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Posted By: freespirit Trish!!! - 12/12/07 07:05 PM
So what is your second topic going to be about? laugh we like post!! we just ran out of topics....ok so The token christian has ran out of topics!!! hehehe anyways just thought i would ask!
Posted By: Lady J Re: Trish!!! - 12/12/07 11:18 PM
and the token jew is out of questions too! However we do like to talk.. so ask or bring up anything ;0)
Posted By: Trish-D Re: Trish!!! - 12/13/07 07:53 PM
LOL...I can see I will have my work cut out for me. You will keep me on my toes. Forgive me folks for being a little behind. I'm still trying to get this editor training under my belt.

As far as topics, I suppose it is that time of year when many of us feel we need to tiptoe around our beliefs. Is this true or not for the majority of the people on this board? Are your family and friends supportive of your faith or not? Do you feel the need to be "in the broom closet" as they say?

I will share my answer if this topic takes off.

Oh, and thanks to the token Christian and token Jew for lighting a fire under this Pagan's rear end. blush
Posted By: Anonymous Re: Trish!!! - 12/13/07 10:08 PM
I'm feeling some pressure from my husband to remain primarily "in the broom closet" around his family. When we were making our Xmas lists for them, I had to censor it a bit (no off-the-wall Pagany books and such). Since we're going up north for when Yule is occurring, I'll likely end up doing some small ritual away from the others to celebrate my way.

Though, I have to say I don't really mind. They have the right to celebrate their way, and I'll do it mine. I don't want to offend anyone.

Around my family, I'm more open. Regardless, with both families, the holiday is mostly celebrated as "giftmas" instead of a religious holiday. So, they don't really step on my toes, and I want to extend the same to them.
Posted By: freespirit Re: Trish!!! - 12/13/07 10:57 PM
lol well around my family its giftmas and religion is checked at the door it is understood that everyone is saves and christian even if no one goes to church or talks religion. around my husbands family we are the good christians of christmas with giftmas thrown in for fun. I tend to have libreal view and think outside the box so I am in the ah closet most of the time because if you dont believe 100% like everyone else then your not a christian.... so my husband and I sometimes talk about religion (read that as I talk and he stares glassy eyed at me with a cutie little smile that says Boy I wonder what she is talking about? lol)

Posted By: Trish-D Re: Trish!!! - 12/14/07 03:20 PM
I think a lot of people nowadays check religion at the door. My mom and I have come to a "polite understanding." We both respect the other. We would rather spend time together peacefully than argue about politics and religion. Life is too short to do otherwise. I admit though that it took many years for us to reach this point. I'm glad we have. My dad's family definitely has the giftmas thing going on too (great word by the way folks).
Posted By: freespirit Re: Trish!!! - 12/14/07 09:08 PM
I am not sure if we have a polite understanding or check religion at the door for the holidays but we just drop the subject all the time...or agree to everything with out question or really hearing the others... it is more of a cold war... lol!
Posted By: Alexandra Re: Trish!!! - 12/14/07 09:20 PM
Hello...Token Buddhist here.... ! grin
Wot wiv Paganism rightly claiming the origins of Yuletide and its timing as their own, Christians insisting on hyjascking the symbols as depictions of Eternal Life, the 'Evergreen, Love and Grace of God and other faiths riding piggy-back and joining in with their own slant on things - It will come, mark my words! - I just keep my head down, wish everyone well, and have two of everything, if it's free.....!
Buddhists - having no God, and having different opinions to those of Pagans, tend to adopt what we euphemistically call "The Middle Way". Whilst we have no inherent Religious reason to celebrate anything, we wholeheartedly rejoice in the happiness and gladness of others, and see no hypocrisy in wishing anyone, from any calling, faith or denomination, the most wonderful christmas they could wish for.

Here's to Good Health, Happiness and Serenity to you all. And may the best of this year, be the worst of the next....

Pass the sherry.... wink
Posted By: freespirit Re: Trish!!! - 12/14/07 10:15 PM
Here's to Good Health, Happiness and Serenity to you all. And may the best of this year, be the worst of the next....

Pass the sherry....

Amen heres your Sherry!! May it Keep you Cheery!!!
Posted By: Alexandra Re: Trish!!! - 12/14/07 10:17 PM
Thanks Freebubbles! Oh, about the chocolates...sorry about the bite marks...my puppy likes the Orange cremes.... grin
Posted By: freespirit Re: Trish!!! - 12/14/07 10:57 PM
Oh but those chocolate covered Cherrys were the best and no marks at all!!!
Posted By: elle Re: Trish!!! - 12/14/07 11:30 PM
Well, I'll throw my hat in as the token agnostic then laugh

We simply celebrate the ending of one year and the beginning of another. We raise a glass of wine to Bacchus on the day. We put a pagan tree up - it happens to have a dragon sitting on the top, just because we both like dragons. "Giftmas" - I like that one, I'll have to remember that.

Since my pagan side is simply my interaction with the Earth and elementals, I figure it's not necessary to explain it to anyone. No one seems threatened by the fact that I grow and harvest some of my own food, despite it being a pagan practice. Funny that. Tarot cards - now that's a different story. Someone very open-minded (I thought) saw my cards by pure accident and shut down on me.

What does irritate me, being in the southern hemisphere, is that the sheep (I mean public) here follow along blindly on the northern hemisphere's seasons. For a while I tried hard to celebrate spring in spring while everyone else was celebrating the autumn harvest in spring time. What a headache. And we pretend it is snowing while we swelter in full summer. But now I've realised I have to embrace the paradox. If you don't pay attention to how silly we are, you really will try to sow seeds in autumn. Every season here is the silly season - it reminds me to laugh at myself too.
Posted By: freespirit Re: Trish!!! - 12/15/07 12:04 AM
HA HA oh that would be a hoot! It would be hard to try to have frosty the sand man in the front yard and make sand angels all the while having sand ball fights in hats gloves and heavy coats in the middle of summer!!! oh and Singing Im dreaming of a Green Giftmas with every giftmas card i write....... lmao!!

oh I can see it now Elle out in shorts and t-shirt, flip flops and suntan lotion planting her herbs and vegies in the snow!! and then sheading off those layers so she can work on her tan!
oh and singing "Summer breeze makes me feel like ice blowing cross my bod.............."
Posted By: Trish-D Re: Trish!!! - 12/15/07 04:33 PM
It sounds like you all have grown into your own traditions and enjoy them. It means so much more when they are personal. Jase, I still love Christmas trees. It's actually my mom who isn't so keen on them now that she knows more of the Pagan origin. I honestly think it's a tradition that we all can enjoy. I still make ornaments for people that I know will enjoy them.

Free, I'm so glad that you and your family are now spending the holidays in a happier way rather than with family that make you feel bad.

Elle, I've always wondered how "the other half" in your hemisphere celebrate. It's funny because the Pagan (actually earth friendly, not just Pagan) thing to do is to honor the cycles of the place you are at. I'm glad you can laugh at the silliness. As I age, I find it easier to do that too. How much more serious I was as a twenty-something....lol.

Thanks to Alexandra for bringing the sherry and chocolates. Hmmmm, I was wondering if I should start a food thread, but you guys seem to have already got that ball rolling. What next, figgy pudding?
Posted By: Lady J Re: Trish!!! - 12/16/07 01:15 AM
nah, some hamentaschen, white chocolate covered pretzels, blossom cookies, chocolate chip cookies, sugar cookies that have been iced, cinnamon toast cookies, and some truffles ;0)
Posted By: Anonymous Re: Trish!!! - 12/16/07 02:30 AM
What's this: hamentaschen?
Posted By: Lady J Re: Trish!!! - 12/16/07 03:27 AM
its a wonderful jewish cookie that is awesome!!!!

Hamantaschen

4 large eggs or 1 cup pareve egg substitute

1 1/3 cups sugar

3/4 cup canola oil

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1 tablespoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

4 3/4 cups all-purpose flour

Fillings
In a large bowl or with a heavy duty mixer, beat the eggs with the sugar until well combined. Beat in the oil and vanilla extract. Beat in the baking powder and salt. Add flour gradually, blending well after each addition. Continue mixing the dough well until it is completely combined. It will be stiff but somewhat sticky. Turn out half the dough onto each fo two sheets of plastic wrap. Press each piece of dough into a thick dish and wrap it well. Refrigerate for several hour or overnight until it is cold and firm. To use the dough immediately, turn it out onto a floured board and knead it gently, adding flour as needed. until smooth and not sticky.

To bake the hamantaschen, preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line baking sheets with baking parchment or coat them with nonstick cooking spray. Completely coat the dough on all sides with flour. Roll it out on a well-floured flat surface until it is slightly less than 1/4 inch thick. Use additional flour if necessary to keep the dough from sticking. Use a three-inch cutter to cut out as many circles as possible in the dough. Put a generous teaspoon of filling in its center. Fold up the edges of the circle in thirds around the filling to form a pocket with a triangular base. Pink the edges together, leaving a small opening in the center of the hamantaschen where the filling can be seen. Repeat until all the circles are filled. Repeat the process with the second half of the dough. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until they are firm and very lightly browned. Cool on the baking sheet, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Makes about 30 large hamantaschen.

Filling

8 ounces soft dried apricots or prunes

3/4 to 1 cup orange juice or as needed

1/4 cup milk-flavored honey

2 tablespoons sugar or to taste

1 tablespoon lemon juice

1/4 cup finely chopped walnuts or almonds or soft light or dark raisins

Ground cinnamon or ginger may be added, if desired.
Chop the fruit very fine. Press into measuring cup. It should measure about 11/2 cups. Put the fruit, 3/4 cup of the juice, honey, sugar and lemon juice into a small saucepan and mix well. Place over medium-high heat and bring the mixture to a boil. Lower the heat and simmer, stirring often, for 5 minutes. Then continue heating, while stirring constantly, for an additional 7 to 10 minutes or until the fruit is very soft and all the juice has been cooked into the fruit. The filling should have the consistency of very thick preserves. Add additional juice while cooking, if needed.

Cool filling to lukewarm. If nuts, cinnamon, ginger and/or raisins are desired, stir them in to suit your taste. The fruit filling can be made up to a week ahead and refrigerated, tightly covered, until needed. Or it may be frozen for several months.

Makes 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 cups filling.


you can also do the following fillings:

strawberry preserves
orange marmelade
raspberry preserves
apricot preserves with chopped dried apricots or not
carmel square with a hershees kiss
or I love doing a "trail mix" nut and raisin mix with some maple syrup and a touch of cornstarch to thicken it
Posted By: freespirit Re: Trish!!! - 12/16/07 05:35 AM
yummmmmmmmmmy
Posted By: Anonymous Re: Trish!!! - 12/16/07 05:37 AM
Sounds good to me! smile
Posted By: freespirit Re: Trish!!! - 12/16/07 05:40 AM
when do we get some? better make some more Jase! lots of people are going to want to try it!!!!
Posted By: Lady J Re: Trish!!! - 12/16/07 05:58 AM
they are quite easy to make. I suggest you all try it ;0)
Posted By: Alexandra Re: Trish!!! - 12/16/07 06:20 AM
I sense a lack of cookies.... My computer has some too, it seems....!
Posted By: Anonymous Re: Trish!!! - 12/16/07 04:17 PM
Originally Posted By: Jase
they are quite easy to make. I suggest you all try it ;0)


Easy for cooking illiterates? smile
Posted By: Lady J Re: Trish!!! - 12/16/07 06:41 PM
I think so. It was one of the first recipes I started making when I was learning to bake.
Posted By: Trish-D Re: Trish!!! - 12/16/07 07:06 PM
Okay, that recipe sounds wonderful but cinnamon toast cookies? The mind boggles (in a good way of course:).
Posted By: Lady J Re: Trish!!! - 12/16/07 07:45 PM
LOL.. it's a simple sugar cookie dough that is rolled in cinnamon and sugar that has been "whizzed" with a vanilla bean. It's somethign my mom ionvented. It's like a snicker doodle but not crisp and very yummy if you bake them until set and not crisp but around the edges.
Posted By: freespirit Re: Trish!!! - 12/16/07 08:00 PM
freebubbles coming out of suger coma......


CAn I have some more?

inserting insulin IV # 6!!!

yummmmmy!!! I love cookies....oops there she goes back into the comma but at lest she is happy!!!

lmao
Posted By: elle Re: Trish!!! - 12/17/07 01:11 AM
Originally Posted By: Jase
LOL.. it's a simple sugar cookie dough that is rolled in cinnamon and sugar that has been "whizzed" with a vanilla bean. It's somethign my mom ionvented. It's like a snicker doodle but not crisp and very yummy if you bake them until set and not crisp but around the edges.


Drooooooooooooooool!!!!
Posted By: Paul Jordan Re: Trish!!! - 12/17/07 01:23 AM
Greetings, Just joined the forum and wanted to say hello. The best defination of pagon I have heard means pure. I find the origional records much more descriptive than the new age illustrations. The Winter Solstace was origionally a symbolic death for the sun in the sky. It reaches the furthest point in the Northern hemisphere. Then a rebirth at the Spring Equanox occurs on Easter. The Christmas Tree is symbolic of the Universe, the ornaments represent the planets, with a star on the top.
Happy Holiday's,
The Serpent
Posted By: Botanical Bella Re: Trish!!! - 12/17/07 02:19 AM
I follow an eclectic pagan/native american path. Living in the south, I just don't talk about it. However, it turns out that my neighbor participates in native american beliefs...that was probably one of the best nights of conversation I have had in a long time - as I do so much miss camping out at pow wows back home in NH.

My boyfriend is a vehement atheist, he even writes letters back to churches who have the audacity to leave 'come to our church' notices on our door or mailbox. Don't get me started on Sam Harris.

However, we do have a yule tree, covered in stars and snow flakes, complete with 4 dog bones with our mutts names on them.

(P to the S: I got an email from his mom commenting on how wrapped around my finger I had him for allowing a yule tree...never mind him paying for it)

My mom started mailing presents back in September, being that she is in NH and we are here in SC. and I of course, have purchased a few for him. Because he refuses to give in and save gifts for yule, or birthdays for that matter, I got my gift last week. -sigh pillow cases with our furbabies silk screened on to them...so0o cute!

Any ways...I will be spending yule at home, wishing I were in NH picking on my 4 siblings and 2 nieces, napping with puppies while the man sleeps off his 3rd shift. smirk
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