|
Post by reverendcaptain on Dec 8, 2023 22:49:25 GMT
Is TSOM a Christmas time movie for any of you? I know there are promo pictures of the von Trapps with a Christmas tree and presents, suggesting that this is a Christmas movie, which of course it isn't. Still, I think the idea behind it was that this movie is wholesome entertainment to be watched when family is all together. I can't imagine squeezing in a 3 hour movie at any Christmas gathering. They are scheduled down to the minute before racing to the next one.
Am I the only one without a free second in December? I'm looking at the clock while writing this post because I have to be out the door in 10 minutes and I still have other things to do. Every evening has extra activities and errands. I am officially overwhelmed with the season. There are way too many events and to-do items. Too many presents, too many parties, too many rehearsals, too many performances, too much travel, too much hosting, too much shopping. And this is all on top of the usual (borderline too hectic) schedule. Everyone in my household is overworked and overtired, and we still have WEEKS to go. Has it always been like this? Were my parents frazzled in December too? I don't remember them being that way. Are kid activities becoming way more demanding than they used to be? Are we expected to buy presents for more people and attend more events than previous generations? I can't figure out how things got so crazy. I know I'm a Scrooge, but I kind of can't wait for December 26th! Bah humbug.
On a side note, if TSOM isn't a Christmas movie for you, do you associate it with any other holiday? Like, do you always watch it on your birthday or Valentines Day or the first long weekend of the summer?
|
|
|
Post by indigoblue on Dec 11, 2023 0:34:50 GMT
TSOM isn't a Christmas movie for me, mainly because it isn't necessarily shown only at Christmas here in the UK. It is on randomly anytime - afternoons, Sundays, bank holidays etc; I think if they have a gap, they put it on!
I think anyone with young kids can feel frazzled by Christmas, it is a really busy time. I can remember the worst time was when our eldest knew Father Christmas wasn't real, but the youngest didn't, and the difficulty trying to keep everyone happy was enough to send you round the bend! It gets better when your kids are older (teenagers), and they can help out. One of our daughters loved making both the Christmas cake and pudding by herself last weekend, and we now get them to wrap up each others' stockings (we have 3 kids, so two of them do it for the other one, etc). It is also a really good bonding exercise, and it makes them feel they are involved, which they like. When our son is home from uni next week, he will put up the Christmas tree, etc. Accepted you are probably not at the stage where they are much help, but it will change...and sometimes saying no to endless activities and presents works for everyone...
|
|
|
Post by augiesannie on Dec 11, 2023 20:04:29 GMT
In a way, I feel lucky not to celebrate Christmas, because I get my share of parties and time off, but I don’t have to buy very many presents, just a few thank yous for people who help me live my life. And everyone is cheerful even if they are also frazzled. It does seem like it’s gotten crazier over the years. I think the film used to be shown around Easter too? Me, I watch it all the time!!
|
|
|
Post by reverendcaptain on Jan 4, 2024 0:31:50 GMT
Predictably, we were all sick by the time we limped across the finish line of all Christmas festivities. It is not how December is supposed to be. It has inspired me to make a very different New Year's resolution than my usual "exercise X times per week and stop eating junk food" that always falls apart by mid-January. My resolution this year is to do more things that give me energy and say no to more things that exhaust me. Being on this board gives me energy. Exercise give me energy. Spending time with my immediate family gives me energy. Eating healthy food gives me energy. I need more of all of these things and less of everything else. My other resolution is to leave more reviews on fanfiction. I read a lot of stories, but very rarely leave feedback. I never really know what to say. I guess I should just say my favorite parts of the story. Though when I'm on ff.net, mostly I'm thinking "I've had a stressful day and this story is really good for my blood pressure", which would be a really strange thing to write on a review! LOL.
On a side note, while listening to Harry Potter audiobooks with my kids this week, we have come to the conclusion that when British people say "pudding" they can mean any kind of dessert, not necessarily sweet chocolate or vanilla custard that people here would call pudding. So, what kind of pudding did your daughter make for your Christmas meal, Indigo?
Also, I'm a little jealous of your frazzle-free holiday, Augiesannie. I'm making a conscious effort to do the same next year.
Happy New Year, everyone!
|
|
|
Post by indigoblue on Jan 7, 2024 22:32:45 GMT
Yes, pudding in Britain means whatever comes after the main (savoury) meal (but not cheese - that comes later!).
Our daughter made a traditional Christmas pudding, which is made of raisins, currants, dark sugar, suet and rum, which is then boiled in a bowl for seven hours (SEVEN?, I hear you say, just like Maria). It is then turned out onto a plate on Christmas Day, adorned with a sprig of holly with red berries, and set alight with flaming brandy - quite a sight! The recipe belonged to my great-grandmother, so is truly Victorian; my mother-in-law used to put sixpences wrapped in foil in it so the kids would find them (a tradition) - except my husband bit on one when he was small, which wasn't much fun! We always have it with the traditional brandy butter (beaten with icing sugar), but some people prefer cream. All in all, a bit of a disaster for the waistline, but heyho, it's only once a year!
How about you?
|
|
|
Post by augiesannie on Jan 16, 2024 14:56:22 GMT
Predictably, we were all sick by the time we limped across the finish line of all Christmas festivities. It is not how December is supposed to be. It has inspired me to make a very different New Year's resolution than my usual "exercise X times per week and stop eating junk food" that always falls apart by mid-January. My resolution this year is to do more things that give me energy and say no to more things that exhaust me. Being on this board gives me energy. Exercise give me energy. Spending time with my immediate family gives me energy. Eating healthy food gives me energy. I need more of all of these things and less of everything else. My other resolution is to leave more reviews on fanfiction. I read a lot of stories, but very rarely leave feedback. I never really know what to say. I guess I should just say my favorite parts of the story. Though when I'm on ff.net, mostly I'm thinking "I've had a stressful day and this story is really good for my blood pressure", which would be a really strange thing to write on a review! LOL. On a side note, while listening to Harry Potter audiobooks with my kids this week, we have come to the conclusion that when British people say "pudding" they can mean any kind of dessert, not necessarily sweet chocolate or vanilla custard that people here would call pudding. So, what kind of pudding did your daughter make for your Christmas meal, Indigo? Also, I'm a little jealous of your frazzle-free holiday, Augiesannie. I'm making a conscious effort to do the same next year. Happy New Year, everyone! Love this approach to the new year - mental health leading to physical well being. As for the stories, I feel the same way - they soothe me but I never know what to say. However I can say that I enjoy even the brief “loved this story” “made my day” “thank you” reviews, even when they are for 10 yo stories!!
|
|
|
Post by reverendcaptain on Jan 18, 2024 20:37:33 GMT
Predictably, we were all sick by the time we limped across the finish line of all Christmas festivities. It is not how December is supposed to be. It has inspired me to make a very different New Year's resolution than my usual "exercise X times per week and stop eating junk food" that always falls apart by mid-January. My resolution this year is to do more things that give me energy and say no to more things that exhaust me. Being on this board gives me energy. Exercise give me energy. Spending time with my immediate family gives me energy. Eating healthy food gives me energy. I need more of all of these things and less of everything else. My other resolution is to leave more reviews on fanfiction. I read a lot of stories, but very rarely leave feedback. I never really know what to say. I guess I should just say my favorite parts of the story. Though when I'm on ff.net, mostly I'm thinking "I've had a stressful day and this story is really good for my blood pressure", which would be a really strange thing to write on a review! LOL. On a side note, while listening to Harry Potter audiobooks with my kids this week, we have come to the conclusion that when British people say "pudding" they can mean any kind of dessert, not necessarily sweet chocolate or vanilla custard that people here would call pudding. So, what kind of pudding did your daughter make for your Christmas meal, Indigo? Also, I'm a little jealous of your frazzle-free holiday, Augiesannie. I'm making a conscious effort to do the same next year. Happy New Year, everyone! Love this approach to the new year - mental health leading to physical well being. As for the stories, I feel the same way - they soothe me but I never know what to say. However I can say that I enjoy even the brief “loved this story” “made my day” “thank you” reviews, even when they are for 10 yo stories!! "Mental health leading to physical well being" I hadn't thought about it quite like that, but that is EXACTLY it! We'll see how it goes. Thank you for mentioning reviewing older stories. I often revisit my old favorites when I'm feeling down or when there aren't new stories up. You are inspiring me to tell those authors that people are still reading and enjoying those old stories.
|
|
|
Post by reverendcaptain on Jan 18, 2024 20:41:31 GMT
Yes, pudding in Britain means whatever comes after the main (savoury) meal (but not cheese - that comes later!). Our daughter made a traditional Christmas pudding, which is made of raisins, currants, dark sugar, suet and rum, which is then boiled in a bowl for seven hours (SEVEN?, I hear you say, just like Maria). It is then turned out onto a plate on Christmas Day, adorned with a sprig of holly with red berries, and set alight with flaming brandy - quite a sight! The recipe belonged to my great-grandmother, so is truly Victorian; my mother-in-law used to put sixpences wrapped in foil in it so the kids would find them (a tradition) - except my husband bit on one when he was small, which wasn't much fun! We always have it with the traditional brandy butter (beaten with icing sugar), but some people prefer cream. All in all, a bit of a disaster for the waistline, but heyho, it's only once a year! How about you? Sounds so decadent, Indigo! We don't have a traditional Christmas dessert in my family. It is very common here to make Christmas cookies and have cookie exchanges with family/friends/coworkers/etc. There are always so many cookies on my counter that I don't make an extra dessert because I want everyone at the party to eat all the cookies so they aren't left at my house tempting me. haha.
|
|