A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day....12-25-02....Christmas Day

Billie and daisyscarlett

[Pippin]

UH OH!

Who let the Wolfie out! LOL!!

Thanks (((LOUIE)))

[ST.LOUIE1]

Hi, kneezles, good to see you.

Hello to Sassy.

[sweetliberty]

Takes a lot to make me drool, especially with these Hollywood types.

I first read The Hobbit and the Lord of the Rings in 1970 or 71.

[Pippin]

I read the Hobbit in '78 and The Lord of the Rings in '79 and '80. And read both several times since then.

[ru4liberty]

Happy, Happy Birthday Pippin
Sung to the tune of Happy, Happy Birthday Baby

Happy, happy birthday Pippin
We're so glad that you're a FReeper!
Thought I'd drop a line to say
That upon this special day
We're glad you're here with us

Happy, happy birthday Pippin!
How you bless these "Finest" threads!
And we miss you when you're gone,
We've developed quite a bond
'Cause we love to have you with us

Do you remember the time before Free Republic?
We were so lonely needing each other...
How can we thank JimRob?!!

Happy, happy birthday Pippin!
We won't forget today's your birthday;
No used Christmas wrap for you
'Cause we celebrate anew
Our very special Pippin!

[ST.LOUIE1]

UH OH!
Who let the Wolfie out! LOL!!

LOL Not to worry,....he won't bite. : )

Thanks (((LOUIE)))

You're very welcome (((((((((Pip))))))))))

[Diver Dave]

I was informed that next year I'm to have the family over for Christmas Eve!

Uhh, does this mean your FReeper family or the one's in the picture? :)

[Pippin]

Thank You for the song! :^)

[sweetliberty]

I'm finding it really interesting to read them again with the benefit of the visual experience of the movies. It helps to create a clearer mental image in the reading.

[Pippin]

Oh, Well!

Okay, LOL!!

How was your Christmas?

[Pippin]

The ones in the picture, though I wish I could have my freeper family over as well!

[Pippin]

Yes it does. I'm a mazed at how acurate my mental picture of Middle Earth and the characters were.

[ru4liberty]

My pleasure! Thanks for sharing all your wonderful photography talent with us!

[Diver Dave]

Glad you guys were able to join family for Christmas. Come back and visit FR's Finest... more often - you've been missed.

[sweetliberty]

Same here, with the exception of the orcs. I really never had a clear mental image of them before the movie. They were kinda vague. Peter Jackson is incredible. Wait till you see the appendices. I am just in awe of what they were able to do and the dedication of all those who made it work.

[carlo3b]

An outstanding soup for a cold winter night.  Because of this recipe I sometimes bake an extra 5 pound bag of potates and send the soup to my neighbor's house to get a few browny points in the event I ever need a favor...LOLOL

Dreamy Creamy Baked Potato Soup

• 3  pounds russet potatoes baked
• 4  slices thick-cut bacon
• 1  tablespoon butter
• 3/4 cup finely chopped yellow onion
• 2  tablespoons flour
• 5  cups chicken broth
• 1  cup half-and-half or milk
• 1  cup grated cheese (Cheddar, Edam, and or Colby)
• 4  green onions chopped
• salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

1) Bake potatoes ahead of time and refrigerate, at least an hour. Peel and dice potatoes.
2) In 3-quart or medium soup pot, brown bacon until crisp, remove with a slotted spoon and set aside.
3) Pour off all fat except 1 tablespoon and add butter. Add onions and saute 5 minutes over medium heat until soft, but not
brown. Stir in flour; stir and cook for 1 minute.
4) Add broth, bring to a boil and cook for 2 minutes.
5) Add diced potatoes, half-and-half, and sauteed bacon. Simmer for 10-15 minutes.
6) Add cheese and green onions. Stir until cheese is melted.
MERRY CHRISTMAS

[Pippin]

I kinda had a problem with the Ents and with Gollum as well as the Orcs. I could never get them pictured quite right.

But I think Peter Jackson did a fantastic job on them as well as all the rest.

[Pippin]

DROOL!!!!

Is this recipe in the cookbook?

[daisyscarlett]

Well I see your birthday party is in full swing and I did not come empty handed....Love the photos you shared and what an interesting and fun place you have made your work cubicle. Delbert would be proud...

[sweetliberty]

I was amazed how close gollum was to how I pictured him. I was a little surprised at what a major role he played and how much "up close and personal" interaction there was between him and the other characters. That was no small feat. In fact, I would go so far to say that a new bar has been set for CGI's that is going to be pretty tough for others to match. Amazing work!