User:	m03m
	Date:	2009-12-24 19:14
	Subject:	You're invited...
	Security:	Public
	Mood:	cheerful

... to click this link. Nothing nasty, I promise. Okay, you may find it in doubtful taste... but only esthetically speaking.
Enough disclaimers... click the link! Please.

	User:	zeeuwsmeisje
	Date:	2009-12-24 03:02
	Subject:	From Twitter 12-23-2009
	Security:	Public

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	User:	aka_phoenix
	Date:	2009-12-23 23:51
	Subject:	'Tis the season to be cooking.. Sugarplum candies
	Security:	Public
	Mood:	satisfied

I wasn't even looking for a new recipe. I just stumbled upon the phrase 'sugarplum candies'. I've always loved the Sugarplum Fairy from the Nutcracker, never realizing there may be sugarplum candies. So I googled pics and recipes. Found lots of very different things, and as I tend to do, I read a few recipes, got some ideas, mixed in my own, left out what didn't sound like it would work and presto! A new recipe by little old me. Made some tonight, will bring them for Christmas Eve to boyfriend's parents. Did a taste-test, worked out fine :)

Sugarplum candies:  (makes about 20 balls)

1/2 cup of dates (100 gr)
1/2 cup of walnuts (50 gr)
1/4 cup of dried figs (50 gr)
1/4 cup of almonds (35 grams) + almonds for decorating
2 tablespoons of jam (I used raspberry, but cherry, or a less sweet version would work as well I think)
1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon (= a good pinch) of grinded cloves (Tjenkeh)
dried grated coconut for decoration

Roughly chop up the nuts and fruits. Put into a food processor. Add jam and spices. Process until a slightly sticky but still chunky mass. (or just chop it all finely, and mix well) Roll small balls of the paste between your hands (the cloves may give a slight tingling sensation, not unlike menthol. It numbs and cools the skin a little) Put some dried coconut in a small bowl.  Roll balls through the coconut until covered. If you want, decorate the balls by sticking an almond in it when done. Making a small slit with a sharp knife before putting in the almond avoids squashing the ball too much.

Yum. I consider my experiment a success, but I'll let the 'inlaws' make the final judgement ;)

 

	User:	aka_phoenix
	Date:	2009-12-23 12:15
	Subject:	Merry Christmas!
	Security:	Public
	Mood:	festive

	User:	zeeuwsmeisje
	Date:	2009-12-23 03:02
	Subject:	From Twitter 12-22-2009
	Security:	Public

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	User:	aka_phoenix
	Date:	2009-12-23 00:43
	Subject:	Playing Santa
	Security:	Public
	Mood:	pleased

Had a longggg lovely text here with explanations and a story. And then I started adding pics, and somehow the pics took the place of the text. So, here are the pics. The much shortened story is, I got 4 gifts from bookcrossers last year because I never get anything extra for Christmas, as is a custom for Dutch employers, since I'm disabled. I decided to pay it forward this year and gathered things for weeks, to give to another bookcrosser who doesn't get a Christmas Package. Thanks to several donaters, who loved my idea and wanted to participate and pitch in, I was able to secretly prepare two more packages, and got to surprise three people and make their day :) Playing Santa is a lot of fun! (Lj eating my post isn't :( :( :()

This was the initial package. It was sent to somebody who likes to craft. I gathered these things during the weeks of preparation.  

This package went to someone who likes dogs, and after this pic was taken, I added a few mini bars of organic dark chocolate. The black thing is a leather wallet. The greenish/white thing is a gift certificate to a bookstore.  

The last package went to someone with Indonesian roots, and who likes pink. The wrapped up thing is an Orang Malu, also known as yogi-man. It guards your home from bad spirits, so they say. The crackers are rempeyek, spicy peanut things. Another book certificate went into that one, and more organic dark chocolate.  

	User:	zeeuwsmeisje
	Date:	2009-12-23 00:07
	Subject:
	Security:	Public

Drie dingen die ik tijdens deze verhuizing geleerd heb

- Tijdens verhuizingen heb ik een bijna onuitputtelijke bron van energie
- Verfkwasten uitspoelen is een stom werkje
- Altijd eerst achterom kijken, anders val je nog met je kont in de stekelbosjes

	User:	zeeuwsmeisje
	Date:	2009-12-22 03:03
	Subject:	From Twitter 12-21-2009
	Security:	Public

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	User:	m03m
	Date:	2009-12-21 12:15
	Subject:	Before and after
	Security:	Public
	Mood:	cheerful

This is what they brought me:

	User:	zeeuwsmeisje
	Date:	2009-12-21 03:03
	Subject:	From Twitter 12-20-2009
	Security:	Public

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	User:	zeeuwsmeisje
	Date:	2009-12-19 03:03
	Subject:	From Twitter 12-18-2009
	Security:	Public

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	User:	m03m
	Date:	2009-12-18 20:37
	Subject:	Snow in the Netherlands
	Security:	Public
	Mood:	content

We don't have snow before Christmas all that often, but we do now.
Today I went to visit my mother (hi mom!) and we went for a nice little wintery walk. This is a picture I took with my telephone, so the quality isn't all that hot; still, it gives you an impression.

Click makes big.

	User:	zeeuwsmeisje
	Date:	2009-12-18 03:03
	Subject:	From Twitter 12-17-2009
	Security:	Public

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	User:	zeeuwsmeisje
	Date:	2009-12-17 03:02
	Subject:	From Twitter 12-16-2009
	Security:	Public

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	User:	m03m
	Date:	2009-12-16 13:27
	Subject:	This one's for Discoverylover
	Security:	Public
	Mood:	festive

Here's how my vase looks right now. And it's all your fault. Have a lovely Christmas!

Click makes bigger.

	User:	silentreverie
	Date:	2009-12-14 17:50
	Subject:
	Security:	Public

( Not a happy story, but I need to get it off my chest )

	User:	aka_phoenix
	Date:	2009-12-14 00:47
	Subject:	Winter training.
	Security:	Public
	Mood:	pleased

Another step of progress in my plan to become an all-season passenger on my sweetie's motorbike: my first drive while it's freezing. So far I've had the milestones of my first drop of rain, my first bit of wind, first ride in autumn, riding through until December, and tonight it was freezing. Only -1 C, but still.

Wrapped up good. Didn't use every bit of heat preserving precaution I can think of just yet, as there is more to come, and drove off around 9 PM. Meaning it was dark, so apparently that makes you perceive it as chillier.

It was a bit nippy, mostly my hands getting a bit cold, but other than that it was quite doable. Granted, it was a dry, clear night, and only about half an hour drive, but according to him, I am now officially hard-ass ;)

I still consider it a challenge to see where I draw the line.
Plan was to at least stay on until water freezing level, and plan is to try to make it all through winter.