December 23, 2022

 

Oh dear, it's our 23rd yule calendar surprise already! And it's another grand one: this is the video of the yule play the Hobbitry-in-Arms performed at their yule party last week. If you missed the party, do not worry, you can see their Yule Carol play now. It features our dear old grump, master Matzo, who often visits the Green Dragon and grumbles about the noise. Just sit back and enjoy this old, familiar yule tale.

 

The Hobbitry and a begrudging Matzo present A Hobbit Yule Carol (LOTRO)

 

If you are up for another party, we celebrate yule tonight at the Green Dragon on the Laurelin server. Please join us there, hobbits and travelling dwarves! You might even see master Matzo grumbling there in person.

 

Tomorrow we'll see the last surprise: the yule calendar video by Lina, starring many Laurelin hobbits. In tomorrow's post, you will also receive a link to a special Discord yule party happening during the 24th and 25th. Stay tuned!

 

December 22, 2022

 

Our 22nd surprise is the collective entry to which many LOTRO players have contributed by sending LOTRO screenshots of their yule memories. Using these screenshots, I have put together a slideshow with music and many, many memorable moments. Most of the screenshots are from the Laurelin hobbit roleplayers. Some of the folks in the pictures might not be with us anymore, but the community still thrives. You can be a careless hobbit lass or a grumpy gaffer – they all have a place in this community that has been built on hobbit cheer and friendliness.

Yule memories by LOTRO players

December 21, 2022

 

Only a few more days to go, and then it's yule! If you still aren't in the proper mood, our 21st yule calendar surprise will help you: it's a yule song played by Miss Tulppaani! Certainly a one no one has never ever heard before...

Happy holidays from Miss Tulppaani

Playing "Jingle Bells" has become a running joke in the Laurelin hobbit community, after miss Pycella (my hobbit character) accidentially played that song two times in a row at the Green Dragon one yule. Afterwards, people have been playing me this "yule song you have probably never heard before", also knowing quite well that it sticks in my head for a while. Now they are even sending it to the yule calendar I am organizing!

Also, here's something else from miss Adamantja. She has sent us some pictures of her yule decorations: a small yule village and an advent calendar. You can find more pictures of the village in an earlier calendar entry.

December 20, 2022

 

 

For our 20th yule calendar surprise, we give you... the yule bath certificate! We are not sure where this certificate has come from, but it looks pretty official, so it must be a real one. Fill it up, and should your local nanny ask if you have had your yule bath yet, just show this to them. Be careful while filling it out, though, there might be some hidden agenda behind this all...

 

December 19, 2022

 

 

For our 19th yule calendar surprise, we have another submission by Saelo: this time, it's a yule song he has made. You might hear him sing it with the Brandy Badgers who are playing yule songs this time of the year. The Badgers will go wassailing in the Winterhome streets on 26th December (on the Laurelin server). Come along to hear them if you are around!

 

Yule Again

Oooh, it's Yule again
A new year is near
Oooh, it's Yule again
Merryment time is here

Leaving bad things behind
Forward we are moving
Oooh, it's Yule again
Blessing time is here

Oooh eat and drink, dance and sing and laugh tonight
While fireworks in the sky are bright

It's Yule again
With lots of cozy wishes
Oooh, it's Yule again
Jolly time is here

Oooh, it's Yule again
A new year is near
Oooh, it's Yule again
Merryment time is here

Leaving bad things behind
Forward we are moving
Oooh, it's Yule again
Blessing time is here

Oooh eat and drink, dance and sing and laugh tonight
While fireworks in the sky are bright

It's Yule again
With lots of cozy wishes
Oooh, it's Yule again
Jolly time is here

Oooh, Yule came again
Merry Yule to all!

 

You might like to sing this song to the melody of another very similar song:

Let's Twist Again - Chubby Checker

December 18, 2022

 

 

Our 18th yule calendar surprise comes from Louisalotta who everyone knows as Lottie. She has sent us something lovely: a baked apple jam recipe! It has rum in it, so probably a good yule gift for your friendly neighborhood pierate!

 

 

Lottie’s baked apple jam

• 50g raisins
• Some rum
• 1kg apples, peeled, cored and cut into chunks
• 50g marzipan (high almond / low sugar content)
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• Juice of one lemon
• Jam sugar of choice, enough for 1kg fruit

Put the raisins in a little bowl, cover them with rum and let them soak overnight (or longer)
Chop marzipan in little chunks and add it with the apples, raisins, the rum from the raisins, cinnamon
and lemon juice into a large pot. Add a little water and let the mixture simmer until the marzipan has
dissolved and the apples are soft and falling apart.

Add the jam sugar, bring to the boil and let it boil for 4 minutes. Test by putting a teaspoon of the jam
on a plate and leave to cool. Once cool, run your finger through the jam – if it wrinkles up, it’s ready. If
not, cook for 4 minutes more and test again.

Ladle the hot jam into sterilised jars and invert to seal the lids, then let the jam cool.
Enjoy!

December 17, 2022

 

Our 17th yule calendar entry comes from our own May King, Xobin! He was crowned May King last spring (pie bribes might have been involved). Not everyone has been happy with the election, not at least miss Demelsa who was crowned May Queen herself. The two royals have been accusing each other for various things along the way, and you can also watch them tease each other in yesterday's video. We wish them a happy rest of their rule until the next May royals are elected next year!

 

Anyway, here's the letter by May King Xobin. It seems he is on kingly business somewhere, far away from the cold Shire weather, and on duty, of course. Always willing to go the extra mile for the Shire folk (or for a warmer climate...)!

 

 

Hello, Happy Yule from Gondor

From Xobin, the May King

 

Come see the sunny climate of Gondor. 

Observe the clean beaches, hot temperatures and friendly wildlife.

While toiling away at conferences and gathering, to better aid the people of the Shire.

 

 

There are so many ships on hand to ferry you to exotic islands off the coast.

It is so full of commercial opportunities for grain and fish for the Shire at this Yule time.

Look at that blue of the sky and sea.

 

Xobin, as you can see, the first representative here to obtain resources for the winter in the Shire.

No expense was spared to get here. To better aid the farmers and cooks of the Shire in this winter.