View Full Version : How Christmasssy is it at your place?
So folks, what does it look like inside your 'Christmas crib'? Some festive shots currently, chez-Marco...
Del's homemade 'pom-pom tree', currently in our kitchen window, made entirely from scratch, from twigs in our garden/bits in our shed, and Del knitted the pom-poms:
https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1024x768q90/924/4Sr6nO.jpg
https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1024x768q90/922/yGkAz4.jpg
Just the weather for snuggling up by the fire:
https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1024x768q90/924/NMrdPV.jpg
https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1024x768q90/923/Q1HDTQ.jpg
Our vintage Christmas tree plate before it was filled with chocs, with one of our cats Abella in close proximity:
https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1024x768q90/924/AXUZq9.jpg
Suitably filled with goodies, which we'll offer to friends and family visiting:
https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1024x768q90/922/xEjlhs.jpg
https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1024x768q90/923/9mJ9GP.jpg
Festive Crib:
https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1024x768q90/922/K41y7u.jpg
Our tree, nice and traditional, filled with vintage baubles from the 1950-70s, many hand-blown and painted:
https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1024x768q90/923/RSc8rS.jpg
The view from my favourite armchair, lol...
https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1024x768q90/921/vSINWd.jpg
So, wotcha got goin' on in your cribs, muchachos?:D
Marco.
I've got two Christmas cards, the second one I received this evening. They are sat one on top of each speaker . . . . that'll be it thankyou very much. I'm a bit surprised to have received two cards actually :scratch: need to knock that on the head for next year
I also have 2 cards although one is from the taxi firm I use so not sure if that really counts.
hifinutt
16-12-2018, 20:37
Beautiful as ever , well the wife just got back from lovely carol service and we have so many Christmas cards we have not got round to opening them all yet !
I also have 2 cards although one is from the taxi firm I use so not sure if that really counts.
Well I got a third one from the residents association for the block I live in with £10.00 from surplus funds. The card went in the bin and the tenner into my wallet. I don't know them, so to me it didn't count. So I reckon you've got one card Martin ;)
:dance:
I've got two Christmas cards, the second one I received this evening. They are sat one on top of each speaker . . . . that'll be it thankyou very much. I'm a bit surprised to have received two cards actually :scratch: need to knock that on the head for next year
Lol... Didn't expect to be gatecrashed by the bah-humbug squad!:D
Marco.
I also have 2 cards although one is from the taxi firm I use so not sure if that really counts.
You'd have had 3, if you'd let me send you one, but you said you weren't into it.
Marco.
Beautiful as ever , well the wife just got back from lovely carol service and we have so many Christmas cards we have not got round to opening them all yet !
Cheers, Phil. The photos don't really do it justice, but it does look nice and cosy and traditional, and the tree just like the ones I grew up with as a kid. That carol service sounds nice!:)
Marco.
Lol... Didn't expect to be gatecrashed by the bah-humbug squad!:D
Marco.
Haha, always happy to oblige :D
Those chocolates do look nice mind you, I'd scoff those for sure.
Mia says Happy Christmas Marco
http://i64.tinypic.com/208xlhy.jpg
Heh-heh, nice one, Ian - LOVE cats, and she's cool!:eyebrows:
Marco.
Just a few decs this year.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20181216/40f4996893035c2ecf306969c020b21f.jpg
Spectral Morn
16-12-2018, 22:09
I have three cards up on the fire place mantle, thats it, so far. No reason to do Christmas decorations, no one to look at them bar me. I love how your room looks Marco, you have family and that creates the vibe to do it. I have no one and no reason.
Got quite a few cards this year again
Just a few decs this year.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20181216/40f4996893035c2ecf306969c020b21f.jpg
Ha - you'd 'enjoy' the leccy bill, I bet!:eek:;)
Marco.
Ha - you'd 'enjoy' the leccy bill, I bet!:eek:;)
Marco.
It's Edinburgh. Daughters family were there all day for xmas fun. Got a video. Everyone singing etc. lol
I have three cards up on the fire place mantle, thats it, so far. No reason to do Christmas decorations, no one to look at them bar me. I love how your room looks Marco, you have family and that creates the vibe to do it. I have no one and no reason.
Cheers, Neil. The goal was for the decs to look traditional and homely, and for the room to be a nice space to occupy. We always like our house to look warm and inviting, and hate some of the cold and clinical 'minimalist' spaces some people appear to like living in. We're all different, though:)
Yeah, if I were living on my own I'd defo not have all that going on, although I would still make an effort and have a tree, as I love Christmas, and if I'm ever left on my own in future years, I'd probably continue to embrace the decorations side of things, to some degree, as a homage to those I loved and who adored Christmas as much as me.
Marco.
Don't forget to collect all the un-franked stamps off the Christmas card envelopes you receive, surprising how many get missed this time of year and very easy to do now with the modern non-lick stamps. We got to mid-April before having to buy any new stamps this year and people do so appreciate seeing Santa and his reindeer on their correspondence whatever the season.
Last time I bothered - 2011, 7 years, 2 tellys & about 4 HiFis ago
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20181217/bc0b651025910d77c69bc950a1ea5e24.jpg
Pigmy Pony
17-12-2018, 06:33
Don't forget to collect all the un-franked stamps off the Christmas card envelopes you receive, surprising how many get missed this time of year and very easy to do now with the modern non-lick stamps. We got to mid-April before having to buy any new stamps this year and people do so appreciate seeing Santa and his reindeer on their correspondence whatever the season.
I'm picturing you removing the stamps by the light of a candle, with a pair of fingerless woolly gloves to keep the cold out.
Pigmy Pony
17-12-2018, 06:43
Looking very homely Marco, but pic 3 doesn't look very welcoming, what with the chair wedged against the door. Is there a password that gets visitors in? Oh and those chocolates would all be gone by now.
Our house looked very Christmassy last night - we had a power cut from 7pm till 5.30am, so we had a nice romantic evening by the light of the fire and a dozen big candles, and my Makita job radio. We even talked a bit.
Shame we don't have a piano, we could have stood round it with no one knowing how to play it, like they still do down in That London :)
We have a few decs up , love Christmas.https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20181217/673990ed48c8751c715b623f0b867383.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20181217/19b9cf5f144c3065cbc0de4eee04bfac.jpg
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Shame we don't have a piano, we could have stood round it with no one knowing how to play it, like they still do down in That London :)
You're lucky, we have the piano and someone who can play it :(
You're lucky, we have the piano and someone who can play it :(
Sounds like out gaff we have someone here who pretends he can play it . ME.
Looking very homely Marco, but pic 3 doesn't look very welcoming, what with the chair wedged against the door. Is there a password that gets visitors in? Oh and those chocolates would all be gone by now.
Lol... It's just the angle of the picture taken, as I wanted to showcase the fireplace. That's the door to the kitchen, and in reality there's plenty of room between it and the chair. Nothing is jammed:)
I've only had about 2 of those chocs so far (am reasonably disciplined about these things), plus there are 'reinforcements' available, ready for battle later!:eyebrows:
Marco.
You're lucky, we have the piano and someone who can play it :(
Where's the piano in your gaff? I must've missed it!
Andy, looking good, mate. I like the stars. Nice lighting, too:)
Marco.
Sorry, but someone else here who will only be putting up Christmas cards again this year.
andyrlb, I have to say I love the simplicity of your decorations.
got 9 cards so far... not too bad at my age...:D
nice trees both Marco and Andy.... not likely to put mine up this year(going to daughters). do it next year if still here...
Where's the piano in your gaff? I must've missed it!
Andy, looking good, mate. I like the stars. Nice lighting, too:)
Marco.
maybe at his mums or one of family where he has xmas.
we used to have a piano.. mother used to try and play it for a while.
What are you doing editing, instead of quoting my posts, daftee?:D
Marco.
What are you doing editing, instead of quoting my posts, daftee?:D
Marco.
Cock up on the posting front. Nothing was changed. Lol
The last time I put decorations up was the early 90s and only because my girlfriend refused to come round if I didn't - she won!
Enjoy though folks, nice looking rooms, always love a real fire and hope to have one when I move. Always amuses me when people call me bah-humbug and grumpy cos' I don't do Christmas. Doesn't make me grumpy, just not interested as I'm not religious and not into the consumer/consumption side, because of how I live my life . . . but apparently that means I'm grumpy :lol:
:cool:
Beobloke
17-12-2018, 12:00
Not much up decoration-wise this year as we’re away for both Christmas and New Year.
However, we had a pre-Christmas dinner with family at the weekend, so dotted a few of our illuminated Christmas things around, and set up our small fibre-optic tree (that usually goes in the kitchen) in the lounge.
The weird thing is that, as we had a full Christmas dinner on Saturday night and then went out for a long walk yesterday, it now feels like the day after Boxing Day, and I’m expecting New Year’s Eve along shortly!
Pigmy Pony
17-12-2018, 18:56
You're lucky, we have the piano and someone who can play it :(
I remember when I was a kid we didn't have a piano, but an organ, a grand old thing that you pumped air into by working some pedals, which were embossed with the words "mouse proof pedals". Funny the things you remember. Only ever heard my mum play "Chopsticks" on it, so that was money well spent.
I remember when I was a kid we didn't have a piano, but an organ, a grand old thing that you pumped air into by working some pedals, which were embossed with the words "mouse proof pedals". Funny the things you remember. Only ever heard my mum play "Chopsticks" on it, so that was money well spent.
One of my Aunties had a player piano with loads of rolls for it. That used to get a run out at xmas. Don't know what happened to that but I understand they are worth a fortune now.
Pigmy Pony
17-12-2018, 19:30
One of my Aunties had a player piano with loads of rolls for it. That used to get a run out at xmas. Don't know what happened to that but I understand they are worth a fortune now.
That would be quite cool, and much more enjoyable than the latest "Now" CD that seems to have become a tradition round here. Can anyone suggest a way to make a CD unplayable without any visual clues?
That would be quite cool, and much more enjoyable than the latest "Now" CD that seems to have become a tradition round here. Can anyone suggest a way to make a CD unplayable without any visual clues?
Just take it out the case, bin it, put the empty case back on the shelf. Or put something better in instead. You're better off with a film anyway, something Christmassy of course - like Zulu or possibly Moonraker.
Pigmy Pony
17-12-2018, 19:55
For me it's got to be Zulu - I last saw it about 4 years ago and for a sixties film the picture quality was amazing, better than a lot of modern efforts.
For me it's got to be Zulu - I last saw it about 4 years ago and for a sixties film the picture quality was amazing, better than a lot of modern efforts.
You want Bond before and during the meal, ideally Spy Who Loved Me or Moonraker. Diamonds Are Forever is also acceptable. For Xmas night, Zulu, and then for Boxing Day 'A Bridge Too Far' in the afternoon then maybe an earlier Connery Bond in the evening. Finish up with some episodes of Bilko until the booze runs out then off to kip.
Now that's a proper Xmas.
Pigmy Pony
17-12-2018, 20:24
That all looks pretty good to me, but maybe a little too "blokey" for Mrs. P's tastes.
No sign of Cliff being wheeled out this year, but no doubt Michael Buble will make some appearances. :(
That all looks pretty good to me, but maybe a little too "blokey" for Mrs. P's tastes.
No sign of Cliff being wheeled out this year, but no doubt Michael Buble will make some appearances. :(
Cliff has been wheeled out celebrating his 60th or such like with a new album I think ? Just when you thought it was safe to come out of the water eh !
You want Bond before and during the meal, ideally Spy Who Loved Me or Moonraker. Diamonds Are Forever is also acceptable. For Xmas night, Zulu, and then for Boxing Day 'A Bridge Too Far' in the afternoon then maybe an earlier Connery Bond in the evening. Finish up with some episodes of Bilko until the booze runs out then off to kip.
Now that's a proper Xmas.
I'll bring the Quality Street, a proper 8" deep tin.
That all looks pretty good to me, but maybe a little too "blokey" for Mrs. P's tastes.
No sign of Cliff being wheeled out this year, but no doubt Michael Buble will make some appearances. :(
Oh for God's sake don't let Buble out, he lives in the same hellish box as James Corden and nobody needs him at Christmas.
Pigmy Pony
17-12-2018, 23:23
Michael Buble has more talent in his little finger than Corden has in his entire fat bloated body, and I can't stand Michael Buble. Hopefully he won't have a fall putting up decorations on his house - he'd hit the floor like a water filled balloon, and that would be terrible.
For me it's got to be Zulu - I last saw it about 4 years ago and for a sixties film the picture quality was amazing, better than a lot of modern efforts.
Yes, you have great fun spotting the Zulus wearing wristwatches, and the Land Rover in the distance.
Pigmy Pony
18-12-2018, 07:27
Well it must have been a bugger getting them all to turn up on time.
I didn't know these little facts, so I'll now be looking out for them.
My dad took me to the cinema to see this when I was about eight, must have been about 1966. It was my first sighting of ladys' fun bags :)
Ladys fun bags? Wot be they?:hmm:
I'm intrigued....
Marco.
I used to hate Michael Bublé (or rather his music), as that's how I automatically tend to feel towards such commercially produced music/mainstream artists. However, the more I've listened to his voice and seen him perform, the more I've realised what a good crooner he is.
This is no accident, as his grandfather was Italian, and he grew up listening to his Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra records, so modelled himself on their singing and performing style, which as a big fan of both of those legends, I can recognise in him. He also seems to be a genuinely nice guy, and remarkably down to earth considering what a huge worldwide star he's become.
You just have to accept his music as being a dollop of harmless fromage, and at this time of year can provide the backdrop for some fun festive tunes!
Therefore, I'll no longer be bashing Bublé:nono:
So, don't diss da Bubbles, or yer for it......
Marco.
He's very talented lets just leave it at that.:D
You want Bond before and during the meal, ideally Spy Who Loved Me or Moonraker. Diamonds Are Forever is also acceptable. For Xmas night, Zulu, and then for Boxing Day 'A Bridge Too Far' in the afternoon then maybe an earlier Connery Bond in the evening. Finish up with some episodes of Bilko until the booze runs out then off to kip.
Now that's a proper Xmas.
Lol... LOVE all those films, *but* when Christmas lunch is being served, I'm too busy eating, drinking and chatting to friends and family to be watching TV! And lunch can go on for many hours...
Marco.
He's very talented lets just leave it at that.:D
:eyebrows:;)
Marco.
The last time I put decorations up was the early 90s and only because my girlfriend refused to come round if I didn't - she won!
Enjoy though folks, nice looking rooms, always love a real fire and hope to have one when I move. Always amuses me when people call me bah-humbug and grumpy cos' I don't do Christmas. Doesn't make me grumpy, just not interested as I'm not religious and not into the consumer/consumption side, because of how I live my life . . . but apparently that means I'm grumpy :lol:
:cool:
I've undeleted that post, as you worry too much, daftee!:D
Nothing wrong or offensive there with what you've written - and I don't think you're grumpy at all! If you don't 'do' Christmas, you don't do Christmas. It's cool:cool:
Oi LURVES it, just in case you haven't sussed that:eyebrows:
Marco.
I like Xmas too just don't like to see it dragged out for 3 months. A couple of days before and after the 25th and that's enough for me.
Lol... LOVE all those films, *but* when Christmas lunch is being served, I'm too busy eating, drinking and chatting to friends and family to be watching TV! And lunch can go on for many hours...
Marco.
Many years of practice means I have mastered eating and watching TV at the same time. Anyway not an option at my bro's house as his mrs won't allow a TV in the kitchen diner. And Zulu is considered 'too violent' for the children to watch. Last year I got told off for watching Ghandi, and he barely kills anyone!
Many years of practice means I have mastered eating and watching TV at the same time. Anyway not an option at my bro's house as his mrs won't allow a TV in the kitchen diner. And Zulu is considered 'too violent' for the children to watch. Last year I got told off for watching Ghandi, and he barely kills anyone!
Lol - sounds like a load of over-zealous mollycoddling to me, so the least said about that, the better!;)
We also have most of our meals whilst watching TV, but Christmas lunch is a special occasion, and always consists of a huge spread, with lots of drinkies before, during and after the meal, with also hours of preparation beforehand, so TV doesn't get a look in until around 6pm, and by that time we're usually all too pissed (or asleep) to care!:D
Marco.
We watch almost no TV, and Christmas will be no different in that respect. When I was a nipper, Christmas Day was spoiled by the relatives rolling up halfway through Christmas Top of the Pops. No video recorders back then, and no chance of us being allowed to watch the rest of the programme whilst the old folks had a natter elsewhere.
Anyway, here's Mark E Smith to sum up Christmas:
'Post-festivities
I'm feeling numb now
From remedies and Prozac
I'm kinda two-tone
I'm feeling numb now
I'm feeling numb
I'm feeling numb now
I'm feeling numb
Prozac!
Everything is broken
because of grist that curtails
Get the Western on
Stick with family
At the lodge
At the lodge
At the lodge
(I'm feeling numb now
I'm feeling numb'
mad-moon
18-12-2018, 10:36
Hahahahaha...well this thread didn't turn out like you expected Marco....I used to do Christmas every year, with all the decorations that went with it...these days...a small tree and a couple of dozen christmas cards from friends and family...It's all about to change though....we have a grandson 5....my daughter is due her first little one any day now....and the partners middle son and his girlfriend are going to be blessed with a little one very soon too...looks like it's all going to start over again...I'll have to get into the loft somehow....
When I was a nipper, Christmas Day was spoiled by the relatives rolling up halfway through Christmas Top of the Pops. No video recorders back then, and no chance of us being allowed to watch the rest of the programme whilst the old folks had a natter elsewhere.
That also happened to me, but after I'd said 'hello' to whoever was visiting and hugged them, which was only polite, I simply disappeared up to my room and watched it on the portable TV there:)
My parents never forced me to do anything I really didn't want to do, especially in a situation like that where they didn't really want me there (so they could talk about 'adult stuff') any more than I wanted to sit and listen to their pish....
Returning to the Christmas meal thing and TV, the other angle, chez-moi, is that music is also playing in the background, usually some nice choral stuff, carols (from Kings) or something absorbing but soothing, to set the mood, such as Schubert's Fantasy:
https://youtu.be/aO5fLLHj55k
Marco.
I've undeleted that post . . .
:lol:
I thought you might when you read the reason why I deleted it - tis a bit of fun.
Here's a thought, I wonder how many people have actually read Luke Chapter 2 and found that the birth date of Christ isn't documented anywhere as 25th December and if you work it out, it's likely to have been in the springtime, or possibly even summer, if you work back to when John the Baptist was born.
Maybe we should have two Christmases, one in December and one in April? ;)
jandl100
18-12-2018, 11:08
3 christmas cards on display here, I think.
I do like a bit of deco - very nice there, Marco :thumbsup: - but we don't do it ourselves.
Will be with Mrs J's family for 'proper' Xmas Day and they will have a fair bit up.
Mind you, after supper they'll have the bloody goggle box on so I'll retire to their conservatory with a book. Can't stand TV, especially xmas crud.
That also happened to me, but after I'd said 'hello' to whoever was visiting, which was only polite, I simply disappeared up to my room and watched it on the portable TV there:)
My parents never forced me to do anything I didn't want to do, especially in a situation like that where they didn't really want me there (so they could talk about 'adult stuff') any more than I wanted to sit and listen to their pish....
Marco.
Portable TV? Sheer bloody luxury! Once the relatives had been meeted and greeted, we'd all sit down to eat. After the meal/presents distribution, the old folks would sit, booze, reminisce and fall asleep, leaving us young folk to our own devices. It was just that crucial final 30 minutes of TOTP that was lost.
Portable TV? Sheer bloody luxury! Once the relatives had been meeted and greeted, we'd all sit down to eat. After the meal/presents distribution, the old folks would sit, booze, reminisce and fall asleep, leaving us young folk to our own devices. It was just that crucial final 30 minutes of TOTP that was lost.
Lol... Depending on which year you're talking about, I'd likely also have a computer (with games) and some sort of 'music system' up there, too!;)
My bedroom was my 'den' - a place to escape to when I needed to be on my own, or with friends, well away from adults, so was full of 'toys' to keep me/us amused:eyebrows:
Marco.
3 christmas cards on display here, I think.
I do like a bit of deco - very nice there, Marco :thumbsup: - but we don't do it ourselves.
Will be with Mrs J's family for 'proper' Xmas Day and they will have a fair bit up.
Mind you, after supper they'll have the bloody goggle box on so I'll retire to their conservatory with a book. Can't stand TV, especially xmas crud.
Cheers, Jerry. Shame you don't do 'deco', as I think you'd be good at it and your house would lend itself nicely to it, too:)
Marco.
:lol:
I thought you might when you read the reason why I deleted it - tis a bit of fun.
Here's a thought, I wonder how many people have actually read Luke Chapter 2 and found that the birth date of Christ isn't documented anywhere as 25th December and if you work it out, it's likely to have been in the springtime, or possibly even summer, if you work back to when John the Baptist was born.
Maybe we should have two Christmases, one in December and one in April? ;)
Both Christmas and Easter are based around the dates of pre-existing Pagan festivities (but you probably knew that).
Both Christmas and Easter are based around the dates of pre-existing Pagan festivities (but you probably knew that).
:thumbsup:
Lol... Depending on which year you're talking about, I'd likely also have a computer (with games) and some sort of 'music system' up there, too!;)
My bedroom was my 'den' - a place to escape to when I needed to be on my own, or with friends, well away from adults, so was full of 'toys' to keep me/us amused:eyebrows:
Marco.
Well, there you go. I shared a bedroom with my little brother. Until he bought a multi-waveband radio, there was nothing in there other than our beds and a chest of drawers, plus it was freezing cold most of the year, being in an unheated extension with three external walls.
Yup, but that doesn't negate tradition. And as a practising Catholic, I've been celebrating the birth of Jesus on December 25th since I was born, and certainly won't be stopping now!;)
Marco.
Well, there you go. I shared a bedroom with my little brother. Until he bought a multi-waveband radio, there was nothing in there other than our beds and a chest of drawers, plus it was freezing cold most of the year, being in an unheated extension with three external walls.
No worries, different strokes and all that... Why was there no heating - couldn't your parents afford it? I can understand if that was the case, but it doesn't take much to plug in a Dimplex heater or some such, which is what I had in my room, just shortly before the central heating was installed.
If we'd been really hard up, mum and dad would have gone without themselves to ensure that at least I was warm.
Marco.
No worries, different strokes and all that... Why was there no heating - couldn't your parents afford it? I can understand if that's the case, but it doesn't take much to plug in a Dimplex heater or some such, which is what I had in my room, just shortly before the central heating was installed.
The wiring in the room was dodgy, so electric heaters were a no-no. After we'd all moved out, my parents had the whole place re-wired, and central heating put in!
Hahahahaha...well this thread didn't turn out like you expected Marco....I used to do Christmas every year, with all the decorations that went with it...these days...a small tree and a couple of dozen christmas cards from friends and family...It's all about to change though....we have a grandson 5....my daughter is due her first little one any day now....and the partners middle son and his girlfriend are going to be blessed with a little one very soon too...looks like it's all going to start over again...I'll have to get into the loft somehow....
Lol... I hadn't envisaged it going any particular way, Alan. Discussions are 'organic' things, which evolve into whatever they evolve into:)
I take your point about children, and btw, congrats to your partner's son, but most of us are capable of being kids at heart, even as adults. A big part of the joy of Christmas for me is recreating some of the wonderful memories I had from my childhood years and the special feelings they evoked, which haven't completely gone just because I've now grown up.
It can still be a very magical and special time, and so we do our utmost to create the right vibe, in order to make it that way. The presence of children isn't automatically required to make Christmas special - so don't be afraid of being a big kid yourself! It can stop you from turning into a grumpy old man;)
Del, my wife, is even more of a big kid than me (and who in truth has probably never really grown up), so we love everything about Christmas, especially when it snows and really creates that Christmassy vibe, so we're counting down to the big day and really looking forward to it - and hoping for a white one!:santa:
Marco.
The wiring in the room was dodgy, so electric heaters were a no-no. After we'd all moved out, my parents had the whole place re-wired, and central heating put in!
Lol, that was rather 'arse about face', no? Especially in rooms that may no longer have been regularly used.
As for dodgy wiring, I'm pretty sure that electricians existed during the 60 and 70s...;)
Marco.
No worries, different strokes and all that... Why was there no heating - couldn't your parents afford it? I can understand if that was the case, but it doesn't take much to plug in a Dimplex heater or some such, which is what I had in my room, just shortly before the central heating was installed.
If we'd been really hard up, mum and dad would have gone without themselves to ensure that at least I was warm.
Marco.
Lol different world! The holes in the windows in my bedroom were covered up with cardboard.
If people came round during Xmas Top Of The Pops we just used to turn the volume up so it was too loud for them to talk.
Was round at my brother's year before last and was going through the channels looking for Xmas TOTP. He says to me that they don't have it anymore, the world has changed. That was just before I came across it. Little Mix were on anorl. :D
. . . and certainly won't be stopping now!;)
Marco.
Absolutely, if you enjoy it no reason to :)
And heating in a bedroom, luxury.
Lol different world! The holes in the windows in my bedroom were covered up with cardboard.
If people came round during Xmas Top Of The Pops we just used to turn the volume up so it was too loud for them to talk.
Was round at my brother's year before last and was going through the channels looking for Xmas TOTP. He says to me that they don't have it anymore, the world has changed. That was just before I came across it. Little Mix were on anorl. :D
Little Mix? Lol, dat's not PROPA TOTPs. It needs to be fronted by someone such as DLT or Peter Powell, dressed in flared trousers, introducing Slade, or such like, to be PROPA!:eyebrows:
Respect for turning the TV up - that should've done the trick!:thumbsup::respect:
Marco.
Absolutely, if you enjoy it no reason to :)
And heating in a bedroom, luxury.
Why?:hmm:
Always had heating in any bedroom I've slept in, although that doesn't necessarily mean it was used;)
Marco.
Little Mix? Lol, dat's not PROPA TOTPs. It needs to be fronted by someone such as DLT or Peter Powell, dressed in flared trousers, introducing Slade, or such like, to be PROPA!:eyebrows:
.
Well yes but we are where we are. At least they still have it in some form or another.
Pigmy Pony
18-12-2018, 17:24
Lol... LOVE all those films, *but* when Christmas lunch is being served, I'm too busy eating, drinking and chatting to friends and family to be watching TV! And lunch can go on for many hours...
Marco.
But surely you take a break for the Queen's speech?
Pigmy Pony
18-12-2018, 17:29
We watch almost no TV, and Christmas will be no different in that respect. When I was a nipper, Christmas Day was spoiled by the relatives rolling up halfway through Christmas Top of the Pops. No video recorders back then, and no chance of us being allowed to watch the rest of the programme whilst the old folks had a natter elsewhere.
Anyway, here's Mark E Smith to sum up Christmas:
'Post-festivities
I'm feeling numb now
From remedies and Prozac
I'm kinda two-tone
I'm feeling numb now
I'm feeling numb
I'm feeling numb now
I'm feeling numb
Prozac!
Everything is broken
because of grist that curtails
Get the Western on
Stick with family
At the lodge
At the lodge
At the lodge
(I'm feeling numb now
I'm feeling numb'
So festive! Did he sing it with antlers on?
Pigmy Pony
18-12-2018, 17:48
Well yes but we are where we are. At least they still have it in some form or another.
Never liked DLT "the Hairy Cornflake", and Peter Powell was a complete moron who just hopped from one gaff to another with that stupid smile. He was the one who once introduced 808 State as Bob State, because he can't read.
And yes, heated bedroom - luxury. TV in bedroom - luxury. I didn't get my first radio till I was 13. And as it ran on a pp9 battery, it spent much of its life in total silence :(
But surely you take a break for the Queen's speech?
Aye, if I need a shite - then I pop to the bog and think of her!
Marco.
Never liked DLT "the Hairy Cornflake", and Peter Powell was a complete moron who just hopped from one gaff to another with that stupid smile. He was the one who once introduced 808 State as Bob State, because he can't read.
And yes, heated bedroom - luxury. TV in bedroom - luxury. I didn't get my first radio till I was 13. And as it ran on a pp9 battery, it spent much of its life in total silence :(
That's true batteries were a luxury that you couldn't afford. I used to avoid asking for toys that ran on batteries because once the initial ones ran out you had bob hope of getting money to buy more. 'Give them a rub on your jumper'. Which in fairness did work, you could often get another 30 seconds of life out of them.
Cap guns were the same, you'd blaze through the ones that came with it like something out of Reservoir Dogs and then that was it until next year. I suppose it did teach ammo discipline although curiously that's a skill that's never come in useful in my adult life.
Pigmy Pony
18-12-2018, 18:04
But we were happy in those days, though we were poor...
AJSki2fly
18-12-2018, 18:06
https://i1339.photobucket.com/albums/o708/AJSki2fly/IMG_8003_zps2surtaxd.jpg (https://s1339.photobucket.com/user/AJSki2fly/media/IMG_8003_zps2surtaxd.jpg.html)
Just done ready for a evening sherry
https://i1339.photobucket.com/albums/o708/AJSki2fly/IMG_8009_zps1utgxni9.jpg (https://s1339.photobucket.com/user/AJSki2fly/media/IMG_8009_zps1utgxni9.jpg.html)
Never liked DLT "the Hairy Cornflake", and Peter Powell was a complete moron who just hopped from one gaff to another with that stupid smile. He was the one who once introduced 808 State as Bob State, because he can't read.
As a diehard '80s boy', I liked all of the Radio 1 DJs of the day (especially Steve Wright and Kenny Everett), apart that is from Simon 'master' Bates, whom I always thought was a total fud...
And yes, heated bedroom - luxury. TV in bedroom - luxury. I didn't get my first radio till I was 13. And as it ran on a pp9 battery, it spent much of its life in total silence :(
Lol - I worry about you lot sometimes!:D
All my friends had heating, computers, TVs and some form of playing the music that they liked in their bedrooms, probably since around 1980. Heating and music-playing sources long before that.
Jeez, at 17 (when I got my first job) I installed my first proper hi-fi system in my bedroom [Ariston RD11S/Linn LV V/Denon DL-103, Sondex S230 amp (with Lentek MC step-up transformer), Nakamichi BX-125e tape deck and wall-mounted Mission 700S speakers]:
http://www.hifi-classic.net/review/mission-700s-355.html
It ROCKED DA HOUSE, sounded awesome, and was the envy of all my mates... Plus, I had a CB radio in there too, with a huge 'silver rod' aerial outside the house, mounted on a mast (we lived on top of a hill and the reception was superb) - and what a hoot that was, as a teenager, chatting up all the local (and some not so local) girlies and going for an 'eyeball' :eek::eyebrows:
Marco.
https://i1339.photobucket.com/albums/o708/AJSki2fly/IMG_8003_zps2surtaxd.jpg (https://s1339.photobucket.com/user/AJSki2fly/media/IMG_8003_zps2surtaxd.jpg.html)
Just done ready for a evening sherry
https://i1339.photobucket.com/albums/o708/AJSki2fly/IMG_8009_zps1utgxni9.jpg (https://s1339.photobucket.com/user/AJSki2fly/media/IMG_8009_zps1utgxni9.jpg.html)
Nice, Adrian, especially the mince pies!:thumbsup:
Marco.
Pigmy Pony
18-12-2018, 18:18
So that's a big ten-four, good buddy...
As I've posted before, all our friends and neighbours were also skint, so it wasn't something we even thought about. As long as we had plenty of outdoors (which we did) and lots of catapults and other ballistic toys and weapons we were happy as pigs in blankets.
AJSki2fly
18-12-2018, 18:22
Nice, Adrian, especially the mince pies!:thumbsup:
Marco.
Not my handy work, all done by the fairer one.:eyebrows:
So that's a big ten-four, good buddy...
As I've posted before, all our friends and neighbours were also skint, so it wasn't something we even thought about. As long as we had plenty of outdoors (which we did) and lots of catapults and other ballistic toys and weapons we were happy as pigs in blankets.
Nice one, mate. In the good weather, my parents hardly saw me, as I was out playing footy or cycling, so none of the above 'stuff' got a look in!:)
Some of the girlies I met back then though, through the CB radio, were rather 'interesting' to say the least...!!:D
Marco.
Pigmy Pony
18-12-2018, 18:25
https://i1339.photobucket.com/albums/o708/AJSki2fly/IMG_8003_zps2surtaxd.jpg (https://s1339.photobucket.com/user/AJSki2fly/media/IMG_8003_zps2surtaxd.jpg.html)
Just done ready for a evening sherry
https://i1339.photobucket.com/albums/o708/AJSki2fly/IMG_8009_zps1utgxni9.jpg (https://s1339.photobucket.com/user/AJSki2fly/media/IMG_8009_zps1utgxni9.jpg.html)
Your clock was 20 minutes fast, but it seems to be correct now. :)
Cool clock. Cool chair and '70s brickwork too.
Tree looks okay.
AJSki2fly
18-12-2018, 18:34
:lol:
Yeah, love that clock - well cool:)
Btw, returning to batteries... My old man sold them in his shop, so there was never a shortage. Wish I'd known you guys back then, as I could've done you a deal;)
Used to sell ciggies too, to friends in school..... Made a killing!:D
Marco [an entrepreneur from an early age].
Hand-blown and hand-painted examples, bought when we were in Austria:
https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1024x768q90/924/ahcSoy.jpg
Vintage examples, bought fairly cheaply from charity shops and ebay:
https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1024x768q90/924/RuOU8G.jpg
Marco.
jandl100
18-12-2018, 20:28
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VAdlkunflRs
Quality sketch:D
I'm practically destitute, myself.
Marco.
Pigmy Pony
19-12-2018, 07:37
Nice one, mate. In the good weather, my parents hardly saw me, as I was out playing footy or cycling, so none of the above 'stuff' got a look in!:)
Some of the girlies I met back then though, through the CB radio, were rather 'interesting' to say the least...!!:D
Marco.
Especially when they saw the size of your aerial...
Did any of them look like Daisy Duke, or were they more like Burt Reynolds with long hair?
Pigmy Pony
19-12-2018, 07:43
Quality sketch:D
I'm practically destitute, myself.
Marco.
You don't spell it like that, and anyway they prefer to be called 'sex workers' these days.
Anyway, back to the original topic. My digital camera's on the blink, so you'll need to conjure the scene up for yourselves:
Christmas tree in window in sitting room. As is traditional, the lights didn't work when we tried them out before putting them on the tree, so we have a new set of multicoloured LED lights (£10 from Sainsbury's), plus a selection of baubles, many dating back to the 1960s.
Tinsel on mantelpieces and over mirrors and some pictures.
Christmas cards on mantelpiece.
Wreath on door (at least, it was on the door until someone slammed the door too hard and the wreath fell off, losing a (fake) pinecone in the process).
Pigmy Pony
19-12-2018, 13:18
Spare a thought this Christmas for those poor unfortunate souls who live in a terraced house and can't put a wreath on their front door because it'll just get nicked.
AJSki2fly
19-12-2018, 16:33
From a few years ago, but I thought you might like this, Merry Christmas...
https://i1339.photobucket.com/albums/o708/AJSki2fly/Santas%20Helpers%202010-11-30_zps2n06movy.jpg (https://s1339.photobucket.com/user/AJSki2fly/media/Santas%20Helpers%202010-11-30_zps2n06movy.jpg.html)
Lol.... Beautiful dog!:)
Marco.
AJSki2fly
20-12-2018, 12:07
Lol.... Beautiful dog!:)
Marco.
The Mrs. isn't bad either, IMO :lol:
By the way it was more years than I thought Harry, was 10 months old and that's 8 years ago.
The Mrs. isn't bad either, IMO :lol:
:eyebrows::eyebrows:
Marco.
Spare a thought this Christmas for those poor unfortunate souls who live in a terraced house and can't put a wreath on their front door because it'll just get nicked.
Yeah, I robbed this off your door earlier... Hope you don't mind?
https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1024x768q90/924/myvxe0.jpg
https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1024x768q90/923/CAWV5e.jpg
Do you like our 'vampire bat' knocker?:eyebrows:
More of Del's crafty creations:
https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1024x768q90/923/gYPFVY.jpg
Marco.
Do you like our 'vampire bat' knocker?:eyebrows:
:popcorn:;)
Marco.
Pigmy Pony
21-12-2018, 14:32
Yes, it looks very "Addams Family". All visitors would need now would be for Lurch to answer the door. But I suppose you'll do :D
Yes, it looks very "Addams Family". All visitors would need now would be for Lurch to answer the door. But I suppose you'll do :D
Hush thy mouth! This is a 'Munsters house', and I'm Herman!:eyebrows:
[Del *loves* The Munsters and/or anything to do with bats and witches].
Pigmy Pony
21-12-2018, 16:02
Hush thy mouth! This is a 'Munsters house', and I'm Herman!:eyebrows:
[Del *loves* The Munsters and/or anything to do with bats and witches].
Will you be enjoying some guano stuffing with your turkey then? :D
Is there *any* other kind of stuffing?:eyebrows:
I think Del's got a broomstick somewhere, actually.....
Marco.
Pigmy Pony
21-12-2018, 18:55
That's a rather sweeping statement!
:D:eyebrows:
Are you practicing this material for your Christmas party?
Marco.
Pigmy Pony
21-12-2018, 20:55
Just putting my homemade crackers together. I thought I'd try 'em out on you lot first, knowing how discerning you are :D
I bagsie the ones with the tweezers!:eyebrows:
Ideal for delousing my pubes.
Marco.
Pigmy Pony
21-12-2018, 23:54
I bagsie the ones with the tweezers!:eyebrows:
Ideal for delousing my pubes.
Marco.
Consider them yours! I can confirm they do work.
Spare a thought this Christmas for those poor unfortunate souls who live in a terraced house and can't put a wreath on their front door because it'll just get nicked.
We live in a terraced house, strictly speaking; it's in the middle of a row of three, which is handy, because we only have two outside walls to worry about. No-one would nick a wreath round here, except maybe pissed-up students,
Best day of the year here, I love it! House all decorated, fire lit, turkey in the oven and it is smelling GOOOODD!
http://i1229.photobucket.com/albums/ee462/castle48/D66E866B-2A4C-44F7-9C5A-E30E381A0CB0.jpg (http://s1229.photobucket.com/user/castle48/media/D66E866B-2A4C-44F7-9C5A-E30E381A0CB0.jpg.html)
Little bauble on the tree, just for you Marco :)
http://i1229.photobucket.com/albums/ee462/castle48/134863EA-6277-4A64-8209-95AF60BB99AE.jpg (http://s1229.photobucket.com/user/castle48/media/134863EA-6277-4A64-8209-95AF60BB99AE.jpg.html)
Merry Christmas everyone :christmas:
Merry Christmas, John. Looks like you love Christmas as much as us!:)
Took some pics yesterday, of some of the food (from the listed menu on another thread) and our table....
https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1024x768q90/924/BKHePy.jpg
https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1024x768q90/922/rJUGR2.jpg
Del's veggie asparagus starter:
https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1024x768q90/921/SfIRW0.jpg
Smoked pressed chicken terrine with mustard and honey, accompanied by thin strips of smoked Highland venison, with a fresh watercress salad and chive and crème fraîche dressing:
https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1024x768q90/921/72C0EE.jpg
Free-range roast Gressingham goose, wrapped in Herefordshire streaky bacon, with a homemade pork, sage and cider stuffing, all the trimmings, and served with a rich port wine and redcurrant gravy:
https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1024x768q90/922/AoPea7.jpg
Baked Comice pears with ricotta and Amaretti biscuits, with a red wine and Amaretto liqueur sauce:
https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1024x768q90/922/d2tffK.jpg
Marco.
nicely done. goose looked "propa"
Audio Al
26-12-2018, 10:50
Total amount of decorations at Audio Al's = Zero , Christmas is not about glitz and glamour :christmas:
nicely done. goose looked "propa"
Cheers, mate. It tasted it, too!
Marco.
Cheers, mate. It tasted it, too!
Marco.
Enjoyed my meal too.. best yet.
Total amount of decorations at Audio Al's = Zero , Christmas is not about glitz and glamour :christmas:
Totally agree. But that wasn't "glitz and glamour", simply making things look cosy and Christmassy, for the benefit not only of me, but Del, my dad and our guests, who appreciate it. If I lived on my own, like you, there would be hee-haw chance of all that happening!;)
Marco.
Enjoyed my meal too.. best yet.
Nice one. Sounded as if it'd be good. How could it fail with the input of your excellent stuffing?:eyebrows:
Marco.
Nice one. Sounded as if it'd be good. How could it fail with the input of your excellent stuffing?:eyebrows:
Marco.
I posted some pics... yeah was very tasty indeed. Could have eaten it all again even tho i was stuffed, so must have been good.[emoji3]
Totally agree. But that wasn't "glitz and glamour", simply making things look cosy and Christmassy, for the benefit not only of me, but Del and my dad and our guests, who appreciate it. If I lived on my own, like you, there would be hee-haw chance of all that happening!;)
Marco.
quite right. make a fuss of the auld yin while you can:)
quite right. make a fuss of the auld yin while you can:)
...i was quite glad to wake up breathing;)
That all looks fantastic Marco. Bet it tasted it too! Our turkey was not as good this year but roast leg of lamb today was gorgeous. My trousers are getting tight in all the wrong places!
Pigmy Pony
26-12-2018, 14:43
Didn't manage to find a menu for our Christmas dinner. But I needn't have worried, I ate every last bit of it! I think I tend to be put off by the ingredients which in this case were largely unfamiliar. The end result was delicious, so I'm probably better off not knowing what goes into it.
Oh and my chosen main course was...goose! Quite strong tasting and pretty dark coloured but in no way fatty or greasy. Presentation was a bit strange - pieces stacked Jenga-style on a bed of potato and-god-knows-what mash, as well as all the trimmings. Delicious! Spoilt me a bit though, I informed Anita that for me turkey is history from now on :)
Beobloke
26-12-2018, 19:56
That looks to be a truly magnificent feast, Marco, although the dessert wouldn’t be my thing. Also, what’s the dish at the top of the ‘goose’ picture?
That was the pork, sage and cider stuffing. Del made it in a 'wreath' shape, and popped some of the crispy bacon on top, which had been slow-roasted with the goose, along with some pigs in blankets. It was lovely!:)
Should have taken a pic of the cocktails, as they turned out superb. Will do next time. Del bought me a professional 'mixologist' cocktail-making kit for Christmas, along with some books on cocktails, so I intend to perfect the art...
She's also told me that she now expects a different one waiting for her every night when she comes in from work!:doh::D
Marco.
Her bacon bits look very sookable as does the pork puddin' [emoji12]
Aye, you can't beat "sookable" piggy bits!:D
Marco.
Should have taken a pic of the cocktails, as they turned out superb. Will do next time. Del bought me a professional 'mixologist' cocktail-making kit for Christmas, along with some books on cocktails, so I intend to perfect the art...
She's also told me that she now expects a different one waiting for her every night when she comes in from work!:doh::D
Dabbled with making cocktails thirty years ago. Expensive business buying all the ingredients, and a bit of a faff making up the liquor stock, so my interest quickly waned - but it was fun at the time. Still have the recipe books somewhere.
Beobloke
26-12-2018, 22:04
That was the pork, sage and cider stuffing. Del made it in a 'wreath' shape, and popped some of the crispy bacon on top, which had been slow-roasted with the goose, along with some pigs in blankets. It was lovely!:)
Should have taken a pic of the cocktails, as they turned out superb. Will do next time. Del bought me a professional 'mixologist' cocktail-making kit for Christmas, along with some books on cocktails, so I intend to perfect the art...
She's also told me that she now expects a different one waiting for her every night when she comes in from work!:doh::D
Marco.
Ursula and I are big fans of the whole cocktail thing and have about four books and a whole raft of accessories and trimmings, plus lots of practice under our belts!
The two other couples that we’ll be spending New Year with are also fans, and our regular challenge is two new cocktails per couple whenever we get together, We already have ours sorted... ;)
Dabbled with making cocktails thirty years ago. Expensive business buying all the ingredients, and a bit of a faff making up the liquor stock, so my interest quickly waned - but it was fun at the time. Still have the recipe books somewhere.
Yeah, in terms of the liquor stock, I'm slowly building up a rather nice 'bar'!:eyebrows:
This is the cocktail I made on Christmas day:
https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1024x768q90/924/B81l1F.jpg
Recipe here: https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/spicy-pomegranate-moscow-mule/
The biggest faff was 'juicing' the limes and grapefruits, and de-seeding the pomegranate... The rest was a piece of piss. I rather enjoy the process of making good cocktails, and now have all the 'toys' necessary to do it. I've even got a mould for making perfectly round ice cubes!
Marco.
Ursula and I are big fans of the whole cocktail thing and have about four books and a whole raft of accessories and trimmings, plus lots of practice under our belts!
The two other couples that we’ll be spending New Year with are also fans, and our regular challenge is two new cocktails per couple whenever we get together, We already have ours sorted... ;)
Nice one... Then feel free to offer me some tips! Plus, we can compare recipes sometimes:)
Marco.
Didn't manage to find a menu for our Christmas dinner. But I needn't have worried, I ate every last bit of it! I think I tend to be put off by the ingredients which in this case were largely unfamiliar. The end result was delicious, so I'm probably better off not knowing what goes into it.
Lol - you need to widen your foodie horizons/educate your palate, and learn to more adventurous! Unfamiliar ingredients only become familiar once you've tried them a few times... One of the things we love most about eating abroad, especially in countries where the language is unfamiliar, is going on an 'adventure into the unknown' with restaurant menus.
It's a great way of being introduced to wonderful new foods that you most likely wouldn't ever have discovered otherwise:)
Oh and my chosen main course was...goose! Quite strong tasting and pretty dark coloured but in no way fatty or greasy. Presentation was a bit strange - pieces stacked Jenga-style on a bed of potato and-god-knows-what mash, as well as all the trimmings. Delicious! Spoilt me a bit though, I informed Anita that for me turkey is history from now on...
Told ya!:eyebrows: Goose knocks turkey into a cocked hat - it's a flavour non-contest!
We're either having pan-fried haunch of venison (with a port, redcurrant and juniper berry reduction) or roast pheasant for lunch, on New Year's day. Haven't decided yet...
Marco.
mad-moon
27-12-2018, 01:20
Very posh Marco...your dinner looks delicious...and I think I might enjoy a shlurp on those cocktails too..your picture of the cocktails look like a Marks and Spencers advert....very artistic....
In old days a cocktail meant a straw
dave2010
27-12-2018, 07:25
Yeah, in terms of the liquor stock, I'm slowly building up a rather nice 'bar'!:eyebrows:
Recipe here: https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/spicy-pomegranate-moscow-mule/
The biggest faff was 'juicing' the limes and grapefruits, and de-seeding the pomegranate... The rest was a piece of piss. I rather enjoy the process of making good cocktails, and now have all the 'toys' necessary to do it. I've even got a mould for making perfectly round ice cubes!
Marco.Contains grapefruit juice, so might not be good for some people who take medication. Perhaps would still be OK if the grapefruit juice is missed out.
Looks very fruity.
Pigmy Pony
27-12-2018, 10:54
Lol - you need to widen your foodie horizons/educate your palate, and learn to more adventurous! Unfamiliar ingredients only become familiar once you've tried them a few times... One of the things we love most about eating abroad, especially in countries where the language is unfamiliar, is going on an 'adventure into the unknown' with restaurant menus.
It's a great way of being introduced to wonderful new foods that you most likely wouldn't ever have discovered otherwise:)
Told ya!:eyebrows: Goose knocks turkey into a cocked hat - it's a flavour non-contest!
We're either having pan-fried haunch of venison (with a port, redcurrant and juniper berry reduction) or roast pheasant for lunch, on New Year's day. Haven't decided yet...
Marco.
Any normal person would agree with you 100%, however my ability to broaden my foodie horizons is somewhat hobbled by my not being able to eat raw onion in any of its forms (something I got from my mother who could not even be in the same room as an onion).
I'm usually fine with them in a hot meal provided they are cut fine enough, in fact I do think they often enhance the flavour, but if presented with something which included them in their raw state, I couldn't just pick them out - the whole dish would be a complete write off.
It make for some pretty uncomfortable moments when dining in polite company and presented with something unfamiliar. Sometimes I tell people I have an allergy, and that helps as it seems these days almost everyone is allergic to something.
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