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 13, 2011
I’m writing this a day early. I usually schedule my posts a day or two ahead of time, so this is not so noteworthy. Except the reasons I’m doing this, is we’re expecting a snowfall tonight and tomorrow and I want to be able to enjoy it. I’m sure if we get that much snow, I’ll photograph it and blog about it and squeal with girlish delight…
I”m sitting on my loveseat in front of my big picture window, watching the Scrub Jays fight the Cactus Wren for the trove of peanuts I put out for them; while the sparrows, finches and even a phoebe are fluttering all around the seed feeder and kicking up the ground to search for more.
A storm is most definitely coming in.
And I intend to enjoy it.
These are my favorite moments. Sitting in the warmth of the house with my cats, watching the birds try their best to beat the clouds. Checking the weather report every ten minutes to find its changed yet again (for the better, or worse, depending on your desire for snow). Drinking my Keurig peppermint tea and eating some Doo-Dads while listening to the Waltons on the dvd player and enjoying the lights of the Christmas Star and the Tree.
These are definitely some of my favorite moments.
When it snows tonight or tomorrow, we’ll stand out in it, listening to the quiet. Enjoying the darkened sky as it falls on our tongues and down our necks. Then we’ll come inside and drink hot cocoa, eat snacks and watch a Christmas movie.
I’m glad for moments like this.
Living in the high desert of SoCal, we don’t get snow, or even rain, like most of the country. While it’s not always sunny and warm, it’s not always winter. And there’s something about being less than two weeks away from Christmas with a forecast of “65 and sunny” that doesn’t sit right with me. It’s the gray skies, the chill wind, and the foraging birds that make winter seem more real, make Christmas seem more enjoyable.
We’ve been getting more snow each year, but it’s still only a few inches now and then. I’m fairly certain that within a few years we will be reclassified as “the place formerly known as High Desert” but until then, until this becomes the norm, it’s a cozy experience.
And I intend to enjoy every minute of it. So forgive me if this post is fluff and flakes. But I like my winters that way. I’ll take it as a Christmas gift from Mother Nature.
This storm is for the Birds. And each and every one of them.
Dec 12, 2011
One of my favorite channels is, of course, the Food Network. And my favorite shows are “Food Network Challenge” and “Cupcake Wars”. I love seeing how other chefs create tastes and presentations.
I never intended this Blog to have a focus on recipes. I always thought it would be just me. Getting through life. And sharing my ridiculous stories with whoever cared to read them. But when some of those stories began in my kitchen, I noticed something. You paid attention.
I love cooking. I love baking. Creating. Decorating. And you like hearing about me setting off the fire alarm with my blackened salmon or spilling the chili all over my foot … okay, I haven’t shared those stories with you yet, but I will…
My point is, my writing and cooking don’t have to be mutually exclusive. And You figured that out before I did. So thank you.
My life-long friend Lisa sent me a great Christmas gift: two boxes of food for my pantry. How amazing is she?! And as I opened the boxes I started singing to myself. Loudly. Lisa lives in Florida. It’s been 30 years since we’ve seen each other. But we’re still friends. And she knew what she was doing when she sent this to me. Because this gift is more than just food. It’s the chance for me to create a menu and play with my food. And then write about it.
With the ingredients she sent me, I’m going to plan out some great meals for January. And I’ll post them here. Some will be old recipes. Some will be trial and error. I’ll share them all with you here: the good, the bad, the tasteless.
[Except the homemade cookies. We’re gonna eat those like yesterday!]
IN THE FOOD BOX:
Canned Mandarin Oranges
Canned Pineapple Chunks
Boxed Peanut Butter Cookie Mix
Boxed Sugar Cookie Mix
Packaged Peanut Butter Cookie Mix
Packaged Sugar Cookie Mix
Packaged Chocolate Chip Cookie Mix
1 Jar – Peanut Butter
Boxed Mashed Sweet Potatoes
Bag Stuffing Mix
2 Cans – Pot Roast Soup
1 Can – Diced Tomatoes
3 Cans – Tomato Paste
2 Cans – Meatless Chili
2 Boxes – Onion Soup Mix
Dried Beans – Pinto
Dried Beans – Great Northern
Dried Beans – Navy
Dried Beans – Green Split Pea
I’m looking forward to my own little Food Challenge. I have no idea what I’ll create. But I’m pretty sure I’ll have fun creating it!
Merry Christmas to all, and to all a Good Eat!
And Frankly, My Dear… that’s all she wrote!
Dec 4, 2011
The dual purpose word: COLD. It’s a feeling. It’s a virus. And right now, it’s both. At least, it’s trying to be.
All that to say, with the onslaught of winter winds, I’ve come under the weather so to speak, and am not feeling up to writing a conquering post.
Instead, here’s a few photos of my Christmas decorating.
How do you decorate for the Holidays?
This Year's Favorite Ornament
More Treats Under the Tree
Christmas Wagon
My Mantle at Night
Treats Under the Tree
Chocolate Martini made with Scharffen Berger Chocolate
Lights in the Dark
Easy Start
