Speaking of 'yum,' Beorn and his various helpers volunteered to cater Fiesta today. The sheer amount of delectable goodies was too much for one table, so we had to add another table just for desserts!
 
So, grab a VERY big plate, make a few passes at the food, and order up your favorite holiday libation. One of mine is my mother's famous homemade spiked eggnog. The great thing about making it is by the time you're done tasting it to make sure it's 'just right' you're well into the holiday mood, lol.  How about you? What's your favorite holiday tipple?
*kicks juke box* An oldie but goodie starts to play: A Holly Jolly Christmas by Burl Ives
Have a wonderful weekend, and Christmas, everyone!!!
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Annael
Elvenhome
Dec 20 2024, 5:32pm
Post #2 of 71
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I went to a holiday party once where the menfolk did all the catering (most of them were retired & had taken up cooking as a group). Almost as soon as I entered, a man was escorting me to the drinks table and urging me to try his eggnog. "My wife insisted that I not put as much alcohol in it this year," he informed me, as he handed me a teacup full of eggnog. I took one sip and almost gasped. There must have been three shots of booze in that tiny cup! And I have to wonder, what it was like before!
So I was very tiddly right from the start. Fortunately there was a lot of good food too. So I'll be brave and try the eggnog . . .
I bought most of my presents at holiday fairs as well, and a couple of boutiques in town that have unique stuff. I tend to buy throughout the year as I see stuff that speaks to me as gifts for various people. A lot of my friends just get a loaf of my cranberry bread, and so far no one's complained. So yes, baking & watching baking shows and holiday movies or events--watched John Rutter conducting a holiday program last night. We went to see Voces8 on Tuesday (marvelous! see them if they come your way!), and they told a story of being invited to participate in one of Rutter's Christmas events at the Royal Albert Hall. The first half of the program was straightforward, but for the second half, they said, Rutter assigned roles and required costumes. Voces8 has a VERY tall soprano, and their first assignment was to come as Snow White and the seven dwarfs. "Guess who was Snow White," they said as they all turned to stare at the very tall woman. For the last part of the show, Rutter made them dress up at the eight reindeer. Wish that was available to stream!
Going to "Ride of the Rohirrim" today. Got two solstice events tomorrow, then things go quiet. I'm on my own for Christmas, and I already have the pizza in the freezer and am planning on binging LOTR extended versions. My birthday is a week from today, and I'll be celebrating with my nieces, nephew, and great-nephews who are all coming in from SoCal or the east coast.
I am a dreamer of words, of written words.
-- Gaston Bachelard
* * * * * * * * * *
NARF and member of Deplorable Cultus since 1967
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Meneldor
Doriath
Dec 20 2024, 5:38pm
Post #3 of 71
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They that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters, these see the works of the Lord, and His wonders in the deep. -Psalm 107
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dernwyn
Forum Admin
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Dec 20 2024, 5:55pm
Post #4 of 71
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I'll take a mugful of that (in)famous spiked eggnog, please!
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And a Jolly Holly to you, too, Altaira! Geeky Son and I are in the process of setting up...a Roku TV, I've finally decided to "cut the cable" (but not the internet, of course). We've been playing around with it this morning, trying to figure out how to get the Important Stuff...which means UConn Huskies games, and Britbox, and attaching our DVD player. Oh good, we can even put the VHS player on it!
So we are exploring new uncharted territory right now. Uh-oh, he's found Crunchyroll...Anyway, do wish us luck! I'm finding for some apps I have to sign up for "free subscriptions", this means keeping a record of more passwords.  Does anyone have any suggestions for Roku newbies?
I've got some gift cards to email out, that's all that's left on my list. And Monday and Tuesday I bake and decorate holiday breads for everyone, I figure two dozen should do it.
Have fun making a nice gift basket for yourselves, Altaira! And a Merry Christmas to you all!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"I desired dragons with a profound desire"
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Altaira
Superuser
Dec 20 2024, 6:10pm
Post #5 of 71
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*hic* Sounds like wonderful plans
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You've been so busy of late it will be a perfect Christmas to relax and binge LOTR.
Happy early birthday! What a great treat to have family visit too. Enjoy the week, the binging, and have a fabulous bday!! 
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Altaira
Superuser
Dec 20 2024, 6:14pm
Post #6 of 71
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Just perfect for Christmas. Thanks for the smile, and have a wonderful week!! 
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Altaira
Superuser
Dec 20 2024, 6:28pm
Post #7 of 71
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I'm trying to imagine the assembly line and how your kitchen must look before, during, and after. No doubt you've got it down to a fine-tuned operation by now.
What a great project for you and your son. A journey of discovery. We still use cable, mostly for live NZ sport (or complete replays), and the plethora of other networks and streaming services that come with it, so I can offer no advice on Roku (and it would probably be dangerous to listen to it if I did).
Good luck today, and have an amazing week and Christmas!
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Otaku-sempai
Elvenhome
Dec 20 2024, 6:36pm
Post #8 of 71
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Yuletide, the winter solstice celebration as observed on the Shire calendar, began yesterday on our modern calendar by the reckoning of Professor Tolkien. The six-day extended holiday ends on December 24th. Are you celebrating Yuletide like a hobbit?
Alternately, observe Yuletide as an end-of-year celebration from December 29th to January 3rd!
“Hell hath no fury like that of the uninvolved.” - Tony Isabella
(This post was edited by Otaku-sempai on Dec 20 2024, 6:39pm)
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Altaira
Superuser
Dec 20 2024, 7:22pm
Post #9 of 71
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Oooh, thanks for that info. Hmmm, maybe I'll do both celebrations.
May your Yuletide be extra=special and very Hobbity!
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Ataahua
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Dec 20 2024, 8:05pm
Post #10 of 71
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*beelines for the raspberries and strawberries*
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I've just come back from the Saturday-before-Christmas food shop (I'm doing the desserts this year). I got there maybe ten minutes after the supermarket opened and it was already busier than the Saturday norm, so I pity the people who are popping in as the morning progresses.
On the dessert menu is pavlova (I'll make that the night before), hokey pokey ice cream, tinned fruit salad (with added grapes and persimmon, for a bit of tang), and brandy snaps (store-bought - I gave up on trying to make those finnicky little beggars years ago).
Today I'll be cleaning and baking while the incoming thunder storm hits - I'm crossing my fingers that it's a good one and doesn't just pass us by - then tomorrow is collapse-and-read day. I've got two more work days then I'm off for three weeks. Can't wait!
Have a lovely pre-Christmas weekend, everyone!
Celebrimbor: "Pretty rings..."
Dwarves: "Pretty rings..."
Men: "Pretty rings..."
Sauron: "Mine's better."
"Ah, how ironic, the addictive qualities of Sauron’s master weapon led to its own destruction. Which just goes to show, kids - if you want two small and noble souls to succeed on a mission of dire importance... send an evil-minded beggar with them too." - Gandalf's Diaries, final par, by Ufthak.
Fantasy novel - The Arcanist's Tattoo
My LOTR fan-fiction
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Ataahua
Forum Admin
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Dec 20 2024, 8:11pm
Post #11 of 71
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I love the idea of a LOTR marathon
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although I'd likely switch to the ROTK theatrical - it feels less bloated *and* it doesn't ruin the reveal of the Army of the Dead on the Pelennor. (Although it does mean missing out on Eomer finding Eowyn on the battlefield - Karl Urban gets me every time with that scene.)
Celebrimbor: "Pretty rings..."
Dwarves: "Pretty rings..."
Men: "Pretty rings..."
Sauron: "Mine's better."
"Ah, how ironic, the addictive qualities of Sauron’s master weapon led to its own destruction. Which just goes to show, kids - if you want two small and noble souls to succeed on a mission of dire importance... send an evil-minded beggar with them too." - Gandalf's Diaries, final par, by Ufthak.
Fantasy novel - The Arcanist's Tattoo
My LOTR fan-fiction
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Altaira
Superuser
Dec 20 2024, 8:23pm
Post #12 of 71
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Pavlova, hokey-pokey ice cream and brandy snaps? If only I could get those here. Have a few for me while I turn a curious shade of green.
Have fun baking, and good luck making it to the break from work. There's light at the end of that tunnel!
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Timbo_mbadil
Ossiriand
Dec 20 2024, 8:30pm
Post #13 of 71
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isn't the worst – I was just that when I first watched FOTR in (good grief) 2001!
And while the GF watches her christmas films, mine will always be LOTR. In fact, I tried to get into some christmas mood last week, by watching the Hobbit and LOTR back to back.
It didn't work, but I enjoyed it nonetheless :-)
I’ve lost my mood ring, and I really don’t know how to feel about this. -- "Tracy" Jordan, some episode from "30Rock"
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Timbo_mbadil
Ossiriand
Dec 20 2024, 8:33pm
Post #14 of 71
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I’ve lost my mood ring, and I really don’t know how to feel about this. -- "Tracy" Jordan, some episode from "30Rock"
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Ataahua
Forum Admin
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Dec 20 2024, 8:46pm
Post #15 of 71
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Let me know if you want the pav recipe!
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It is, genuinely, dead easy to make.
Oddly enough, I could make a pav any time of the year but I only do it for Christmas - there's something special about keeping it for this time of year. (Mum would only drink Bailey's at Christmas time and I think of her whenever I have a glass - although I don't keep it just for Christmas.)
Celebrimbor: "Pretty rings..."
Dwarves: "Pretty rings..."
Men: "Pretty rings..."
Sauron: "Mine's better."
"Ah, how ironic, the addictive qualities of Sauron’s master weapon led to its own destruction. Which just goes to show, kids - if you want two small and noble souls to succeed on a mission of dire importance... send an evil-minded beggar with them too." - Gandalf's Diaries, final par, by Ufthak.
Fantasy novel - The Arcanist's Tattoo
My LOTR fan-fiction
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dernwyn
Forum Admin
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Dec 20 2024, 8:49pm
Post #16 of 71
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I didn't know that John Rutter had such a sense of humor!
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I need to keep an eye out for his programs.
There must not have been much eggnog in that brew! I'm finding that some of the retired guys I know are getting into baking. One friend is gifted a couple of King Arthur Flour classes each year, we've been asking him to then hold classes for the rest of us.
Alone on Christmas Day isn't bad when you've got a huge crowd coming to be with you a couple days later! Solstice already...the year passes too quickly. Enjoy the movie and celebrations!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"I desired dragons with a profound desire"
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dernwyn
Forum Admin
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Dec 20 2024, 9:09pm
Post #17 of 71
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It's a matter of making sure I don't rush the production
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I can make four braids (breads) from each batch, but have to be patient and wait for each batch to finish its first rising, punch it down and divide and shape the loaves and start them on their second rising, before mixing the next batch and start it rising. Yes, it is an assembly line!
Our cable provider was taken over by a larger one, then dumped the channels we'd watch many of the UConn games on. That, and having a 10-year-old TV that wasn't compatible to download apps like BritBox (I'd plugged in an old laptop to get that), and getting a couple hundred channels we never watched, gave us the push to switch.
So far, so good! Will you have a white Christmas out there?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"I desired dragons with a profound desire"
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dernwyn
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Dec 20 2024, 9:12pm
Post #18 of 71
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A happy Yuletide to you to, Otaku! You could combine the two sets of days into the Twelve Days of Christmas!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"I desired dragons with a profound desire"
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dernwyn
Forum Admin
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Dec 20 2024, 9:17pm
Post #19 of 71
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What is that, pray tell?
Mmm, pavlova - when we all met last month at sis-in-law's house to celebrate their late mother's birthday, she made a "birthday pavlova". Perfect for any celebration!
Here's hoping you're getting a nice soaking rain! Have a happy Christmas!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"I desired dragons with a profound desire"
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Altaira
Superuser
Dec 20 2024, 9:28pm
Post #20 of 71
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Yes, please.
It never occurs to me either that I could just make it. It scared me, so I'm glad it's an easy one. I like to bake, but I don't do it often.
Sweet story about your mom and Baileys.
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Altaira
Superuser
Dec 20 2024, 9:35pm
Post #21 of 71
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It's supposed to be 50 and sunny. It's 57 today and that's pretty much been our weather most of the 'winter' so far. Can't complain, except it will require watering the trees and bushes sooner than later.
Happy baking!
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Ataahua
Forum Admin
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Dec 20 2024, 10:12pm
Post #22 of 71
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Vanilla ice cream with crunchy honeycomb/toffee type of bits throughout it.
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Although I see that Tip Top says it's hokey pokey-flavoured ice cream, so what do I know? (Except that it's my favourite ice cream flavour.)
https://www.tiptop.co.nz/tubs/hokey-pokey
Celebrimbor: "Pretty rings..."
Dwarves: "Pretty rings..."
Men: "Pretty rings..."
Sauron: "Mine's better."
"Ah, how ironic, the addictive qualities of Sauron’s master weapon led to its own destruction. Which just goes to show, kids - if you want two small and noble souls to succeed on a mission of dire importance... send an evil-minded beggar with them too." - Gandalf's Diaries, final par, by Ufthak.
Fantasy novel - The Arcanist's Tattoo
My LOTR fan-fiction
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Ataahua
Forum Admin
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Dec 20 2024, 10:38pm
Post #23 of 71
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I'm giving you the recipe from the Edmonds Cookbook
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because it's pretty foolproof.
Ingredients
4 egg whites
250g caster sugar (superfine or baker's sugar in the US - its grains are larger than confectioner's sugar/icing sugar but smaller than regular sugar)
1 teaspoon white vinegar
1 teaspoon vanilla essence
1 tablespoon (about 15 grams) of cornstarch
For the topping: whipped cream and fruit of your choice.
Method
Preheat oven to 180C/350F. Using an electric mixer, beat egg whites and sugar for 10 minutes or until thick and glossy. Mix vinegar, vanilla and cornflour together. Add to the meringue mix and beat on high speed for a further five minutes. (If you lift the beater and it leaves a stiff peak in the mixture, it's ready.)
Line an oven tray with baking paper. Draw a 22cm circle on the baking paper, spread the pavlova mixture to within 2cm of the edge of the circle, keeping the shape as round an even as possible. Smooth over the top surface.
Place pavlova in oven then turn oven temp down to 100C/210F and bake for one hour. Turn oven off. Open oven door slightly and leave the pavlova in oven until cold.
Carefully lift pavlova onto a serving plate and decorate with whipped cream and fresh fruit.
* * * * *
FYI, I don't draw a circle on the baking paper - I go for a size that's just a bit smaller than a small dinner plate. Also, build *up* rather than *out* so that you get more meringue v crust.
To get the pav onto a plate, I use two plates: When you take the pav out of the oven, hold a plate on top and flip the pav over and remove the baking paper, then put your serving plate on it's 'bottom' and turn it all over rightside-up.
Celebrimbor: "Pretty rings..."
Dwarves: "Pretty rings..."
Men: "Pretty rings..."
Sauron: "Mine's better."
"Ah, how ironic, the addictive qualities of Sauron’s master weapon led to its own destruction. Which just goes to show, kids - if you want two small and noble souls to succeed on a mission of dire importance... send an evil-minded beggar with them too." - Gandalf's Diaries, final par, by Ufthak.
Fantasy novel - The Arcanist's Tattoo
My LOTR fan-fiction
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Altaira
Superuser
Dec 20 2024, 10:50pm
Post #24 of 71
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Thank you so much! I can't wait to try it.
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dernwyn
Forum Admin
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Dec 21 2024, 12:30am
Post #25 of 71
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A bit like buttercrunch ice cream
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Which has bits of butterscotch in it.
One of my favorites is coffee ice cream with bits of Heath candy bars mixed in. Toffee, chocolate, and coffee, now that's a great combination!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"I desired dragons with a profound desire"
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