bigugli

They passed the test with my mom... not quite like Grandma's, but in reality...nothing will be the same as hers were

Ain't that the truth! Nothing like the heavenly aroma of Grandmother's baking. The mix of cardamom, nutmeg and cinnamon that would fill the air in our small home.

I love that stuff, I think theres some in the freezer still. I did some baking the other day as well, tried my hand at making Luumutortut...the prune tarts. They turned out pretty decent for my first attempt

 

here's a pic of what's left of the 4 dozen we made

 

 

 

ryan

You did quite well with those. My Gram always cheated and filled them with raspberry or blueberry preserves.

Got to have 'pulla' as part of the table dressings. Goes along with the cardamom cookies, gingersnaps and shortbreads and washed down with a nice glass of Lingonberry punch or Peter Heering.

Hyyva Joulua

Like they say it's a fish story til there are pics.

I always try to fish new water every year. I do want to make it to the Lakair G2G, but that, like most other plans, will depend on how well recovery goes. In the mean time there is a lot of local ice for me to cover.

Yep, the clear black ice always feels spooky at the beginning of the season. Been out on 4-5" of clear ice for the past few days. Just haven't had much results beyond some OOS accidents. They may be in the same family as crappie but they don't count.

I don't know why you'd want to spend that kind of cash just to be stealthy for Pike. I'm pretty sure that you could use 1/4" yellow nylon rope for a leader and be just as successful.

the place i will be fishing for pike is on a small pond or lake in our area called martindale pond it receives a good amout of ice fishing pressure and have tried wire in the past with no luck then last year i used braid and did ok so i want to improve my odds even more due to i dont like perching so much when there are monster pike to be had LOL

thanks for all the info ill will give it a shot but not keep my hopes up lol and i wont rant about it if it keeps breaking but i will light it on fire if it does because it seems like a fun thing to do

crap forgot to sign myself in this post is by Rob D

For every year my kids were growing up, there is a homemade wooden ornament with their names and year on them.

Take them on an evening drive to see Christmas lights. The Falls may be too far but Simcoe used to have the streets lit really nice. Backyard bonfires and cocoa, and dogs on a stick and smores, and banana boats, popcorn over the fire.

If the water isn't frozen go to the port with some crusts and feed the resident ducks. Your children will have a blast.

Go to a carol sing.

Make a batch of cookies and share them with neighbours while wishing a Merry Christmas.

The oldest one needs to be a couple of years older to grasp the importance of giving and helping others. Even so, a delivery to the food bank gives the beginnings of the idea

I liked the BPS tournament game from 2006. Not bad, but only takes about 24 hours to figure out the sequence pattern for the 200 tournament scenarios. Got boring real quick.

lol

I fully understand that sense of loss. I just cannot seem to light that spark. Christmas, in our family began the first weekend of December and ended th first weekend after New Years.

Yes our society has become ever so complex. A world of doubt, insecurity, and lack of faith. It's hard to revere when it is now 'just another day' to my offspring. The only thing special is the gifts.

I missed carol concerts by choir or band. I played Santa Claus parades from Hamilton to Huntsville as a cadet. The biggest kick was doing the "Eatons" Santa Claus parade back then. Spent many weekends building a Christmas float and costumes with our cubs in the Grimsby parade.

I never lost my belief in Santa Claus ( truth is he's a Finn ) I've made thousands of wooden tree ornaments and toys for the less fortunate and played secret Santa for numerous children delivering presents late Xmas eve.

We shared Christmas with all around us with huge feasts and parties. Now we are afraid to let loose and have fun. Can't have a drink without fear of reprisal.

My choices reflect a need to be reminded of what Christmas is about.

A Christmas Carol featuring Alastair Sims should be watched by all.

For television, currently, it is a toss up twixt Charlie Brown and How the Grinch stole Christmas.

From the past, nothing beat sitting around the TV with my family watching the numerous Xmas variety specials nibbling Gram's baked goodies with tea or hot chocolate.

My preference is for the carols rooted in my faith. The most triumphant being Adeste Fideles, the most reverent being Stille Nacht.

The children are grown up so there are no more concerts, but the local school board does not approve of "Christmas" concerts.

The interior of the house is decorated but it was a struggle to engage any participation.

I am never afraid to offer a friendly greeting on the street, and more so at Christmas.

From one old child to another, John:

May you find that spark to fill you with light and joy this Christmas season

Merry Christmas

Sounds like a plan Bruce but honestly no...just perched here on OFC takin it all in and stirrin the pot a little.

 

BTW. When is there gonna be smelt on the go down your way? I'm really looking forward to it.

A few weeks yet Steve. Only a few sheltered ponds have any real ice yet.

Sorry Shayne...that "anyone know what this is" thread has turned me into a giggling 10 year old.....and I can't get back on track.

Somebody been into the eggnog already?

My fave tunes go back, of course, to the animated Xmas cartoon classics:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nzXKWKaxt3c...PL&index=22

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qKagQWqr87Q

That's it! I've had all I can take, Simon!

I'm packing my bags, leaving the wife and moving back up north. There is only so much of this torture that I can bear

Well done on a good outing.

cool video but those were all gills not crappie well except for the pike and bass

the drill? or the batteries?

Try both. Drained first battery after 3 holes, burned out drill on the 4th. DOH!

Typical of most "amazing" TV offers

They had a stack of red flannels at BPS

If you don't mind burning out your drill after a few holes.

I was referring to the Girlfriend!!!

The wifey wishes I'd find a girlfriend. Then she could get some peace and quiet

In early winter and early spring there are a lot of fish in the deeper waters at different locations around the harbour. Many fisdh the harbour mouth areas, some the piers and marinas. Most species are still in play right now.

I read that and thought to myself... I sure hope Bruce' wife doesn't read here... lol

 

You be careful young fella...

Thankfully she does not. I was hoping for 4" minimum but... My hole was 10' from shore over 4' of water. Next couple of nights will firm the pond nicely.

yet again my father and I are the first crazy people to get out on the ice here in niagara we didnt catch anything due to losing the blades off our auger after drilling just the test holes so we didnt get to go to our hot spot on the body of water we were fishing have pics but need to get my girl friends micro sd card reader to get the pics off my phone cameras battery died and i slipped while taking the only pic with it so its a pic of the sky lol

if you are getting out on the early ice BE CAREFUL we only had three inches at the most

awe crap i posted this under my dads again im stupid sorry everyone this post was made by Rob D

With a voice like that, you could join the merman tubercular choir

Merry Christmas

PS: Don't give up your day job.

added

Happens every year. Been a serious problem at the Toronto malls for decades.