Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!
Hope everyone had a lovely day, whether celebrating Christmas, Chanukah, or astonishingly wintry weather.
For those of you celebrating with gifts as well as food—what is/was your favorite Christmas present/dish? (Respond below by adding a web comment, if you wish.)
Mine was the Onion Goggles my son gave me, which made making enchiladas SO much more enjoyable! (Yes, I am indeed cooking in my pajamas.)
Season 5 Credits!
And a modest gift below from Starz: The new opening credits sequence for Season Five, which premieres on February 16, 2020!
Click here to view the Starz video of Outlander (Season 5) credits above directly on Youtube, or if your device isn’t showing the video properly.
(Note that I’m not sure if this STARZ video will play in all countries.)
Remember if you submit a comment to my website, they are moderated, and when approved they are viewable by the public! <g>
Dear Diana,
I have read the 8 novels 3 times and watched the TV production 3 times (season 1-4). I have read both Outlandish Companions. I know nothing of writing but I love to read. Therefore, I know what I am about to say to you is Outlandish in it’s own right, but I’m going to say it now while I’m fortified with courage by my Oban whisky ( a holiday gift). I so strongly believe the title of your last novel should be ” What Color Is My Hair”. I feel this to my bones. Wishing you and your family a wonderful, healthy New Year,
Andi Lee
Hi, Andrea,
“Last novel?” I have plans for an Outlander prequel (about Jamie’s parents), a Master Raymond novel, and a contemporary mystery in the future, after BEES and Book Ten (the last in the Outlander series of major novels featuring Jamie and Claire).
Thanks very much for the suggestion, but it’s just “Book Ten” for now. It’s still a secret when the issue of Claire’s hair color comes to the fore, or in which book. <g>
Happy New Year!
Diana
I have been an avid reader of your books for many years now. I have recommended them to others who are also fans now. Thank you for the update on ‘Bees’ I am sure there will be tears here , when it finally comes available. The prequel about Jamie’s parents sounds a great idea. and one about Master Raymond’s adventures in the time travel universe is intrigues me. I have lately taken up writing as a hobby. and apart from a story about a middle aged teacher investigating a missing family member I am researching and writing a fictional account about an ancestor who fought and was wounded in the early nineteenth century during the peninsula war in Spain and Portugal. He was a Scottish highlander, nothing at all like Jamie. A short dark haired man who despite his missing arm (removed on the battlefield) sired 8 daughters and 3 sons. Some migrated and descendants now live I Australia New Zealand and the USA. So I am aware of the lengthy process of writing, editing and publishing . Looking forwards to seeing Claire as the White Raven, whenever that will be. Should you need another Scottish scene for another novel try Coigach, and the Summer Isles look at the scenery of this part of the north west Scottish coastline and the mountains in the background. This was my ancestors home. I love Ardvreck Castle which passed from the Macleods to the Mackenzies and Achiltibouie and Polbain, small crofting and fishing communities.
Wishing you all success however the series might end and wondering if any of my characters ever unknowingly passed by any of yours in their wanderings about the world.
Dear Mrs. Diana,
My favorite dish from our Christmas dinner is a stuffing made with cranberries. Although I confess we also have it at Thanksgiving too. My father’s sisters (two) take turns making it every year. My favorite gift at Christmas is actually the giving part and seeing joy on others faces when they open their gifts.
Blessings to you and yours in the new year.
Stacey
Diana, you look very stylish in your PJs and goggles and totally appropriate for a relaxed Christmas Day.
I also saw the adorable photo of your grandchild in the teeny kilt which makes me smile whenever I think of it.
Here in Australia many areas are still ravaged by bushfires so we are praying for rain and relief from the oppressive heatwave.
I am escaping into your books yet again (I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve read them all but it must be into double figures) I can dream of a Christmas on Frasers Ridge and a first footing visit for the New Year
Many blessings to you and your family and best wishes for the year ahead
Leanne
Hi, Leanne,
Thank you. Nothing like Christmas day spent cooking and spending time with family!
California and multiple other U.S. states suffered terribly over the past few years from wildfires, also. I hope and pray the New Year brings needed rain and relief to Australia.
Many blessings to you and your family, as well.
Happy New Year!
Diana
My favorite present is The Outlandish Companion. This is a significant gift from my mother because I am relentlessly (but lovingly) teased about my love of Outlander. My family really wants nothing to do with it so I was shocked that my mom fed my so-called “problem” with another addition to my growing collection.
Olivia,
Thanks! I hope you enjoy reading THE OUTLANDISH COMPANION’s two volumes as much as I enjoyed writing them.
For those who aren’t familiar with THE OUTLANDISH COMPANION, click here to read about Volume One, which is a non-fiction book that contains information, background, entertaining trivia, essays, and tidbits, plus the answers to the many questions that readers have asked me about the first four novels in my OUTLANDER series of books.
Volume Two of THE OUTLANDISH COMPANION explores my second four OUTLANDER novels. Click here for more information about Volume II.
The first edition of THE OUTLANDISH COMPANION was published twenty years ago as one book. I wrote the new two-volume edition, which were published a few years ago, to update and expand the original COMPANION.
Happy Holidays!
Diana
Did you know there is an article from April 1746 about Colloden in the Newseum in Washington DC?
My family favorite is green enchiladas. The hotter the better.
Hi, Deborah,
As a life-long Arizonan, I’m with you there! We often have enchiladas at Christmas.
My late father was Mexican-American (the Gabaldons had been in what is now New Mexico for centuries), and a great cook. In 2009, I shared my recipe, for those interested:
Click to read my January, 2009 blog titled “Enchiladas” and recipe.
Feliz Navidad!
Diana
I love to bake panettone over the holidays. It’s a complicated recipe because a sourdough starter is converted to a sweet starter (also referred to as an Italian starter) and it takes time and patience to make. But the results are far better than anything that can be bought! Exquisite texture and intoxicating aroma. I’m hooked! The recipe and detailed directions are on the webpages of a gifted cook, Susan, at WildYeastblog.com. Highly recommend it!
Dear Barbara,
Sounds yummy.
“Topless Granny” (my Webmistress’s friend since a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away) did a fun, chatty, holiday video review investigating her purchased Italian Panettone from a chain grocery store, for those who are curious about the purchased variety. It’s on Youtube at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FkU-JtUlWzE
Interesting tidbit: Topless Granny is a one-time screenwriter… she co-wrote the screenplay for the independent movie BIKINI VAMPIRE BABES. Now that’s a racy grandma! <g>
Happy Holidays!
Diana
My favorite dish this year was the Gramercy Tavern gingerbread that I made for the first time. It’s for those who truly love real gingerbread, not the pale, weak-flavored loaves often found on store shelves. Among other ingredients, it requires one cup of Guinness stout, which my husband said was a terrible waste of a good beer! But it was worth it.
When our home was flooded a few years ago and we had to spend the night in a motel, I read your books on my Kindle, Diana, which helped me cope. Thank you.
I wish you a joyful new year.
Dear Diana,
I hope you and your family had a lovely Christmas and New Year. After reading your response to Andrea which mentions a prequel about Jamie’s parents, I would love to know whether you may possibly think about a prequel which is about Claire’s parents or her past. From what I see, there are always many discussions online as to whether there is a possibility that you will do a book about Claire’s past because from what I read people are extremely curious (as am I!) as to how she got to where we find her at the start of book 1 (aside from the fact she had been a part of the war effort). For example, her adolescent experiences and how she met Frank.
Kind regards,
Isabelle.
Thank you!……the books, (I am halfway through Drums of Autumn), the series, (just finishing the 3rd season, and Starz now has a new subscriber!) and last but not least, the actors that portray all the characters.
Your writing so vividly brings Jamie and Claire to life. Their love and the humor they share between them is so sweet and heart warming.
The amount of research behind the books, wow!
Wishing you and your family a very Happy New Year!
Hello Diana,
I LOVE the onion goggles! My kids were competitive swimmers in high school (Scottsdale Aquatic Club) and college and their goggles work great! Does your family like to make tamales around Christmas?
We chose to not exchange adults gifts in my immediate family, chosing rather to give the money to an agreed upon charity. However, we gave a gift of a trip to Antelope Canyon to my sister in law, and of course we will have to go as well.
I’m looking forward to reading/listening to “Bees” sometime in 2020!
Hope you had a wonderful time with family during the Holidays
Any idea when Book Nine will be available on Audible?
Hi, Steven,
Diana’s Webmistress here.
The release date for BEES has not been set yet by Diana’s publishers. Likely will be some time in 2020.
So the Audible version will be released some time after the book is finished and published. No date for that yet.
Keep checking back for updates! It will be worth the wait, I think.
Happy New Year!
Cheers,
Loretta
Diana’s Webmistress
Diana, I have only finished the Outlander series 3 on Netflix So if there are more series I cannot comment. As for me you could have left it at the end of season 2. With Clair saying I must go back. By that point I was so overwhelmed with the characters, their love for each other and all they had been thru.. I watched 3, and was surprised how Jamie’s character now had turned to smuggling. Maybe I missed something, in the first two seasons, he has a loyalty to his uncle and to Scotland and a deep love for Clair it did not appear that he was a highwayman or in any way dishonest. After watching 3 to the end, I was again in love with Clair and Jamie, ther relationship is what a marriage should be.. The director was excellent, Clair made it easy to fall in love with her just her facial expressions like the director said showed intelligence, humor and sensuality’. Jamie showed loyalty honor and virality. .The rest of the cast was over the top in conveying the story line. If I may ask a question, What books should I read to fill in any blank spaces in the Outlander story? I see that you are up to season 5, that means I have missed 4, and you say that the series ends in 1800. I only get Netflix not Stars, so I do not know how best to continue. It is a combination of your good writing, good direction with all that goes into production Wardrobe, Set, Camera Sound. Along with the fine acting that makes me say this is the best book to TV I have ever seen. I have looked thru your book list but could really use some direction as to what books help one understand the whole Outlander series. Even if you or your office do not reply thank you for writing such a great romantic adventure.
Hi, Bill,
Nice to hear from you! This is Diana’s webmistress, Loretta. I’m answering the web comments for a few days while Diana is busy this week working on BEES (Book 9).
As to how you watch the Outlander TV series, that depends on which country you live in. Starz is the network that created it, and Sony International distributes it (and they do not send me any information on viewing in different areas to post here). I tried to keep current lists of how to watch the series globally but it is too time consuming to do all the research myself, plus the information can change week to week.
So, unfortunately, viewers need to do research for the country they live in.
If you are in the U.S.A., Outlander is shown on Starz cable network and streaming service. Their main webpage is:
http://www.starz.com
or a direct link to the Outlander series on the Starz website:
https://www.starz.com/us/en/series/21796/episodes?season=1
You can get an online/web/streaming Starz subscription, similar to Netflix. The website above is currently offering a free Starz streaming trial.s
Episodes through season 4 are available on the Starz website. Season five, the new one, premieres in the U.S.A. on Starz’s network and streaming subscriptions on Sunday, February 16, 2020. Seasons one through four are also available in DVD or Blu-ray sets in many countries.
As to plot details on the TV series, Diana’s books have MUCH more detail in them. So you may find your answers to Jamie’s behavior there. The series is not a scene by scene adaptation of her books, because they are so large the series would take 30 years to film! So her books are adapted for the Outlander TV series and condensed accordingly, and Starz has done a great job of that.
To see an overview of Diana’s fiction, check out Diana’s Chronology of the Outlander and Lord John books and short fiction at:
http://www.dianagabaldon.com/books/chronology-of-the-outlander-series/
And I agree with you that the Outlander TV series is the best book to TV that I have seen!
Happy New Year!
Thanks,
Loretta
Diana’s Webmistress
webmaster@dianagabaldon.com
Our favorite dish for Christmas is Boiled Custard– or what my grand children call ” Cloud Pudding” . It is n old Virginia custard that has egg whites folded in it and makes a ton, which is so much the better. No one has been able to make it as well as my Mom did.
I too did Christmas in my pj’s this year – so RELAXING after the houseful of family we had on Christmas Eve.
I am Irish (mostly) married to an Italian (100%) and my children and I have taken over my mother-in-laws tradition of making homemade Ravioli for Christmas. We have family wonderful time, with 3 generations now making them and really enjoy eating them. This years were the best so far!!
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Dear Diana,
Loved the picture of you in the onion goggles — kind of a steampunk/Dr. Who look. My son also got onion goggles for Christmas, for cooking his giant batches of chili.
My kitchen gift was a spurtle. (Obviously, my family is aware of my Outlander obsession.) According to the label the spurtle is “A traditional Scottish cooking implement for stirring porridge, breaking lobster claws, tenderizing meat… also used as a muddler and ice breaker.” Other sources contend it is only for porridge; constant stirring with the spurtle being a key to making it silky smooth. A Golden Spurtle is awarded to winners of the yearly World Porridge Making Championship in the Highland village of Carrbridge.
My spurtle was made here in Vermont, from yellow birch (John McLeod/Vermont Bowl Co.), and it’s a simple shape, sort of like a very slender French rolling pin. I’ve seen others with fancier shapes or decoration. It’s so pretty I almost hate to use it, but will definitely put it to the test stirring porridge very soon.
Happy New Year to all.
I love your books Diana. I am Scottish, descended from a Highland clan. Please don’t stop at Book Ten. Can’t wait for the release of Bees.
Dear Diana,
I am always tasked with making the Christmas puddings and may be a cake, but at the ripe age of 75 am spared the rest of the cooking. This year we (myself plus 2 teenage grandchildren) made them is October and all 3 took turns in checking the water levels during the 12 hours steaming process. The sauna side effect in the kitchen was a beneficial side effect.
I camea bit late to outlander, I do not know how I missed the books after being a Dorothy Dunnet fan for years. But they are enhancing my later years. I am about to have a treatment for a precancer condition that will last up to 6 months and so I am looking forward to book 9 to hep me through.
Thank you so much for all the enjoyment
Jude
Dear Diana,
I am from Germany (living in Holland) and every year we have a very crispy goose on the menue. With Deutsche Knödel und Rotkohl. When i was a child my mom end grandmom made it and if i am honest… i didnt like it then. But nou, lots of years later, living in a foreighn land with foreighn traditions I start to hold my own traditions high. So I learned how to make the goose (my dad helped me) and my husband and kids love it!
Traditions are so deeply inside everyone of us I believe and thats why we love or hate stuf…
I am looking foreward to the 9th book… hurry up! hahaha
Have a good 2020!
Happy New Year!
I started reading your Outlander series last March, after my husband and I binge watched every episode available on television. I have to say I have never enjoyed any book series so much! I have read all 8 books twice since that time, hoping that when I finished book 8 again, book 9 would be available. Oh well, I guess I need to read them all again.
I have wondered about the onion goggles. I may have to get me some of those. My daughter makes fun of me all the time because I cry so much.
My favorite gift that I received this Christmas actually isn’t here yet. My family gifted me with permanent eyeliner and I will be getting it done this Spring I am so excited. I’ve been hinting about it for 3 years … I guess I finally got through to them. We had such a great Christmas. I got to spend a lot of time with my grandbabies and big kids. That’s really the best gift of all.