Don't Kill Snails with Salt ... Creme Eggs & Toasted Teacakes ... Biscuits & Bench Stories, Life, the Universe, & Everything! Showing 2,601-2,650 of 9,227

[suzysunshine7]

Happy Christmas, Derek ... (*giggles*) ... ;o>

[Lez]

As Derek, apart from about 7 cards and 4 eCards, which is the minimum I can get down to without mortally offending good friends.
I can only be out of the country (into England) for part of the time.

[[deleted user]]

The ante has been upped:

When I got up for work a bit earlier, Mrs Grizzly was sat on the sofa, glass of wine in hand. The only alcohol in the house at the moment is what we have bought for Christmas.
I never said a word, just waited.

"Well," Mrs Grizzly said defensively, "You opened the chocolates....."

[suzysunshine7]

Ohhh I love it!!! ... YAYYY!!! - you nailed it, Mrs Grizzly! - LOL!!! ;o>

[Val]

Derek wrote: "safely out of the country to avoid the UK Christmas hysteria - check "

So tell us how the French celebrate Christmas in the small towns and villages. Will you be participating in any Christmas markets or any community events? I'm sure your main meal will be terrific with loads of fresh ingredients. Joyeux Noël Derek, Su and Rig.

[suzysunshine7]

Yes, I know that you don't celebrate Christmas, Derek - but I'd also love to know how Christmas time gets celebrated in France? ;o>

[suzysunshine7]

Well, I'm back to feeling like all my Bones are continually turning into Concrete and setting hard fast every day - and they only seem to loosen up come 11pm and so I'm staying up and trying to get stuff done (very quietly so as not to wake M&D up) when I really should be sleeping instead.

And you'd think that at 50 I'd have cracked this going to Bed at a reasonable time and sleeping lark by now, wouldn't you? - but no! - apparently not?!! - LOL!!! ;o>

Anyways, I went out to the Garage at around 3am to bring in some Laundry out of the Tumble Dryer and came face-to-face with a Badger ... as you do! ... and I'm not sure quite who was more surprised about it?! - but we both visibly jumped out of our Skins at first and then stood there stunned - until it very slowly turned around and ever-so-casually ambled off down the Back Garden as though I wasn't there and it hadn't happened! ;o>

[suzysunshine7]

Baked Potato for Brunch - with the usual Beans, Cheese and Bacon ;o>

... followed during the rest of the day by FOUR Greggs Mince Pies!!! ;o>

[Craig White]

greedy b*****d! :)

[suzysunshine7]

I know!!! - and I don't care!!! ;o>

They were absolutely delicious!

[suzysunshine7]

[suzysunshine7]

[theDuke]

I like mince pies but not the rubbish crumbly shorcruxt pastry that's used in those premade ones...they just fall to bits the second one so much as looks at them. So, saw an ad on TV from one of the many supermarket brands (can't remember which one), advertising puff pastry mince pies...and thought..hmmm they look nice!

Went to me local Tesco, and found a 4 pack of them in the instore baked section, got 'em home..and with a double sized mug of tea to hand..ate three of the buggers! Damn..they are delish! Mum had the other one! So that's that problem sorted...we'll be getting more of those ones..yum! :)

[suzysunshine7]

I love a Biscuity Pastry that isn't so soft that it seems to be stale, and a generous amount of a lovely moist-textured, full-on flavoured filling that isn't too sweet and isn't full of gritty bits or pieces of suet - and I can't abide that 'life-long' packed with preservatives taste that you get from a lot of well-known boxed brands that have long shelf lives.

Greggs never fail to satisfy and hit the spot for me - and I tell everyone about them every year because I often come across Forum folk who have never thought about trying out Greggs when it comes to Mince Pies and, if they love Mince Pies as much as I do, then I think that they are really missing out on something special by not doing so ;o>

I also like the slightly extra size to them - very generous indeed - and they always work out much better value for money too. This year they are selling at two packs of 6 (so that's 12) for just £3! - and I just pop them in a Plastic Box or a Bag and bung them in the Freezer. And they don't freeze rock-hard either so they are ready for any time you need 'em ;o>

Greggs? - I hope that my Commission for all this advertising is in the Post? ... only our first lot of Mince Pies never made it as far as our Freezer this year!!! - LOL!!!

[Craig White]

greggs! if only we knew what the pink stuff in their 'sausage rolls' was! :)

my favourite mince pies are the iced ones, with a thick disc of pure sweet sweet icing instead of common pastry tops. they come in packets and are sold in shops!

[Lez]

I hate mince pies.

[suzysunshine7]

Lightly microwaved Cherry Tomatoes on Toast with a generous sprinkle of Cheese and a good grind of Black Pepper ... Lurverly-jubberly! ;o>

And laughing away in listening to Nicky Henson on Radio 4Extra ...

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b007...

... A small and more personal Review now posted up on the Wireless Thread ;o>

[Derek]

Val wrote: "Derek wrote: "safely out of the country to avoid the UK Christmas hysteria - check "

So tell us how the French celebrate Christmas in the small towns and villages. Will you be participating in any..."

Val - I can only tell you about where we are down in the South-West since things seem to vary wildly across France. For example it seems that the present opening can take place on any one of the 6th, 24th, 25th of December or 6th January depending on where you live and your willpower.

Around our way Christmas Eve seems to be the big day, despite the fact that it's not a public holiday. Big traditional family meal and presumably the present opening happens then.

Local shops in Catus open Christmas Day (unless it falls on Monday). It was a bit of a shock to me the first Christmas Day we spent here to find the boulangerie, boucherie, Bar-Tabac, etc all open when I took Rig for his morning walk.

Christmas decorating around here is much more basic than you get in the UK, yes there are lights up in the town but Blackpool illuminations it ain't. There are also a number of small, lightly decorated Christmas trees around the town streets. Try that in the UK and they'd be nicked or vandalised the first night.

French families do not go in for competitive Christmas house decorating as seems to happen in parts of the UK. You won't see a house covered in illuminated Santas, elves, snowmen, reindeer, etc around here thankfully.

Just up the road from us in a small village called Terrié, their Christmas decorations consist of what appears to be pallets chopped up and then nailed together in a Christmas tree shape, painted white and decorated with handmade baubles. Christmas on the cheap, but much more personal than buying a load of cheap Chinese made decoration.

New Year is a big thing in France but you must never wish anybody in France a Happy New Year until after the clocks have finished striking midnight on New Years Eve. After that you can carry on wishing people a Happy New Year for months if you haven't seen them since 31st December.

Finally, the French also celebrate Epiphany (6th January). It even has a special cake, the Galette des Rois (Cake of Kings). We tried one last year and I have to say it was pretty unexciting. We ended up microwaving it and eating it with custard:-)

Have a great Christmas, but my lips are sealed re the New Year until January 1st 2019.

edit - The French don't do Boxing Day at all, no holiday just a normal day.

[suzysunshine7]

It's interesting how many Countries traditionally seem to favour Christmas Eve as being their day/night for having their most special Meal and doing Gift opening.

I wonder if the UK is actually in a minority on choosing Christmas Day? ;o>

[Val]

Derek wrote: "Val - I can only tell you about where we are down in the South-West since things seem to vary wildly across France..."

Thanks for that description Derek. Very interesting. It seems most European countries are able to maintain their own traditions and celebrate Christmas in an appropriate, understated way. I wonder if that's because they they also retain closer links to their religious affiliations? The rest of us, and I include the U.K. and Australia here, seem to have been seduced by the American view of Christmas which is centred around spend, spend, spend.

My personal Christmas traditions centre around sending cards, a live (i.e. dead) tree, baking and consuming food (and drink). For me, it wouldn't be Christmas without a home-made iced cake (with marzipan) decorated with Santa; real tree smothered in a lifetime's collection of decorations; turkey/chicken and roast potatoes; mince pies and sherry; and Christmas pud and brandy custard. And crackers, lame jokes and paper hats are a must. And I'm a sucker for Christmas music - everything from Bing, Renata Tebaldi to "Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree". I even give Michael Buble a free pass at Christmas even though he's not a patch on Jack Jones and Johnny Mathis.

[Lez]

You’re giving Derek (and me) nightmares, Val! ;-)

[suzysunshine7]

Ahhh, but you see it is also giving me a very happy and a warm feeling that Christmas is still a very special time that is loved by all those who do want to celebrate it ;o>

I must admit I don't really understand why all of the commercial side of Christmas seems to effectively ruin it so much for so many people? It feels like it is almost impossible these days to speak out loud of Christmas and with pleasure without someone saying this in return or insisting that Christmas is only really just for little Kids? - but we have never bought into any of it and just enjoy carrying on with doing our own more personal and special thing as always ;o>

[Val]

Lez wrote: "You’re giving Derek (and me) nightmares, Val! ;-)"

Sorry Lez - it's the evil Christmas fairy in me!

[suzysunshine7]

Brunch time! - and it's a Cornish Pasty from Greenhalghs Bakery ;o>

Hmmm? - it's very nice in it's own way as a Hot Bake but it's no Cornish Pasty ... there's not much Meat and they've actually put PEAS in it?!! ;oO

[Lez]

Tell them they’re breaking the law, Suzy! They can’t call it a Cornish pasty as they have Protected Geographical Indication ;-)

[suzysunshine7]

I'm shocked, Lez Lee! ... I really am! ;o>

I'll just finish it off first ... and then I'll start drafting a strong letter of complaint!

LOL!!! ;o>

(Even if I was ever serious about it, I can't honestly be sure what they were sold as? ... my Mum just handed it to me in a Bag and said "I've bought us a Cornish Pasty each" ... so they may have been sold merely as 'Pasties' without the 'Cornish'. I could ask my Mum, of course, but I'd only get a blank look as she never thinks to look too closely at things like this like I do and so I already know that she won't remember, or care ;o>)

[[deleted user]]

A quick hello and goodnight!

Just got in from work and due back at 01:00 so it's straight off to bed for me :)

[suzysunshine7]

Awww ... x Nighty-Night, Poppet x Sleepy-Tight x and very Sweet Dreams x

[suzysunshine7]

[suzysunshine7]

I haven't got to try out the White Chocolate Twin Peaks Bar yet and now I see Poundland have brought out another Limited Edition one? I really MUST get down to Poundland! ;o> ...

[Craig White]

oh yeah!

[suzysunshine7]

I thought it would probably get you all excited! ;o>

Now, if only you can persuade Mrs tech to let you have a £1 as Pocket Money this week? ... !

[Craig White]

no, i'd never get my full month's allowance in a oner! :(

[suzysunshine7]

Awww, you better go get that Hoover out and see if she'll kindly agree to pay you more than your usual 2p a Room this time around? ;o>

[Craig White]

"2p a Room"?

in my dreams!

[suzysunshine7]

Could you not get a temporary Loan off Lady Lux? ;o>

[suzysunshine7]

This fabulous surprise prank had me laughing and crying today ;o> ...

https://www.facebook.com/VT/videos/32...

[suzysunshine7]

So it's Mitzi- Ditzi to the Vets this Morning as we all feel the need to get her thoroughly checked out so that we have much better peace of mind. Both little hairy woofers always get equally loved and cared for - but I'd never forgive myself for maybe missing something not being quite right with her whilst we obviously focus a little more now on our watch over Tia.

And did I tell you that that Tia managed to knock two of Mitz's Front Teeth out when in a mid playful hurtle they suddenly and unexpectedly collided on the Stairs a few weeks ago?!! Mitz was racing upstairs at the same time as Tia was rocketing downstairs and .... !!! ;oO

Neither of them expressed even the slightest shock or any pain whatsoever but, later in the day, I sat down on the Sofa next to our Mitz only to be completely startled and stunned to see her look up and grin her now freshly toothless and gappy Smile back at me!!! ;oO

All together now! ...

♫ ... "All I want for Christmas is my two Front Teeth!" ... ♫

[suzysunshine7]

Ohhh? - heckythump!!! ;oO

It turns out that MItz needs some Dental Surgery and might even lose another Tooth too - one that still seems to be firm enough in place but nevertheless has been knocked slightly sideways and upwards out of it's original position! And her ruptured Gum where the two Teeth were lost also needs to have a little trim back and a tidy up as a result of the Teeth being knocked out!

Luckily Gabe, who Mitz is very friendly with and rather partial to, has got one last gap before New Year in his Surgical Timetable - for next Monday - and so he can fit her in then rather than have us wait all through Christmas and New Year to get this over and done with instead. And obviously the sooner that this is done the better as, although Tia is remarkably well right now, we know that she could suddenly show signs of becoming seriously ill at anytime.

So? - as utterly unbelievable as it actually sounds! ... Christmas is indeed coming and we have got an absolute Angel of a lovely young Vet called Gabriel who will now be taking care of Mitz?!! - LOL!!!;o>

And I can't help but to worry now if we will have enough in the way of festive Food and Drink to go round ... when all of the Shepherds and the Wise Men will surely be turning up here as well?!!

;o> ... ;o> ... ;o>

[suzysunshine7]

Perhaps I should buy a Manger and some Straw for the Garden Shed?!! ;o>

[suzysunshine7]

In the meantime ... I've got two days to try to figure out a really sneaky way to try to slide some kind of a receptacle under Mitz while she is down the Garden in mid Wee just so that we can give the Vet a Sample?!!! ... !?! ... !

I am surely going to wake up from this now hysterically funny and completely mad 'Game For A Laugh' dream any minute now, aren't I? ... HA HA HA HA HA!!! ;o>

[suzysunshine7]

! ... ;o> ...

[suzysunshine7]

[suzysunshine7]

Late Lunchtime/early Teatime and Mum tried out a local small independent Butchers to see what extra-special Specials they had on offer today ;o> ...


Ohhh, what a Pie!
Mid December, back about half past 3
What a very special time for me
As I remember, what a Pie!

Ohhh, what a Pie!
You know I didn't even know that it was Game?
But I was never gonna be the same
What a Pie Crust, what a Pie!

Ohhh, I, I got a funny feelin' when I reached for my Spoon
Ohhh my, as I recall it ended much too soon

Ohhh what a Pie!
Hypnotizin' mesmerizin' me
It was ev'rything I dreamed it'd be
Sweet surrender, what a Pie!

I felt a rush like a rollin' ball of Thunder
Spinnin' my head around n' takin' my body under
Ohhh, what a Pie!

Ohhh, I, I got a funny feelin' when I reached for my Spoon
Ohhh my, as I recall it ended much too soon

Ohhh, what a Pie!
Why'd it take so long to see the light?!
Seemed so wrong, but now it seems so right
What a Filling, what a Pie!

I felt a rush like a rollin' ball of Thunder
Spinnin' my head around n' takin' my body under

Ohhh what a Pie! Ohhh what a Pie!
Ohhh what a Pie! Ohhh what a Pie!


... Venison, it was, in a tasty Red Wine Jus and encased in a Crisp Puff Pastry ;o>

[[deleted user]]

Venison Pie - sounds fantastic!
Can't wait to try mine :)

You did buy me one, didn't you?

[[deleted user]]

Well, I got home from work yesterday lunchtime, pottered around for a bit then went for an afternoon kip as I normally do when not working over the weekend.
I set the alarm for 8 P.M. and settled down. Next thing I know, it's daylight and nearly 9 A.M.! I must have turned off the alarm when it went off and gone back to sleep. Even Mrs Grizzly had come home from work at around midnight, been to bed and got up again without disturbing me.

As a result of this, I've been running around this morning catching up on the jobs I'd planned on doing last night while waiting for Mrs Grizzly. Now I've caught up, and Mrs Grizzly has finished doing the wrapping, it's time to get sorted and go and deliver this mountain of presents to the Grandkids :)

[Lez]

I had venison a few times in Austria. Quite liked the taste but found the texture a bit dense. Used to have chamois rissoles as well, delicious! The hotel proprietor used to go hunting with his dog, Axel.
Sainsbury’s do nice venison burgers which we had quite often many years ago.

[suzysunshine7]

Grizzlygrump wrote: "Venison Pie - sounds fantastic!
Can't wait to try mine :) ... You did buy me one, didn't you?" ...

ERRR? - Hmmm?! - no ... but it wasn't me that was out buying them?! - it was my Mum. She very kindly went over to my Hairdressers Salon on the other side of Stockport to drop off an early Christmas present that I'd bought for her elderly Cat ... and decided to bob next-door to the Butchers Shop as it looked very traditional, and interesting, and inviting from the outside, you see ... and she bought us 3 Hot freshly baked Pies - two Steak and one Venison - put them out on Plates and then forget which one was which.

I, of course, would have bought you one as well ;o>

[suzysunshine7]

Grizzlygrump wrote: "... Next thing I know, it's daylight and nearly 9 A.M.! I must have turned off the alarm when it went off and gone back to sleep. Even Mrs Grizzly had come home from work at around midnight, been to bed and got up again without disturbing me ..."

GOOD!!! ... yes, I know it's a bit disorientating and disconcerting to wake up after crashing out like that, and especially when you have made plans and have a long To Do List to work through ... BUT? ... you were obviously worn down and worn out - your Body clearly needed that sleep and so your Mind made an executive decision for you and made you turn the Alarm off and sleep on.

And I hope that you are feeling much better in yourself for it now too ... x

And that you get to really relax into and to enjoy spending such incredibly precious time with all of your lovely family - YAYYY!!! ;o>

[suzysunshine7]

Lez wrote: "I had venison a few times in Austria. Quite liked the taste but found the texture a bit dense. Used to have chamois rissoles as well, delicious! The hotel proprietor used to go hunting with his dog..."

I do like Venison (the Meat in yesterday's Pie came from the Lyme Park Estate not far from us) and yes, it can be a dense texture which is why it needs to be cooked in the right way to bring out the very best of it's wonderful flavour and texture.

Mainly because it is virtually Fat-free Meat (and because it also has the highest Protein and lowest Cholesterol content than all of the other main Meats) any over-cooking and without added Fats can soon result in making it to be very stringy and dry and chewy.

The Pie yesterday was jam-packed solid with Venison and Bacon, rather than the more usual kind of Pie just having a few pieces of Meat aimlessly floating around in a lot of Gravy ... and as Pies go it was absolutely fantastic!!! ;o>