Christmas Greetings …

 

I've given up – toddling on – but a post is needed to be sent out to our blogosphere … way too late … 

... and I'm not writing books – so really no excuses … busy/lazy – you takes your pick!

The Lamb - December 2022

... but we had some snow to make us miserable and give the country more headaches (thankfully not here) …

The Lamb Inn 14^th century (1300s … I get muddled!) - without its white coating …

The internet's web presence

I hope you can see the baubles ... the sun
wasn't shining ... it's a wooden spiral ... 

I spotted this 'interesting' Christmas tree on my way into town … at some stage .. I must stop and look more closely to see how it's made … the owners must be artistically clever!

So here's to a happy festive time however you celebrate – I'll be with one of my brother's who lives locally … a smallish gathering this year …

There's lots of berries around this year

Here's to you all … I'll see you on New Year's Eve …

Hilary Melton-Butcher

Positive Letters Inspirational Stories

Icelandic Christmas Book Flood – Jolabokaflod ...

 

I came across this delightful tradition … from an article in CountryLiving – no idea how I got there! …

Christmas books

… something I hadn't heard about … during World War II paper was not rationed in Iceland – it was in England … as J R Tolkien found out when his works were published during the War.

So this is where the post came from … the Icelanders gave each other books at Christmas time … turning them into a country of bookaholics … there's some stats in the links …

Hot chocolate

I'm keeping this shortish … as people are causing me headaches – which takes time out of life … and leaving me somewhat frustrated and irritated, but that's life when one volunteers.

Then for some 'brilliant' reason – my computer needs something and I can't find it – or how to fix it … such is life … and now it wants to snow!!

Our Cocoa - in this little
country of ours - England!

Anyway enough of me … what I'd love is nothing to do … plenty of cocoa on the stove, marshmallows, a box or two of chocolates – then of course some veggies with a dip or two, and fruit to finish off (I'm trying to be good and leave off the wine) … and be left alone … to read the books on my TBR shelves …

So I really endorse Jolabokaflod (which roughly translates to Christmas Book Flood – in English, we might have guessed that!?) …

Presumably Jolabokaflod in Icelandic

Looks good ... 

So … enjoy your books and your cocoa … or more likely now-a-days … a large mug of hot chocolate with frothy cream on top … sprinkled with drinking chocolate powder …

A few links below …

Country Living – Jolabokaflod … the Icelandic tradition of giving books … way to go!

Wikipedia has more information on the Christmas Book Flood …

Founding Story of Jolabokaflog.org …

I know you've all family things to sort out … as do I, but in limited form – mostly done, thankfully … but I have a dinner to ensure runs smoothly by and for Wednesday …

Christmas Books at Waterstones

I'll probably get another post in before the end of the year – but in case not … have a peaceful and happy festive time … computer time being kind I'll be around … just straggling at the back of the queue for now …

Hilary Melton-Butcher

Positive Letters Inspirational Stories

Guzzle, Gulp, Swallow – a rare bird …

 I just wish everyone a very merry Christmas, and then during the festive season: a peaceful and blessed time.

A self-portrait (1858)

So many need our help at this time … this seems 'revolting' – yet displays excess, as seen 170 years ago … when trade routes were bringing in 'more and more' goodies for the western world to learn about …

Seen here on ships sailing in: 

Spices / Sugar / Coffee / Tea

George Cruikshank's 'A Swallow
at Christmas'

Waiting to be poured: Champagne / Hock / Port / Gin / Rum / Whiskey … to be drunk by the tankard: Frothy Beer …

Then happily standing in line waiting to be guzzled, gulped, swallowed: 

Fishes (mock turtle soup available too); 

birds various; pies; breads; cheese …

and numerous 'I don't knows' – notations too small or indistinct for me to work out …

Portmeirion tea-cup ... for that 
Christmas relaxing cuppa

The Spitalfield's Life blog brought this to my attention – and as I love the caricatures as illustrated by George Cruikshank (1792 – 1878) … they can be seen on the link … and more can be found in Wiki …

A coloured print can be seen here in AntiquePrintMapRoom - December a Swallow at Christmas - Rara Avis in Terra

With a lot of hopeful thoughts to those in the world who need care, love and compassion ... 

Glad tidings to you all – be safe and see you the 31^st – cheers!

PS Once again - no drink (yet!) ... but those wretched fonts have done their thing and faffed around with size etc ... 

Hilary Melton-Butcher

Positive Letters Inspirational Stories

Christmas Greetings 2019 … with a nod to the charity You Raise Me Up ...

Father Christmas has arrived … by bus, or if you prefer by 1908 Wolseley Siddeley …

… early to Eastbourne … but as he had so many presents to drop off … he needed more than one vehicle …

… all the up-to-date ones were out in the skies … so he resorted to this beautiful one in the showroom window … loaded up and off he went …

Santa was driving his special bus … with his Rudolph the red-nose reindeer – who sang triumphantly! … he opened his mouth, set his tongue wagging and lo and behold Christmas carols came boldly out ..

here we're back in town

... the bus would be travelling at least three routes around town … I met up with it in town at my stop … and as he dropped me off I asked Santa when he was back etc …

 

… he said – well I have to go up to Meads – one of the westerly ‘suburbs’ (now part of the main town) nestling under the Downs …

… then I’ll be back in about ten minutes …. I hot-footed it (not far, thankfully!) up to my flat, drop my shopping off and back down to the bus stop on the other side of the road for the trip back into town …

… as is the way while waiting I met up with some locals – who I’d been meaning to catch up with: good connection – and back on Santa’s bus I hopped …

… off we went – into town, round the town centre and back to where I got off at my original stop …

… the other two routes were going a bit out of my way – and I was quite busy … so thought that this bus day was the bus day …

Meads Street looking north to south
the Downs are to the right in the picture

… then yesterday I was walking into town past the showrooms – where a couple of cars were on show … I couldn’t get nearer – for insurance purposes …

Beachy Head in the foreground - recent falls;
Eastbourne is just round the corner from these falls -
still in the lee of the Downs

… and I have no wish for a large bill should I have accidentally damaged one of these precious vintage specimens … so these ‘rough’ photos will need to suffice …

That’s my life … on occasions … and though the bus runs only once a year … I’ve been able to tell everyone – the whys and wherefores …

It’s for a charity called You Raise Me Up: You Are Not Alone – supporting life after the death of a child aged 16 – 25 … I will tell you more in my next post …

Have very special Christmases, and lovely holiday visits with family and friends … and remember those in need ... 

The local charity:  You Raise Me Up - You Are Not Alone ... 

Hilary Melton-Butcher

Positive Letters Inspirational Stories

A – Z: seasonal take for Lee’s A – Z Challenge ...

... see how easy it can be ... an ABC of the Aspects of the British Countryside to an A – Z about our Christmastide ... come join the fun – April First 2018 is our starting day – but you’re not a fool to take part ...

I'm now over in Canada ... with a family adjusting to changes - so life will be slightly different this year ... but here's to the traditional family Christmas I've been used to in England ... when not in South Africa ... 

Advent – from the Latin word adventus meaning “coming” – Advent Sunday is the start of the Advent season – fourth Sunday before Christmas Day.

Brandy Butter – an essential addition for Christmas Pudding and Mince Pies

Christmas – Christ’s Mass is derived from the Middle English Christemasse and Old English Cristes maesse, a phrase first recorded in 1038.

Decorations – from pre-Christian times, people in the Roman Empire brought branches from evergreen plants indoors in the winter.  In the 15^th Century in London it was the custom for every house and all the parish churches to be “decked with holm (Holm Oak), ivy, bays, and whatsoever the season the year afforded to be green".  “Deck the Halls” ... a traditional Yuletide/Christmas carol and New Year carol.

Extras: Bread sauce, chestnut stuffing, bacon rolls, turkey gravy from the juices, cranberry sauce, bowls of nuts, custard, creams and chocolates ...  

Flowers to decorate the table – Christmas roses, hollywreaths ...

Grandparents or remembering them, and all family - the essentials to Christmastide ...

Holly – was seen as a protection against pagans and witches, its thorns and red berries held to represent the Crown of Thorns worn by Jesus at the Crucifixion and the blood he shed.

Ivy – the heart shaped leaves are said to symbolize the coming to earth of Jesus

Jingle Bells – an American secular Christmas song

Karpfen in Bier: a traditional Christmas Eve dish in Germany – “Carp in Beer” ... poached, served with a sauce made from the liquor, with brown ale and gingerbread

Leftovers ... sliced ham or turkey, chipolatas, devils on horseback (bacon wrapped around prunes), fresh bread, baked potatoes, pickles and salads ...  then bowls of rich turkey soup, turkey or ham ‘muck up’ ... fried Christmas pudding with brandy butter .... yummmeeee ....

Mince Pies with brandy butter or cream – may be eaten before a snatched kiss under the mistletoe

N for Nativity – Commemoration of Jesus’ birth – popularised by Saint Francis of Assissi from 1223

O Little Town of Bethlehem – one of many traditional Christmas Carols sung in Church or at Carol Services

Plum Pudding .... on which a sprig of holly is set, brandy poured over and set alight, before being served with brandy butter, cream or custard ...

Queen Victoria and Prince Albert introduced the Christmas tree to Britain: they were enamoured seeing a tree hung with lights, ornaments and presents placed around.

Remember our loved ones – with a Christmas card, personal telephone call or special handwritten letter --- especially those thank you letters and cards.

Santa Claus – leave out gifts for Santa to thank him for his visit  ... Stilton, Mince Pies with a glass of sherry

Tradition – Christmas is a strong Christian tradition, from which over time a variety of Christmas celebrations have developed, that incorporate regional and local cultures.

Units of weight – you’ll be dieting in January 2018 – sorreeeeee!

Vegetables – roast potatoes, mashed potatoes, roast onions, roast parsnips, Brussels sprouts, carrots, red cabbage ...

Wassail cup – historically mulled cider, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg and ginger spices, roasted cider apples to decorate and topped with slices of toast, acting as sops.

X - the great unknown .... xxx or perhaps that KISS under the Mistletoe

Yule Log: Buche de Noel – a traditional dessert served at Christmas time particularly in francophone countries and former French colonies.  A sponge cake in the form of a log – filled with chocolate buttercream, covered in a chocolate ganache or frosting, decorated with powdered sugar to resemble snow.

Z       Zizz it all off – just don’t hibernate ‘til April ....

The first year I participated
in the A - Z ... 2nd year I
participated

Lee’s great suggestion of the A – Z posts can be filled with so many ideas ...  good for our creativity, while greeting old friends and meeting new bloggers – come join the fun.

I so enjoyed the Challenge last year - thanks so much Lee for the Christmas opportunity – Happy Christmastide to one and all .. with a very successful 2018 ahead ...

The sign-up will come early in the New Year.

Hilary Melton-Butcher

Positive Letters Inspirational Stories

Cookies - Doughnuts, Koeksisters, Shortbread and some other oddities from the English import ...

I joined a cookie blog hop site - now have no idea who set it up - hopeless me.  I'm in a state of flux ... for various reasons to be told at some distance time ... but one step forward and some just staying still ...

Jammy ones ... sooooo good!

Linda from her Roses to Rainbows blog has a wonderful post on doughnuts and how important 'looking at the right part of the doughnut' - ie being the optimist and not the pessimist - please check out the poems - good for us to read, to your kids/grandkids over the Christmas season ... 

Koeksisters

There are regional variations on the origin of doughnuts - most were developed from the Dutch explorers and immigrants ... 

I remember the English jam doughnuts ... as being very decadent and a very big treat ... then came across them a decade or two later down in South Africa - as Koeksisters ... 

American Holiday
Cookie tray

...the Dutch word "koek" for a wheat flour confectionery mix, combined with the American word "cookie", and "sister" to a tale of two sisters plaiting their doughnuts and then dunking them in syrup - I might say I read this first and second in fact as dunkin' their plaited hair ... ?? - so creating this iconic pastry.

Someone recommended I
read this book, which would
give me an insight into the
Vancouver of today

Enough of this natter ... I've driven to Victoria to hear a talk on the plight of the First Nations - informative information on a subject I know very little about.


We've been out to lunches, suppers etc ... Royal Legion ones ... where it's interesting to find some in 'takkies' and jeans ... others dressed up - yet with socks and shoes on ... so a mix of dress is allowable.

Immaculate course - the scrub
around somewhat contradicts it ... 

Just been to a Christmas lunch for the British Canadian social club at a local golf club - and I think earlier there was a social club lunch - I'm losing track ... I've been called - oh yes I know you - you're the English nipper ... and seem to be recognised by the English accent!

Santa visits here too - not
me - this was his elf!

I can't quite get used to getting up at much the same time 7 - 7.30 ... lunching at 12 and then supper at 5 or 6 pm ... BBC World News, Canadian News and Public Broadcast News ... not quite like the British Beeb, or Channel 4 tv (- that I preferred) ... is on at 5 and at 6 .... 


... we have snow on the mountain and thick frosts - so the cold weather is a-coming ... I know in England storm Caroline is doing its 'thing'!

A brochure for 'Visit Eastbourne'
popped up in my Reader ... this is a
gingerbread bandstand cake ... not
something I'd try! - but it looks pretty
and reminds me of home ... I forgot
to take photos of my shortbread
efforts ... 

We've been to the family for supper ... the in-laws are at the farm at the moment for a few days ... and we were down yesterday, when I made some shortbread - I know one of the easier things to make - but I didn't think I'd be making 'cookies' - even if it was shortbread - to my surprise it was quite good.  I won't cook much up here - facilities aren't the easiest or the best ... let me leave it at that.


We are doing what we can ... when the snow comes we'll see ... 

The Cowichan Valley Citizen newspaper puts
out this 'Holiday Party Time' bulletin every
year with recipes and various Christmas songs

So not desperately exciting ... but we did drive round one of the local bays today ... and that looked beautiful - might do one or two more of those trips and next time stop to take photos ... 


The 'dos' have entertainment attached ... so lots of singing (especially the 12 days of Christmas), prizes, skits - all good hearted fun ... 

We've had a bit of this too ...

Enjoy all your build ups to Christmas ... I have two more posts coming up before I switch off til the New Year - one I wrote earlier in the year a very Christmas A-Z and then the Write Edit Publish one ... as Denise Covey said ... should be easy for you:  The End is the Beginning ... see my side bar for the image invite ... 


Enjoy all the build ups with family and friends, remember all who have less than us ... and just be happy and enjoy - til next week ...

Hilary Melton-Butcher
Positive Letters Inspirational Stories

Bran Tub # 7: … Marzipan and Museums of Toledo, Lübeck, Tallinn …

We are still in the season of joyfulness … are we not?! … and I love marzipan – how it filtered into my mind for a blog post I have no idea … Christmas provided me with none!

Battenburg Cake ... sandwiched with apricot jam,
surrounded by a layer of marzipan

… now its German name is the popular version … our English Marchpane “March Bread” is no longer in use … though Shakespeare used it in Romeo and Juliet …

… those of us who love marzipan … enjoy one of the oldest sweet pleasures to have spread around the Mediterranean … almonds, honey or sugar, bound with an egg, or just a whisked white, flavoured with a favourite spice …

 … sometimes vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg or the zest of orange or lemon, or waters of orange and particularly rose … then do not leave out chocolate – marzipan is especially happy covered with decadent chocolate.

Where did it originate … certainly the Persian and Mediterranean districts, even possibly from as far afield as China … then in the last 1200 years or so it spread overland through Turkey and Eastern Europe … via the Crusades, before using the Hanseatic League merchant guilds in their market towns to establish northern roots … the Guilds dominated Baltic maritime trade from circa 1400 – 1800 AD.

Green = Hanseatic League serving norther Europe
Red = Venetian routes   (they vied with the Genoese)
Yellow = Genoese routes
Blue = overland connections

The Marzipan museums of Lübeck, northern Germany and Tallinn, Estonia remind us of this link through their proud tradition of marzipan manufacture ...

 

Maiasmokk Cafe, Tallinn

… the market square in Lübeck boasts the always-crowded Café Niederegger –the marzipan known as “harem confectionery”, while attached to the café and shop is the museum …

Tallinn marzipan started in the Middle Ages … and here it is mentioned as a medicine in the price lists of the Tallinn Town Hall Pharmacy … the Maiasmokk Café remembers the tradition of supplying marzipan figurines to the Russian Imperial family, as well as being a café …

Al-Andalus and Christian Kingdoms
c 1000 AD
(Toledo is under the "H")

Or via Moorish Spain and the Iberian Peninsula … where the Arabs expanded the almond and orange orchards, introduced sugar cane cultivation (which is almost non-existent now – there is sugar beet) … and began producing this exquisite paste.  After Arab power waned … the secrets of marzipan-making were secured by the nuns in Catholic convents.

Orange and Almond orchards

To my surprise there are many European centres of marzipan manufacture … with several having supporting marzipan museums … in Europe – each has its own style and flavourings used … baked or unbaked and modelled into a variety of shapes.

Marzipan is ideal for many uses … chocolates filled with the sweet paste, wrapped around nuts, candied fruits, poached in fresh fruits as a dessert …

Is this the new 21st C cappuccino?

There are marzipans made from pistachios, or less expensive ones where almonds are replaced by apricot or peach kernels … but the best is the best … so buy from a controlled source … where you can be sure of your purchase.

My Bran Tub could easily be full to the brim with marzipan chocolate nuts, truffles, batons … but I think my brain would be marzipanified for the year ahead … and that would not be a good idea – an idea for a story though … Death by Marzipan?

Happy New Year … with good health ... perhaps fewer chocolates would be a good idea?

Hilary Melton-Butcher

Positive Letters Inspirational Stories