[cobalt]

Its that time of year the woodworking magazines are full of xmas diy stuff

love it or hate them twee or just downright rubbish

tool adverts fill the mags up at top prices just shop around

loads of clubs and organisations invites to Christmas dinner trouble is its always turkey and more turkey followed by turkey drives you mad and not forgetting plum pudding

Personally I escape it given the opportunity by going on a cruise but this coming year we where hoping to go down the Norwegian fords finishing at St Petersburg but its no go in the winter so its a birthday pressy for the big 70 in July

the food is 5star the entertainment is superb and its warmer than here

 

[CV3]

Doing ordenments can be fun. And if your new to carving you can learn a lot carving simple Christmas projects., trees ,snowmen and santas cover a lot of basic skills. Family enjoy them too.

I also avoid many of the commercial Holliday activities. It can get to be work trying to attend all the events that you can be called on to attend. A Keep It Simple Holliday is our way of enjoying the season!

 

[RATTY]

i tend to lock myself away over the winter months and sit whittling and enjoying quality family time , i think christmas is too commercial and full of stress now , the values that used to be there are fading away.

 

[cobalt]

go to agree there

getting that dam tree down fron the loft full o dust, allergic to it then setting it up the dust settles on giving me constant sneezing fits. The real ones are just as bad for me..

the competition between my girls saying come for Christmas day. great to see them for a couple of hours but there excitement is overwhelming . sat around the table together is great but we like to have a walk during the day .Stress of getting xmas pressys no idea of what the age groups want now and a intense dislike for the dreaded shopping trip;

Much rather go to friends so the grandchildren can enjoy it the way they want and then see them a few days later

just a grumpy old man

 

[MJC4]

Appears to be alot of "grumpy old men" on this forum. LOL! I'd rather eat worms than go to the mall at Christmas time! I do enjoy all the baking and candy making the wifey does during the holidays though. Besides all the good eats the aromas in the house are intoxicating. Speaking of intoxicating, how about all the parties that must be attended, eh? Can't go to a Christmas party without some Holiday Cheer can U? Some Christmas carving is always a bit of fun as well. So Christmas isn't ALL that bad is it? Or is it? BAH HUMBUG !!!!!!!!!!

Mark

 

[cobalt]

go to agree about the treats Mark just love the christmas cake with a slice of cheese on it .trouble is i like to keep fit to much weight on already .As for the parties great to see friends . and to share a glass of real ale but again everything in moderation But always have a twenty year old malt whiskey now that is a treat. .bit pricey.

As for the Christmas carving Generally not one for folk art prefer the more classical but may carve a nativity set .I have the book on it by Shawn Cipa bit of a fan of his. But its in a folk style so may look into drawing it in a art novo style ,Its a good book with step by step instruction's and good photos But its not to my taste

I think that the wood spirits ,father Christmas, nativity figures are much alike you see some good some poor like everything

that's the main difference between English stickmakers and American. The English don't seem to do wood spirits seem to take more of a classical approach. Yet the wild life carvers there are extremely good but don't seem to transfer those skills to stickmaking

 

[Batakali]

Christmas cake with cheese? Never heard of it. What kind of cake? Now a slice of warm apple pie with a nice slice of sharp chedder? That is one of the few desserts I miss since I stopped the sugar. That and a coffee with Bailey's! I agree that the Christmas season has been corrupted. So the wife and I decided some years ago on presents for a just a few close friends and family and we try to keep them useful and preferably hand made gifts. She knits, paints, woodburns and make soap. Unfortunately I can only give so many sticks so I try to buy things that people can use but wouldn't get for themselves.

 

[Gloops]

Christmas cake and cheese Mmmmmmmm ! Christmas cake is a dark rich fruit cake normally laced with Brandy and exrtremely nice when served with a sharp tasting cheese, I prefer the Blue veined type of cheese i.e. Stilton.

Another favourite local delicacy around this time of year in our region is a hot Pork Pie and Mushy Pease served with Mint Sauce Mmmmmmmm !

 

[Batakali]

Wow! And here I am eating a bagel. Lord but that pork pie looks good! I don't know why some people have such a problem with "English" food, but then I grew up in an Irish household!

 

[cobalt]

don't forget pigs in blankets gloops. have to be real ones ,Lincolnshire sausage wrapped in Smokey crispy bacon defiantly no supermarket rubbish all from the local butcher and the traditional Yorkshire pudding.

being a Yorkshire man gloops I suppose you eat yours as a starter its served as part of the main coarse ere

 

[Gloops]

Yes Cobalt we traditionally have them as a starter smothered in rich onion gravy and heavy on the pepper although my son in his younger days enjoyed them as a pudding after his meal, coated in golden syrup (treacle).

 

[RATTY]

cant beat a good pork pie with melted stliton all over the top

 

[cobalt]

yeee gods its mouth watering . the wife will be calorie counting .

think I am turning into scrooge along of course with a few senior moments ,now where is the workshop mmm what was I doing