liberal japonicus
Hello from (one day) in the future. Thanks to the wonders of the international dateline, I can tell you that everything is pretty much the same (i.e. shitty), though I suspect that I'm walking around with an American day count while everyone around me has an Asian day count, as described in this page.
I say that because here in Japan, I've usually had to work on Christmas day, so we'd get up, try to the present opening stuff with the kids and then I'd go off to teach. This year, I don't have monday classes, but my youngest daughter is at a university that has classes until 27 Dec. So, we will bring the mountain (or at least the Christmas dinner) to Mohammed. Still not sure exactly what will be on the menu (my daughter only has a microwave, so we are cooking stuff now to be reheated and will stop by Costco on the way, which, being in Japan, is open)
Anyway, an open thread for folks to say what you are doing and eating for this holiday. And may the holidays treat all of you well.
Salmon, stuffing (with onions, celery, mushrooms, and raisins) salad, followed by maple syrup and rum pecan cake followed by wine and cigars on the deck.
Happy whatever you celebrate and best wishes for the coming year.
Posted by: wonkie | December 24, 2023 at 10:00 PM
Today's project involved unloading the chest freezer (into 3 ice chests), in order to see what might be buried deep in there. Found some duck; heaven knows how long that's been hiding. Also a bunch of frozen cauliflower; no clue why anyone decided to freeze that. The cauliflower was featured in this evening's stirfry. The duck is awaiting its moment.
Probably off to see my brother on Boxing Day. My thought being that his assisted living facility will be a zoo on Christmas Day.
Posted by: wj | December 24, 2023 at 10:49 PM
Speaking of zoos on Christmas, that's where we will be heading. It's half as full of people as normal. Then home to make posole for dinner.
A bit of Christmas Death Jazz for everyone: Panzerballett - Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UpHZfnyoK4Q
Oddest Christmas song I've yet found.
Advanced warning though, the album has both Last Christmas and Little Drummer Boy on it, so don't go hit play or you will bring on Whamageddon.
Posted by: nous | December 25, 2023 at 01:35 AM
Raclette yesterday (in Germany the main event is on the 24th in the evening, not 25th in the morning), to-day and probably to-morrow duck.
Weather is out to mock us. There was snow in late November for a few days (extremly uncommon) and the last few nights a bit just to melt within a few hours. Obviously to just rub under our noses that white christmas is a thing of the past. 12°C during the day. The forecast constant rain was absent too though, just occasional drizzle. And the squalls seem to have returned after a pause yesterday.
Heck! Just sqalls and gloomy drizzle
Snow shows up for soon to sizzle*
*Snowflakes hit the ground and instantly disappear as if the hit a hot stove.
Posted by: Hartmut | December 25, 2023 at 03:22 AM
Most of what I believe in is the aspirations of human existence. Reflected in my view of religion and the American experiment, both still worth aspiring too.
And so the last line is always my wish for Christmas. Merry Christmas all!
2 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.
2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)
3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)
5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men
Posted by: Marty | December 25, 2023 at 09:15 AM
Hartmut,
did you get any Printen? I hear that they send it out from Aachen to most of Germany.
Posted by: Snarki, child of Loki | December 25, 2023 at 12:12 PM
My odd little creatures and I would like to wish you all Merry Christmas. (Man, the new municipal symmetric gigabit internet service means things go up to the cloud quickly.)
Posted by: Michael Cain | December 25, 2023 at 12:14 PM
Love your odd little creatures, Michael.
Hi to Marty -- glad you came along.
Christmas cuteness from times past, revived in the Bangor Daily for nostalgia's sake and, apparently, bragging rights. :-)
Holiday good wishes to everyone.
Posted by: JanieM | December 25, 2023 at 12:50 PM
I slow cooked a turkey overnight. Stilton and crackers now.
Posted by: Pro Bono | December 25, 2023 at 01:55 PM
Snarki, I prefer the (cheap) standard Lebkuchen and spiced speculaas (or Gewürz-Spekulatius as they are spelled in Germany). I stocked up on both.
Posted by: Hartmut | December 25, 2023 at 06:14 PM
Posole Rojo is in the pressure cooker for tonight's repast. Best thing I got from my time in Santa Fé.
Posted by: nous | December 25, 2023 at 08:48 PM
Sadly, no going to a Panto on Boxing Day, since it's not running this year. Hopes for next year.
Posted by: Snarki, child of Loki | December 26, 2023 at 11:49 AM
Weather is out to mock us.
We're having wind for Christmas. Started Sunday, increased on Christmas, supposed to peak today with gusts to 55+ mph. Got strong enough up by the Wyoming border where the local power authority's wind farm is around 4:00 am this morning that they had to shut down. In the process of coming back on line now.
Posted by: Michael Cain | December 26, 2023 at 12:11 PM
I usually use a pan-in-pan method of cooking with a pressure cooker. That allows me to use the amount of water I want to without any risk of sticking/scorching/burning.
Posted by: CharlesWT | December 26, 2023 at 12:30 PM
Timeline of Pressure Cookers: From Steam Digesters to Instant Pots
Posted by: CharlesWT | December 26, 2023 at 02:06 PM
We cooked a bone-in turkey breast in our crockpot with whole-berry cranberry sauce and onion soup mix. It turned out nicely, especially for a first attempt. Merry Re-branded Paganism!!!
Posted by: hairshirthedonist | December 26, 2023 at 08:21 PM
Speaking of zoos on Christmas, that's where we will be heading. It's half as full of people as normal.
True, it's the same in London - bliss.
Canapes on the 24th, no goose this year on the 25th (bird flu gave me a good excuse, it's a bit of an effort to put it mildly) but tenderloin roast with Semmelknoedel (https://www.daringgourmet.com/semmel-knoedel-german-bread-dumplings/) red cabbage and Brussels Sprouts.
Looking forward to meeting up with friends and going to the opera with our DD - "Haensel and Gretel" by Engelbert Humperdinck, (the composer, not the singer, lol).
Posted by: novakant | December 27, 2023 at 05:23 AM
For some reason that opera has become a Xmas tradition (and, as I deduce from novakant's post, not just in Germany).
Posted by: Hartmut | December 27, 2023 at 09:04 AM