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General Chit-Chat Part 2!
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They considered starting it tomorrow for tw..."
The world has turned out crazy
Esther wrote: "Our New Year holiday is at the end of this week and we are back into lockdown - no more than 500m from home except for groceries, work or medical visits.They considered starting it tomorrow for tw..."
500 m isn't very far! I am glad that your parents live close, and I agree that your Dad's shopping is for mental health reasons. At least he is wearing his mask and washing his hands.
LauraT wrote: "And when are you coming to see me dearest????"I hope soon, Laura. Flying isn't in our plans any time soon, I'm afraid, but things will settle down again and then we're planning a vacation.
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I hope soon, Laura. Flying isn't in our plans any time soon, I'm afraid, but things will settle down again and then we're planning a v..."
YES!!!!
Facebook keeps showing me the photos from the holidays we took to Shanghai (2 years ago) and Rome (3 years ago). I can't wait for it to be safe to travel again.
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Sorry that I have been so absent recently - I have become obsessed with the U.S. elections. I fear for the future of my country - though those fears have been somewhat diminished in the past few days, they remain a real part of my daily life. This anxiety has made reading and participating in online social activities such as GR difficult to concentrate on. I am just glad that I have never been much of a Twitter/Facebook person so much of the rampant disinformation has only reached me in the news accounts of its debunking.Sorry for the somewhat political nature of my post - it seems very hard to avoid these days. I hope for a peaceful future in which democracy will prevail.
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In my modest opinion things now are going to be better, at least more calm and "people friendly"
I feel for you all
So despite the fact that my COVID-19 test results came back today as negative, I have decided not to drive to my brother's house for Thanksgiving. I am a bit depressed about spending this, my favorite, holiday alone but I feel better safe than sorry... With 3 teenagers in his household & my being the most at-risk person in terms of age & general health, plus the travel restrictions in place here which will mean I would have to quarantine for 14 days upon my return (or pay ~$200 for another test), it seems the most sensible decision.I have bought the fixings for making my own feast (with some shortcuts such as precooked turkey breast & jarred gravy {pretty sure this will be terrible compared to my Mom's recipe which requires drippings from the turkey pan, but better than none, I hope}). I made Mom's cranberry sauce today, which I would have done anyway since my niece & nephews have the poor taste to prefer the canned variety.
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Still I think you're doing the right choice. Let's hope the future will bring us a better time to share with those with love - and those we'd like to know better!
I'm really thinking that, as soon as this will be over, and as much as my financial situation will allow me, I'll be traveling around to meet those I still don't know in persone, and to see again those whom I could not see for a long while
Yes, I think that once this pandemic is over there will be a boom in travelling.
It's a beautiful dream to think about "free" travelling again. Let's hope things change back to "normal" quickly once the vaccines are available. Leslie, you're doing the right thing. I'm sorry that you are missing time with family but glad that you are keeping safe. Hugs.
I also am spending the day alone but because I'm working tonight I will be sleeping at least part of the day.
Petra wrote: "It's a beautiful dream to think about "free" travelling again. Let's hope things change back to "normal" quickly once the vaccines are available. Leslie, you're doing the right thing. I'm sorry t..."
Thanks Petra. Unfortunately, I suspect that it will be at least a year before the vaccine has been distributed to enough people for normal to reemerge, in whatever form. But I do hope that we start making progress getting the pandemic under control much sooner than that!
Ruth wrote: "I also am spending the day alone but because I'm working tonight I will be sleeping at least part of the day."I hope that you at least have a relaxing day, Ruth.
Leslie wrote: "So despite the fact that my COVID-19 test results came back today as negative, I have decided not to drive to my brother's house for Thanksgiving. I am a bit depressed about spending this, my favor..."I am happy that your test came back negative; is there any way to do a Zoom or other online meal with your family?
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It's definitly not the same thing, but it is something though,,,
Karin wrote: "Leslie wrote: "So despite the fact that my COVID-19 test results came back today as negative, I have decided not to drive to my brother's house for Thanksgiving. I am a bit depressed about spending..."We are going to try Zoom - and are coordinating our meal times. As Laura said, better than nothing.
And to all our American members, happy Thanksgiving!
I agree--zoom in better than nothing. I live far from family, and in Canada we celebrate Thanksgiving in October, so that's not an issue for me. We haven't celebrated with my husband's side since his mother is well into her 90s and it's too much for her (she is 95 and three quarters as of this month).' However, if you are used to celebrating together, it's a huge change do do all of a sudden.
Happy Thanksgiving to those who celebrate,
Thanks Leslie. I have the next 4 days off so I am looking forward to just taking it easy. I will probably put my tree up this weekend but other than that I have nothing planned.
We don't celebrate Thanksgiving but it is the only time of year we can get a small whole turkey and we love roast turkey. Even a small turkey is 6-7 kg which is a lot of turkey so we normally invite friends, unfortunately that couldn't happen this year.
I sent my son to my mother to learn how to make stuffing, did some chestnut stuffing myself. There were also roast potatoes (with fresh thyme from my son's new herb garden), 5 types of vegetables (including parsnips which are like gold dust round here and sold individually but my mother's favourite).
And I made an old-fashioned Victoria Sandwich cake for dessert.
Today will be cold turkey sandwiches with lots of English mustard (which we were delighted to discover at a local supermarket).
Hey all. Sorry I haven't been active. I know this year has been rough, and it's not looking great right now, I just want to wish you happy holidays no matter where you are, just in case I'm unable to do so later.
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Great to see you, Charbel. Wishing you happy holidays.
Esther wrote: "We don't celebrate Thanksgiving but it is the only time of year we can get a small whole turkey and we love roast turkey. Even a small turkey is 6-7 kg which is a lot of turkey so we normally invi..."
It's interesting that turkey would be sold at the time of American Thanksgiving in Israel. Are there a significant number of Americans and/or Canadians who celebrate this who live there?
Charbel wrote: "Hey all. Sorry I haven't been active. I know this year has been rough, and it's not looking great right now, I just want to wish you happy holidays no matter where you are, just in case I'm unable ..."Thanks for the post Charbel! I hope that you and your family also have a happy holiday and a safe one.
Karin wrote: "Esther wrote: "We don't celebrate Thanksgiving but it is the only time of year we can get a small whole turkey and we love roast turkey. Even a small turkey is 6-7 kg which is a lot of turkey so w..."
There are certain supermarkets in areas where there are a lot of US immigrants that have always had whole turkeys at Thanksgiving time.
We do not live in one of those areas and when we first asked locally they looked at us like we were aliens!! Even when they did manage to get hold of one it would weigh 10-12kg!!
Then one Friday I went into the local (excellent) butcher for the weekend shop and saw a whole turkey in the glass cabinet. When I asked, the butcher remarked that he had purchased a whole turkey for his new American daughter-in-law but they came in a box of 4 and he had no idea what to do with the last one!!
I was delighted to 'help him out' and take it off his hands though he was slightly perplexed about what I was plannng to do with it.
Ever since I have ordered one around Thanksgiving time - not sure whether they are available at any other time of the year.
Roasting is not really an Israeli thing but as people travel abroad they want to try new things and roasting poultry has become less unusual.
Charbel wrote: "Hey all. Sorry I haven't been active. I know this year has been rough, and it's not looking great right now, I just want to wish you happy holidays no matter where you are, just in case I'm unable ..."Happy Holidays, Charbel. Wishing everyone a safe and healthy 2021.
Esther wrote: "Karin wrote: "Esther wrote: "We don't celebrate Thanksgiving but it is the only time of year we can get a small whole turkey and we love roast turkey. Even a small turkey is 6-7 kg which is a lot ..."
We never buy one as large as 10-12 kg. I prefer them about 6-7 kg as well, although in the States they are sold by the pound.
Karin wrote: "We never buy one as large as 10-12 kg. ..."We only did when we had no other option. I love roast turkey but there is a limit!!
Esther wrote: "Karin wrote: "We never buy one as large as 10-12 kg. ..."We only did when we had no other option. I love roast turkey but there is a limit!!"
Sure, I understand. Turkey can be frozen and eaten later after it's cooked, but it takes space. I don't have a large enough roasting pan for a large on. This year ours was a bit larger than our pan, but still reasonable.
Karin wrote: "Esther wrote: "Karin wrote: "We never buy one as large as 10-12 kg. ..."We only did when we had no other option. I love roast turkey but there is a limit!!"
Sure, I understand. Turkey can be fro..."
The first few years when we could only get an enormous bird I was the one who had to roast it in my old-fashioned second-hand oven. My parents posh, new one was too small for it to fit! :0)
Wishing you all a happy and healthy New Year! 🧚🏻♀️🌥⛅️🌤☀️
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Hi everyone, I just wanted to introduce my self. My name is Jade and I live in England. Studying history and politics in university at the minute although finding it hard at the minute but I know I’m not the only one. It was good that I never l left home, I was lucky enough to get a place very close to home so at least I don’t have to worry about renting a house I can’t live in. A couple of my friends have moved home again because they don’t want to worry about everything while they’re away from home themselves. I don’t have a focus yet but I’m only in second year but I’m am sort of interested in American history and how they broke from the British empire. I also enjoy American and Irish politics And how they differ from English politics. I have been watching the political events in America closely.
Before I go, I really want to take this time to wish you a happy new year and I hope you are staying safe.
Welcome Jade! Hope you find AAB a good home.
I just wanted to pop by to apologize for my nonparticipation at the moment. I am enraged (though sadly not surprised) by events in my country (the U.S. for those who don't know me) and glued to the news right now.I hope that the rest of you are staying safe from COVID and enjoying your new year.
Hi Jade! Welcome to the group. This is a good place to come and relax.
Petra wrote: "Hi Jade! Welcome to the group. This is a good place to come and relax."Thank you, Petra
Leslie wrote: "I just wanted to pop by to apologize for my nonparticipation at the moment. I am enraged (though sadly not surprised) by events in my country (the U.S. for those who don't know me) and glued to the..."That’s understandable, it’s been all over the news here in England. It’s definitely been an election that everyone has been watching due to Brexit. There s been rumours that Trump wanted to buy into our NHS and replace some services making them so expansive.
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They considered starting it tomorrow for two weeks and then decided to start Friday afternoon for 3 weeks.
Today my daughter is moving into her apartment which is in another town so we won't see her for three weeks and she won't even be able to join us for the holiday meal.
Yesterday we did a big shop for her and today we are moving all the vital stuff. We made need to repeat the trip tomorrow if we forget anything.
Fortunately we live across the road from my parents so they will eat with us.
My mother vacililates between bemoaning the fact we live out of town so she can't even social distance with her friends and turning down opportunies to go into town because she is worried about infection rates. She only leaves the house to feed her stray cats.
On the other hand my Dad straps on a mask, washes his hands and goes shopping or on errands at least twice a week. At first I tried to stop him but I have become convinced it is a matter of mental health so I keep quiet.