#kerststol

[muchmunchies]

Some delicious Dutch baked goods: (Kerst)stol, boterkoek, eierkoeken & gevulde koeken.

Find them here.

[goldsainz]

# MV33 — DE WARMTE VAN KERSTMIS !

MASTERLIST !

SERIES MASTERLIST !

001. SUMMARY !

✯ as christmas gift you give max the greatest news of all time.

002. WARNINGS !

✯ talks about pregnancy.

003. NOTE !

✯ last part of the christmas sries! i hope that you all had a wonderful christmas if you celebrate and if not that yiu had a lovely holiday season.

word count : 2,1k

The cabin was exactly what you had pictured when Max had suggested spending Christmas in the countryside���a perfect blend of rustic charm and homely warmth. The logs that made up its walls bore the weathered marks of many winters, and the large windows offered a picturesque view of the snow-covered landscape outside. Fluffy white flakes clung to the branches of towering evergreens, and a small wooden fence encircled the property, dusted in a glittering layer of snow that shimmered in the moonlight.

Inside, the warmth from the crackling fireplace wrapped around you like a comforting embrace, and soft candlelight flickered against the wooden beams above, casting gentle shadows that danced in the cozy room. The scent of traditional Dutch dishes such as the rich, hearty erwtensoep and the faint sweetness of freshly baked kerststol—wafted through the air, blending perfectly with the woodsy aroma of the fire. The table was set simply but beautifully, with rustic wooden plates and a centerpiece of evergreen sprigs and bright red berries.

As you and Max sat down to dinner, the quietness of the setting seemed to work its magic on him. His usually intense features, so accustomed to the pressures of his fast-paced life, softened under the golden glow of the firelight. His broad shoulders, so often tense from the weight of expectations, appeared to relax as he leaned back slightly in his chair.

“Is this what Christmas feels like for you?” you asked, breaking the comfortable silence as you picked at a piece of the kerststol on your plate.

Max paused, glancing toward the fire as if gathering his thoughts. A small smile tugged at the corners of his lips, a subtle but genuine expression that made your chest feel a little warmer. “Yeah,” he said, his voice low but certain. “Just simple. No noise, no chaos. Just... calm.”

He reached for his glass, taking a sip of the wine you had brought along, and you couldn’t help but study his face in the firelight. There was something unguarded about him in this moment, something rare and precious. It wasn’t often that he let himself slow down enough to simply be. Here, in this cabin away from the spotlight, you saw a version of Max that felt like a secret, shared only with you.

“You like that, don’t you?” you teased softly, a playful smile on your lips. “The calm.”

He gave a small shrug, though his smile lingered. “I don’t get it often,” he admitted, his tone carrying a weight of honesty that made your heart ache a little. “But, yeah. I like it.”

After dinner, you both settled by the fire, the flames casting a golden light over the room. Max handed you a steaming mug of hot chocolate, his fingers lingering against yours for a moment. You couldn’t help but notice how his usual seriousness seemed to melt away in this setting. He leaned back, one arm resting along the couch behind you, the other cradling his own mug.

As you chatted about everything from childhood Christmases to his latest racing season, you couldn’t help but marvel at how different Max seemed tonight. There was a quiet ease about him, a softness that emerged only when the weight of his fast-paced world was left behind. His laughter came more freely, a warm, low sound that resonated in the cozy space. His blue eyes glimmered with a rare kind of light, a mix of amusement and contentment that made your heart swell.

“You’re different tonight,” you teased, leaning into his side and nudging him gently.

“Different how?” he asked, one eyebrow arching slightly as he turned his head to look at you.

“Less grumpy,” you said with a cheeky grin.

That earned you a soft chuckle, his lips curving into a smirk. “Don’t get used to it,” he shot back, though the humor in his voice betrayed the truth—he liked this, too.

The fire crackled softly in the background, the warmth of it wrapping around both of you like a blanket. It felt like the rest of the world had disappeared, leaving only the two of you in this perfect little bubble. You could feel your heart beating a little faster, a mix of nervousness and excitement coursing through you as you thought about what you’d been holding onto all evening.

The moment felt perfect, and you decided it was time. Taking a steadying breath, you reached into your bag and pulled out a small, neatly wrapped box. The sight of it in your hands caught Max’s attention, and his gaze shifted from your face to the gift with a spark of curiosity.

“For you,” you said softly, holding it out to him.

He hesitated for a moment, his brows knitting together in mild confusion, before he reached out to take it. “What’s this?” he asked, his voice a little wary but touched with genuine interest.

“You’ll see,” you replied, your heart thudding against your ribs as he began unwrapping the gift with careful fingers.

The paper fell away, revealing a small, folded baby shirt in soft white cotton. Across the front, in delicate letters, were the words: Future Verstappen Racer.

Max froze, his hands still holding the shirt as he stared at it. His eyes flickered with a mix of emotions—shock, realization, and something deep and unspoken that made his expression soften. For a long moment, he didn’t say anything, just stared at the tiny shirt as though trying to fully grasp what it meant.

“You’re going to be a dad,” you whispered, breaking the silence. Your voice wavered slightly, the weight of the moment catching up to you.

Max finally looked up at you, his face still a mixture of awe and tenderness. “I... I don’t even know what to say,” he admitted, his voice quieter than usual. His fingers brushed over the fabric of the shirt as though it were the most fragile thing in the world.

A small, almost shy smile began to form on his lips. Setting the shirt gently on the table beside him, Max reached for your hands, pulling you closer. His thumbs brushed over your knuckles as he met your gaze with an intensity that made your breath catch. “You’ve just given me the best Christmas I could have ever imagined,” he murmured.

His hands moved to your face, cradling it gently as he leaned in. His lips brushed against yours in a kiss that was soft yet filled with the weight of everything he was feeling. The warmth of the fire seemed to pale in comparison to the warmth between the two of you in that moment.

When he pulled back, his forehead rested gently against yours, and you could feel the warmth of his breath mingling with your own. Max stayed close, his eyes searching yours as though trying to memorize every detail of this moment. The firelight cast a soft glow across his face, accentuating the tenderness in his expression. Slowly, he reached out to set the baby shirt down carefully on the table beside him, handling it with the same reverence one might give a priceless treasure.

His hands found yours again, his fingers threading through yours as he looked at you with a rare vulnerability that made your heart ache. “I know I’m not good with words,” he began, his voice steady but soft, each syllable laced with sincerity. “But I wanted to give you something that reminds me of you. Something to show you how much you mean to me.”

You watched as he reached into his pocket, your curiosity piqued by the small object he pulled out. He opened his hand to reveal a delicate silver pendant, shaped like a racing helmet. Its surface gleamed in the firelight, and as he turned it slightly, you noticed the engraving on its side—the date you first met.

“I had it made for you,” he said, his voice quieter now, almost hesitant. He placed the pendant in your hand, his fingers lingering against your palm. “So you always know you’re with me, no matter where I go. No matter how far.”

Tears pricked at the corners of your eyes, blurring your vision as you stared down at the charm. The simplicity of it, paired with the thoughtfulness behind the gesture, struck a chord deep within you. It wasn’t just a gift; it was a piece of him, a reminder of the bond you shared and the love that had brought you both to this moment.

“You’re incredible,” you whispered, your voice barely audible over the crackle of the fire.

Max smiled—a small, soft smile that lit up his entire face. Without another word, he leaned in, his lips brushing softly against yours in a kiss that spoke of promises, love, and the unshakable connection between you. The warmth of the fire seemed to pale in comparison to the heat of his kiss, the way it melted away every worry and left only the two of you in the cocoon of the cabin.

When the kiss ended, Max rested his forehead against yours again, his hands cupping your face as though he never wanted to let go. His thumb brushed away a stray tear on your cheek, and he let out a soft laugh, almost as if he couldn’t believe how perfect this moment was.

“Thank you,” he murmured, his voice filled with emotion. “For this. For... everything. I didn’t think I could ever feel this happy.”

You smiled through your tears, leaning into his touch. “You make me happy too, Max. More than I can put into words.”

As the fire crackled softly, wrapping the room in its golden glow, you and Max stayed close, lost in the intimacy of the moment. His hands remained on your face, his thumbs gently brushing your cheeks, as though he was afraid you might disappear if he let go.

Outside, the snow fell steadily, blanketing the world in a serene hush, but inside, the warmth was almost tangible. You rested your head against his chest, listening to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat, a sound that felt as comforting as the cozy cabin around you. Max’s arms tightened around you, pulling you impossibly closer, his chin resting lightly on top of your head.

“You know,” he murmured, his voice soft yet filled with emotion, “this is all I’ve ever wanted. A quiet moment like this, with you, where nothing else matters.”

Your lips curled into a smile as you tilted your head to look up at him. “It’s all I’ve ever wanted too.”

Max’s eyes softened, his gaze filled with a depth of emotion that left you breathless. “I used to think Christmas didn’t mean much,” he admitted. “It was just another day, really. But now, with you, it’s different. It feels... special.”

You reached up to cup his cheek, your fingers tracing the line of his jaw. “That’s because you are special, Max. To me, to us.” Your other hand moved instinctively to your belly, a gesture that didn’t go unnoticed.

He placed his hand gently over yours, his thumb brushing over your fingers in a way that made your heart swell. “I’m going to do everything I can to be a good dad,” he said quietly, his tone full of determination. “And an even better partner to you.”

You leaned up to kiss him again, your lips meeting his in a tender, lingering embrace. The world outside seemed to fade away entirely, leaving only the warmth of the fire, the love in his eyes, and the quiet promise of the life you were building together.

Eventually, you both settled back on the couch, your legs tangled together as you curled up beneath a thick, knit blanket. The baby shirt and silver pendant sat on the table nearby, tiny symbols of the future you were so excited to share.

Max’s hand found yours once more, his fingers threading through yours as he held you close. “Merry Christmas,” he whispered, his lips brushing against your temple.

“Merry Christmas, Max,” you replied, your voice filled with love.

The cabin grew quieter as the fire began to die down, leaving the room bathed in a soft, amber glow. Outside, the snow continued to fall, blanketing the world in a peaceful silence. And in that moment, nestled together in the warmth of each other’s arms, you knew you’d never felt more at home.

[darcyolsson]

ik snap waar het vandaan komt maar ik vind het ergens zo komisch dat de kerststol/paasstol inmiddels overal een "feeststol" heet. het brood is atheïstisch geworden. vanwege wakker

[gacmediadaily]

Great American Family kicks off their Christmas movie season 100 days from today on October 20th! Every Saturday night during the Christmas season they will have a new Christmas movie premiere, including one officially announced today via PEOPLE, Christmas on Windmill Way.

Christmas on Windmill Way stars Chad Michael Murray (One Tree Hill, An Autumn Romance, Sullivan's Crossing) and Christa Taylor Brown (Dream Wedding, Wynonna Earp).

According to PEOPLE, "the movie follows Mia Meijer (Christa Taylor Brown) as she gets ready for the Christmas Market Dutch Bake-Off and suspects that her grandmother, Ann, will walk away with the cherished Golden Rolling Pin thanks to her Kerststol, a traditional Dutch fruited Christmas bread. But Mia's world is rocked when she learns that Ann was having financial troubles and had to sell the land deed to the Windmill Way property in her family for generations. Making matters worse, the buyer is Mia's former boyfriend, property developer Brady Schaltz (Chad Michael Murray), who must let Mia and Ann know the Meijer family-owned heritage Dutch sawmill, renowned for the past 90 years for its fine millwork and beautiful wooden furniture, will be torn down to put up a luxurious resort."

Originally, it was announced that Great American Family would have 21 all-new Christmas movie premieres this upcoming 2023 Christmas season, but lately, I've noticed a couple articles, including this one at PEOPLE, mention the network would have, and I quote, "at least 21 new holiday movie debuts throughout the season." Hmmm??? This makes me wonder if Great American Family is anticipating a few more. Anyway, it's an interesting possibility.

Also starring with Chad Michael Murray and Christa Taylor Brown in this movie are Erin Agostino (Cider and Sunsets) and Jon McLaren (The Great Christmas Switch, Sappy Holiday). The previous working title for this movie was Christmas on Windmill Lane.

Be sure to look for Christmas on Windmill Way this Christmas season on Great American Family!

[tutorrod]

Eat, Celebrate, Repeat: Dutch Christmas & New Year’s Traditions Explained

Towards the end of each year, the Dutch embrace traditions that are all about indulging in seasonal foods and (to put it mildly) “chasing away the old year’s ghosts.” Christmas Treats: The Dutch “Kerststol” A holiday staple in Dutch homes, “kerststol” (often just called “stol”) is a festive sweet bread that’s offered in stores during Christmas (and again at Easter). This delicious loaf is…

[thetortillachannel]

More recipes can be found on the tortilla channel blog. To receive weekly new recipes you can subscribe to the weekly recipe newsletter.

[fullcravings]

Dutch Christmas Kerststol Bread Ring

[furnmeubels]

Fijne tweede kerstdag! Nu eerst een | Link in bio l * * * * Credits: @mrscarlissa * * * * ations ation sofa tyling 17

[roxyfloxsy-blog]

#Broodpudding oftewel #breadandbutterpudding van oude #kerststol, #krentenbollen, #oliebollen, #hagelslag, #kaneel, #schuddebuikjes en #tabaccohoningrum mmmmmm!!! Oud brood kun je simpel opleuken tot een geweldig #toetje! (bij Swifterbant) https://www.instagram.com/p/B68s81yB3eEG8amMv6bIzDOmsOB9J7gb-q0Dv40/?igshid=1g1aqeb87atla

[bluesunsdusk]

--// I forgot to answer Sieb’s favorite food. I hope snacks count. ))

[just-rassya]

Bamischijf adalah kudapan Belanda yang terbuat dari irisan bakmi, yang kemudian dilapisi tepung roti dan digoreng rendam. Hidangan ini adalah modifikasi Belanda atas hidangan Tionghoa Indonesia bakmi goreng.Di Belanda dikenal pula nasischijf yaitu hidangan serupa yang dibuat dari nasi goreng.

Bitterballen adalah nama sejenis makanan di kawasan Belanda. Bitterballen rasanya mirip dengan kroket, tetapi bentuk kecil bulat-bulat sekitar 3 sampai 4 cm.Bitterballen biasa dimakan sebagai kudapan yang menyertai minuman. Makanan ini, seperti kroket, biasanya dibuat dari daging sapi, udang atau kadang kala daging kuda yang dicincang dan dibuat ragout. Lalu kemudian dibalut menggunakan tepung roti dan digoreng dalam minyak panas. Setelah itu disajikan menggunakan saus moster.

adalah rebusan tradisional Belanda yang terdiri dari daging, ikan, atau burung yang dipotong dadu dan sayuran. Hachee adalah contoh khas masakan tradisional Belanda yang berdasar pada daging sapi, bawang bombay dan asam (biasanya cuka atau anggur). Cengkih dan bayleaf ditambahkan ke kuah daging yang kental. Biasanya disajikan dengan kubis merah, apel, saus apel, kentang, hutspot atau nasi.

Hutspot adalah hidangan nasional Belanda. Daging dimasak dan dipotong dadu lalu dicampur dengan sayuran yang dihaluskan (wortel, buncis, kentang dan bawang bombay). Hidangan ini biasanya disajikan dengan jenever (gin) atau bir.

Kerststol adalah roti tradisional Belanda yang ditaburi dengan manisan kulit buah, kismis, gula bubuk dan dimakan pada waktu Natal. Roti yang berisi pasta almond disebut dengan "stol". Jika tidak, hanya roti natal biasa. Selama liburan bulan Desember, kerststol akan menjadi bagian dari sarapan atau brunch dan dapat ditawarkan kepada tamu sebagai pengganti kue, ditemani secangkir kopi atau teh.

Poffertjes adalah kue tradisional yang empuk dari Belanda. Penampilannya mirip panekuk, tetapi lebih kecil dan manis. Berkebalikan dengan panekuk, poffertjes dibalikkan sebelum salah satu sisinya matang sehingga hasilnya lebih lembut.

Wafel adalah adonan-atau kue adonan yang dimasak dengan berbasis besi wafel yang bermotif untuk memberikan bentuk khas dan karakteristik tertentu. Ada banyak variasi berdasarkan jenis dan bentuk dari besi dan resep yang digunakan.

[rokutouxei]

lips against his mouth

ikemen vampire: temptations in the dark arthur conan doyle / mc (avril) | T for language | 2902 | [ao3] somehow even if you know you’ll always lose the game to arthur, you keep playing. losing is worth it anyway. | @ikevamp-holiday-exchange happy holidays, @littlelady-blackwell, I hope this is to your taste!

Holiday season in the mansion was nothing less than as extravagant as its master. In truth, the celebration was less for the religious significance, and more for the sheer luxury of it—one that Le Comte would not dare miss out on. 

While the untouched-by-time duo expressed no exact preference for their meal, the rather interesting mix of cultures of the other mansion residents led to a very colorful spread on the table—among many other dishes, some Kerststol for the Dutch brothers, some foie gras and caviar for the French soldiers, some dainty wagashi for the Japanese author, a variety of puddings and pies for the two Englishmen, some Glühwein as requested rather curtly by the musician, and, mostly for the humor of the time-slipped cook of the night, the closest he could get to his hometown’s favorite Christmas meal: take-out fried chicken cooked with 11 secret herbs and spices.

You beam. “Well, seems like our work here is done.”

“We made a good team, I think.”

You and Sebastian started your preparations long before the sun rose, and your hands were full with work from that moment on. But now that you’ve finally finished plating all the multiple courses of the multiple cuisines of multiple meals, it seemed very much worth it. A beautiful aroma—just about the smell of Christmas, gingerbread, pine cones, cinnamon—wafts from the dessert tray waiting on the side like a blessing, enticing people toward the beautifully laid table with everything from soups and salads to a beautifully carved duck.

At exactly six o’clock, the mansion residents slowly made their way out of their rooms and into the dining hall, each one marveling at the feast in front of them.

The dinner is, of course, nothing short of a success. Le Comte applauds both you and Sebastian for a job well done, and everyone is munching happily on the comfort Christmas food in between sips of wine and rouge. At some point, Vincent shares a story about Christmases with his family when he was much younger, and Mozart—in a drunken half-stupor—also interjects with a few of his own stories. The holiday cheer envelops the entire room, but something is missing, and you desperately try to fill it by being busy half-listening half- trying to shove a bit of everything on the table onto your plate.

Until he arrives, at last.

At first you don’t pay attention to him. Vincent and Dazai greet him rather happily when he enters—“Christmases are better when you’re complete,” Vincent says with a happy hum—but he doesn’t make a move to approach you. When you sneak a peek, he’s piling up with some pudding and a slice of an apple pie he’s surely saved to give for Isaac, based on how it’s placed on his plate. But you don’t raise your voice, don’t bring it up, just continue to focus on the flow of conversation, and now it’s Napoleon talking about Christmas masses at the Notre Dame. Not today, you tell yourself, you won’t give him what he wants.

Until he begs for it.

“Well hello love, fancy seeing you here.”

In a moment he has one arm slung around your shoulder, and his bangs brush against the soft of your cheek. You don’t even turn to look when you answer. “Why are you late? Where were you?”

“Why, if you’re that cross at me, I can imagine you’d be furious at how old chap Theo isn’t here yet either,” Arthur says.

“At least he had the decency to tell me he’d be out late tonight for a client thing,” you bite back. When you turn to Arthur and he only grins back, you push a large bite of kerststol into his open mouth before turning away again. “I’m not listening to your excuses. Finish your food.”

“Little bird, don’t be upset.” He presses a gentle kiss to your cheek, and he sounds so concerned your little faux anger is starting to thaw at the edges. “I went to get you a present. And a game.”

One thing you hate—because you are absolutely weak to it—is when Arthur relies on a moment of vulnerability to get you to turn to his side. Every damn time he does this, you insist this is some sort of manipulation, but on the other hand Arthur likes to call it “an act of love.” Today, Arthur relents by pressing his chin against your shoulder rather softly, and winding his hands around your waist.

Oh, drat.

“I’m not upset,” you finally relent. You lost that one from the start. “But a game? What game?”

The face Arthur makes—half-grin, half-smirk—only spells trouble.

But that’s the face you fell in love with, and if you were ride or die with it ‘til the end.

“You know how Le Comte has lived a bloody long time now, right?” Arthur begins. “Now, I was snooping around once—no need to ask why—but I found this nice old bottle of Chartreuse in the cellar. Not just aged old, but straight-from-the-first-ever-casks-made old. Authentic antique stuff. Probably taste like god’s alcohol. Thought I’d come back for it some other day, but I never really got to, and based on my last look at Le Comte’s room, he hasn’t taken it up with him yet. So it should still be there.”

You know where this is going, but you’d rather confirm the crime first. “So what do we do?”

“Simple: we find the bottle, and we drink it,” Arthur says. “But not just drink it, we play a game with it. When—and I say when—we find that bottle, we play truth or drink. First one to get drunk loses.”

“You don’t have the best alcohol tolerance, Arthur.”

“Neither do you, and that’s why I’m betting on mine.”

“Fine,” you surrender. Only a few minutes with him and it seems like he always has the upper hand. And yet somehow you don’t dislike that. “But the one who doesn’t find the bottle gets a glass headstart.”

He grins, gesturing toward the unattended door. “That’s what I like about you, pet. Let’s go.”

-

Because life is unfair and you are not the mind behind legendary detective Sherlock Holmes, Arthur finds the bottle before you. He hums happily as he pulls out the dark Chartreuse bottle out from the shelf, leaving you astounded in front of the white wine bottles. He says something about knowing the year Chartreuse was made and the order everything was arranged, but that doesn’t matter anyway because you’ve lost.

Luckily, he doesn’t doom the both of you into drinking in the cellar, so after carrying out a pair of beer bottles and also one with red wine, the both of you make your way to the garden, settling under the gazebo, the only light the dim glow from the mansion and tiny specks of starlight. You place the beautiful crystal glasses you’ve “borrowed” from the little feast on the table and Arthur pops open the drink.

“This isn’t the only reason you took us down here, is it?” you ask him, as he pours some Chartreuse—a beautiful green-yellow liquid that smells amazing.

“Is it so bad I want to have my lady alone to myself on Christmas Eve?” he says as he finishes pouring his own glass. “How about a toast to a wonderful holiday?”

You do a toast and drink under the night sky, faintly hearing the bustle from inside the dining hall. Arthur turns towards you and gives you a look.

“Would you rather be back inside with the rest of them?”

You pause for a full moment—just to mess with him; you see his expression slowly shift—before answering, “No, I’d rather be out here with you.”

“Golly, sure like to give me a heart attack, don’t you?” he chuckles. Then he turns towards you with a glint in his eyes. “Let’s play the game, Avril.”

-

The penalty of single glass of Chartreuse headstart? That hit hard. After you downed it you immediately regretted saying it in the first place. What kind of confidence did you have in that moment that you’d find the bottle first anyway? It was Arthur who saw the bottle before you even began. He was bound to win. But a game is a game and it must be played.

You swirl the Chartreuse on your glass and turn to Arthur.

“Since I had the first glass, you answer first.”

“Sure,” he says, tilting his empty glass towards you.

“Let’s start with something simple,” you consider. “After you turned into a vampire, what thing was the hardest change for you?”

“Oh, those kinds of questions. I was thinking the naughtier kind.”

You glare at him. “Hey, you don’t have a say on the questions I ask. Just the answers. C’mon.”

“Well,” he pauses. “I think the one that took a while to adjust to was the food. Or rather how it wasn’t needed anymore. Sure, Sebas cooks meals as normal, but it’s not the same kind of satisfying as with, say, humans eating food. Rather like a vice, really: enjoyable, but otherwise rather empty.”

You frown, thinking of the plates and plates of food you’ve eaten with Arthur. “But it’s not as bleak as you make it out to be, is it? It’s still pleasant, right?”

“Of course it is!” he says. “Especially when it’s with you.”

The smile returns to your face. “Okay, your turn.”

“How experienced are you when it comes to sex?”

You feel your face flush bright red, and this isn’t the alcohol, you’re sure. “What?”

“No objections allowed on the questions,” Arthur says, mirroring your answer earlier.

You huff. “And then what? You’re going to get jealous and blame me for it?”

“That’s assuming there’s anything I can be jealous of?” he hums. “I already have you. Why would I still be jealous?”

You look hesitantly at Arthur, and he points at the Chartreuse bottle as if saying, if you don’t trust me, then drink? But you do trust him, you do, and that’s the hard part. You sigh in defeat and whisper a vague detail in his ear, something just enough to sate his interest and nothing in gory detail. You squeeze your hands on your lap. Your greatest worry is that he judges you, after all.

But he only smiles at you. “Interesting! Thank you for entertaining my little curiosity.”

You are filled with relief. “Why were you so curious about it anyway?”

He shrugs. “Just wanted to know where you learned to be like that.”

You’re sure all your blood has now rushed to your cheeks. “Arthur!”

“Yes, yes, okay, I’m stopping,” he laughs, shrugging you off. “Your turn.”

“Next time ask a better question,” you say while pouting. You consider your next question as a point of counterattack. “Oh, oh, I have a good one.” You raise your glass towards him. “I know you were always chasing after ‘little skirts’ and all, and you’ve made an entire living out of it in the past—”

“I did not! Who said that?”

“—but my point is, have you ever—even just tried—to be with a dude? Even just once!”

Arthur considers this for a full moment, pursing his lips and even running his tongue over it, before he takes the Chartreuse bottle and begins to fill his glass up. Your jaw goes slack.

“Really? You’re drinking to that?”

“Some men have to keep their secrets, you know.”

“I won’t judge you, Arthur.”

“I know you won’t,” he says, before he downs the contents of the glass. “But this relationship would benefit from a bit of mystery, don’t you think? Besides, this game is no fun if no one drinks.”

“Fine,” you say, relaxing back into your seat. “Your turn.”

“Okay. What’s the thing you like best about me?” Arthur asks.

In that instant, you can think of a million answers, and listing them would maybe take you forever, but you decide the best one to say is nothing, so you pour some Chartreuse into your glass.

He pouts. “Now you’re doing that just to spite me.”

“So what if I am?”

“Oh, I’ll find a way you’ll tell me, one way or another,” Arthur concedes, and you only smile as you take your drink.

You don’t know how long the two of you sit out there drinking, but if the moon was any indicator, as it soared across the night sky, then you’ve spent a good amount of time out here. The questions don’t run out, from the mundane to the absolutely scandalous, firing at each other, seeking outrageous answers with the confidence of a drunk man on remembering what occurred overnight. At some point you switch from drinking as a penalty to drinking for the fun of it, and it doesn’t take long for the Chartreuse to go empty, and so Arthur pops open the next bottle, and the next. Luckily, the tipsiness doesn’t hit you enough to make you black out, just very gooey on the edges, and eventually you end up lying with your head on his lap. By this time you’ve given up the glasses for drinking straight from the bottle—“like a real pirate!”—which you alternate taking swigs out from.

Tongue loose, you look at Arthur’s blue, blue eyes and smile softly. “Hey, you know that thing you asked earlier?”

“Mm?”

“About what thing I liked about you?”

He pouts again. “Yeah, you refused to answer it.”

“No, no, no, baby, don’t pout,” you say, reaching out for his face. “There’s a reason for it. And it’s because I didn’t want to tire my tongue out talking. Because it’s everything.” You feel a grin form on his face. Taking this as a sign of approval, you begin to babble. “I like you. You know how weird it is to be this attracted to someone? Even I didn’t think I could fall in love like this. Just completely, fully, over-the-moon… ugh. I love you. I love all of you. Every single square inch of you, even your big, big, big, big”—a moment to consider—“brain.”

Arthur clears his throat and gives you a knowing smirk, to which the two of you laugh.

“Baby,” you coo. “I have another question.”

“What is it?”

You take a moment as if considering your question, but then realize there is nothing you have to fear when you have Arthur next to you. You stare at him with eyes filled with an infinite love, and ask, “Why did you choose me?”

Taken off-guard by the look on your face, Arthur turns away from you and looks up at the mansion, where he sees the faint shadow of Le Comte and Leonardo talking by the balcony. The party must have long been over by this time. Behind the mansion is a vast black sky, illuminated by the dim blue light of stars.

He begins to stroke your hair with his hands, soothing fingertips smoothing out the strands. You nuzzle against him—nearly purr, like a cat—but don’t insist on the question, don’t rush him, and Arthur doesn’t quite have the courage to look at you yet because he knows if he does he might just burst into vulnerable tears.

What a silly question, he thinks. What does it mean to choose when there are no other options? Sure, he’d been playing around but it wasn’t like he was looking for something like this. He hadn’t expected he’d be able to find something like this at all. Arthur loved the game—and he loved to play it, and he thought he could play it forever and ever and ever.

He couldn’t. He didn’t want to, anymore.

So no. There were no options. But that doesn’t mean that he had only chosen you because there was no one else. It was how he did not want anyone else. No one had passed the test. No one else had the qualifications. There was an entrance exam to Arthur’s heart and you had aced every single assessment.

But even that wasn’t right. You didn’t go out of your way to seek him out or romance him. It was all rather… organic. You weren’t just a hopeful, you weren’t some sort of candidate. You weren’t a selection on a list. You never were.

Arthur’s voice hides deep inside his voicebox like a scared mouse, like if he dares make a sound he’ll be found out. But he knows these are words that deserve to be heard. So he says it.

“I didn’t choose you, little bird,” he finally dares to say, his voice small and weak like it’ll crumble, with the bottle’s lips against his mouth, “It was you who had chosen me.”

But by the time this answer leaves his mouth you had long fallen into the realm of sleep, snoring lightly and rather adorably on his lap. Not that it matters, Arthur thinks, as he finishes the rest of the bottle and stares out at the sprawling garden. He doesn’t even need alcohol, the next time. He’ll say it again and again and again if you ask.

Tomorrow he’ll give you your Christmas gift. But he knows that no matter what he gives, it will never match the gift you have given him in allowing to be his.

[tasteatlas]

Which Christmas sweet bread is traditionally prepared in your home? 🎄 . ➡ Submit your local food and tag #tasteatlas . #foodventory #foodlovers #foodpic #travelblogger #travel #foodblogger #instafood #food #foodie #tasty #dish #chef #golocal #eatlikealocal #christmas #sweetbread #panettone #pandoro #stollen #makowiec #nadalin #hefezopf #kerststol #vanocka #bolorei https://www.instagram.com/p/B6Omys1FYkD/?igshid=d2g4lovzcmnc

[cassandra-acton]

ADVENT CALENDAR: TASK ONE. ❄

TRADITIONS:

Are you a Grinch, or do you enjoy the holidays?: Okay, so Cassie really loves Christmas. Like actually loves. Put bells on this bitch.

On which day do you celebrate Christmas?: Christmas Day.

Is it a religious celebration or non-denominational?: With her parents, it always had religious themes, but with Harrison’s, and the subsequent ones she spent by herself, non-denominational.

Who do you usually spend the holidays with?: This is a difficult one. Originally, it was always her family. Then, from her late teens onward, it was with Harrison’s family, until he passed. Since he’s been gone, it varies depending on how she’s feeling/the circumstances. Cassie hs spent a couple with Sharon and John, Harrison’s parents, one with her own family, and then the rest by herself.

What does your typical Christmas dinner include?: With her family, a fat fucking roast, mate. Turkey, ham, beef, venison. All the trimmings. Dad’s best roast potatoes. She and Elizabeth always demanded Yorkshire puddings, much to her mother’s despair. Enough pigs in blankets to give you heart disease. Kerststol and Janhagen. Gingerbread. All the marzipan. Christmas pudding with a coin inside. Don’t forget the sherry. If mum’s not pissed on sherry, it isn’t Christmas. 

Do you open presents on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day?: Christmas Day.

Do you still have a stocking?: Yes! Cassie and Jessica still put together a stocking for each other every year because they’re children.

Do you still get an Advent Calendar?: Multiple.

Do you leave all of your Christmas shopping until last minute, or are you organized?: Every year she tells herself she’s going to be more organized, but it never actually happens. She definitely ends up leaving it until the last minute and stressing out that she’s forgotten someone/something.

Do you take charge of the day, or are you in the corner sipping Baileys?: Cassie goes with the flow. If mum is around (which she usually is) then there’s no room for anybody else to take charge.

Any traditions passed down through the family?: Cassie’s family has a big meal on Christmas Eve night because her grandma Hélène was Catholic, and used to demand one before Mass. Even though she’s since died, Anita continues the tradition in her mother’s honor. The family tends to get to the house just before, and all stay overnight so they’re there ready for Christmas morning.

Any weird things your family does that others don’t?: Not that she’s aware of.

Do you go all-out with decorations, or keep it basic?: All out. Walking into her house is like walking into the North Pole.

Post a picture of what your Christmas tree looks like: Doesn’t do a real tree because of the doggo paws, but this is her lovely fake tree.

Do you ever spend the holidays away from home?: When Harrison was alive, they would always spend it together in Oxford with his family, so sort of? It was handy because her parents lived just across the road, so she could pop in and see them for a minimal amount of time (just enough that she didn’t feel guilty) and then spend it with the people she actually wanted to be with. Cassie would always make sure to give plenty of time to grandma Renske, though. ♥

Do you like to get a bit tipsy, or is it an alcohol-free zone?: Have you seen her family? Tipsy is a must to get through the fucking day.

FAVOURITES/FUN BITS:

Favourite Christmas song: Christmas Time - The Darkness.

Least favourite Christmas song: Fairytale of New York - The Pogues. 

Favourite Christmas food: Pigs in blankets. The bacon kind.

Least favourite Christmas food: Sprouts, because why is that a thing.

Favourite Christmas movie: The Holiday.

Least favourite Christmas movie: Miracle on 34th Street.

Favourite Christmas tradition: Buying a new ugly jumper every year. Cassie’s collection is impressive. It’s not Christmas until the jumper is bought.

Ever re-gifted?: Nah. If she ever gets something she doesn’t like, she’ll either hoard it away out of guilt/give it to a charity shop, instead. 

If you had an unlimited budget, what would you buy for the three most important people in your life?: To be honest, most of the important people in her life have everything they want already. Rich ass bitches. So, the gifts would be extra as fuck to take advantage of no budget. For Jess: a private jet to cater to her excessive traveling. For Spencer: a chalet in Chamonix, because they have a lot of nice memories there, and she could guilt him into letting her use it whenever she liked. For Sharon: everything she wants for the rest of her life because she fucking deserves it. 

If you could have any gift in the world, unlimited budget, what would it be?: A really nice Stradivarius violin would be lovely. 

Weirdest Secret Santa gift ever received: A bottle of bleach, a ruler, and some raw sweet potatoes. There was a £5 budget and choices were limited...

If you could kiss any fictional character under the mistletoe, who would it be?: Josh Lyman from The West Wing, for sure.

If you were forced to wear an ugly sweater to an ugly sweater party, what would it look like?: This one.

What’s your go-to outfit for festive fancy dress?: The cutest reindeer to have ever lived, obviously. Brody gets matching antlers.

Christmas Day or New Year’s Eve?: Christmas Day.

White Christmas or snow-free?: White Christmas.

MEMORIES: (feel free to write any of these as separate drabbles, and link them in later)

Earliest Christmas memory: Grandma Hélène shouting at her for helping herself to the chocolates hanging on the tree before Christmas Eve dinner. Cassie was only about five, and she’d run to her room crying because she was so harsh about it. To his credit, dad came up with another handful of chocolates shortly after, sat with her until she stopped crying, and told her the woman was a witch. 

Best Christmas memory: One year, she and Harrison went up to his parents' castle in the Highlands for Christmas. It snowed so hard (yes, even for Scotland) that they were stuck there, and their airport ended up being closed. It meant the three-day trip ended up being closer to a week. They lost power, so dinner was a mess, but it was easily the best Christmas she’s ever had. Everything was by candlelight, and they spent the day crowded around the fire, wrapped in blankets, drinking Scotch. It was nice not to be distracted by the TV, or the Internet or any of that stuff. If she could relive that day for the first time once more, she would be pretty fucking happy.

Worst Christmas memory: The first Christmas after Harrison died was certainly one of the hardest things she’s ever had to deal with. There was nothing wrong with the day itself; she spent it with his parents, Jasper, and Jasper’s girlfriend at the time. It was just the feeling of him not being there? It was crushing for all of them, and they weren’t particularly good at hiding it, but there was no way in hell she could have made it through the day by herself.

Best Christmas present ever received, and who was it from: Besides the shares in Match.com that Alice bought her? Brody. Harrison bought her Brody for Christmas, and he was the best gift ever. The rest of you can sit down.

Best Christmas present ever sent, and who was it for: Uh, definitely Silas’s mug. 

Someone you wish you could bring back for one last Christmas: I think one more Christmas with Harrison would be nice.

Have you ever been stuck somewhere else for Christmas?: The same as her best memory. Getting stuck in Scotland for the entire Christmas period was an absolute blessing. Also the best excuse to avoid family ever.

[gacmediadaily]

Great American Pure Flix recently announced the premiere dates for their Christmas movie premieres from Great American Family.

Here are the dates provided in their press release:

B&B Merry (Wednesday, November 1), starring Jen Lilley, Peter Louis Chouinard, and Jesse Hutch. Tracey a travel blogger is invited by Graham Cooper to Christmas getaway for family's small bed and breakfast. B&B is facing tough competition from a hotel resort that has been stealing guests and threatens survival of the family business.

'Twas the Text Before Christmas (Thursday, November 2), starring Merritt Patterson and Trevor Donovan. An unexpected text message sent to the wrong number (Patterson) sets into motion a Christmas tradition with a new family (Donovan) over three separate years.

Christmas Keepsake (Friday, November 10), starring Jillian Murray and Daniel Lissing. A father (Lissing) bonds with his daughter and stumbles upon an unexpected romance (Murray) while tracking down the original owner of a Christmas time capsule.

A Christmas Blessing (Thursday, November 16), starring Lori Laughlin, Jesse Hutch and James Tupper. Renowned TV star Mandy Gilmore (Loughlin) says goodbye to her hit culinary series, A World of Food, with plans to travel the globe dining in all 142 Michelin star restaurants. Before jetting to Paris, Mandy stops in Milwaukee with the deed to her deceased aunt's food pantry, Angel's Fare, recently purchased by adjacent business owner, Adam Carraway (Tupper). A simple transaction. Until pantry volunteer, Otto Nessen (Hutch) reminds all that Aunt Susie's love of cooking was truly love of feeding and inspires one more holiday feast for those who need it most. Haul out the holly! For we need a little Christmas now.

Santa, Maybe (Wednesday, November 22), starring Aubrey Reynolds and Samuel Whitten. Can theater director Lila (Reynolds) rise to the challenge of putting on the perfect Christmas ballet, while also discovering her office Secret Santa in the process?

A Dash of Christmas (Thursday, November 23), starring Laura Osnes and Christopher Russell. To apply for her dream job at a foodie startup, an executive (Laura Osnes) must learn to bake. When she recruits a handsome baker to help her (Christopher Russell), she inadvertently ends up entered in a Christmas Bakeoff.

Destined 2: Christmas One More (Thursday, November 30), starring Shae Robins and Casey Elliott. In this sequel, Theo (Elliott) continues to miss connecting with his girlfriend, Kim (Robins) as he attempts to propose at Christmas.

My Christmas Hero (Friday, December 1), starring Candace Cameron Bure and Gabriel Hogan. US Army reservist and orthopedic physician, Nicole Ramsey (Bure) is dedicated to serving military service members and their families at the Joint Military Base in Lacey, Washington, home of I Corps and the 62nd Airlift Wing. This Christmas, with the help of many dedicated heroes, Dr. Ramsey is on a mission to honor a special fallen soldier and bring much needed healing to her own family.

Christmas on Windmill Way (Thursday, December 7), starring Christa Taylor Brown and Chad Michael Murray. Mia Miejer (Taylor Brown) excitedly anticipates the Christmas Market Fest Dutch Bake-Off competition and is filled with confidence her Mimi, Ann, will win the festival's top prize with her award-winning Kerststol when she learns Mimi has difficult news to share. Ann had to sell land around the family-owned Jansen Inn, including easements all around the heritage Tall Wooden and Brick Dutch Windmill renowned for centuries for its fine millwork and beautiful wooden furniture. It's an especially tough pill for Mia to swallow when she learns the land developer's representative is her former boyfriend, Brady Schaltz (Michael Murray), who also must let Mia and Ann know the agreement includes the Inn and sawmill, all of which will be torn down.

Peppermint & Postcards (Friday, December 8), starring Christopher Russell, Ella Cannon and Dave Kenneth MacKinnon. When a Christmas letter concerning her love life goes viral, one mom discovers that romance might be right at her door.

Other Christmas movies playing this holiday season on Great American Pure Flix include: An Angelic Christmas, Buttons: A Christmas Tale, A Christmas... Present, etc... There will also be a weekly theme on the streaming platform during the Christmas season... Getting In the Spirit (Nov. 1-5) Celebrate Family (Nov. 6-12) Celebrate Romance (Nov. 13-19) Celebrate Taste of the Season (Nov. 20-26) Celebrate Coming Home (Nov. 27-Dec. 3) Celebrate Christmas Wishes (Dec. 4-10) Celebrate Christmas Miracles (Dec. 11-17) Celebrate Keeping Christ in Christmas (Dec. 18-24)

*Video Promo - 

Celebrate Christmas with Great American Pure Flix:

I just love that Great American Pure Flix focuses on the True Meaning of Christmas! 

Hopefully, this will be a helpful guide to those of you who have a subscription to this streaming service.

[thetortillachannel]

One minute video how to make a Dutch Christmas kerststol bread ring.

If you want to watch more one minute food inspiration videos then check out my channel on YouTube and subscibe to receive weekly new videos.