General Chat

A woman walks into the Post Office to buy stamps for her Christmas cards. 'What denomination?' asks the clerk. 'Oh, good heavens! Have we come to this?' said the woman. 'Well, give me 50 Baptist and 50 Catholic and one Methodist.'

Thanks, Jacquie. I wondered what the weather was like there at Christmastime! :-) Joy PS KimKat's back soon!!!

Oh, Joy bless you.....no we don't get snow!! In fact the temp. doesn't drop much below the high 70's well not since I've been here anyway...... Christmas here is not that very different though..... PARANGING is a form of carol singing....except it is mostly men, they don't do a lot of singing....just banging on whatever they have to hand (sometimes even a drum! lol) and go from house to house drinking rum at each stop!!! Get pretty noisy!! People do put up loads of Christmas Lights (usually left on Veranda all year round...just lit up at Christmas) Christmas Eve is the highlight.....the town is full, all the shops stay open late and people are out shopping...and generally having fun. It seems that money is given in lots of cases and people shop for their presents on Christmas Eve! Salt Fish Souse, Yam (if you saved any!!!) Breadfruit (when we get the trees back) and whatever other provision (vegetables) you have - is one Christmas Lunch. Pork is popular too and of course Peas and rice!!! We had local pork a couple of Christmases ago and it was the best I had ever tasted!!! Last year was not so good (lots of Tarpaulin on roofs!) but people still made some effort and although we had no power those with generators still used their Christmas Lights!!! We managed to find a Turkey in one Supermarket so had a Traditional English meal - as far as we could!!! Jacquie xxxx

do you have snow, Jacquie? Joy

It's OK folks......you don't have to add but various people have asked me to keep counting down....so for them..... Jacquie xxxxx

Santa Claus He comes in the night! He comes in the night! He softly, silently comes; While the little brown heads on the pillows so white Are dreaming of bugles and drums. He cuts through the snow like a ship through the foam, While the white flakes around him whirl; Who tells him I know not, but he findeth the home Of each good little boy and girl. His sleigh it is long, and deep, and wide; It will carry a host of things, While dozens of drums hang over the side, With the sticks sticking under the strings. And yet not the sound of a drum is heard, Not a bugle blast is blown, As he mounts to the chimney-top like a bird, And drops to the hearth like a stone. The little red stockings he silently fills, Till the stockings will hold no more; The bright little sleds for the great snow hills Are quickly set down on the floor. Then Santa Claus mont to the roof like a bird, And glides to his seat in the sleigh; Not a sound of a bugle or drum is heard As he noiselessly gallops away. He rides to the East, and he rides to the West, Of his goodies he touches not one; He eateth the crumbs of the Christmas feast When the dear little folks are done. Old Santa Claus doeth all tht he can; This beautiful mission is his; Then, children be good to the little old man, When you find who the little man is. --Author Unknown

Did you know that in 1998 a South Korean film was made called 'Christmas in August (Palwol ui Christmas)'? :-) Joy

My favourite Carol here in NZ Not on a snowy night By star or candlelight Nor by an angel band There came to our dear land Chorus Te Harinui Te Harinui Te Hari-nu-i Glad tid-ings of great joy But on a summer day Within a quiet bay The Maori people heard The great and glorious word The people gathered round Upon the grassy ground And heard the preacher say I bring to you this day Now in this blessed land United heart and hand We praise the glorious birth And sing to all the earth

Brightly coloured paper Underneath a tree people turning back to Find their families A table on a back porch A gentle evening breeze And through a window lights upon a tree And everywhere it's Christmas And what did you receive A visit from a loved one A kiss on Christmas Eve And somewhere on an altar A single candlelight And everywhere it's Christmas day tonight

At Christmas (Edgar Albert Guest, 1881-1959) A man is at his finest towards the finish of the year; He is almost what he should be when the Christmas season's here; Then he's thinking more of others than he's thought the months before, And the laughter of his children is a joy worth toiling for. He is less a selfish creature than at any other time; When the Christmas spirit rules him he comes close to the sublime. When it's Christmas man is bigger and is better in his part; He is keener for the service that is prompted by the heart. All the petty thoughts and narrow seem to vanish for awhile And the true reward he's seeking is the glory of a smile. Then for others he is toiling and somehow it seems to me That at Christmas he is almost what God wanted him to be. If I had to paint a picture of a man I think I'd wait Till he'd fought his selfish battles and had put aside his hate. I'd not catch him at his labors when his thoughts are all of pelf, On the long days and the dreary when he's striving for himself. I'd not take him when he's sneering, when he's scornful or depressed, But I'd look for him at Christmas when he's shining at his best. Man is ever in a struggle and he's oft misunderstood; There are days the worst that's in him is the master of the good, But at Christmas kindness rules him and he puts himself aside And his petty hates are vanquished and his heart is opened wide. Oh, I don't know how to say it, but somehow it seems to me That at Christmas man is almost what God sent him here to be. jacquie xxxx

I'm not sure Joy...but I am 5 hours behind you!!! A Christmas Poem C is for Credit Cards that make buying a breeze. H is for your Headache when your cards are seized. R is for Remembering everyone on your list. I is for feeling Insulted when your gifts are dissed. S is for feeling Stressed when you're on the fly. T is for the Truckloads of presents that you buy. M is for your Massive debt that soars into the sky. A is for the Awful feeling that you've gone astray. S is for your Sorrow and the tears you'll shed today. The True Christmas Poem C is for the Christ child lying in a manager. H is for the Holy One who saved us all from danger. R is to Remember Him who died that we may live. I is to Inspire us that we may always give. S is for joyful Songs and sacred hymns that praise. T is to Thank the Lord for showing us the way. M is for the Miracles that bless us each day. A is for the Almighty who always puts us first. S is for the Shepherd who guides us on earth. Jacquie xxxx

Is Angel Eyes nine hours ahead of us, please? :-) Joy

Are we all going to Angel Eyes' place for Christmas?! :-) Joy

Jan, my cake gets fed so much brandy I'm frightened to put it anywhere near a naked flame!! Jacquie xxxx

Gaynor Your pictures sound lovely and a nice personal gift for any one. I have got most of my ingredients for the cakes now so wont be long till they get started. Feed the fruit cook the cake feed the cake and remember not to drink too much of the rum/brandy got for the cakes,....LOL Jan

Gaynor They sound fantastic. Juliexx

Actually I should be doing this for April...as that is when my daughter will be coming and bringing her baby (of approx. 7 weeks) to see me - I shall have to have Christmas then. At least she will be here for her birthday! Jacquie xxxx

Yvonne that sounds yummy, I love Coconut!! In the early's I used to make peppermint creams and fudge and coconut ice to give to people, last Christmas my youngest daughter told me she did this too so that she could give a little something to some of her neighbours...good to see some traditions carry on! Jacquie xxxx

Yes - good idea...... I remember when I got married (1st time around - oops) when I was younger. I have an art degree and made pen and ink drawings for everyone - depending on their taste - I did one of the local market square another of flowers and butterflies............ you get the picture (excuse the pun) I feel a lot more positive today - Thank you :-) xxx

Receipe for White Christmas - the edible kind- which is the closest we get over here in January :) 3 cups rice bubbles or rice pops 1 cup desicated coconut 2/4 cup icing sugar 1 cup mixed fruit - can add glace cherries to fruit mixture 1 cup powdered milk 250 grams copha - a white, solid vegetable shortening Mix all dry ingredients well. Gently melt copha over low heat - or microwave - and add to dry ingredients. press into a tin/tray or chill slightly and mould into shapes with extra coconut if sticky Set in fridge. Cut into pieces to serve if in tray. makes about 24 pieces Kids can make this if an adult melts the copha. :)