A Life of Crime and Chocolate

"Extra chocolate" is just another way of saying, "Not paying enough attention".

Bought my outfit for Christmas dinner today. And also two bars of chocolate so I'll probably not get into said outfit. Christmas lunch with the subtitling department tomorrow then I'm over to the family on Tuesday. I've promised to take Uncle to see The Hobbit on Christmas Eve too, so busy busy.

Zelenka, I'll bet the chocolate you get there is better than what get in the US! Enjoy the Hobbit. Based on reviews, I'm prepared to enjoy the dragon, and not much more.

Form rejection for "The Empress' New Hat". Wow, in two days, on a Sunday no less! They really are fast. On to the next market...

Introversion said:

For certain narrow definitions of "behaving", probably.

Hooray for you, muse!

I finally made the menu for Xmas Eve. We always host a family party here that night. Every year I try not to exhaust myself by making 4x as much food as needed. I usually fail. Anyone want to come here and be fed?

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*Holds hand up.* Me. Me!

Introversion said:

Will also start making candies today. At least peppermint bark, and probably only one other, as yet unselected. (Last year I think I made six different kinds? It was a bit much.)

Will leave the making of two cakes for Tuesday and Wednesday. I'm making a new recipe that looks to die for: Chocolate fudge blackout cake.

Also making one that is known to be die-able for, for cinnamon lovers: Cinnamon roll cake. If you love iced cinnamon buns, but hate the trouble of making them, this is the recipe for you!

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Zelenka said:

Congratulations Muse! (I always used to turn up for the appointments early and managed to get taken hours before I was even supposed to be there, so could go shopping afterwards!) It's a great feeling when the last one's done.

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Not once in 5 weeks did they take me early, even though we always arrived early. Most times we were an hour or so passed my appointment time. Scary how busy they were.

Introversion said:

Zelenka, I'll email you some chocolate.

Made peppermint bark yesterday: Layer of milk chocolate with peppermint oil, sprinkled with coarse sea salt, then layer of white chocolate, then crushed peppermint candy.

Today made a 9x13" pan of what I call German-chocolate-cake marshmallows. Homemade vanilla marshmallow, with bittersweet chocolate butterscotch, shredded coconut and toasted pecan pieces swirled in. When it's cooled and set up, I'll decant the slab, cut into cubes, and dip in milk chocolate so they're not so messy to eat.

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*Books plane ticket.*

muse said:

Not once in 5 weeks did they take me early, even though we always arrived early. Most times we were an hour or so passed my appointment time. Scary how busy they were.

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Somebody told me that at the Beatson hospital, which I think is the only one that does radiotherapy in the West of Scotland, they take 400 patients each day.

I think I was just lucky that my machine wasn't the busiest one and that I didn't need any really specialised stuff for the sessions. Only time I thought I was going to have to wait was when the machine broke but because by then I was down as 'generic' treatment I was just moved into another machine.

For my original planning session though, before I had the surgery and it was all really complicated (I got a couple of sessions then got ill again so they stopped, then discovered I could have the surgery, did it and then sent me back to radiotherapy to start again) I was in the machine for something like three hours while they played noughts and crosses or something on my chest!

muse said:

*Books plane ticket.*

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The German-chocolate-marshmallows are almost worth it.

Though I am already sick of them, I suspect Liz and the Dotter will make short work of them for me...

Candies are made.

Chocolate cake "rounds" are made; won't make the filling and frosting and assemble it until tomorrow.

Turkeys are thawing. (We got just the breasts, so they're each only about the weight of a large chicken.) Rain is forecast for us, but if it's not too miserable outside, I'll start a charcoal fire and roast them on the grill -- can't beat that for flavor.

Liz has a big batch of bread dough in the 'fridge, where it will keep until tomorrow morning.

Bottles of wine and "hard" lemonade are lined up, waiting to be drunk.

Presents have been wrapped.

Cats are mostly sleeping, interrupted by occasional moments of looking puzzled or irritated that we have the temerity to disturb their beauty sleep.

The place is clean & almost completely decluttered! I am chagrined to admit what a huge job that is every year.

Tomorrow, the final crazy run to make it all come together. Final cleaning, cake-making, bread-baking, turkey-roasting. And then, sometime around the time when I'm completely ready to just say, ah screw it, let's buy take-out, family arrives, and it's a pretty nice time.

I don't know how much of it comes across here, but Liz and I are both extreme introverts in real life. Being in the company of people, even family that we've known for decades (kids) or ever (parents, siblings), is very hard. Tiring. We'll both be exhausted by the time people finally leave, and the dishwasher's been loaded.

But I just wanted to say, if any of you were ever in the area, you'd be welcome too. I really appreciate the encouragement, laughs, advice, commiserations, and everything else that people share here. I'm grateful for AW, and all of you that make it what it is. Howsoever you celebrate the season, whether religiously or just enjoying some time with friends, relatives or yourselves, I hope it's a good time for you all.

muse said:

Bright side: I've finally finished all my treatment - last rad on Thursday - so I should have time to run to the shops.

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Huge news, muse. Congratulations!

And a merry Christmas to everyone here. I'm in work for about another three hours then that's me done for this year. First thing I did when I got in was set my out of office message...

Well done, Muse. That couldn't have been easy. Wishing you much good health in the future.


Intro, you are amazing! I'm gaining all my lost weight just imagining that feast. And I get the introvert stress about house guests. Really. (I'm just like that.) If I get to your neck of the woods, I'll sit quietly in the corner and talk to my feet.

So, to all of you, HAPPY HOLIDAYS!! Wishing you a peaceful, joyous and blessed time. Thank you for being the awesome people that you are.

Go you Muse!

Happy Crimbo to you all.

Just quickly dropping in to wish everyone a very merry Christmas if you celebrate it; if not, I hope you have a wonderful day anyway!

Merry Christmas to all who celebrate it!

I'm over in Fife at dad's house. He bought me a child's art set for Christmas. I'm not sure if he's making fun of me or if he just grabbed something for £1 from the newsagents yesterday.

I'm getting my revenge by watching Frozen with the volume cranked up. I may even sing along.

On the upside, I treated my Uncle to a trip to the cinema to see the Hobbit and then took him to the Chinese all you can eat buffet and we had a great time. Heading out to dinner later in the afternoon and at least I can get dressed up.

Intro, it all sounds fabulous. I would love to stop by for dinner!

I made almond butter cups with a bourbon caramel sauce. They turned out pretty good, even though I used single malt scotch in lieu of bourbon. The caramel sauce has a pretty smoky taste to it.

My father was notorious about giving horrible holiday gifts. They were always marginally useful, but nothing you'd actually buy yourselves. After he died, my sister, mom, and I started a tradition of giving each other dad gifts. I got my sister one of those wrapping paper cutters. I am now the proud owner of a Vegetti. I have had much fun with the name (and keep spelling it with a "va." I used it to make a sweet potato slaw that was fairly decent. I'll likely use the leftovers for breakfast tomorrow.

My husband's aunt usually gives some wacky stuff, too. One year, she got my FIL (her brother) a shirt that said, "Bill: the man, the myth, the legend." My MIL got a shirt that said, "Bill's wife." She was not amused.

Zelenka, I'm glad you had a good time with your uncle. Enjoy Frozen and sing it out loud!

Muse, that's fantastic about finishing your treatment!

Thinking about French Maiden today of all days and wishing her peace.

Happy holidays to all who celebrate. May 2015 bring you health and happiness!

Introversion said:

I don't know how much of it comes across here, but Liz and I are both extreme introverts in real life. Being in the company of people, even family that we've known for decades (kids) or ever (parents, siblings), is very hard. Tiring. We'll both be exhausted by the time people finally leave, and the dishwasher's been loaded.

But I just wanted to say, if any of you were ever in the area, you'd be welcome too. I really appreciate the encouragement, laughs, advice, commiserations, and everything else that people share here. I'm grateful for AW, and all of you that make it what it is. Howsoever you celebrate the season, whether religiously or just enjoying some time with friends, relatives or yourselves, I hope it's a good time for you all.

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What a lovely sentiment, Introversion.

I hope all my friends here on AW had a good holiday. Like tarak, thinking of French today and wishing her well.

Wow, looks like I missed a lot of things this past few weeks.

Glad to hear you're done, muse. Good luck and good health.

Doing good myself. Three weeks after my bypass surgery and taking walks and eating better. Even got a little writing in, though not a lot. Scar is healing up and not a lot of pain now, so weaned off the meds for that. Still on others though, mostly for cholesterol and such.

Here's to a happy and brighter New Year for everyone!

Good to hear you're doing better, Ken.


Tara, I'm hoping Shakes doesn't notice that bit about using single malt in place of bourbon.

I baked a dozen and half Christmas mince pies.


There are 7 left.








Okay. Make that 5.

Glad to hear you're doing well, Ken.

Well, Christmas dinner was horrible. Dad swore and grumbled at everything, sneered and laughed at my dress that I'd bought for the day. I love getting dressed up and don't get a chance to do it very often but I came in to get something from the living room, having just finished my make up and he laughed and said 'for God's sake!' He then made a big show of giving very expensive gifts to everyone else at the Christmas dinner.

I enjoy buying the presents and always knew I'd never get anything really thoughtful or amazing but dad this year was making a point that I'm not one of the family and not wanted there. Ended up going back upstairs from the restaurant and watching Dr Who on my laptop in my room on my own. It was actually like revisiting my childhood, actually.

So I'm trying to forget Christmas day and just think about Christmas Eve, which was a great day out with Uncle, and Boxing Day, when I came home to my kitties and bought us some new pillows and blankets so we can cuddle up and watch films for the rest of the holidays.

Zelenka, I just want to give you a great big . Can't believe your dad was so nasty.

I think I remember you saying you were planning to go away somewhere next year - you definitely should. Think of yourself first for a change.

muse said:

Zelenka, I just want to give you a great big . Can't believe your dad was so nasty.

I think I remember you saying you were planning to go away somewhere next year - you definitely should. Think of yourself first for a change.

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As the kids say: THIS.

You deserve joy and kindness. You deserve a Christmas that is fun and festive. Take that for yourself next year.

muse said:

Zelenka, I just want to give you a great big . Can't believe your dad was so nasty.

I think I remember you saying you were planning to go away somewhere next year - you definitely should. Think of yourself first for a change.

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Yeah I think I'm going to go to New York next year. I really can't stand another dinner with them. Uncle can be okay at times but only if he's centre of attention. I've had a much better couple of days since I came home, just watching films, catching up on the WIP and spending time with the kitties.

Oh and my father is now telling everyone the restaurant deliberately gave him custard that was too hot just to mess with him and now he says he's burned his mouth...

What is he, twelve?

Biology be damned. I reckon you can do better...

Zelenka said:

Yeah I think I'm going to go to New York next year. I really can't stand another dinner with them. Uncle can be okay at times but only if he's centre of attention. I've had a much better couple of days since I came home, just watching films, catching up on the WIP and spending time with the kitties.

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Next year, please do give yourself the gift of elsewhere. You deserve it. Hope you have a nice, peaceful, restful New Years.

Zelenka said:

Oh and my father is now telling everyone the restaurant deliberately gave him custard that was too hot just to mess with him and now he says he's burned his mouth...

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Always about him, isn't it? I suspect this is why he puts down your writing. He knows you have talent, and he's jealous of it.

Sigh.

Zelenka, I think next Christmas should be about you. You deserve better.