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Edy’s Christmas Ice Creams!

Hard to believe that it's been a year already, but it has, and in exactly one week...the saga continues. It's almost time for X-Entertainment's 2007 Advent Calendar! If you're new to the site, look for a history lesson later in the week. Meantime, feel free to peruse the Advent Calendars of yesteryear, which are all required reading if you want to make any sense of what's coming up in a week:

X-E's Advent Calendars:
2002! - 2003! - 2004! - 2005! - 2006!

Thanksgiving was nice. Nothing out of the ordinary. I made a slight etiquette faux pas by "calling a wing" early in the day, and after the turkey was carted out, wing-lovers from one tip of the table to the other shot me dirty looks. Worst of all, I didn't even eat it, and no matter how much I tried to hide that fact by building a turkey wing tent out of side dishes, everyone who wanted one couldn't believe that I'd wasted mine. I guess I was in it more for the trophy than the tryptophan.


My artichokes went over swimmingly. I'm glad they did, because I will never make them again.

Spent much of yesterday being as lazy as humanly possible, watching DVDs and taking advantage of online sales to get almost all of my Christmas shopping done in record time. Course, some of the sales were so good that I couldn't help treating myself. I mean, I fought for and won a Thanksgiving turkey wing...clearly I deserved something for that

Not sure if that "something" should've been the Seinfeld Season 1 DVD, but there I was, ordering it. I've come to the conclusion that I'll buy just about anything if it's more than 50% off. It took me a solid fifteen minutes to convince myself to remove a bread maker from my virtual shopping cart, and I'm still not sure if it was the right decision.


Remember the Halloween Countdown? It was pretty awesome and thorough, waddn't it? If you'll recall, one of the few entries I managed to bang out before losing my smile was on Edy's Pumpkin Ice Cream, a delicious dessert imbued with holiday sprit. It only made sense that they'd do the same for Christmas, and this time, they've doubled their efforts!

The new flavors include Egg Nog and Peppermint. The former seems to be adult-skewing, while the latter is obviously more for kids. I have no real basis for that theory, but I'm sticking with it. If you're over 18, you're not allowed to have Edy's Peppermint Ice Cream.


They're both okay, but I'm not into either flavor enough to pray for them to become perennials. Of the two, I like the egg noggy cream a bit better -- it's subtle, it's sweet, and it's one of those newfangled "double churned" ice creams that make me feel like a better person from a higher social class when I eat it.
very pepperminty, complete with swirls of bright red "gel" which provide an extra boost of spicy sugar. If a flavor could ever be called "gimmicky," this is it. Probably serviceable for holiday parties or random Christmas-fueled weekends, but when you're just looking to be a gluttonous pig, stick with chocolate.

Pretty sure we're going back to daily blogging now that the turkey is out of my hair. See ya tomorrow, and have fun SNT'ing!

Posted by Matt on 11/24/2007. E-mail me!



Discussion Thread: 147 comments

Muppet Baby hope you feel better! We have a poker game here at our house once a month, and it was last week, and I was sicker than a dog. I felt like crap, being upstairs in bed, hearing everyone down stairs having a blast. Have you tried that Theraflu “tea”? That stuff rocks if you have a sore throat, but the potential liver damage listed on the box makes me a little nervous..lol

Matt would you be willing to share your artichoke recipe? Were they stuffed with anything, or just baked, or what? I have never even held a real artichoke! Also, the cups your ice creams were pictured in, do they have weird little blue flower things along the rims?

Chestnuts roasted by crazy_mainer @ 11/24/2007 11:39 PM


i’m trembling with anticipation about the advent calendar. literally shaking and hitting play on the jukebox.

TNT is playing “a christmas story” starting tomorrow night, and i’ll definitely be there in front of my tv. does anyone know if they’re showing it in HD?

Chestnuts roasted by Jameson @ 11/24/2007 11:55 PM


Happy SNT all! So what are on topic about this fine SNT eve? Might I suggest something??? Great…how about your favorite food item from Thanksgiving ever?

Me personally I have always enjoyed Pumpkin Rolls but on the simpler side I think I love deviled eggs. I hardly ever get them anymore and I did not get any this year so that sucked but there is always Christmas to hope for!

Chestnuts roasted by Cricket @ 11/24/2007 11:59 PM


Sorry for the DP but I have another topic to suggest. For those who have already started your Christmas shopping…what is your favorite thing you have bought for someone so far?

Chestnuts roasted by Cricket @ 11/25/2007 12:01 AM


Cricket: Gonna go with getting my nephew The Office Seasons 1 and 2 for under 25 bucks. :)

Crazy : Sure! They’re pretty easy. Don’t judge by the pictures — they hadn’t been stuffed OR cooked when I took it.

MATT’S STUPID ARTICHOKES:

1) Take your chokes, and cut off the entire stem so that the bottom is TOTALLY flat. Next, knife off about 1 – 1.5″ off the top, so that the artichoke’s top is nearly level. Then use a pair of kitchen scissors to snip the tips off of the especially pointy leaves. If you notice leaves with thorns, snip the tips off.

2) In a food processor, mash up about a full bulb’s worth of garlic and a handful of fresh parsley. (You will use more or less depending on personal preference/amount of artichokes, but it’s not too relevant…just go with what you like.) Then, take that and mix it in a bowl that has twice as much breadcrumbs (I like 4C), along with a good amount of finely grated parmesan cheese, and *several* tablespoons of salt. With artichokes, sodium is your friend. Don’t skimp on the salt, or the breadcrumbs.

3) Liberally stuff the artichokes with the mixture. It’s as simple as grabbing handfuls of the mixture and shaking it out over each choke. You don’t need to fill them to the brim, but since that’s where the flavor comes from, don’t be skimpy. Also, this isn’t science: Just get enough in there to where it looks “flavorful,” and move on. Don’t worry about each particular leaf having its fair share — unless you’re only cooking a few, and can afford to do it with finesse.

4) Put the chokes in a pan. I suggest making enough chokes to fill a pan. The pan MUST have a cover. Fill the pan with water until the artichokes are around 75% submerged. When they’re all settled in the water, drizzle extra virgin olive oil over the tops of each choke. Not too much.

5) Turn the heat on. Bring to a boil. When that happens, lower the heat, but not too much — the water should remain simmering. Keep the top on. The process will take anywhere between 45 mins to 1.5 hours. You’re basically steam-cooking them. You may need to add more water while cooking, but I rarely have to.

6) The artichokes are done when the outer leaves can be easily pulled off.

How do you eat them? Well, remember Delfa Rolls? Danish Ribbons? Remember how you used to kinda clench down on them with your teeth, and casually scrape off bits of licorice? Artichokes work the same. Take a leaf, put it between your teeth, and pull down, scraping off the warm “leaf meat.” Note that you won’t be eating the whole leaf — just the part that’s soft and less plant-like.

I’m not a big fan of artichoke hearts, but you get those too. :)

Chestnuts roasted by Matt @ 11/25/2007 12:06 AM


My Saturday’s pretty uneventful, and because SNL isn’t new, I’m passing the time watching one of the best MST3K eps ever: Space Mutiny.

and BJ, are you aware that “A Wish For Wings That Work,” the only cartoon adaptation of Bloom County, is finally on DVD too?

Chestnuts roasted by Invader Norbert @ 11/25/2007 12:09 AM


No Norbert, I did not but thanks for telling me. Nice to know someone actually read my last post!

By the way, is the lack of new episodes of SNL due to the writer’s strike? I know because of it, we never got to find out what type of pies Dave’s mother baked this year for Thanksgiving on the Late Show. I hope that strike gets settled soon. I heard that the cast of Legally Blonde did their piece at the Macy’s Parade without their official costumes. At least Grinch was given the green light to go back on, if only for a week!

Chestnuts roasted by BJ @ 11/25/2007 12:23 AM


Geez…it’s way too early in the year for me to be thinking about Christmas music. Maybe in another three weeks or so, but now?

Invader Norbert – I watched that with a group of my friends right before Halloween. Definitely one of the best MST3K episodes, though I don’t think you can pin it on any one thing. Aside from the linking segments (I swear, Pearl kills any momentum the episode has whenever she appears, to the point where she actually sucks funny from the movie), it’s fantastic.

I was too young to see “A Wish For Wings That Work” the first time around, but I’ve become a fan of Bloom County as I got older. I may have to rent and/or buy the DVD to check this out.

Chestnuts roasted by Paul W. @ 11/25/2007 12:23 AM


BJ – The Broadway stagehand strike is actually a separate strike entirely from the WGA strike that’s screwing with all of the TV shows. That said, you’re right about Legally Blonde – I think they mentioned that in the New York Times article on the parade.

Chestnuts roasted by Paul W. @ 11/25/2007 12:25 AM


I liked the Edy’s eggnog ice cream, and I can’t wait to get some more. Next time, I’m planning on pouring something on it (probably caramel) to make it even better.

Everybody in my family loves Seinfeld, except me. Just could never into it. Although I saw Bee Movie yesterday and that was pretty good.

The only thing I did today was watch “Jim Henson’s Christmas Toy” on Youtube. I hadn’t seen it in years and it STILL holds up. I want it on DVD. I do wonder if the people making “Toy Story” were inspired by it.

I’m gonna go watch SNL. Cya later.

Chestnuts roasted by JLAJRC @ 11/25/2007 12:34 AM


By the way, is the lack of new episodes of SNL due to the writer’s strike? I know because of it, we never got to find out what type of pies Dave’s mother baked this year for Thanksgiving on the Late Show. I hope that strike gets settled soon.

Talks are going to resume on the 26th, I hope.

And yes, SNL is suffering so bad, most of the producton crew got laid off. Hell, tonight’s episode is a Thanksgiving Compilation Show (the monologue on now is a very vintage one with Paul Simon in a turkey suit). It’s titled “Family Thanksgiving Leftovers”…Good chance a writer didn’t think that up.

And I’m still amazed a musical of Legally Blonde is able to exist in the first place. It only cements my laments that americans are idiots.

Chestnuts roasted by Invader Norbert @ 11/25/2007 12:37 AM


Awesome. I picked up Seinfeld seasons 6, 7, and 8 for 14.99 each at Target yesterday. Now just need 5 and 9.

Egg nog is AWESOME, even if my girlfriend disagrees.

Chestnuts roasted by Eddie Lightning Frog @ 11/25/2007 12:38 AM


Happy SNT everybody!
Matt, I bought the SoCo eggnog but I got brandy for the laden-ing and I haven’t been sure what kind of booze/nog ratio to use. I asked a buddy who formerly tended bar what he recommended, and the answer was “Depends on how fucked up you want to get”. Sounded like common sense, and at the time I laughed, but now that I actually want to make a drink it’s not so helpful. Are you mixing by the glass or bowl?
Best Buy wanted $70 for The Office season 1 and 2 as a bundle! I got season 2 for $17 instead, since they didn’t really hit their stride until then anyway. I’m envious of the deal though. Besides the Office set, my favorite gift that I’ve bought so far is the Flight of the Conchords set I got for 50% off. I also gave in and got myself the Rome season 2 set as well, though to justify buying it I think I’m going to have to wrap it and put it under the tree. Still looking for a good price for the Lost season 2 set.
I may have asked this in earlier years, but I’m curious to know if this is a common tradition or if we’re just really weird: Did/do all y’alls presents come from Santa? Or do you get presents from the elves, Rudolph, Mrs. Claus, and the whole crew? Or do you just get boring old “From: Mom” presents? Not only did we get presents from everybody at the North Pole, we’d get presents from people related to the gifts. Like, if I was getting a Beatles CD, the tag would say “From: Paul”, that kind of thing. Does anybody else do this?

Chestnuts roasted by squee4242 @ 11/25/2007 12:43 AM


I have been out of my parents house for 3 years now, and I am 22 years old, and my mom still labels all of our presents as being from santa. i fucking love christmas.

Chestnuts roasted by Leigha @ 11/25/2007 1:04 AM


squee4242: My gifts always came from “Santa”, until around ten years ago when it got changed to “Mom & Dad”. I think once there were no longer any kids around on Christmas my parent’s decided to mix it up.

RE: Saturday Night Live’s Thanksgiving special tonight. I am really liking it so far. I just saw Will Ferrell chew up food and spit it into Chris Parnell’s mouth. That was so disgusting I may not be able to eat for a day. They also showed Sandler’s Thanksgiving song. So far so good.

Chestnuts roasted by Magic Toy @ 11/25/2007 1:05 AM


MattWow thank you so much for typing all that up! I am going to attempt to make your “stupid” artichokes for Christmas. I am printing that bad boy recipe out right now. Your family dinners must freaking rock if everyone in your family cooks and puts as much effort in as you do!!! If no one gave you the acolades that you deserve, consider yourself acoladed!

Chestnuts roasted by crazy_mainer @ 11/25/2007 1:06 AM


squee4242
Whenever I got “special” presents (Like big ones like the USS Flagg) they were from “Santa”. I think I had a few from Rudolph, too.

Paul W.
What’s the beef with Christmas music? I started the Mannheim Steamroller on Friday! :)

I got my tree up this weekend..somebody asked about sentimental ornaments: I have a Sebastian the crab little plush ornament from McDonalds (From the Little Mermaid) that is always the first on the tree. Don’t ask me why. I also have a cranberry garland (fake Cranberries, of course) that has to always go on the tree. It was inherited from my parents. And I’ve got several other ornaments that were yearly gifts from my Great-grandmother that she gave to all her grandchildren (and there children).

Heck, I’m big on routines and traditions for the Holidays, period. Certain movies I have to watch, music I have to listen to, etc. Of course, I do that with everything.

It has rained here all day. A cold, nasty, biting rain. I’ve had a fire in the fireplace and I love it. :) Can’t wait to see what Mare and the gang are up to this year! Happy SNT!

Chestnuts roasted by Cameron T. @ 11/25/2007 1:07 AM


I can’t believe the Advert Calendar is five years old! Honestly, it’s what I look forward to most at Christmastime.

Thanks, Matt! All of your hard work on this site is greatly appreciated!

Chestnuts roasted by Nate @ 11/25/2007 1:08 AM


Cricket: Good topics! Hmm, let’s see…

1) Favorite Thanksgiving food is a tough one. The pies are the tastiest, hands-down, but we don’t have that as part of the real dinner. For actual dinner foods, I think sweet potatoes are my favorite. We don’t candy them or make a casserole or anything, just baked and served with butter. We eat them all year, but they always taste best right around November.

2) I can’t say my favorite thing I’ve bought because it’s for someone who reads X-E from time to time. However, I got one friend Optimash Prime and another one a Domo-Kun calendar. I also got my mom a set of Elvis Pez dispensers. She doesn’t like Pez, but she loves anything with Elvis slapped on it, and I know she’s never seen those before.

squee4242: My presents were always just from whoever they were from. Santa was just in charge of filling stockings, which was kind of a ripoff since my stockings only contained candy. I like your family’s idea though, it’s cute. Although I’d find the idea of Paul McCartney (or any other non-Santa entity) sneaking around my house delivering Beatles CDs slightly unnerving ;)

Chestnuts roasted by jazzy @ 11/25/2007 1:09 AM


squee:
Mine were always either “From: Santa” or “From: Mom and Dad,” with no real distinction based on type of gift. (Except Santa always brought the “big one.”) I find it fascinating that you’d get presents labeled in such a way. I want to do that so bad now, because it’s a great idea. Your family is awesome.

Chestnuts roasted by Rainbowfeet @ 11/25/2007 1:28 AM


Favorite Thanksgiving Food: It may seem sort of strange, but my favorite Thanksgiving dish is my Mom’s macaroni & cheese. I grew up in a home where mac & cheese is served at most family holiday dinners, so it holds a special place in my heart. I know now that many people don’t consider it to be a “traditional” holiday dish, but damned if I don’t love it. Thankfully my lady loves it as well (from eating with my family over the past five years) and she considers it to be a required dish when we cook a big meal together. It appears the tradition will live on.

I haven’t started Christmas shopping yet, so I can’t really comment on the second question. But hey, this can still be constructive. My girl and I always have stockings that we put out every year, but during the past year or two we have been horrible about actually getting things for each other to put in the stockings. Last year neither of us put anything in the other’s stocking. I would really like to change that this year.

My lady is a 25-year-old special education teacher who loves Winnie the Pooh, anything Disney, Gray’s Anatomy, The Office, Country Music, and Pez.

Does anyone, especially the ladies, have any great stocking stuffer ideas? I would appreciate it so very much.

Chestnuts roasted by Magic Toy @ 11/25/2007 1:31 AM


On the subject of favorite Thanksgiving food: Deviled Eggs. I make ‘em, and I’ve been told by my Godmother that I’m not allowed to come with them to Thanksgiving if I don’t! This year I made 79…Running your hands under water to peel eggshells for 40 minutes is NOT fun! But damn, they tasted/taste good!

Pumpkin pie is a very close second, though…

Chestnuts roasted by Cameron T. @ 11/25/2007 1:37 AM


Thought of you last night when I heard the opening song for Christmas Vacation from the TV in the other room.

I am SO EXCITED about the Advent Calendar. I spent like a whole day rereading the previous Advent Calendars after Waiterbot’s first couple of vlogs went up. It’s sort of become one of those things that automatically make me feel all Christmassy, like a tradition…I hope it continues through the years, if the fates allow.

Err…I will stop rambling and making lame Christmas lyric references now. By the way, I never quite worked out exactly how to pronounce “Kuse.”

Chestnuts roasted by Bluejay @ 11/25/2007 1:40 AM


Daily blogging?! Awesome! I can’t wait to see what Matt’s got in store for us. The Advent Calendar is drawing near too! Wheee!!!

I just ordered a pizza from Papa John’s because it’s one of the two places that deliver my way since I’m on the outskirts of town; the other being Domino’s. I only chose Papa John’s because you can order from their website. Domino’s makes you call and talk to real people, which I like to avoid at certain times. It was barely edible, but pizza nonetheless. I’m spoiled from my regular local pizza joint.

Chestnuts roasted by Justin @ 11/25/2007 1:43 AM


Kuse would be pronounced pretty much like “cues,” as opposed to “coos.”

Chestnuts roasted by Matt @ 11/25/2007 1:44 AM


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