Half a croissant, on a plate, with a sign in front of it saying '50c'
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Merry Christmas

...and a Happy New Year.
  (+70, -11)(+70, -11)(+70, -11)
(+70, -11)
  [vote for,
against]

Season's greetings to all HalfBakery patrons wherever you are and of course to the bakesperson herself, Jutta.
hippo, Dec 22 2000

(?) Halfbakers' Christmas trees http://www.savingad...as-tree-photos.html
[hippo, Dec 22 2007]

PNC CHRISTMAS PRICE INDEX JUMPS 8.1 PERCENT IN 2008 http://www.pncchris...Press%20Release.pdf
The PNC Christmas Price Index increased by a lavish 8.1 percent over last year, the second biggest leap in the history of the whimsical economic analysis by PNC Wealth Management based on the cost of gifts in the holiday classic, “The Twelve Days of Christmas.” According to the 24th annual survey, the cost of the PNC CPI is $21,080 in 2008, $1,573 more than last year. [hippo, Dec 18 2008]

Australian Star Pine http://www.thevilla....php?story_id=27198
A pleasant holiday tree. [csea, Dec 22 2008]

"(Diggin' Out Our) Winter Wonderland" http://bit.ly/5DiRlX
some new lyrics for an old holiday favorite [smendler, Dec 22 2009]

Build Martian canals on Earth Build_20Martian_20canals_20on_20Earth
Told you ... [8th of 7, Dec 28 2010]

Cocteau Twins - Frosty the Snowman http://www.youtube....watch?v=Pds_K2j3RKM
A bit of seasonal music for you... [hippo, Dec 23 2013]

Not quite just another day http://thiscultural...mas-traditions.html
They eat a cake [Voice, Dec 24 2013]

Merry Christmas, from Chiron Beta Prime https://www.youtube...watch?v=B3DyxaCYlfg
[normzone, Dec 25 2014]

Humbug Island https://en.wikipedi...g/wiki/Humbug_Marsh
" A small offshore island (Humbug Island) is included within the official boundaries of the Marsh." [8th of 7, Dec 23 2017]

Old-Fashioned Brandied Fruitcake https://www.texasco...uitcakebrandied.htm
[Voice, Dec 21 2020]

What the poet said https://www.poetryf...gle-nought-availeth
[pertinax, Dec 18 2021]

The Half-Remembered Bakery https://lucybellwood.com/tag/halfbakery/
Blog post by a former hb user. [Loris, Dec 18 2021]

Saving the world: https://www.smbc-comics.com/comic/destiny
Sometimes, it doesn't happen the way you expected. But the point is, the world still gets saved, somehow. [pertinax, Dec 19 2021]

Slightly off Santa Slightly_20Off_20Santa
[doctorremulac3, Dec 22 2023]

[link]






       Seconded. And to you and yours, hippo.
Lemon, Dec 22 2000
  

       Happy Hanukah :)
Happy Yule Festival :)
Happy Druid Tree Festival (I think that's about right) :)
  

       What's the farmer's celebration?   

       And how long until this becomes a huge debate on what Christmas has become? It's one I'm not starting...
Detly, Dec 22 2000
  

       Happy Satunalia. Happy Agnostica.
Malakh, Dec 22 2000
  

       Enjoy (or not) this season that you may (or may not) celebrate in a manner that befits your customs and beliefs (if any).
wasraw, Dec 22 2000
  

       Mercy to you, mercy oh me, my it's getting late. Throw that in the fire and let's go!!!!
reensure, Dec 22 2000
  

       <half_wit> Falling snow
on holiday streets
joy to all</half_wit>
wasraw, Dec 23 2000
  

       "Happy *REAL* New Millenium"?   

       anyway, right. right on. happiness. and stuff. =D
absterge, Dec 23 2000
  

       Happy Winter Solstice.
nick_n_uit, Dec 23 2000
  

       (From a listserv I'm on)   

       Please accept with no obligation, implied or implicit, our best wishes for an environmentally conscious, socially responsible, low stress, non-addictive, gender neutral, celebration of the winter solstice holiday, practiced within the most enjoyable traditions of the religious persuasion of your choice, or secular practices of your choice, with respect for the religious/secular persuasions and/or traditions of others, or their choice not to practice religious or secular traditions at all.   

       ..and a fiscally successful, personally fulfilling, and medically uncomplicated recognition of the onset of the generally accepted calendar year 2001, but not without due respect for the calendars of choice of other cultures whose contributions to society have helped make America great, (not to imply that America is necessarily greater than any other country or is the only "AMERICA" in the western hemisphere), and without regard to the race, creed, color, age, physical ability, religious faith, choice of computer platform, or sexual preference of the wishee.   

       (By accepting this greeting, you are accepting these terms. This greeting is subject to clarification or withdrawal. It is freely transferable with no alteration to the original greeting. It implies no promise by the wisher to actually implement any of the wishes for her/himself or others, is void where prohibited by law, and is revocable at the sole discretion of the wisher. This wish is warranted to perform as expected within the usual application of good tidings for a period of one year, or until the issuance of a subsequent holiday greeting, whichever comes first, and warranty is limited to replacement of this wish or issuance of a new wish at the sole discretion of the wisher.)
Uncle Nutsy, Dec 23 2000
  

       You beat me to it, hippo! So I'll just vote for and annotate your posting instead. Merry Christmas, happy holidays, peace and blessings to all bakerspeople!
PotatoStew, Dec 24 2000
  

       I hate christmas.
StarChaser, Dec 24 2000
  

       Friend of mine just had a "Non-denominational winter-related festivity." It was an interesting party.. everything from Christmas decorations to "virgin sacrifices."
FakeGreenDress, Dec 25 2000
  

       I think I hit critical *mass*; time for that New Year diet resolution.
wasraw, Dec 26 2000
  

       Ok, Uncle Nutsy, now you've got to poetry-fy those sentiments(?) and you'll really have something...
absterge, Dec 26 2000
  

       Happy holidays to you all!
iuvare, Dec 26 2000
  

       What waugsqueke said.
DrBob, Dec 26 2000
  

       <blows dust & cobwebs off last year's idea>
hippo, Dec 01 2001
  

       Don't take it wrong that I said "I hate xmas', hippo...the thought is appreciated, I just hate the season.
StarChaser, Dec 01 2001
  

       <python> ow! lay off! We haven't started yet!</python>

Looking out of my window, I can see some bloke's already got his house totally covered in Christmas lights. Now where are my wire cutters...
DrBob, Dec 01 2001
  

       I wish a lot of things, but mainly just for whirled peas. I'm getting Christmassy feelings... but I think it's mainly due to the frosty cold and that it's getting dark at 3.45pm these days. And the best excuse of all the seasons of the year to go shopping *every day*!!!
lewisgirl, Dec 03 2001
  

       - but you *do* complement the old-timers.
hippo, Dec 05 2001
  

       On the first day of Christmas the bakery gave to me
An Anti-Pollution Tree
  

       On the second day of Christmas the bakery gave to me
Two Cats Mad
And an Anti-Pollution Tree
  

       On the third day of Christmas the bakery gave to me
3 Team Hockey, Two Cats Mad
And an Anti-Pollution Tree
  

       On the fourth day of Christmas the bakery gave to me
Stoicism Parrot, 3 Team Hockey, Two Cats Mad
And an Anti-Pollution Tree
  

       On the fifth day of Christmas the bakery gave to me
Cream Cheese Rings!
Stoicism Parrot, 3 Team Hockey, Two Cats Mad
And an Anti-Pollution Tree
  

       On the sixth day of Christmas the bakery gave to me
Geese farting custard,
Cream Cheese Rings!
Stoicism Parrot, 3 Team Hockey, Two Cats Mad
And an Anti-Pollution Tree
  

       On the seventh day of Christmas the bakery gave to me
Treadmill swimming, Geese farting custard,
Cream Cheese Rings!
Stoicism Parrot, 3 Team Hockey, Two Cats Mad
And an Anti-Pollution Tree
  

       On the eighth day of Christmas the bakery gave to me
Mobile cows a-milking, Treadmill swimming, Geese farting custard,
Cream Cheese Rings!
Stoicism Parrot, 3 Team Hockey, Two Cats Mad
And an Anti-Pollution Tree
  

       On the ninth day of Christmas the bakery gave to me
blissmiss dancing,
Mobile cows a-milking, Treadmill swimming, Geese farting custard,
Cream Cheese Rings!
Stoicism Parrot, 3 Team Hockey, Two Cats Mad
And an Anti-Pollution Tree
  

       On the tenth day of Christmas the bakery gave to me
Top ten ideas ever, blissmiss dancing,
Mobile cows a-milking, Treadmill swimming, Geese farting custard,
Cream Cheese Rings!
Stoicism Parrot, 3 Team Hockey, Two Cats Mad
And an Anti-Pollution Tree
  

       On the eleventh day of Christmas the bakery gave to me
Robot Marching Band, Top ten ideas ever, blissmiss dancing,
Mobile cows a-milking, Treadmill swimming, Geese farting custard,
Cream Cheese Rings!
Stoicism Parrot, 3 Team Hockey, Two Cats Mad
And an Anti-Pollution Tree
  

       On the twelfth day of Christmas the bakery gave to me
A link to a page of drummer jokes,
"Robot Marching Band",
Top ten ideas ever,
nine blissmisses dancing,
"Mobile cows" a-milking,
"Treadmill swimming",
'Geese farting custard',
"Cream Cheese Rings"!
"Stoicism Parrot",
"3 Team Hockey",
"Two Cats Mad"
And an "Anti-Pollution Tree".
lewisgirl, Dec 10 2001
  

       Eight made Sam ill, King.
angel, Dec 11 2001
  

       Sick skis allaying.
PotatoStew, Dec 11 2001
  

       Nigh on laid.. he's Dancin'!
lewisgirl, Dec 11 2001
  

       Sven 's wants 'is women.
beauxeault, Dec 11 2001
  

       **** all in Bart's.   

       And a paltry gin, a pet free.
CoolerKing, Dec 11 2001
  

       Tan pee perspiring

Merry Chrimbo everyone.
hippo, Dec 24 2001
  

       Who cares about all the mumbo jumbo and commercial bollocks? It's just an excuse to get totally blattered and then get fed by the relatives. The party starts now! Merry whatever, to anyone who's still here!
DrBob, Dec 24 2001
  

       I'm at work now. Whee...
StarChaser, Dec 24 2001
  

       StarChaser: "Hi, this is StarChaser, can I have your problem number please?"   

       Santa: "This is SANTA CLAUS and I'm in Bermuda, and I need help dialing in."   

       StarChaser: "Um, okay, can I have your problem number, please, Santa?"   

       Santa: "I don't know about any proble . . . Hey! This is SANTA and it's CHRISTMAS EVE and THIS IS IMPORTANT and I'M IMPORTANT. Are you planning on helping me? I want to talk to someone who is able to help me. . . ."
bristolz, Dec 24 2001
  

       <grin> You either remember or have recently reread my page...I just added a new loser...Not Santy, though.
StarChaser, Dec 24 2001
  

       ---------------------------------
Another year goes by on the HalfBakery. I must go and buy a tree today.
hippo, Dec 11 2002
  

       I am eating xmas lunch with the nursery class today - Isay that like its a good thing :)
po, Dec 11 2002
  

       Young master Silly's school Christmas play in about, oo, 90 minutes. Apparently he's a cowboy - how things change...
PeterSilly, Dec 11 2002
  

       grits & beans for baby Jesus?
po, Dec 11 2002
  

       ... and next week Miss Silly is one of the three queens!
PeterSilly, Dec 11 2002
  

       happy christmas to all and let's pray for a peaceful new year.
mihali, Dec 11 2002
  

       So there I was, looking for geese in the 'bakery while merrily crafting a Twelve Days tune, and found lewisgirls lovely song already 'baked. ...Geese farting custard, Cream Cheese Rings... to one and all
thumbwax, Dec 25 2002
  

       ----------------------------- ----
Another year goes by on the HalfBakery. Merry Christmas everyone!
hippo, Dec 18 2003
  

       a peaceful christmas to one and all.
po, Dec 18 2003
  

       merry christmas to all, along with a happy hannukah, merry kwanza, eid mubarak for our muslim friends (a little belated)...er...um...well how about a peaceful, joyful season and new year for everyone?
mihali, Dec 19 2003
  

       Happy holidays and keep safe..
v0rtexx, Dec 19 2003
  

       I think it's the fact that four people have 'boned this idea that makes me love this place so much! Merry Christmas, everyone. God bless us all, and God bless Tiny Tim.
Fishrat, Dec 19 2003
  

       Wow, and this year Miss Silly stole the show as an enthusiastic Mary. Those drama lessons are paying off :) Enjoy the season.
PeterSilly, Dec 19 2003
  

       What did she say afterwards, "Oh my God!"? Happy holidays nice bakers and naughty bakers.
FarmerJohn, Dec 19 2003
  

       Silly, was she in a play, or was this just around the house?
waugsqueke, Dec 19 2003
  

       [waugs] - The school nativity, two matinee performances and two evening performances. We were trying to coach her to do the realistic birth scene, followed by "it's a girl", a la Mr Kipling adverts.
PeterSilly, Dec 19 2003
  

       Well, churning this idea once a year beats sending Christmas cards. Merry Christmas!
hippo, Dec 18 2004
  

       Haddy Grimble to all.
waugsqueke, Dec 24 2004
  

       he means happy christmas!   

       and a big thank you to jutta for an hb new year!
po, Dec 24 2004
  

       It was the best of times...(Merry Christmas to all, and to all a goodnight).
blissmiss, Dec 25 2004
  

       Happy Christmahakawanzika all!
(or whatever it is)
ghillie, Dec 25 2004
  

       May your Kwanzaa be filled with Kwassants! Thank you for a year full of laughs! --Phun
phundug, Dec 25 2004
  

       Merry Christmas!
hippo, Dec 20 2005
  

       Merry Christmas!   

       Only 19 hours 10 minutes of work to go until the holidays!   

       YAY!
salachair, Dec 20 2005
  

       You do work? I thought you just sat in a corner reading books all day.

Merry Whatever to Whomever!
DrBob, Dec 20 2005
  

       Merry Christmas! (ALMOST, 2 DAYS TO GO!)
DesertFox, Dec 20 2005
  

       Note to self: Buy [DesertFox] calender for Christmas.   

       Ideas like this just show the great history of the halfbakery. I'm glad that it was [hippo] that made it.
And Merry Christmas to all.
hidden truths, Dec 20 2005
  

       Just about time to resurface this idea again. Merry Christmas!
hippo, Dec 21 2006
  

       Merry Xmas to you.
skinflaps, Dec 21 2006
  

       ...timer tall?
david_scothern, Dec 21 2006
  

       Ears two ewe...
DrBob, Dec 21 2006
  

       Ray, Sir Gloss Fir...
hippo, Dec 21 2006
  

       Hippo New Ears...
csea, Dec 21 2006
  

       Merry Christmas, one and all.
angel, Dec 21 2006
  

       Happy Christmas and a Merry New Year
Dub, Dec 21 2006
  

       May we all pray for peace, and may someone, for god's sake, listen to our prayers and lift the life of those in Africa, and everywhere else in the world, where there is pain, and suffering, hunger and war.   

       The best of all to all of you.
blissmiss, Dec 22 2006
  

       Merry Christmas and a happy Perihelion everyone.
methinksnot, Dec 22 2006
  

       Have a Happy Solstice, everyone!
May the next revolution be more peaceful!
I tried, but form letters, you know.
Zimmy, Dec 22 2006
  

       Happy days to all of you! Thank goodness for a few days off. Too bad it has to be used for inlaws..   

       Nah, just kidding. Merry christmas to the lot of you!
Susan, Dec 22 2006
  

       Christmas didn't come for me this year...
Aq_Bi, Dec 22 2006
  

       Scream ! It's myrrh. Anagram
xenzag, Dec 22 2006
  

       Happy Dies Natalis Solis Invicti!
imaginality, Dec 22 2006
  

       ------------------------------

I bought my tree at the weekend so it must be time to churn this idea. Merry Christmas!
hippo, Dec 17 2007
  

       I do hope there's medication for that.
RayfordSteele, Dec 17 2007
  

       Depends on which attachment he uses. Merry Christmas folks!
DrBob, Dec 18 2007
  

       Merry Xmas ...credit card.
skinflaps, Dec 18 2007
  

       My God. Ian's woman must be very proud of his display!!!   

       A very, very, very cold and merry Christmas to all...
blissmiss, Dec 18 2007
  

       [skinflaps'] anno reminded me of a ditty I wrote a while back, enjoy!
(to the tune of G.F.Handel's Sarabande) [link]

Remember ... this Christmas,
December ... means business.
While merchants may vary,
Each loves Virgin Mary (and Jesus.)
  

       I'm pleased by the season,
My Visa's the reason,
My Plastic's elastic,
I'm sure to pay it off by September!
csea, Dec 18 2007
  

       I boned you.... mwahahahaha! Although, I am happy about the winter solstice and the fact that winter is half over. Oh and Go Commercialism!!!!
quantum_flux, Dec 19 2007
  

       Next year I'm decorating a 2x4; fewer lights and more floor space for gifts!       Merry Christmas, y'all.
reensure, Dec 19 2007
  

       Those Christmas trees were awesome!   

       Compliments of the season.
nineteenthly, Dec 22 2007
  

       To all bakers young and old, seasoned and newbie, lurkers and posters, left and returned, good and evil, conservative and liberal, bright and dim... may you all have the very best Christmas!
wagster, Dec 22 2007
  

       happy christmas to hbers big and small and due thanks to jutta as always...
po, Dec 22 2007
  

       Merry Christmas to all, and to those that don't celebrate, Happy December 25th.
acurafan07, Dec 25 2007
  

       My daughter is enjoying her new toys, my wife is taking a nap, and I'm on the Halfbakery. It is a good day. Happy Yule.
baconbrain, Dec 25 2007
  

       All the boys, big ones and medium ones are out seeing Alien vs Predator. I was in the basement painting.   

       Happy Christmas to all!
dentworth, Dec 25 2007
  

       So, to follow Ian's train of thought, I hope everyone has a Spiffy Seventh Day of Christmas tomorrow, and may your seven swans swim soberly and serenely, at least until it's time to party!   

       Best wishes to all for "aught-eight".
Canuck, Dec 30 2007
  

       ------------------------------

In these times of economic gloom, there's nothing like reusing last year's Christmas Card. Merry Christmas to All!
hippo, Dec 18 2008
  

       Ditto!
DrBob, Dec 18 2008
  

       Happy Christmas, h'bakers & Jutta!
po, Dec 18 2008
  

       Merry Christmas to all who want it to be.
dentworth, Dec 18 2008
  

       Oh, yes please - and I wish a peaceful and merry Christmas to all of you lovely people too.
x
zen_tom, Dec 18 2008
  

       Oh *alright* then...
Happy holidays!
Jinbish, Dec 18 2008
  

       Happy Christmas all!
Dub, Dec 18 2008
  

       Cool Yule Y'all!
gnomethang, Dec 19 2008
  

       Is it Christmas again already?
xenzag, Dec 19 2008
  

       Mele Kalikimaka to you all.
nineteenthly, Dec 19 2008
  

       Halfy Holidays, everyone :)
phundug, Dec 19 2008
  

       Well, Happy Staying Here!   

       {There's always some <ahem> individual that we have to take into account, isn't there?! <insert smiley here> }
Jinbish, Dec 19 2008
  

       HaHa HoHo's y'all.
FlyingToaster, Dec 19 2008
  

       so proud of [hippo] for recycling!!
Merry, Merry, quite contrary...oops, love you all.
xandram, Dec 19 2008
  

       I want to give you
a big snowball for christmas
in your face
daseva, Dec 19 2008
  

       hug bumhah! WELL you little twit, who you calling a bumhah??? (Merry Christmas to all, and to all a happy new year).
blissmiss, Dec 20 2008
  

       <almost totally off-topic>   

       Lost Stick Insect:   

       There's a funny double-incongruity about Christmas trees in Australia.   

       First, in Europe, we transfer some mid-winter tree-worship into the commemoration of a birth.   

       Then, in Australia, we transfer the whole package into the middle of summer.   

       Now, the incarnation part is dated pretty arbitrarily anyway, but the pagan parts are much more context-specific (it's cold and dark: put the lights on, eat and drink heavily, huddle together for warmth, etc.). So it's the pagan parts, including the tree, that sustain a much greater delta of silliness (leaving aside debate on the base quantum of silliness in any case) in transit to the southern hemisphere, and mid-summer.   

       Anyhow, in helpless thrall to this twice-displaced meme, I was in the car bringing home a small, truncated evergreen tree the other day, when I thought I felt one of my children playfully poking a spray of needles into the back of my head.   

       It turned out, however, to be a stick-insect slightly longer than my middle finger. Being straw-coloured, it had decided that my hair would make a good, discreet place to hide. Better than a now-horizontal dark green tree, anyway.   

       Why was a straw-coloured stick insect in a dark green tree anyway? Partly because that particular Yule-ish shade characteristic of holly and fir (and, oddly, British Racing Green) doesn't seem to exist in any native Australian vegetation that I've seen... so, there'd be no current Australian stick insect better fitted to that tree than the lost one in my car. I have no theory about why the insect wasn't in some straw.   

       Now, I believe colouration change in insects is one of those things which can evolve relatively fast. So, how long after the introduction of Christmas-tree plantations into Australia do we expect to see the emergence of waxy dark-green stick insects?   

       Once those emerge, watch out for the stick insects resembling six-inch gauze angels. Now *that* will be worth looking at.   

       </atot>   

       Anyhow, God rest ye merry.
pertinax, Dec 21 2008
  

       //the base quantum of silliness// [marked-for-tagline]   

       Regarding Xmas trees and Oz - Some years ago, in the sleepy beach town of Cardiff-by-the-Sea, CA, I purchased a potted tree called an "Australian Star Pine" as the Solstice icon. But in googling this today, I find no evidence of such a tree. Was it the figment of some marketeer's fertile imagination?   

       Happy Winter Solstice, etc!
csea, Dec 21 2008
  

       a serendipitous solstice to you all!
MadnessInMyMethod, Dec 21 2008
  

       I watched the solstice dawn from inside Newgrange this morning by webcast - there were 34,000 people after 20 places so I wasn't very likely to get there in person. Glad I wasn't there actually - it was overcast and rainy so the light didn't really make it down the passage. Instead we got to watch the lovely 2007 soltice in its orangey glory whilst drinking tea in bed.   

       Anyway - Joyful Solstice, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you all. It's looking like 2009 will be a disasterous year financially, so I'm going to spend most of it here, where fun is free and there aren't aren't news bulletins.
wagster, Dec 21 2008
  

       [UB], I have this feeling that no-one can ever give you enough info. Keep up the learning.   

       I'm trying out a new modem, after a month or so with only occasional library time. Came here first to wish everyone a Happy Solstice.
baconbrain, Dec 22 2008
  

       [UB] I did some searching, and it looks like Araucaria excelsa [link]. Said to be from "exotic places like the high mountains of Chile, Norfolk Island, New Caledonia and the Queensland coast of Australia."   

       I didn't mean to hijack the seasonal hoopla for some horticultural trivia, but it brought back frond^h^h^h^hond memories.
csea, Dec 22 2008
  

       The ground is frozen and covered in snow, the roads out of this hellhole are impassible, everyone is sick and it's not just cabin fever.   

       With that said, Merry Christmas, Chappy Chanukah, etc, etc.
Spacecoyote, Dec 22 2008
  

       //most of them endemic//   

       There was me imagining they were introduced. Thank you for putting me straight. That stick insect must have been stupider than I thought.
pertinax, Dec 22 2008
  

       Spacecoyote, it sounds like you might be in Seatle, or Hartford, or Chicago, or uhm...wait is there any place it didn't snow over the last week?   

       Sorry bout the sickies too.
blissmiss, Dec 22 2008
  

       Southern Oregon, actually. No point in mentioning the town's name, it's not on the map.
Spacecoyote, Dec 23 2008
  

       Merry Christmas, me old chaps.
calum, Dec 24 2008
  

       Hey, has anyone posted the silly predictions idea for 2009 yet? If so I missed it. It's one of my favorite traditions here.
blissmiss, Dec 26 2008
  

       ooops...
blissmiss, Dec 26 2008
  

      
------------------------------

Gleðileg Jól!
hippo, Dec 17 2009
  

       Nadolig Llawen a Blwyddyn Newydd Dda
po, Dec 17 2009
  

       "— hippo, Dec 22 2000"
Holy crap [hippo], in halfbakery years you're old.
phoenix, Dec 17 2009
  

       shèng dàn kuài lè
swimswim, Dec 17 2009
  

       Nearly a decade of nonsense, sense I first met you all. Merry Christmas to everyone, and as always a thank you to jutta for keeping the family together. It ain't easy, I'd bet. So here is Christ shaped cookies for all.
blissmiss, Dec 17 2009
  

       Happy Birthday Jesus and Co.
outloud, Dec 17 2009
  

       Merry Xmas HB & company
May all your custards be sweet, your garden gnomes well behaved, and may nobody mistake your wooden leg for firewood this year.
FlyingToaster, Dec 18 2009
  

       Yeah, s'pose.   

       We got given a carton of custard yesterday, incidentally.   

       Also, it's really snowing!
nineteenthly, Dec 18 2009
  

       Are you kidding?
blissmiss, Dec 18 2009
  

       This is the English Midlands, ms miss. It doesn't snow a lot here.
nineteenthly, Dec 18 2009
  

       He's kidding.   

       I think the technical term for that is "light frost" ;D
FlyingToaster, Dec 18 2009
  

       Happy Merries and Merry Happies to all!
smendler, Dec 22 2009
  

       Merry Christmas, yo.
calum, Dec 24 2009
  

       A festive "hello" to my many fellow bakers. Hope you're all enjoying yourselves whatever you're doing.
kaz, Dec 24 2009
  

       time again to wish ALL who want it to be, a Merry Christmas!, and a Happy Festivus for the rest of You.
dentworth, Dec 24 2009
  

       Greetings!
skinflaps, Dec 24 2009
  

       Hurrah! And best wishes to all   

       Its 25th here, don't believe the server clock!
pocmloc, Dec 24 2009
  

       A Happy Merry and a Christmas New Year to all and one.
MaxwellBuchanan, Dec 24 2009
  

       Belated Happy Solstice!
csea, Dec 24 2009
  

       Merry Christmas all you bakers, and to all a goodnight.   

       Peace.
blissmiss, Dec 25 2009
  

       Merry christmas to all you fine folks.
Peace y'all.
  

       What the first flea say to the second flea today?
Hoppy Christmas of course!
xenzag, Dec 25 2009
  

       Anyone for a mince pie?
kaz, Dec 25 2009
  

       Merry Merry, Happy Happy.   

       Or, if you are otherwise inclined, Merry Happy!   

       (BTW - Does this new RAM memory make my computer's butt look big?)
Canuck, Dec 25 2009
  

       Happy Christmas, folks.
Jinbish, Dec 25 2009
  

       And from the slightly snowy Ozarks, "Peace and goodwill".
baconbrain, Dec 25 2009
  

       A belated merry christmas to all of you.
MikeD, Dec 28 2009
  

       All the best in the new year staving off infections!
rcarty, Dec 29 2009
  

       oh, I already voted for this.....xoxox
xandram, Dec 29 2009
  

       nice touch Ian!
dentworth, Dec 31 2009
  

       It's snowing in here...yipee, yay. Happy New Year to all bakers everywhere....
blissmiss, Dec 31 2009
  

       Happy New Years Eve to one and all. Just 6 and 1/2 hours to go.   

       Egad! 2010 looks and sounds so science fiction.
outloud, Dec 31 2009
  

       Happy New Year folks!   

       Hope 2010 brings you everything you ask for. I, for one, am really hoping to avoid a hangover tomorrow morning. Fat chance of that...
Jinbish, Jan 01 2010
  

       and unknown time unit pos=65 135026784=1
FlyingToaster, Jan 01 2010
  

       This is fixed now, right?
jutta, Jan 01 2010
  

       In 20 minutes, I'll be boarding a (different, I conclude) plane west that'll take me back into a slightly younger version of 2010 - so I think it'll eventually catch up with you.   

       Thanks for the feedback. Have an interesting and enjoyable year, folks.
jutta, Jan 01 2010
  

       Happy New Year Bakesperson Jutta.
blissmiss, Jan 01 2010
  

       what blissy said!
po, Jan 01 2010
  

       with knobs on
pertinax, Jan 01 2010
  

       ... that go to eleven.
Jinbish, Jan 01 2010
  

       ----------------------
Merry Christmas!
hippo, Dec 19 2010
  

       Bah humbug!
Voice, Dec 19 2010
  

       happy chrimbo everyone.
po, Dec 19 2010
  

       I'd like to wish everyone a Merry Solstice for the 21st.
MaxwellBuchanan, Dec 19 2010
  

       Merry holidays to all bakers everywhere, past, present and future. And thanks to [hippo] for remembering this idea.
blissmiss, Dec 19 2010
  

       Season's Excretings.
FlyingToaster, Dec 19 2010
  

       A happy lunar eclipse to all.   

       The Total Lunar Eclipse of 2010 Dec 21 will be at different local days and times, but it is Monday-night-ish.   

       Enjoy.
baconbrain, Dec 19 2010
  

       Merry Christmas you lot!
nineteenthly, Dec 19 2010
  

       [lot] where?
po, Dec 19 2010
  

       sp: lout
baconbrain, Dec 19 2010
  

       Merry Christmas and custard to human beings (and others) everywhere.
mouseposture, Dec 19 2010
  

       <thinks bubble>   

       Hmmm ... Borg Collective carol singing ... hmmm ....   

       </thinks bubble>
8th of 7, Dec 19 2010
  

       Well spotted, [8th]. Yes, I had you specifically in mind.
mouseposture, Dec 19 2010
  

       Yes, well, you know, office parties, eh ? We've all done it ...   

       Just glad no-one found out it was us than did that to the photocopier.....
8th of 7, Dec 19 2010
  

       I second [MaxB]'s Merry Solstice wishes!
csea, Dec 20 2010
  

       <is tempted to post> Bah, Humbun! <but doesn't>
Merry Christmas all.
  

       Every year, the same old merriment, festivites, nativities, Ian's birthday...oh Yeah - Love it!! Merry, merry, happy, happy and Eclipse for the Soltice!! woo hoo!!
xandram, Dec 20 2010
  

       <unenthusiastic> Yeah, what they all said. </u>
DrBob, Dec 20 2010
  

       {blows annoying party noise-maker in [DrBob]'s ear}
pertinax, Dec 20 2010
  

       Actually, could we make a vuvuzela that rolls up and slips into a cracker, or does it need to be molded as one rigid piece of plastic?
pertinax, Dec 20 2010
  

       That idea is not without merit. A large party cracker, clearly labeled, "this cracker contains a vuvuzela".   

       Actually, the contents are a block of high explosive embedded with ceramic balls, which detonates when the cracker is pulled, thus effectively removing the would-be vuvuzela player.
8th of 7, Dec 20 2010
  

       Dust your balls with yeast and flour,
Fa la la la lah, la la la lah.
Stay up baking 'til all hours,
Fa la la la lah, la la la lah.
  

       Let the Borg resound with laughter,
Fa la lah, la la lah, la la lah.
Custard drips from ev'ry rafter,
Fa la la la lah, la la la lah.
  

       Tails for all and jam vaginal,
Fa la la la lah, la la la lah.
Antigravity urinals,
Fa la la la lah, la la la lah.
  

       Snow is falling, what a notion!
Fa la lah, la la lah, la la lah.
In the mid-Australian ocean
Fa la la la lah, la la la lah.
  

       This year's passing; just as well as,
Fa la la la lah, la la la lah.
It was full of vuvuzelas
Fa la la la lah, la la la lah.
  

       Caps-lock ideas swamped the forum
Fa la lah, la la lah, la la lah.
Make like [po] and just ignore 'em
Fa la la la lah, la la la lah.
  

       Orreries were too abundant,
Fa la la la lah, la la la lah.
Surely [mfd redundant]?
Fa la la la lah, la la la lah.
  

       Bakers from across the nations,
Fa la lah, la la lah, la la lah.
Post your yuletide annotations,
Fa la la la lah, la la la lah.
MaxwellBuchanan, Dec 21 2010
  

       While bakers watched their screens by night, all focussed and intense,
The autoboner came around, his fishbones to dispense.
  

       "Fear not", said he, for mighty dread had siezed their addled brains.
"I only bone ideas which have a vow-el in their names."
  

       "Now let's log on and take a look" the autoboner said.
"What's this? Another orrery? Fishbone from me, not bread."
  

       "And, oh my god, what have we here? Not more caps-lock ideas?
My poor skeletal fish supply will soon run dry, I fear."
  

       "A Manly Purse, an HD Toon, a Vented Tow-el Rack,
And Deuterated Insulin! Egads! Beanangel's back!"
  

       "So bones for Counterfetti Guns, and Fibre-optic Mains,
And bones for Black Holes for the Blind, and more for Copper-veins."
  

       He boned [zen tom], he boned [lostdog], and [hippo], [po] and [drew]
On [Ian_Tindale] he bestowed not just one bone, but two.
  

       "If I see one more trebuchet," the autoboner said
"I swear I'll bone that baker til he wishes he were dead."
  

       "But wait!" cried he "what have we here? A 'Merry Christmas' post?
I'll pause my boning and instead propose a festive toast!"
  

       "To bakers one, and bakers all" the autoboner cried,
"A Merry Christmas, happy New Year and a great Yuletide!"
MaxwellBuchanan, Dec 21 2010
  

       Where's [JesusHChrist]? Is it not his birthday?
xandram, Dec 21 2010
  

       He's probably out on the piss. Apparently he spent Easter getting hammered.
MaxwellBuchanan, Dec 22 2010
  

       Wishing you all a happy Whatsa. Time to go to the beach, relax and enjoy the sun.   

       And thank you, Jutta, for another year.   

       Buns to you all.
methinksnot, Dec 22 2010
  

       Merry Festivus
reensure, Dec 23 2010
  

       "And with that, M'Lud, we submit that the case of the Crown vs. [Ian Tindale] is proven beyond reasonable doubt ...."
8th of 7, Dec 24 2010
  

       If Ernie was to secretly smear the back of his partner's watch with brandy butter, he would have an Eric wrist mess.
pocmloc, Dec 24 2010
  

       [pom], you're heading for the padded cell next to [IT] ...   

       Then again, if you categorised the swellings on the lower arm of the Elephant Man, would they be a Merrick Wrist Mass ... ?
8th of 7, Dec 24 2010
  

       A father, not remembering the word for a stone: “See, son: scree things”
pocmloc, Dec 24 2010
  

       Merry Christmas everybody.<I know Yule forgive me the lack of pun>
Jinbish, Dec 25 2010
  

       The Merriest of Christmases to all the Halfbakers and the Bakesperson herself. d
dentworth, Dec 25 2010
  

       Happy Rest-mass to all photons.
MaxwellBuchanan, Dec 25 2010
  

       Photons have mass? I didn't know they were Catholic.   

       And Boxing Day greetings to all in the civilized countries.
baconbrain, Dec 26 2010
  

       Yes, the best of St. Stephen to you too!
pocmloc, Dec 26 2010
  

       Sneezy at the moment!. Merry Christmas to All!
gnomethang, Dec 26 2010
  

       And a merry ditto!
skinflaps, Dec 26 2010
  

       Hope you all had a very merry Christmas.   

       *News flash*   

       Eastern North Carolina blanketed in a foot of snow. Native North Carolinians trapped in their house, meanwhile all the yankees whom reside in NC take to the roads just to make the locals feel like the helpless idiots that they are during inclement weather.
MikeD, Dec 27 2010
  

       Seriously, I hope all along the East Coast all bakers are safe and snug and not out in the blizzard.
blissmiss, Dec 27 2010
  

       sounds familiar MikeD.
po, Dec 27 2010
  

       Update>   

       Roads plowed, salted and clear. North Carolinians emerge tenatively from thier domiciles.   

       I pulled two rear wheel drive trucks out of the snow with my toyota carolla. Hahahaha.
MikeD, Dec 28 2010
  

       Right, i'm bringing this over here.   

       Boxing Day has now been going on since Saturday and shows no signs of abating. The last remnants of it won't disappear until tomorrow when it's midnight in Samoa. This is the longest i've ever noticed Boxing Day continue. It's at least four times longer than normal.
nineteenthly, Dec 28 2010
  

       Well, we did warn you about the potential consequences of [rcarty]'s "Build Martian canals on Earth" idea. Now you see, were right after all (as usual). <link>.   

       Why do you humans wish one another a "Happy" or "Merry" Christmas, but never a "Merry" New Year ? We ask merely for information.
8th of 7, Dec 28 2010
  

       Got here too late for the "Merry Christmas", but here's a hearty "Happy New Year!"   

       Still see some familiar names around (Po, Blissmiss, Unabubba, Hippo, FarmerJohn, and others!)
mwburden, Dec 29 2010
  

       Sadly, you're going to see [UB] around here no more, Mike.
nineteenthly, Dec 29 2010
  

       Nor [FJ].
MaxwellBuchanan, Dec 29 2010
  

       Oh god, I can't read through all of that! Sorry I haven't been around more (maybe you're not, but I am) - I've been a little tied up with stuffs and things.   

       Anyway - Merry Christmas to you all and have a great 2011 if I don't show up before then.
wagster, Dec 29 2010
  

       You too, wags! - nice to see you!. Love to you and yours.
gnomethang, Dec 30 2010
  

       I'm hoping that you're telling me that Unabubba and Farmer John have simply been absent lately (kinda like someone else I know), and not something worse?
mwburden, Jan 03 2011
  

       Merry New Year and Happy Christmas to all!
Cedar Park, Jan 03 2011
  

       [mwburden], they have both left for good. Bubba even took all his brilliant annos, and songs with him. Fj's wonderful contributions remain. Sorry to be the bearer of bad new.
blissmiss, Jan 03 2011
  

       **after wiping tears of sorrow realizing UnaBubba and all his croissants are gone**   

       I can't believe I didn't comment on this "back in the day". Probably because I was such a bitter, militant atheist then. Love to all faith and non-faith now! Merry whatever! (a week late)
NeverDie, Jan 04 2011
  

       There is a way of getting his ideas back of course, but we should probably ask him if that's OK.
nineteenthly, Jan 04 2011
  

       Merry Christmas to halfbakers everywhere and especially dear Bakesperson. Have a good holiday, with love from...
po, Dec 22 2011
  

       Thanks [po] - I'd have forgotten this year. Merry Christmas!
hippo, Dec 22 2011
  

       Oh, I hate these premature celebrations. There's still nearly half a week to go 'til Christmas!
DrBob, Dec 22 2011
  

       bah humbug!
po, Dec 22 2011
  

       Watch out for teleporting reindeer. Those suckers will pop right into your living room, chimney or no chimney. And unlike the fat man, they're not jolly at all.
Alterother, Dec 22 2011
  

       A Merry Happy and a Christmas New Year to all bakers, half and otherwise.
MaxwellBuchanan, Dec 22 2011
  

       //And unlike the fat man, they're not jolly at all.//   

       No, but they *do* exchange presence!   

       <long and drawn out self-satisfied laugh>   

       I crack me up.   

       <wipes tear from eye>
MikeD, Dec 22 2011
  

       Who owns all the fishbones? Humbuggers!!
xenzag, Dec 22 2011
  

       ^[+] [MikeD]   

       [The Alterother] loves a clever pun. Non-clever puns, however, are punishable with death. Happy Holidays, all you pranksters!
Alterother, Dec 22 2011
  

       //Non-clever puns, however, are punishable with death.// there's a pun in there somewhere.
MaxwellBuchanan, Dec 22 2011
  

       Feliz Navidad fellow 'bakers and a most productive 2012. Keep safe.
methinksnot, Dec 22 2011
  

       Be afraid. Be very afraid.
tatterdemalion, Dec 22 2011
  

       Merry Christmas everyone.
blissmiss, Dec 22 2011
  

       Herry Mappy
Dub, Dec 23 2011
  

       A very merry Christmas to all who choose or need to be susceptible to such a thing.   

       (and, yes, I've killed a pun or two... maybe now's a poor time to admit it, but a guy's gotta come clean sometime)
lurch, Dec 23 2011
  

       Cherry Missmass everypeeps!
wagster, Dec 23 2011
  

       Raise your horn to the bravery of the warrior kings! Merry Yule everyone.
Voice, Dec 23 2011
  

       A belated Solstice / early Christmas / approximate seasonal best wishes for all HBakers!
csea, Dec 24 2011
  

       Baked. What if we had a somewhat jovial, but still cerebral and intriguing Christmas? I think that would be slightly different. Ooh. Here's an idea, what if each person gave an idea, a vaguely baked one--per se' a christmas decoration--and then they are tasked to create a halfbaked idea off of that--say, an ornament that has a repetoir of christmas songs and recognizes and sings with whatever song is being played in its general vicinity.
Alizayi, Dec 24 2011
  

       sounds like work to me...
po, Dec 24 2011
  

       Merry Christmas, ken, likes eh?
calum, Dec 24 2011
  

       //Ooh. Here's an idea, what if each person gave an idea, a vaguely baked one--per se' a christmas decoration--//   

       You just gave me an halfbaked idea!   

       Thank you! Gracias! Danke! Merci! Grazie!
MikeD, Dec 24 2011
  

       Happy Christmas to you people, for some of whom it may be already.
nineteenthly, Dec 24 2011
  

       (Peers at black thread and white thread) Yep, it's rolled around here in the Antipodes. Merry Christmas everyone!
spidermother, Dec 24 2011
  

       Happy Christmas to all.   

       A special greeting to all those who are far from home.   

       Thanks for the HB.
baconbrain, Dec 25 2011
  

       Happy Ho Ho's or ha-ha's as the case may be.   

       Best Wishes to all.
FlyingToaster, Dec 25 2011
  

       Merry Christmas!
csea, Dec 25 2011
  

       Merry Christmas one and all!
gnomethang, Dec 25 2011
  

       Merry Christmas you punglorious breadstards.   

       Oops, power-cut.
skinflaps, Dec 27 2011
  

       I came back to belatedly say   

       Happy 2-after-Christmas Day
dentworth, Dec 27 2011
  

       Yay.
blissmiss, Dec 28 2011
  

       Hi [dentworth], welcome back!   

       Is there any way we could see your HB illustrations? The link on your profile page seems broken.
csea, Dec 29 2011
  

       Merry Christmas! Today's my last day of work before January, so I'm starting to feel quite Chistmassy.
hippo, Dec 19 2012
  

       happy xmas [hippo], [jutta] et al...
po, Dec 19 2012
  

       Merry Christmas, and take care these hot days! (Here in the southern hemisphere we also celebrate) :-)
piluso, Dec 19 2012
  

       Yes, Merry Christmas to all. Hope you get that which your heart most desires.
blissmiss, Dec 19 2012
  

       happy hohos and hop the hahas.
FlyingToaster, Dec 19 2012
  

       Have a good holiday all. See you in the new year!
DrBob, Dec 21 2012
  

       When It Comes, [DrB], When It Comes!
pocmloc, Dec 21 2012
  

       A very merry (what [bigsleep] said) to everyone here. I love you all.
spidermother, Dec 22 2012
  

       I still like to say Merry Christmas to everyone and their families! To our halfbaked family, whom I could not live without- a special toast sent out around the world! Bottom's up! Salut.
xandram, Dec 22 2012
  

       I still like to say Merry Christmas to everyone and their families! To our halfbaked family, whom I could not live without- a special toast sent out around the world! Salut!
xandram, Dec 22 2012
  

       I think xany just wanted to toast twice so she could sip twice...hehehe!
blissmiss, Dec 22 2012
  

       Have a Triple Cracker!
xenzag, Dec 22 2012
  

       Merriest Christmas xenzag!
blissmiss, Dec 22 2012
  

       Happy holiday of preference, fellow bakers!   

       Being pagan, I find that Yule is a good catch-all; no specific tenets, deities, or rituals to worry about, just warm wishes and crackling hearths all round. It typically comes a few days before Christmas (yesterday, in this case), and lasts as long as you want it to, so it nestles comfortably with other derivative holidays.   

       It also pre-dates the majority of them, so, you know, neener-neener, all you upstarts.
Alterother, Dec 22 2012
  

       Festivus for the rest-of-us!   

       Happy holidays everyone.   

       Have another merry trip around the Sun!
rcarty, Dec 22 2012
  

       hehe [blissy] I've been having that happen to my annos a lot lately, but I'll go with the double toast!
I honor all the gods and pagans equally, but Merry Christmas just seems like an old tradition they are trying to wipe out with *Happy Holidays*. So that is why I say it- it's politically incorrect you know.
xandram, Dec 22 2012
  

       To be fair Christmas wiped out a lot of old traditions, as well, without doing a whole lot better explaining than the others.
rcarty, Dec 22 2012
  

       Hope everyone has a magical Christmas Eve.
blissmiss, Dec 24 2012
  

       I dunno about magical, but I've got twinkling snow, a cuddly wife, and a couple of blissful hours of relative silence before all of the barking barking barking dogs arrive to board while their owners go skiing.   

       Oh, the barking!
Alterother, Dec 24 2012
  

       Happy birthday one and all!
calum, Dec 24 2012
  

       And all who sail in her!
spidermother, Dec 24 2012
  

       I miss Sorta Claus. Whhaaaa....
blissmiss, Dec 24 2012
  

       HB to me.
JesusHChrist, Dec 25 2012
  

       WooHoo we are getting some snow this morning!! Happy White Stuff!! xoxo
xandram, Dec 25 2012
  

       Yay for xandy.
blissmiss, Dec 25 2012
  

       Merry Christmas everyone!
nineteenthly, Dec 25 2012
  

       [Shamelessly initiates first playing of 'Here It Is, Merry Christmas' for 2013].
DrBob, Dec 02 2013
  

       Last day of work for me before 2014. Merry Christmas everybody!
hippo, Dec 18 2013
  

       Bah, humbug.   

       Anyway Dec 25 is just another day in Japan.
not_morrison_rm, Dec 23 2013
  

       ditto, ditto....xox
Don't forget festivus.
xandram, Dec 23 2013
  

       Still have two days left to work, so don't everyone go away quite yet. But hope this holiday season has been a healthy and happy one for all the halfbakers, all around the world. Even in Japan.
blissmiss, Dec 23 2013
  

       God rest ye merry, gentlemen*, let nothing you dismay.   

       *Also ladies, gender-ambiguous persons, children, household pets and hegemonizing swarms.
pertinax, Dec 24 2013
  

       are we not all hegemonizing swarms (of cells)?
not_morrison_rm, Dec 24 2013
  

       Whelp, it's 5:30 Christmas Eve here, so I'm signing off - but not before wishing all my fellow Halfbaker's in Oz and around the world a very Merry Christmas and Happy Holiday season.
AusCan531, Dec 24 2013
  

       Back from holidays and sunburned like a lobster.
Merry Christmas my fellow ideaologists.
  

       Been Xmas here for 10 hours so already grumpiness all the toys broken, and that's just me, but that's Xmas for you :-)
not_morrison_rm, Dec 24 2013
  

       Oh, Mr Tindale! What have you done?!
DrBob, Oct 11 2014
  

       Excellent, Ian. A little robotic, but excellent just the same.
blissmiss, Oct 11 2014
  

       Reminds me of how I felt after several years of being an autonomist when I realized I had actually read the definition for automaton.
rcarty, Oct 13 2014
  

       It happens..   

       Santa stuff turned up about 3 months ago here in Japan..still like the very apocryphal story of when Japan was just getting the hang of western culture and someone clocked Santa nailed to a cross in a department store in Osaka...
not_morrison_rm, Oct 13 2014
  

       [bigsleep] I don't think you're supposed to watch it - it's more of a threat
hippo, Oct 13 2014
  

       re. vid: content hackneyed, but presentation fine, and it's nice to see [Ian Tindale] still around.
pertinax, Oct 13 2014
  

       This year has been a little crazy for the Andersons.
You may recall we had some trouble last year.
The robot council had us banished to an asteroid.
That hasn't undermined our holiday cheer.
And we know it's almost Christmas by the marks we make on the wall.
That's our favorite time of year.
  

       Merry Christmas from Chiron Beta Prime,
Where we're working in a mine for our robot overlords.
Did I say overlords? I meant protectors.
Merry Christmas from Chiron Beta Prime.
  

       On every corner there's a giant metal Santa Claus, who watches over us with glowing red eyes.
They carry weapons and they know if you've been bad or good.
Not everybody's good but everyone tries.
And the rocks outside the airlock exude ammonia-scented snow.
It's like a Winter Wonderland.
  

       They nailed a Santa to a cross in front of everyone,
It wasn't pleasant but I'm sure they meant well.
And the rocks outside the airlock exude ammonia-scented snow.
It's like a Winter Wonderland.)
  

       Merry Christmas from Chiron Beta Prime,
Where we're working in a mine for our robot overlords.
Did I say overlords? I meant protectors.
Merry Christmas from Chiron Beta Prime.
  

       That's all the family news that we're allowed to talk about.
We really hope you'll come and visit us soon.
I mean we're literally begging you to visit us.
And make it quick before they [MESSAGE REDACTED].
Now it's time for Christmas dinner - I think the robots sent us a pie!
You know I love my soylent green.
  

       Merry Christmas from Chiron Beta Prime,
Where we're working in a mine for our robot overlords.
Did I say overlords? I meant protectors.
Merry Christmas from Chiron Beta Prime.
normzone, Oct 13 2014
  

       ------------------------------
Winter solstice today, so - hurrah! - the days are getting longer (yes I know I'm being northern hemisphere-centric).

Merry Christmas!
hippo, Dec 21 2014
  

       ho ho ho
popbottle, Dec 21 2014
  

       Merry Christmas bakers everywhere. May your days lengthen and get warmer, every day.
blissmiss, Dec 21 2014
  

       Only just seen the Tindale film.
pocmloc, Dec 21 2014
  

       A merry solstice to one and all.
MaxwellBuchanan, Dec 21 2014
  

       Have a good one gang. Plum pudding and warm croissants for all.
AusCan531, Dec 24 2014
  

       Yes, yes, placebos all round.
wjt, Dec 24 2014
  

       "Welcome, new-comers. The tradition of Festivus begins with the airing of grievances. I got a lot of problems with you people! And now you're gonna hear about it!"   

       : ]   

       Merry Christmas all.   

       Now that it's properly Christmas* - Happy Christmas everyone!   

       *at least in the UK where Christmas was invented.
MaxwellBuchanan, Dec 24 2014
  

       And to all a good night!
csea, Dec 24 2014
  

       A happy Christmas to all.   

       (May you have sufficient bail money, too.)
baconbrain, Dec 25 2014
  

       Bah, humbug, for the Nth time. Now, if we take the example of a spherical humbug..(chalk screeches on blackboard)
not_morrison_rm, Dec 25 2014
  

       Merry & Happy In Between Days! (I've been away with a family emergency.) All is OK for now and wanted to put in my annual wishes! Here________!
xandram, Dec 27 2014
  

       And to you too, [xan]. Glad that whatever it was has been resolved.
MaxwellBuchanan, Dec 27 2014
  

       ------------------------------
So, here it is: "Merry Christmas!". Everybody's having fun; Look to the future. Now it's only just begun.
hippo, Dec 23 2015
  

       Another Christmas? So soon? Well, then, seasons greetings and good wishes to everyone.
MaxwellBuchanan, Dec 23 2015
  

       Merry Christmas to all. May the challenges of the new year lead to inspiration that fosters innovation.
doctorremulac3, Dec 23 2015
  

       Happy Solstice, all!
csea, Dec 23 2015
  

       Happy holidays everyone.
May all of the left-hooks life throws at you be wide of their mark.
  

       Cheers!
{clinks imaginary wine glass amongst a circle of imaginary wine glasses}
  

       I wish all of us Peace in our hearts, Peace for our friends, and Peace for the world. This is going to be the best year ever, I just feel it.
blissmiss, Dec 23 2015
  

       It’s not actually Christmas yet.
pocmloc, Dec 23 2015
  

       //I wish all of us Peace in our hearts, Peace for our friends, and Peace for the world. This is going to be the best year ever, I just feel it.//   

       My favorite post of 2015.
doctorremulac3, Dec 23 2015
  

       merry xmas everyone.
po, Dec 24 2015
  

       // My favorite post of 2015. //   

       Yeah, but that's just the weed talking ...
8th of 7, Dec 24 2015
  

       ...again and again...xox
Last month marked my 10 year anniversary here...although I've run out of good ideas, I always get a lift when I stop in here!! Thank you everyone!
xandram, Dec 24 2015
  

       Thank YOU Xan.   

       And in case you haven't noticed, there's no prerequisite that an idea be"good" to be posted here.
doctorremulac3, Dec 24 2015
  

       It has just ticked past midnight here in Perth. Merry Christmas to all the halfbakers.
AusCan531, Dec 24 2015
  

       Merry Christmas to all the Halfbakers!
dentworth, Dec 24 2015
  

       Merry Christmas 'bakers all!
DrBob, Dec 24 2015
  

       Here's hoping things turn around for [lurch] next year.
pertinax, Dec 27 2015
  

       Yes, I'm wondering what is missing in [Lurch's] world anyway? I don't know if I have it, or got it, if I don't know what "it" is. Hmmm. Maybe I won't find out till next "Merry Christmas".
blissmiss, Dec 27 2015
  

       --------------------------
Last Christmas, I gave you my heart, but the very next day you gave it away.

Merry Christmas!
hippo, Dec 21 2016
  

       A Merlot Christmas to all.
xenzag, Dec 21 2016
  

       i wish all, the happy catch of a crisp miss.
wjt, Dec 21 2016
  

       May all your exterbles be pronious.
tatterdemalion, Dec 21 2016
  

       It isn't, [Ian], unless certain* relatives have invited themselves to your Solstice celebration, which will make it a very long day indeed, in addition to the longest night.   

       *Note to self: Look around. If there's no annoying relative, it's probably you. Go shovel snow and reform yourself... you get another chance at Festivus.   

       PS Has anyone seen Sorta[mitxela] ?
Sgt Teacup, Dec 21 2016
  

       I'm either getting in the spirit or the spirit is getting in me: either way, Merry Xmas all. <clink>
po, Dec 21 2016
  

       // certain* relatives //   

       It could be worse; they might be uncertain relatives, the sort that M'Lud Buchanan typically encounters at this time of year.
8th of 7, Dec 21 2016
  

       It is a family custom, among us Buchanan's, to have a family get-together on Boxing Day. Huge breakfast in the west-by-nor'-east distal dining room, then a few games of "Snaffle my Cracklin". After that, everybody tends to get too drunk for board games, so we tend to go out on the heath with a few guns and the otterhounds to walk it off and cull the grandchildren. Sturton and the intercalary will both be there, of course, as will innumerable aunts, uncles, neices, nephews and whelps.
MaxwellBuchanan, Dec 21 2016
  

       We look forward to it. Against our better judgment, we have got Sturton what he asked us for as a Chrirstmas present. The thought of seeing his face light up when he opens the box was just too tempting to resist.   

       Hopefully the "eye-close" reflex will be fast enough to save his sight, but it's almost certain that skin grafts will be needed, and of course any facial hair will be gone instantly.
8th of 7, Dec 21 2016
  

       I'm sure he'll be diluted with it. Also, a word to the wise: if the intercalary offers you one of his salt-dusted dried coypu testicles, best say "no"; he only does it to see the look of disgust on his victim's face when they realize that they're actually sugared plums.
MaxwellBuchanan, Dec 21 2016
  

       At least they're not sugared apricots; sick and disgusting we can handle, but that's just perverse.   

       No change there, then.   

       Is it reasonably solid going on the heath at the moment ? If it is, we'll bring the Sd.Kfz. 251 and the 8.8cm FlAK36, but we don't want to get them bogged ... otherwise it'll be the M19 again, but we don't want to disappoint your Semi-Aunt Cheng Pi. We remember how much she enjoyed it last year.
8th of 7, Dec 21 2016
  

       The going's fair to good at the moment. We lost a couple of beaters the other day, but I did tell them not to wear such heavy hats. Semi-aunt Pi will be positively transcendental if you can bring the '36. She also wonders if you found her cigarette lighter down the side of the seat in the '251 - he's only a little chap so he may be hard to spot.
MaxwellBuchanan, Dec 21 2016
  

       // Has anyone seen Sorta //   

       I think I'll put the job of wearing the Sorta Hat officially up for tender, if anyone wants to take it. You see I have good news and bad news. The bad news is, unlike this time last year, I am currently suffering in full-time employment, instead of my, ah, "freelance" situation before. The good news is that I am in full-time employment, and thus I once again have disposable income, and we are well overdue for another Halfbakery Halfcon. Perhaps a pub gathering in the new year?
mitxela, Dec 22 2016
  

       Meeeery Christmas! Ha ha ha! (Slightly Off Santa)
doctorremulac3, Dec 22 2016
  

       //an augeration in 2017// You may mean an ogre-ation.
xenzag, Dec 22 2016
  

       Hope everyone is having a lovely Christmas Season, and that you receive all that your heart dreams.
blissmiss, Dec 22 2016
  

       Another Merry Christmas to all...you know how like you can't choose your family...that's how much you all mean to me! You're stuck with me, too!! xoxo
xandram, Dec 24 2016
  

       Bah humbug..
not_morrison_rm, Dec 24 2016
  

       //you can't choose your family// but you can always cull.
MaxwellBuchanan, Dec 24 2016
  

       True Max, but you have to go through all that tiresome business of getting the beaters to flush them out of the undergrowth first.

Merry Christmas halfbakery!
DrBob, Dec 24 2016
  

       Merry bah and a happy humbug to all.
Voice, Dec 24 2016
  

       It's Xmas Day here and...Santa has still not arrived...
not_morrison_rm, Dec 24 2016
  

       Well obviously it isn't. <points at anno timestamp>
8th of 7, Dec 24 2016
  

       I think the HalfBakery is in California's time zone, something like 7 or 8 hours after GMT, depending on the Daylight Savings Time situation.
Vernon, Dec 25 2016
  

       Merry Christmas, pedants!
calum, Dec 25 2016
  

       Morning everyone. Merry Christmas!   

       Merry Christmas to all, and to all a Trumpy new regime.
whatrock, Dec 25 2016
  

       Merry Christmas to one and all, and especially to [jutta].
MaxwellBuchanan, Dec 25 2016
  

       //one and all// Surely “all” would suffice, since “one” is included therein?
pocmloc, Dec 25 2016
  

       I think it's meant to indicate good wishes to each 'baker individually, and to the aggregate which is 'bakerdom.
MaxwellBuchanan, Dec 25 2016
  

       ...And to all a good idea!
csea, Dec 25 2016
  

       OK but that seems redundant nonetheless.
pocmloc, Dec 26 2016
  

       Clocked a grouchy office worker going to the train station at 6am, cos Dec 25 is just another working day here...
not_morrison_rm, Dec 26 2016
  

       Where is here?
MaxwellBuchanan, Dec 26 2016
  

       --------------------------
Sleigh bells ring... - ARE you listening?! - In the lane, snow is glistening. A beautiful sight - we're happy tonight, walking in a winter wonderland.

Merry Christmas!
hippo, Dec 15 2017
  

       [tiny_zen_tim] Merry Christmas to bakers all; Buns & croissants, everyone!
zen_tom, Dec 15 2017
  

       Here's to 2018 being an average year for everyone - better than 2017, but not as good as 2019.
MaxwellBuchanan, Dec 15 2017
  

       Ooooh, snow in December ... time to go out and practice J-turns, evict widows* and orphans, an carry out an intensive study into the onset of hypothermia in kittens that have been half-drowned in a bucket of icy slush and then hurled into a snowdrift at night.Using a trebuchet.   

       Merry Christmas ! <manic evil cackling>   

       <wonders if it's too late to book for [MB]'s Tail-coat-striped- waistcoat -moustache-twirling- tying-teenage-heiresses- to- railroad -tracks masterclass>   

         

       *Extra points are scored if both parents of the widow are deceased at the time of eviction.
8th of 7, Dec 15 2017
  

       Hah bumhug.
MaxwellBuchanan, Dec 15 2017
  

       You can get ointment for that now.   

       Allegedly.
8th of 7, Dec 15 2017
  

       //wonders if it's too late to book...//   

       Actually there are plenty of places still available. The tying of teenage heiresses to railway tracks has gone into sharp decline, largely because the arrival of actual trains has become such a rarity.
MaxwellBuchanan, Dec 17 2017
  

       Festivus could be an elemental melange. F Es Ti V U S so you could actually make some if you wanted to. Atheists could give each other slightly radioactive medallions.
beanangel, Dec 17 2017
  

       // actual trains has become such a rarity. //   

       Heritage lines, that's the thing ... proper steam locomotives, they look right with the teenage heiresses in long dresses ... and a reliable service, too.
8th of 7, Dec 17 2017
  

       Santa Claus is coming for you.
tatterdemalion, Dec 21 2017
  

       I'd just like to point out that It’s not actually Christmas yet. Thank you.
pocmloc, Dec 22 2017
  

       It's always Christmas somewhere in the world though isn't it?
hippo, Dec 23 2017
  

       Yes. Christmas Island.
8th of 7, Dec 23 2017
  

       Bah, humbug...
not_morrison_rm, Dec 23 2017
  

       Indeed <link>.
8th of 7, Dec 23 2017
  

       happy new year to all bakers. xx
po, Dec 31 2017
  

       Happy new year to all burkhas, particularly the one we fervently hope [Ian Tindale] will wear 24/7 throughout 2018.
8th of 7, Dec 31 2017
  

       Happy New Year!
zen_tom, Dec 31 2017
  

       Harpy new year to all harpies.
xenzag, Jan 01 2018
  

       Happy new ear to all ear transplant recipients.
8th of 7, Jan 01 2018
  

       Happy Ewe Near to everyone standing next to a sheep.
MaxwellBuchanan, Jan 01 2018
  

       Hip emu year to all cool, flightless birds
hippo, Jan 01 2018
  

       Over 17 years since I first annotated this post, and probably well over a decade since I last logged in. Great to see the site still going strong, with names I remember from the turn of the millennium. Gesundheit, every one.
Lemon, Jan 07 2018
  

       Welcome back, [Lemon]. We've been expecting you, and have a list of spelling and grammar issues to discuss.
MaxwellBuchanan, Jan 07 2018
  

       Thank you. I'm disappointed that nobody has picked me up on my pronounciation for several years now.
Lemon, Jan 07 2018
  

       Sp.: pronunciation.
MaxwellBuchanan, Jan 07 2018
  

       "Happy New Year!" said the six dwarfs.
marklar, Jan 09 2018
  

       Put a coin in your shoe and raise a glass to the warrior kings, Solstice is nearly here again!
Voice, Dec 18 2018
  

       Only 372 days until Christmas!!! So exciting.
hippo, Dec 18 2018
  

       Just to point out that it is not actually Christmas yet.   

       <repeat at increasingly irritating intervals until 23:59.59 25/12/2018>
pocmloc, Dec 20 2018
  

       When does Christmas start and end ?   

       At the minimum, it's Christmas day; 24 hours.   

       This can effortlessly elide into three days (Christmas eve, day, and Boxing day).   

       Considering traditional views, Christmas starts with the beginning of Advent, and ends on Twelfth Night; a much longer period, but not unreasonable.   

       However, due to commercial creep (probably Lord Sugar) retailers now start displaying Christmas items in September; we have seen this, and it delighteth us not.   

       The inevitable conclusion is that, unless something drastic is done, Christmas will soon become a year-round event. So, gather up your cudgels, pitchforks, scythes, Molotov cocktails and jam spoons* and join our campaign of pointless misdirected violence and brutality to Make Christmas Short Again.   

       *A jam spoon can be a quite horrific weapon if misused.
8th of 7, Dec 20 2018
  

       The intercalary has asked me to wish you all a Merry Christmas, and to pass on a few messages and replies while he is incommunicado. He was reluctant to divulge the names of his messagees and replieees, but assures me that you know who you are. So, in no particular order:   

       Many thanks for the Brie - he didn't realize such large ones were available.
It's in the post, but may be delayed pending tests by DEFRA.
It fits perfectly, even over the bandages.
Kindly stop sending goldfish.
Which way up does it hang?
Very funny, although the beagles didn't think so.
MaxwellBuchanan, Dec 21 2018
  

       Weave issue: armory kvass mist... We, Vishnu; hammery Chris mast... Wee was your ham, Mary: click-smack! Anno: hoopy... knew 'Yaaar'!
Sgt Teacup, Dec 22 2018
  

       Bah. Tis humbuggery, I tell ya.
whatrock, Dec 24 2018
  

       Christmas Eve is the most peaceful night of the year, to me. There is a silence, just some silence that is like no other. Part anticipation, part exhaustion, part serenity. My heart always feels full and grateful for what is, not what may be the next day.   

       I hope this evening all bakers everywhere are snug in a warm bed and holding someone they love. If not, that they feel that feeling, that experience of another. This is my wish, with great love for all of you. blissmiss.
blissmiss, Dec 24 2018
  

       Merry Christmas day to the holistic all. (that's not my date}
wjt, Dec 24 2018
  

       Hey, I'd settle for a Christmas not being yelled at.
MaxwellBuchanan, Dec 24 2018
  

       Oh no, not again. The basket inside the church door is for donations to the food bank. Donations, OK ? You are meant to put items IN, not bring a wheelbarrow and help yourself to the choicer items by pointing them out to your butler with your cane.   

       And having your chauffeur push the wheelbarrow back to your Rolls-Royce is just tactless. That "Disabled" badge doesn't fool anyone either - it's done in green crayon on a piece of card from a cereal box.
8th of 7, Dec 24 2018
  

       Don't forget to put the sprouts on to boil before you go to bed.
pocmloc, Dec 24 2018
  

       You obviously haven't tried M & S parsnips, the ones that Nigella Lawson has personally ... on second thoughts, no. The imagery is just too disturbing.
8th of 7, Dec 25 2018
  

       Have a more than Half-Merry Christmas all.
AusCan531, Dec 25 2018
  

       Merry Christmas sassenachs
calum, Dec 25 2018
  

       I would just like to point out that it is not actually Christmas yet.
pocmloc, Dec 19 2019
  

       Well then, go ahead.
MaxwellBuchanan, Dec 19 2019
  

       I was just going to, but you interrupted.
pocmloc, Dec 19 2019
  

       Floor's all yours, [poc].
MaxwellBuchanan, Dec 19 2019
  

       Really! I can't get anything done with all this distraction!   

       Now, where was I?
pocmloc, Dec 19 2019
  

       Bah... Merry Christmas!
Voice, Dec 19 2019
  

       // Now, where was I? //   

       Explaining about the Party of the First Part, and the Sanity Clause...
8th of 7, Dec 19 2019
  

       Wrong. Calum was the last person before you to write, and that was in 2018. So yeah, that is past Christmas so it was timely. So it's all good, poc. Get it, got it, good?   

       Merry Christamas to all of the bakery and jutta.
blissmiss, Dec 20 2019
  

       <Ill-tempered muttering>   

       December 20th, not actually Christmas yet, gets earlier every year, soon they'll be saying "Merry Christmas ! " right after Easter, no fun any more, all spoilt, going to sulk now.   

       <Ill-tempered muttering/>   

       Now, humour us or it will be the worse for you... we have another Halfbakery Christmas Carol, and we're not afraid to post it...   

       <Stomps away to snipe at neighbour's Christmas lights with suppressed air rifle/>
8th of 7, Dec 20 2019
  

       At last, a day with "Christmas" in the name. Merry Christmas halfbakers all!
DrBob, Dec 24 2019
  

       Almost there!
pocmloc, Dec 24 2019
  

       A Murky Christmas to everyone in fogbound areas...
8th of 7, Dec 25 2019
  

       In seven minutes, the bells will toll midnight across the Buchanan estate, at 1:21AM GMT. The Christmas Bonfire will be lit, the mulled gin will be poured, and the South East Herbarium choir will burst into song. Snow is already falling on the northerly parts of the arboretum, and Sturton (bless him) is pretending to be sound asleep and hoping to catch a glimpse of Santa. Actually, he's pretending very well and may, in fact, be dead - but we've had these scares from time to time.   

       This year I have a very special gift for the Intercalary. After a decade of searching, we have finally found a compatible donor for a name transplant, and the procedure is scheduled for Boxing Day. Cousin Vinnie has been sworn to silence regarding the origins of the donor.   

       I, however, must retire lest I be too tired to fully enjoy the traditional Capybara Hunt tomorrow. I wish all Halfbakers a very merry Christmas.
MaxwellBuchanan, Dec 25 2019
  

       Merry Christmas to all, whoever and wherever!   

       Up was the tree, the ornaments, the stockings on the mantel, the chair by the hearth with milk & cookies adjacent... however, it appears somehow a leftover tack was point-upward on said chair. Elaborate apologies go in next year's stockings, I guess.   

       Meanwhile, the living room is all spiffed for guests not present, for family moved away. If any out there are having a Christmas of quiet unwonted, you are invited to take a virtual seat and enjoy a cup of mystery cheer. (I don't know what it is... it's green)
lurch, Dec 25 2019
  

       No family, no spiffed, no mystery cup of nothing, (or two)...just me and my husband and my cat. Which is ok. Which I guess is very ok, as some don't even have a place that is warm and cozy to sit. Or a husband, or a cat. I'm blessed.   

       Merry, Happy Everything, to everyone.
blissmiss, Dec 25 2019
  

       I have neither husband nor cat. But I have gin. Merry Christmas to all and one.
MaxwellBuchanan, Dec 26 2019
  

       // I have ... nor cat. //   

       We have a few slices left in the fridge, if you're hungry ...
8th of 7, Dec 26 2019
  

       QED: Borg like cats
Voice, Dec 26 2019
  

       No, it's just something we offer to special guests, another example of our reknowned benevolent hospitality ....
8th of 7, Dec 26 2019
  

       Forcible insertion of microscopic bits of hardware is not hospitality.
Voice, Dec 26 2019
  

       ------------------------------

Another year goes by on the HalfBakery. I hope everyone has a good Christmas, and that 2021 is slightly less eventful, or at least, eventful in slightly different ways.
hippo, Dec 18 2020
  

       "May You Live In Interesting Times" ?
8th of 7, Dec 18 2020
  

       That and "Those Who Own Houses Deserve Them" seem to be the only curses without obvious profanity.   

       Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays to all!
whatrock, Dec 18 2020
  

       Weed wash chew armory kits mats.
doctorremulac3, Dec 18 2020
  

       I was just thinking it was almost time to find this idea and say that it is not actually Christmas yet.
pocmloc, Dec 18 2020
  

       // I was just thinking //   

       Oh no, not again ...
8th of 7, Dec 18 2020
  

       BZZZZZT !   

       No, it was the bowl of petunias ... a.k.a. Agrajag ...   

       And now, you must perform a forfeit ...   

       Tell us, are you familiar with the movie "Deliverance" ... ?   

       Oh, and before your mouse pointer strays to the link for a bit of retrospective editing, just be aware that our servers have already captured the entire page.
8th of 7, Dec 18 2020
  

       // I apologize for any inconvenience this error may have caused you. //   

       <Darth Vader>   

       "Apology accepted, Captain Needa"   

       </Darth Vader>   

       But you'll still have to do the forfeit ... hmmm, do you have a bottle of Janx spirit to hand ?
8th of 7, Dec 18 2020
  

       Ahhhh, looking back to last year reminded me that we lost our wonderful baking buddy, and friend, [MaxwellBuchanan].   

       "In seven minutes, the bells will toll midnight across the Buchanan estate, at 1:21AM GMT. The Christmas Bonfire will be lit, the mulled gin will be poured, and the South East Herbarium choir will burst into song. Snow is already falling on the northerly parts of the arboretum, and Sturton (bless him) is pretending to be sound asleep and hoping to catch a glimpse of Santa. Actually, he's pretending very well and may, in fact, be dead - but we've had these scares from time to time."   

       "I have neither husband nor cat. But I have gin. Merry Christmas to all and one."   

       — MaxwellBuchanan, Dec 26 2019   

       Missed and will continue to be missed, well into the new year coming. Cheers, friend.   

       Have a wonderful holiday season all, and may the new year bring you abundance of that which brings you joy.
blissmiss, Dec 18 2020
  

       <Collective sniveling/>
8th of 7, Dec 18 2020
  

       //Weed wash chew armory kits mats. — doctorremulac3, Dec 18 2020//   

       Honda hoppy gnu yard!   

       Set something on fire this Solstice, and drink a toast to the lost--the Wheel is turning--approaching another chance to demonstrate lessons learned.
Sgt Teacup, Dec 21 2020
  

       Well this is the shortest day, so its all downhill from here on for the next six months. Pies in the oven, raincoat drying out from "watching the sun rise" this morning, all's well here!
pocmloc, Dec 21 2020
  

       Merry solstice, gentlebeings. May your homes be warm (or air conditioned depending on where you live) and may your table be well stocked.
Voice, Dec 21 2020
  

       this post is 20 years long and still heartfelt wishes coming your way! It may be a Covid Christmas, but here is the only place we don’t have to wear a mask! blessings and peace for all! And big hugs around the world. xox
xandram, Dec 23 2020
  

       Yestereve was the longest day, which meant 25 kWh from the solar panels.   

       The beaches of the South-West are calling, and a shop front in Leederville shows a big cheerful sign which reads, "It's beginning to look a lot like F&@# This!"   

       Love to all from Down Under.
pertinax, Dec 23 2020
  

       Merry Christmas 'bakers!
DrBob, Dec 24 2020
  

       What he said.
tatterdemalion, Dec 24 2020
  

       What they said.
doctorremulac3, Dec 24 2020
  

       Herring Ox-moose!
RayfordSteele, Dec 24 2020
  

       Half a merry xmas, all halfbakers!
neutrinos_shadow, Dec 24 2020
  

       Merry Christmas guys.
Cheers!
  

       More merriness required....
pocmloc, Dec 24 2020
  

       Well, half of Merry Christmas is "Merry". So that's it from Illinois. I'm too late to catch those far away, but if you veer from the present opening tomorrow, may you know this is my wish for you...Merry.
blissmiss, Dec 24 2020
  

       Cheers on the starting of offering day, I hope everyone gets what they need.
wjt, Dec 25 2020
  

       //Half a merry xmas//   

       Is that a >mas or a <mas?
Voice, Dec 25 2020
  

       Well, [pocmloc] wants more "merry", so probably ">" (ie: greater than).
neutrinos_shadow, Dec 25 2020
  

       NORAD writes "A Merry Christmas from all our Radars" ...
8th of 7, Dec 26 2020
  

       I made a point of not posting a Merry Christmask until it was too late to capitalize on it, but the New Years party blower mask is still up for grabs...   

       gonna make a lot of money...   

       run maggots...   

       I'm not sure how that works. Maggots don't have legs.
pertinax, Dec 26 2020
  

       Then how do they run for election to public office ?
8th of 7, Dec 26 2020
  

       ------------------------------

Well, I'm still hoping that this Christmas will not be as affected by Covid as last Christmas, but almost anything might happen over the next week... - Happy Christmas everyone!
hippo, Dec 16 2021
  

       what he ^ said
po, Dec 16 2021
  

       It’s a 21 year old Christmas card and still fresh as an artificial pine tree! Merry Christmas one and all.
xandram, Dec 16 2021
  

       Thank you hippo. We do need to remember to repost this every year.   

       Merry Christmas halfbakers!
doctorremulac3, Dec 16 2021
  

       I hadn't even started to complain about how it is not actually Christmas yet, and this idea surfaces already!
pocmloc, Dec 16 2021
  

       Merry Christmas to all bakers, those present and past, and who knows what the future will bring anyway.   

       Stay healthy, stay happy, stay in tune, stay in the moment and all will be well.   

       I somehow feel this will be my last one, or if not maybe the last one here at the bakery. But I definitely have a suspicion that I won't be able to say this next year. So here ya go, here are 22 years of Christmas Bliss in one final swoosh. Be merry, merry, merry, merry and wise.
blissmiss, Dec 17 2021
  

       There's some kind of natural optimism in (I was going to say human minds but actually I think its much more fundamental than that, its in) everything in the universe, the assumption that the future will continue in much the same way as the past on all timescales from sub-1-second to lifetime scales.   

       So its very poignant to get a sniff of things potentially coming to an end.   

       Lets hope Christmas comes round this year without too much of a hiccup...
pocmloc, Dec 17 2021
  

       //this will be my last one//   

       Whatever you do, don't leave without saying goodbye.
pertinax, Dec 17 2021
  

       //I somehow feel this will be my last one// - Don't leave us, Blissy - this place wouldn't be the same without you!
hippo, Dec 17 2021
  

       Please don't leave Blissy. You're such a brilliant person here - always kind and funny, not to mention a very creative contributor.
xenzag, Dec 17 2021
  

       miss[bliss] Don’t ever let me hear you say that again!,   

       Also, wondering why there are 11 humbugs on this !
xandram, Dec 17 2021
  

       //But I definitely have a suspicion that I won't be able to say this next year.//   

       What's going on Blissy?
doctorremulac3, Dec 17 2021
  

       //Also, wondering why there are 11 humbugs on this !//   

       And now 12? What the...?
doctorremulac3, Dec 17 2021
  

       You know, you just get this feeling that this world is too heavy to hold anymore, that the sigh you give out, that used to be just breath is now a deep sigh of resignation. Not sadness, or anything, just a feeling of deflation of hope, and happiness and, sanity.   

       Maybe it's a depression that has fallen over this country in general. Or just me, I don't know. Maybe this will pass. I just can't seem to keep lifting these legs up high enough to trudge through the reality of what this life looks like anymore.   

       Thank you for your kindness. I feel closer to some of you than to my own family.
blissmiss, Dec 17 2021
  

       And the fact that my grandchildren couldn't go to school today over threats of shooters. And the fact that 12 people actually boned Merry Christmas. That's almost as many people as the number of people who visit here, I believe.
blissmiss, Dec 17 2021
  

       You don't need to keep trudging all the time. This time of year it's good to take a break, sit and stare at the ceiling for a week or two.
pocmloc, Dec 17 2021
  

       Blissy, I'm no expert on life, just the little slice I've experienced, but somebody asked me about being such a postive guy the other day and I said it's not that I don't have demons like everybody else, it's just that I know their pressure points, how to get them in a headlock and how to keep them from halting my forward progress. But they're there, believe me.   

       What keeps me on track is knowing that my life extends to others and I have a responsibility to the people I love. Sometimes the call of duty to care for those loved ones requires caring for yourself. I might not give a damn about myself sometimes but I sure as hell would give my life for them. In a hearbeat, and I'm sure you'd do the same for your grandkids.   

       I know it's weird to have a relationship with people you've never actually met but there are lots of people here who say "Oh, good, Blissmiss" when they see you've posted because it's always something bright and positive. We depend on that and we depend on you. Remember when we lost Max and 8th? Two bright lights in our hearts went out.   

       You're a bright light in our hearts, so shine on Blissy, okay?   

       Sorry to get rambling. Felt bigger than it spelled out, but best I could do. My brain does its best to translate what my heart has to say but sometimes it just comes out like a Hallmark card. But do know you're valued okay?   

       And a 66 to 12 bun to bone ratio? I'll take it.
doctorremulac3, Dec 17 2021
  

       //And the fact that 12 people actually boned Merry Christmas. That's almost as many people as the number of people who visit here, I believe.//   

       In the course of perusing the wayback machine, I discovered that there are a /surprising/ number of halfbakers. It stops counting at 10,000. How many are active, I don't know.
Anyway, I've just cast my vote. (+)
Loris, Dec 17 2021
  

       //deflation of hope [...] threats of shooters//   

       As the poet said, "If hopes were dupes, fears may be liars". As we know now, those "threats of shooters" were nothing but false rumours on social media. Your grandchildren are fine. And my children are fine, and I have great confidence in how they, and their friends and cousins and other contemporaries, are going to deal with what the world throws at them.
pertinax, Dec 18 2021
  

       Those who annotate but don't post new ideas are called HPs (halfparasites)
xenzag, Dec 18 2021
  

       Hey Blissy! The rest of the world may be shit, but that doesn't mean that your bit of it has to be!

Twelve bones eh? Seems kind of appropriate & a good title for a song.

"On the first day of Christmas blissmiss sent to me, a fishbone in a pear tree!" :D
DrBob, Dec 18 2021
  

       Just decanted the Christmas port; a Fonseca '67 I've been saving for years, it's bloody lovely. It'll probably be gone by Christmas.   

       Happy Christmas to you all and hello [blissmiss]!
DenholmRicshaw, Dec 18 2021
  

       I've no idea where you're seeing those ID numbers, a1. Where are they?   

       While trying to find out, I saw this blog post (link), which seemed poignant.   

       I'm certainly posting fewer ideas than I used to.
I had one idea I was really excited about, and was about to post, but then in doing due diligence I found that it had already been done by some scunners at Cambridge University, which was a bit of a shame.
Loris, Dec 18 2021
  

       This year HB feels like the S8 Ep18 "Old Soldiers" episode of M*A*S*H, where *SPOILER ALERT* Potter is the last survivor of five friends who met during WW1. The Colonel invites Hawkeye, BJ, Hotlips, Winchester and Father Mulcahy to drink brandy and toast 'to love and friendship'. Understated but powerful is a scene preceding the toast, where Colonel Potter shares fudge with a new young friend*, a Korean refugee child, while listening to 'Roses of Picardy':   

       And the roses will die with the summertime/ And our roads may be far apart/ But there's one rose that dies not in Picardy/ 'Tis the rose that I keep in my heart/   

       So many of our good, kind, funny, creative pals have passed from the HB--and so many of us are still here, with the same spirit of general jeezliness and tomfoolery--I'm keeping their memories alive by continuing to practice random puns**, and senseless acts of creativity***.   

       So Blessed Solstice, Jolly Yuletide, Merry Christmas, and Happy Festivus For The Rest Of Us!   

       *Clever idea to keep collecting younger and younger friends as you age, so that there is a greater likelihood that you will have some friends left by the time you reach 150.   

       **Present post excepted   

       ***ut supra
Sgt Teacup, Dec 18 2021
  

       Thank you for the kindness and the wisdom and smiles. I think taking a break from all social media, the bakery, and all of the other added peripheral fluffiness of life could be a positive change. Maybe even the cure for the doomy feeling I seem to be wrathed in.   

       Truthfully, doesn't anyone else feel it? The futility of even trying to exist anymore? The daily barrage of death and hate and fear and apathy and, well you know what I mean. I still see the beauty and unbearable lightness in nature, but it feels like Mother Earth is being slowly strangled and we have no option but to stand by and watch.   

       I think what I'm saying is that I'm ready. I'm so tired and so ready to just lay down and stay quiet. My brother took his life and my mother tried twice. I have mixed feelings about that. Selfish vs Sick. Cowardly vs Courageous. I've had my own near misses more than once.   

       This isn't that. This isn't that because it's not about my sorrows or losses, it's about this planet's pain and seemingly certain extinction, and how much do we watch her suffer before just getting up and changing the channel?   

       So let's return to Merry Christmas because we must. We just must, I guess, for now.
blissmiss, Dec 18 2021
  

       Blissy hon, all this hard to deal with stuff on has been going on since the dawn of time. Imagine the pain of going through the dark ages, black plague, WW2, etc etc. We've been given the gift of life and a bill that comes with it as well. Without the darkness you don't get to enjoy the light, without cold you won't recognize warmth, without lonelyness you'll never feel the spark of companionship that people can feel between each other. There's real beauty to the world, sometimes you just have to look a little harder and channel the strength you know is inside you.   

       Please don't hurt yourself, I despise death. I've lost too many people in my life, my first wife, my best friend of 39 years, friends I grew up with, at one point I came home to see a Navy grey van parked in front of my house when my son was serving with the Marines in Iraq. I thought they were there to tell me he was dead and I felt a lightening bolt to the heart like you must have felt with your brother. Thank god they were just there on other business I guess, I never found out, but all these things have served to make me cherish life more.   

       As far as the internet, remember that bad news gets clicks, much more than somebody watching a child or grandchild laugh for the first time, say their first word, make their first joke. Something about the joy of learning something new about this incredibly complicated but fascinating universe, to know every morning when you wake up you'll know something you didn't know before when you go to sleep that night, that's not going to get any attention but that doesn't mean it's not there. Life is a blessing, please don't think of giving it away.   

       There's a lot of love out there, it's just that the hate gets more clicks and there's a lot of love for you, so maybe get somebody to talk to about your feelings on a professional level ifyou feel like it.   

       Proof that you're brave enough to do something like that is you opening up on this forum. That takes guts, more than I have. You're strong, you're beautiful and you're cared for.   

       And don't be afraid to give yourself permission to be sad sometimes. Comes with having a heart.
doctorremulac3, Dec 18 2021
  

       I'm organising a midnight halfbakery humbug hunt.... with pitchforks and those burning torches that never go out. (non global warming green house gas producing torches of course) All humbugs detected will be dunked in the pond of lumpy custard plus other penances such as would have been devised by 8th if he was still here.
xenzag, Dec 18 2021
  

       //The daily barrage of death and hate and fear and apathy and, well you know what I mean// - I do know what you mean. However, I remember that those things are not me. I also remember that whatever those things are, it is my choice how I respond to them. The choice of response to outside events is mine and mine alone, and no one can take that away.

[blissmiss] For a different perspective, read The Gift by Edith Eva Eger
hippo, Dec 18 2021
  

       Good point, and something else, I remember when I bought a particular car. I never noticed it before but suddenly that style of car was everywhere, I noticed the differences in paint, wheels etc, but my car was appearing daily. Of course nothing had changed, I just was now sensitive to a particular piece of information because I was looking for it. There weren't more of my model car on the road, I just was programmed to look for them.   

       Well I think the same can be said for negative stuff, or positive stuff, or fun stuff, or creative stuff. If you program your brain "Brain, show me inspiring things today." (not that it's that easy I know) you'll probably see more inspiring things. If you say "Brain, show me bad stuff." your brain will comply.   

       I also find that the first thought of the day is kind of important. Gets your trajectory going. At one point in my life, when I was in the process of loosing a very successful business that I had started (the Steve Jobs story on a micro level) I started my days with "Ugh, not another day." Looking back that was like getting into the boxing ring and flopping like a world cup soccer player. Good additude doesn't guarantee success, but bad additude guarantees failure.   

       So just a couple of prayers to yourself can be good. "I'm going to get some good things out of this day, I'm going to be kind to myself and I'm going to be open to the FACT that things might work out and that the often do." something like that.
doctorremulac3, Dec 18 2021
  

       Great advice and suggestions. I begin every day in prayer and then in intentional meditation. The beginnings are usually balanced and all fine. It's when the day gets thin and my mind goes all wonky that I have difficulty. I shall keep my counseling appt and have faith.   

       (Hippo, you have always seemed so level-headed, I figured I could listen at least 15 mins or so every day at the end of meditation. So...   

       "Thank you for choosing The Gift: 12 Lessons to Save Your Life. Select one of your devices and click 'Deliver'. Your audiobook will be downloaded to that device and you can start listening." And I shall...   

       Starting tomorrow.
blissmiss, Dec 18 2021
  

       //...that was like getting into the boxing ring and flopping like a world cup soccer player. //   

       To be fair to the soccer players, boxing is a whole new ball game for 'em.
Loris, Dec 18 2021
  

       How embarrassing - I’ve just realised I meant the other book by the same author - “The Choice” - I’m sure The Gift is good though. Sorry [bliss]
hippo, Dec 18 2021
  

       No probs, it was my free audio choice for the month.   

       Went with Kindle for the other one.   

       "Thanks, cathy! The Choice: Embrace the Possible will be auto-delivered wirelessly to Kindle Cloud Reader. You can go to your device to start reading."
blissmiss, Dec 19 2021
  

       If you don't like The Choice, you can always read The Wrong Choice, its sequel.
xenzag, Dec 19 2021
  

       Out of Options, the Next Generation?...
blissmiss, Dec 19 2021
  

       Merry something something
Voice, Dec 19 2021
  

       Well, that's pretty profound. I've only read the introduction to "The Choice", and I'm already in tears. I think this might just be the best Christmas present that I have ever received.   

       Thank you, Hippo, there is a reason I'm still here, I suppose.
blissmiss, Dec 19 2021
  

       I’m glad you like it. I haven’t read it for some time but the ideas in the book really stuck with me, particularly the ‘choice’ at the heart of the book, and I do remember it being quite a compelling read
hippo, Dec 19 2021
  

       Merry Mid-winter and Shortest-day Salutations to "one and all"
pocmloc, Dec 21 2021
  

       Back atcha from the southern Summer Solstice.
pertinax, Dec 21 2021
  

       ooohhhh summer…merry summer?   

       I just read all I missed here and am moved by the wonderful sentiments!   

       [bliss] Getting off of social media is a good step. I started this over a year ago by just cutting down on the times I check into certain sites. There is a lot of negativity and people propagate it. Get off of Facebook really it’s the worst. I feel so much better since I only look for five minutes a week there. Love to you and merry Christmas to all again and again. xox
xandram, Dec 21 2021
  

       A while ago I was considering what horrible effects might have occurred if one of the children had put on the old top hat instead of Frosty. If it brought a bunch of snow to life, what would it have done to something already alive? Maybe a Hulk thing... thumpetty thump indeed.   

       Anyway, Christmas and all that. Don't forget he knows when you are sleeping.
tatterdemalion, Dec 22 2021
  

       (queue horror movie trailer music) "He's been watching you sleep all year now, judging, planning punishment for your wrongdoings and tonight he's coming to your house. Don't bother locking the door, he doesn't come through the door. He's got something for you. You'll know what it is in the morning. (change to happy music) "Oh wait, it's just Santa! Hey big guy!"
doctorremulac3, Dec 22 2021
  

       We all stand still in the shadows of some remarkably bright, and highly intelligent people, (bristolz, etc), who came here long ago and made this place magical.   

       Now we stand instead in the shadows looking down not up. We treat each other with very little respect and ignore some others most of the time. (The occasional visit from oldtimers is what lights the candle for me, because they remember, indeed.)   

       So as I said, this feels like the last time, this "MERRY CHRISTMAS" will be celebrated by me. That's 21 years of seeing them come and go.   

       From its glory days of being one of Microsoft's "spots of the day,", to a seemingly desperate display of just being to be being. I ain't got the guts to watch it go by me one more year.   

       So for historical purposes, I do say Feliz Navidad one more time, and I shout that as loud as I can, and hold my head high.
blissmiss, Dec 22 2021
  

       [blissmiss] were you here at the very beginning? I certainly remember you as an "oldtimer" when I was first here.
pocmloc, Dec 23 2021
  

       Happy Christmas to you all. Enjoy the moments of quiet when you find them. Cheers.
AusCan531, Dec 23 2021
  

       1: //halfparasites//
Hmm... not sure if I like that (it IS silly) or not...
In general, my place in life is to help. Like, if you need your hedge trimmed, I can't do it for you, but I will help you do it. And so like that here too; I know a little bit about a lot of random crap, & add my knowledge to the pot where I can
2: Social media will be the death of us all. The halfbakery is more "social conversation" than "social media" so it doesn't count :-)
3: Don't go, [blissmiss]! Take a breather, go out into nature or wherever & find yourself. Come back & see us nutters though; we like you here. (I'm currently in my tent in a tiny place called Omarama. Why? Because I can.)
neutrinos_shadow, Dec 23 2021
  

       //Don't go, [blissmiss]! Take a breather, go out into nature or wherever & find yourself. Come back & see us nutters though; we like you here.//   

       Agreed.
doctorremulac3, Dec 23 2021
  

       Agreed
AusCan531, Dec 24 2021
  

       .
pertinax, Dec 24 2021
  

       Merry Christmas 'bakers all! Keep well, stay safe, enjoy the holiday break!
DrBob, Dec 24 2021
  

       Merry xmas to halfbakers everywhere, & especially [jutta]! All hail the bakesperson!
neutrinos_shadow, Dec 24 2021
  

       Cheers and gratitude for the woman who held this up for all this time, jutta. Thank you, and may you live with ease.
blissmiss, Dec 24 2021
  

       Merry Christmas. Yours etc.
calum, Dec 25 2021
  

       Merry Christmas all, and to young and old-timers alike, it's nice to hear from you all.   

       xxx for [blissy] and everyone else - may we all catch and share a bit of sparkle in our dreariest, lowest moments. And the good ones too.
zen_tom, Dec 25 2021
  

       Merry Christmas to all ye merry Halfbakers.   

       May the New Year bring all sorts of crazy, fun, interesting ideas, inventions, discussions and interactions for our unique little group.
doctorremulac3, Dec 25 2022
  

       Another year gone and come…blessings and cheer to everyone.
xandram, Dec 25 2022
  

       Merry Christmas to all
theircompetitor, Dec 25 2022
  

       I'm just sitting here stunned that this beautiful, cozy, sometimes naughty, little place, has been open for more than 22 years. Whooaaa. That's a lot. On the internet, that's eternity.   

       May World Peace be more than a wish, may it become a reality. ..."And may all your Christmases be white".
blissmiss, Dec 25 2022
  

       Merry Christmas everybody. What a year eh?   

       Phew! Yes it was.   

       2023 you're gonna be great. (We've set a low bar for you. Your older sibling 2022 was a bit of a loser. lol!)
doctorremulac3, Dec 26 2022
  

       Happy solstice and the holidays that often follow.
whatrock, Dec 26 2022
  

       Merry SolstChristmUkkah All, and as Sir Pterry's Granny Weatherwax said, even if it looked like it was all over: "I ain'tn't ded yet!"
Sgt Teacup, Dec 26 2022
  

       Happy Solstice & Merry Xmas, all you halfbaking nutters! Especially [jutta] & [blissmiss].
I did my usual up-a-mountain for the Solstice, now doing very little of anything for the rest of my summer holiday.
neutrinos_shadow, Dec 26 2022
  

       //"And may all your Christmases be white"//

<Checks latest energy bills. Cries.>
DrBob, Dec 28 2022
  

       Ahhh, I'm sorry, Dr. Bob. But I'm not sorry your pain has at least caused you enough motivation so you could drop your annual comment here. I miss you. We miss you. Everyone misses you.   

       [[neutrinos_shadow]] are you secretly thinking she and I are one and the same? Hmmm, never thought of that but she could be my ultra-brilliant, creative, flip side. However, the west coast persona bakes croissants, and I could never, ever do that.
blissmiss, Dec 29 2022
  

       Have you considered accepting alcohol as your lord and savior? Happy new beer!
Voice, Dec 29 2022
  

       Hey, is bacon brain okay? Anyone hear from him, her, or it??
Voice, Dec 29 2022
  

       or Hippo or numerous others who stopped posting here...
xenzag, Dec 29 2022
  

       Hi [blissmiss]! Not quite dopey enough to think [jutta] & your good self are a split personality.
Just thought I'd give you a shout-out after glancing at some of the old annos up there ^^.
neutrinos_shadow, Dec 30 2022
  

       Well, thank you. That was down right kind of you.
blissmiss, Dec 30 2022
  

       Happy something or other everyone!
Voice, Dec 22 2023
  

       You're a bit early [voice], it's not actually Christmas yet.
pocmloc, Dec 22 2023
  

       But it's almost certainly something or other.
pertinax, Dec 22 2023
  

       It's always Christmas somewhere in the world
hippo, Dec 22 2023
  

       Hoe, hoe, hoe said the farmer.
whatrock, Dec 22 2023
  

       From Slightly Off Santa, Ha ha ha!! Meeerry Christmas!   

       Not to be confused with 8th's very off Santa that says "MUHWHAHAHAHAHA !"   

       But avoid any lap sitting invitations with either of these. Just sayin'.   

       Wait... 11 bones? Da fuk?
doctorremulac3, Dec 22 2023
  

       Merry Hoho! After over 3 weeks of no eggs from all 5 chickens, yesterday our oldest sheekon, Rhoda, laid a b-e-a-utiful 67g brown egg as a Solstice gift. So that's a message: do what you can, where you are.
Sgt Teacup, Dec 22 2023
  

       Merry Christmas xx.
nineteenthly, Dec 22 2023
  

       Nein, es ist perfekt. Willkommen in der Halbbäckerei
hippo, Dec 23 2023
  

       shchaslyvoho Rizdva.
RayfordSteele, Dec 23 2023
  

       to all the ghosts of the ‘bakery past, and all those keeping the flame alive…Merry days and Happy nights. I hope to come back with stupidest idea of the New Year! xox
xandram, Dec 24 2023
  

       Merry Christmas 'bakers all!

Also, thanks for last year's comment blissmiss, which I had totally missed! I haven't really gone anywhere. Just changing habits after retiring (I used to do most of my posting during my lunchbreak) & I've just run out of creativity a bit as well. So not much to post really but I still pop in every now & again!
DrBob, Dec 24 2023
  

       Merry Christmas!
calum, Dec 25 2023
  

       Merry Christmas to all, Thank you, jutta, for running The Mother Ship for over 2 decades. By putting up with our shit, allowing us to grieve when a death happens against our consensus, and keeping us balanced, in case we tip the scales to an unacceptable topic or direction.   

       I will never see the croissants at my grocery store without pinching them, and thinking "Oh crap, those aren't juttas". "Off with their heads!!!   

       In closing I would like to thank the Dr. for seeing my last years post, and Yay, Wow. for retirement. We spend a lot less time here, though, because we are finally able to do our side hustles, that don't bring us much cash, but instead, we are showered with joy and and have more time to walk in the woods. Merry Christmas to all, and for those of us with addiction, another year of waking up this morning without a hangover. God, I used to hate that.   

       May all men have peace in their hearts, and may all women be a Barbie. (what a wonderful thing to drag from the trash.)
blissmiss, Dec 25 2023
  

       I forgot, I plan to do a revisit to FarmerJohn and collect some drawings and post something in Memorium, today. Cathy, his sister, lovingly honored me by letting me house the collection of his work. Again, thank you, Cathy.
blissmiss, Dec 25 2023
  

       Bloody heck, missed it again. Well whatever. I wish that your Christmas was everything that you wanted it to be, perhaps even no Christmas at all if that's what you wanted.
tatterdemalion, Dec 29 2023
  
      
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