Buzzy... This is "A circle of friends" thread. If you feel the need to be unkind... then I for one would appreciate you respect the "essence" of this thread and not post. Reading your post has really upset me... so I can only imagine what Juliewn will feel, your motivation bewilders me.

Juliewn could make eating cornflakes out of a packet special. Its just the kind hearted, generous spirited person she is.... in fact you could learn a lot from her.

Edited by toadfish at 8:09 am, Sat 17 Dec

toadfish - 2011-12-17 08:06:00

buzzy110 wrote:

.....

This is just mean and does not sit well with your usual kind heartedness. I hope he forgives you.

I too am extremely upset to come into the thread & read this!
This is a circle of friends. Friendship born out of a common interest in food & cooking. We leave our differences 'at the door' & come in here to share what's happening in our lives. There is no place here for such negative judgement.
Please keep your judgements to yourself in future buzzy & don't spoil the thread by posting them here. With everything Juliewn has gone through recently with Jenni's health I'm sure she needs our support, not condemnation.
Merry Christmas.

winnie231 - 2011-12-17 08:49:00

And now ... good morning everyone.
It's still very damp & overcast here. The sun shone for a while yesterday but nowhere near enough!
I had a good day out yesterday playing chauffeur for my ex & Miss 14.
They were cut off by the road falling away between Collingwood & Takaka but DOC cut a walking track through the bush over the hill above using a pre-existing farm track for some of it so they got out ... albeit wet & muddy!
Saw a huge amount of flooding & slips across the region ... I really hope the rain stops today as there's some pretty unstable land out there :/
Miss 14 is now happily settled into the caravan & Rimu is happy to have a choice of 2 people to sleep on!
I'm off to our staff Christmas party tonight in Motueka. It'll be funny to see some of the secret santa pressies people have come up with for $10!
Have a great day & happy shopping :)

winnie231 - 2011-12-17 09:01:00

Yes. And if you would all just read the whole post and not comment on just one line, taken out of context you would understand that I posted in the spirit of friendship and kindness. I would be hugely humiliated and very daunted to be taken to a park bench and presented with a small camp style cooker and then be expected to create what most experienced chefs could not produce without a fully equipped kitchen. Just the thought of making hollandaise sauce and keeping it luke warm while poaching eggs and frying bacon in one frying pan, maybe two, and making toast as well as making wonderful coffee or whatever, on a camp cooker would overwhelm anyone and I want jwn to just think about what she is planning before rushing headlong into ruining the wonderful breakfast that her daughter's young man has fondly planned as his introduction to his special traditions at Christmas time.

I meant no disrespect or lack of anything else.

On the other hand, those who are encouraging her in this endeavour are not showing any friendship at all, imo or they too would be urging caution.

I ask you this. How would jwn feel if someone took her too a park bench, presented her with a small cooker and some pots and told her to cook Christmas lunch? Overwhelmed, upset, angry and despairing are emotions that come to mind. Eggs benedict and all the trimmings is at least as complicated as a Christmas main course.

Edited by buzzy110 at 9:03 am, Sat 17 Dec

buzzy110 - 2011-12-17 09:01:00

I read your whole post buzzy ... and while your intention may have been in friendship & kindness - it doesn't come across that way.
Like I said - we simply don't judge each other in here.
Please let the matter be. Knowing the person Juliewn is, I'm sure they'll have a lovely time.

winnie231 - 2011-12-17 09:29:00

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cookessentials - 2011-12-17 09:35:00

winnie231 wrote:

I read your whole post buzzy ... and while your intention may have been in friendship & kindness - it doesn't come across that way.
Like I said - we simply don't judge each other in here.
Please let the matter be. Knowing the person Juliewn is, I'm sure they'll have a lovely time.

I am not judging, but maybe your post shows that you are judging me. I am merely being less than enthusiastic about her planned enterprise for reasons I have fully outlined. Maybe you object to my post because you encouraged where, if you were a real friend, you would have urged caution. Sometimes that is a friend's job.

Personally I think your response to me was based more on the general judgement of me, rather than its merits which rather makes a lie of your claim not to judge. But then I am not viewed as a friend. I understand that, which is why I thought that it was up to me to point out a couple of flaws in jwn's plan.

I wouldn't have bothered but I kept thinking about the fact that the young man is the one who will be most affected by this, and what has he done to deserve that, other than be totally supportive and loving?

buzzy110 - 2011-12-17 09:36:00

cookessentials wrote:

"Ditto"

Another so called friend who should have been urging caution.

I sincerely hope I am very wrong because I want this young man and jwn to have a wonderful first Christmas together as a family, but I wouldn't be any sort of a decent human being if I didn't point out some of the pitfalls in this scheme, as lovingly and kindly planned as it is.

Edited by buzzy110 at 9:40 am, Sat 17 Dec

buzzy110 - 2011-12-17 09:39:00

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fisher - 2011-12-18 02:11:00

Morning all,
and a very merry Christmas to you too fisher :D
Enjoy the lunch grannymum. Our work party went well last night & no-one embarrassed themselves ... or atleast they hadn't when the shuttle left to come back to Marahau at 11pm. I'll find out at work this morning what happened later ... lol!
I'm on a split-shift today so coming home at lunchtime to put the tent up ready for Mum. Looks like we're going to get a sunny day - YAY!!
Have a great day everyone ... happy shopping! Or in Pam's case ... happy selling ;)

winnie231 - 2011-12-18 07:19:00

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cookessentials - 2011-12-18 08:07:00

Mmmm putting up tents - it's sounds so...Kiwi and yet my family only ever tented once when I was about 4. When I look at tv news to show fellow NZers camping I feel like I've missed out on some essential rite of passage or that I live in a different country altogether!

(Well until I drive past the "Occupy" tents in Hagley park - that doesn't make me feel nostalgic at all - it looks cold and miserable)

Edited by sumstyle at 8:11 am, Sun 18 Dec

sumstyle - 2011-12-18 08:09:00

Thinking of all those in Nelson,and the big clean up they have ahead of them.
Lovely day today so out in the garden I go,lol

earthangel4 - 2011-12-18 10:01:00

fisher wrote:

wow buzzy... I'll say it.. you have surpassed yourself... what a cow... can't you take the hint... NO ONE LIKES YOU or your pompous arrogant preaching judgmental attitude.!!!!

Pot calling the kettle black I'd say and nothing judgemental in pointing out a few problems jwn may encounter. I also forgot to mention the blowies that will turn up once the food starts cooking. I hope she packs some sort of shelter because gas camp stoves have a way of blowing themselves out in even the most mild of breezes.

I am a camper and I understand the pitfalls of such an enterprise. I'd like to suggest that jwn does a dry run in her backyard, putting out everything that will be required to make a homage/tribute b/fast of eggs Benedict, orange juice, coffee/tea (hopefully he won't want to make special coffees), fresh fruit, toast, jams, etc and see how it works out. That way she can predict any shortfalls and overcome them so that the trip to the beach will be wonderful and trouble free.

May I suggest she also take along her own table and chairs because trying to prepare, cook and serve food on a dirty old wooden table provided by Councils, all covered with bird droppings and the left over urination of night time revellers is unpleasant. A broom would be good as well, to sweep away all the detritus and debris, including broken glass, that inconsiderate people leave lying about.

buzzy110 - 2011-12-18 11:07:00

buzzy110 wrote:

Pot calling the kettle black I'd say and nothing judgemental in pointing out a few problems jwn may encounter. I also forgot to mention the blowies that will turn up once the food starts cooking. I hope she packs some sort of shelter because gas camp stoves have a way of blowing themselves out in even the most mild of breezes.

I am a camper and I understand the pitfalls of such an enterprise. I'd like to suggest that jwn does a dry run in her backyard, putting out everything that will be required to make a homage/tribute b/fast of eggs Benedict, orange juice, coffee/tea (hopefully he won't want to make special coffees), fresh fruit, toast, jams, etc and see how it works out. That way she can predict any shortfalls and overcome them so that the trip to the beach will be wonderful and trouble free.

May I suggest she also take along her own table and chairs because trying to prepare, cook and serve food on a dirty old wooden table provided by Councils, all covered with bird droppings and the left over urination of night time revellers is unpleasant. A broom would be good as well, to sweep away all the detritus and debris, including broken glass, that inconsiderate people leave lying about.

Whoa do you EVER give up? Sad sad sad.

suzanna - 2011-12-18 11:16:00

charlieb2 wrote:

Hi everyone...

Just thought I would pop in to wish you a Merry Christmas.. Hope you all have a lovely time, whatever you do and whoever you spend your time with! Wishing you all a happy, healthy and successful 2012.

Juliewn, I think often of you and your daughter and hope all is well. Calista, I was sorry to read of your Dad, hope things go ok there and that you have time to sort yourself out in your 'new' old house. Winnie.. fantastic news re: Miss. Thinking of all our posters in the north of our fair island and hope all is well and you are safe. Also thinking of my fellow Christchurch posters and hoping that you are working towards some resolution on your homes and can relax and enjoy the season.

All the best to you all

well I too would like to wish everyone a merry christmas and everything charlieb2 has said I would like to second.

I just find it very sad that this post was totally ignored apart from fisher whom as we know is not a regular poster - and great gusto given to a negative poster. maybe you should think about that.

auckland_ali - 2011-12-18 12:06:00

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cookessentials - 2011-12-18 12:30:00

Not ignored ali ... but I for one am in contact with Charlieb outside this message board so didn't respond to her here.
However you are right ... we need to move past the negativity & get back to what this thread is all about.
It is sad to let an upset over-shadow good spirits & good wishes.
I'm going to choose to not respond anymore to that particular topic & I hope everyone else does the same.
Lets get on with celebrating Christmas :)
To everyone here - I wish you ...

“A little smile, a word of cheer,
A bit of love from someone near,
A little gift from one held dear,
Best wishes for the coming year.”
John Greenleaf Whittier.

Thank you all for the love & support you have given me through my trying year. You really have made a difference!
Blessings, Rae xx

winnie231 - 2011-12-18 15:36:00

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elliehen - 2011-12-18 15:43:00

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cookessentials - 2011-12-18 16:58:00

Wishing everyone in here a very merry Christmas a very Happy new year.
I am on my way to Blenheim,to spend Christmas with my dd,so you take care out there,and will catch up with you in the new year.
Those that are traveling drive safe.
Angel hugs to you all xxxxooooo

earthangel4 - 2011-12-18 17:02:00

EA, how wonderful that sounds - going to Bethlehem for Christmas :)

Wishing you all a wonderful break, ours will all be about home, family, new kitten, old(er) cats, and some great food and wine.

And a big kiss to my mate Fisher, will be thinking of you when i get my electric smoker out... xx

kirinesha - 2011-12-18 18:35:00

havent been in for a few days....and am stunned and shocked.......moves on from that and says hope all the friends here are coping with the xmas rush and having fun picking and wrapping pressies and sharing love and good wishes

motorbo - 2011-12-18 18:46:00

ha ha luv it

elliehen wrote:

And as well as wishing everyone everywhere a Happy Christmas, I have a holiday health warning:

"When you drink vodka over ice, it can give you kidney failure.
When you drink rum over ice, it can give you liver failure.
When you drink whiskey over ice, it can give you heart
problems.
When you drink gin over ice, it can give you brain problems.

Apparently, ice is really bad for you."

motorbo - 2011-12-18 18:46:00

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fisher - 2011-12-19 00:29:00

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cookessentials - 2011-12-19 06:23:00

Fisher, thanks for the recipe, will definitely try it. Also keen to try tea smoked almonds! Love to Kathy too :)

Cookessentials - we got the Anuka one (my husband gave it to me for Christmas last year after much hinting on my part that I couldn't live without one) and it's excellent. Minimal fuss for great results.

kirinesha - 2011-12-19 07:08:00

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cookessentials - 2011-12-19 16:12:00

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cookessentials - 2011-12-20 06:49:00

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elliehen - 2011-12-20 16:59:00

elliehen wrote:

kirinesha, thanks to you and the Dark Side cooks for your vegetarian recipes. I am a frequent "guest" checking in to see what's cooking.

Happy Christmas to all!

Thanks Ellie. I love the versatility of veges coupled with wonderful spices, especially my beloved aubergines. I've had a few months of not cooking much that is different due to work pressure but am looking forward to salad and vege heaven over Christmas - and uploading piles more recipes :)

Merry Christmas to you and your family too.

kirinesha - 2011-12-20 18:57:00

elliehen wrote:

Had a delivery day today and took small portions of Xmas goodies to people who might least expect them. I returned with plants and cuttings and herbs from gardens...that I wasn't expecting :)

That's the spirit of Christmas right there :)

winnie231 - 2011-12-21 06:22:00

Morning all,
all good here ... just incredibly busy at work.
Things are drying out around the region but with the road in to Totaranui & Awaroa closed long-term, many people have had their holiday plans disrupted.
Requests for chartering boats are coming in thick & fast.
It is quite sad that many Totaranui campers are from Chch and so have been doubly hit this year.
Mum arrives today & it'll be great to see her again after 4 mths living here.
Well the sun is up so I'd better head for the shower.
Have a lovely day ...

winnie231 - 2011-12-21 06:30:00

kirinesha wrote:

EA, how wonderful that sounds - going to Bethlehem for Christmas :)

Wishing you all a wonderful break, ours will all be about home, family, new kitten, old(er) cats, and some great food and wine.

And a big kiss to my mate Fisher, will be thinking of you when i get my electric smoker out... xx

So good to see you in here,you are indeed a lovely person.
Hope you have a wonderful Xmas,and that all your dreams and wishes come true in 2012,you deserve it.

earthangel4 - 2011-12-21 08:36:00

Having a good time with dd and family in Blenheim,been very busy with the grandchildren,they are a delight.
Hope you are all well and looking forward to Xmas,only 4 more sleeps,lol

earthangel4 - 2011-12-21 08:38:00

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cookessentials - 2011-12-22 06:36:00

Morning all,
EA - so happy for you to be enjoying time with your family in Blenheim. Merry Christmas to you lovely lady xx
Pam - I want to find a DH like that! Despite the sore feet it's good to see all your hard work with the shop paying off now with lots of satisfied customers.
Kiri - nice to 'see' you ... your 'roadkill' recipe is an ongoing hit around here!
Merry Christmas grannypam - I hope it's a healthy & happy one for you.
Fisher - sorry - no garlic sauce this year ... have to wait till I live in a real house again :)
Ellie - we live in a great area! Which berry place do you recommend?
Toady, Charlieb, motorbo, ... see you on FB lol.
Have a lovely day everyone ... I've got a 10 hr shift ahead of me and then 3 days off :) YAY it's nearly Christmas!

winnie231 - 2011-12-22 06:37:00