Christmas Happiness Fairy.

[English Lady]

Well,I think this place is in need of a damn good zap of happiness, so here I am to try and provide it.

No negativity in this thread, come here if you need to find some happiness. Ask and the Christmas Happiness Fairy will try and provide some for you.

I will do my best to provide festive cheer and all round joyfulness right here.

So grab your smile, or make a wish and lets enjoy the season -ok?



http://www.donna-marias-world.co.uk/misscv2/rebel%20pic%20web.jpg

 

[Aurora Black]

*turns on giant revolving fans, throws glitter around the room*

 

[English Lady]

ooooh glittery snow *dances*

 

[English Lady]

Ok,Ok I'm spreading the happiness!

http://cstitcher.tripod.com/advent.html


Click the above link for a lovely festive gift each day, click on todays window for a rather yummy looking recipe, theres colour ins to print out for kiddies and puzzles and thigs too

 

[Aurora Black]

Ooh, Selena should like this!

 

[Aurora Black]

*looks at today's gift*

Mmm. I miss peanut butter. I remember finding some several months ago, but it was the healthy kind without sugar. Nope, no JIF over here...

 

[English Lady]

No peanut butter

Send me your address and I'll dispatch a jar post haste! I can't bear to think of such a cruel, cruel situation!

 

[Aurora Black]

No peanut butter

Send me your address and I'll dispatch a jar post haste! I can't bear to think of such a cruel, cruel situation!

No, it's fine. Really. If I really craved some (which is rare now), I could ask my mom to send some over. Do y'all have Jif in England?

 

[English Lady]

Well they recently change its name to cif, but Jif is a cream bathroom/kitchen cleaner over here *LOL*

 

[Aurora Black]

Well they recently change its name to cif, but Jif is a cream bathroom/kitchen cleaner over here *LOL*

We have Cif here! That makes sense, because Greece gets its major brand name products from the UK.

*grimaces at the idea of lemon fresh flavored peanut butter*

 

[English Lady]

Ahh, of course! Well Cif used to be Jif, so yes lemony fresh peanut butter oesn't sound good to me either.


Ok, I've got fresh baked mince pies here, I'm willing to push one down my cable connection to anyone who'd like one

 

[Aurora Black]

Ahh, of course! Well Cif used to be Jif, so yes lemony fresh peanut butter oesn't sound good to me either.


Ok, I've got fresh baked mince pies here, I'm willing to push one down my cable connection to anyone who'd like one

I've never tasted a mince pie. What's in it again? Nuts and fruit?

 

[matriarch]

Ahh, of course! Well Cif used to be Jif, so yes lemony fresh peanut butter oesn't sound good to me either.


Ok, I've got fresh baked mince pies here, I'm willing to push one down my cable connection to anyone who'd like one

Oh god, yes please...................*sniffing the air expectantly*........I have GOT to find some mincemeat and make some. Mincepies are one of the few things I'm really missing. Well, apart from marmite, bisto and Victorian Green tomato chutney, all of which my buddy is sending me in a care package.

 

[matriarch]

I've never tasted a mince pie. What's in it again? Nuts and fruit?

It's heaven in a delicious, sweet, short crust pastry case.

 

[ABSTRUSE]

It's heaven in a delicious, sweet, short crust pastry case.

You people eat anything in a damn crust.

 

[Aurora Black]

You people eat anything in a damn crust.

Well, not anything. *thinks hard, turns green*

What is marmite, and what is Grunsten Pickle (did I say that right?)?

 

[matriarch]

You people eat anything in a damn crust.

Do not !!

Don't knock them until you've tasted one.
The original mince pies, back in medieval times actually contained minced meat, as in the red animal stuff, mixed with fruit and spices. Eventually, over time, the meat was left out, and the mixed marinaded fruit and spices was all that was left.

Everyone has their own way of making them, and the final taste depends entirely upon the type of pastry you use.

My favourite is the traditional with a thin, very short, sugared pastry case, filled to the brim with juicy, spicey fruit. I've tried them with flakey pastry. Disaster. I've even tried making filo pastry parcels. Way too much filo, and not enough filling.

I'll stick to traditional. But I'll need a bun/patty tin to make them.

 

[English Lady]

Mat -I luuurve mince pies! I'd send you some,but i think they'd be less then fresh once they reached you *L*

Aurora - dried fruits, candided peel, suet and sugar (ooh and a splash of brandy if you're lucky!)all in a rich, shortcrust pastry case. Pure Christmas!

 

[matriarch]

Well, not anything. *thinks hard, turns green*

What is marmite, and what is Grunsten Pickle (did I say that right?)?

Branston Pickle. A very generic brown chutney.

http://www.thebritishshoppe.com/Merchant2/graphics/00000001/Branston%20pickle%20large.jpg


As for marmite...........this is an old question.....and its like garlic. You either love it or hate it. I love it. On hot buttered toast or English Muffins.

EL I know, doesn't like it at all.

http://www.nexternal.com/vegane/images/MarmiteLg.jpg

do you, EL??

 

[ABSTRUSE]

What about plum pudding?

 

[English Lady]

Branston Pickle. A very generic brown chutney.

http://www.thebritishshoppe.com/Merchant2/graphics/00000001/Branston%20pickle%20large.jpg


As for marmite...........this is an old question.....and its like garlic. You either love it or hate it. I love it. On hot buttered toast or English Muffins.

EL I know, doesn't like it at all.

http://www.nexternal.com/vegane/images/MarmiteLg.jpg

do you, EL??

I love branston pickle but i hate, hate, hate HATE marmite. The smell just makes me retch -bleurgh.


Abs , you know, I don't think I've ever had plum pudding.

Christmas pudding oooh yes *licks lips and drools* My Grandad used to make the most delicious Christmas puddings..

 

[matriarch]

What about plum pudding?

Plum pudding is the old fashioned name of what has now become the traditional christmas pudding.

http://www.eat-online.net/images/christmas_habits/pudding.jpg

And yes, it is absolutely delicious. Once again made with mixed fruit, nuts, usually if home made has small coins mixed in for luck, brandy, and if being very ambitious, is flambed at serving. Usually served with brandy butter or cream or custard. Depends on the taste and palette of the diners.

Very rich, very heavy and should be served in small but delicious portions.

 

[Aurora Black]

Do not !!

Don't knock them until you've tasted one.
The original mince pies, back in medieval times actually contained minced meat, as in the red animal stuff, mixed with fruit and spices. Eventually, over time, the meat was left out, and the mixed marinaded fruit and spices was all that was left.

Everyone has their own way of making them, and the final taste depends entirely upon the type of pastry you use.

My favourite is the traditional with a thin, very short, sugared pastry case, filled to the brim with juicy, spicey fruit. I've tried them with flakey pastry. Disaster. I've even tried making filo pastry parcels. Way too much filo, and not enough filling.

I'll stick to traditional. But I'll need a bun/patty tin to make them.

Yes, I've heard of the minced meat pies from the olden days. That's how I thought they were still made, and my reaction was "EW!" But now I know that's no longer the case.

I think I've tried making a sweet with fruit and filo dough, but I didn't know that it was a mince pie. I think it turned out well, but it was a while back so I don't remember much. I think I used apricot jam and chopped almonds.

 

[ABSTRUSE]

So what's the difference between plum pudding and Christmas pudding?

 

[matriarch]

Plum puddings are still made and eaten, they are much heavier and richer. Personally I prefer the good ol' christmas pud.

*drooling here*........no fair.

Plum pudding