What are you doing today?

1. 92

   habeeposted 11 years ago

   This morning, my daughters, grandkids, and I are making our annual Christmas Eve visit to a local nursing home to pass out candy. The residents love seeing children. Then we're taking my elderly aunt out for lunch. Then we're putting out food for all the neighborhood critters. Later, all these good deeds are wiped out with our food and gift orgy! lol

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      klarawieckposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      That's awsome habee. So glad you're teaching the kids the real meaning of the holidays. Last night I was baking Paula Deen hidden mint cookies until midnight. And I was up at 8:30am to clean the house and cook for my family who's coming over at 4pm. Butternut squash bisque to get us started, then crispy chicken cutlets with basil parsley sauce and risotto and a salad of roasted tomato, green beans, and mushrooms. Everyone is invited!

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         wordscribe43posted 11 years agoin reply to this

         Great!  Where do you live again?

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            klarawieckposted 11 years agoin reply to this

            Miami Beach. Its 74 degrees now. Come on over!

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            1. 61

               ediggityposted 11 years agoin reply to this

               Then I guess hot cocoa wouldn't be the best beverage choice.

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2. 67

   emievilposted 11 years ago

   We're going to our aunt's house tomorrow to visit our relatives (aunts, uncles, cousins, nephews and nieces). This is the time when we give 'aginaldos' or Christmas gifts to the young ones and the young once .

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3. 75

   WriteAngledposted 11 years ago

   I'm with my daughers in London. I went out to get the last present I needed and to get my watch battery replaced. Then I wrapped my presents. Now, I'm sitting in the living room, alternately chatting, playing games on my laptop, and doing some editing of translations. I always get a huge surge of work over Christmas so tend to do some on and off when everyone else is busy or watching things on TV that don't interest me. My daughters and a boyfriend are coming in and out of the kitchen, making some gingerbread and getting a meal together, and playing games/surfing on their phones or laptops.

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4. 72

   Cagsilposted 11 years ago

   I am presently doing my normal daily routine while cooking and preparing dinner for 7 or 8 people. Christmas Eve is our Christmas Day, due to the fact that multiple families are involved over the course of the holidays.

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   1. 86

      IzzyMposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      For nearly 30 years I prepared a Christmas dinner of three courses for upwards of 14 people.
      It was manic, chaotic, and symbolic of Christmas and I loved every bit of it.
      
      Things have changed and I just need to adapt. As I no longer celebrate Christmas (there is no tree decorated with lights in my house, everything remains packed away) it doesn't matter that the bird I bought is turned. It's only a cheap chicken.
      
      I remember my first year without my family.
      
      My bar was failing, I was up to my neck in debt, and he took the meagre bar takings I had to buy a capon at €80 ($120)(or so he said he'd paid for it, liar) and served it up to me, minus potatoes and vegetables and floating on a bed of olive oil.
      
      This is the last year I need to put up with this. Thankfully.

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5. 86

   IzzyMposted 11 years ago

   I did nothing sensible today (no change there!)but I did go out to buy some last minute food things, then went to the pub for a coffee and ended up having some beers seeing everyone else is celebrating Christmas.
   
   This is only the 2nd time this year I have been out!
   
   Before I went out, he informed me he expected his Christmas dinner at 10pm tonight, as is traditional in Spain.
   
   I had planned to have it tomorrow as is traditional where I come from.
   
   So, I went home today and unwrapped the chicken he had bought 3 days ago and left in the fridge.
   
   It is stinking!!
   
   So, no dinner tonight or tomorrow - well no that is a lie, I have some minced beef in, he can have spaghetti bolognese, meatballs or Scottish mince and tatties for his Christmas dinner.
   
   Tomorrow..
   
   Meanwhile, in another hour or so I am out of here, and off up to the local bar where they have a karaoke tonight
   
   Third time out his year. I'll be thinking it's my birthday!

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   1. 59

      calpol25posted 11 years agoin reply to this

      I am having Scottish Mince and Tatties on boxing day .... mmmmmm love it so much xx

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      1. 94

         Gordon Hamiltonposted 11 years agoin reply to this

         Do you know, I honestly can't remember the last time I had mince and tatties. We're talking a number of years, not months. Will definitely need to put that right soon. Thanks for the reminder and I hope you enjoy it!

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         Muldaniaposted 11 years agoin reply to this

         I used to love haggis and mashed potato and swede, and since becoming a vegetarian, I enjoy Marks and Spencer's vegetarian haggis.

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         1. 86

            IzzyMposted 11 years agoin reply to this

            Do you buy veggie cows, pigs and sheep? No? Tell me how it is possible to have a vegetarian haggis?
            
            These little creatures that run round mountains with one leg shorter than the other cannot, under any stretch of the imagination, be considered a vegetarian meal.
            
            Those must be sassanach haggis!

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            1. 87

               RedElfposted 11 years agoin reply to this

               Oh, my, I haven't heard that word for ages - sassanach, not haggis. My dad's father was from Northumberland, and referred to the Scottish border-raiding, sheep-stealing, persecutors of his ancestors as "murthering heelan' bas***ds." He didn't think it funny when we told him they probably referred to our ancestors (also border-raiding sheep-thieves) as "murthering lowland bas***ds."
               
               Hope your Christmases are soon celebrated as you would have them celebrated.

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         couturepopcafeposted 11 years agoin reply to this

         Ok people, please explain to an American what these are.

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         1. 86

            IzzyMposted 11 years agoin reply to this

            Ground beef fried with chopped onions (carrot optional), topped up with water or stock and simmered for a couple of hours, then thickened.
            Then potatoes, boiled, drained and mashed with butter and a little milk.
            Serve juntos:)

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         2. 94

            Gordon Hamiltonposted 11 years agoin reply to this

            Mince is basically ground (minced) beef. It is firstly browned in a pot then cooked in beef stock, with onions and carrots. (The technique varies from family to family, never mind region to region!) Tatties are potatoes - they can be boiled or mashed. I remember my family from Fife used to call it "Totties and mince" rather than "Mince and tatties".
            
            Haggis is again ground meat (offal, in this instance) which is heavily spiced and stuffed in to a sheep or pig's intestine. It is then boiled to cook it. I am afraid that although I have heard of vegetarian haggis, I haven't the faintest idea what's in it

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            1. 0

               Muldaniaposted 11 years agoin reply to this

               Vegetarian haggis is made from haggis which died of natural causes.  although I once had a haggis which died by its own hands.  I also eat fish from a fishmongers who specialise in fish who died as a result of falling down the stairs.

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               1. 86

                  IzzyMposted 11 years agoin reply to this

                  

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                  1. 56

                     prettydarkhorseposted 11 years agoin reply to this

                     Izzy, Merry Christmas, all the best and I am praying your mom will feel better!!

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   2. 84

      mary615posted 11 years agoin reply to this

      IzzyM, sounds like you have the makings of a great Hub with your life story. I hope 2012 will be better for you.

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6. 94

   Gordon Hamiltonposted 11 years ago

   I spent the afternoon braving the chaotic rush of last minute panic buyers in the supermarket, before popping in to my local fishing tackle shop for a cup of tea and a chat about sensible piscatorial issues with the owner
   
   I am presently roasting a little off-cut of turkey I bought for my dog's Christmas dinner. After that, I am going to part cook the knuckle of pork I bought for my own Christmas dinner.
   
   Tomorrow, I'll work most of the day but Robbie (the dog) and I will have our Christmas dinner after the Queen's Speech and then I'll probably watch some classic comedies on TV that I have seen at least twenty times before...
   
   Hope everyone has a wonderful day and Merry Christmas!

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   1. 75

      WriteAngledposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      I was very surprised, when I went into Wimbledon centre about midday today to find very few people in the streets and shops. Normally, when I shop on Christmas Eve, it is frantic, but not this year.

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      1. 94

         Gordon Hamiltonposted 11 years agoin reply to this

         Glad to hear you were lucky enough to escape it, WriteAngled. I was three times round the supermarket car park trying to find a space and only got one by pure luck, when someone was pulling out right in front of where I happened to be. Then I still had the cattle market of the supermarket itself to negotiate.
         
         Still - at least it's over and done with!

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7. 0

   Muldaniaposted 11 years ago

   I started the day very late, as I didn't wake until 2.30pm, after 11 hours of sleep.  I don't know how I managed that.  However, after getting up, I did some last minute Christmas shopping and then returned home to watch the christmas panto, and now 'A Christmas Carol', whilst drinking Christmas pudding wine and listening to the church bells.  Later, I shall watch the Christmas Eve carol service on BBC 1.

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8. 80

   mega1posted 11 years ago

   I'm a caregiver so this Christmas weekend I'm working - trying to make the days a little more festive for an old man - and entertaining his son & daughter in law (!) and trying not to get to nostalgic or wistful about my own family.  Also, eating lots and crocheting fingerless gloves to keep my hands warm while I type.  So not too merry, but I'm getting used to it!

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9. 56

   prettydarkhorseposted 11 years ago

   still cooking preparing Christmas dinner.

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10. 75

    Reality Bytesposted 11 years ago

    Anticipating spending the night with my grandson.  It is a very frugal holiday this year with everything I have being given to my little guy.  I cannot wait to receive the gifts of his smiles and laughter later.

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       prettydarkhorseposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       sweet
       
       Merry Christmas!!!
       
       and to all the hubbers here...

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       1. 75

          Reality Bytesposted 11 years agoin reply to this

          Mery Christmas,  may all have peace and prosperity... 

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11. 73

    livewithrichardposted 11 years ago

    Spending the afternoon wrapping presents, making a Buffalo Chicken Dip and a Peppermint cheesecake to bring to our family get together this evening.  Quiet and relaxing day before the storm...lol

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12. 52

    mame8posted 11 years ago

    sleep, eat, celebrate with family, continue my work

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13. 84

    mary615posted 11 years ago

    Let's see:  I baked two Pecan Pies, baked two Amish Friendship Bread Loaves, Made 2 dozen deviled eggs, and am finishing up the layered salad.  My kids are doing the turkey, vegs. etc.  I'm about pooped!

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14. 93

    rmcrayneposted 11 years ago

    I had a lazy and relaxing day.  Just me and my brother this year.  I did some hubbing, talked to my mom, made a salmon stew with a nice wild caught filet.  No re-evals to write, no papers to grade, at least not today or tomorrow.

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15. 81

    Earl S. Wynnposted 11 years ago

    It's just me and my sweet this Christmas, hanging out and watching movies after a week of work. In the morning, we open presents and I'm going to cook her up one heck of a dinner!

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16. 80

    suziecat7posted 11 years ago

    Cooking and Hubbing - two of my favorite activities. I might sneak in a move or two on Scrabble. After a frantic and busy couple of weeks at work, it's good just to be home and relax.

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17. 65

    jcmayer777posted 11 years ago

    I'll be so glad when Christmas is over.
    
    Yesterday was off to the in-laws.  As soon as that was done, it was off to my Grandmother's home for an all-out family debacle.  Woke up this morning with the kids for Christmas.  Heading to my folks' home in 30 minutes.
    
    I'll be glad when it's done.

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