Quarantine and chill and kindness chatty clubhouse: Jump in and join the conversation! All is welcome!

[Pea-n-Me]

Uhhh..... DGD wants to know if she can come to your house!

Absolutely! Tell her we have both the anise and the lemon! And they are excellent: Soft and gooey from the sugar on top (which was warm when I went down to the kitchen this morning! I was good and only had two; one of each, just to make sure they were ok ). Yum.

DD also made some cupcakes that she’ll be delivering to some families that made a difference this year and taking some to her boyfriend’s house. Haven’t had one of those yet, but looking forward to it later.

 

[Snowysmom]

Tina, it is so good to hear from you. Sorry things have not been going well. The wreath making sounds like a nice diversion and fun to do. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

@Pea-n-Me Sorry to hear about your FIL. I know it was expected but it is still hard for everyone.

It has been busy here. I have been baking all week. I just took out my last item, the broccoli ham quiche. That is tomorrow's supper for us. We dropped off the gifts at older DS's house today and will zoom with them tomorrow. We will get the gifts and stockings ready to go to younger DS's tomorrow. I feel like I have been on my feet for 4 days. Saturday will be a do nothing day I hope. I can read some of my books I am sure to get tomorrow.

Airing of grievances:
Post office delivery or should I say nondelivery. Although I did get notification today that my Kohls package that has been vacationing in NJ has found its' way to MA and should be delivered soon. It has only been a month. My mug that I am waiting for decided to leave TX and head for MA. It should be delivered in 3-4 days. I have alot of grievances about 2020 like good friends being laid off at work, losing hours, trips canceled, craziness in general. When something bad happens I just say, It's 2020. I also feel that the politicians should be getting the vaccine when their age/comorbidity group is scheduled to get them in their state. They are part of the people and should be standing with the people.

I hope everyone has a Merry Christmas. Thank you all for being so friendly and so warm. This has been a good place to come to find peace.

 

[flyingdumbo127]

So many tasty looking treats, Pea. God Bless your daughter for sharing them extra with others and you as well for making more

Hug and Merry Christmas to you and Jasper, (and your other family), Snowysmom!

 

[lynxstch]

 

[Breezy_Carol]

Good Christmas Evening!

Today I made meringue cookies and salted caramel chocolate bark. We went to the next town and picked up crab cakes and salad for tomorrow's dinner and crab bisque for lunch today. Also went by the cemetery to check on the grave mounds on DH's parents' graves.

And then we got the news from DS that he has to work Monday. That is when we were all going to get together as it is his regular day off. Had an impromptu Zoom this afternoon to plan our gift exchange. It is all fluid as he never knows about work. So instead of mentioning plan. I'll tell you after it happens.

@lovemygoofy, Tina so glad to see you. Thanks for fixing our title. And Merry Christmas! We worried about you.

No wonder Covid cases are high around here.

Where are you?

Don't even say that..it's not selfish at all. We were all just worried about you. We know your Mom was having issues, and you have your ongoing ones, and we know that both Matt and you started new jobs. I was just very glad to see your post this morning. Stop and check in when you have time to take a breath..at least we know you are okay!

Well said, and ditto!

We watched our church's family service at 4, rang our bell outside at 6. Had shrimp creole and too much wine. Watched the Zoom 7 o'clock service. Now watching White Christmas until the 9 o'clock traditional service.

Merry Christmas to all of my friends here.

 

[flyingdumbo127]

I watched your church's family service. Carol and really enjoyed it. I loved how many families participated and as always how genuine the whole thing was. The little girl at the end was precious! I will watch the traditional service later or in the morning. on your son, I'm sorry. I am glad you got to Zoom. Hope you get to truly see him soon.

Merry Christmas Eve, to all!

 

[Breezy_Carol]

@flyingdumbo127 , The last mother and daughter that sang, the mom is a friend of DD who worked at camp with her. Coincidentally, she is my next door neighbor's niece. I am so glad you are enjoying the services.

 

[sparkle78]

Too much snow and they have t cleared the main road let alone my street. First time missing Christmas Eve church, sad. But the choir wasn’t singing and people spread out between the church , gym ,and meeting rooms. We will stream it at 10 pm. Watching “ muppets Christmas carol” now

 

[Kirby]

Merry Christmas Eve to everyone!

We're home alone tonight, DH and I. Both of our kids are with their respective fiance and boyfriend's family get together.

Where are you?

Just east of Dallas, TX. One of my nieces posted on Facebook pictures of their Christmas Eve service at church. Families were social distance sitting but very few masks were being used. She is an OB nurse and he is a fireman. They have three girls, two of which are twins, and she is pregnant with their fourth child. You would think that they both wouldn't risk not wearing a mask.

It's been really chilly outside today. Got up in the 50's but with the wind chill it felt quite cold.

Have a good evening, hope Santa is good to you!

 

[flyingdumbo127]

That is so cool, Carol!

Hug, Sparkle, I'm glad you can stream worship later.

Hug to you, too, Kirby. You are a concerned Aunt and I empathize on how hard seeing those pictures may have been for you I'm sorry, my friend. It's been chilly here all day.

Dad and I decorated our new card table as best we could with our stockings and a couple Amazon items. the poor Christmas Tree doesn't look very Christmas Tree like but Jesus' star is on it Evergreen outside is growing healthy and green. Next year, I'll try to get (way ahead of time) a different indoor Christmas tree decoration for the table.

I tracked Santa earlier, that was fun I'm going to read Santa's Favorite Story soon and then head for the shower. Will read from the Bible closer to bedtime I'll reread from both in the morning.

 

[AuntieMe3]

Merry Christmas everyone. I'm finally sitting down for to relax for a few so I thought I would catch up before I get too far behind. Its been a different Christmas Eve for us, that's for sure but I still feel like I've doing just as much as I normally do....that's not fair. LOL. Its all stuff I wanted to do to try and make it as Christmas-y as I could and I think I just made myself more tired. Oh well...lol
Tomorrow, we're having tamales with eggs for breakfast, I have some spinach artichoke dip, salami and cheeses for appetizers. For dinner, we'll have ham and turkey breast with those hard sought after rolls for sandwiches, scalloped potatoes, mac n cheese and a green salad. For dessert, we have some macaron cookies from Costco, and I made choc chip cookies, brownies, rice krispy treats, and those pretzel rolo treats. I was going to make some other stuff too but decided what we have is more than enough.

I'm sure no one else will see this until tomorrow but I just had to share anyway....

OMGosh you guys....I was just getting everything together to start wrapping and I realized I don't think I bought tape. I have one roll and its not even full. I'm trying to calm myself before i decide if I want to just run to Rite Aid or Walgreens or just say forget it and "wrap" everything in a plastic grocery bag. Oh.My....GOSH....how did I forget tape??

Here's a gift hubby "wrapped" for me last year.

So for some reason this posted way later than I tried to post it. I noticed the lack of tape at 7pm. I knew I wanted to go to Costco to try and get some rolls.... so I crossed my fingers and hoped they had tape because I didn't want to go to another store. Costco was nice and not crowded but cleared out of a lot of things, including rolls but they did have tape. Hallelujah!! Got home about the same time as DH, who had been in a minor accident on the way home from SF. Thankfully he was OK but his work truck has minor damage and now there is a question of whether or not the other driver(who was at fault) even has valid insurance. Hubby talked to the insurance today(supposedly the same for botth parties) and they couldn't find a policy under his name. Hubby had CHP come out to the scene to take a report since it was the work truck and good thing he did or else this could probably end up being more trouble. Anyway...I wrapped most of the gifts last night and ended up at the store at 7a this morning to get some rolls. Went back to bed for a couple hours when I got home and then I made breakfast. Finished wrapping presents when I ended up finding two rolls of tape with all the gift bags. We had pizza for dinner and then baked some cookies. I just finished making rice krispy treats. Hubby has a fire going, DD is playing a game of hers and I'm finally sitting with feet up. I'm so tired. LOL

I'm happy to see ya'll still going strong and sharing. It makes my heart happy.

Thinking of each and everyone of you for very Merry Christmas and blessings for teh most peaceful and love filled 2021.

I promise I won't be gone so long!

So happy to see you Tina. Much love for all your dealing with. Come back when you can...we're here if you need another distraction.

I was able to pick up the plaque yesterday!

Glad you were able to get the plaque...congratulations to your son. All your goodies looks soo delicious.

loaded potato skins are ready to pop under the broiler.

Mmm....I love potato skins.

After what they pulled back in August, that's unacceptable, IMO. But we did not receive a call or email, so maybe they're optimistic that our area will be unaffected, as our neighborhood has underground lines.

Sorry today was a sad day for you. My grandpa died on Thanksgiving years ago so he's always on my mind that day too. I really hope your power stays on.

View attachment 545689View attachment 545690

7 layer cookies without the 7 th layer, no coconut “
Merry Christmas !

sooo pretty and I was going to ask if those were the layer cookies. I love those and can never get them right when I try to make them.

I feel like I have been on my feet for 4 days. Saturday will be a do nothing day I hope.

OMGosh this is how I feel. I can't wait to just sit an do nothing. I'm not cooking anything the rest of the weekend, it will just be leftovers for us to eat. LOL Why didn't I think of something more simple for us to eat tomorrow?? LoL

And then we got the news from DS that he has to work Monday. That is when we were all going to get together as it is his regular day off. Had an impromptu Zoom this afternoon to plan our gift exchange. It is all fluid as he never knows about work. So instead of mentioning plan. I'll tell you after it happens.

Sorry your plans have to change again. Hope your new plans work out for you all.

I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas day.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

Hi Everyone and Merry Christmas,

I'm sorry I've been away so long. So much happening in small amount of time. Matt and I are okay (the 21st was our 18th anniversary actually) but seems to be running in two directions with all going on with our moms. His mom is not well at all, not even a little bit. Mine had a small heart attack and it seems to be from the chemo for her CLL so not sure what steps are next. I lost a very good friend of mine early Nov and then my college roommate and close friend lost her dad when he had a stroke in her house Thanksgiving night. So much going on.

I wanted to wish you all well and let you know I'm still keeping all in my prayers as we are running all over. Tonight and tomorrow Matt and I are spending alone and will zoom with those we can zoom with and pray for those we are missing. It's been alot, so much a lot the last couple months.

I'm happy to see ya'll still going strong and sharing. It makes my heart happy.

Thinking of each and everyone of you for very Merry Christmas and blessings for teh most peaceful and love filled 2021.

I promise I won't be gone so long!

Tina! Big Merry Christmas hug to you!

... Have any of you ever bought Amazon Essentials T shirts either for you or your DH? I need some extra T shirts. I can be T shirt picky (crew neck but a very thin neck) and soft. I have found sometimes men's T's can be of better quality and cheaper than women's so honestly don't care about that--after all, I stay home! I'd rather try T's from Amazon because the return process if need be (UPS, don't need to package) is much easier than Walmart (package to post office). In nonplague times, I will be going to Kohl's and Walmart in person but for now options are limited. Trying to get some extra T's also so Dad would only need to do laundry once a week. Thanks, friends As a P.S. I mostly need short sleeve but definitely some long sleeve would be handy, too.

I've bought Amazon Essentials/Basics tees and been happy with the quality. Mine were boys size L or XL and long sleeve. They've held up just fine for the last year. I like that the cotton is thicker than comparable shirts at Target. And for a lower price!

Was up and at ’em early this day.

By 7:15 AM I was on Arthur Avenue, the Bronx’s answer to Little Italy. Changed my holiday menus around a bit requiring 2 more ingredients (which of course meant I bought 5, LOL).
DGD and I had shopped there earlier in the week so no need to get on the line for the salumeria, pork store, cheese shops, fresh pasta store, etc.
I have to say the lines were fun due to so many former residents making their annual trip to the Bronx from the ‘burbs. Two and three generations hearing tales of their elders growing up in the area,what stores where still there and which ones were gone. The woman who ordered a dozen sopressatas, half sweet, half hot, who I asked how big was the horde descending on her house? She gave me a look only a true Bronxite could completely understand. It said:” r u crazy?“;”Oh I need to be polite- maybe she’s from Queens”(the borough that confuses its residents into thinking they live in Long Island City, or Sunnyside, or Jamaica , just freaking anywhere but Queens where everyone else thinks they live ) all in one fluid movement, and said: “Nah, nobody but his mother and my husband but I’ll hang the salamis in the basement for later”. A woman after my own heart, LOL.

DGD and I are currently re arranging furniture to be able to eat next to the TV which will be our center of entertainment tonight.

Love it!

 

[theluckyrabbit]

Merry Christmas, everyone! No matter how you are spending this day, may it be a day of peace, harmony, and joy.

 

[lynxstch]

Merry Christmas DIS family! We had rain almost all day yesterday, temps near 50. Woke up at 4 this morning to 29 degrees, winds, and a light dusting of snow on the ground. I will allow it, as long as it's gone by tomorrow. I hope everyone has a peace and love filled day. You have all become friends over the last 9 1/2 months, and we have shared some of our lives with each other, and I wish for you nothing but the best on this Blessed Day.
Lynn

 

[PollyannaMom]

Merry Christmas, Everyone!!

I see a few other are up as well. Having older "kids" is definitely different than little ones bouncing out of bed on Christmas morning! But I've got breakfast in the oven, and am enjoying the tree.

I just finished making rice krispy treats.

That's what I made for sweets yesterday, too! I bought the box with the red and green pieces in it specifically to make them.

For snacky stuff, I made a cheese and cracker thing my mom used to make. You let a brick of cream cheese soften a bit and spread it on a plate. Then you mix cocktail sauce and a can of either tiny shrimp or crab meat (rinsed and drained well) and pour/spread that over the top. Serve with any crackers you like. (I've used Town House, Triscuits, and those "trio" boxes.)

 

[Pea-n-Me]

@lynxstch I have been meaning to tell you how much I enjoy the pics you post every day! Thank you!

@AuntieMe3 Isn‘t that always the way, like with the tape! I’m glad your DH filed an accident report and wasn’t hurt.

We had a nice Christmas Eve with the kids and their boyfriend/girlfriend, who’ve become like family this year. We baked a ham and had cheesy scalloped potatoes, roasted root vegetables with whole garlic, rolls (lol), and DS’s girlfriend, who loves to cook, made chicken Parmesan. Just the right amount and everything was delish. Boyfriend brought a cheesecake and mint cookies his Mom made, and we also had a pumpkin roll. I was almost too stuffed to eat dessert but managed to sample a bit!

We had a lot of presents to open, and everyone liked their gifts. DD loved her Frye boots which finally came, and they were the right size, thankfully. DS loved his golf simulator and was out playing in the dark off the deck for a while after dinner. DH was surprised by his new phone we all pitched in for; maybe now he can see his texts and actually respond back when we text him! His biggest concern was that he’d be losing his case which has reading glasses attached to it, but we thought ahead and got him the same case for his new phone, haha. DD set it all up for him last night. I got a cordless small vacum cleaner I’d been asking for. (Fixing the ding in my car will have to wait.) DH got me something that @tazdev3225 will appreciate, an Outlander charm bracelet all the way from England. He also gave me a Wizard of Oz bracelet with a Toto on it, and other charms. I love bracelets and these were nice! DS gave us all Disney-themed gifts: he somehow managed to find me some Haunted Mansion pajamas , DD a Disney Dogs onesie, and DH Mickey pajama pants. Those were big hits! I went a little overboard with stocking stuffers but they were fun to open! I’ll probably end up bringing half the candy into work! I felt bad for DD, her main gift for me never came in the mail, we did have some trouble with Nordstrom Rack this year (where the boots came from, too) she’d ordered me some slippers. I really didn’t mind but she was upset.

I’d love to hear what everyone else gave and got!

Wishing everyone a beautiful day today. It’s a quiet one for us and I’m happy about that. As DS was leaving for work this morning he said it was cold, pouring rain out, so laying low on that type of day makes it an easier decision. DH said he’d run the meal we put aside for our neighbor over to her and that’s about it. We got some frozen raw shrimp we’ll boil and have just with cocktail sauce, we still have half the veggie tray we made yesterday, some (Aldi’s) cranberry cheese and crackers, and unsure about which meal to cook but I’m craving some more of those root vegetables they were so good, so maybe leftovers, but DH also mentioned Chinese food so that’s a possibility, too. We have never had this luxury before! We were talking the other night about how many years we spent working holidays while at the same time running all over the place trying to please everyone. It’s nice to sort of sit this one out for a change, even though we’ll miss seeing family. We already caught up with them and sent and received some small gifts, so we’re good that way, too. It’s a strange time having just lost FIL after a crazy few weeks, so I‘m sure everyone welcome the quiet this year.

 

[tazdev3225]

Happy Christmas Everyone.

Yesterday did not seem like Christmas Eve. We did a food distribution at church. I finally told my husband he was NOT going to the farm for ice cream with his friend. The friend was at a family gathering last weekend, a family gathering with his late wife's family last night and a family gathering today. They don't mask and I cannot take the risk that someone has the virus and he gets exposed. I know they were both disappointed that I reacted that way but I have to think of all the variables and the risk factor was to high.


Christmas Eve night was quiet. No Big family affair as in past years. I finished the Outlander marathon for the day and then moved on to A Christmas Story marathon. My husband does not understand that one but it is tradition. We ordered Hibachi from a local restaurant. It is good though not as good as Teppan Edo. While he watched football I went upstairs to wrap presents on my bed. Only clear spot in the house right now with the kitchen issues. I only had a few so not that bad but interesting with a cat trying to help. My husband and I aren't really exchanging gifts this year. I wrapped his socks and my Season 5 Outlander DVD's so we have something. You are right Pea-n-Me I would LOVE that Outlander bracelet. You must post a pic I would love to see it.

Today will be another quiet day. One more A Christmas Story watching then I will run the gifts to my kids and my mom's house. Then home to Outlander again. Dinner will be just the 2 of us and way to much food. Roast Beef, mashed potatoes, stuffing and cranberry sauce (in honor of the turkey I refuse to make), Barbecue Shrimp Scampi (a dish I invented a few years ago), vegies and Macaroni and Cheese. The mac and cheese is my husband's other Christmas present. I make a version year round but this is the way his father made it. It is time consuming and needs to bake in the oven til crisp and browned on top. The one thing I will not make is the weird tomato sauce thing they have. Tomato juice, butter and onions cooked until heated and the onions are still mostly raw. It is disgusting. Dessert is Butter Cake and Philly style cheesecake. My grandfather was a German Baker and these are standards. I found a local bakery that makes them the way he did so they are a rare treat. The butter cake is just gooey perfection.

Hope everyone has a Happy and Safe Christmas Day.

 

[apirateslifeforme]

We still have power! Yay! For all the doom and gloom I'd heard, just before I went to bed, the news reported that Eversource was now saying "up to 30% of customers would lose power." Well, that's not as bad as we'd thought! 30% is still a lot, but not nearly as many as this past summer!

My appetizers went over well with my mother and DH (Josh, as usual, wouldn't eat anything). Surprisingly, my mother really liked the cranberry brie bites. I wasn't sure about the smoked salmon pinwheels...they called for a mix of dijon mustard and honey; I might try again with some type of cucumber-dill sauce instead. Maybe tzatziki. I'm also trying to figure out how to make them with chicken cordon bleu - maybe with some kind of white sauce or hollandaise...

Josh would NOT go to sleep last night! We got Santa's snack all ready at 7 and he had his jammies on and was in bed at 7:30. But Santa couldn't visit until about 10 p.m. because he was still awake! And of course he was up at 7 a.m. on the dot. He was so excited about everything! I should have sprung for the larger Happy Napper, though; I got the regular size and he's only got a few inches in it before he outgrows it He loves the Legoland fireman bundle I'd gotten - a Lego set of the fire department ride at the park, a nice foam helmet, and a fire axe. He's already enjoying his gymnastics mat, and we've already had one scare. He knows how to do a no-hands flip in the air, but at least when he does it in class, he's on a trampoline. He tried it here in the living room and while he did complete the flip, my mother and I weren't expecting it and we both jumped. Which in turn scared Josh, so we had some tears all around. He's fine now, however...he built one of his Dollar Tree "Lego" buildings (The White House, which he thought was a jail...oh, the jokes I could make about that and now he's laying in his Happy Napper, on top of the gym mat, watching A Christmas Story.

Later on, after the wind dies down, we're going to take a ride to my in-laws' house to deliver gifts and let Josh open his with them. We're not going to stay long and of course we'll wear masks. I don't know if we're going to see the rest of the family...we all have gifts to exchange, but we also are trying not to pack the house full of people. We'll work it out somehow...

 

[Snowysmom]

Merry Christmas! We had a nice breakfast of pancakes and bacon. The gfts are ready to go to DS's in a bit. DH and I will open our gifts this afternoon when we get back. I enjoy reading about everyone's Christmas. I love how the kiddies are so happy with their gifts. It sure is a quieter Christmas without the whole family at the house. But I do like having a little down time and no giant piles of gift wrap to sort through and then stuff into trash bags. DS can deal with that. I hope everyone has a nice day.

 

[flyingdumbo127]

Merry Christmas, with much ❤ to all of you, my Dis Family! Celebrate this Holy Day and may you always know Jesus loves and is with you. P.s. I will post a picture of our Christmas decorated card table later