So we all have seen the Christmas stuff out already at Home Depot, Target, Home Goods, etc.
And many of us have been assaulted by the overly powerful scented pine cones at the entrances to CVS. (Gawd, I despise those things!)
Sure enough, Advent calendars are starting to appear. I was in World Market a couple of weeks ago and they had the Bonne Maman fruit spread/honey Advent calendars out already (along with Walker Shortbread, Tony’s Chocoloney, Lindt Milk Chocolate Teddy Bears) and their website has K-Cups Cocoa, popcorn, caramels, dog biscuits, Italian cookies, and others.
But a new offer just came through my Email: A Penzeys spice packet one - each day you get a different 2 Tbs. trial bag for each day (usually $2.95 each, which would total $70.80 if you bought them individually). Currently on sale for $44.95 (regularly $49.95). I honestly cannot recall if they had this last year, but it’s not a bad idea if you want to try various seasoning blends of theirs. (I won’t be buying it, and I won’t be buying the Bonne Maman fruit/honey spread one again.)
Awww, you’re a good egg, John! And yes, if I DO get anything, it’ll definitely be without any religious connotation. Because there’s no way that I personally could ever be construed as “religious-minded.”
Already got my Palais des Thés calendar. That’s probably going to be it for me unless a really good food one crosses my path. We have way too much homemade jam/preserves to make the Bonne Maman calendar appealing.
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Harters
(John Hartley - a culinary patriot, cooking and eating in northwest England)
7
I suppose we celebrate the time of year more in the spirit of Yule, or the celebration of the winter solstice, or the Feast of Bacchus. Anything that involves much feasting, I suppose.
Feasting is the only reason casa lingua celebrates ‘the holidays.’
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Harters
(John Hartley - a culinary patriot, cooking and eating in northwest England)
10
We’ve started early feast planning.
The actual Christmas bit is taken care of - we’re off to a hotel a couple of hours drive north. Arrive on 23/12, leave 27/12. Food, entertainment, log fires, hot chocolate - sorted. First time we’ve escaped the family for a UK hotel break. A genuine bucket list thing for me.
Since my Mom passed 6 years ago, I’ve done Thanksgiving with my sister’s in-laws, and Christmas on my own. Well, except for last year when I didn’t do T’giving since it was immediately before my health issues. So I made the effort for 2024 Christmas to drive down to her sister-in-law’s and spent a few hours there but it was just a bit too much for me post-health issues (they’re VERY LOUD), and I didn’t participate in their reindeer games - just dinner.
But I like/prefer the peace and quiet of being in my comfy clothes and doing what I want to do at Christmas and cooking what I want to cook and not having to entertain.
And yes, if I DO get anything, it’ll definitely be without any religious connotation. Because there’s no way that I personally could ever be construed as “religious-minded.”
