Meenzer

We go to the inlaws every Christmas. I love his mam to bits but she's hopeless in the kitchen. Bone-dry turkey, overdone veg, gravy with granules still floating in it, you name it she can CT it. The "grin and bear it" mask gets a serious workout every time. Overdone sprouts are the worst whoever's in the kitchen, mind. Brock's tips make sense; bacon/pancetta also make everything better, as always. (I mean in the frying pan, though sprouts in blankets would be an interesting variation...)

It's all about degrees of WTFitude. I'm expecting a photo of a Cup-a-Soup next.

http://www.buzzfeed.com/patricksmith/the-best-local-newspaper-stories-of-2013?sub=2812951_2110980&s=mobile

CT, it may not be the Maften (sic) Hall way, but do check out your dusty copy of the Silver Spoon for veg preparation techniques. From memory (I'm away atm) there's a mini-recipe for carrots with rosemary that's a doddle and gives you sweet, soft-but-not-soggy carrot batons every time.

I'm not sure my brain will allow me to make this mental leap

I kind of liked him on the Richard Herring podcast because he was less show-offy than usual. As soon as his fame whore mode kicks in he's basically unbearable to watch or listen to, though, whether he's talking sense or not

The grapes are the round green ones, the crackers are the dry flat ones. HTH.

If only there were some alternatives nearby...

Going to a "posh" Indian with friends tonight. Been perusing the menu and it all sounds pretty amazing, but there's a little part of me that wants to just order an onion bhaji, a chicken tikka masala and a Kingfisher and see what happens.

Unquestionably the lost British Eurovision entry.

Someone must have got you a Chomp Bingo card for your Secret Santa.

...easy breakfasts ...owing waistlines ...ass (artificial)

Happy birthday kidda

He'll certainly be having a 22 pizza for dinner.

I work from home. Every day is a Christmas party.

I quite enjoyed it but in a completely lightweight/trashy way. It's more soap opera than actual drama.

Apparently one of his crimes was "dreaming different dreams".

Nessie piss is notoriously toxic.

Especially when you've got expensive jumpers to save up for.

I think someone will do him up the fabricated story

Gerraway, it's what connects your Sky box to your telly.

Aaaand there's the twist.

I don't mind people who's grammer are rubbish, just like I don't mind the downturn in people studying languages in this country. Since we're all going to have to graft until 70+, the less up-and-coming competition there is in my line of work the better.