Come for the politics, stay for the snark.

We will not go quietly into the night; we will not vanish without a fight.

“They all knew.”

We need to vote them all out and restore sane Democratic government.

Live so that if you miss a day of work people aren’t hoping you’re dead.

Stand up, dammit!

When someone says they “love freedom”, rest assured they don’t mean yours.

Republicans: “Abortion is murder but you can take a bus to get one.” Easy peasy.

Motto for the House: Flip 5 and lose none.

Republicans choose power over democracy, every day.

The willow is too close to the house.

Nancy smash is sick of your bullshit.

Let me eat cake. The rest of you could stand to lose some weight, frankly.

The words do not have to be perfect.

Giving in to doom is how we fail to fight for ourselves & one another.

Anyone who bans teaching American history has no right to shape America’s future.

I really should read my own blog.

Never entrust democracy to any process that requires Republicans to act in good faith.

The cruelty is the point; the law be damned.

Within six months Twitter will be fully self-driving.

The current Supreme Court is a dangerous, rogue court.

A thin legal pretext to veneer over their personal religious and political desires.

“What are Republicans afraid of?” Everything.

We still have time to mess this up!

We can show the world that autocracy can be defeated.

You are here: Home / Open Threads / Seasons Greetings, Losers

Seasons Greetings, Losers

by | 260 Comments

This post is in: 

I hope you all are having a solid Christmas Eve. I am, as I choose, doing NOTHING, and it is quite pleasant. I have a touch of a sinus thing going on, so I’m rocking some alka seltzer cold and flu and taking steam showers and basically gaming and watching netflix, which is not too shabby, if you ask me. Made a solid chicken parm for dinner, and waiting to have some fruit cake later.

What are you magnificent folks up to?

Reader Interactions

260Comments

  1. 1.

    Jerry

    The family and I just finished our traditional xmas eve feast of various sliced meats and cheeses with homemade bread, an some treats from a local German bakery. Up next, German beer. Oh, and we’re currently under a tornado watch with chances of snow flurries tomorrow.

    And now, for the greatest xmas song of all time. It’s hard to top this gem.

    youtube.com/watch?v=XeTpvQMVt8E

  2. 2.

    Xavier

    Was just out lighting the luminarias. This is New Mexico, so no comments about “cultural appropriation.”

  4. 4.

    Danielx

    Waiting in the parking lot at Buca di Beppo for a carry out order that scheduled to be picked up at 6:00. It is now 6:59.

  9. 9.

    Danielx

    Fortunately for me there was an unopened bottle of Drambuie and a semi empty espresso cup in the car. It’s sixteen degrees and snowing.

  10. 10.

    Danielx

    And updating my count of articles that use the adjective “unhinged” to describe Fat Bastard. It’s up to nine…I think.

  11. 11.

    Steeplejack

    Dragged up from downstairs: I chanced upon a nice “Snow Jazz” channel on YouTube, which suits my mood—lets my attention fade in and out and doesn’t require me to decide what to play next.

    I had a giant burger and onion rings a couple of hours ago, so I don’t think dinner is in the cards for me. Might open a bottle of cava and sip that into the wee hours, with some bits of dark chocolate.

  12. 12.

    S. Cerevisiae

    Curled up on the couch with my German Shepherd Bella watching a holiday favorite, Trading Places. The wood ? stove is fired up and it’s time to kick back with a little bud and a Celebration ale ?

  15. 15.

    Wapiti

    Headed out to my dad’s in a few. We’re meeting with my sisters and maybe my brother to sing Dad a couple of carols from his front yard; everyone is celebrating Christmas on their own, but 3 carols, masked and about 12′ apart on the lawn might bring him some cheer.

    Then spouse and I will come home and cook some salmon fettucine for dinner.

  16. 16.

    trollhattan

    We just determined that it is ale-o’clock and that’s science at work, folks.

    Grocery store run was non-dramatic, not crowded and short checkout lines. Butter ain’t easy to acquire and the odd bits included butter that was sixteen fucking dollars a pound. I did not buy that one, but you salted butter folks might be disappointed. Other than that, sailed through with ease. We’re not saddled with anti-maskers and yay for that.

    Much wrapping left to do but amazingly, all needed stuff has been delivered except one, which has gone into orbit or something. Yesterday we had more deliveries than any day I can remember, there could have been ten, lost count. One came this morning at about five-thirty.

    Sun broke through the fog a couple hours ago and it’s a nice afternoon. Happy Christmas, as they say where they spell center centre. ?

  19. 19.

    RSA

    Raining outside. But Santa rode by just about an hour ago, with his fire engine entourage, waving cheerily. I’m about to do my default dinner: Caesar salad with sauteed salmon, glass of Pinot Noir.

  20. 20.

    The Thin Black Duke

    Enjoying curried goat, beans and rice, collard greens and plantains from our friendly neighborhood carribean restaurant. And the BJ calendar arrived this afternoon. Life Is Good.

  21. 21.

    Felanius Kootea

    Going for a walk after gorging on empanadas (meant for tomorrow) and brownies.  Have a wonderful Christmas John and jackals!

  22. 22.

    Litlebritdifrnt

    We ordered take out (as is our tradition on Thanksgiving Eve and Chistmas Eve) seeing as I will be doing a whole bunch of cooking tomorrow. My new suite was delivered this morning and I am enjoying sitting in my new “throne” a huge red leather recliner.  Three  seater red leather couch to match.  Looking forward to opening gifts in the morning. Tons of them under the tree!  Other than that following you John, doing nothing.

  23. 23.

    Jeffro

    Too funny, we made chicken parm here as well!?

    since we missed it yesterday, we are catching up on our “airing of the grievances” and “feats of strength”

  24. 24.

    Goku (aka Amerikan Baka)

    Wrapping presents. Got mostly gift cards. I didn’t really get into the “Christmas spirit” until this week, which I feel bad about. Honestly, the older I’ve gotten, the less excited I’ve been about Christmas; the pandemic and Trump’s bullshit probably hasn’t helped. But I’m genuinely thankful that friends and family are still here after the year we’ve all had

  27. 27.

    Wag

    We skied in the bitter cold this afternoon and are making seafood pasta for dinner.    After that, time for the traditional viewing of National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation.

  28. 28.

    Jeffro

    Who else is doing Chinese food + watching DIE HARD tomorrow night?  It’s our new favorite tradition. ????

  29. 29.

    S. Cerevisiae

    @trollhattan: I showed her Champ and Major’s Christmas video today and she was alert and happy. She is almost 10 now so she’s not as hyper as Major anymore but she can still wear daddy out every day. I absolutely love the new First Dogs!

  31. 31.

    NotMax

    Also cooking a mess o’ potato pancakes. Easily has been six months since last pulled out the frying pan from the drawer below the oven.

    House smells divine while they’re cooking.

  32. 32.

    Ruckus

    @Baud:

    Hey! I was going to say that! OK not really but the sentiment is there.

    My xmas eve sounds just like John’s. Except I got to work half a day. Which is OK yesterday we cleaned up work like it hasn’t been cleaned up in over a year. And a machine shop can get rather less than hospital clean in a year, even if it’s swept up regular. Which it is. Then we had a nice spread, which I ate away from everyone else because I had to take off my mask. And I don’t do that except to eat, and then not near anyone else. That was half a day as well. Just got back from walking to the store to pick up a few things for another week. Splurging with some Pepperidge Farm xmas cookies, and doing not a damn other thing.

  33. 33.

    Major Major Major Major

    @Goku (aka Amerikan Baka): without food boxes and mattress salesmen there might not be any podcasts at all.

    This one was from Gobble and was pretty easy, but then again roasts usually are. Premade creamed spinach and mashed potatoes and demi-glacé were big time savers.

    And now it’s time to I dunno smoke weed and play video games maybe.

  34. 34.

    ET

    Ahhhhh. Nothing like a John Cole seasons greeting.

    Happy holidays everyone! P

    I am down for the nothing. I made pecan pie and cornbread earlier and just finished some flank steak and creme spinach dinner with a side of cornbread and pie. Now for a nice relaxung bath. Tomorrow it is eggs and cheese grits in my jammies. 

  36. 36.

    Drdavechemist

    @Wapiti: We have safely done caroling this season (though lots less than usual) using masks, face shields, and lots of distance outdoors. We also sang carols outside with masks around a portable fire pit in a neighbor’s driveway earlier this week.

  37. 37.

    Tom Levenson

    Hanging with the only member of our pod. Gonna rock a tiny standing rib roast, preceded by parsnip soup and succeeded by a warm batch of hazelnut butter cookies.

    Then, I hope, ten hours of sleep.

  38. 38.

    H.E.Wolf

    We hadn’t baked holiday cookies the past couple of years, but today we got out the cookie cutters and made molasses-ginger cookies in the shape of moose, and the rest of the dough in a patchwork with sugar-cookie dough to make calico and tortoiseshell cats.

    Also a few tortoiseshell stars and circles when we got down to the last snippets.

    All the best to all the jackals – including jackals who haven’t been very visible lately. May the coming year be a brighter one….

  40. 40.

    Feathers

    Watching Netflix as well. Spider-Man Into The Spiderverse is leaving Netflix, with tomorrow as the last day. Bought myself pub cheese as a Christmas Eve treat, but grabbed a horseradish one by mistake. Thankfully I got some Brie as well, or I would have been very unhappy.

    When I was out earlier there was a dad carrying a toddler who was waving to everyone and so happy and clapping when people wished him Merry Christmas.

    Wishing a merry Christmas to all y’all’s.

  41. 41.

    scav

    Putting up the decorations and contemplating not really bothering with dinner.  There will probably be a proper eggnog rematch.

  42. 42.

    Steeplejack

    @ET:

    Tomorrow it is eggs and cheese grits in my jammies.

    Seriously, are we not doing “Phrasing!” any more?

  45. 45.

    NotMax

    @ET

    eggs and cheese grits in my jammies

    Sounds like a laundry catastrophe in the making but whatever floats yer boat.

    :)

  47. 47.

    Juju

    I am zesting lemon skin so I can grind it and let it dry so I can use it to make my gift linzer torts for two special families this year. I know it’s going to be late, though at this point I’m hoping by New Year’s, but it may end up being a Valentine’s Day gift. I made some pfefferneuse a few weeks ago and it’s perfect now and the other cookies I made turned out well. I had a banana, a pear and some cookies for dinner. I need to order my pets calendar if it’s not to late.

  49. 49.

    jl

    ” have some fruit cake later ”

    Hell yeah! That ain’t doing nothing, Cole.

    I have to go out and score some fruitcake before the Holidays are over.

  52. 52.

    raven

    The Hawk is coming tonite and the usual “black ice and flurries in the mountains” is goin on. I know my bride is pining for her family so I’ll just try to be extra nice. I rented “A Christmas Story” and hope that will cheer her up. Me? Basically it don’t mean nothing.

  54. 54.

    Roger Moore

    I am, unfortunately, still at work.  It’s the Left Coast, so it’s not that bad that I’m still at work, but I hope to be able to go home before too long.  The plan is to get some sushi for dinner, maybe go to look at some Christmas lights in Upper Hastings Ranch, and then retire relatively early.

  56. 56.

    Barbara J

    Not safe to see our kids, so watched the best Christmas movie: Die Hard. Special macaroni dish for dinner tomorrow night. Tonight just hard boiled eggs with spicy roasted red peppers. Tomorrow night will watch another Christmas classic: The Long Kiss Goodnight. Looking forward to seeing our kids again next Christmas.

  57. 57.

    hedgehog mobile

    Just baked my first ever panettone (thanks, King Arthur baking!)  Next up eggnog and the annual watch of A Christmas Story.  Salmon for dinner.  Feline overlords fed; one is sleeping next to me on the couch.

    Io Saturnalia/Merry Christmas, jackal family.

    hedgehog +1

  59. 59.

    SiubhanDuinne

    @WaterGirl:

    I so wanted to listen to that, but saw the thread announcing it too late. By the time I emailed her to ask for the Zoom info, she had probably stopped checking her inbox.

    Wonder if she recorded it and if so if we’ll have another chance to hear it.

  60. 60.

    debbie

    I am not ashamed to say I am looking forward to watching It’s a Wonderful Life tonight and enjoying every one of the million tiny details, like Bret and Ernie’s rain-soaked exchange at the front door of the honeymoon suite.

  72. 72.

    topclimber

    Keeping my cool despite being unable to do zoom with the extended family. Of course, my first doomed zoom was for something important. Microphones on two different computers didn’t work. I blame Obama, and Firefox.

    Soon comes trimming the tree and dimming the brain with spiked egg nog.

    This version of “Do You Hear What I Hear” is a couple of years old I think, but definitely the best in my opinion. I didn’t get to share it with family. Their loss,  BJ’s gain.

    MC/HH or whatever works for you all during this dark, dark solstice season.

  73. 73.

    beckya57

    Also, Zoom with relatives tomorrow and dinner with one friend (who is essentially a household member), and skiing on Sunday.

    ???

  74. 74.

    Sheila in nc

    Homemade pizza preceded by generous whiskey sours on the rocks. Tomorrow, individual Beef Wellingtons. Haven’t decided on the cocktail yet.

  79. 79.

    Amir Khalid

    It’s Christmas morning here. I just had breakfast. I used to follow that up by giving Bianca her morning cuddle. Now … Sigh.

  80. 80.

    bemused senior

    I got the best Christmas present I could have asked for on Monday, from  a 5′ tall tiny Burmese oncologist unwittingly playing the role of santa. She let me know that my third try at chemo was working, after the previous treatment had worked but put me in the ICU. I was convinced this one would fail, since the stats weren’t in favor for my cancer. So I am so happy.

  84. 84.

    lurker

    sorry about the chicken parm.  normally you want that moist and tender, maybe with a crunchy parm crust, rather than solid.  however, i suppose you could go out in the backyard and ask your dad to borrow a chisel.  good luck with that.  merry belated festivus!

  85. 85.

    Ceci n est pas mon nym

    @Xavier: Luminaries are a tradition in our area but they got rained out tonight.

    Watching Christmas Eve Zoom services. Washington National Cathedral on right now.

    Yes I’m on my phone when supposedly in church.

  86. 86.

    SFBayAreaGal

    In about 45 minutes we will be sitting down to eat delicious sushi. After that we are going to tackle some of the home made cookies and baklava that good friends and family have made for us.

  87. 87.

    Ohio Mom

    During our stuffed shells dinner, Ohio Son played his new Shaggs CD for us — they were an outsider girl rock band in the 60-70s, famously admired by Frank Zappa. It was a stretch to listen to (it is on the atonal side of things) but ultimately rewarding. Very melancholy, in the way old timey mountain music is.

    When I was young, my New York Jewish family always had a turkey dinner on Christmas Day at my grandparents. It was a day everyone was available —obviously, no one had work or school, no one had any appointments — and so my grandmother took advantage of that and had her whole brood over.

    Then she grew too old to be cooking for fifteen and the tradition faded away. But I still chuckle that we had a family dinner every Christmas.

  88. 88.

    Josie

    Traditional tamale supper for Christmas Eve with guacamole and pico de gallo.  Making an Osgood pie for the big dinner at my son’s house tomorrow.  My other contribution will be mashed potatoes.  Luckily, my middle son, his wife and two daughters, and my youngest son are all in my bubble, so we can have a nice Christmas together.  The girls are five and two – a really fun age for this.

  90. 90.

    mvr

    Made stuffing and oyster stew and ate it with Jenny. Turned out well, though the stuffing will be better tomorrow. Now I’m listening to a Lou Reed mixtape (well 3 CD set) my friend Jim made and sent to me while Jenny is sewing Christmas wrappings for presents.  Trying to figure out what I have to read so that I can get off the computer. I’m incredibly tired.

  93. 93.

    zhena gogolia

    I made our brisket with cranberries today in anticipation of power outage tomorrow. We had hot dogs tonight. Not feeling very holiday-like, but our friends have dropped off many treats, including numerous boxes of chocolate, so we’ll be able to keep our calories up.

  97. 97.

    trollhattan

    @CarolDuhart2:

    I think it was Irish. Came in one large lump rather than four. I’m sure the Irish would have a larf knowing what it fetches in US stores.

    Speaking of things Irish, started watching “Derry Girls” last night. Good lord, nearly had a coronary I was laughing so hard. Whoever cast those kids did a brilliant job.

  98. 98.

    zhena gogolia

    @Sheila in nc:

    Are you making the beef Wellingtons yourself? I got a catalogue from a steak company that offered them, and I was seriously tempted to order.

  100. 100.

    terben

    Already Christmas Day where I am. For the 3rd Christmas Day in a row, I headed out early for a 5km run. There were 166 of us, so the turnout was not too shabby. This is a bonus because these organised runs are usually held on Saturday and so I get to attend another one tomorrow morning.

    I’ll be heading out for a 2 hour drive soon to join my daughter and family for a meal. The forecast is warm and sunny (31°C/88°F), but I expect a cool breeze off the ocean. I expect that my grandchildren will wear me out, so I expect to lapse into a coma at some point.

    I’ll be staying overnight, so my regular Saturday run will be in a different location than this morning, and with a different group. Then a return journey before the day becomes too hot.

  102. 102.

    Ohio Mom

    Bemused senior: What lovely news! Cancer is such a roller coaster, isn’t it?

    Here’s hoping for continued effective treatments with bearable side effects.

  103. 103.

    Jay

    @Amir Khalid:

    so sorry Amir,

    here, second day off, we did groceries yesterday,

    this afternoon, T’s parents called to thank her for her gift, a indulgent chocolate array from a local (Edmonchuck) chocolateir.

    For dinner tonight, Alton Browned baby back ribs, baby potatoes and corn.

  104. 104.

    trollhattan

    @mvr:

    Somehow it fit in with his roles in the careers of Wild Man Fischer and Captain Beefhart (who was legit talented, if quite off-the-map even for that time).

    Weren’t the Shaggs dad’s creation, or am I misremembering that bit. Like many novelty acts Dr. Demento was my introduction to their stylings.

  105. 105.

    Bluegirlfromwyo

    @beckya57: That’s wonderful! Merry Christmas!

    Tonight’s menu for me and spouse: Boulevardier with the extended family Zoom, Dinner: Shrimp Diane over angel hair and roasted parmesan asparagus.

    We’re now watching A Christmas Carol. If only the Scrooges of the GOP could have the same epiphany.

  108. 108.

    Nicole

    Just the 3 of us here for Xmas Eve, trying to eat through some of the stockpiled soup my husband bought in the early months of the pandemic.  For tomorrow we did the same thing we did for Thanksgiving- ordered dinner from one of the restaurants here in the city.  They dropped it all off in a box with instructions yesterday.  I’m not very good at cooking but I’m excellent at reheating.  Especially with instructions.

  109. 109.

    Ceci n est pas mon nym

    @Amir Khalid: An interesting practice that has sprung up in several churches here is to have a “Blue Christmas”, a quiet service held on or near the Winter Solstice, for those dealing with feelings of loss who aren’t in the mood for big festivities. It can be quite peaceful and moving.

    Mein herzlichstes Beilied again for your loss.

  111. 111.

    Libby Spencer

    Merry Christmas John Cole. Also doing nothing in particular.  Sipping a Jameson’s with a Guinness chaser and remembering the festive holidays of my past with dear friends back east many of whom have left this mortal coil.  Chatting with far away friends. Thinking about making pea soup for dinner. It’s cold here tonight.

  112. 112.

    trollhattan

    @raven:

    “A Christmas Story” has become our sole must-see holiday flick. Still enjoyable after many, many viewings, a credit I think to how well written and cast it was. While it manages to pre-date my yout the Iowa portion of my childhood is an eerie match, down to the stack of cords and splitters fighting over the single outlet. IDK if we had a coal furnace, but will not rule it out.

  114. 114.

    PsiFighter37

    Cooked a takeout meal from one of the top restaurants in NYC. TBH, I honestly hope restaurants, especially the top-tier ones, reevaluate whether or not having exclusively in-person dining is worth it. There has to be a good amount of money to be made on takeout vs. the amount of staff they would usually have. Unfortunately, given the short period of time that in-person dining occurred in NYC, I doubt that is going to be the case…not terribly surprising, since I don’t get the sense that many restauranteurs, both big and small, are actually good businesspeople.

    Otherwise, it was the second day of my first staycation in NYC in 10 years (last one was in October 2010 – before I was engaged, married, or had a kid). Grabbed a random ornament my daughter loves from the Hallmark in Port Authority (deserted AF – very unusual scene), grabbed some freshly-shucked oysters at Chelsea Market, walked the High Line, got a 5-mile run in. Had a few cocktails delivered (another new occurrence that I hope sticks around) to go with our meal. Overall, can’t complain. My daughter also got admitted into the Mandarin Chinese immersion daycare we were looking at…excited because I really want her to bilingual (my wife is Chinese), and also because it may very well mean we don’t have to think about another school to get her to until high school. At the very least, I view this as a commitment through elementary school, and having the stress of not thinking about admissions for that long is a godsend.

  115. 115.

    Ceci n est pas mon nym

    Our Christmas dinner, such as it is, will be a late lunch tomorrow, as on Thanksgiving.

    Just the two of us. I learned on Thanksgiving that all it takes to give it the feeling of a holiday meal is to have more side dishes than normal and to serve it on the good china. Also, the big family Zoom is surprisingly satisfying. Feels like we had a real visit.

    So we’ll do all that again tomorrow. We have the rest of the turkey breast from Thanksgiving, and I also bought a duck breast, which nobody eats but me. Ah well, life is tough sometimes.

  118. 118.

    Martin

    Christmas eve enchiladas. We tend to do our big dinner tomorrow.

    In site-related news, the balloon boy parents were just pardoned, bringing a close to the night that spawned so many site memes.

  119. 119.

    NYCMT

    I took my older boy out this morning for a PPE-protected Christmas Eve grocery shopping trip. Trader Joe’s, the big Asian grocery on Queens Boulevard where we scored kosher five-spice pressed tofu and bags of pomelos that are so sweet and tart and fragrant, and finally hit the kosher Russian grocery for Hunts Point Market fresh veg and butcher fleisch.

    The year has been hard. Last Christmas Eve we spent with my second cousin and his new family at the American Museum of Natural History and a family reunion dinner at a now defunct New Israeli restaurant on the Upper West Side. Two days before that we celebrated the baby’s second birthday with his April 2020-deceased great-grandmother and grandparents. The day after Christmas we left for a vacation in DC.

    Nothing like that this year. The nine year old and I wore full PPE to buy fresh galanga root and kosher ribsteaks.

  121. 121.

    CarolDuhart2

    @trollhattan: The “from IIreland” probably doubles it right there because of some people’s love affair with international stuff.  I’ve bought Irish butter too, just because I thought it was the real old-fashioned butter.  But you never really know?  It could be the equivalent of Blue Bonnet over there.

    Neighbor brought some Indian food over. Not too spicy, but tasty enough.

    Tell Cole I’m also going through sinus crap myself. A little bit tired, too tired to do needed laundry or even some self-care stuff. Should just let it go until tomorrow.

  123. 123.

    A Good Woman

    Watching the Alistair Sim version of “A Christmas Carol”, my personal favorite.  Scallops and linguine for dinner with a nice Chardonnay.  FB Room tomorrow with family and close friends.  Ugly Christmas Sweaters optional.

  124. 124.

    M31

    got the best gift of all yesterday; a negative covid test result, after a member of my pod (OF TWO couples total!) got symptoms and tested positive a day after we’d spent time together ARGH

    (this friend only went to a store twice, masked, in the week before, so even if you are quite careful it’s NOT SAFE out there)

  126. 126.

    RedDirtGirl

    Recently got involved with my local Mutual Aid Society. Today I delivered cash grants to a few households, and felt like Santa.

  129. 129.

    Ruckus

    @beckya57:

    Great.

    I just signed up with the VA for COVID vaccine info, when, where sort of stuff. They are already inoculating folks, I have no idea how far down the line I am but all VA patients are in line. I have a number of things that should tilt me earlier than later, but so do lots of other vets so we’ll see.

  131. 131.

    jl

    @NYCMT: “I wore full PPE to buy fresh galanga root”

    ‘full PPE’ means an isolation suit? Glad you are staying safe, but how do you sniff the galanga root?

  133. 133.

    Brooklyn Dodger

    Back from walking perrito. The west coast sunset was stupefying.
    We’re up for something tasty but I don’t really care as long as it’s accompanied by Frangelico.

     

    @bemused senior  Wonderful news! Hail and good cheer to you!

  134. 134.

    Sheila in nc

    @zhena gogolia: Myself. A friend’s recipe, filet mignon wrapped in Pepperidge Farm puff pastry, with a slice of pate and a spoonful of mushroom duxelles tucked into each. Got a nice St Emilion to go with. Merry Christmas!

  139. 139.

    CaseyL

    Been a busy week, coming into a busy weekend.

    Some time ago, when I thought  I’d be retiring early and selling my house, I boxed up a bunch of stuff (primarily books) that could go bye-bye.  Today I finally took the last of the boxes to Goodwill.  (And thanked the people running the donation area, for still being open and working at 4:00 on Christmas Eve!)

    Tomorrow I may go see some friends who are in my bubble.  Depends on a lot of things, notably the weather.

    Saturday or Sunday I may get together with another friend for a walk. We both expressed a fervent desire to do some shopping – it’s not the buying we miss, it’s the window shopping – and are trying to think of a place we can do so without taking our lives in our hands.  Problem is, if the malls are open, the day after Christmas is going to be crazy crowded, and there’s bound to be a sizeable contingent who won’t be masked.

    My artistic impulses are slowly re-awakening, so I ordered some more glass.  I have a pet portrait commission to work on, and an unfinished desert landscape that’s been staring at me reproachfully for quite a while.  Unfortunately, the glass I ordered isn’t due to arrive until Wednesday – but that’s fine, as it means I’ll have things to do over New Years!

    @bemused senior: That is a fantastic Christmas gift!  Congratulations!

  143. 143.

    NotMax

    @Steeplejack

    Batter can be refrigerated in an airtight vessel, yes, but not for an extended stretch of days (raw egg, don’tcha know). Or it can be frozen for a much longer period and scooped out as needed (no need to thaw it for use).

  145. 145.

    NYCMT

    @jl: Well, well-fitted N95 masks under cloth masks, hats, plastic gloves, sealed full goggles. Large atomizer spray bottle of 75% alcohol sanitizer in the car.  We were more protected going into TJ’s than nurses at Elmhurst were in April.

    The galanga and the lemongrass and the !!!krachai!!! I smelled at home. The giant red pomelo I scratched the skin with a car key and the fragrance bowled me over through the N95 mask. So good. And the tulsi and thai basil! Astonishing.

  146. 146.

    Ohio Mom

    mvr @91:
    Frank Zappa was mostly inscrutable to me. I never doubted his sincerity and passion about fighting censorship but other than that, never know what to think.

  147. 147.

    Jay C

    Just sitting back digesting our Xmas-Eve lobster takeout/pigout (courtesy Cousins’ Maine Lobster – one of our big neighborhood attractions; though the inconsiderate bastards ran out of fried clams tonite: lame-asses!).

    But still content enough to wish a Merry Christmas/Happy Holiday to all you Jackals Out There.

    Peace.

  148. 148.

    geg6

    @Goku (aka Amerikan Baka):

    I get meals twice a week from Hello Fresh.  I have liked almost everything we’ve had.  You get everything you need except things like butter or olive oil.  They are quick to make, nutritious and leave few leftovers.  Perfect for weeknights when I’ve had a busy day. You can also get special meals that are a little more expensive, like scallops or filets.  Most meals are about $5.50 per person.

  149. 149.

    Maeve

    slow cooking a cheap roast because planning to make shredded beef enchiladas tomorrow. scheduled a zoom with family. My mom got her Covid shot today

  152. 152.

    TS (the original)

    Christmas Day down under with the two young ones not seen since February. Christmas eve celebrations,  Christmas morning presents done – cooking my mothers fish cakes – which everyone demands for Christmas lunch – with salads. Cooler than usual this day – 29C (84F) – but warm enough for the little one to want to go swimming.

    Best Christmas Wishes

  153. 153.

    Renie

    How many of you have family like mine who are already eating the desserts bought for Christmas Day

  154. 154.

    Mike in NC

    High of almost 70 here today, but windy as hell and heavy rains. Even had some tornado alerts. Traffic was nuts and many places were closed for the day. Watching the new Clooney flick on Netflix. Early bedtime seems in order.

  155. 155.

    JaySinWA

    Another Powell expert witness:

    WaPo: sidney-powells-secret-intelligence-contractor-witness-is-a-pro-trump-podcaster

    Powell told courts that the witness is an expert who could show that overseas corporations helped shift votes to President-elect Joe Biden. The witness’s identity must be concealed from the public, Powell has said, to protect her “reputation, professional career and personal safety.”

    The Washington Post identified the witness by determining that portions of her affidavit match, sometimes verbatim, a blog post that the pro-Trump podcaster Terpsichore Maras-Lindeman published in November 2019. In an interview, Maras-Lindeman confirmed that she wrote the affidavit and said she viewed it as her contribution to a fight against the theft of the election.

    In a recent civil fraud case, attorneys for the state of North Dakota said that Maras-Lindeman falsely claimed to be a medical doctor and to have both a PhD and an MBA. They said she used multiple aliases and social security numbers and created exaggerated online résumés as part of what they called “a persistent effort . . . to deceive others.”

    More info at the link.

  157. 157.

    sixthdoctor

    Pizza, hot buttered rum, and streaming Xmas episodes all day (Father Ted, Vicar of Dibley, Blackadder, Brooklyn 99). Happy holidays to all!

  159. 159.

    Sure Lurkalot

    Making some chicken tacos tonight. Very few presents as we bought stuff all year long to entertain ourselves. Besides, our birthdays are coming and that’s when we usually buy. Tomorrow is a filet roast with port shallot bacon gravy, creamed spinach and twice baked potatoes. My in laws brought us some sweets when we exchanged gifts on our patio Wednesday. It was a nice warm day and we visited distantly and masked for about a half hour. First time we’ve seen them in person since last Xmas. Kinda gives me a sad.

  166. 166.

    catclub

    @Danielx: And updating my count of articles that use the adjective “unhinged” to describe Fat Bastard. It’s up to nine…I think.

     

    Yeah, and GOP senators are going to more and more state their objections to what Trump is doing.  But every single one of them voted to exonerate when they had a chance. They knew everything about him that we know. So when they say they are upset, i am not buying it.

  169. 169.

    WaterGirl

    @catclub: They are only sorry that Trump is making them look bad.

    Just like my cocker spaniel was never sorry when she got into the garbage; she was only sorry that I was yelling at her about it.

  171. 171.

    Odie Hugh Manatee

    We’re beat so it’s cheap pizza tonight but we will make it up with the steak and lobster tomorrow. Happy holidays all. ;)

  172. 172.

    The Pale Scot

    Two bicycle trips to Publix for supplies, Madolined onions for onion soup and apples for apple cobbler, boiled shrimp for shrimp cocktails, I’ll peel them tomorrow, made meatloaf for dinner, Currently I just popped two Aleve and opened a bottle of Jaume Serra Cristalino, hoping to get numb enough to get up and finish the Apple cobbler. That would just leave assembling the Beef Wellington for tomorrow

    The Howler monkeys that moved in across the way have removed the Trump, NRA, and “Cold Beer” flags off their boat, they are observing Xmas Eve by talking loudly and lighting off fireworks, ’cause everyone knows baby Jesus loved fireworks. Ah, it just started to rain, peace and quiet

  174. 174.

    Steeplejack (phone)

    It’s very peaceful and heartwarming to read everyone’s holiday check-ins. And the food!

  178. 178.

    Suzanne

    Also playing video games, hiding indoors, and doing last-minute Christmas prep. Gonna make a strata for tomorrow morning so we can throw it in the oven, open presents, and then eat.

    If it wasn’t for the kids, I would not bother. I am not feeling merry this year. I find myself dreaming of traveling. I just can’t muster up any give-a-damn.

  179. 179.

    Danielx

    Home, safe sound and full. Called Buca and told the poor woman who answered that the food was really great and we really appreciated their being open. Yes, hour and a half late but I didn’t mention that. Now have a fire going and watching The Holiday, with Cameron Diaz, Jude Law, Kate Winslet and Jack Black. What’s not to like?

  180. 180.

    Jay

    @Amir Khalid:

    back in the day of film, as a journalist/ the rule was take 1,000 photo’s  of the event,

    develop the negatives, then try to find a few that worked out.

  181. 181.

    Glidwrith

    @Renie: We’re on the third batch. The spice cookies disappeared first, then the fudge, almond cookies last night, last of the fruitcake this morning. Just made ganache coated coconut macaroons and four of those have disappeared.

    <counts up desserts> Uh, make that 5 batches of desserts. Burp.

  182. 182.

    JoyceH

    I’m spending Christmas by myself, so feeling rather proud of myself for doing some house cleaning and putting up a tree, even though it’s ‘just me’. Been working on my Christmas eve delivery pizza.

    But speaking of sinuses? Man, could I talk about sinuses. I have seasonal allergies and also a mild cat allergy and two cats. So I have sinus issues most of the time and a sinus infection probably three or four times a year. Recently I got a couple air purifiers, one for the bedroom and one for the main part of the house, and that’s been a help. But here’s the real deal – I got a Vicks Sinus Steamer, and this baby is it!

    When I get sinus infections, that always seems to kick off my TMJ, which results in either jaw pain or toothaches. The toothaches are the worst, because I’m always halfway convinced that maybe it really is something to do with my teeth and should I go to the dentist? Was dealing with the phantom toothaches earlier in the month, so ordered the sinus steamer, and just steamed them away. Plain water steam does the trick, though there are also ‘Vapo-Pads’ that you can insert into a little slot to mentholate the steam.

    So I either had or was well on my way to a sinus infection, and the steamer took care of it, and I didn’t have to creep out into the big world and risk covid to go to the clinic. Love this thing!

  183. 183.

    Jay

    @Suzanne:

    my “give a damn” will start happening some time in 2021, when we can safely hold memorials for those we have lost, can hug and kiss each other, and cry in public.

  185. 185.

    New Style in Parsons

    Big pot of corn chowder with ham and potatoes on the stove, roses for the wife purchased and placed, dogs and cats chilled out. Later tonight will start on “Money For Nothing”.

  187. 187.

    NotMax

    Phew. Last of the potato pancake batter doing its thing in the fry pan. At least three baker’s dozen cooked*. Clean-up will have to wait until energy stores recharge.

    *Tempting though it may be, not to be consumed all at once. A goodly fraction destined for the freezer.

  189. 189.

    Jay

    @Amir Khalid:

    we didn’t. So you take 1000 photos, ( autowinders really helped later), develop the negatives, and find a couple that work.

    Digital and cell phones make a huge difference.

    The tough thing is looking at your love, basking in the sunshine, curled up against your hip, being cute, doing zoomies,

    and deciding to take a photo, vs enjoying the moment.

  193. 193.

    JanieM

    @JoyceH: That sinus steamer sounds like something I could use for similar stuff (“toothaches,” face pain) — thanks for mentioning it. I’m gonna try it!

  195. 195.

    JML

    After clearing the driveway, I made a run out into the world and nearly got decimated by an out of control semi that refused to recognize that it needed at least double the stopping distance on the icy freeway. I was blocked in the left lane with no escape to the right and a line of cars in front when traffic slowed down by about 20 mph due to a crash a few miles in front and the semi behind me (that had been tailgating me and I was desperately trying to get away from) had no shot at braking in that distance. Their total lack of control ended up playing to my favor as they slid into the median rather than slamming into me.

    Merry x-mas?

    I wish people would realize they need to leave much more room in front of them when driving in winter.

  197. 197.

    SiubhanDuinne

    @NotMax:

    When I first moved down here, I thought “Alpharetta” was the silliest-sounding name for a town I had ever heard. Am so used to it by now, of course, that I never give it a thought.

    Suppose I’d feel the same about Soddy Daisy if I lived there long enough.

    :-)

  199. 199.

    sab

    We ordered dinner box for each of the kids and one of them didn’t want his so we have been eating turkey for three days. So tonight was first time ever making turkey tetrazzini. It was okay. Tomorrow is standing rib roast, hash planned for boxing day. Cocker gets turkey slices for Christmas dinner.

    Our little grinch doll is our only indoor decoration this year. Tried to make him a tiny mask but he has no ears, so he has a face gaiter instead.

    Tomorrow of course we watch Die Hard, and I roll out the sugar cookie dough.

    A couple of years ago a jackal recommended a marble rolling pin. That thing is amazing. I had been using an emprty wine bottle for the last 35 years.

  203. 203.

    JanieM

    @JML: Glad you’re safe. That sounds like an awfully close call.

    I wish people would realize they need to leave much more room in front of them when driving in winter, period.

    That’s my version.

  214. 214.

    Danielx

    @SiubhanDuinne: 
    Which as I recall would be frozen wasteland in Alpharetta or, come to that, anywhere south of Chicago. Not much snow, but a lazy wind. As they say out west, too lazy to go around you so it cuts right through you.

  215. 215.

    There are those who call me...tim... (Still posh)

    NC A&T State University Choir on UNCTV (man, that’s a lot of letters). Anyway, they’re crushing it. I might get the spirit after all. Just sat out a tornado watch here in the Cape Fear. 40’s tomorrow. Murry Xmus.

  220. 220.

    Scout211

    We are having another zoom family holiday tomorrow, like we did on Thanksgiving. The two of us, our three kids and spouses and 7 grandkids. This morning several of us gathered on zoom to teach the youngest grandkids how to play Uno over zoom since that will be one our activities for our family zoom tomorrow. It was so much fun and we are all looking forward to the fun tomorrow when we all join in.  One bonus, my youngest granddaughter, (just turned 3) popped her little head into her Mama’s  screen and said “Hi Grandma, we made Christmas cookies.”  That made my day! It’s been so long since I’ve been able to see her in person that I was wondered if she’d even remember me. It was awesome.

  221. 221.

    FEATHERS

    @Major Major Major Major: Finished SPIDER-MAN:INTO THE SPIDERVERSE. It ends with a rendition of “Spidey Bells,” so I’m calling it a Christmas movie.

    Not really a spoiler, because it applies to so many films, but if there is a key or a thumb drive which will be necessary to save the world (or just important), why not make several. One for each member of the team. Or multiples for each person. One for a pocket, one for your coat pocket, and another two, one for each sock. Sigh. This is why I am a terrible writer. I keep solving the problems and ending up with a very short version of the story.

    @NotMax: You can also portion the dough out and freeze the individual cookie dough balls. They can then go in a zip-lock and get baked off a few at a time. I’ve found giving a few cookies and a bag of frozen ones to be a good gift. I do check if they have freezer space or would rather just have more cookies now.

  227. 227.

    Kropacetic

    @FEATHERS: Not really a spoiler, because it applies to so many films, but if there is a key or a thumb drive which will be necessary to save the world (or just important), why not make several.

    I recently finished Star Trek Voyager, which I adored, but it always drove me crazy when they would transfer computer programs/files and that would always mean the sender would no longer have it. Copies aren’t a thing in the 15th century?

  228. 228.

    SiubhanDuinne

    @Danielx:

    a lazy wind. As they say out west, too lazy to go around you so it cuts right through you.

    Have never heard that before! Great description, which I am henceforth appropriating.

  229. 229.

    JAFD

    @bemused senior: Sending positive energy and/or good thoughts in your direction.  Good luck !

    (Originally typed ‘ulck’ as last word, which abbreviations.com tells me means ‘Urban Legend Combat Kit’.  Mayhaps one of those should have been on my Xmas list…)

  230. 230.

    mvr

    @trollhattan: I don’t actually know that much about the record. I just know this album because a colleague used it to win the most embarrassing album I’ve ever paid for contest we had one year.  I’ve bought worse.

  231. 231.

    Amir Khalid

    @Kropacetic:

    No, copies weren’t a thing in the 15th century. It remains to be seen if humankind even reaches the 25th century, let alone if we still have any kind of technology then.

  233. 233.

    mvr

    @Ohio Mom: I have no firm opinion either.

    I got kind of turned off by Zappa from going to see 1001 Motels (his movie) in 1977 and finding it really dull and sexist.

  234. 234.

    The Pale Scot

    @Ilieitz:

    “we’re no angels” is the feature film of the night for us. I can never get enough of Peter Ustinov, driest wit in the land

  237. 237.

    Lacuna Synechdoche

    @Kropacetic:

    I recently finished Star Trek Voyager, which I adored, but it always drove me crazy when they would transfer computer programs/files and that would always mean the sender would no longer have it. Copies aren’t a thing in the 15th century?

     

    Only in Irish monasteries.

  239. 239.

    TomatoQueen

    Random shopping,  re-arranging the wires between the machines and the Orb to be more pleasing, functional, and less-attractive-to-Merlin-the-Marauder , steak, potato, choccy gelato (Talenti choc mousse nom), and  Murder on the Orient Express with Suchet, Merry Xmas Eve to all.

  240. 240.

    JAFD

    Maybe a bit late, but my Airing of Grievances:

    The gout attack in my left foot has gone from ‘YAARRRGGHHH’ yesterday morning, to occasional twinges.  Better, but me still not happy.

    The hydralic-spring doohicky under this office chair has decided it wants a new career, and every fuw minutes lowers me uncomfortably closer to my floor.

    While the operations to remove my cataracts were successful, now I’ve gotta get new glasses. Since I’ve got a big head, will be spending tomorrow emailing every optical shop from Edison to Paramus, “Do you have any frames with 160mm earpieces ?”

    When this <bleep> epidemic is over, am going out to waste my sustenance in riotous living eat at some good restaurants. I am very tired of my own cooking.

    Since my heart attack, have been taking ‘water pills’. With most restaurants, bars, etc, closed, so are most upblic restrooms. Feel immobilized, confined to ‘familiar territory’ where I know where nearest facilities are.

    Just started raining here.  With it being 60F outside today, my place uncomfortably warm.  But windows already ‘battened down’ for winter.

    Need to make my semi-annual Facebook post.  Take apart my inkjet, clean printhead.  Sometime, need to deal with three dysfunctional computers, copy data.  Including Christmas card address list.  Then send everybody thereon St. Patrick’s (?) cards.

    Mr JAFD not winter person is, is under shortest-day depression spell.  But has ‘made it thru December’, almost.  Eyes getting accustomed to new lenses, think future stays bright, but don’t literally hafta wear shades.

    Happy Christmas. everyone !

  242. 242.

    SiubhanDuinne

    @TomatoQueen:

    re-arranging the wires between the machines and the Orb to be more pleasing, functional, and less-attractive-to-Merlin-the-Marauder

    I must have missed a comment with an important backstory.

  244. 244.

    Amir Khalid

    @SiubhanDuinne:

    TomatoQueen has a mad-scientist lab, and must defend her most prized apparatus against attacks from a demented wizard who dresses in black and has sharp claws. That’s my understanding, anyway.

  245. 245.

    JoyceH

    In case you missed it, the Post has an intriguing profile on the secret witness who was Sidney Powell’s ‘intelligence contractor’.

    washingtonpost.com/investigations/sidney-powells-secret-intelligence-contractor-witness-is-a-pro-tru…

    “In a recent civil fraud case, attorneys for the state of North Dakota said that Maras-Lindeman falsely claimed to be a medical doctor and to have both a PhD and an MBA. They said she used multiple aliases and social security numbers and created exaggerated online résumés as part of what they called “a persistent effort . . . to deceive others.””

    Oh, and her military service was less than a year, and she received a General Discharge. Usual reasons for getting a General (under honorable conditions) rather than an Honorable Discharge can usually be summed up by circling your finger around your ear and whistling.

  248. 248.

    JAFD

    @NotMax: Present (well, former frames – tossed them in Lions Club box at eyedoctors.) glasses took sufficient ‘hit points’ to require replacing.

  250. 250.

    Mary G

    Late to the thread but just wanted to say I love Balloon Juice and almost all its members. Had both Guatemalan and Mexican tamales for dinner, one of each because the men of the house got into them early in the afternoon and ate their share plus half of housemate K’s and mine. So she made shrimp scampi, my favorite of all time that my mom would make for my birthday, we had chocolate cake for dessert and I spent most of the rest of the day streaming The Queen’s Gambit. We got a skosh of rain, just enough to turn the dust on the cars to sludge, but it was nice.

  252. 252.

    Ruckus

    @Amir Khalid:

    Docs put me on water pills. Supposedly they make life better. Not my experience. I lasted one day before the major cramps kicked in. So now I’ve got to do it the old fashioned way. Exercise. Life as an oddball is weird.

  253. 253.

    Ms. Deranged in AZ

    I just put all the presents under the tree and finished the last coat of polyurethane on the pair of snake earrings I made for my eldest.  I’m too full of goodies sent over by my ex-MIL to eat dinner. Going to crash now.

    To all a Merry Christmas and Good Night!!!

  254. 254.

    Chacal Charles Calthrop

    @Danielx: so even if this thread is dead, did your takeout order ever show up?

    Your post is like Chekhov’s gun over the mantle in the first act, even if the play sucks you come back after intermission to see who takes it down to shoot. How did your Christmas Eve finally turn out?

  258. 258.

    The Pale Scot

    Finished prepping the cobbler, and the bubbly. Cold front came thru windows are open WBGO is one and I’m crashing’. I wish everyone a good night

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