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Post by sleepingbooty on Dec 22, 2019 0:11:20 GMT
Discovered in the process that Amazon Prime has a bunch of Lifetime movies that have the same actors in them as the Hallmark movies. May I recommend the 2019 Lifetime movie A Storybook Christmas? It was cute and everything I expect from a cheesy Christmas rom-com. I wasn't crazy about watching a film with a kid that needs taking care of but this was well done. And took place in the city, bonus point to Lifetime for not falling in the bad city vs good countryside trope trap with this one. And the kid wasn't annoying! I loved the Advent book calendar in it as well.  Does anyone else feel like they’re running out of time to do all their festive fun things? Not the to do list things, but the seasonal fun things you enjoy. I try to live fairly seasonally/in the moment, so I drink eggnog in December, drink pepppermint mochas in December, once January 6th rolls around I stop doing Christmas things or wearing Christmas things. This year I feel like the month has gone by very quickly and I’m worried that I’ve run out of time to savor all the holiday feels. Yep, December 2019 is a super odd one in the household of Booty as well. I'm so out of the Christmas loop and only very slowly (and very late) catching up. I'm not setting Epiphany as my Yuletide limit this time. My SO's sibling is finally on the mend and getting better so the stress is coming down. We're just going to slide our usual December enjoyment into January, traditions and dates be damned. Whatever we feel we didn't get around to but still want to experience, we'll just do early next year. *shrugs* We'll probably have our Scandinavian candelabra up until late January and finally get around to trying some holiday Starbucks drinks after the New Year. It's ok. Sometimes it feels like I'm just surviving the holiday season instead of relishing it. But i also have realized that maybe, especially in the December Daily mindset, there is just so much pressure for perfection. There is. There just is. So much hoopla around the holidays, feeds filled with perfectly decorated and lit homes, fluffy trees full of matching baubles, etc. Whenever I see a pretty Christmas tree somewhere (we don't have one), I just point and go: "Look at my beautiful tree, I did such a great job!" It's become an inside joke with family and friends. We were meeting up in the city today just by a huge tree and one of my friends immediately asked how I managed to get the ornaments and lights all the way up. "I called the fire brigade for some assistance, easy!" The world is our oyster and all that jazz.  I hope you can just relax into it and enjoy what's really important: cheesy movies, hot cocoa, togetherness and your feet up! |
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Post by sleepingbooty on Dec 22, 2019 0:20:24 GMT
The bars don’t hold together extremely well, so it’s almost more like a spiced fruit crisp or crumble, and tastes very good eaten warm from the pan with a spoon, with or without a dollop of whipped cream. Very sweet though - I won’t be eating it all myself. Maybe the mince would be nice as part of an actual winter crumble? Classic crumble base, a layer of mince (like a very sticky jam) and topped with apple? It would be a great Yuletide dessert with a nod to actual mince pies without going too sweet or too heavy. |
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Post by joblackford on Dec 22, 2019 1:44:37 GMT
The bars don’t hold together extremely well, so it’s almost more like a spiced fruit crisp or crumble, and tastes very good eaten warm from the pan with a spoon, with or without a dollop of whipped cream. Very sweet though - I won’t be eating it all myself. Maybe the mince would be nice as part of an actual winter crumble? Classic crumble base, a layer of mince (like a very sticky jam) and topped with apple? It would be a great Yuletide dessert with a nod to actual mince pies without going too sweet or too heavy. They held together a little better once they were all the way cooled. And they've been delicious - if a tad bit too sweet. You're right though - it might actually be really good with some stewed apple and whipped cream. There is some apple in the mincemeat but crumbling some of the bars over more hot cooked apple sounds like a great idea right about now. I watched another episode of Home for Christmas (only one per day, gotta make it last!) and then some Northern Heart on YT - some beautiful videos from a girl in the Swedish countryside with ideas for dealing with the dark season and handmade Christmas decorations. I got out an orange (hubby's corporate overlords sent us a box) and stabbed it all over with cloves! Very therapeutic! My hands smell heavenly. I was just feeling a bit down today because there were a couple of things I wanted to do with family tonight but the plans fell through. Mostly I'm sad that I don't have anyone who actually *wants* to go solstice lantern walking and neighborhood caroling with me. I know I could do those things alone (well, not alone, but alone amongst a group of strangers) but it just bums me out a little bit to walk around in the cold and dark on my own. And I don't want to drag out people (husband) who wouldn't enjoy it at all. So anyway, I'll curl up and watch A Storybook Christmas or some other nonsense. Thanks for the rec. And I'm starting to think seriously about what I want my Christmas journal/album/lists to look like! |
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Post by joblackford on Dec 22, 2019 1:48:38 GMT
I have been LOVING Home for Christmas on Netflix!! So fun. I need a little more sex, drama, and bad language (in any language) than Hallmark offers, so I’ve been very happy to find this. Ingunn recommended it as being as Norwegian as a Norwegian show could be, so in that basis alone I felt like I had watch. See now I have to watch it as a Norwegian 😃 A friend of mine recommended it too. Curious to see something very Norwegian! I will also recommend a tv-show called Lillyhammer if you are an American curious about Norway. An American mob boss is sent to Lillehammer in Norway because he is in the witness protection program. The mob boss used to watch the Olympics in Lillehammer and requested to be sent there. The show gets a bit dark, but it's agreat mix of American and Norwegian language, and how Norway can be perceived by foreigners (we have many quirks, they do a great job showcasing them) Sounds great! I'll have to check that out. I love to see other cultures' quirks. You'll have to tell us what you think of Home for Christmas. It's been making me laugh. A romantic comedy with some actual comedy. |
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Post by scrappyem on Dec 22, 2019 3:04:11 GMT
I'm super behind on this thread and in my album but got a few layouts done before heading out of town for the next week. Counting that as a win. I'm in love with Tracie Reed's new "The Naughty List" digital collection. It's got snark and bright colors and I immediately had to buy. Leaving it here in case anyone is in need of a little snark this holiday season. www.tracireed.com/?category=The+Naughty+List |
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Post by mom on Dec 22, 2019 4:34:03 GMT
Just cause I know y'all will get it ---- for the first time since early August, both my boys are home. I am so happy I could burst.
Yes, DS1 has long hair now. And yeah, DS2 needs to shave. But they are both home and I cannot stop smiling.
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Post by LavenderLayoutLady on Dec 22, 2019 9:45:46 GMT
I'm super behind on this thread and in my album but got a few layouts done before heading out of town for the next week. Counting that as a win. I'm in love with Tracie Reed's new "The Naughty List" digital collection. It's got snark and bright colors and I immediately had to buy. Leaving it here in case anyone is in need of a little snark this holiday season. www.tracireed.com/?category=The+Naughty+ListThat line is hilarious! I'm just imagining explaining what "Jolly AF" means to future grandchildren. 😁 |
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Post by anniefb on Dec 22, 2019 17:42:31 GMT
mom enjoy the time with your boys. Yes, December has flown by but in a way I'm not sorry. 2019 hasn't been the greatest year and I'm ready for 2020! I'm off to a rheumatologist this afternoon. Seems my knee issues have now caused a full-on arthritis flare up and I'm hobbling round the house. Worst thing is the painful hands. Did I mention I'm over 2019?
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Post by mom on Dec 22, 2019 18:16:04 GMT
mom enjoy the time with your boys. Yes, December has flown by but in a way I'm not sorry. 2019 hasn't been the greatest year and I'm ready for 2020! I'm off to a rheumatologist this afternoon. Seems my knee issues have now caused a full-on arthritis flare up and I'm hobbling round the house. Worst thing is the painful hands. Did I mention I'm over 2019? Ugh! That sounds so painful. I am sorry! Yeah, 2019 hasnt been the best year and I am ready to start new. |
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nicolep
Drama Llama
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Post by nicolep on Dec 22, 2019 19:48:40 GMT
Oh anniefb that sounds awful. I am so sorry.  |
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nicolep
Drama Llama
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Post by nicolep on Dec 22, 2019 19:49:04 GMT
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Post by elegantsufficiency on Dec 22, 2019 22:50:28 GMT
Oh anniefb that sounds awful. I am so sorry. I agree! Not the time of the year to be experiencing pain like that. Hope you can find something to alleviate it and that it doesn't stop you from enjoying whatever you have planned for this week. |
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Post by anniefb on Dec 23, 2019 0:15:45 GMT
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Post by anniefb on Dec 23, 2019 0:17:10 GMT
I agree nicolep. Hadn't seen the scooting santa but boy is he cute. I love the house she made. |
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blemon
Pearl Clutcher
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Post by blemon on Dec 23, 2019 2:57:30 GMT
Does anyone else feel like they’re running out of time to do all their festive fun things? Not the to do list things, but the seasonal fun things you enjoy. I try to live fairly seasonally/in the moment, so I drink eggnog in December, drink pepppermint mochas in December, once January 6th rolls around I stop doing Christmas things or wearing Christmas things. This year I feel like the month has gone by very quickly and I’m worried that I’ve run out of time to savor all the holiday feels. I hear you! As a family we watched Nightmare Before Xmas on Thanksgiving, got the tree, decorated it and then... that's it. We've all been busy. No gingerbread house. No outside lights. No other movies as a family until tonight (Emmet Otter's Jugband Xmas, HELLO!! A must-see). Tomorrow my husband works and the next day is xmas eve. This has all flown by. Seems my knee issues have now caused a full-on arthritis flare up and I'm hobbling round the house. Worst thing is the painful hands. Did I mention I'm over 2019? Sounds awful. I hope you get some relief. Just cause I know y'all will get it ---- for the first time since early August, both my boys are home. I am so happy I could burst. Wow. That is great. I can't imagine the kid going to college. Just can't imagine. I'm so happy for you! My daughter's dance production was this weekend and she did great. It was so awesome to see her on stage just loving to dance. It was a lot of work and I'm so proud of her for all the hard work. Now we sleep in! |
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Post by sleepingbooty on Dec 23, 2019 14:30:16 GMT
Prompt n°23: Last minuteThere you are, holiday madness! All of a sudden, the rhythm as accelerated and we find ourselves scrambling to get around to the final preparations in time for Christmas/Festivus/Hanukkah/Kwanzaa. Missing ingredients, a gift that wasn't delivered on time, something for an unexpected guest, etc. Busy roads, busy stores, kids all hyped up, the kitchen taken over by recipe books and messes, what does your last dash before Christmas look like? Take a minute to snap a photo here and there, take a few deep breaths, it's going to be ok. And it's going to make a fun memory to document in your album.  Photo ideas: A view from inside the car showing the busy roads, the line at the supermarket and your cart filled with last minute purchases, picking loved ones up at the airport or train station, the messy and busy kitchen, the kids enjoying their time off school. Song of the day: |
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Post by sleepingbooty on Dec 23, 2019 14:44:30 GMT
mom Aww,I'm happy you have the boys back home. Enjoy ruffling ALL the bonus hair ALL the time!  That ought to make them think about getting a haircut before they go back to mama next time... blemon Yay on the dance production going well. All the time, energy and stress have paid off. I wish you all a relaxing week! joblackford A fellow orange 'n clove lover here! It's cheap, it smells festive and it looks nice. What's not to love? Are you feeling better today? Did you find alternatives to your OG plans or did you cuddle up on the couch and watch movies? If you love nice natural scents in the home, have you tried the Williams-Sonoma scent recipe? Sending you love and hugs. anniefb Oh no, sweet Annie. I hope your appointment with the rheumatologist has helped and given you some solutions for quick relief. This is no fun. And you were counting down the days to your vacation as well...  Hugs to you. ETA: I've been listening to a lot of Arizona this month and they have a great song called Annie. nicolep Now I want to make a card with that cute Santa on a scooter! Very adorable. Thanks for sharing!
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Post by sleepingbooty on Dec 23, 2019 20:04:17 GMT
An important science-based article for us, documenters, at this time of the year: Family Storytelling during the Holidays. Happy reading and happy story-sharing with your family! Don't forget to delegate and let other voices take over your December album this year. It's a good thing. |
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Post by joblackford on Dec 24, 2019 2:57:10 GMT
Oh boy, it’s been a crazy weekend. Lots of good stuff, but also some drama... I went caroling around the neighborhood even though I didn’t have any friends in the group, and it was enjoyable and quite emotional (one girl cried when we came to her door - I think her dad was dying inside, so we sang Silent Night and yeah, it was hard to sing when she was on her knees sobbing with grief and joy). I’m glad I decided to be part of it. Some people were genuinely delighted, called their kids out to the door to listen. Then on Sunday I decided to have a day in the city by myself to see all the Christmas lights and walk through a life sized gingerbread house and visit a Teddy Bear suite and see gorgeous trees and lights (and to buy a TN binder). I posted at least 9 sets of pictures so scroll through my IG if you want to take a look. I also checked on Nordstrom’s current Scandi Xmas decor - a new color palette but the same motifs, just simplified this year. Very nice afternoon! www.instagram.com/joblackford/Today hubby and I went out for a relaxing Monday morning/Christmas Adam brunch. The parking lot was full so I went inside to put our names on the list while hubby circled around looking for a spot. Well, a good 10 minutes passed waiting for a table but no sign of hubby yet. Suddenly a very VERY angry man comes in and starts yelling and swearing at the top of his voice at another family in the lobby of the brunch place! I didn’t catch the whole thing but it boiled down to f-bombs and threats over a stupid parking space and a place on the 15 minute waiting list for a table!! Both men were yelling loudly and telling someone to call 911 for them, the instigator’s pregnant wife herding their kids outside and crying in the parking lot... he’s upset that she’s upset, wanted to call the police over that, but from where I was sitting, he was the one who yelled first. Geez. It was horrifying. The pancakes are good but no brunch is worth that kind of aggro! (I should add that we’re a pretty peaceful bunch out here in the PNW, generally, so this was pretty alarming). So, after my heart rate came down a bit and hubby still hadn’t appeared, I was starting to worry that he’d somehow gotten involved in the domestic, which had moved out into the parking lot. Nope, he calls to say that a lady had driven her car off the edge of a different parking lot and he was helping her/calling 911 to see what they should do - the car being balanced on some kind of telecom box with one wheel hanging in the air ?! He missed the entire screaming match, instead he watched while another Good Samaritan dragged the woman’s car back onto the road with his fancy remote controlled winch on his Jeep. The lady was fine, the car was fine, even the telecom box was fine. But people need to chill out and slow down. This is why I stay home most of the time!  Anyway, we had a very pleasant meal with the most delicious coffee. And we survived the crazy shopping traffic around the mall. It looks like the economy is doing quite well - even the usually dead parts of the mall seemed packed. We checked in with the family - SIL just emerged from her strep throat sickbed, so we dropped off all of her wrapped presents (she had shipped them to our address so we offered to wrap them - I wrapped a huge Dyson box and a 25lb concrete fountain today! And used up all my nasty non-recyclable wrapping paper!) My MIL (who has issues, shall we say?) dropped all the presents off today, wouldn’t come inside, and when reminded about her planned visit tomorrow she claimed to have a bad back and it sounds like she’s not coming (which we guessed from her dropping all the gifts off today!) but anyway, she had to run because she was heading off to the senior center Xmas party. ah, OK... whatever. Lol. Most wonderful time of the year?! I honestly believe almost every family has their fair share of drama and dysfunction and if this is the worst we deal with this year, I’ll consider myself pretty lucky. Lots of good stories for the journal... but yeah, I’m ready for some cozy Christmas fantasy world on the television... |
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Post by elegantsufficiency on Dec 24, 2019 12:06:54 GMT
I’m ready for some cozy Christmas fantasy world on the television... , I think you've earned it! What drama at the brunch place!! Oh my...as you say, all good journal fodder. I'm doing a bit of my Christmas journal now but am way behind. I've really enjoyed Shimelle's videos this year and have found them quite inspiring, even though my journal looks nothing like hers (I can't be doing with putting everything in plastic sleeves) I've just sat down with a tiny pair of scissors to cut around a tab on my page for Dec 13th...which if I think about it, is half way there - woohoo! Hope everyone here has a peaceful Christmas Eve and all drama and dysfunction stays out there in the car park! |
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nicolep
Drama Llama
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Post by nicolep on Dec 24, 2019 13:16:34 GMT
Omgosh joblackford!!!! 😂 and 😢 and 😡 and ♥ all at the same time! |
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Post by anniefb on Dec 24, 2019 19:13:37 GMT
Yikes joblackford. Hope you have a few peaceful relaxing days ahead. Thanks for the continuing prompts sleepingbooty. I just have Day 25 to document and then my DD album is done. I'm off in a few hours to celebrate the day with friends. |
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Post by LavenderLayoutLady on Dec 24, 2019 19:26:44 GMT
Oh my gosh it's Christmas Eve!
I've been trying to think of the pics I need to take tonight & tomorrow.
I am not ashamed to admit that i wrapped all the gifts in the same red patterned gift wrap so that it looks cohesive and coordinates with the tree ornaments.
I'll take a pic of the cookies and milk left for Santa.
I'm going to try to capture better gift opening pics this year. It's a free for all, so it's hard to get good pics. But it's so happy that i won't change it.
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blemon
Pearl Clutcher
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Post by blemon on Dec 24, 2019 22:12:39 GMT
joblackford oh my! Wow! I saw your pics on ig and it looked like an amazing day. And how amazing you could go caroling and have such a moving experience.
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Post by hop2 on Dec 24, 2019 22:56:50 GMT
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Post by lisacharlotte on Dec 25, 2019 2:08:55 GMT
joblackford sounds like Christmas Eve has enough to fill the whole December Daily!
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Post by sleepingbooty on Dec 25, 2019 10:15:42 GMT
Christmas Eve is the big one in my family so I got a little caught up with all the preparations yesterday and didn't make it in here... Merry Christmas, December documenters! May the joy of the season be with you through these busy days and keep you going until next year. Wishing you all drama-free holidays with loads of Kodak moments.   Prompt n°24: EmbraceFamilies reunite, loved ones come together as Christmas Eve edges closer. How are you feeling the love? How are you being embraced on this special day? Record the warmth of being welcomed/welcoming in. That moment the door opens and you are joined again is one of the very best of the holidays. There really isn't anything quite like it... Photo ideas: Family members embracing each other, the guest room all decked out for your/a loved one's stay, special attentions for you/your guests, the first moments of being reunited, a screenshot of family far away video chatting with you. Song of the day: |
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Post by sleepingbooty on Dec 25, 2019 10:33:45 GMT
Prompt n°25: Christmas is hereNo need for a prompt or photo ideas, it's Christmas day! Enjoy this day and how you and your loved ones celebrate it. There ought to be plenty of fun moments and opportunities to get the camera out. But first and foremost, enjoy yourself! Memories first, pretty pages and photos second. Song of the day: |
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Post by sleepingbooty on Dec 25, 2019 10:46:36 GMT
joblackford There's nothing quite like Christmas madness, yikes. I'm glad you're well despite all the hiccups. We had a major car accident happenjust behind us and escaped by just a few lucky metres yesterday. Definitely *not* the kind of extra stress one needs around this time of the year. So glad you had a lovely time going out to sing Christmas carols, by the way. LavenderLayoutLady No shame in one's coordinating wrapping paper game! I hope everyone's having a lovely time! The big national strike in France has cancelled THREE train trips (and one ballet in Paris  ) for us so far. I'm really hoping the third set of tickets for Disneyland Paris will work out. We're hitting the road now and crossing out fingers the highway to Spain isn't too busy! If I'm late posting tomorrow's prompt, apologies in advance. Things are always a little cray when we meet up with my SO's big and loud family (and I love it).
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Post by LavenderLayoutLady on Dec 25, 2019 15:13:00 GMT
sleepingbooty I hope your travel plans work out today. And hope that where ever you are, you are with those you love and enjoy. Thank you for guiding and leading this thread for us all!
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I hope you can just relax into it and enjoy what's really important: cheesy movies, hot cocoa, togetherness and your feet up! 
That ought to make them think about getting a haircut before they go back to mama next time... 
Hugs to you. 
) for us so far. I'm really hoping the third set of tickets for Disneyland Paris will work out. We're hitting the road now and crossing out fingers the highway to Spain isn't too busy! If I'm late posting tomorrow's prompt, apologies in advance. Things are always a little cray when we meet up with my SO's big and loud family (and I love it).