28 degrees and dropping tonight, starting to feel like the season.
Cranked up my Christmas list on Spotify the other day on a long drive and loved it.

44 days and a wake-up to Christmas Day, just in case we need a reminder.

30 last night here in NE Texas (paris TX area)

Starting to see houses with Christmas lights already .

Tree is up, grandkids love it, that's it for now, won't be long, the lights go up Thanksgiving weekend.

Spotted what used to be a live Christmas tree until a chain saw hit it, strapped down on top of a Subaru Outback this afternoon. Tree hunting season must be open....

[Grinch mode] I've not done any shopping or card-writing or any of that stuff, and I can't stand Christmas music before Thanksgiving. [/Grinch mode]

That said, I do intend to put the candle lamps in the windows this evening.

I became newly single three years ago. That has changed the holidays significantly. However, change is not always bad.

I buy a tree a week before Christmas as a steep discount. Decorate it. And enjoy it until Jan 1. My sons come over either Christmas Eve or day. Still have a great time, it is just different.

[Grinch mode] I've not done any shopping or card-writing or any of that stuff, and I can't stand Christmas music before Thanksgiving


same here. like celebrating the 4th before memorial day

I got divorced in 2013. That Christmas I bought the Charlie Brown Christmas Tree and it has been up in a bookcase for the past 12 years. I have had to replace the ornament if a cat broke it.

Already bought my son his xmas/bday present and will get my daughter her present on cyber monday. waiting to see what sales there are. my son got a rog xbox ally and daughter is getting a steamdeck. my g/f said she ordered a staccato that should arrive around xmas. kids got me a holster for it. it's going to be a rough december. as it stands now, i am only off on 12/16 and 12/17 unless we hurry up and promote someone

quote:

Originally posted by Beancooker:
The Christmas tamales look outstanding!

I live in Arizona and it’s hard to find a decent tamale. I hate it when the masa/meat ratio isn’t right. It’s not supposed to be the size of a burrito with a pencil think ribbon of meat.

I’d happily pay more to have a tamale with a decent amount of meat. All I seem to find are masa logs.

How true, I grew up with my relatives making tamales during the holidays. Most that are for sale do have way too much masa, I guess it makes it look like they are large so people buy them. I’m in the Houston area and have not found any real good ones, my aunt made the best i have ever eaten and she passed away several years ago. My mother in law wail occasionally make them still so I may get my fix this year.

quote:

Originally posted by Chowser:
That Christmas I bought the Charlie Brown Christmas Tree and it has been up in a bookcase for the past 12 years.

Been there!

Charlie Brown trees are awesome in their own ways.

Our interior trees/decorations went up two weeks ago; we still have to put ornaments on the tree.

I was trying to get a ladder that I could safely get up to the eaves and mount the lights, but I didn’t have any luck in sourcing one. I will plan ahead for next year.

We buy the gingerbread premade slabs and everyone comes over and makes a gingerbread house which we then argue/vote to see whose is the best. I have yet to get in the top 3. Good time nonetheless.

When I was junior in my company I usually flew on Christmas or at least Christmas Eve. Now I’m senior enough to take the whole month off. My youngest is a full time firefighter though and works on Christmas so we are doing Christmas on the next day just like old times. lol.

Just can't see myself sending out e-mail Christmas cards; so, I just finished signing, stamping, and addressing perhaps 35 old school paper cards.

And I'm short about five cards, time for a run to a Hallmark shop or Walgreen's tomorrow.

quote:

Originally posted by rat2306:

And I'm short about five cards, time for a run to a Hallmark shop or Walgreen's tomorrow.

Wait couple weeks, they will be on sale, 50% off.

quote:

Originally posted by V-Tail:

quote:

Originally posted by rat2306:

And I'm short about five cards, time for a run to a Hallmark shop or Walgreen's tomorrow.

Wait couple weeks, they will be on sale, 50% off.

True, but I need them before Dec. 24. I have a few cards with Peanuts characters on them, but the folks that I need them for may not be fans of Linus and Snoopy. Pretty strait-laced. And one needs to be a Hanukkah card (Hallmark appears to have them).

I was in Puerto Rico with the Army over three Christmases and joined in the local celebrations, including Three Kings Day (El Día de las tres Reyes Majicos).

We made Coquitos in the Microbiology Laboratory; the same equipment used for preparing growth media worked well for the drink.

The rum most commonly used was Ron Barrelito — locally produced and, until sometime recently, not exported to the USA mainland.

I use CocoLopez sweetened coconut milk, rum and any good commercial egg nog to create an amazingly tasty version. A sprinkling of fresh ground cinnamon and/or a squeeze of lime to taste makes a good drink!

Ratio: one quart nog; 1 cup (+\-) rum; 1/2 cup CocoLopez

There are many types of rum - my personal preference is Barrelito, but any good PR or other dark island rum will work. I DO NOY use any of the flavored (vanilla, cinnamon etc.)

Please, if you try this, let me hear your opinion, especially if you are already familiar with Coquitos!!