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Post by cowboyz on Dec 15, 2023 9:16:47 GMT -5
For Christmas? Unfortunately, not me! I used to "sleigh" (see what I did there Christmas!! The last few years I've slacked. Today I will do all of my wrapping and tomorrow (hopefully) I will do my baking. I used to have this all done by now! The older I get, the more Christmas seems like a chore but I absolutely have a blast on Christmas Eve and Christmas day. It's just getting there that is challenging. I am hoping with the arrival of my first grandchild in February that my Christmas energy and excitement will be restored!! Christmas Eve we will be here at our house and Christmas day we travel to MD to my sisters.
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Post by mrsmlh on Dec 15, 2023 10:19:09 GMT -5
This is the first year since COVID that I'm hosting a Christmas dinner. There will be 20 adults and 5 little kids. Unfortunately, I'm having trouble getting the excitement back into preparing for this holiday like I used to do.
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Post by ishmael on Dec 15, 2023 11:43:24 GMT -5
Glad I am not the only one, you two. Christmas is more difficult than it used to be. We only put up our tree a few days ago. We only have one grandchild and he'll probably be at her parents this year, so the youngest we'll have around is 45!
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Post by WKDWZD on Dec 15, 2023 11:55:58 GMT -5
I baked my Christmas fruit cake yesterday, I usually do this in Oct/Nov. I shall slow cook my gammon during middle of next week. The turkey (crown) will be roasted on Christmas Eve. Leaving the oven free, that and the air-fryer should be able to cope with all the other stuff on Christmas day.
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up2
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Post by up2 on Dec 15, 2023 12:05:43 GMT -5
We've three grandchildren all under five years of age, twins at 4 and another at 1.5 years. My wife, who has been dealing with some significant health issues is also a Christmas freak who never passed a thrift shop or Christmas store without bringing something home has decided with me we would bling out the house. Tomorrow all the kids will be over to help bake cookies and continue to decorate. For years when my kids were older but no grandchildren, it seemed like more of a chore. With the little ones, it's just a lot more magical and quite the mood shifter. It's fun once again and it keeps us in the holiday spirit.
As to being ready with all gifts, not so much. Procrastinators Unite! Er... um... tomorrow... maybe.
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Post by ishmael on Dec 15, 2023 13:07:00 GMT -5
Already started the baking. Peanut butter blossoms and ginger snaps are in the freezer. Tomorrow is sugar cookies for the Christmas cookie tree. Getting the rib roast on Wednesday. Saturday is yule log. This year, devil's food sponge cake, raspberry filling and chocolate ganache frosting.
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up2
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Post by up2 on Dec 15, 2023 13:26:26 GMT -5
In our family, Christmas Eve is the big event almost always hosted in our home. Lot's of seafood - it's an ethnic tradition. Crab dip, calamari, cubed deep-fried baccala (cod), clams cassino, mussels, shrimp, scallops, crab cakes, and linguini alla scampi. Desserts are all kinds of pastries, cookies, and cannolis. We take Christmas day off for cooking, but after church we visit all the kids and grandkids at their homes for gifts. We then chill and don't do a doggone thing, trying to recover. Until New Year's.
I'm really interested in Ishmael's devil sponge cake dessert however! That sounds rich and delicious.
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Post by pickle20 on Dec 15, 2023 13:54:09 GMT -5
We're throwing our annual Christmas party tomorrow, and as with everything else we do holiday related, one day of prep turns into two. At least $1,000...lots of work...This might be our last year throwing it.
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Post by cowboyz on Dec 15, 2023 14:28:49 GMT -5
I baked my Christmas fruit cake yesterday, I usually do this in Oct/Nov. I shall slow cook my gammon during middle of next week. The turkey (crown) will be roasted on Christmas Eve. Leaving the oven free, that and the air-fryer should be able to cope with all the other stuff on Christmas day. LOL.. The first time I read this.... I thought you said you were going to slow cook your grandma next week.... I need sleep, I've been awake since 3am.
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Post by cowboyz on Dec 15, 2023 14:30:15 GMT -5
This is the first year since COVID that I'm hosting a Christmas dinner. There will be 20 adults and 5 little kids. Unfortunately, I'm having trouble getting the excitement back into preparing for this holiday like I used to do. I hope you have a great time! Hosting is so much work. I can't wait to be invited to one of our boys homes when they eventually get married!!
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Post by cowboyz on Dec 15, 2023 14:32:08 GMT -5
We're throwing our annual Christmas party tomorrow, and as with everything else we do holiday related, one day of prep turns into two. At least $1,000...lots of work...This might be our last year throwing it. I feel ya on that. I keep begging my husband to plan a Christmas vacation for the family so we can skip all of this work.
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Post by cowboyz on Dec 15, 2023 14:33:17 GMT -5
In our family, Christmas Eve is the big event almost always hosted in our home. Lot's of seafood - it's an ethnic tradition. Crab dip, calamari, cubed deep-fried baccala (cod), clams cassino, mussels, shrimp, scallops, crab cakes, and linguini alla scampi. Desserts are all kinds of pastries, cookies, and cannolis. We take Christmas day off for cooking, but after church we visit all the kids and grandkids at their homes for gifts. We then chill and don't do a doggone thing, trying to recover. Until New Year's. I'm really interested in Ishmael's devil sponge cake dessert however! That sounds rich and delicious. Mmmm.... sounds wonderful. What time should we be there??
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Post by cowboyz on Dec 15, 2023 14:35:36 GMT -5
Already started the baking. Peanut butter blossoms and ginger snaps are in the freezer. Tomorrow is sugar cookies for the Christmas cookie tree. Getting the rib roast on Wednesday. Saturday is yule log. This year, devil's food sponge cake, raspberry filling and chocolate ganache frosting. I am determined to get all of my cookies done tomorrow. I don't usually do my cakes in advance, I bake them the day before. Do you freeze your cakes? Your yule log sounds delicious!!
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Post by ishmael on Dec 15, 2023 14:46:04 GMT -5
Already started the baking. Peanut butter blossoms and ginger snaps are in the freezer. Tomorrow is sugar cookies for the Christmas cookie tree. Getting the rib roast on Wednesday. Saturday is yule log. This year, devil's food sponge cake, raspberry filling and chocolate ganache frosting. I am determined to get all of my cookies done tomorrow. I don't usually do my cakes in advance, I bake them the day before. Do you freeze your cakes? Your yule log sounds delicious!! I think the only cake you can freeze is maybe a pound cake. A yule log is sponge cake, so freezing it would probably kill it.
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up2
Full Member
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Post by up2 on Dec 15, 2023 14:53:10 GMT -5
In our family, Christmas Eve is the big event almost always hosted in our home. Lot's of seafood - it's an ethnic tradition. Crab dip, calamari, cubed deep-fried baccala (cod), clams cassino, mussels, shrimp, scallops, crab cakes, and linguini alla scampi. Desserts are all kinds of pastries, cookies, and cannolis. We take Christmas day off for cooking, but after church we visit all the kids and grandkids at their homes for gifts. We then chill and don't do a doggone thing, trying to recover. Until New Year's. I'm really interested in Ishmael's devil sponge cake dessert however! That sounds rich and delicious. Mmmm.... sounds wonderful. What time should we be there?? If you can bring over some of Ishmael's sponge cake, we start gathering around 4:30 or so. We'll pull up a few extra chairs.
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Post by mrsmlh on Dec 15, 2023 16:08:38 GMT -5
In December 2020, we asked our kids and adult grandkids if they were willing to forgo Christmas presents if we bought a 3 bedroom condo in Delaware near Bethany Beach. They all agreed. So the only person we have to shop for is the 7 year old granddaughter. YEAH I done my shopping!!
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summer23
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There is no path to peace. Peace IS the path.
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Post by summer23 on Dec 16, 2023 9:41:25 GMT -5
Want to talk unmotivated? Instead of going into the attic (which I loathe), I purchased (online) a new wreath for the door. That's it. That's all I have done. I have not written even one card to send. Not one. Ugh. There is much to do today - landfill, return at UPS, etc. I was supposed to attend a first day of the Noveva de Aguinaldos celebration this evening and canceled because I am being treated for pneumonia that was not diagnosed in September but hung on. It's supposed to rain on Sunday. Maybe that will get me focused. lol So Merry Christmas!
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Post by mrsmlh on Dec 16, 2023 10:52:51 GMT -5
Want to talk unmotivated? Instead of going into the attic (which I loathe), I purchased (online) a new wreath for the door. That's it. That's all I have done. I have not written even one card to send. Not one. Ugh. There is much to do today - landfill, return at UPS, etc. I was supposed to attend a first day of the Noveva de Aguinaldos celebration this evening and canceled because I am being treated for pneumonia that was not diagnosed in September but hung on. It's supposed to rain on Sunday. Maybe that will get me focused. lol So Merry Christmas! I hope your health improves now that you have been property diagnosed. As for sending Christmas cards, I'm with you - haven't written a card.
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Post by Evil Yoda on Dec 16, 2023 17:14:43 GMT -5
I am determined to get all of my cookies done tomorrow. I don't usually do my cakes in advance, I bake them the day before. Do you freeze your cakes? Your yule log sounds delicious!! I think the only cake you can freeze is maybe a pound cake. A yule log is sponge cake, so freezing it would probably kill it. I have frozen pound cakes. I usually receive one as a Christmas gift and I simply can't eat it before it would go bad. It works fine, but I have it eaten within three months. So I don't know about longer than that. Double wrap anything baked that goes in the freezer or the automatic defrosting will drain it of moisture.
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Post by Rael on Dec 16, 2023 18:58:05 GMT -5
For Christmas? Unfortunately, not me! I used to "sleigh" (see what I did there Christmas!! The last few years I've slacked. Today I will do all of my wrapping and tomorrow (hopefully) I will do my baking. I used to have this all done by now! The older I get, the more Christmas seems like a chore but I absolutely have a blast on Christmas Eve and Christmas day. It's just getting there that is challenging. I am hoping with the arrival of my first grandchild in February that my Christmas energy and excitement will be restored!! Christmas Eve we will be here at our house and Christmas day we travel to MD to my sisters. The first grandchild is a blessed event. Enjoy these times. Mine is now 10.
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Post by WKDWZD on Dec 16, 2023 19:27:40 GMT -5
I am determined to get all of my cookies done tomorrow. I don't usually do my cakes in advance, I bake them the day before. Do you freeze your cakes? Your yule log sounds delicious!! I think the only cake you can freeze is maybe a pound cake. A yule log is sponge cake, so freezing it would probably kill it. As long as they are airtight when wrapped, all cakes are good for 3 months in a freezer. A heavy Christmas (fruit cake) is good for 3 months in an airtight tin, in the larder, longer if it has a good measure of alcohol. I'm usually still eating my Xmas cakes around March/April.
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Post by cowboyz on Dec 19, 2023 9:05:59 GMT -5
Want to talk unmotivated? Instead of going into the attic (which I loathe), I purchased (online) a new wreath for the door. That's it. That's all I have done. I have not written even one card to send. Not one. Ugh. There is much to do today - landfill, return at UPS, etc. I was supposed to attend a first day of the Noveva de Aguinaldos celebration this evening and canceled because I am being treated for pneumonia that was not diagnosed in September but hung on. It's supposed to rain on Sunday. Maybe that will get me focused. lol So Merry Christmas! No wonder you can't get in the spirit.... pneumonia since September?? I can't imagine. I too, hop this is the proper diagnosis. Hang in there.
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Post by cowboyz on Dec 19, 2023 9:07:36 GMT -5
Mmmm.... sounds wonderful. What time should we be there?? If you can bring over some of Ishmael's sponge cake, we start gathering around 4:30 or so. We'll pull up a few extra chairs. Will do.... Ishmael.... I'd like to order two of your sponge cakes PLEASE!!
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Post by cowboyz on Dec 19, 2023 9:08:39 GMT -5
For Christmas? Unfortunately, not me! I used to "sleigh" (see what I did there Christmas!! The last few years I've slacked. Today I will do all of my wrapping and tomorrow (hopefully) I will do my baking. I used to have this all done by now! The older I get, the more Christmas seems like a chore but I absolutely have a blast on Christmas Eve and Christmas day. It's just getting there that is challenging. I am hoping with the arrival of my first grandchild in February that my Christmas energy and excitement will be restored!! Christmas Eve we will be here at our house and Christmas day we travel to MD to my sisters. The first grandchild is a blessed event. Enjoy these times. Mine is now 10. Thank you! We are very excited!!
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Post by pickle20 on Dec 19, 2023 9:11:08 GMT -5
Party was fun but now the wife has the flu. And my grandmother passed away last week and her services are this weekend. So not such a Merry Christmas around here.
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Post by cowboyz on Dec 19, 2023 9:13:10 GMT -5
Party was fun but now the wife has the flu. And my grandmother passed away last week and her services are this weekend. So not such a Merry Christmas around here. Oh man, I'm so sorry to hear this sad news p20. My condolences.
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Post by pickle20 on Dec 19, 2023 9:18:57 GMT -5
Party was fun but now the wife has the flu. And my grandmother passed away last week and her services are this weekend. So not such a Merry Christmas around here. Oh man, I'm so sorry to hear this sad news p20. My condolences. Thanks. She was 94, my grandfather passed away summer 2022 so she wanted to go be with him and now they can spend Christmas together again. I'm sad but also relieved she's at peace. She was in and out of the hospital and rehab for most of the last year.
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Post by ishmael on Dec 19, 2023 9:24:03 GMT -5
Party was fun but now the wife has the flu. And my grandmother passed away last week and her services are this weekend. So not such a Merry Christmas around here. Very sorry to hear that P20. Unfortunately, that is the second notice of this type we have received in the last week. Friends of ours living in HI called us Friday to let us know their oldest son had OD'd on coke laced with fentanyl.
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up2
Full Member
Posts: 1,870
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Post by up2 on Dec 19, 2023 10:40:51 GMT -5
Party was fun but now the wife has the flu. And my grandmother passed away last week and her services are this weekend. So not such a Merry Christmas around here. Sorry to hear the news of your grandmother. Condolences. I understand the melancholy, but I'm hoping memories of her and your grandfather will bring you some comfort and smiles over the holiday. Also hope your wife gets better soon.
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up2
Full Member
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Post by up2 on Dec 19, 2023 10:43:25 GMT -5
Party was fun but now the wife has the flu. And my grandmother passed away last week and her services are this weekend. So not such a Merry Christmas around here. Very sorry to hear that P20. Unfortunately, that is the second notice of this type we have received in the last week. Friends of ours living in HI called us Friday to let us know their oldest son had OD'd on coke laced with fentanyl. Oh my. Sorry to hear that Ishmael. It's not in the natural order of things for parents to bury their young, no matter the reason. Heartfelt condolences to you and your friends.
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