{{MG}} I'm so sorry to hear your DH is unappreciative, it makes it so hard to enjoy the day. I hope the kids were a little happier about their gifts! Heck, you give me a TIVO and I'd be your slave for....well, a month at least.

I got really good loot. The best? A $40 gift certificate to my daughter's salon so I can get a half-body massage. WhooHoo, am I looking forward to that!

there's no way we'd be allowed to live if we tried to get them to eat breakfast, first,

Oh, yeah, I remember those days. In some ways I miss them, in others I don't. But, really, I can't wait to have grandkids because I love that unmitigated delight that children have in Christmas.

Well, back to drinking Kir Royales (my brother brought champagne and cassis to make them, niiiiice brother) and watching "40 Year Old Virgin."

MG, I'm sorry -- I'm not sure which is the worse suck, knowing that a gift you thought would be loved didn't go over, or knowing that a gift you don't like was chosen with care so you feel grinchy not instantly loving it to death.

That said, I think you should declare that the TiVo is henceforth a whole-family gift, and offer DH something that's just for him -- a nice dinner for the two of you or the like. (Anyway, we all know he'll come around to the TiVo....)

OTOH, salt licorice is pure evil, and I have no reassuring words on that front.

I've never even heard of salt licorice. And it does sound nasty, because I am not a fan of salty foods. Ugh. But then, I was a wierd kid who like hoarhound drops. It takes all kinds.

I can understand not being thrilled with TIVO, if you don't know it , but it has seductive charms...

talked to my folks. Dad insisted on talking to m e- he read the first chapter of the book I sent and liked it. and then we talked about home projhects, my health issues, waterh heaters and... This is the man that I always thought of as a non - talker...

what I am wearing is a couch potato sack

[link]

DH insists on calling it a onesie

better picture

[link]

I think DH might be right in his terminology.

He'll come around on the Tivo. It's a Tivo, after all.

I'm enjoying my 1942 Boston Cooking School Cookbook. Here is the recipe for "Toasted English Muffins":

Split English Muffins (baker's or homemade) or pull apart with fork. Brush cut side generously with melted butter. Toast in broiler, buttered side only. Serve hot with jam or marmalade.

With Cheese. Sprinkle with grated cheese before toasting, or put a thin round slice of soft cheese on each.

Also, at least half of the recipes in the appetizers chapter essentially boil down to "cut in cubes, stick with toothpicks, serve around a bowl of Mayonnaise."

It's fantastic.

Oooh, beth, that looks cozy! I always keep a couple blankets on the back of the couch for cuddling with, but that couch sack would be great to plop into at the end of the day to watch TV with.

Hee, my brother has crashed on my bed. My father is laughing like a loon at "Virgin" and teh daughter and teh nephew have gone off to a local bar to play darts. I can do whatever I want, now! So, I'm sitting here enjoying doing nothing, nothing, nothing.

We HAVE a Tivo in the bedroom, so he is not unaware of, what I consider, the virtues. He doesn't like the pause in changing channels, but I think he just really needs a remote lesson, or maybe I have the machines connected funky or something. I never have a problem with it.

He won't even consider hooking it up in the family room and ignoring it cause he says he can't change channels the way he wants to. I just don't get it.

Perkins - the salty licorice is yours. I'll bring it over NYD.

Everyone else loved their gifts. K-Bug and her iPod, C and her record player, CJ and his skateboard....all are happy. C is off with her mom for Christmas dinner but should be back later tonight.

eta - DH doesn't like his new cell phone either. I lose.

MG, this is ridiculous. I think those are both extremely thoughtful and generous gifts. I'm sure DH is wonderful in many ways, but pardon me while I thwunk him with a stocking full of coal.