Dec 16, 2011 |
Here’s some fun and interesting facts about Christmas and decking the halls:
It is believed that Charles Dickens wrote A Christmas Carol in one month.
Reindeer didn’t accompany a chubby Santa Claus until 1809, when introduced by Washington Irving.
In the Middle Ages, some people would light a huge candle on Christmas Eve. If the candle burned out before the end of Christmas Day, it superstitiously foretold of bad luck for the coming year.
According to Guinness World Records, Irving Berlin’s “White Christmas” as sung by Bing Crosby is the best-selling single of all time: over 50 million copies worldwide.
“The Homecoming: A Christmas Special” was written for television by Earl Hamner, Jr. It was based on his novel Spencer’s Mountain, a fictionalized account of his childhood. It became the pilot for the long-running show, “The Waltons”.
There are approximately 60 calories in a standard candy cane.
It is believed that Romans invented the Fruitcake in the 1400s as a way of preserving dried fruits and nuts so they wouldn’t spoil.
In 1510, the first written record of a decorated Christmas Tree came from Riga, Latvia. The tree was decorated with artificial roses.
The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade started in 1924 and is considered by many to be the official kick-off to the Holiday Season.
The idea of Santa Claus is based on the real Saint Nicholas, born in Fourth Century Asia Minor. Since then, his legend has remained as a kind, gentle-hearted gift giver who joyously put others’ needs before his own.
Some elements of the Christmas celebration actually began as pagan rituals; those in December celebrated “Light and Life”. The Early Church chose December 25th to celebrate in order to incorporate some of those elements in celebrating The Light and Life of Jesus Christ.
Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Ballet debuted December 18, 1892 in St. Petersburg.
The three most popular Christmas gifts are clothes (especially socks and underwear), jewelry and money/gift cards.
The three most-watched Christmas movies are “It’s a Wonderful Life” (1946), “White Christmas” (1954) and “A Christmas Story” (1983).
Christmas is the second-most celebrated holiday in the world.
The first is New Year’s.
Dec 15, 2011 |
My posts this week have been short and focused on two things:
First, I’m working overtime to finish the rough draft of my cookbook. Tonight I plan to have it finished to send it off to my editor for review and finalization. It’s really exciting, to think that soon my dream will be a reality.
It’s just a little cookbooklet; nothing fancy, nothing great. But it’s mine.
And now I’m faced with questions like should I set up a second website, dedicated only to cooking, or only to the cookbook? How do I monitor sales? Should I establish a PayPal account? This is all new territory for me, and I’m feeling a little wow’d by the whole process. Excited, though; not anxious.
My second focus has been the weather. We never did get that big storm they said we would. And then out of the blue yesterday, we’re told to prepare for yet another winter storm coming in tonight. Well I don’t believe them.
Yeah, sure. It would be nice to get that snow they talked about last week. But we’re not supposed to get anything now except some high winds and a few raindrops. Which means we’ll prob’ly finally get that snow.
So I’ve been a little negligent in my posting; and I hope you’ll forgive me. Because when this week is over, I’m going to devote quite a few days of writing to holidays and Christmas posts. Things like, the history of Santa Claus. How I decorate my house. Easy cookie ideas. And maybe a fun little story or two.
Well that’s it. That’s what I’m up to this week.
What’s on your plate?
Dec 14, 2011 |
Yesterday, I was so excited. I was anticipating the Storm of the Year. Every news broadcast warned to stock up, stay inside, and be safe. Two days of rain and snow and wind were headed our way.
And so we prepared.
We bought groceries and firelogs.
We wore flannel pajamas and made sure flashlights were nearby.
And we waited.
And waited.
And… waited…
And woke up angry.
The storm never happened. We saw a few thick wet snowflakes that teased us for a few minutes, but after half an hour even the rain was milder.
The storm never happened.
And I’m still angry.
I was looking forward to a Snow Day. A day of not driving my daughter to school or needing to run errands. A day when the world would stop and be quiet except for laughter and the sounds of fun.
And I got gypped.
This is just one example of why I don’t listen to the news that often, and when I do, I don’t believe them. The media is so intent on making stories bigger and scarier than they need to be. Of causing a change in our daily habits. For nothing. Nothing.
I don’t want to get riled up any more, so I’m not going to vent about how mainstream media is a circus that doesn’t have any real leaders; but only power pushers. I won’t say a word about manipulation and drama. I choose to stay away from such things.
Instead, tonight I’ll go to sleep and dream of a White Christmas.
It’s bound to happen sooner or later.
