Secret Santa Gift Thread 2008

[Onjels Secret Santa]

Onjela Bella!

You asked for recipes to cook for you father. You are so selfless!

For the holidays, an Elegant Eggnog:



Ingredients

1 cup SPLENDA® No Calorie Sweetener, Granulated
1 tablespoon arrowroot or cornstarch
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
7 egg yolks
4 cups 2% milk
2 cups fat-free half and half
2 tablespoons vanilla extract*

Directions

1. Mix together first 3 ingredients in a large heavy saucepan. Set aside.
2. Whisk egg yolks. Add to SPLENDA® Granulated Sweetener mixture whisking until blended. Gradually whisk in milk.
3. Cook over low heat, whisking constantly until the temperature reaches 175 degrees approximately (5 to 8 minutes). Remove from heat and whisk in half and half; cool.
4. Cover and chill 3 hours or up to 3 days. Stir in vanilla extract just before serving.

Note
Serving Size: 1 (4 fl oz) drink

If desired, 2 tablespoons of vanilla extract can be replaced with 1 cup dark rum.

Here's another one that seems pretty yummy:

Sugar Free Lemon Tart

There are also boatloads of recipes in the Let's Cook section of the Protein Power forum.


You deserve some treats for yourself, too.

More beautiful fractal images

and some lovely landscape pictures for your computer desktop:





Merry, Merry Christmas!!
www.soulfulspike.com/membersavatars/lilpics/seasons/Winter/Lines/greensflakes.gif

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www.soulfulspike.com/membersavatars/lilpics/seasons/Winter/Lines/greensflakes.gif
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[Monnies Secret Santa]

Since the big day is almost upon us and none of us have much time to waste, let's get right to the good stuff, shall we?

First up, a couple of potential resources for quick and easy lunches can be found here and here; I figure that you don't need to actually have the lunchbox described to borrow some of the recipes.

Next, you asked for "more patience and kindness and forgiveness, towards myself but especially towards others." Santa is no miracle worker, and thinks you're fine just as you are. But the site Zen Habits might offer some useful tips nonetheless.

Third, some stormscapes:

Followed by the cute animals:

And finally, it's time to enjoy the pretty:

It's been a pleasure being your Santa, and I hope you've enjoyed! Happy holidays!

[Squeemonster]

Oh Santa baby, I am speechless! Speechless, I am!!

You have more than outdone yourself. Hugh Laurie and Katee Sackhoff?! Those pictures . . . I should not be feeling this naughty on Christmas Eve, but it is all your fault. ;D

And the puppies and seals?! OMGWTFILUVTHEMSOMUCH!

And the awesomeness on the storm pictures wow and amaze and terrify me, all at the same time.

And I cannot wait to look over the cool lunchbox sites (I am so in need of new lunch ideas it is not even funny) and the Zen habits site because, let's face it, I can always use more Zen in my life.

Thank you, thank you, thank you, Santa! Please partake of my goodies:

Merry Christmas, Santa!! Don't work too hard tonight!!

[Karen]

Dec 21, 2008 21:21:11 GMT -5 @Karens Santa Grand Finale said:

<snipping the awesome presents>

Merry Christmas, Karen
and
Best Wishes for the New Year!

My dear Secret Santa! Thank you for all my lovely gifts. I have enjoyed all the pretties and can't wait to explore the links you gave me in more depth. Especially the home decorating ones. I need help in that area so much.

Thank you for the Best Wishes and I hope you and yours enjoy the rest of the holidays and you have a well deserved rest.

You rock!

For you:

[Saras Secret Santa]

HO, HO, HO!

Merry Christmas, dear Sara!

It's been a real pleasure to be your Secret Santa this year, Sara. My bag is full to busting, so I better get to it.

I'll save your #1 wish for last. Jensen Ackles or Taylor Kitsch wearing nothing but a strategically-placed Santa hat.


#2. Pretties and new sources for pretties.


Finding good new sources for pretties for you, the Queen of pretty gatherers, is a really tall order.

You might find a new link or two here, here and here.

This fellow insisted on bringing his own ride.



While this young man is more concerned with relaxing around the hearth.



3. Sources for online games and puzzles.

Santa loves reindeer games. No reindeer games here, but I think you'll find a diversion or two and if so inclined, possibly win a nickle or two for your effort.

www.miniclip.com/games/en/
www.addictinggames.com/index.html
www.pogo.com/home/home.do


4. Some sort of financial support for my DVD habit. That or an intervention regarding same.

I don't understand why this is a problem, but you might find some help in these links.

www.howtogetridofstuff.com/living/
www.hotmoviesale.com/
www.filmschoolrejects.com/movies-that-suck/movies-that-suck-keeping-up-with-our-joneses.php

5. More patience and good humor when it comes to dealing with my grandmother.

HO, HO, HO!! Santa knows that you have been a very good girl and that you have oodles of patience and good humor. But to keep you on track, here's a little story you can recall when your grandmother tries your patience.

HOORAY FOR THE SENIOR GENERATION!

A very self-important college freshman at a recent football game, took it upon himself to explain to a senior citizen sitting next to him why it was impossible for the older generation to understand his own.

"You grew up in a different, actually almost primitive, world," the student said loud enough for the whole crowd to hear. "We young people today grew up with television, jet planes, space travel, man walking on the moon, our spaceships have visited Mars...We even have nuclear energy, electric and hydrogen cars, computers with light-speed processing .and uh.."

Taking advantage of a pause for breath in the student's litany, the "wizened" one said, "You're right, Son. We didn't have those things when we were young........so we invented them...... you arrogant little butthead!! Now......what are you doing for the next generation??"

I love senior citizens!!!

Keep this little bit of the senior point of view in mind when dealing with your grandmother, and I guarantee it will go a long way to helping you keep your patience and the good humor you are known for in S'cubieland.

6. Continued good times with all my S'cubie friends.

You are loved and cherished by all your S'cubie friends, my sweet Sara. I know they look to you to help keep S'cubieland rolling.As long as you are there for them, they will be there for you - letting the good times roll.

And now back to #1. I had to call in the calvary on this one. A lovely lass by the name of Fotada/Michelle did some Christmas magic for you and here is the result.

Enjoy and have yourself a merry little Christmas, dear.







MERRY CHRISTMAS, SARA, AND HAVE AN AWESOME NEW YEAR!

[Lolas Bad Secret Santa]

Ho, Ho, Ho, Lola!!!

Santa's been a bad boy, but never fear, he always saves the best for last. He's read your list and checked it twice and in honor of traditional Christmas and Orthodox Christmas is going to post some giftees for you today and during the next few days. So, hang on and let's get unwrapping!

First, some pretty pictures of . . .food.






A toast. . .



And, some fruit, just to make sure we eat a healthy meal. . ..

For satisfying a different kind of hunger. . .

(Santa loves BSG. ;D )

For your next set of gifts, some links that you might enjoy, but for now,

[Onjel]

Thank you, Santababy! You are so kind and generous. You deserve a huuuuuuuuuge vacation, so I've booked you a trip to take you from here:

to here:

Pack your bags and enjoy!

[Sara]

Santa!! Words cannot express how much I loved the special Taylor pic you and Michelle gave me. ;D

I also look forward to exploring all the links you provided—particularly the game ones. Thank you!!

And to properly express my gratitude for all of your goodies and kindness, a little something I hope you'll enjoy:

Thank you again for everything!!!

[Lola m]

Santa!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You are a lovely Santa indeed!

Tasty chocolates and champers and pretty pretty people!! Mmmmmm!! **licks them all**


Have some nice cookies and hot chocolate, sweet Santa!

By the way, to take off the chill of the North Pole, I put a nice little nip of something "special" in the hot chocolate. I figured you wouldn't mind. [/b][/size]

[Saras Secret Santa]

Dec 25, 2008 19:41:03 GMT -5 Sara said:

Santa!! Words cannot express how much I loved the special Taylor pic you and Michelle gave me. ;D

I also look forward to exploring all the links you provided—particularly the game ones. Thank you!!

And to properly express my gratitude for all of your goodies and kindness, a little something I hope you'll enjoy:

<snipping the trio of awesome>

Thank you again for everything!!!

Oh. My. *Fans Self* I think my igloo is melting.

Sara - Your worn-out Secret Santa is very happy you liked your Christmas gifts. Giving them was my pleasure.

I wish you and yours all the best in the year ahead.



*grabs the prezzies for a nice group soak in the hot tub*

[SpringSummers]

Secret Santas!

It's the moment you've all been waiting for - Drum roll, please!

SECRET SANTA	GIFTEE
Sue	Karen
Karen	Sara
Sara	Monnie
Monnie	Sue
Onjel	Lola
Lola	Spring
Spring	Michelle
Michelle	Onjel

Thanks to all who participated in Secret Santa 2008!!

[Lola m]

Onjel!! Thank you so much for my tasty food and drink treats!! And all the hot bods, too. I, for one, totally share your BSG love. The Six/Baltar pic? So. Damn. Good!! ;D


Thanks again, secret Onjel-Santa! I appreciate it!





And, hey, have some more cookies! ;D

[SpringSummers]

Many thanks to my Secret Santa, Lola - for all the info and the pretties!!

You're the bestest!!!

[Onjel]

Michelle!!! You are the rockinest Secret Santa! Thanks for all the great recipes and prezzies! I'll be sure to use those recipes for my dad. He'll love them.

In the meantime, enjoy some libations. ;D

[Onjel]

Lola! Those cookies are making my mouth water they look so scrumptious. And, the zippy hot chocolate was a welcome diversion too. ;D