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December 23, 2008
A Christmas Survey
I'm normally not a big 'meme' poster, but I saw this over at Nightfly's this morning and liked it, so thanks to Tracey here we go:
1. Opening presents: Christmas Eve or Christmas morning?
Morning. Christmas Eve is Christmas Eve; it ain't Christmas.
2. What do you do with all the paper as it’s being ripped from presents? What about the ribbon?
In Jersey everything goes to the landfill.
3. Do you take turns opening presents or is it a free-for-all?
Turns. My Bride makes sure every gift is properly recorded for the thank yous.
4. Does someone act like Santa, passing out presents?
Daughter puts on her Santa hat and dishes ‘em out.
5. Do you play Christmas music in the background whilst opening presents?
Of course! And whilst we do that we giggle betwixt ourselves.
6. I have just given you a gift of socks. Tell me what you say to make me believe you like them, you really like them.
My socks life needs all the help it can get!
7. Do you like egg nog?
If you define ‘egg nog’ as a delicious cake batter-flavored bourbon/rum delivery system, then heck yeah!
8. Are there any other kinds of nogs that you’re aware of? If not, why not just call egg nog “nog” if it’s the only nog there is?
I think there’s a Nog in LOTR somewhere…doesn’t he work in Bree?
9. Are there any pre-dinner drinks or snacks available at your house on Christmas and, if so, what are they?
Lots of wine, scotch and gin.
10. What do you wear for Christmas dinner? If you wear elastic pants and admit it, please know I admire you deeply and may very well fall in love with you. Please do not panic.
Depends. If we have non-family company I try to be reasonable; I think this year I may pull out the Mr. Jefferson linen shirt Revolutionary War outfit paired with the tartan vest from Castle Atholl.
11. If you’re not hosting the dinner, do you assist in the pre-dinner prep?
I try. The kitchen is where the food and booze are.
12. If so, have you ever considered starting to play with the nearest child immediately upon your arrival at said Christmas dinner, causing him or her to REQUIRE your delightful company up until the very moment dinner is served thereby making it impossible for you to leave the little angel’s side and assist in the kitchen lest a loud, unsightly tantrum ensue? I’m just sayin’ is all. I myself would not do this, oh no, but I would not judge you should you decide to give it a whirl.
I’d much rather be in the kitchen.
13. What’s for Christmas dinner? Along that same vein, what time should I be there?
I’m smoking a 15lb turkey over cherry. I’ll brine it tonight in an apple juice based brine tonight for 24-36 hours or so to enjuicify it. We’ll have mashed ‘taters and baked yams, some type of green vegetable, stuffing, and of course I’ve got a couple cases of wine lying about.
14. Do you have a kiddie table and will I be forced to sit there?
Nope, no kiddie table. Kids eat at the Big Table. The only way the little turds will learn to act like adults is to treat them like them.
15. Who is tipsy at your Christmas dinner, besides me, of course?
Everyone damn well better be, or I have failed.
16. Is there something that is tradition at your Christmas dinner that you cannot stand or simply do not understand?
Nope.
17. Turkey: White meat or dark meat?
I’m a white meat man. My Bride is a dark meat-er. We were made for each other.
18. Turducken: I know what it is. I need to know why it is. Please enlighten.
I made one of those one Christmas. It was…different. (And man was my kitchen ugly back then; thank God we re-did it.)
19. Cranberry sauce: yea or nay?
Yea!
20. What happens after dinner? Napping? Squabbling? Frolf?
Cleaning dishes and more wine.
21. What’s for dessert?
Apple pie, I think.
22. What’s the best Christmas dessert, in your opinion?
I’m not a real big dessert eater, but if you happen to pour me a nice glass of sauterne I’m yours.
23. Now that it’s dessert, who is snockered? You can tell me.
I better be.
24. How many pieces/helpings of dessert do you have? Just know that whatever number you tell me, I will double it in my head to get closer to the truth, ‘mkay, Peaches?
See #22
25. Will Christmas carols be sung loudly and off-key, ad nauseum, until baby Jesus cries?
No, we’re pretty in-key, in a low-key sort of way.
26. Will you be forced to pose for photos at some point by someone making their giddy artistic vision your immediate personal burden?
Perhaps one or two at the very most.
27. Finally … Christmas day exit strategy: What’s yours?
Since it’s at my house I can stumble off to la-la land any time I want…after I’ve done the dishes.
Feel free to expound on your own in the comments.
Posted by Mr. Bingley at December 23, 2008 06:42 AM
Comments
A piece of trivia I heard recently is that nog is an old English word for ale, and apparently the English used to put all kinds of things in their ale. Go figure.
Matty O'Blackfive usually publishes a recipe for cooking turkey dinner that involves encouraging the cook with scotch, very funny, especially if you've already started on the scotch.
Posted by: Retread at December 23, 2008 08:30 AM
I'm spending Christmas Eve with Sicilians: there will be massive amounts of food and wine, plus perhaps murder.
Posted by: Dave J at December 23, 2008 09:38 AM
I spend every Christmas Eve with Sicilians. I have little choice in the matter, seeing as how they're my relatives and all.
I like what you did with this, Bings. BTW - I believe Nob worked at Butterbear's in Bree. Nog is one of Quark's relatives on DS9, either his brother or his nephew (I forget which).
Enjoy your revels!
Posted by: nightfly at December 23, 2008 09:50 AM
There's a Nog on Deep Space Nine.
Posted by: Tainted Bill at December 23, 2008 10:57 AM
#10-Depends? I admire your honesty, Mr Bingley, but that's a bit TMI.
Posted by: Dave E. at December 23, 2008 11:39 AM
hahahahaha!
Posted by: Mr. Bingley at December 23, 2008 11:51 AM
Quark's brother, wasn't he? Man how I miss DS9...
Posted by: Jon at December 23, 2008 01:37 PM
No, Jon: Rom was Quark's brother. Nog was Rom's son, hence Quark's nephew. Yeah, I miss DS9 too: the best "modern" Trek.
Posted by: Dave J at December 23, 2008 01:57 PM
Mr. Bingley -- I'm glad you enjoyed it! Love your answers and, by the way, your turkey sounds delicious. YUM.
Posted by: tracey at December 23, 2008 04:34 PM