What we are doing special for the holidays

Originally posted by Pat & Alix
I liked 11 -7 better than 7 to 7, I could get by on a bit less sleep then <G>, but it had its benefits...far more autonomy, cool co-workers.

But back to fun stuff....have you seen the newer cat pup tents? There are also soft-sided cat cubes that can be shaped into different shapes and crawled into by the kitty...some good, not too space gobbling stuff out there. Hmm...lets see...also I've seen small carpeted cat teepees...and if you are handy with a good staple gun...I've seen some lovely, smaller on the floor designs that can be enjoyed by your kitty. One features a length of carpeted particle board or what have you, and then a sisal rope covered tube that is resting horizontally atop the carpeted base. My cats love to scratch and ride the sisal tube, and then collapse for a nap on the carpeted portion. It's less than 2 feet wide and about 2+ feet long, so fits behind a couch, along the wall..where ever

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I'm going to check out those Teepee's. I don't think I'd be handy with a staple gun. I've never used one, and to be honest I'm about as big of a klutz as you'll ever want to know. Those things you are talking about on the floor, sound cool, but I just can't picture them in my head. I'm also considering one of those flowing water dishes.

We give the pets turkey 'n giblets cat/dog food, on Thanksgiving and Christmas. The dogs are on dry food, as a steady diet and the canned food is a treat for them. The dogs get rawhide chewy bones, in their stockings and the cats get treats.

I'm considering not doing a traditional meal, this Christmas. We got a ready-made dinner, from the supermarket deli, last year. WHERE did they ever get the notion to put creamed corn in the scalloped potatoes??? We won't buy from there, again.

We are considering a cold cuts tray, relish tray, veggie tray, chips and dips and a shrimp ring. Of course, we'll have cookies, candy and a couple of pies, too. My dad LOVES pumpkin pie (yuck!) He is also the only person, that I know, who actually likes fruitcake, too.

We never go away on a christmas holiday as such because of all the pets.

I'm not sure what's happeing with the christmas lunches & dinners this year our christmas's have really fallen apart since Gronny(there's a story behind that name ) died 5 years ago. We used to have the whole family(Dad's) but last year everyone went on holiday, this year we're trying to get our little small family together.. it's hard work but our family celebrations are always the best... We never do anything with mums side of the family. I'm much closer to dads family .

All the pets get gifts and we always have a lovely tree.

I wish only happy holidays for all my friends here at TCS!

Pat & Alix we have not talk about christmas yet and I guess it is good that this thread was started so now I will talk to hubby about christmas taking time off .
In germany we also have 2 holydays the 25 and 26 of dec. , they are usualy used to visit family and friends . So our tratition was not to cook a big meal since the 2 holydays are our feast days like thanksgiving over here . On christmas eve we were cooking Bratwurst , Sauerkraut and Mashed Potatoes . Here in the us there is not the 2 holydays so I usualy cook a ham or a really nice german dish like my hubby's favored "Roladen" . I am not catholic so there is no church by us , I go to a baptist church but visit sometimes the midnight mass at the catholic church due to cleaning the priest house there lol .

Originally posted by WellingtonCats

I wish only happy holidays for all my friends here at TCS!

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and the same to you and your mum

Originally posted by PurrfectCatlove
Pat & Alix we have not talk about christmas yet and I guess it is good that this thread was started so now I will talk to hubby about christmas taking time off .
In germany we also have 2 holydays the 25 and 26 of dec. , they are usualy used to visit family and friends

. So our tratition was not to cook a big meal since the 2 holydays are our feast days like thanksgiving over here . On christmas eve we were cooking Bratwurst , Sauerkraut and Mashed Potatoes . Here in the us there is not the 2 holydays so I usualy cook a ham or a really nice german dish like my hubby's favored "Roladen"

. I am not catholic so there is no church by us , I go to a baptist church but visit sometimes the midnight mass at the catholic church due to cleaning the priest house there lol .

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I'm glad I began this thread When I was 20 something and fresh out of college, my first job was waitressing at a German restaurant, and I loved the Beef Rouladen (don't know if there are variations on this dish, but their's was a meat roll with mustard and sauteed onions on the inside, cooked and served in a beef gravy..yum!) Is this similar to what your husband likes?

Our traditions have been evolving over several years, and continue to, as various circumstances change.

Most of my family is in the Montreal/Toronto area, so we don't get to see them, though we do burn up the phone lines. The only family I have here is my Dad, who lived with us for a number of years, but is now in extended care -- very much with it, but with major mobility and related challenges, which makes living at home no longer possible -- and also makes it impossible to bring him home for special days (sigh!) We can take him out for a nice meal, though, and will do that, probably not ON Christmas Day, because nothing is open that's suitable. But we'll spend some time with him and have our prezzies together, and do the special outing either before Christmas or after, depending what works best.

We'll go to Rob's family on Vancouver Island sometime between Christmas and New Year's for two or three days.

We'll probably do a tree. I love to, but we've had several years of young or very young cats, and so have moderated any decorations that would tempt feline exploration -- especially dangly things, which at all times are the favourite toy of Fawn (except when she's busy dragging a boot lace around).

Church will figure in the picture Christmas Eve, but not Christmas Day, and we'll do a special dinner on Christmas Day, not turkey, but probably either ham or game hens, for ourselves, probably Rob's son, and possibly one or two others -- depending whether we hear of any waifs or strays we'd like to include.

The kitties get gifts, but mostly ignore them until someone gets the #%&#^&&#%& paper off them -- though they have been known to try...

Pat & Alix yes that what he like's . But I change mine a little . I use hamburger meet , one egg , cut onions , garlic (fresh cut up) and spice . Mix all of it up then I lay it on the already Salt and peppered Rouladen , I also cut some pickles the cosher type up and lay a peace in there . Then I roll them up and hold it together with some tooth picks . I brown the meat with some onions and maybe also some garlic , then I add water and through some pickles in there too and if I have some carotts . I use my quick cooker and it only take me 30 minute and then I fix my gravy . I got a husband who like to eat and believe you me it show's . It is very good the way how I make them , fingelicking good Geeee I just ate and now I am hungry again ......

Hedi,

Oh yum, that sounds delicious Good thing I haven't had dinner yet, and have my pot roast to look forward to, 'cause now my mouth is watering <G>.

Rouladen is yummy! Maybe I'll find a recipe for it and include it in the cookbook!?!?!

Originally posted by Momofmany
Rouladen is yummy! Maybe I'll find a recipe for it and include it in the cookbook!?!?!

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Good Idea! I had a German friend years ago, who did Rouladen, and I loved it. Haven't had it since. Would be good to revisit it.

Originally posted by Pat & Alix
and the same to you and your mum

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Thanks alot Pat!

For Thanksgiving were going to dh's moms house and for Christmas Eve
were going to my moms house and Christams day were staying home