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#4 I didn’t know about the cherry branches. It’s fun learning about the different Christmas traditions from around the world. Clark really is sappy but it’s part of what makes him so charming. Thanks for another wonderful fic! I can’t wait to read tomorrow’s fic! I love this series!
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Pulitzer
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#6: Really liked the visit to the Netherlands. Good things Clark didn't mention Knecht Ruprecht or the Krampus. That might have spoiled the mood a bit.
It's never too dark to be cool. 
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Hack from Nowheresville
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Hack from Nowheresville
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I love day 6. It fit so well with celebrating St. Nicholas with my kids today. Wish I could go to the Netherlands for the parade.
Hmm, what has Lois's heart been aching for? Are we expecting a Christmas surprise?
Just noticed you reason for edit comments 😄everything in this series is so wonderful
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#5 Thanks for making me smile! I love this series. It’s very sweet and just what I need to get me into the Christmas spirit!
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#6 That was beautiful! I loved it. Clark is going above and beyond to bring the magic of Christmas alive for Lois. Making Lois happy brings Clark so much happiness. Thank you! I can’t wait for tomorrow’s fic!
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Pulitzer
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#7 The Iceland story was sweet. Love the interaction between Lois and Clark
It's never too dark to be cool.
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Beat Reporter
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#7 I love this series and your characterizations of Lois and Clark. It’s nice seeing them have these quiet and special moments together. Thanks! I can’t wait for tomorrow!
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Columnist
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OP
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# Dec. 3rdLynn S. M.Oh, somehow I did miss that while writing. You're right, I should have her waiting until he was back in the room... let's just say Lois was too curious to wait. 😉 Pre-Clark Lois definitely wouldn't wait to satisfy her curiosity. You're right about their snowball fight being far from equal but Lois has the advantage over him because she holds his heart and he is just too much of a boy-scout to pull the really mean things he probably learned in his youth. Thank you for a wonderful, WAFFy ficlet. That's exactly what I was going for - just a lot of WAFF for everyone who needs something to lighten up their day. 🥰 #Dec. 4thLynn S. M.I also had much fun with the research and I love it that everyone seems to enjoy it so far. bakasi Actually I knew about that before, we did that a few times when I was a child, at first I intended to use another tradition but that one didn't work out for the ficlets. It is a nice tradition and fits well into what I have planned. 😁 SongbirdYes, Clark is very sappy, I tried to balance it out with some banter to avoid the stories becoming too sickly sweet. On the other hand, I placed it into 1997 so they are married a little longer than a year at this point, I think I can get away with some more sappiness... 😉 # Dec. 5thSongbirdThank you for your feedback, it made me smile too. 🥰 # Dec. 6th bakasi Thank you, as far as I read, the Nederlands have their own version but due to some controversy concerning that figure, I left that out and only mentioned "helpers". AmandaK I''d love to visit Utrecht during christmas time, too. As for what Lois' heart... well it will be mentioned throughout the stories some time. We're half a year after the series finale, so I figured the inability to conceive would be something that lingers in their minds. Obviously they didn't find the baby in this timeline. SongbirdYes, he's doing everything to help Lois see the magic of Christmas and this year there's no imp from the fifth dimention to mess with them. # Dec. 7th bakasi Thank you, the icelandic tradition (i won't repeat the word... 😅) is something I would love to start myself, curling up on the sofa with a good book and maybe telling each other a story sounds really nice. SongbirdI love to see or read about the WAFFy moments in their life, I hope I managed to keep it interesting as well even without an A-plot. 🫠
Kathryn
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Boards Chief Administrator Nobel Peace Prize Winner
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Hi Kathryn! December 3rd Careful! If you peek early, Perry White will assign you to cover dog shows faster than you could say ‘great shades of Elvis’! Yes, perhaps. Luckily, not faster than I can say ‘Ralph’! LOIS: Or ralph when Ralph tries one of his pick up lines. Lois woke up shivering. The other side of the bed was empty again, the covers cool to the touch. Is he again out, galivanting with the tights man in the snow? She pulled on a cozy robe and padded to the window. Outside, the city was wrapped in a thick white blanket, the soft snowfall transforming everything into a scene straight out of a Christmas card. /eyes window/ Nope. /pops in Die Hard 2/ Ah, the soft snow mingled with the shiny glow from planes a’ fallin’  She sighed, already missing Clarks warmth, before heading downstairs. Maybe he could get her a stuffed Superman doll? Actually, there’s this “partner” pillow that was all the rage in the early 2000s, I think. Maybe the Superman foundation could sell life-sized Superman dolls for snuggling and warmth? Opening it without him didn’t feel right. Poor dear! At least there’s no expectation of finding chocolate inside. LOIS: Now that would be just cruel. He nodded, his jaw tightening. “It was... Let’s talk about it later.” Poor dear! During a pause in the meeting, she leaned closer. “I waited with the calendar, so you can watch me open it.” Awwww! Also, is it bad if mind thinks there’s a naughty version of this? That earned her a faint smile, the first she’d seen from him all morning. She realized then that this new tradition wasn’t just bringing her joy, it meant just as much to Clark. Of course it does! “Exactly,” Clark said. “It’s about finding small ways to help, no matter how insignificant they might seem. And it’s a reminder that even in the coldest times, we can spread warmth.” Awww, and what a coincidence that Superman’s rescue is happening just when this tradition is told. They stepped into the snowy yard together, carrying the sheaf. The cold air bit at Lois’ cheeks, but the sight of the pristine snow and twinkling lights from their neighbors’ houses felt almost magical. They tied the wheat sheaf to a pole, the red ribbon standing out like a cheerful burst of color. You know, this could also work with Tempus in the role of Clark and Lois playing the role of the sheaf. She’s wrapped in a red cape, tied to a pole, all ready for Superman to come and find her. Then, Tempus could spring his Kryptonite trap.  As Clark stepped back to admire their work, Lois scooped up a handful of snow, forming it into a quick, lopsided ball. With a mischievous grin, she called out, “Hey, farmboy!” The last time I read a snowball fight between Lois and Clark was in Virginia’s Green-Eyed Monster, I think. It did not end up well for Lois. Then, Clark was in big doodoo. The yard quickly turned into their battlefield, laughter echoing through the crisp air as snow flew back and forth. Lois managed to land a well-aimed shot on his shoulder, only for Clark to retaliate by gently sprinkling a handful of snow over her head, leaving her sputtering and giggling. Aww, he’s such a sweet boy. “It’s funny,” she said after a moment, her voice thoughtful. “I never thought about how different Christmas is celebrated in other countries, but somehow the heart of it always stays the same.” A large supply of coke in the cellar? The warmth of the day lingered in the quiet comfort of their embrace as they watched the flames dance. Outside, the faint song of birds seemed to echo the harmony they felt in their hearts. Awww…sweet   Michael
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Hi Kathryn, Oooh, there’s also FDK-FDK There's chocolate? I have to go back and look... but maybe Tempus left it there... Did the chocolate have a strange green hue to it? It’s minty! Well, if she'd did that the series would have taken a completely different direction, I think.  There are more than four things you can cook and bake with chocolate, Lois can only do four dishes, three with chocolate. Maybe the brownies were one of the things she couldn't do with chocolate :p Oh, right. Duh! Do you mean he will have to make Mrs. Santa happy?
He needs to make Lois happy, otherwise that makes him unhappy - and that makes his parents unhappy... Which would be Mrs. Santa  Know what you mean, I do not. Both, it might be.  Yeah I heard of that, too. Maybe next year someone will write a series of ficlets using one of those as inspiration...   Not doing *other* things at superspeed.
Can you clarify... Umm… Lois would be dissatisfied if he did? See you in part four. Umm… When I catch up Michael
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Beat Reporter
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Hi Kathryn,
#4 I love sap!! It warms my heart and makes me happy. Thanks for writing this series! It’s just what I need this Christmas season.
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Hi Kathryn! December 4th Trying to scoop this door early? Lois, Clark says patience is a virtue (and so does Santa)! You know, if someone dyslexic reads this, putting “Santa says patience is a virtue” out there that’s just too funny! leaving the city draped in shades of gray. And now we have “Shades of Gray”. Is the virtuous Lois tempted by Satan and his 50 Shades of December Grey? Quietly slipping out of bed, she padded into the kitchen, determined to surprise him. SUPERMAN: A five-alarm fire, Lois? You couldn’t just *kiss* me awake? LOIS: I only made *coffee*! At the time, she’d needed a little space to process everything, but when the dust settled, she’d stumbled on the perfect mug:
"Sometimes, the bravest thing you can do is just be yourself." Awwww “Well, good morning,” Clark said from behind her, already dressed and ready. “You’re full of surprises today.”
“Don’t get used to it,” Lois teased, a smirk playing on her lips. “Mad Dog Lane has got a reputation to protect.” As long as we’re talking about surprises, I’m thinking her reputation is safe. Clark chuckled, wrapping an arm around her waist. “So, what’s the occasion? You’re pampering me - there’s got to be an angle.” She needs someone to stand guard while she investigates the bank manager’s private vault. “Can’t I just do something nice for my husband?” she asked, tilting her head and leaning up to kiss him. Oh, look, all those beautifully flashing alarm lights! How Christmassy  “Today’s tradition is tied to Saint Barbara’s Day. I learned about it in Lithuania. People cut branches from cherry or apple trees and bring them indoors. If the branches bloom by Christmas, it’s a sign of good luck and prosperity.” /presses hands to head/ This this does not indicate “cherries” and “babies”. This this does not indicate “cherries” and “babies”. This this does not indicate “cherries” and “babies”. “These should do,” he said with a smile. “Now we just need to give them a little warmth and care.” Awwww Before they could say more, Perry strolled over, coffee cup in hand. He gestured at the vase on Lois’s desk. “What’s that? New Christmas decor?” Right now, it’s a leafless, dried up branch sitting in a vase on Lois’s desk. How does Perry notice that it’s new? Perry studied the branch with interest. “Good luck, huh? Well, we could use some of that. Christmas season’s a snooze-fest for news.” People already getting tired of reading the 23rd story of how Superman took care of a Christmas tree fire within a week? “This,” he said, gesturing to the creamy drink, “is Aguonų pienas - poppy seed milk. Okay, and now I’m flashing to “milk of the poppy” from Game of Thrones Lois set the mug down and leaned into him, her head resting on his shoulder. “You’re such a sap, you know that?”
“And you love me for it,” he teased, wrapping an arm around her. She tilted her head up, meeting his eyes. “Yeah, I do.”
They sat in peaceful silence, the fire’s warmth and rain’s gentle rhythm wrapping them in calm. They *are* cute! Michael
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Hi Kathryn! December 5th If you keep this up, you'll be spending Christmas in the newsroom, no eggnog for you! Hey, cool! That’s where the *fun* is! PERRY: /taps on shoulder and points to part 4/ Hmm… CAT: /does not point because she’s left for parts unknown/ Hmm… Ooooh! *MXYZPT--* LOIS: /claps hand over mouth/ Shut it! He appeared in the dining room, balancing a tray with two steaming mugs and a plate with crescent shaped pastries and several smaller baked goods. “Ready for today’s tradition? This sounds French. But only because who else got croissants? And Kipferl are even less associated with Christmas. She smirked, walking over to the basket, already searching for bag number five. “I’ll bite. What’s in the bag? Judging by the croissant, I’d say France?” she asked as she opened it carefully. Clark set the tray down and put a mug in front of her. “Nice guess, but no,” he said with a smile. Hey! Lois pulled out a small, intricately carved broom ornament and raised an eyebrow. “A broom? Are you trying to tell me something, Kent?” Like, her mother’s coming for a visit? Clark laughed. “Not at all. It’s a hint for today’s tradition, one from Italy. Ever heard of La Befana?” Yes, she showed up in The Santa Clause series. Hmm… wonder if they’ll do season three this year… And these,” he pointed to the pastries, “are Italian cornetti, like croissants, but with a twist. I thought chocolate filling would be perfect for breakfast.” “But just so we’re clear, I am not wearing a pointy hat or flying around on a broomstick.”
“Well,” Clark teased, his tone light, “you don’t need a broomstick when you’ve got me. And the hat’s optional - though I think you’d look pretty cute in one.” At least he didn’t suggest she be a sexy Halloween witch As they delivered the packages to the orphanages, Lois felt a quiet warmth growing in her chest. The sight of all the happy faces tugged at her heart. Though it stirred memories of what she and Clark longed for, she pushed those thoughts aside, focusing on the joy they could share with others. /points at part 4 and the mention of a cherry blooming before Christmas symbolizing good fortune to come/ Also, isn’t that headline in the National Whisper great work? “Lois Lane sits on Superman’s lap as hero delivers presents – where is husband Clark Kent?” “maybe La Befana had the right idea. Sometimes, you have to sweep out the past to make room for something better.” Like they did with Lex? Her gaze drifted to the Advent calendar. Tomorrow’s bag waited patiently, promising another surprise, another tradition. Lois found herself wondering what it might be, not with her usual skepticism, but with a faint spark of curiosity. this is such a cute way to say “wait for tomorrow for the next part”. And considering the date, I’m thinking German/Austrian St. Nick? Deck the scenes with edits bright, fa la la la la, la la la la. Lois and Clark, let's get it right, fa la la la la, la la la la. LOIS: I did not make *that* many typos in my article!  This is such a lovely piece of a lot of work Michael
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Haven't had much opportunity to comment, but I just wanted to say: I am loving these! Yesterday's in particular turned out to be a much-needed pick-me-up for that day. Thank you so much for making this! 
~•~
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I think I have a recipe for Bûche de Noël. I thought it looked sinful, but delicious. Though, honestly, I'm not that much into creamy cakes. Anyway it's a nice thought that they're going to share it with the other newsroom staff.
It's never too dark to be cool.
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Beat Reporter
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#8 I agree with Lois that “cake makes everything better.” It’s a lovely tradition to share the Yule cake with someone who needs some holiday cheer. Thanks! I love this story and series!
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#9 It’s lovely. Lois and Clark are lucky to have each other. Thank you! I can’t wait for the next story!
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#10 Thank you for another beautiful fic! My favorite line is “Lois, anytime. For me, the best part of all of this is just being here with you.” He truly does find happiness just being with Lois. It’s very sweet. I love this series!
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I got held up opening the last few doors of your Advent calendar. #9 Stille Nacht is my favorite Christmas Carrol as well. Also,  at Lois asking Clark not to join the choir #10 Love the idea of LnC in the sauna.
Last edited by bakasi; 12/11/24 02:06 AM.
It's never too dark to be cool.
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Hack from Nowheresville
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Hack from Nowheresville
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#11 making pastry from scratch is the best part! I've never made mince pies but I've made plenty of pumpkin and apple and there is something oh so satisfying when the pastry rolls out just right (and so frustrating when it tears that you want to throw the whole mess at the wall! 😆)
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