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Post by Scrappy Amazon on Oct 8, 2005 23:56:36 GMT -6
Or try to drink apple juice...almost choked to death.
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Post by Xenamoured on Oct 9, 2005 9:48:07 GMT -6
Hi Phalon, Scrappy. Joxie, Siren, G-Stick Yes, it is abeautiful time of year here also. We had our Thanksgiving Dinner last night. Out Thanksgiving sort of makes more sense in a harvest time of year kind of way, but it really sneaks up on you also. Most people are still in a hanging-on-to-summer mode. Sometimes Thanksgiving plans are thrown together at the last minute. We had a slightly different variation of the traditional Turkey dinner. They were the usual culprits- squash, broccoli, carrots, beans, mashed potatoes and such, but the main evernt was unusual. I have been bugging BlondXena to try my famous Bacon-wrapped Turkey for many years after having it at a friend's house long ago. You simply take the package of bacon and wrap it over the entire bird. It makes for a very moist, self-basting, and extra delicious tasting gravy also. Is there anything Bacon(the candy of meats) can't do?
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Post by Joxcenia on Oct 9, 2005 21:27:41 GMT -6
Mom likes to deep-fry her turkey because it makes it really juicy... she has to bake me a turkey breast though because I like meat dried out. I blame it on her not knowing how to cook when she first got married.
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Post by Siren on Oct 10, 2005 18:47:58 GMT -6
Mmmmm, Xenamoured, that bacon-wrapped turkey sounds fabulous!! But may I ask why you have Thanksgiving in October? Maybe I should've back-read first. If so, sorry. And btw, "bacon, the candy of meats" - BOLL!!
Jox, it took my mom forever to get my dad to eat eggs or fried chicken after he got out of the army. Both those items were so undercooked at the mess hall, they ruined my dad's appetite for them. So mama fries her chicken well-done. You'd like it - nice and dry.
Gams, you asked about our autumn menu? A sis's co-worker cooked up a fall classic around here, fried (sauteed) cabbage. She fries bacon ends, and adds that to the pot of cabbage, along with some hot red pepper and onion. To round out the Okie meal, serve with cornbread, and mabe some white beans. Swooningly good, and so fallish!
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Post by Joxcenia on Oct 10, 2005 21:41:15 GMT -6
Hey Siren... I probably would like your mom's chicken... ...And btw: Xenamoured is a Canadian, and that's why he has Thanksgiving in October...
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Post by Xenamoured on Oct 11, 2005 4:17:34 GMT -6
Hi Joxie...nice international knowledge there! ;D I think the rest of our Holidays are pretty much the same- except out national Holiday is July 1st- which is like your July 4th Holiday. We also have a national Holiday on August 1st-which is a nice time to have it. Somebody needs to invent a Holiday for February- truly the cruddiest of months... Is a deep-fried turkey greasy? I've never had it, but it must make for an extra tasty skin... Hi Sirene ...that cabbage dish sounds pretty good...I love cornbread too!
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Post by Joxcenia on Oct 11, 2005 16:42:27 GMT -6
A deep-fried turkey is very moist with a crispy shell. Don't deep fry a turkey in the house though... the grease boils up and overflows the pot when the turkey is being lowered into the cooker. Many homes have caught on fire because of it. Mom puts the turkey fryer outside on the concrete sidewalk, away from the house.
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Post by Siren on Oct 12, 2005 22:56:09 GMT -6
Ah, now I've got it. Thanks for the info, Jox. You're as handy as a pocket on a shirt (as my dad would say).
Xenamoured, if all else fails, just invent a holiday for those idle months. That's what we Americans do!
Where do you stand on the great cornbread controversy: sweet or unsweet?
I had deep-fried turkey at a friend's house, and it was very moist and delicious. She injected marinade into the flesh with a big hypodermic (sp?) needle. Since the grease is very, very hot, the turkey's juices are seared inside. Not greasy, truly. But as Jox said, deep-frying turkeys causes house fires every holiday season. Gotta be extremely careful.
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Post by Xenamoured on Oct 13, 2005 10:08:57 GMT -6
Hi Joxie...that deep-fried turkey sounds good...but I'm not sure I'd want to deal with the possible fire-hazard involved.... Hi Siren "Xenamoured, if all else fails, just invent a holiday for those idle months. That's what we Americans do!" Yes...I think we call it the " February Flu"...always good for a few days...except where I work....my employer has a very(not) generous sick-day policy- 0 days per year.... I think I like the sweet cornbread better, but we never have it...it's just never served anywhere...which is a shame....
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Post by Scrappy Amazon on Oct 13, 2005 10:27:54 GMT -6
MMM....cornbread! Love it...sweet or not. Depends on what you are eating it with. Though I am picky about the texture. Gotta be smooth and not gritty.
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Post by Scrappy Amazon on Oct 20, 2005 9:14:30 GMT -6
I LOVE FALL!!!!
It was a whopping 51 degrees outside when I got up this morning! YAY!!!
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Post by xenavirgin on Oct 20, 2005 11:34:59 GMT -6
We had our Thanksgiving Dinner last night. Out Thanksgiving sort of makes more sense in a harvest time of year kind of way, but it really sneaks up on you also. Hiya Xenamoured from a fellow Canuck!! I read this post and I thought. " I WANNA GO HOOOOOOOOOOME!" I've been living in England for 20 years now, but boy do I miss Canadian Autumn and Winter and particularly Thanksgiving! It's mostly green here all the year with a few trees turning yellow or pale orange before they fall. They don't have the great range of colour from yellow through bright orange and red to deep purple that we have in Canada, And I really miss that riot of colour before the white of winter. My family always had a cottage in northern Ontario when I was growing up and we'd spend Thanksgiving there every year, it was great. I always said that the only pumpkin pie I ever liked was my grandmothers. It wasn't until after she died that my mother told me that was because she didn't make it with pumpkin, she made it with butternut squash,LOL! Oh and Siren I can tell you why the Canadian Thanksgiving is in October rather than November. It's actually held as near as possible to the Harvest Festival celebrated in the Church of England. The connection between Canada and Britain was maintained by the Anglican Church in Canada and when an official date was declared for the holiday the Harvest Festival date was chosen. Oh and there is a holiday in February, where's your romance you lot, what about St. Valentine's day??? My lovely Lady Wife and I certainly celebrate that holiday! Now Turkeys,well they certainly don't know what to do with them over here in Blighty (shivers) believe me I've had some terrible ones done by people trying to be nice and do something "Canadian" for dinner. My grandmother used to do the bacon-wrapped method, but I found a better way to keep the bird moist (now that has a different meaning over here, snigger). You start off by putting the turkey in the roasting pan breast side down and cook it 3/4 of the way through, al the juices collect in the breast meat that way. Then you turn it over for the last quarter of cooking time and the skin gets nice and crispy. Well that was nice and eclectic. Hope it made some kind of sense. ANKH! DJED! WAS! LIFE! HEALTH! PROSPERITY! Lara
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Post by Gabbin on Oct 20, 2005 22:46:20 GMT -6
We had a very nice fall day today. A sleeve-roll-up kinda day. Gold light bouncing all over-even under your chin.
Halloween is coming up soon. Yeah. My pal and I are trying to figure out what to do. I have been thinking about a tiara and (stop laughing at the thought of me in a tiara) a bunch of lei around my neck and being....
Princess Leia.
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Post by Phalon on Oct 20, 2005 22:52:07 GMT -6
Perfect Gabbin! Don't forget to wear your earmuffs, though. Didn't you always hate that as a kid? Cool costume, cold weather, and it was always covered up by a coat. In this case though, the earmuffs add to the effect, I think. Wear them joyfully.
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Post by Scrappy Amazon on Oct 20, 2005 22:54:45 GMT -6
Or......tiara+earmuffs+naked = Princess Lay-a?
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Post by xenavirgin on Oct 21, 2005 6:00:28 GMT -6
Hey!!!
Stop bashing Leia. It's a great cossy! I went out as Leia (complete with hair danishes) when I was 12. My best mates were Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader.
My last Halloween in Calgary in 1984 was incredible. I was 17 so I wasn't TorT ing myself, but I was taking my girlfriend's little sister out. It was a really early winter and we already had 2 inches of snow and the temperature was something like 10 below or colder.
Marian had dressed me up as a clown "Tie -Rack" (Basically clown facepaint and she tied every one of the 111, 1960s ties that had been donated to her church charity shop all over me.) All of that over my winter parka of course. And her costume allowed her to wear her warm clothes as well.
Anyway, we went out at about 6:30pm to "Get the candy" as Marian always said. There were hardly any kids out, and by 7pm there really was not a soul on the streets. As we knocked on doors, people were giving Marian fistfulls of candy because they wanted to get rid of it.
So Marian and I went back to the house and got a few pillow cases and went back out. We stayed out till 9pm and collected 5 pillow cases full of candy.
I took half of the candy to school the next day and stood up on a table in the cafeteria and tossed it all out to everyone. What a free for all, LOLOL! It was great.
As with other places, celebrating Halloween is on the increase over here in England (some people had never heard of it when I first came over 20 years ago) But the major celebration this time of year is still Guy Fawkes or Bonfire night.
I have a huge party on the 5th November every year with loads of fireworks, a bonfire and we even barbarically burn a Guy dummy. We always conclude with a firework called the "Mother of Thunder" which has 64 separate blasts.
Loads of fun.
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Post by Phalon on Oct 21, 2005 6:27:44 GMT -6
<scrrrrraaaappe, scratch, scratch, scrape>
Oh, stop cringing in irritation. Not the sound of fingernails on a chalkboard, but me scraping the frost off the windshield.
A hard frost; temperatures dipping well into the thirties last night. Time to bring out the warmer clothing.
Fluffing up the bright colors as they come out of their place of summer residence: Wool Sweaters; I love them. My bleating moment of ecstasy.
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Post by Scrappy Amazon on Oct 21, 2005 8:12:00 GMT -6
OOOOO frost...nice.
Bleating? When did you get goats?
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erco
Whooshite Apprentice
Too technologically challenged to insert a picture!
Posts: 118
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Post by erco on Oct 21, 2005 9:07:14 GMT -6
Baaaaaaa, Phalon. I mean brrrrrrrrrr. I can't believe you had frost. Makes me cold thinking about it.
I've been reading this thread but haven't had any "fall like" things to contribute. We don't really experience too much fall weather. Here it is the latter part of October and it has been 84 for 3 days now. Next week the highs will be the low 60's and the lows in the 40's. That will probably be the extent of our fall, then go right into winter.
When my 4 sisters and I were little, our grandmother made several, very authentic Halloween costumes. As we progressed in age and size we were able to wear all of them. She was an excellent seamstress and we couldn't wait every year to wear the costumes. I'd bet if they had been saved our children could still wear them. Although I'm sure my son would have balked at the princess one.
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Post by Phalon on Oct 21, 2005 23:10:49 GMT -6
Hello to you, Eroc. Still in the eighties? Wow. Is there fall color there?
Drop-jaw gorgeous color here. I didn't think it would happen this year. A few beautiful days in a row, and I just couldn't spend them inside sick. In awe of the brightly colored day; in awe of the full or near moonlit sky...and ya just gotta be out in it. Went roller-skiing a couple times; shhh....I was supposed to be inside recuperating. Best thing for me though; physical and mental bursts of energy. Oh man, I love fall.
Tonight a bunch of us went through a haunted corn-maze; heart-stopping fun; under 13 not admitted and my Xena-sister watched the girls. Lots of ghoulies jumping out of the corn at you; strobe lights, murderous evil clowns, and such. A vampire that attached himself to me for much of the maze; obviously I was his type A positive. Hideous cackling laughter throughout....oh wait, that was me; I don't think I laughed so hard since...hhhmmm...about three weeks or so ago.
Oh, and the chain-saw wielding guys; lots of them. Chased us down and who cares about the "no-running" rule. One was hot on the heels of my friend and I as we split from the group and took off running. Hard to see in the dark. My friend veered left; I veered right - sort of; my veering was a little off and I ended up ploughing through the corn, until I landed on the ground in a heap of laughter. Chain-saw maniac had to put down his chain-saw so he could double over in laughter also. Tried to help me up, but couldn't because we kept laughing so hysterically.
And hubs; I think they oughta hire him next year. Kept lagging behind or running up ahead and down different paths, so he could jump out of the corn and scare the goosebumps off the rest of us.
We are such children. And have fun with it.
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Post by Gabbin on Oct 21, 2005 23:12:25 GMT -6
Gams-I laughed at some post a while back about snowy Halloweens. Yes, I went as a ghost almost everyear and, covered it up with my orange down parka. I must have looked like a split personality monster.
XVirgin-I went to England last year and my pal said that the munchins dress up but don't always know what to do and seem to feel like dufuses. And not all the houses know what to do if they come around, too.
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Post by xenavirgin on Oct 23, 2005 11:46:57 GMT -6
XVirgin-I went to England last year and my pal said that the munchins dress up but don't always know what to do and seem to feel like dufuses. And not all the houses know what to do if they come around, too. Where abouts did you visit here in Blighty? Yeah that's still true Gabbin, but it has been gradually building a following certainly in the past 10 years or so. I mean they really didn't used to get the idea. They'd come around on any night from about the 25th Oct - 5th November. They expected money not candy. They didn't dress up, and had no idea what Trick or Treat meant. These days, at least they only show up, if they do, on the 31st and more people are prepared with mini candies and things. But if they celebrate it at all, it's usually at school or private parties. The traditional holiday that the kids usually celebrate over here is on November 5th and it's called Guy Fawkes or Bonfire night. There's always firework displays and parties. What the kids used to do was make a "Guy" kinda like a dummy or scarecrow. And then sit outside a shop on the high street saying "Penny for the Guy" and they'd get a little bit of pocket money. Later in the day the "Guy" would be burnt on the bonfire. It's a bit crazy, cause they can buy fireworks for weeks before hand, and they're letting of rockets and bangers for weeks! Actually I have a big Fireworks bash every other year and it's great fun as we compete with the Scout hut next door to put on the best show. I always end of with the "Mother of Thunder" 64 separate blasts! Great fun.
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Post by Phalon on Oct 26, 2005 23:24:07 GMT -6
I'm still in complete awe of the color here...gobs of it; neon yellows, orange and red maples and sassafras; fire-engine red black gum; bronzy-colored beeches; eye-popping color everywhere.
I went roller-skiing this morning. Breezing through the piles of leaves on the trail; splashing in them BP calls it. Still wearing shorts and a t-shirt, although at fifty degrees Fahrenheit, it is a bit brisk to start. I still work up a sweat, and though I love the feel of it on bare skin, I can't stand it under layers of clothing. Ick. Icy hands; my fingers never warm up and I wonder how strange it would look wearing shorts and wool gloves at the same time.
Not any stranger, I suppose, than skiing with wheels instead of snow. It won't be long now though, and I am just not ready for it yet.
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Post by Phalon on Oct 31, 2005 7:36:29 GMT -6
Since it’s almost the witching hour…. the ‘Witches’ Chant’ from Macbeth. William Shakespeare Round about the cauldron go; In the poisoned entrails throw. Toad, that under cold stone Days and nights has thirty-one Sweltered venom sleeping got, Boil thou first i’ the’ charmed pot. Double, double toil and trouble; Fire burn, and cauldron bubble. Fillet of a fenny snake In the cauldron boil and bake. Eye of newt and tow of frog, Wool of bat and tongue of dog, Adder’s fork and blindworm’s sting, Lizard’s leg and howlet’s wing, For a charm of powerful trouble, Like a hell-broth boil and bubble. Double, double toil and trouble; Fire burn, and cauldron bubble. Scale of dragon, tooth of wolf, Witch’s mummy, maw and gulf Of the ravined salt-sea shark, Root of hemlock digged i’ th’ dark, Liver of blaspheming Jew, Call of goat and slip of yew Slivered in the moon’s eclipse, Nose of Turk and Tartar’s lips, Finger of birth strangled babe Ditch delieved by a brab, Make the gruel think and slab. And thereto a tiger’s chaudron For th’ ingredience of our cauldron. Double, double toil and trouble; Fire burn, and cauldron bubble. Cool it with a baboon’s blood. Then the charm is firm and good. O, well done! I commend your pains, And everyone shall share i’ th’ gains. And now about the cauldron sing Like elves and fairies in a ring, Enchanting all that you put in. By the pricking of my thumbs, Something wicked this way comes. Open, locks, Whoever knocks. Soup’s on. Kiss the cook? Quit gagging, not talking about me – you think I’d cook? Talking about my friend here; looking for someone to ride off with her on her broomstick into the night..... ....to be seen nevermore.
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Post by Gabbin on Nov 1, 2005 23:15:17 GMT -6
Gams that is one scary witch. Hey, you are really beginning to scare me with your expertise. Can you teach me to do pics in posts?
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Post by Gabbin on Nov 1, 2005 23:19:18 GMT -6
XXXXXVirgin-I flew into Manchester and then they drove me along winding lanes at break-neck speed in a car that seemed to be dragging its rear. I didn't see much beyond school kids knee caps. I felt a bit ill. What wonderul countryside.
They drove me around the hills and dales, up and down. Urp.
I have been around England, though, now that I think of it. This is my third trip. I bicycled up and down it before. Oh, and hitchiked up to Scotland and back, I think. Something like that. I love England, such nice folks.
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Post by xenavirgin on Nov 2, 2005 5:02:08 GMT -6
Aye we try Misttress Gabbins.
I mean to be nice that is. ;D
XV
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Post by Phalon on Nov 5, 2005 0:41:26 GMT -6
No, no, no....my favorite season; it can not be ending so soon.
I was walking downtown the other day and saw the ice-skating rink being erected already. Fun; love taking the girls; love skating in wool sweaters and fuzzy mittens, but I don't want to think mittens and ice yet; I've too much roller-skiing yet to get in.
The brilliant color of fall is still hanging on; barely. The last week we had a bunch of gorgeous fall days - breathtakingly so, but windy, and combined with a couple of rainy nights means a lot of the leaves have fallen; many trees are bare now. The big leaf-sucker-upper trucks are making their rounds. I know I've written of these in years prior here, but I am still mesmerized watching them make their way down the streets where residents pile leaves from their yards sometimes feet deep. Slowly the truck drives with its long, flexible hose appendage moving back and forth along the curbs sucking up pretty colors like some Cat in the Hat cleaner-upper vehicle.
Too soon; too much left to get in before the snow flies. I want it to hang on like the last orange/yellow leaf hanging from the maple out front, refusing to let go.
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Post by Joxcenia on Nov 5, 2005 17:29:05 GMT -6
Why is fall and spring so short? I guess it will remain one of life's mysteries.
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Post by Scrappy Amazon on Nov 7, 2005 22:56:06 GMT -6
So Madam P...you gonna post some of those absolutely beautiful pictures you have?
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