tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post8690816898488129728..comments2024-03-19T08:54:41.693+00:00Comments on Positive Letters ... inspirational stories ...: Roman Christmas - Saturnalia ... Hilary Melton-Butcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17596532480645510678noreply@blogger.comBlogger55125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-60171954239406943512012-12-12T08:19:57.103+00:002012-12-12T08:19:57.103+00:00@ Elise .. no worries, but your time machine idea ...@ Elise .. no worries, but your time machine idea sounds good! Yes, we use that expression over here, though many don't - yet in times of austerity (now) offal is making a come-back .. Waste not want not .. is a simpler saying .. the Roman honey cakes do look delicious don't they.<br /><br />@ Theresa - I do hope your son found the post interesting .. it's great if I know the doors of history open up through these posts here - thanks .. and you too are tempted by the honey cakes!<br /><br />@ Sara - I think I knew, but now I know about the gingerbread men! Glad you enjoyed the post .. but sorry about the roasted boar head ... it does taste so delicious!<br /><br />It is somewhat cold here - but we've had worse ... lovely pink dawn sky with fluffy apricot clouds.<br /><br />@ David - that's great .. I do hope you can visit soon - it's a beautiful country.<br /><br />@ Denise - I love nibbles and starters - so I was happy writing about them! Mead I enjoy .. quite sickly sweet though ... ok ale/stout is good too, though not my favourite.<br /><br />@ Arlee - many thanks .. I clarified things for myself! The Roman world would be tough - the survival of the fittest .. so I'll join you on that visit, but take me back with you!<br /><br />Thanks everyone .. have a good few days - more Christmas preparations .. cheers HilaryHilary Melton-Butcherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17596532480645510678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-23152944460878530762012-12-12T05:34:34.895+00:002012-12-12T05:34:34.895+00:00That was an amazingly detailed recounting of thing...That was an amazingly detailed recounting of things as they were then. I'd heard of some of the pagan origins of Christmas but you brought them to greater clarity. I'd love to go back to visit, but I don't think I'd want to stay there.<br /><br />Lee<br /><a href="http://tossingitout.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow">Tossing It Out</a><br />Arlee Birdhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11663942782929929334noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-28445401998694157042012-12-12T03:32:53.793+00:002012-12-12T03:32:53.793+00:00Gorgeous post, Hilary. You've made me so hungr...Gorgeous post, Hilary. You've made me so hungry! Cheeses and buns and olives and pickled vegetables... Yum. I tried mead once though, and didn't like it, unfortunately. I'll stick with ale/stout :-)Deniz Bevanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17134553551048836979noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-62135527629368994662012-12-11T23:21:12.540+00:002012-12-11T23:21:12.540+00:00And now I want to go to Italy even more. Awesome, ...And now I want to go to Italy even more. Awesome, if not epic post! :)David P. Kinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17259276981865439853noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-75392963247187173962012-12-11T21:27:29.229+00:002012-12-11T21:27:29.229+00:00Okay, I really enjoyed learning the history of Gin...Okay, I really enjoyed learning the history of Gingerbread men. I'd always wondered about this, but never bothered to look it up. <br /><br />I should have known you'd teach me about it anyway, as well as many other Christmas activities:~) <br /><br />I think, however, I will pass on the Roasted Boar head. Something about his face isn't exactly my cup of tea.<br /><br />Stay warm! I hear its cold in the UK right now.Sarahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15995684156785464334noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-37578648310043362702012-12-11T18:59:20.072+00:002012-12-11T18:59:20.072+00:00I'm sending this post link to my son because h...I'm sending this post link to my son because he like to learn about all things Roman. He's even thinking of studying Latin in school next year.<br /><br />Oh, those honey cakes... <br /><br />Interesting post with great pictures as always! Theresa Milsteinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03477761307315565259noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-50619199739116189212012-12-11T18:18:33.931+00:002012-12-11T18:18:33.931+00:00Hi Hilary, sorry it's taken me so long to get ...Hi Hilary, sorry it's taken me so long to get over here! I must say a week of Misrule sounds like crazy and dangerous fun. Wish I had a time machine to go back and see for myself... The boar does have a strange look in his eyes, (; but it doesn't shock me, the dangling chickens either. In France we have a saying, "tout est bon dans le cochon" which literally means everything is good (to eat/use) in the pig. I think the closest English saying I've heard to this is "we use everything but the oink!" That always makes me laugh. One thing's for sure, the Roman Honey Cakes are making me hungry... (: Elise Fallsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14734537117333738468noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-78842610460249358282012-12-11T17:20:26.961+00:002012-12-11T17:20:26.961+00:00@ Susan - me too .. til I started the blog, so I j...@ Susan - me too .. til I started the blog, so I just keep on posting and keep on learning. Ah ah .. suggestions for Lord of Misrule - it'd be the week of agony we'd need to endure before the denouement .. delighted you enjoyed the history bit.<br /><br />@ Kittie - many thanks .. well that surprised me - raisin wine being straw wine (Wiki) .. very interesting glad you 'made' me look it up ... I just love gingerbread - but now will remember why they have heads - so they can be 'eaten' off!<br /><br />You're right about the dating of Jesus' birthday and Saturnalia .. then the pre-Julian calendar of Roman times ... to the Gregorian calendar in 1582 ... it was too much to bring into one post - but thanks for adding it in as a comment - always useful.<br /><br />@ Holly - exeedingly uncomfortably you'd have thought - guess chairs as such hadn't been invented .. good to see you here ..<br /><br />Cheers and thank you for commenting - HilaryHilary Melton-Butcherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17596532480645510678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-21143841150505706312012-12-11T15:37:34.105+00:002012-12-11T15:37:34.105+00:00Lots of great information here. I have often wonde...Lots of great information here. I have often wondered how the Romans kept up with lying down while eating. It is really not comfortable.Southpawhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16539290964546504171noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-62729300506972556742012-12-11T12:08:38.432+00:002012-12-11T12:08:38.432+00:00Super post, Hilary. I'm going to google Raisin...Super post, Hilary. I'm going to google Raisin wine. And I love those gingerbread cookies. But what a history! I think early Christians moved Jesus' birthday to compete with Saturnalia. Plus the calendar change.Kittie Howardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07756250649095903317noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-87425403465929955712012-12-11T11:17:04.949+00:002012-12-11T11:17:04.949+00:00Fascinating post as usual. I'm so ignorant abo...Fascinating post as usual. I'm so ignorant about history but I have a friend who write historical novels, so my interest has been piqued. This is fascinating and I love that there was a week when you couldn't be punished for playing havoc. I could think of a few Lords of Misrule. Thanks for the education Hilary.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09186491465911432817noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-63079137608284234002012-12-11T08:20:34.386+00:002012-12-11T08:20:34.386+00:00@ Tina .. many thanks - history offers much ..
@ ...@ Tina .. many thanks - history offers much ..<br /><br />@ Lyn - sorry about your dinner! Glad you enjoyed the post though ..<br /><br /><br />Cheers to you both - HilaryHilary Melton-Butcherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17596532480645510678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-45839087195451995292012-12-11T02:45:55.774+00:002012-12-11T02:45:55.774+00:00This is all fascinating, but now I'm hungry, e...This is all fascinating, but now I'm hungry, even though I just ate dinner! Well done, Hilary!LynNerdKelleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04167392990015741278noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-21039439616828438132012-12-10T19:44:21.851+00:002012-12-10T19:44:21.851+00:00Loved this history lesson! Awesome as always, Hil...Loved this history lesson! Awesome as always, Hilary.<br /><br />Tina @ Life is Good<br />http://kmdlifeisgood.blogspot.com/Tinahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08925730745204736744noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-75209204291361541392012-12-10T16:51:51.110+00:002012-12-10T16:51:51.110+00:00@ Hart - I know the Lord of Misrule week sounds go...@ Hart - I know the Lord of Misrule week sounds good .. but killing him off is a bit much - and gingerbread men - I might avoid them in the future .. <br /><br />@ Talli - many thanks - I added to my knowledge too ... and when they ate - they ate and banqueted they knew how - poor cook though!<br /><br />Cheers to you both .. HilaryHilary Melton-Butcherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17596532480645510678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-15475613553226301742012-12-10T15:52:03.549+00:002012-12-10T15:52:03.549+00:00Another great post! I knew a little about the Roma...Another great post! I knew a little about the Roman holiday, but this was fascinating. They sure knew how to eat!Talli Rolandhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04780882465745107715noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-65058940062775997142012-12-10T14:58:40.551+00:002012-12-10T14:58:40.551+00:00Oh, this was so interesting! I love that week of ...Oh, this was so interesting! I love that week of Misrule! (erm... other than the killing the innocent, thing--glad they substituted gingerbread there). But this was very cool stuff! Thank you!Hart Johnsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17599570189253229318noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-3983953357184224272012-12-10T08:23:27.898+00:002012-12-10T08:23:27.898+00:00@ Diane - they had plenty of food ... but worked h...@ Diane - they had plenty of food ... but worked harder for it, I suspect.<br /><br />@ Ann - they looked after their Society and made sure they had a good selection of produce. I know I love fruit and veg ... Got the email -thank you.<br /><br />@ Gary - no worries and I do hope the travels went as satisfactorily as possible, in the circumstances.<br /><br />They were hierarchial and looked after their own .. falling in with the seasons, yet realising that 'holidays' were important to keeping the populace 'sweet' .. No I won't be having boar .. though I do love it ..... got to catch my pig first!!<br /><br />@ Stephen - Silly Hat Day .. that's the first I've heard - but we all have silly parties at times don't we. <br /><br />I'm with your wife - if I'm with people then definitely eat at the table!! Sorry about the pig - it's probably not the best photo - but reflected what I wanted to show and came up ... <br /><br />Cheers everyone - have one last good week for Christmas really kicks in ... HilaryHilary Melton-Butcherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17596532480645510678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-71327978503981923522012-12-10T05:37:23.244+00:002012-12-10T05:37:23.244+00:00We have Silly Hat Day here in the States. It can b...We have Silly Hat Day here in the States. It can be any day of the year. No tunics though. <br /><br />And I do like eating on the couch, but wifey gets mad.<br /><br />That pig is freaking me out. Must be those beady red eyes.<br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-5495580937033939512012-12-10T00:42:02.447+00:002012-12-10T00:42:02.447+00:00Hi Hilary,
Apologies for the delay in my 'eag...Hi Hilary,<br /><br />Apologies for the delay in my 'eagerly anticipated' comment. Have been somewhat out on my travels, as you know.<br /><br />Those Romans knew how to party. Although, I don't think there will be a stuffed roast boar on my table during the festive season. Might wait until January :)<br /><br />Thank you, Hilary. Happy Christmas preparations to you.<br /><br />Garyklahaniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08613505424843475639noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-443734949881738932012-12-09T22:02:13.347+00:002012-12-09T22:02:13.347+00:00Those Romans really knew how to do it! I'm wit...Those Romans really knew how to do it! I'm with Diane on the fruit. Anything dark is supposed to be SO healthy for us -- and it's SO delicious!<br /><br />Just sent you an email....Now I've got to get offline and help Jen....Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-23663829595069866982012-12-09T21:25:09.191+00:002012-12-09T21:25:09.191+00:00With all that fruit, they ate healthier desserts t...With all that fruit, they ate healthier desserts than we do.L. Diane Wolfehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06425864276166334896noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-623703070216791622012-12-09T16:23:53.217+00:002012-12-09T16:23:53.217+00:00Hi Ros .. it is - food maketh convivial meals and ...Hi Ros .. it is - food maketh convivial meals and hopefully intelligent and witty conversation .. <br /><br />Oooh dear .. I'm not sure I'd like all that fried food .. but I didn't know about that tradition or the why - so that was interesting. I hope to get your book and learn more about Jewish life ... <br /><br />@ Lynn - sorry about the boar - bet he tasted very good! Time makes us who we are .. and what our ancestors have used it for .. making us who we are.<br /><br />I agree the honey cakes and I'm fond of Christmas pud ... perhaps sometimes fried up the next day with brandy butter!!<br /><br />@ Diane - well you show me France .. and give us little tours - then the foods you prepare - delicious.<br /><br />Lucky you - Casablanca sounds wonderful - some sun would be good wouldn't it .. still we're nearing the Solstice .. <br /><br />Thanks Ros, Lynn and Diane - bet we'd have some amazing conversations around a dinner table! Happy thoughts - HilaryHilary Melton-Butcherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17596532480645510678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-62825523625752822232012-12-09T14:23:13.691+00:002012-12-09T14:23:13.691+00:00How very interesting. You always come up posts tha...How very interesting. You always come up posts that are full of things I had no idea about before. Our Christmas will be quite different this year, we have booked to go to Casablanca in Morocco and hopefully we may get some sun :-) Keep well DianeDianehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14782670749466305626noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-51866363257593815722012-12-09T12:43:50.870+00:002012-12-09T12:43:50.870+00:00That's so interesting and yes - it made us who...That's so interesting and yes - it made us who we are. I'm glad I don't have to look at that boar's face all the time. :) I'd like the honey cakes though and the Christmas Pudding is beautiful!Lynnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13984802196897920610noreply@blogger.com