Giftmas Day Cooking Adventures

Posted on by ghotiindustries

I can honestly say that I hit a new low point with my cooking on Giftmas Day.

I had a strong start and gathered around myself coffee, milk, bacon, eggs, and brie. I even had the coffee before I began cooking!

Photobucket

Something I’ve been wanting to post here for a while and this seems like the perfect opportunity here; what is with Dutch bacon?!?! It’s see through!!! And cured … differently.

Photobucket

But I combined it all and set up for mini frittatas for breakfast, so we’d have something tasty to open presents with! I mean, have something tasty to eat while opening presents!

Photobucket

I did it again. I knew when I poured them that they’d be too full, but I pressed on!

Photobucket

Oh well! They were still damn tasty when combined with the bottle of Veuve!

Photobucket

It was a different Christmas, and thanks to the wonders of modern technology we caught up with everyone at one point or another.

One of the strangest things was watching the international date line move across the world while tracking Santa with NORAD. I’m used to him setting off, reaching Oz within 2 hours, then I go to bed and wake up and am too busy relaxing to think about it. This year while chatting with friends, Santa reached New Zealand, then Australia … and then I had to watch him cover ten more hours of world time zones … New Years Eve is going to be odd … I also suddenly felt really sorry for Alaskan children.

Photobucket

On that note, I hope you all had wonderful Christmases, and are all continuing to be safe, happy, and healthy!

(PS – the less said about the duck, the better *hangs head in shame*)

‘Twas the night before Giftmas

Posted on by ghotiindustries

‘Twas the night before Giftmas and all through the house, not a creature was stiring

Photobucket

not even the flamingo who was standing in for the mouse.

Photobucket

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care, in the hopes that Saint Nicholas (who is _not_ Sinterklaas) soon would be there.

Photobucket

All the little windows on the Advent Calendar have been opened (lewd scenes removed before photography), so it must be that time of year!

Photobucket

We have been shopping and have a ridiculous amount of food for the next three days. The duck is in the fridge, waiting to be slow cooked in the oven on the morrow, there is a paella planned for guests on Boxing Day, and enough cheese and cured meats to clog all the arteries!

As people have been asking, I will also tell you now that the forecast is for rain. Not Snow. It hasn’t been cold enough. I think we’d need to be further North for the white Christmas.

To all our friends and family who were kind enough to send us things, they are under the tree waiting for tomorrow morning. I want to thank you so much, from the bottom of our hearts. It is wonderful that even though we are so far away, we aren’t forgotten. It means a lot that you went to the effort.

I haven’t heard from all of you yet, but I hope all our return packages arrived safely. Know that we love you all, miss you terribly, and you’ll be in our hearts and minds as you always are. I’ll also keep Skype open for all those wishing to indulge!

Have a merry and safe Christmas everyone! See you on the other side!
Photobucket

George & Himself.

Christmas Canal Parade

Posted on by ghotiindustries

We went to the Canal Parade on Saturday night which was wending its way down the Prinsengracht.

Photobucket

It was on as part of the Amsterdam Light Festival which is on at the moment.

Photobucket

We positioned ourselves at the bottom of the Negen Straatjes hoping to get a good position from which to see.

Photobucket

The initial rain shower was disconcerting, but it didn’t hang around long thank goodness!

Photobucket

As the boats and floats wound around the water ways and under our bridge, we had a good view to see the lights, and sing along with the bands!

Photobucket

The fire twirlers filled me with happy memories of going to watch friends perform. The smell of the kerosene brought a smile to my face

Photobucket

Santa made an appearance and waved to the crowd while wishing us all a Merry Christmas.

Photobucket

The parade came to its conclusion with a boat that had red and green lasers pointed at mirror balls. It was a sight to see all those pinpoints reflected onto all the canal houses!

Photobucket

The photo doesn’t really do it justice, so I got footage for you! (I love you all that much!)

But before you watch it, I’m going to issue a seizure warning. It’s got a steady flash to it if you’re susceptible to such things.

The one thing we both forgot (or didn’t think about) was to take tripods to hold the cameras still for really low light shots! (There is a multitude of fuzzy photos which will never see the light of day!)

Sinterklaas

Posted on by ghotiindustries

I probably should have mentioned this earlier, but we got into the swing of things last week and had a visit from Sinterklass (and probably Zwarte Piet came along too). We put our newly acquired clogs out by the fireplace to see what would happen, and lo and behold we awoke to find them full of goodies!

Photobucket

We each got a chocolate letter of our initials, an orange, some walnuts, and a DVD! Thoroughly spoilt! *grins*

We have also cleared a space and put up our Giftmas tree. I was grateful that I only lost one of my glass ornaments in the move!

Photobucket

Miraculously it seemed to attract a multitude of gifts to it almost instantly! Though, these have subsequently gone into the post, bound for far away lands!

Now to restrain myself from putting on my Twisted Sister Christmas album so Himself doesn’t get sick of it too quickly!

Turn on the Lights

Posted on by ghotiindustries

As promised we went to Turn on the Lights in Dam Square last Thursday evening.

Photobucket

We got there early in order to get good placement, and were right in the middle of the square near the I Amsterdam letters.

Photobucket

The theme was the water cycle, and began with an opera singer being hoisted around by a crane above our heads!

Photobucket

Moving on to dancers in bubbles moving in and around the crowd.

Photobucket

Then came the dragons and bad guys! These were the most fun for me, and I’m trying to figure out how to get some for the house …

Photobucket

I think these guys were meant to be “evaporation” and clouds, as they released helium balloons up into the air, and then rained aerosol snow down on the crowd. Either way, very pretty!

Photobucket

The building was lit, and the lights twinkled and sparkled as everyone went inside to commence/continue their Giftmas shopping.

Photobucket

It was one of the most amazing performance art pieces I have seen and been a part of! There were THOUSANDS of people filling that square, and the spectacle was truly first rate!

We left the square after having a bite to eat, and walked home via Leidseplein.

I was sad the other day when I realised that the season has truly turned when the tables aren’t out under the trees in Leidseplein for the tourists to sit under any more while they drink their beers. Until I saw what’s there now!

Photobucket

Ice skating! I can’t wait to try! I don’t remember the last time I skated! This truly is a wonderful city in which to live!