Category Archives: Christmas

A Winters Tale

Posted on December 31, 2013 by

To end the year I thought it would be nice to present a ghostly tale of my own. Not something I would normally put here but it is based in wartime Portsmouth and is therefore in keeping with the archive. … Continue reading →

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A Christmas Cake, 1861

Posted on December 24, 2013 by

For this one I only have the images, no text. The four images begin with the ingredients laid out though to be fair, the method would be that of any other rich fruit cake recipe. Regard it as a sort … Continue reading →

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A Traditional Christmas Dinner!

Posted on December 23, 2013 by

The traditional British Christmas Dinner is usually served in the afternoon, around three o’clock (it is in my home anyway) and is a free for all feast for family and invited friends. Since I myself am working away this year, … Continue reading →

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Dickens’s A Christmas Carol at 170

Posted on December 22, 2013 by

This struck a chord with me and goes into more detail than I would normally. A well presented article, I enjoyed reading it. Nicely done. Interesting Literature The surprising story behind Dickens’s A Christmas Carol Charles Dickens’s classic Christmas tale A … Continue reading →

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Pfeffernüsse Pastries

Posted on December 22, 2013 by

Pfeffernüsse are fluffy pastries made with ground nuts and spices, somewhat akin to maccaroons. Like the spekulatius, the biscuit has been part of European yuletide celebrations since the mid nineteenth century. Popular in Germany, Denmark, and The Netherlands as a … Continue reading →

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Santa By Any Other Name . . .

Posted on December 21, 2013 by

Santa Claus, Saint Nicholas, Father Christmas, Kris Kringle, Sinterklaas, Odin, Baba Christmas, Babbo Natale, Black Peter, Christkindl, Ded Moroz, Gwiazdor, Joulupukki, Kanakaloka, Kerstman, Mos Craciun, Pere Noel, Sion Corn, Shengdan Laoren . . . Santa  is a mythical figure with … Continue reading →

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Traditional Christmas Breads – France

Posted on December 17, 2013 by

The ‘fancy’ fruit bread has been a staple throughout the decades as a celebratory snack or simply a nicely presented tea-time treat for that ‘important’ guest! It has less fruit content than the French Fruit Braid shown here, where it … Continue reading →

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