Vaughan Williams's Veranda

[Karl Henning]

We had a little wet snow overnight, already done and gone. 

[Number Six]

There's a great episode of The Avengers from the Steed and Peel B&W season called "Too Many Christmas Trees." 

That title fits this thread today. 

[Karl Henning]

There's a great episode of The Avengers from the Steed and Peel B&W season called "Too Many Christmas Trees."

That title fits this thread today. 

Yes, with a cute Honor Blackman joke about her sending a Christmas card from Kentucky. Also with Mervyn Johns, who played Bob Cratchit opposite Alistair Sim!

[Number Six]

Yes, with a cute Honor Blackman joke about her sending a Christmas card from Kentucky. Also with Mervyn Johns, who played Bob Cratchit opposite Alistair Sim!

I forgot about that Xmas card! Lovely little in-joke, indeed.

[LKB]

So, you live in a community of GMG Forum members? 

Yes, he does, along with the rest of us ( when we're here ). 

[LKB]

I believe there are alternative mince pies with meat in them, but the ones I'm used to (and which we all enjoyed at Kalevala's Christmas Tree party) are made with a variety of dried fruits and sugar, preferably with brandy added.

*perk's up*

Brandy?

If that's a common ingredient, l officially like mince pie, having never had one. 

[Elgarian Redux]

*perk's up*

Brandy?

If that's a common ingredient, l officially like mince pie, having never had one. 

With a loaded syringe, it can readily be made a common ingredient.

[Karl Henning]

With a loaded syringe ....

Loaded, forsooth!

[Elgarian Redux]

Loaded, forsooth!

Before a myth gets started, I'd like to declare that I have never actually doctored mince pies, personally. When home-made, there's sometimes brandy in them. The commercial ones from the supermarket, usually not.

Which type of mince pie RVW was fond of, I cannot say; though I believe he nibbled biscuits while composing, so I wouldn't be surprised if he had a mince pie weakness at Christmas.

[Karl Henning]

Before a myth gets started, I'd like to declare that I have never actually doctored mince pies, personally. When home-made, there's sometimes brandy in them. The commercial ones from the supermarket, usually not.

Which type of mince pie RVW was fond of, I cannot say; though I believe he nibbled biscuits while composing, so I wouldn't be surprised if he had a mince pie weakness at Christmas.

Why, I might nibble biscuits while composing, and why not?

[Luke]

Mince pies a plenty at a function at my school, just had my first of the year

[Luke]

These are cheapo ones, not a drop of brandy. But serviceable enough.

[ritter]

These are cheapo ones, not a drop of brandy. But serviceable enough.

Would it be unacceptable to sneak in a flask of brandy into the school? 

[Karl Henning]

Would it be unacceptable to sneak in a flask of brandy into the school? 

Eyebrows would be raised in a meaning manner!

[Luke]

Would it be unacceptable to sneak in a flask of brandy into the school? 

Well there are bottles and bottles of sherry just out of shot, so that's some compensation. But I'm at the keys tonight, so I'm not really partaking yet

[Number Six]

I believe he nibbled biscuits while composing

Yum! But I hope he was careful; he's liable to have gotten gravy on his notes or piano. 

[ritter]

Yum! But I hope he was careful; he's liable to have gotten gravy on his notes or piano. 

I'm not 100% sure, but I'd say they didn't know of the existence of that kind of biscuits in England during RVW's lifetime.... 

[Elgarian Redux]

Why, I might nibble biscuits while composing, and why not?

Indeed, you have every right to indulge in as much biscuit nibbling as you wish, Karl. I (together with RVW) rejoice in your freedom to nibblerate.

[Elgarian Redux]

These are cheapo ones, not a drop of brandy. But serviceable enough.

Cheapo mince pies, devoid of brandy, can still be delicious. This I attest by experience.

[Elgarian Redux]

I'm not 100% sure, but I'd say they didn't know of the existence of that kind of biscuits in England during RVW's lifetime.... 

My imagination, fuelled by a hunch, tells me it was more likely to be things like ginger nuts, or maybe custard creams (invented 1908, apparently). Or Rich Tea (inv. 1891)? Does anyone actually know? We need help here. This is important!