~Off Topic Thread~

[Jeraly 4]

yes, for sure; use them on your birthday

one of the boxes we bought even said that on the back - that it's a UK tradition to have them at all manner of celebrations, including birthdays... though I have to say I think that was more marketing BS than truth

but why not, if you want to?! go for it

I read that too - I roared at the fact we are meant to have them at Bar Miztvahs and the like!!!

[elmcitymaven 9,712]

What -- you don't use them at Bar Mitzvahs?

Yeah, we forgot to get them out too. We eventually remembered at around 11pm, when his mum had gone to bed -- B got a bottle opener to put on a keychain, and I got a toy car; guess what -- we switched. We have 4 left over, and we'll use them on NYE.

[VisaJourneyLady 33]

Crackers showed up in Ralphs today! They were with the New Years party stuff. Are they a New Years tradition here??

[*julez* 124]

I'm sure my crackers have the crappy prizes, but I still think they are fun! Maybe my birthday, or we'll just use them on NYE and let the kids have extras since there are no bar mitzvahs coming up.

[VisaJourneyLady 33]

Well then you'll have to get extras for any Bar Mitzvahs that might come in the future. You know what they say about a Bar Mitzvah that doesn't have crackers...

[*julez* 124]

Hahaha! Never been to a bar mitzvah. I don't really know many Jewish people, in fact. Where I live, the population is highly Roman Catholic. A church on every corner and a pizzeria on the opposite corner!

[StillThePrettiest 3]

do THEY have crackers?

[Jeraly 4]

I'm glad it's not just me that found it funny and, dare-I-say, somewhat ridiculous!!!

[Laura+Tom 2]

I just applied for authorisation to travel with that new ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) thing for my trip in April and was nicely suprised at how quick it was. I expected it to take a couple days but it was instant.

[Pooky 3,784]

I'm a bit miffed, right now.

Our local British import shop didn't have two of my Christmas holiday favourites - mince pies and Twiglets. Not happy

[*julez* 124]

I have to somehow concoct a mince pie for hubster. I bought the jarred filling. He wants a bunch of small mince pies as he's the only one who'll eat them. The thing is, I stink at making pie crust and can't find small frozen ones!

Edited December 30, 2008 by *julez*

[StillThePrettiest 3]

can you buy a frozen pack of dough? there was one in our freezer when I arrived here so I know they exist

[Jeraly 4]

Julez - here's the recipe I used to make mine:

http://allrecipes.co.uk/recipe/517/favourite-mince-pies.aspx

It was sooo easy - I just cut the pastry a bit thick and had no pie tins but they otherwise turned out ok

[*julez* 124]

Hmmm...thanks, aly. I'll try, but my advenntures with pastry have always have iffy results.

And yes, STP, you can pie frozen pie shells. They come in a cheap, disposable pie tin. You wouldn't approve, though, since you are tremendously green.

[VisaJourneyLady 33]

Hmmm...thanks, aly. I'll try, but my advenntures with pastry have always have iffy results.

And yes, STP, you can pie frozen pie shells. They come in a cheap, disposable pie tin. You wouldn't approve, though, since you are tremendously green.

If you use a food processor for the dough, it just can't go wrong. Put in the butter first, add the dry ingredients, then the egg. Done.