COLD DARK ROOM

[CarolM]

Oh, hello Sarah. You and Dan make a lovely a couple!

As one of Dan's electronic Mums I approve

As another one I approve too. But tell her if she hurts you we will have to kidnap her and set her right.....just saying very innocently. [emoji6]

 

[Momof4]

I think we opened our gifts Christmas morning? Which tends to vary a bit since we’re in such different time zones!!!!![emoji2][emoji2][emoji2][emoji2]
That would be my suggestion.
But if people are going out of town, then I think they could open them when convenient but as close to Christmas as possible?
How does that sound?

That sounds good!
My Christmas Eve should be quieter
and the time zone thing messes things up.

 

[CarolM]

The British comedy Yes Prime Minister had something to say about that This series was about the workings of government and this clip is a conversation between the Prime Minister and his Private Secretary (Number 10 refers to 10 Downing Street, the PM's office and residence.)

PM: What about the other Nato Armies
PS: Oh they're alright. On weekdays, anyway
PM: Weekdays?
PS: Yes, the Dutch, Danish and Belgian armies go home for the weekend
PM: So, on the whole, if the Russians are going to invade we'd prefer them to do it between Mondays and Fridays. Is this widely known?
PS: Well, if I know it, I'm sure the Russians do. The Kremlin usually gets NATO defence information before it filters through to us at Number 10.

[emoji23] [emoji23]

 

[CarolM]

Good mornooning all! Happy Tuesday to you.

It's a very frosty start to the day, but the sun is out

As soon as my groceries have been delivered, I am ignoring the ironing and going out for a walk!

Good plan. You have my support if anybody (JoesDad) gives you a hard time about it.

 

[CarolM]

Just a quick mention for long-standing roomie Ewa (@Pearly) who is having major surgery today. She told us in the Card Exchange PM so not all of you will be aware.



Ewa, I hope you recover quickly! Out thoughts are most definitely with you xx

Sending good healing vibes your way. Ummmmmm. Ummmmmmm. Ummmmmm.

 

[CarolM]

Good Morning everyone [emoji851]

Good Morning.

 

[CarolM]

You know those “artsy” types.

Photographer - “Hey, add some color around the finished dish to make it look good.
Chef - “...but, but, but there arent carrots IN the soup.”
Photographer - “No matter, no one will notice” . Now, get on with it.
Chef - mumbles..shakes head, and grabs some “color” for the photo op.

Are you experienced photographer or the chef?

 

[CarolM]

Maybe a "Christmas Tortoise" ? That would be cool !

Just make sure you skimp on the Christmas and birthday gift if it is.

 

[CarolM]

South African snail post......

Yip.

 

[Moozillion]

The British comedy Yes Prime Minister had something to say about that This series was about the workings of government and this clip is a conversation between the Prime Minister and his Private Secretary (Number 10 refers to 10 Downing Street, the PM's office and residence.)

PM: What about the other Nato Armies
PS: Oh they're alright. On weekdays, anyway
PM: Weekdays?
PS: Yes, the Dutch, Danish and Belgian armies go home for the weekend
PM: So, on the whole, if the Russians are going to invade we'd prefer them to do it between Mondays and Fridays. Is this widely known?
PS: Well, if I know it, I'm sure the Russians do. The Kremlin usually gets NATO defence information before it filters through to us at Number 10.

Yes, Minister and Yes, Prime Minister were both ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT!!!
[emoji2][emoji2][emoji2][emoji2][emoji2][emoji2][emoji2]

 

[CarolM]

[emoji23] [emoji23] [emoji23]

 

[CarolM]

Time to celebrate and partake in another holiday tradition in our home.

Eid il-Burbara or Saint Barbara's Day (Arabic: عيد البربارة‎), is a holiday annually celebrated on December 4 (Gregorian calendar), December 17 (Julian calendar), among Middle Eastern Christians in Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Palestine and Turkey (Hatay Province). ] It is celebrated in honour of the Christian Saint and Martyr Saint Barbara. The general belief among Lebanese Christians is that Saint Barbara disguised herself as many different characters to elude the Romans who were persecuting her.

The traditional food made on this feast is Burbara, a bowl of boiled wheat grains, pomegranate seeds, raisins, anise and sugar.

A common practice in Lebanon on Eid il-Burbara finds its source in the story of Saint Barbara who, it was believed was miraculously saved from persecution while fleeing: She ran through freshly planted wheat fields, which grew instantly to cover her path.

This miracle is celebrated symbolically by planting wheat seeds (or chick peas, barley grains, beans, lentils, etc.) in cotton wool on Saint Barbara’s feast day. The seeds germinate and grow up to around 6 inches in time for Christmas, when the shoots are used to decorate the nativity scene usually placed below the Christmas tree.


Here is a pix of wifey’s home-made burbara that we’ll have for a morning special treat.

View attachment 258809

Here’s the recipe - https://www.askchefdennis.com/burbara-middle-eastern-wheat-berry-porridge-with-dish-away/

Looks yummmmmmyyyyyyyyy.

 

[CarolM]

Yaaaay! Monty thinks we should open now and leave the empty box to him. [emoji23]

About the opening date, I’ll be traveling from the 20th, so we could either (1) have the unwrapping day before then, or (2) I get an exception [emoji56], or (3) you’ll all have to wait until I’m back (beginning of the new year) to see my TORTOISE — and I’ll have to wait too. [emoji24]

Let’s see how many packages will be arriving this and next week.

Noooooo. No waiting until after. Before please. Even if mine arrives late.

 

[CarolM]

That was my mother's attitude about smoking. And she was right too. She died an old age and it wasn't from smoking.

Ha ha. Isn't that the case most of the time. It is like a drunk causing an accident and walking away with a few scratches where the person who did not drink does not.

 

[Bambam1989]

Yay! Mail just came and it has my art supply order in it(they had to reship because they sent me the wrong stuff). They got it right this time! YAY *Shrieks in delight and disappears into the art room*

 

[CarolM]

I'm having a heck of a time getting my fire up to speed this a.m. Yesterday I brought up a couple wheelbarrows of wood to stack outside my door, but it had been rained on for a week or so, and it's soaked through. It's burning, but not a nice blazing fire. . . the kind that heats up the house. If you want to get warm by this fire, you have to practically stand on the woodstove (not good for the soles of your shoes).

Oh dear. You better put the other wood near it so it can dry out a bit before being used.

 

[Moozillion]

Don't forget that you define when TORTOISE opening day is this year. Normally, it's done a few days before Christmas as the day itself is too chaotic for most people

How long can you hold out? Although yours is only the second TORTOISE to arrive so far, I think

What day would the TORTOISE participants like to open their package?
I am open to suggestions.[emoji2]

 

[CarolM]

I really hope my package actually reaches its destination!
I mailed it a few weeks ago!
[emoji1317][emoji1317][emoji1317]

I did take a pic of the contents just in case.

I am sure it will. And even if it arrives late it is the thought that counts. Whoever it is intended for will wait patiently I am sure.

 

[CarolM]

Are you pretending that neither my, nor Bea’s package is from you? Well played, Kathy, well played!
[emoji6][emoji6]

[emoji23] [emoji23] [emoji23]

 

[CarolM]

Are we going to have a present opening day? I enjoyed that last year.

Me too and I wasn't even part of it.[emoji3] [emoji3]