Wednesday, December 24, 2008

Magic All Over The Night.....

First of all, Beez, or anyone else who is feeling a little sad, or not quite where they want to be, or missing someone, or just overwhelmed with everything, try this, if you can do it in front of a fire, so much the better, but I suspect anywhere will work. Mim says, sometimes you just got to.......It will make you happy.



It's Kylie's first Xmas ever. Her I do miss, but seeing photos like this make me so happy. She belongs in the Treehouse. Obviously.



As anyone who lives with Cats knows, the Tree is there for them. It's something you have to accept. If it is big enough, they will climb it. Tie it to the wall. If the presents are wrapped, they will, like children, spend hours trying to get into them. Deal. That's why Fod gave us Duct Tappe. Don't use tinsel. Your house will be tinseled, and as we have all learned the hard way, pulling it out of them is way no fun. From either end. Make sure, whatever you make, that there is enough for them too.And remember, ornaments are THERE to be batted off and chased around.



So, is Mim like the Spirit of Anti-Xmas? What's up with the evil look????



Nathilie, I don't know WHAT it is you sent me, but Venus seems to think it is REALLY worth going after!



That is not a third Bengal, but a Tasmanian Devil Sally sent me. She sent me a Spider too, but he kind of went the same place Marjories Cat ornament. (see previous paragraph) fortunately, they were way not interested in the funky tea she sent.



Thank you, Fiends!

I hope what ever you are doing tonight, or tomorrow, that it is special to you. I hope you find a little bit of magic, make someone happy, take some time for yourselves and eat something just a little bit bad for you while watching movies only you would ever want to see.

I hope you take a moment to think about how good things are, and take a moment and think about how you could make it better for someone, or something. I hope something makes you laugh, and that your heart has a moment where it is so happy and cuddly that you do just like Mim did in the first picture.

I hope at Midnight your animals talk to you, and I if you have cats, I hope they tell you a secret. If they do, listen.

I hope if you are out at 3am that you see the Northern Lights. And you remember what your cat told you.

Most importantly, I hope you know that you are loved. Each of you, and that includes you, My Lurker Fiends. This is one of the most special places going, and it would not be without you. And I love you all right well. And Thank you again, for making my life better in so many ways.



Love and Hope,
Lorraine

180 Comments:

At 4:18 PM , Blogger louisa said...

Oh Quiche, what a perfect way to ring in Christmas. It's just after midnight here and I'm sitting by the fire with wine and purring kitties and freshly wrapped gifts and a glowing heart reaching out to the Fiends. Merry Happy to one and all xxx

 
At 4:19 PM , Blogger Dragonsally said...

Oh Goodie -they arrived in time!

I didn't think of Bengals v Storm Chicken 2. I hope they had fun with her.
Have a wonderful Lorriane day...we're enjoying just that right now.

 
At 4:20 PM , Blogger Dragonsally said...

Of course I did mean Lorraine, not Lorriane *sigh*

 
At 4:22 PM , Blogger FabulousLorraine said...

Perfect, Louse!!! What could be better?

Spelling is overrate Sally, not to worry, they did arrive. I am sure Storm Chicken will re-appear, these things tend to.

 
At 4:29 PM , Blogger Jess said...

And Fod bless us, every one! \o/

"Lorriane" is lovely, ashally. Use 'em both!

 
At 4:31 PM , Blogger gaypet said...

Beautifully put, Lorraine! Thank you so much for the good wishes. This is such a wonderful community and we are all here because you. You have brought us all together and I thank you!! Happy-Merry!!

 
At 4:37 PM , Blogger ivenotime said...

Blessings to us all each and every one, safe journeys to those traveling, amazing meals to those cooking, for us who are not yet celebrating, an evening of peace. and bless fod he is stopping the snow tomorrow morning and switching to sleet and freezing rain.

Beez, hope the evening goes well, i think chinese and ice cream are an excellent start, hugs.

actually hugs to all!

 
At 4:43 PM , Blogger FabulousLorraine said...

Sue, now sleet and rain? What, are you auditioning for "World's Worst Winter" on the weather channel?

Stay cozy!

(All of you!)

 
At 4:52 PM , Blogger EmilyLady said...

I can't really add anything to that.

I just hope all the Fiends are having a wonderful time. And I am lucky to be one. I always feel safe here.

~Emily

 
At 4:59 PM , Blogger Phiala said...

We just opened our "home" presents, from my family and such - going to Nick's family tomorrow. My mother sent bouncy rubber cat toys, but they are completely trumped by wads of wrapping paper. Grendel got a squeaky gingerbread man and peanut butter creme sandwich cookies for dogs. Morgan likes them too!

And Grendel is soooo spoiled - I wouldn't give him another cookie, so he just went off to bed by himself.

Nick is already engrossed in the manual for his new video game - I may be hanging out here for the evening.

 
At 5:00 PM , Blogger Rubius said...

Happy Xmas all. Evening just fell and the icicles are dazzling. The snow is deeper than it has been for years and my kitty came home with me for xmas on the island. She is curled up in a corner my dad made just for her and we have an outdoor xmas tree this year... we will leave little presents for the birds and beasts outside, probably tomorrow. We had two fawns in the yard today and LOTS of birds including a majestic woodpecker. The wingbeats of the ravens flying overhead (or really big crows, who knows) sound loud and startling in the cold air. We dip below freezing at night and then eke up towards a mini melt in the afternoons. Mornings are spent sleeping in here. Tea is made in a big pot. Awfully glad the cat is here.

I haven't been able to catch up on ANY comments in the last couple weeks, unfortunately... but I got an IPOD touch for xmas so it is possible that I may be a little more online in the future.

The big buck just came through the yard, past the pond and down Kona's path (Kona was the first cat I met, she had a long life and is buried down at a special spot on that path).

May you all have a lovely holiday season, whether you are celebrating or curmudgeoning this year (I don't think that is a word, but I like it).

 
At 5:01 PM , Blogger Na said...

A lovely, funny, heartwarming post. Thank you Ms Fabulous for this place for folks to keep each other company. {{Beez}} and I hope some joy finds and tickles everyone.

 
At 5:13 PM , Blogger FabulousLorraine said...

This is a safe place, Emily. And a fine place to hang out, Mistress!

Rubious, how lovely!

Na, I just rite stuff, you all give it the heart.

There is a Top Chef marathon going on! Cool or what, and at 9 a special with the top chef's from previous seasons competing..My night is so set!

 
At 5:13 PM , Blogger FabulousLorraine said...

Yeah. I rite stuff real good.

 
At 5:19 PM , Blogger Phiala said...

Yes, a fantastic place to hang out! No Top Chef here but I got Doctor Who on DVD for Christmas. I asked for some of the old ones, and said that Tom Baker was my favorite. Mom was close, sort of - she got the Baker part right. :)

 
At 5:25 PM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

Thank you, Ms. Fablo. You are loved as well, and hugely admired. (Which reminds me, I hope the cat that Nadine wrote about gets rescued and loved very very soon!!)

May the peace and love of the season fill all of y'all's hearts. And big hug to Beez. BIG.

 
At 5:33 PM , Blogger Dragonsally said...

Rubius - it sounds like you are having the Disney Christmas we used to watch every year on tv (always when it was over 100F outside) how magical!
Sending lots of Aussie warmth to all who need it, we seem to have enough to spare for a day or two.

 
At 5:47 PM , Blogger FabulousLorraine said...

I heard from Nadine, and she is going to find out where this Kitty is on Friday.

She thinks she does not have a spare room for him, and I am working hard to explain to her she does not need it, and he needs her very, very badly, even if only on a foster basis.

Any, and all Bengals that cross my path WILL find a loving home. I am deadly serious about this.

Yes, Sally, send us some warm!

Mistress, ah well...

 
At 5:58 PM , Blogger Rubius said...

I was talking up the Bengal Rescue Society on the bus yesterday... trying to convince a mom that her daughter was right, and that they did need a cat for xmas, and that a shelter nearby would be grateful to hand one over... they decided to wait until a kitty adopted them first.

 
At 6:31 PM , Blogger Beez said...

Oh Rubius- like Sally said, soon you will have talking bunnies and twittering bluebirds of happiness to boot.

What a lovely post Q. Of it all though, I think the first picture did it for me- Mim has the absolute right idea.

Too bad I'm too stuffed with Chinese food and ice cream- I'd never be able to roll back over.

*hugs* and love and thanks to all of you wonderful Fiends and the magic of this place. The peace of the season came back on me for now....or I'm stuperous from overeating.

Either way- it works for me.

 
At 6:48 PM , Blogger FabulousLorraine said...

Way to go Rubious! We will rescue kitties! Every one counts...

Beez, glad you are happier, and as for rolling back over, well that's kind of the point, just stay that way!

I am getting stuffed on too much Top Chef, and loving every minute!

 
At 7:00 PM , Blogger Beez said...

Now I -really- want cable

 
At 7:08 PM , Blogger FabulousLorraine said...

I was kind of snobby about cable for a LONG time. Why? I can rent what I want, why pay for it? (I thought loftily)

Then I got cable. And Tivo. I am so all about this.

 
At 7:12 PM , Blogger Phiala said...

I finally took a picture of my (extremely boring) refrigerator, plus many illustrations of the ridiculously huge number of cookies I made today.

And ate.

 
At 7:13 PM , Blogger Beez said...

I think I am a Handel fangirl....

I guess necromancy has it's points.

 
At 7:23 PM , Blogger FabulousLorraine said...

Mistress, what wonderful fun! I don't think your fridge is boring..

Beez, your reference has gone over my head, tho I am sure I will feel silly when I figure it out. Can't do a connection between Handel and necromancy, tho I am all for it...

 
At 7:28 PM , Blogger Beez said...

Other than that he's long dead? Hard to be a proper fangirl to the not-living.

Next up- The Handel Zombie!

 
At 7:29 PM , Blogger Dragonsally said...

Phiala, all those cookies are looking just yummy.

I have just told Pete that in about 20 years time, when all our animals have gone over the rainbow bridge we are having some Bengals - cat and dog in one package.

 
At 7:34 PM , Blogger FabulousLorraine said...

AH! Told you I'd feel silly. I go fangirl for Vivaldi, necromancers unite!

Sally, you cant have a Bengal DOG! Well, maybe you can in Australia...

 
At 7:44 PM , Blogger Dragonsally said...

ah no, Q...its just the way your Bengals follow you everywhere, I think they are incredibly dog like, but still very feline. I like that combination.

 
At 8:17 PM , Blogger FabulousLorraine said...

Ah, got it, they do follow me everywhere, Venus and Mim. Lear and the Little Queen are starting to run to greet me when I come in, which does my heart good.

I know I am harping on a theme here, but Top Chef so rocks.

 
At 8:28 PM , Blogger Phiala said...

I am stuffed full of cookies! And smoked salmon purchased from the fishing boat captain who caught it, and good cheese.

Happy happy! :)

My fridge has stuff all over it, but it's mostly expired coupons, I'm afraid. No interesting magnets, either.

Never seen Top Chef.

 
At 8:48 PM , Blogger Na said...

Hey you fiendish ones.

My guy made chili for us all this evening. May make this a Holly Day Eve tradition, Beez' Chinese leftovers sounded really good.

Around sunset tonight, I happened to be at the kitchen window when a (crepuscular) doe walked into the snowy yard. In the time it took to get the kids over to the window, a yearling and a young buck appeared, and then another young'un joined them as we watched. We thought it was pure magic.

During dinner, I tried to tell the kids about NORAAD tracking Santa over Australia at that moment, but my son misheard "NORAAD" as "graveyard", and was under the impression that someone had crawled out of a graveyard to watch Santa, and I misunderstood him to be thinking SANTA came up out of a graveyard... hee hee.

 
At 8:56 PM , Blogger Dragonsally said...

That's a perfect nomdegreen Renata, I think your son is surely a little Fiend.
Yup - Santa has been and gone here.

 
At 9:12 PM , Blogger AletaMay said...

Lovely post Q! This will be short as I am posting from my phone. I am at my brother's house. Just sent everyone else off to church. I am sitting between a lovley fire and a lovely tree and a sweet dog. The only sound is the click of my typing and the crackle of the fire. I am most content. Reading all today's comments I am struck by what a great group of fiends this is. So glad to know you all. Hang in there Beez. You make me think of my sil. I will never be able to think of her as an ex-sil. Blessings to all of you.

 
At 9:15 PM , Blogger FabulousLorraine said...

I love a Santa that comes out of a Graveyard...How very perfect. My sisters ad I used to hear him on the roof Xmas eve, but I never thought he was as cool as the glow in the dark ghost finger puppets....

I am off to sleep with Leopards, Fiends, I hope you night and day tomorrow was as fine.

The Top Chef Xmas special was great, tho a hard choice for the judges in the end. Didn't know who I wanted to win they were both so cool...

 
At 9:16 PM , Blogger AletaMay said...

Argg did not click the box! Much love to each of you!

 
At 9:18 PM , Blogger gaypet said...

I watched some of the Top Chef extravaganza earlier. LOVE it! Of course The Catherine Tate Show is also on at the moment and I can't get enough of her.

I need to go to bed so I don't eat more! Chinese sounds good! Don't have any tho. I'm not bovvered!

 
At 9:23 PM , Blogger Na said...

Sally, Fiendish tendencies in our wee monsters is certainly supported. ;)

 
At 9:42 PM , Blogger Na said...

Oops! Took forever between typing and posting - distracted by my guy's channel-surfing. I would love to have SciFi and old movies and few other cable things, but the channel-flipping... urgh.

So many lovely thoughts here. Wishing you all well. Off to see if sugarplums may dance in my head (and hopefully that would be a _good_ thing).

 
At 9:42 PM , Blogger gaypet said...

So, Renata, you still up? What are you up to?

 
At 9:43 PM , Blogger gaypet said...

Oh dear. Guess not. :)

Night all.

 
At 9:46 PM , Blogger vampi said...

fabulous holidays and thank fod for fiends, huzzah! it's so fun to have a place like this to share. it feels special, because it is full of special people.

just got back from our Christmas light exploration. none quite s awesome as my videos from last year. i;m going to do more googlecating to find the really dedicated Christmas light houses. pictures and videos soon!

phalia, i am drooling over your cookies. i normally mane my nana's butter cookie recipe, but didn't this year because my coworkers are weenies.

mmm chili, we are having left over chili soon.

top chef, i avoided it til this year and i am hooked.

 
At 9:59 PM , Blogger Na said...

Oh no! Gayle, I'm always missing you here. Was going to go to sleep, but haven't yet.

 
At 10:13 PM , Blogger Na said...

Barnacles.

For some reason I just don't want to go to sleep tonight. Will go read.

'Night-morning o fiendish ones.

 
At 10:57 PM , Blogger vampi said...

christmas eve adventure pictures are up on flickr for fiend fun.

we took pictures with a snowball since it was amusing to us to have snow in california only miles away from our house. my thoughts are with the fiends truly suffering from too much snow.
flickr hurray

 
At 11:01 PM , Blogger spacedlaw said...

I did not send you catnip but the wrapping paper lives in the cat sleeping room (used to be my work room) so maybe they can smell my kitties' scent?

Lovely post full of loving.
Have a great Xmas, fiends. (extra hugs for Beez)

 
At 11:25 PM , Blogger Lysandwr said...

Furry and Fiendish Christmas Love to All!

Vampi, our family Christmas Eve tradition as well....hunting lights!!

They do this interesting thing in Socorro: even if their house is decorated to the nines with bright lights for weeks before hand.....on Christmas Eve itself tea candles are set in sand (something we certainly have plenty of) inside of small paper bags. Imagine thousands of them, lining buildings such as San Miguel Mission. Lining pathways in the town plaza, leading up to the sparkly lit Gazebo. Yes, this IS a small town. We have a town plaza, with a gazebo, at which ALL major outdoor town functions take place.

Oh, and the luminaria (that's what they are called) lead to the town Christmas tree. And up in the low hills, some neighborhoods are outlined entirely (both sides of the side walks and their drive ways, plus any fences/adobe walls they might have). There one drives around carefully with parking lights only.

Lots of kids out with candle torches.
And this isn't organized or advertised...it is truly a local tradition, not a tourist attraction.

you'd never get away with this in California, or even any big city. Fire Hazard!! Traffic Hazard!!

My, they were glorious. Someday I must learn how to take a working photograph of their delicate beauty.

Now, back to more important issues:
Phiala--PERFECT GINGER SNAPS!! I love YOU, too!!

oh, and Beez; get a Handel on that addiction, willya? :)

As for the rest of you....
It would take pages to list every Fiend who has made me smile or warmed me when I was cold and lonely in this new and different desert.
Thank you all (especially Q, of course, for creating this space!) once again for being the Fiends that you are...and for doing what you do here.

Sleep well.....and wake up Happy!

 
At 11:29 PM , Blogger vampi said...

oh lumineria, i miss that. they sed to d it on my street in north canton ohio every year. i think my dad finally threw out the extra bags of sand we had, and i used all of the paper bags for lunch. i think i will end up inheriting the candles, we had a huge box of them

 
At 11:43 PM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

Fiendish Festivus is the best!

I'm very glad to be home from family obligations, and about to pile into bed. It's raining, and I'm ever so happy about that, as we need it.

Beez, hang in there. It gets better, really. And think of all the things your ex did that you hated that are now someone else's problem. ;)

Much love and good weather (emotional or otherwise) to all the Fiends!

 
At 2:53 AM , Blogger Marjorie said...

Merry Christmas / Happy Merry Season to all fiends, bengals and others!

I love the pics (glad the parcel arrived in time :-))
Just had stockings and then croissants. Yum. Tybalt hasn't *yet* tried to climb the Chritstmas tree - too busy exploring my parent's home and garden, i think.
I just want to add how thankful I am am for this place and all the wonderful people here. Habve a wonderful holiday.
x x

 
At 3:01 AM , Blogger Marjorie said...

Renata - jsut saw your comment about my pics - they are all at http://margomusing.blogspot.com (soory, don't have my cribsheet reminding me how to make links, but hopefuly you can cut'n'paste the address.

 
At 3:04 AM , Blogger louisa said...

My Christmas morning tradition? Watching The Snowman. Truly magical.

Then down to the sea to watch all the crazy people jumping in at midday, ostensibly for charity but I suspect in part for the hot whiskey reward.

 
At 6:29 AM , Blogger ivenotime said...

Merry merry everyone! fod decided to quiet the weather down, a magnificent gift, there is NOTHING falling from the sky - we had freezing rain last night tho and there is a layer of ice over all the snow - it was fun watching rocket run on the top of it, only to fall thru over her head, and leap like a deer to get out. tank is way more cautious, sticks to the plowed area, and is currently curled on my lap, another great gift. nothing like a furry. no plans for us today, i am spending it doing things for my family that I have put off - sewing for my daughter, trying to make crepes for the first time, mending the nativity rocket chewed (she ate a wise man and a sheep). then some me time, then family scrabble which i need to redeem myself as i played abysmally last night with the lowest score ever. Hope everyone's day is splendid!

 
At 6:29 AM , Blogger Phiala said...

G'morning and Merry Christmas to all the lovely Fiends (and I mean that in a thoroughly loved-ones and and cookies fashion!)!

I'm enjoying smoked salmon for breakfast, and coffee and cookies, in a lazy moment before heading off to the inlaws for a couple days. No internet there, but I'm sure y'all will carry on without me. :)

Morgan is lurking, waiting impatiently for his chance to lick my plate. Well, 'lurking' as much as a large black cat laying in a sunbeam can be said to lurk... It's clear and sunny here for the first time in ages - instant mood elevator!

 
At 7:04 AM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

Good Merry Christmas Morning, everyfiend! I hope that everyone is having some love and fun today. Having trained my children practically perfectly **huge grin**, everyone sleeps in on Christmas morning, God blees them. (Actually, it's genetic -- I had to be woken up on Christmas morning, when all the adults and older sibs were bored waiting for me.)

At some point, I have to stop eating. Bacon, biscuits and gravy, grits, ham, and yes, some fruit. And chocolate. The bbq chicken comes later...

Christmas hugs to y'all!

 
At 7:17 AM , Blogger Siri said...

This community is amazing. It makes me think of the non-discrimination language we put on all forms at work – the stuff about serving everyone, regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, sex, age, religious or political affiliation, mental or physical disability, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, veteran status, creative ability, spelling ability, rational thought ability, love of animals great and small, sleep schedules, employment status, educational level completion, location, life-experience level….OK, those last few aren’t on our forms at work, but they should be.. My point is this place allows for all that – this is a place for all minds, like or not, but mostly like. We came here via different internet paths but all ended up in a Spooky House in the Upper Midwest with a perfectly delightful hostess with the most-ess. We are all allowed our feelings; we are all honest with each other without being cruel. The support level is phenomenal. The affection and warmth (or cooling breeze as needed) is constant. I have yet to see unnecessary snarkiness (snarkieness towards abusers I’ve seen and condoned).

In short (which I haven’t been) it is a safe and loving place. I am honored to be a part of it. The positive aura touches other places in my world, and that’s always a good thing. The more love we put out there, the better it will be.

A friend used to run an event that showcased musicians. The tag line was “Come for the Music, stay for the Pie”. You all are my Pie.

Thank you, kindly.

Merry Christmas, Happy Boxing Day, Festive Axial Tilt Time.

 
At 7:28 AM , Blogger spacedlaw said...

I like the idea of being a pie. It goes well with tea on this soggy Giftmas day.
:)
Have a great one, everyone!

 
At 7:38 AM , Blogger Siri said...

I'm a rhubarb pie, Nat - which are you?

 
At 7:39 AM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

Me? My own recipe of spicy pumpkin pie.

Did I mention that I must quit eating??

 
At 7:39 AM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

This comment has been removed by the author.

 
At 7:53 AM , Blogger spacedlaw said...

Quince.

 
At 7:58 AM , Blogger Siri said...

Core your Quinces and fair pare them, perboyle them in seething licour, Wine or water, or halfe wine and half water and season them with Sinamon and sugar, and put halfe a dozen Cloves into your Pyes amongst them, and halfe a dozen spoonful of rosewater, put in good of sugar. If you will bake them a slighter waye, you maye put in Muscadell to spare Sugar.
--A.W., A Book of Cookrye, 1591.

Yum.

 
At 8:02 AM , Blogger FabulousLorraine said...

Coconut creme. Easy.

Which is good. Not had tea yet. Turned on the tv. Top Chef is on. My life is a good one.

Oh.

Right.

Good mMorning. Tea.

 
At 8:02 AM , Blogger spacedlaw said...

"Fair pare" being a problem ("core" as well) since they are so hard.
Last time I used them, I precooked them in the microwave in order to get at them without damaging my knives.

 
At 8:03 AM , Blogger Siri said...

I also liked "put in good of sugar".

 
At 8:04 AM , Blogger Phiala said...

Strawberry-rhubarb for me!

Siri, love the quince recipe! Unfortunately my re-enactorly interests are far enough back there aren't any neat written recipes, just archaeological evidence.

Nathalie, you obviously need better knives! :)

Nick, when asked, said yesterday "Let's leave around 10am." Phiala Standard Time now tells me it is 11am, and he just got in the shower...

But that leaves me more time to eat cookies, right??

 
At 8:21 AM , Blogger FabulousLorraine said...

Loved the recipe!!!!

Better knives. Speaking of which, Mistress, since you have time and are just hanging out eating cookies, is my exploding knife ever coming back here???? Just curious....

Venus and Mim kind of took out the bathroom in the nigh, garbage gone thru, all the things in the shower off the shelves, like they were LOOKING for something but Fod Knows what...The tree was down of course, but we knew that was coming.

 
At 8:34 AM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

Q, obviously the Bengal Girls are looking for the gifts that Santa Claus brought down the chimney. Right??

 
At 8:42 AM , Blogger Siri said...

Or, since they've featured so much recently in pictures, they were looking for makeup to become more lovely.

Off to family events....later, Pies.

 
At 8:42 AM , Blogger Phiala said...

Er, um, exploding knife, right... It needs an hour of work, tops, and has for the past several months. I have NO IDEA why it isn't done...

I swear it will be done soon. I think.

Boys....

 
At 8:51 AM , Blogger FabulousLorraine said...

No Worries, Mistress, no pressure, just curious..

Not sure they were looking for make up, not much of that here, and they KNOW they are perfectly beautiful just as they are, trust me on that one, hee-hee.

Presents tho...They are going to have serious fun with the paper from mine after I open them.

I love this Top Chef thing! I don't much feel like cooking this holiday, so it is really fun to watch the excerpts...

 
At 9:40 AM , Blogger Ticia said...

Reading these comments before the rest of my family wakes up is the best Christmas stocking ever.
:-D
You have all articulated my feelings about this place... I love you all and hope your day is filled with as much magic as there is here!

 
At 10:25 AM , Blogger Yoopergurl said...

Hi all, just popping out of lurkerdom to wish you all a very happy hollidays. I'm very glad to find such a positive group of people. It's so nice when I feel so negative to come here and find things that make me smile, I'm taking notes, hehe. Btw, neighbor kitty upstairs is running back and forth this morning. I think someone got a great christmas present up there. Yet another thing to make me smile :)

 
At 10:31 AM , Blogger FabulousLorraine said...

HI Ticia, and Fiendoffur! Many thanks, sounds like your days are perfect!

I haven't un-wrapped my presents yet, but I suspect there will be a party when I do.

I got the BBC Narnia's to watch today, I've only seen the first one, and wanted to watch them all..

 
At 10:34 AM , Blogger Stardustgirl said...

Coal for Blogger - it ate my comment!

Anyway.... a good day to all Fiends. The cookies and pie mentions make me hungry for both (and cookies are forthcoming).

Anybody know what that flaming ball in the sky is? I seem to remember it from somewhere, but it's been a loooong time.

 
At 10:38 AM , Blogger Beez said...

shhh.....Maureen, it'll hear you!

I am eating shortbreads and drinking tea. Pretty darn perfect.

I am also still longing for Top Cheffage

 
At 10:46 AM , Blogger FabulousLorraine said...

Hmm...No we Do Not want it to hear us. Danguy can talk to it.

Tea and muffins here!

I am nipping into work for a bit, not to WORK, but to say Merry Merry and pick some things up, and beg Boss once again for the Secret of Re-setting recalcitrant Ipods...I think it's little brain gets confused, which is odd as all I ask it to do these days is play AFP and Radio 4's Just a Minute.

 
At 10:58 AM , Blogger Stardustgirl said...

Oooh... right. Don't want the Blogger Beast to get grumpy. Maybe I should toss it a cookie? Or pie?

Boss is not the only one with magic iPod cures. When your Boss had an older iPod, I told him how to do the super-seekrit reset ritual. If yours is a scroll wheel iPod, it's:
1. Toggle the Hold switch on and off. (Slide it to Hold, then turn it off again.)
2. Press and hold the Play/Pause and Menu buttons at the same time until the Apple/iPod logo appears. You might have to do that a couple of times, but it should work.

Let me know if yours is a click wheel... that one is slightly different (but I still have Very Old iPod, so know Very Old iPod Magic).

 
At 11:24 AM , Blogger Stardustgirl said...

OK... I toddled off and found the Official Apple page for iPod reset voodoo.

If you have a click wheel it's the same except you hold Menu and Center.

 
At 11:28 AM , Blogger Rubius said...

I'm totally new to ipod magic... I was downloading itunes while catching up here this morning. Wish me luck.

I love the BBC Narnia series and I grew up on it. I watched the 2005 Lion Witch and Wardrobe last night (or 2/3rds of it at least) and Prince Caspian last week (twice). The BBC production is the main comparison for them and they must measure up to it!!! I dislike the bits that hollywood deems the simply MUST change to make it hollywood worthy... but I did enjoy the new version. I then ran upstairs and uncovered my narnia series and I have already begun reading them again.

Happy Happy and Merry Merry to all the Fiends.

as a totally random aside I was reading a Margaret Weis Dragonlance book the other day and there was a kender who could talk to dead people. The book involved the Krynn god of death, Chemosh, and he called forth some fiends at one point. I just about died laughing as the main character dragged the kender away from the monstrous fiends while the kender whined and whined 'but they're fiends from the grave!!! fiends from the grave!! I've always wanted to talk to fiends from the grave...oooh why can't I talk to the fiends' ... and I though of you all.

 
At 11:45 AM , Blogger FabulousLorraine said...

Thanks Maureen! It is an older Ipod, when I tried the re-set it didn't work, but Boss LOOKED at it, and now it works just fine.

Hmmph!

Sounds like we are on the same pages, Rubious! I haven't seen the new ones, don't want to, I hate that about Hollywood, if you have a book as much loved as these were , make a movie of the book for the fans of the book.

Seems obvious. Peter Jackson got it.

The only think I don't much like about the BBC one is that Lucy is REALLY irritating and I kind of want to smack her. I do like the way the BBC when they make movies of books tho, DO the book.

 
At 11:56 AM , Blogger Bulfinch's Aglaia said...

I did not see the newish Hollywood Narnia movies. I love the books too much to want any pictures in my head but my own. I wish Hollywood would just trust the story sometimes, you know? (And I have to admit that I did *not* like Peter Jackson's movie version of LoTR. Even have violent, yes violent, feelings about specific parts. Because I am completely ridiculous.)

But then, I'm more of a book person than a movie person, I think just from habit. My family didn't go to movies much when I was a kid. But the library was my friend, and I became rather protective of the books I loved. In fact, I am hard pressed to think of any books-made-into-movies where I like the movie as well or better than the original book, except for maybe Sense and Sensibility and that may be credited to Alan Rickman alone. **girlfan sigh** Even Stardust, much as I really really enjoyed the movie, did not touch my passion for the book. I am kind of a nutty book purist, I guess. :-)

Has the eating stopped? Uhhmmm, no. It all tastes so delish. I will be wearing my, ahem, larger more comfy jeans tonight and tomorrow. And maybe all weekend. Hope you are all the same, without the need for larger pants though...

 
At 12:12 PM , Blogger Stardustgirl said...

Lorraine - glad it's working now, and LOL @ just "the look" fixing it. If he's now got a blackbelt in geek-fu, I've got a wonky dvd drive that needs a good staring at.

Rubius - new iPod? Lucky you! Mine is old enough to start grade school and needs to be plugged in to play.

Books & Films... definitely a trick to that. I was OK with LoTR, possibly because I'd seen a bit of Bakshi's unfortunate attempt at Tolkien and knew just how bad it *could* be. I'm definitely prejudiced toward Stardust-the-book in a way that I don't think any filmmaker could change. To me, it was like the book and the film were cousins... you could tell they were related , but not terribly alike.

Dracula w/Gary Oldman though... oh, yes. If I had to pick the book or a DVD to take to an island, I'm going with Gary. :-D

 
At 12:17 PM , Blogger spacedlaw said...

Yeah! Another Alan Rickman fiend!

Love the line about the fiends from the grave, Kristina.

 
At 12:27 PM , Blogger Kitty Cat said...

happy new year!
i am in San Diego with Drew's family, his DAd gave his Mom a Scrabble game that is DELUXE, with gold letter tiles (not solid gold or anything, but the effect is tiny bars of gold...)
i am going to play now!
thanks and love to all here on this, the friendliest blog ever.
xox Kitty
Selina and Batty are home and happy under the tree.
Red is manning the treehouse.

 
At 12:31 PM , Blogger EmilyLady said...

Merry Christmas, Fiends (and if there are any Fiends who do not celebrate Christmas, I hope you also are having a lovely day)!

My seven-year-old brother has been insisting for weeks that the one thing he really, really wanted from me for Christmas was "The Day I Swapped My Dad for Two Goldfish". He's been hilarious about it, too: "Neil Gaiman is such a good writer. How many kids' books has he written? Does he write anything that isn't scary?" He hasn't really read any of Boss's books but has been quite enjoying "Coraline." When asked about the kids' books, I brought up "The Wolves in the Walls" and William asked whether it was scary.

"There are some creepy parts," I told him, but he seemed interested, so I got that book for him along with the Goldfish book.

He sure was thrilled, and surprised me by REALLY loving the books.

Nothing made me happier today than seeing William sit outside, all bundled up, with a book in front of his nose. He doesn't do that on a regular basis. This is so wonderful.

 
At 12:46 PM , Blogger FabulousLorraine said...

I got a Goldfish book too for Xmas! Only it's called something weird...Le Jour ou J'ai enchange mom pere contre deux poissons rougs"

The words inside are funny too, but oddly enogh, I find myself understanding many of them...(Thank you Nathilie!)

Kitty! When you said you were going to "SD" for a couple of days, in this part of the world that means South Dakota! I thought you were NUTS!

Books into movies are hard. Cousins are a good term. I don't know any movies that are better than books.

I have a lot of issues with LOTR too, but for the most part, I liked it, especially if it got people to read the books and get the REAL story. I think Peter Jackson as good a job that could have been done, and how much worse it could have been makes me shudder.

I remember seeing Blood and Chocolate with Kitty and I loved that book, but wondered after seeing the movie why they bothered optioning the book. They could have just called it "Werewolves in Budapest" nice enough movie, but nearly nothing related to the book...

Fiends fro the grave! That's us! And Allen Rickman is the BEST!

 
At 12:48 PM , Blogger spacedlaw said...

This time I made copies of the pages so I shall be able to send you the sound files so you can hear what it sounds like too... Your own audio book.

 
At 12:50 PM , Blogger EmilyLady said...

Rickman rocks.

Is that the Goldfish book in French? I loved "El dia que cambie a mia padre por dos peces colores".

 
At 12:50 PM , Blogger FabulousLorraine said...

You SO rock! The cards are lovely too! I shall write to you with them, in French!

 
At 12:58 PM , Blogger spacedlaw said...

Art on the card is the work of John Coulthart < /pimping >.

 
At 1:27 PM , Blogger Dan Guy said...

Je suis exhausted.

The kids like their gifts. Lori likes her gifts. So yay.

So, so tired now...

 
At 1:44 PM , Blogger FabulousLorraine said...

Too tired to explian what the Flaming Ball of Fire in the Sky really is?

That's tired Danguy, glad all is well..Hugs...

 
At 2:03 PM , Blogger Na said...

Thanks Marjorie - made a note of your blog url, can check it when the day quiets down a bit.

Laughing at your comment about SD, Lorraine - we are in fact in South Dakota for the holidays. ;) But it's warmer here (than we've been used to), and we're in the Black Hills, which is one of the most gorgeous places I've seen.

I <3 Alan Rickman. One of those actors for whom I will go see a movie, whatever it is. I think there's a new one out soon, something about the coming of age of California wines. Unless it's been and gone and I missed it.

Movie-from-book = cousins is a great analogy. I liked the LotR movies much, as movies-of-books go. Only I could not understand that Mr. Jackson left out the Scouring of the Shire, that he didn't like that bit of the story. It's one of my very favorite bits!

Oh! And Rubius that "graveyard fiends" bit was wonderful.

Oooh - the house is emptying out a bit. Need to find the channel that plays "A Christmas Story" all day.

 
At 2:05 PM , Blogger Na said...

Danth Guyth - I'm with you. Are naps allowed on Christmas day?

 
At 2:23 PM , Blogger FabulousLorraine said...

I'm up to Prince Caspian. Had a nice talk with my sister Tracy, tho she refused to drive up to Fort Wayne and pick up a cat tree Janet has offered me and then drive it here. Some people.

If anyone HAPPENS to be in that area and driving up here and has a HUGE car, let me know.

Right.

Back to the movie.

 
At 2:45 PM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

A full half hour has passed without me putting any food in my mouth -- victory shall eventually be mine!! :-) Although I think the boiled custard is calling my name...

Starting with the beautiful Liturgy last night, it's been a lovely Christmas. Right now, oldest son is napping, only daughter is napping, youngest son is playing on new Xbox (financed by doting grandparents), kitchen is partly cleaned up, and I may watch myself a little "Full Monty." Or Celtics v. Lakers -- I can't decide. We had a delightful day, despite my middle son deciding to spend the day at his lady friend's home. He is almost 21 and declaring his independence, I think. Oh well. I missed him but refused to let it ruin the day.

And I got to spend it with y'all fiendish folk (although not yet from the grave, I hope!!), which was also delightful. It is making me wistful for nearby friends, of which I have none at present. Regardless, I appreciate the company, will probably be back again later, and hope that the day and evening continue to be lovely for each and every one of you.

And tomorrow is the Feast of St. Stephen, so we can all sing a rousing chorus of "Good King Wenceslaus" together!! :-)

 
At 3:08 PM , Blogger Beez said...

Oh Fods...I think I stopped eating long enough to nap.

Help! I am doomed to the Land of Elastic Waistbands.

It sounds as if dear Fiends are having good holidays- a good thing to hear. Son+ has holed up with one of his presents from me- Seasons 1-3 of Supernatural. I guess it won't be as bad as last year with Seasons 1-10 of Stargate SG1.

I mostly agree about newer books-to-movies (I always prefer the books), but let me tell you that Tilda Swinton made a hella good White Witch. She was worth it all by herself.

 
At 3:27 PM , Blogger Yoopergurl said...

na, The Alan Rickman movie 'Bottle Shock' is coming out on video feb 3. I think is was a limited release. I think they underestimated the appeal of Alan Rickman and wine, both of which I adore :)

 
At 3:33 PM , Blogger FabulousLorraine said...

I wish people would stop giving me chocolate. I am going to be ill...

Up to Dawn Treader. Good to have goals.

Bengals are circling the just out of the oven chicken.

 
At 3:36 PM , Blogger Yoopergurl said...

how does one cook a chicken to make it bengal bait? Do they like spices or such, enquiring minds want to know.

 
At 3:36 PM , Blogger Dragonsally said...

That was me yesterday Lorraine...my best friend gave me a bucket of M & M's. Bad idea. I really mad myself ill on them, and had to ask Pete to hid the bucket from me. *sigh*

I hope you are all enjoying your Christmas Day.

 
At 3:51 PM , Blogger Stardustgirl said...

I'm sure you could find Fiends to volunteer to take chocolate off your hands. I'll sign up for the dark stuff. :-D

If this were last November I could've volunteered to bring up the cat tree when I was up your way, but since I don't think any of us have mastered Time Bending, that's probably not useful. I once fit a dorm room, including a waterbed, in the Firebird. How hard could a cat tree be? You might see if the Birdchick is doing a MN to IN run. Fort Wayne is a bit over-ish but maybe if you offered scotch? ;-)

Danth!! *waves* I hope you had a fabulous Christmas.

I gave the doglings Christmas chicken. I need to count fingers to see if I still have all of them. You'd think I never fed them!

 
At 3:52 PM , Blogger FabulousLorraine said...

Actually, one does not even NEED to cook it, raw works for them too. I just threw it in the oven with a little Tony Chechares, cause it isn't whatever they may think, all theirs!

 
At 3:56 PM , Blogger ivenotime said...

Alan Rickman? sigh, double sigh, only one i turn into a complete fangirl for, and seek out his films, but funny enough never really heard of him until he became snape - then saw sense and sensability, and on it goes. Best Voice In The World (fod, i am pathetically fannish) I saw him on Jimmy Kimmel live a few weeks ago and he was promoting a new movie called Nobel Son, which hasnt and probably won't play here. I just downloaded Snow Cake off itunes as i haven't seen that yet. about an hour ago, my daughters couldn't stand it any more, called my daughter who is still at univ., put her on speaker phone and each opened the gift (and they opened hers too) they knew were books - so each of them got 4 new books to peruse. Some classics, some books on London, as youngest gets to go next semester for break (and i am beyond jealous), some murakami, some mcguire. they were happy, and think they can now wait until tomorrow when she comes home from working. Yey! sounds like everyone has had a nice day - and it is still Not doing anything weather wise here, a great change! Enjoy your evening all!

 
At 3:57 PM , Blogger FabulousLorraine said...

Thanks Maureen! It's actually a HUGE cat tree, 8 feet high, and it really is a TREE.

I had been looking around online and do want one for the Forest Room, of course, but they cost a lot, and Janet offered me hers, if I can get it...

I got a box of the best truffles ever, among other chocolate. Ugh.

 
At 3:59 PM , Blogger ivenotime said...

mmmm, throw some of the chocolate my way! truffles, yum...

 
At 4:04 PM , Blogger FabulousLorraine said...

Oddly enough, I loved him in Robin Hood, Prince of Theives, a horrible movie true, but he was good.

And of course Galaxy Quest!!!!!

 
At 4:19 PM , Blogger ivenotime said...

Yeah i wasn't too crazy about die hard either, but thought he was great in it - fods i have got a headache, i'm glad we are delaying our celebrating, need some caffiene and chocolate...must go rummage

 
At 4:24 PM , Blogger Stardustgirl said...

I'm betting some kind of Fiend Relay Network could get the cat tree from point A (or point FW) to your little village. We used to do that with Snoopy stuff all the time. There were enough of us within an hour or two of one another that stuff could get across the US. Sometimes stuff even traveled to/from Japan with people you only knew as "another Snoopy fan". And stuff always made it.

I liked Alan Rickman in An Awfully Big Adventure. It's kind of a quirky film, but I tend to like those. I'm on a Merchant Ivory kick right now for the costume and scenery porn.

 
At 4:35 PM , Blogger FabulousLorraine said...

No bad idea. I need to find out what it would cost to ship. Fed ex does not require things to IN something, for the most part. They'll pick up a suitcase, why not a tree?

 
At 4:40 PM , Blogger Jess said...

Yeah: sick of chocolate. I second that. All our UK relatives decided to give us chocolate. So we "wouldn't have to carry anything back".

Argh. Barf.

Hope everyone had a lovely time! It's late, and I'm off to be very ill.

Nifty pictures, Vampi! :)

 
At 4:50 PM , Blogger FabulousLorraine said...

We are a funny bunch! Who would have thought WE would all be complaining about too much chocolate?????

 
At 4:55 PM , Blogger bengalgirl said...

The tree is over 8' tall and the base is 4' x 4' and is 2 pieces of 3/4" plywood. The "roots" are 2x4's, it is VERY heavy. Hubby and I cannot carry it by ourselves (I am the weak link). It would need a long bed pick-up with tarps for bad weather. Hubby sturdied it up for the bengals so it will never tip over. You have to have cathedral ceilings or else be in a victorian with high ceilings otherwise the cats can't use the top bed.

 
At 4:57 PM , Blogger bengalgirl said...

The only movie made from a book I thought was as good as the book was In Cold Blood. Loved the book and movie.

I am under the weather the last few days so missed Xmas dinner and pie and chocolate.

 
At 5:02 PM , Blogger AletaMay said...

My Sister-in-law made these rich wonderful chocolate "pots of cream" for desert for last night. She has done this for the past few years. OMF so good. I had one of those last night and one this afternoon. That was my chocolate intake and it was just right. I did come home with several chocolate bits. I think I'll hold of on eating any of that for awhile!

So good to read what everyone is up to.

I am home now with my feet up and my cat curled up beside me and my laptop in front of me where it belongs.

Books to movies. I find it really helps me to just think of them as separate things. Cousins is a GREAT way to think of it. For Harry Potter movies I started to think of them as really expensive fan fiction and that helps me enjoy them. And I do. I really love Stardust the book and the movie and I really think of them as very separate things. I liked the new Lion, Witch, Wardrobe a lot. I did not really love Prince C so much. Didn't hate it though.

I guess in general I feel like the book will always be better and somehow that lets me really enjoy the movie. Not sure that makes sense but there it is.

 
At 5:22 PM , Blogger FabulousLorraine said...

Fods! This tree may not be going anywhere. Might be easier to have Hans nip off into the woods and GET me a tree for them to climb...

You may be right about In Cold Blood, both were great.

Very sorry to here you will not well, Janet, and you with a house of people! At least you had power...

I haven't seen new Narnia movies, but am loving the BBC ones, I saw a couple Harry Potter with Mads, only ever read the first book, once when I was sick, nice enough, but kind of generic fantasy.

But hey, they sure did get kids reading.

 
At 5:32 PM , Blogger Beez said...

"I got a box of the best truffles ever, among other chocolate. Ugh."

*falls over laughing*

Did you really say that Quichie? Really?

 
At 5:39 PM , Blogger FabulousLorraine said...

And meant it!

A little goes a long way...

 
At 5:45 PM , Blogger vampi said...

AletaMay, pot of chocolate cream? this sounds like a recipe i dearly want :)

time to face the world. i spent the day sleeping off a migraine after throwing a total hissy fit as a precursor. poor boy, he's been a trouper though.

 
At 5:48 PM , Blogger AletaMay said...

I loved the Harry Potter books. I think it was sort of one of those times when the right thing came into my life at the right time and lead me into some wonderful and very unexpected adventures. I also get that they did not work for everyone. Very understandable. I will say though that the books do get much more complex as as they go on.

I think I am going to have some tomato soup for dinner now. Yummy and warm and cozy.

 
At 5:58 PM , Blogger AletaMay said...

I don't know that this is exactly my sil's pots of cream recipe but it is close.

 
At 6:02 PM , Blogger AletaMay said...

Oh wait! She does not bake them so it must be more this recipe. Argg. She gave me her recipe last year. It has to be here somewhere.

 
At 6:08 PM , Blogger Beez said...

They are pretty much real chocolate mousse. So very good.

Not as much Proof Of Fod as Creme Caramel, but close.

 
At 6:08 PM , Blogger EmilyLady said...

The very best gifts of today were William shoving his nose into a book, and the Organic Peppermint Shampoo my fourteen-year-old got for me. It was so funny -- we had nearly finished reading Ellen Wittlinger's "Parrotfish", and were loving it so much. One of the characters had claimed that his favorite organic peppermint shampoo "makes your head tingle". Such a clever gift.

 
At 6:11 PM , Blogger FabulousLorraine said...

Uh, Emily, you can't HAVE a 14 year old, aren't you like only 16???

Proof Fod loves us is Creme Brulee. Hands down.

 
At 6:22 PM , Blogger ivenotime said...

ooh, aleta, pots of cream do sound lovely, will ck that recipe out. i agree with you on movie/book translations - it does help to see them as separate entities - i am wondering how "the Watchmen" will be - my all time favorite graphic novel - as the movie is coming out soon. i enjoy the hp movies same as you - and i did very much enjoy the series, it gave me a piece of my childhood back - my daughters started reading them when they were a year older than harry, and when each book was published, it was a major event. When the last one came out, I drove in the fog in Maine to a small private bookstore for the midnight party, I will never forget them reading all night in a drafty cottage on the ocean, 2 in college, one in high school, completely and totally absorbed.

vampi, hope your migraine is much better - my brother and i get them and they can be a nightmare. today's headpounder is just a sinus thing, tho, not that severe. i am trying wine now after chocolate (ok anyone who has too much is welcome to send my way:) and caffiene. Oh, and saw a tv ad for Coraline today - very cool, can't wait til it comes out.

 
At 6:31 PM , Blogger Beez said...

"Proof Fod loves us is Creme Brulee. Hands down."

Yes. I just called the Angel by a different name :D.

Make me want to get out my baby blowtorch and make some. Maybe over the weekend.

 
At 6:49 PM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hi fiends! Hope you're having a delightful day-- sounds like you are.

Ms. Fab, I love the BBC adaptions of Narnia. Fond, fond memories of childhood. I had a bit of a crush on both Peter and Susan, I must admit.

I'm all wrapped up in a lovely blue shawl my mother made for me-- all I need is a fireplace and some chocolate...

Oh! All of you who are sick of chocolate: send it to me and I will gladly take it off your hands. There, then the night will be just grand.

Okay, off to play scrabble and kick the butts of my cousin and aunt. Wish me luck.

 
At 7:01 PM , Blogger FabulousLorraine said...

Good Luck, El. Lots of scrabble today!

It seems Tom Baker is Puddleglum! Not sure these should all be watched in one day, but I like them. I never saw them when I was young, and think it may be too late to get a crush on either now hee-hee...

I could eat creme brulee. Anytime.

 
At 7:04 PM , Blogger AletaMay said...

We actually had creme brulee yesterday too. We were decedent!

 
At 7:21 PM , Blogger FabulousLorraine said...

Creme Brulee AND pots of chocolate? Cool.

Nursie from Black Adder is in this Silver Chair too. Playing, uh, a nursie.

 
At 8:01 PM , Blogger vampi said...

speaking of the watch men...fox and warner bros law suit

 
At 9:20 PM , Blogger gaypet said...

I hope you all had a nice day. I am so tired my eyes are crossing. I just wanted to say 'night. So, 'night. :)

Send me chocolate!!!

 
At 9:26 PM , Blogger Na said...

The kids are asleep, as is most everyone else here... loving the quiet.

We've been playing Scrabble, too, and learned a new word: "od", which, according to the Scrabble Players Dictionary, means "a hypothetical force of natural power". Which I thought was cool, and used it, and wouldn't you know, I then drew an "f". *grins*

FiendofFur - eska vou vou, and thanks for the "Bottle Shock" tip. And speaking of Mr. Rickman and "Galaxy Quest" - w00t! That movie makes me ridiculously happy.

Maureen: "costume and scenery porn" - awesome description.

I'm a dedicated Harry Potter fan, too. Discovered the books when the third one came out... via an article about people wanting to ban the books. ;)

 
At 9:28 PM , Blogger Na said...

Gayle! Hi-bye. 'Night.

 
At 9:31 PM , Blogger Ticia said...

Gayle - I send you and all fiends a big box of virtual chocolates.

 
At 9:41 PM , Blogger FabulousLorraine said...

I'm getting pretty sleepy myself, tho it has been a pretty fine day, I must say. I hope everyone's was as fine.

'Night all, see you in the morning!

 
At 9:46 PM , Blogger Ticia said...

Night Lorraine and Gayle.

I agree with the Alan Rickman assessment. I'll watch anything he's in. And Galaxy Quest is awesome! One of my all-time favorites.

 
At 10:09 PM , Blogger Lysandwr said...

runs into blog comments

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!! HUGS, CHOCOLATE AND UNLIMITED ALAN RICKMAN SNOGS TO EVERYONE! *jk*:)

toddles off, Tullamore Dew in one hand....cherry pie in the other....grabbed recipes from links under the arm

 
At 10:16 PM , Blogger Beez said...

*goes to bed laughing at Lys*

Goodnight all. Sweet sugarplum dreams.

 
At 12:17 AM , Blogger spacedlaw said...

Good mornevening fiends!
Just woke up to discover a pile of mail in my email in tray, one of which was a note of acceptation for a little horror haibun I wrote following a discussion that happened HERE last week. So thank you all for that. You can read the story there, at MicroHorror

 
At 5:40 AM , Blogger Beez said...

Nicely, icily horrible Nat.

 
At 5:51 AM , Blogger ivenotime said...

Congrats Natalie!!! great news! ah, yes, i did indeed dream of snogging alan rickman, after pots of chocolate and creme brulee....sugarplums are vastly overrated :) today my daughter returns, and we will have our christmas - yey- have a great day everyone!

 
At 8:05 AM , Blogger EmilyLady said...

Got back to the comments a bit late to respond, but Lorraine:

Fourteen-year-old BROTHER.

One fourteen-year-old brother ... one eleven-year-old brother ... one seven-year-old brother.

So sorry.

 
At 8:06 AM , Blogger EmilyLady said...

Come to think of it, you may very well have been kidding.

I am so gullible. Must go take my bee for a walk on its bee leash now ...

 
At 8:23 AM , Blogger FabulousLorraine said...

Hee-hee Emily, the bee on the leash bit was actually something Danguy DID once, tho I don't myself, and I was teasing you! I knew you meant Brother.

(I Ought to have made the clearer)

 
At 8:24 AM , Blogger FabulousLorraine said...

Hurrah for Nathilie! That's great news!!!!!

Sue, have a great day with the family!

 
At 8:26 AM , Blogger FabulousLorraine said...

Lys, you are very silly and wonderful!

Morning everyone. Slept a little late this morning, and it snowed in the night. That's my news, I am off to work.

Going to try and find that Bengal in Arizona today. And we ARE going to help this guy find his home.

 
At 8:40 AM , Blogger Ticia said...

Congrats Nathalie. That was one chilling and enthralling read. I think my house feels a touch colder now. :-)

 
At 8:40 AM , Blogger Ticia said...

This comment has been removed by the author.

 
At 8:42 AM , Blogger spacedlaw said...

It was a nice surprise. Because of the particular form of the text, I was far from sure that it might be accepted.

Thought of you today, Lorraine, as I visited some horses...(and donkeys too. They are so cute.)

 
At 9:03 AM , Blogger Dread Val said...

Morning, Fiends!

I very much enjoyed all the Fiendchatter yesterday, as
I spent my day burrowed in bed. I got an Ailment for Xmas (sudden onset of fever, body aches, Wobbly tum, and sore throat). Thank all the Fods that I have more medication in the house than some pharmacies; so I drugged myself to sleep, would wake up and read comments, then back to the drugged stupor. Today I might try this thing called Sitting Up.

You are all the best; and it's cool to read about all the small things making everyone happy over the holidays. So cool!

 
At 9:24 AM , Blogger vampi said...

oh poor val, please do feel better.

yesterday after some christmas lasagna which was the best ever, we went out in search of more tacky christmas lights. I needed some fresh air and my migraine meds had kicked in some so i was able to be mobile and not in pain. sleep was the answer, as always.

there is a neighborhood in the valley that puts on a display. i was really irritated by the crowds who allowed their kids to hang out of car windows, moon roofs, or stand o nthe back bumper of moving vehicles. it doesn't matter that it's only going slow, it's still dangerous.

i did take this gem of a picture where is that candle?

also in the set is a really lovely old truck smothered in lights. classy.

we found the most tack house, but sadly after they had turned off their lights. we will go back to night to try and take in the majesty. oh these christmas light fanatics, they have a forum, and it' somewhat scary obsessive. but then again, i do like starting at their monstrosities...i'm so torn.

fingers crossed for the bengal rescue.

 
At 9:36 AM , Blogger Beez said...

Oh vampi....that picture....

 
At 9:40 AM , Blogger vampi said...

no tea while clicking possibly?

i really wonder if they stood at the street and admired their setup. it was a finely decorated house aside from the poor placement of oscar and his candle...

 
At 10:21 AM , Blogger spacedlaw said...

Get better soon, fiends! Sending some virtual capon broth and healing wishes.

 
At 11:09 AM , Blogger gaypet said...

Vampi, those pixs are very klassy (that is classy with a K)!;)

Val, I hope you feel better soon. Time off and getting sick seems to be the way of things so often. I hope you get some rest and recover before you have to hit the mines again.

M got a talking globe yesterday and it is great but I may have to kill it if he keeps hitting the same button over and over. It really is cool. I have to say that I will certainly learn a lot form it too.

Have a good day at work, Q.

 
At 11:12 AM , Blogger gaypet said...

Love the story Nathalie!!! But it's spelled "Gayle", not "gale". :D

 
At 1:26 PM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

As my lisping son used to say, "Sanks!"

Delurking to say happy merry...
Andrea

 
At 3:30 PM , Blogger Dragonsally said...

Gayle - splortle

I am bored and trying to stop myself hopping in the car and going to the sales. My fingers have been twitching thinking of the bargains I might be missing out on!

 
At 3:40 PM , Blogger gaypet said...

Sally, stay away from the light! You may miss out on some bargains but it's not worth it. The parking. The crazed shoppers. The inevitable smack down over the last something-or-other. But maybe people are not like that in your neck of the woods. I went to get some cheese Wed and it was like a scene from an apocalypse movie. People all but running over each other. With cars and carts.

Of course if there are shoes on sale that's different.

 
At 3:49 PM , Blogger Dragonsally said...

Its like that Gayle. One of our major department stores in the city opened at 5am on Boxing Day. The paper showed huge queues outside at 4.30 am. Honestly! I feel sorry for the poor people who had to work there.

 
At 3:56 PM , Blogger Ticia said...

Gayle, LOL! And Sally, she a right. Fight the urge. :-D

I just saw "The Curious Case of Bejamin Button". It was wonderful. I've seen ""Australia" and "Marley and Me" so far... "Button" was hands down the best.

 
At 5:03 PM , Blogger FabulousLorraine said...

Hi Andrea! Welcome, nice de-lurking, come back soon!

VAL! No more of this being sick!

 
At 5:10 PM , Blogger FabulousLorraine said...

Nathilie, really liked your story. It made chills go up my little spine.

I like spine chills tho, so that's ok.

Ready to be going home now. Just waiting for Freckles owners to come for him. The day long play date wore them out, I think.

 
At 5:13 PM , Blogger FabulousLorraine said...

I am so going to some sales. I need a futon badly, for Magic's room. Not one of the new huge ones, but an old fashioned proper FUTON futon that goes on the floor.

 
At 5:36 PM , Blogger gaypet said...

Q, I have an old futon mattress that needs a home. It is not in great shape (plus it will smell of dogs and cats so Magic may protest) so you may not want it but it's yours if you want to try it out.

 
At 6:04 PM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

Nice story, Nathalie-- snowstorms lend themselves nicely to spooky, I think.

Lorraine, I hope you found a proper futon. We braved the crowds as well but weren't too successful, here.

 
At 6:40 PM , Blogger FabulousLorraine said...

Oh, thank you Gayle! It doesn't have to be in great shape, I don't want to spend a lot of money on it, as Magic may well protest Anything new in his room. I think the other cat and dog smell might be too much for him, I should get a new one.

I just want a good lounging place in there, so I can hang with him more.

I want to make it more of a Room, that he happens to live in, and less of a space he is.

 
At 6:43 PM , Blogger FabulousLorraine said...

Oh, working on a new post, soon Fiends, soon...

 
At 6:53 PM , Blogger gaypet said...

Ya, I think the cat and dog smell may be overly stressful for him. Good luck finding one. It will be nice to have a place to chill with him.

 
At 6:57 PM , Blogger Dragonsally said...

I know that here you can get a new mattress for a Futon -couldn't you use Gayle's base and just replace the mattress?

 
At 6:59 PM , Blogger Dragonsally said...

I just got home from a successful shop! The day after boxing day is obviously the go.
The number of empty shelves in the store I was in amazed me - a lot of people must have been out in the madness yesterday

 
At 7:04 PM , Blogger AletaMay said...

Ah Fiends. I am loving having a long weekend. Hope you are all feeling well and doing what you want to be doing!

 
At 7:19 PM , Blogger FabulousLorraine said...

I dont' really need or want a frame, I think on the floor is better, where I can lie down at his level.

I'll find a new one somewhere.

No weekend off here, but I am doing a lot of riding tomorrow and Sunday, which is good.Western still, I am still scared and have some issues to work thru.

(Bad time a couple years ago, half broke horses we didn't KNOW were half broke, one went over with my friend, mine berserked and I couldn't get to her. She walked away, but I never knew how)

 
At 7:36 PM , Blogger AletaMay said...

While I often have weekends off this is the first time in a long time that I have had a weekend and not felt like I had many things hanging over my head -- so many things that I should be doing. I'll likely find things to "hang over my head" again soon but for a couple of days I am feeling free and enjoying it.

Your riding experience sounds really scary, Q. It is really great that you can ride at all. You are taking your time with horses. Magic is taking his time with you. It all makes sense to me.

Nath-Law, love the story. Especially creepy when surrounded by white as we are in this part of the world.

 
At 7:47 PM , Blogger FabulousLorraine said...

I am trying too with the lay back thing, and not worrying about what I should be doing.

It was scary, horses are BIG, and you can get hurt. But that is no reason not to do it, and a very big reason TO do it.

Magic will come around in his own time. He's not going anywhere.

 
At 7:47 PM , Blogger FabulousLorraine said...

Oops! New post is up!

 

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