Figgy Duff

Originally coming from Newfoundland I wanted to share a little bit of my Christmas history.  This pudding is usually served on Christmas Day for supper, with the leftovers (if there are any) fried up for breakfast.  While it sounds like the name of a band or some sort of dance, figgy duff is actually a steamed, dense cake.  And despite the name, there are no figs in this traditional Newfoundland Christmas dessert, usually raisins.  For some reason, raisins are were called figs in many parts of the province.  Also, many people in England, of which many Newfoundlanders originated, called any type of dessert a "pudding" unlike today where a pudding conjures up memories of a creamy, custard-like dessert.  Closely resembling Spotted Dick, the pudding is boiled in a cloth bag or it can be steamed in a pudding mold. 

Here's how you make it:

Sift together:


2 cups flour, ½ cup sugar, 2 tsp baking powder


Add - 1 cup raisins and mix in.

Add 1/3 cup melted butter, ¾ cup milk, 2 tsp vanilla extract

Mix all together with a wooden spoon just until a soft dough is formed. Put dough into a pudding steamer or a wet heavy cotton pudding bag, tying the bag with a piece of butcher string but leaving about an inch of slack at the top to allow the pudding to expand. Boil for approximately 1 to 1 1/2 hours. This is most often done in the pot with the boiled root vegetables, cabbage and salt beef included in a Jiggs Dinner but can be done in a pot on its own as well.

Traditional Christmas Carol Medley-Judy Garland

This is great!! They just don't make Christmas shows like this anymore! Judy is joined by Mel Torme, Jack Jones, her children (Liza, Lorna and Joey) and others in this traditional Christmas Carol Medley. From December of 1963.

Spring and all that

Well, spring is upon us and I haven't posted for awhile. We have been to England for a couple of weeks in March, visiting family, friends etc. Back here in St. Wolfgang the weather has been fine and sunny, well, except for today which rainy and cold. We have been able to have lunch sitting on the balcony and had to wear hats because the sun was so hot! A lot of the spring alpine flowers are starting to show their faces as well.

We have been for a few walks up into the forests and along the lake, it's been really nice. Of course my new camera has been doing stirling service and I have tried to photograph some of the flowers. Don't know what a lot of them are called but they are very nice anyway.

Regarding the gaming front, I must admit I haven't played much lately, Tina and I tried the 2-player variant of Seafarers posted by Dave65tdh on BGG go here if you would like to have a look...

http://boardgamegeek.com/thread/442180/2-player-variant

It seemed to work very well and we enjoyed it. I also noticed that the Martin Wallace release at this year's Essen is to be 'Ankh-Morpork' a game based on Terry Pratchett's Discworld books. Set in the city of Ankh-Morpork....(where else) the premise is that Lord Vetinari has disappeared and certain factions are trying to take over the city. Each player has a secret personality with a specific victory condition. Sounds intriguing, and as a bit a fan of Terry Pratchett's Discworld books it becomes a bit of a no-brainer for me. Apparently it will be available for pre-order one month before Essen and there is to be a De Luxe version as well, and this won't be limited so anyone who wants it can get a copy. No news on how the De Luxe version will differ from the standard version though.

More news anon...... happy gaming........ and don't forget Mum on Sunday....Happy Mother's Day mum!

Paper-Doily Wreath & More From Martha Stewart

A delicate-looking wreath that creates the magical effect of candles flickering in the snow is easy to make and surprisingly sturdy. Wreath frames are strung with twinkling lights that are nestled in frothy, doilylike paper bouquet holders known as "Biedermeiermanschetten."

Read more at Marthastewart.com: Paper-Doily Wreath - Martha Stewart Crafts

With their motion frozen in clear glass glitter, coniferous trees and reindeer encircle hurricane lamps lighted from within by tall, rose-hued candles. Here, the candleholders are elevated on glass cake stands, then faux snow is dusted around them.

Read more at Marthastewart.com: Glittered Candleholders - Martha Stewart Crafts

Transform old magazines into glittered tabletop trees with this easy -- as well as kid-friendly -- step-by-step process.

Read more at Marthastewart.com: Easy Christmas Crafts, Homemade Gifts, Gift-Wrapping Ideas - Martha Stewart

Magazine Christmas Trees

Create cute snowman greeting cards or gift tags with extra buttons and a bit of thread.

Read more at Marthastewart.com: Easy Christmas Crafts, Homemade Gifts, Gift-Wrapping Ideas - Martha Stewart

Button Snowman Cards

Rickrack -- wavy cotton trim -- is easily manipulated into seasonal symbols. Glue rickrack designs to blank cards, and use them as holiday greetings.

Read more at Marthastewart.com: Easy Christmas Crafts, Homemade Gifts, Gift-Wrapping Ideas - Martha Stewart

Rickrack Cards

Enjoy being creative!

 

Santa Ads

It's been a hectic time, so I regret not posting more frequently.   I was thinking about something we are constantly bombared with every day: ads.  The guy in the red suit has been used to sell many things of the years and I wanted to highlight a few of them.

First, the most recognized Santa is the one created by the Coca-Cola company in the 1930s.

Starting in 1931, magazine ads for Coca-Cola featured St. Nick as a kind, jolly man in a red suit. Because magazines were so widely viewed, and because this image of Santa appeared for more than three decades, the image of Santa most people have today is largely based on our advertising.

Before the 1931 introduction of the Coca-Cola Santa Claus created by artist Haddon Sundblom, the image of Santa ranged from big to small and fat to tall. Santa even appeared as an elf and looked a bit spooky.

The Coca-Cola Company began its Christmas advertising in the 1920s with shopping-related ads in magazines like The Saturday Evening Post. The first Santa ads used a strict-looking Claus, in the vein of Thomas Nast.


At this time, many people thought of Coca-Cola as a drink only for warm weather. The Coca-Cola Company began a campaign to remind people that Coca-Cola was a great choice in any month. This began with the 1922 slogan "Thirst Knows No Season," and continued with a campaign connecting a true icon of winter -- Santa Claus -- with the beverage.

Later on tobacco companies loved to use Santa in their holiday advertising. Usually showing an illustration of Santa Claus and the Christmas packaging of their products for that season. This picture shows the 1943 Chesterfield products.

Eventually with all that work Santa needs some time to clean up.  So I found an ad in which Santa is selling some towels.

The World's Largest Christmas Store

In my search for all things Christmas, I found out that Bronner's Christmas Wonderland is the world's largest Christmas store. It's located in Frankenmuth, Michigan. It was started by Wallace Bronner in 1945.

Wally Bronner & Santa

All images are from Google Images

You can read more on the history of how he started his business Here.

 They also have an online website you can order anything imaginable for Christmas! OH MY, I would love to visit there for a whole day, but since it's to far away, the next best thing is to order from their website! I love to exchange ornaments for Christmas gifts and they have a big selection of those...woohoo! Here is the link to their online store, Bronner's Christmas Wonderland.

There's also a 68 page E-Catalog to browse through which you can find HERE.

They have quite a selection of Christmas goodies from personalized ornaments and gifts, to collectibles, trees & accessories, garlands & wreaths, Nativity Scenes, lights, advent calendars, Santa suits & hats, and much more.

You can view an Interactive Virtual Tour of Bronner's Christmas Wonderland HERE.

Penguins...I love penguins...:)

Half-mile long Christmas Lane lined with
 lights attracting millions each year.

 Bronner's Christmas Wonderland is visited annually by over two million people, with the weekend after Thanksgiving being the busiest of the year with over 50,000 visitors. Its inventory exceeds 50,000 trims and gifts, including Christmas ornaments, artificial Christmas trees, Christmas lights, Nativity scenes, Christmas decorations, collectibles, and similar goods. Each year, approximately 600,000 glass ornaments, 530,000 feet (161,000 m) of garland, 150,000 postcards and 86,000 light sets (nearly 530 miles (850 km) of light cords) are sold. Bronner's has the exclusive right to sell Precious Moments Christmas-themed figurines. With the government of Austria's permission and in keeping with the German theme of Frankenmuth itself, Bronner's built a replica of the Oberndorf, Austria, Silent Night Memorial Chapel in 1992 as a tribute to the Christmas hymn "Silent Night"
Read about Bronner's Silent Night Memorial Chapel Here.

Wallace "Wally" Bronner died April 1, 2008 at age 81.

Image from: http://www.stillenacht.info/en/silent-night/chapel.asp

Wow! My inner child would definitely come out visiting this store! LOL! Hope you enjoy visiting all of the links above.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bronner%27s_CHRISTmas_Wonderland

Easter Tree

I've decided to post pic's of my Easter tree even though it's on my Christmas blog. I don't do very much in the way of Easter decorations, but I'm going to try and add a few things each year. I do have an Easter wreath on my front and back doors. Christmas is always my big decorating event.

I left out my Jim Shore seasonal cat collection.

Easter Bunny $3.50 from The Dollar General Store

More from The Dollar General Store

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