Keys Of The Kingdom - Manic Monday

Any bookworm can tell you that there are times when you simply fall in love with an Author. You read one book and it so fits your idea of what a book should be that you must then read every book by that author that you can find. What pleases you will change as you mature, but some of the earliest favorites will stay with you for life. You have all been treated to my adoration for Louisa May Alcott from my earliest years, but today is an author discovered in my early teens. He wrapped up many of my passions in one early book and from then on you could have named him Saint instead of Doctor and I would have agreed.

The author was A. J. Cronin and the book was "Keys Of the Kingdom". It is simply a wonderful story of a Scottish doctor who becomes a priest is sent to China as a young man and deals with the hardships physical, political and spiritual for the rest of his life.

If you have never read any of A. J. Cronin's work and particularly The Keys of the Kingdom, take the time to read the reviews just before pushing the "Add To Cart" button for either the Book or the movie starring Gregory Peck as Father Francis Chisholm. Once you have caught the addiction you can then go back for all the books (more than 25), the movies (The Citadel among many others) and the TV Series (Dr. Finlay on BBC) that grew out of them.

A. J. Cronin may seem a shade old fashioned now since the majority of his work was published between the later 30s and the early 60s until you realize that he just told wonderful stories of the human condition that are still applicable today.

Sixth Day of Christmas

On The Sixth Day of Christmas
My True Love Gave To Me
Six Geese A Laying

The six days of creation described in Genesis





Five Golden Rings

















Four Calling Birds






Three French Hens








Two Turtledoves









And A Partridge In A Pear Tree


Almost everyone is familiar with the song without being aware of the symbolism and legends associated with each of the days.The 12 Days of Christmas actually begin at sundown on Christmas day (December 25) and proceed evening/day until the morning of January 6 or Epiphany which marks the celebration of the arrival of the Three Kings with their gifts for the Christ Child in the Church Calendar. This is the official period of Christmastide.

By legend each of the 12 days has a liturgical meaning used to teach children, the illiterate, and those not allowed to practice their faith openly due to religious persecution.

Thus the "first day" is Jesus the gift of salvation; Day 2 is the Old and New Testament; Day 3 Faith, Hope and Charity; Day 4 The Four Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John); Day 5 is the Torah, the first five books of the Old Testament.

Happy Hogmanay

There are certain experiences that should not be missed. These aren't the climbing Everest type, just human places to be a certain times. A couple of them involve the New Year. If at all possible, find a group of real Scots, at least one of whom should be a dark haired man as you will need him after 12:01 a.m.

These are modern folks. They wear jeans not kilts, don't play bagpipes daily and know how to use ATMs. On New Year's Eve they dig back into their past of the last 500 years and invest something special into the event. In modern day Scotland the street parties in Edinburgh or Glasgow are a sight to behold. In the small towns, the bonfires burn to bring back the sun.

In all of the places wherever they gather around the world, at midnight you cross your hands across your body and form a circle, and you sing only one song (all of it). Even though it is Burn's version that is sung, he said that he was only recording a folk song that streched way back in time. It is a song that looks backward to childhood and forward to old age. It is a wistful melody for things lost and things gained. Anyone who needs an English translation, just ask.

Auld Lang Syne

Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And auld lang syne?

And surely ye'll be your pint-stowp,
And surely I'll be mine,
And we'll tak a cup o kindness yet,
For auld lang syne!

We twa hae run about the braes,
And pou'd the gowans fine,
But we've wander'd monie a weary fit,
Sin auld lang syne.

We twa hae paidl'd in the burn
Frae morning sun till dine,
But seas between us braid hae roar'd
Sin auld lang syne.

And there's a hand my trusty fiere,
And gie's a hand o thine,
And we'll tak a right guid-willie waught,
For auld lang syne.

Once the New Year turns, the dark man bearing gifts of survival is welcomed at the door. It is considered fortunate if your first visitor on the 1st January is a tall dark stranger, armed with a lump of coal and a bottle of whisky. To this can be added the options of salt, shortbread and/or a black bun. That he should be dark is said to hark back to when a blond arrival might be a Viking, not always with the best of intentions towards home and family.

For those who would like to watch the wild goings on in Scotland, use your computer to visit Edinburgh
webcams

It's Another New Year (Replay of Previous Column)

The Tournament of Roses Parade dates back to 1886. In that year, members of the Valley Hunt Club decorated their carriages with flowers. It celebrated the ripening of the orange crop in California. The Rose Bowl football game was first played as a part of the Tournament of Roses in 1902, but was replaced by Roman chariot races the following year. In 1916, the football game returned as the sports centerpiece of the festival.

As a California native, my personal celebration of the New Year has always included the Rose Parade. Rain is forbidden by law in California on January 1 unless that is a Sunday in which case there will be no precipitation on January 2. Since the advent of television this has caused a problem, as everyone with three feet or more of snow outside their door then move to California on January 3.

Sad to say, I've become somewhat jaded in the past ten years. Just as with the Macy's Thanksgiving parade, it is the fault of television. What used to be a celebration of floral beauty combined with the innocence of young people, the warmth of the horses, and the patriotism/loyalty of the schools and military, is now just one more excuse for has-beens and wanna-bes to yak between commercials. So I plan to put the TV on mute, watch the pretty pictures, and wonder when the TV executives will discover that no one is listening to the spiel anymore. This year, I hope they will have the grace at least to leave the Cialis and Viagra away from the Sunday morning broadcast.

So how did this beginning of the year blowout get started?

The celebration of the New Year is the oldest of all holidays. It was first observed in ancient Babylon about 4000 years ago. In the years around 2000 BC, Babylonians celebrated the beginning of a new year on what is now March 23, although they themselves had no written calendar.

The Babylonian New Year celebration lasted for eleven days. Each day had its own particular mode of celebration, but it is safe to say that modern New Year's Eve festivities pale in comparison.

The Romans continued to observe the New Year on March 25, but tampering by various emperors soon made the calendar out of synchronization with the sun.
In order to set the calendar right, the Roman senate, in 153 BC, declared January 1 to be the beginning of the New Year. But tampering continued until Julius Caesar, in 46 BC, established the Julian calendar. It again made January 1 as the New Year.

The early Catholic Church condemned the festivities as paganism. But as Christianity became more widespread, the early church began having its own religious observances concurrently with many of the pagan celebrations, and New Year's Day was no different. New Years is still observed as the Feast of Christ's Circumcision by some denominations. January 1 has been celebrated as a holiday by Western nations for only about the past 400 years.

Other traditions of the season include the making of New Year's resolutions. That tradition also dates back to the early Babylonians. Popular modern resolutions might include the promise to lose weight or quit smoking. The early Babylonian's most popular resolution was to return borrowed farm equipment.

Whatever your customs for the day, may it be the beginning of a wonderful new year.

Happy New Year

Fifth Day of Christmas

On The Fifth Day of Christmas
My True Love Gave To Me
Five Golden Rings

The Five Golden Rings represent the Torah (First Five Books of the Bible: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Duteronomy).







Four Calling Birds














Three French Hens





Two Turtledoves







And A Partridge In A Pear Tree

Almost everyone is familiar with the song without being aware of the symbolism and legends associated with each of the days.The 12 Days of Christmas actually begin at sundown on Christmas day (December 25) and proceed evening/day until the morning of January 6 or Epiphany which marks the celebration of the arrival of the Three Kings with their gifts for the Christ Child in the Church Calendar. This is the official period of Christmastide.

By legend each of the 12 days has a liturgical meaning used to teach children, the illiterate, and those not allowed to practice their faith openly due to religious persecution. Thus the "first day" is Jesus because the partridge will lay down its life to save its young. Day 2 is the Old and New Testament. Day 3 Faith, Hope and Charity or three gifts of the Magi (Gold, Frankincense, and myrrh). Day 4 The Four Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John).

Fourth Day of Christmas

On The Fourth Day of Christmas
My True Love Gave to Me
Four Calling Birds

(The four calling birds represent the Four Gospels)




Three French Hens








Two Turtledoves













And A Partridge In A Pear Tree

Almost everyone is familiar with the song without being aware of the symbolism and legends associated with each of the days.The 12 Days of Christmas actually begin at sundown on Christmas day (December 25) and proceed evening/day until the morning of January 6 or Epiphany which marks the celebration of the arrival of the Three Kings with their gifts for the Christ Child in the Church Calendar. This is the official period of Christmastide.

By legend each of the 12 days has a liturgical meaning used to teach children, the illiterate, and those not allowed to practice their faith openly due to religious persecution. Thus the "first day" is Jesus because the partridge will lay down its life to save its young. Day 2 is the Old and New Testament. Day 3 Faith, Hope and Charity or three gifts of the Magi (Gold, Frankincense, and myrrh.

On The Third Day of Christmas

On The Third Day of Christmas
My True Love Gave to Me
Three French Hens

(Faith, hope, and charity, or the three gifts of the Wise Men: Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh)

Gold stood for kingship, and purity and incorruptibility.

Frankincense was the foundation of holy incense, the medium through which prayer traveled.

Myrrh was a medicinal balm to ease pain and suffering, said to foreshadow Christ's pain and suffering on behalf of mankind.

Two Turtledoves

And A Partridge In A Pear Tree

Almost everyone is familiar with the song without being aware of the symbolism and legends associated with each of the days.The 12 Days of Christmas actually begin at sundown on Christmas day (December 25) and proceed evening/day until the morning of January 6 or Epiphany which marks the celebration of the arrival of the Three Kings with their gifts for the Christ Child in the Church Calendar. This is the official period of Christmastide.

By legend each of the 12 days has a liturgical meaning used to teach children, the illiterate, and those not allowed to practice their faith openly due to religious persecution. Thus the "first day" is Jesus because the partridge will lay down its life to save its young. Day 2 is the Old and New Testament.

Any Excuse for Hugh Jackman

On The Second Day of Christmas

On the second day of Christmas
My True Love Gave To me
Two Turtle Doves

By tradition the two turtle doves represent the Old and New Testaments



and a partridge in a pear tree.





Almost everyone is familiar with the song without being aware of the symbolism and legends associated with each of the days.
The 12 Days of Christmas actually begin at sundown on Christmas day (December 25) and proceed evening/day until the morning of January 6th or Epiphany which marks the celebration of the arriival of the Three Kings with their gifts for the Christ Child in the Church Calendar. This is the official period of Christmastide.

By legend each of the 12 days has a liturgical meaning used to teach children, the illiterate, and those not allowed to practice their faith openly due to religious persecution. Thus the "first day" is Jesus because the partridge will lay down its life to save its young.

On The First Day of Christmas

On The First Day of Christmas
My True Love Gave To Me
A Partridge In a Pear Tree

Almost everyone is familiar with the song without being aware of the symbolism and legends associated with each of the days.

The 12 Days of Christmas actually begin at sundown on Christmas day (December 25) and proceed evening/day until the morning of January 6th or Epiphany which marks the celebration of the arriival of the Three Kings with their gifts for the Christ Child in the Church Calendar. This is the official period of Christmastide.

December 26, the first "day" of Christmas is Boxing Day in the United Kingdom and some of its former colonies. By tradition this day is for giving gifts to employees, the poor, and charity in general.

By legend each of the 12 days has a liturgical meaning used to teach children, the illiterate, and those not allowed to practice their faith openly due to religious persecution. Thus the "first day" is Jesus because the partridge will lay down its life to save its young.

Joy - Manic Monday

It is impossible for me to see the word "Joy" without thinking "Joy To The World" and once the association train starts running, there is no stopping it until it is done. "Joy To The World" is not the Christmas Carol, it is a rowdy, rambunctious screamer of a song by Three Dog Night featuring a bullfrog named Jeremiah.

When she was a very new infant, my daughter would "ribbit" in her sleep. We never knew what dreams brought on a "ribbit", but from that point on her nickname was "Froglet" and every gift giving occasion includes a frog of some sort even though she is now in her 40s. (Side thank you to Mo for finding me another unique frog).

In 1971 when she was almost seven, "Joy To The World" became a major hit and whenever it came on the radio, Lanisa would sing along. Now she wasn't big on the lyric details, so her version consisted of "Jeremiah Bullfrog Joy Wine" repeated rather endlessly even after the song was over. It isn't easy to stop her association train either.

In 1983 a movie came out that was in many ways the iconic depiction of the young people of the 70s and their music. "The Big Chill" opens with a child being bathed and slapping the water while screaming about Joy and a Bullfrog. It then moves into Marvin Gaye's soulful wail of "Heard It Through The Grapevine" as the corpse of Kevin Costner is being dressed for a funeral. The group gathering for the funeral of a college friend was a cast consisting of not all that well known actors and actresses who have gone on to much greater renown: Tom Berenger, Glenn Close, Jeff Goldblum, William Hurt, Kevin Kline, Mary Kay Place, Meg Tilly, and JoBeth Williams. The Soundtrack of The Big Chill has become a "must have" in most music collections.

So, in this time of giving, sharing, and looking towards the future, may you all have Joy in your world, lots of friends to share it with, some mighty fine wine (or other beverage of your choice), and the voice of a child loving and singing about a bullfrog named Jeremiah.

Go ! Go! Go!

Attend the tale of Sweeney Todd.
His skin was pale and his eye was odd.
He shaved the faces of gentlemen
Who never thereafter were heard of again.
He trod a path that few have trod,
Did Sweeney Todd,
The Demon Barber of Fleet Street.

He kept a shop in London town,
Of fancy clients and good renown.
And what if none of their souls were saved?
They went to their maker impeccably shaved
By Sweeney,
By Sweeney Todd,
The Demon Barber of Fleet Street.

Why are you sitting there reading this review among many others when you should be in the theater watching Depp becoming Sweeney!! If you are familiar with the musical and know how dark it is, run don't walk to your nearest theater. It is well worth seeing there unless you are possessed of very large digital reception, a great surround sound system and are willing to wait for the video while everyone around you is talking about something you haven't yet seen.

If you aren't familiar with the story, have someone tell it to you before you go. The blood is really flying and Depp makes you see Sweeney's madness while still making him sympathetic.
Helena Bonham Carter is an excellent Mrs. Lovett and the Tim Burton direction and camera work are astounding. The scenery becomes another character adding to the mood.

Normally I really like Rickman, but he seems a bit miscast as Judge Turpin. He's just not quite predatory enough. They have minimized the Johanna secondary story and removed some of her mother's mad presence except at the end. The music is good. If you have seen the musical live, you might miss some of the power because while all the actors have adquate, pleasant voices, they don't have the range and strength.

All in all, I had a great time and just may go back for a second swipe of the blades.

Thank You Very Much

Tonight at 7:00 p.m. Eastern, the irrepressible Mo of The Mo Show on Blog Talk Radio will be discussing A Christmas Carol and your favorite Scrooge in all his forms from the book club selection of Mr. Dickens' "A Christmas Carol" to the Classic Movies to the modern incarnations of the Grinch with a heart three sizes too small.

While I love all incarnations of the miserly Ebenezer, the stalwart Crachitt, and the saintly Tiny Tim, my all time favorite played as a yearly family video is the Leslie Bricusse musical "SCROOGE" with Albert Finney as Scrooge. We all love the delightful song that makes Scrooge think he is being thanked by all his debtors without realizing they are overjoyed at his coffin being carried to its final resting place. We love all the ghosts with the favorite being The Ghost of Christmas Present getting Scrooge drunk on "The Milk of Human Kindness".



Tom Jenkins
Ladies and gentlemen
On behalf of all the people who have assembled here
I would merely like to mention if I may
That our unanimous attitude
Is one of lasting gratitude
For what our friend has done for us today
And therefore I would simply like to say

Thank you very much!
Thank you very much!
That's the nicest thing that anyone's ever done for me
I may sound Double-Dutch
But my delight is such
I feel as if a losing war's been won for me
And if I had a flag I'd hang my flag out
To add a sort of final victory touch
But since I left my flag at home
I'll simply have to say
Thank you very, very, very much!

---------------------------------------------------------

Tune in tonight to chat with Mo about the book and your favorite version, but you can get a head start by telling me...

Still Caroling

Once upon A Time in a Land Far Far Away --- Well about a 1,000 miles South, I actually studied Latin at a time when public schools still offered such strangeness. As a result one of my favorite Christmas carols has always been Adeste Fidelis, sung here beautifully by Enya. To this day when singing along to "Come All Ye Faithful", I will do it in Latin totally confusing anybody on either side of me.



By the time the children got to school, the language of choice was Spanish. As a result, Jose Feliciano got a great deal of air time around the house as they were learning Feliz Navidad



Then the grandaughter hit French class ... Oh Holy Night got a beautiful going over as Cantique de Noel



Are there carols or songs that you just prefer in a language other than English?

Love Songs

There is a tale that may or may not be true that when King Henry VIII was first courting Anne Boleyn, he wrote new lyrics for a popular well known tune of the 1500s. As you read the lyrics, you can hear the voice of a middled aged married man trying to seduce a beautiful young woman. We all know that this came to a bad end with a divorce of wife number one and the beheading of wife number two. Still the beautiful love song is sung and played 500 years after.




Greensleeves, King Singers

In 1865, William Chatterton Dix wrote new lyrics to the same lovely melody in praise of the arrival of Christ first seen sleeping in his mother's lap and then predicts the sorrowful end with another death but a joyful resurection.





What Child Is This? Sung by Josh Groban (With a video from the movie "Nativity"). There are more than eleven pages of this carol on You Tube. This was my favorite.

What Child is this who, laid to rest
On Mary's lap is sleeping?
Whom Angels greet with anthems sweet,
While shepherds watch are keeping?

This, this is Christ the King,
Whom shepherds guard and Angels sing;
Haste, haste, to bring Him laud,
The Babe, the Son of Mary.

Why lies He in such mean estate,
Where ox and ass are feeding?
Good Christians, fear, for sinners here
The silent Word is pleading.

Nails, spear shall pierce Him through,
The cross be borne for me, for you.
Hail, hail the Word made flesh,
The Babe, the Son of Mary.

So bring Him incense, gold and myrrh,
Come peasant, king to own Him;
The King of kings salvation brings,
Let loving hearts enthrone Him.

Raise, raise a song on high,
The virgin sings her lullaby.
Joy, joy for Christ is born,
The Babe, the Son of Mary.

Rebuttal

Who Me?

In Honor of Mr. Huckabee's lectures about "submission"

Out of The Fog

Now that my stomach has decided that standing is not viscious attack, let's do an attractive "This Day In History" when Armand Hammer picked up a little something while visiting England.






After Leonardo's death in 1519 Francesco Melzi, his favourite pupil, brought many of his manuscripts and drawings back to Italy described at the time as "those little books by Leonardo about the anatomy, and many other interesting things". In addition to the manuscripts and drawings, Leonardo also willed Melzi , "cash, clothing, books, drawings, painting instruments and portraits". Despite the passage of almost 500 years, over five thousand pages of drawings and notes have come down to us. The writings need not only to be translated but decoded from his characteristic "mirror-image" hand-writing, running from right to left.

Leonardo's manuscripts are today nothing like the way they appeared and were grouped together during his lifetime. It was Melzi's heirs who, after his death in 1579, began to scatter the material. Having no idea of their importance, they initially stored Leonardo's drawings and manuscripts in a loft, later giving parts of it away or selling sheets cheaply to friends and collectors.

The most famous of the groupings are 72 pages (The Codex Leicester) purchased by Thomas Coke, the first Earl Leicester in 1717 and held by the estate until 1980 when it was purchased at auction by Armand Hammer for five million dollars. It became known as the "Hammer Codex" until purchased by Bill Gates in 1994 for 31 Million at an auction in New York. The Codex has been scanned and many of the images are now on line and are available on disk to use as wall paper.

The notebook details Leonardo's scientific observations from 1508 to 1509. What makes it unique is that it focuses on many of his engineering inventions and equipment usage with the analysis of movement of the water is a central theme, together with studies of geology (fossils, the circulation of water and natural disasters) and astronomy. There are also sketches and studies of cosmology and of the reflected light of the Moon.

Color Me Yucky Green

Talk Amongst Yourselves ... Back In A Day Or Two

Anniversary

John Lennon

9 October 1940 – 8 December 1980

Trifling Around

There are as many trifles possible as you can imagine. All usually involve layering of cake, custard with jello, jams or fruit.

Birds Custard is best but American Vanilla pudding (cooked not instant) may be substituted.

Some possible ingredients can include

Lady Fingers or pound cake cubes soaked with Scotch whisky or Brandy in large glass bowl.

1 package Custard

1/4 c Whiskey or other liquor

1 c Raspberry or strawberry jam

1 pt Fresh raspberries or strawberries -- -OR- 24 oz - Frozen raspberries or strawberries, thawed

2 lg Bananas - sliced

strawberry or raspberry jello

1 can fruit cocktail

2 c whipped cream

Fresh fruit or chocolate curls for topping.


-----TO prepare-----

Premake custard using liquor as 1/4th of liquid and set aside to cool and set (Can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate.)

Use jam as directed or premake jello to soft set stage and stir in drained fruit cocktail

Whip cream to firm stage with sugar to taste add 3 tbls liquor

Fold cream mixture into cold custard in 2 additions.

For trifle: Place half of pound cake cubes in 3-quart
trifle bowl or glass bowl. Sprinkle with 3
tablespoons Scotch and toss. Heat jam in heavy small
saucepan until it can be poured. Spoon half of jam over
cake and spread. Top with half of custard. Top with
1/2 the raspberries, making sure some berries show at
sides of bowl. Top with half of bananas. Place
remaining pound cake cubes in another bowl. Sprinkle
with 3 tablespoons Scotch and toss. Layer fruit over.
Spoon remaining jam over and spread. Top with
remaining custard, then with other halves of
raspberries and bananas. Cover and refrigerate until
set, at least 3 hours. (Can be prepared 1 day ahead).

Garnish with fresh fruit and chocolate curls if desired.

Alternates can be soft set jello with fruit instead of jams. Liquor can be used as part of the liquid in making custard.

American Version - The Fruit Cake

Both of these fruit cakes avoid the candied fruits that so many people don't like. Soak the dried fruits in liquor before adding to the batter. Cakes made now and "watered" with your selected liquor between now and Christmas, are wonderful

Cake Number 1

Notes: Bake this cake at least 1 day or up to 2 months ahead; cool and wrap in cheesecloth or a thin towel saturated with orange-flavor liqueur. Chill airtight, and about every 10 days, moisten cloth with more liqueur. Serve thin slices of cake plain, with vanilla ice cream topped with rum-plumped raisins, or with rum-raisin ice cream. Wrap and continue to age extra cake.

Ingredients
About 1 cup (1/2 lb.) butter or margarine, at room temperature
1 cup sugar
6 large eggs
1/4 cup molasses
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
1 pound (2 2/3 cups) dried apricots
1/2 pound (2 cups) pecan halves
1/2 pound dried lightly sweetened pineapple
1/2 pound (2 cups) dried sweetened cranberries
1/2 pound (2 cups) dried cherries or blueberries
1/2 cup apricot jam
2 tablespoons orange-flavor liqueur


Preparation
1. Lightly butter a 5- by 9-inch loaf pan. Line with cooking parchment.
2. In a bowl with a mixer, beat 1 cup butter with sugar until fluffy.

3. Beat in eggs, 1 at a time, until well blended. Beat in molasses.

4. Mix flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom, cloves, and allspice. Add to egg mixture; beat just until blended.

5. Set aside 6 to 8 apricots, 10 to 12 pecan halves, and 1 pineapple ring.

6. Cut remaining pineapple into 3/4-inch pieces and add to batter along with the remaining apricots and pecans and the cranberries and cherries. Stir until well mixed.

7. Scrape batter into parchment-lined pan, pressing firmly to eliminate air pockets; spread top level.

8. Bake in a 275° oven until cake is firm in center when touched, about 3 hours. If it browns too rapidly, drape with foil.

9. Cool in pan on rack at least 2 1/2 hours. Lift out cake; peel off parchment.

10. Mix apricot jam with liqueur and brush over top of cake. Decoratively arrange reserved apricots, pecans, and pineapple in apricot glaze; brush more apricot jam mixture over fruit. Wrap airtight and chill at least 1 day.


Fruit Cake #2

INGREDIENTS:
1 cup diced candied orange peel
1 cup diced candied lemon peel
1 cup diced citron
1 cup diced dried apples
1 cup currants
1 cups raisins, chopped
1 cup chopped dates
1/2 cup dry red wine
1/2 cup brandy
3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 1/2 teaspoons ground or freshly grated nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1 teaspoon ground allspice
1/2 teaspoon ground mace
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup plus 6 tablespoons butter, room temperature
2 cups brown sugar, firmly packed
5 eggs, separated
1/2 cup molasses

PREPARATION:
Mix the fruit in a large bowl with the wine and brandy. Stir gently and set aside to marinate for a few hours.

Butter two 9 x 5 x 3-inch loaf pans and line them with clean parchment paper. Butter the paper.
Sift the flour with the spices twice.
Add the baking powder and salt and sift again.

Put the butter into a large mixing bowl and cream until smooth. Add sugar; using an electric mixer, cream until light and fluffy. Beat the egg yolks slightly and then add them to the bowl. Mix the batter well before you start to add the flour-spice mixture. Stir the batter as you add the flour, a little at a time, stirring well after each addition. When the flour is thoroughly incorporated, add the molasses and stir. Finally, stir in the fruit, along with any soaking liquid left in the bowl.

Put the egg whites in a stainless steel or glass bowl and beat with a clean beater to stiff peaks. Fold them into the batter thoroughly and then spoon the batter into the prepared pans. Cover loosely with a clean cloth and let the batter sit overnight in a cool place to mellow.

On the next day, heat the oven to 250°. Place the fruitcake on the middle rack of the oven and bake for 3 1/2 to 4 hours. After 1 1/2 hours, cover the pan with a piece of brown paper (do not use foil) or set the pan in a paper bag and return it to the oven.

When the cake has baked for 3 1/2 hours, test the with a toothpick or cake tester. If the tester comes out of the center of the cake clean, the cake is done. Leave the cake in the pan and set on wire rack to cool.

When the cakes are completely cooled, turn out of the pans, leaving the brown-paper lining on the cake. Wrap the cake with parchment, then foil, and pack the cake in a tin. Homemade fruitcakes need air, so punch a few holes in the lid of the tin or set the cover loosely on the tin.

Set the tin in a cool, undisturbed place, and every two days before Christmas, open the foil and sprinkle the cake with a small glassful of brandy, wine, or bourbon. The liquor will keep the cake most and flavorful and help preserve it as well.

We've Been Swamped

Taking a break from the State of Washington drizzle to pay homage to the only subtropical preserve in North America. Today is the Golden Anniversary of Everglades National Park, first dedicated by Harry Truman in 1947

Everglades National Park is a World Heritage Site and home to such rare and endangered species as the American crocodile, Florida panther, manatee, brown pelican, southern bald eagle, and loggerhead turtle. The tourist advisory board tells you that it is fun to take canoes through the glades and then go on to mention that alligators are common, and fast at close range, but human attacks are extremely rare. Do look out for diamondback and pygmy rattlers, water moccasins, and coral snakes. I think I will settle for a drive by on the way to the Keys.

It is also home to 347 species of birds, including anhingas, Cape Sable sparrows, great white herons, white ibis, short tailed hawk, roseate spoonbills, purple gallinules, and sand hill cranes. Exotic plants include ferns, orchids, and bromeliads. The most common plant is the deceptively graceful sawgrass that bare sharp teeth on the edges of their leaves. Sheesh. If the animals don't bite you, the plants will.

Now here's a nice little bit.

Big Cypress National Preserve is part of the greater Everglades watershed, and is made up of 2,400 square miles of marshlands, grasslands, slash pine, mangroves, and both dwarf and rare great bald cypress, some of which are up to 700 years old.

hmmmmmm 700 years old and we are trying to destroy it with global warming and the influx of salt water due to damming of feeder rivers, drought and fire. Good going gang.

Airboats are actually prohibited in the park. A better way to explore the waterways is by kayak or canoe, letting you glide silently and unobtrusively past wildlife. The 2-mile Noble Hammock Canoe Trail and the 6-mile Hell's Bay Canoe Trail are clearly marked. Which brings us back to:



and




Silliness aside, the Everglades are deservedly one of the top Florida attractions for visitors. Sadly, they are threatened by urban sprawl and agriculture. The wading bird population is down to less than a tenth of what it once was. Originally, alternating floods cycles maintained the wetland wildlife habitat, but then government flood-control system began diverting water to canals running to the gulf and the ocean.

The film below is ten minutes in length, but well worth watching for it's coverage of the Everglades, the environment and the effects of global warming.

Shameless Lions

The above award was created by Seamus of The Shameless Lions Writing Circle and this is what he has to say about it:

"When I set up The Shameless Lions Writing Circle, one of things I had in mind was that we as a group could encourage and celebrate good, powerful writing on the Internet/blogosphere. This is why I've come up with a new project to try to do exactly that, while of course at the same time increase exposure for the 48 members and their individual blogs. A Roar For Powerful Words is the chance to scream from the mountains the good news about the powerful posts that are produced every day in the blogosphere, despite what some mainstream columnists and journalists claim. This is also a good chance to examine exactly what it is that makes writing good and powerful."

Per Seamus, this award is to be distributed "to those people who have blogs we love, can't live without, where we think the writing is good and powerful."

Linda of Are We There Yet chose to pass this award on to me. I feel both honored and a bit abashed that she thinks I'm a worthy recipient .... but I'll Take I'll Take It! Now this means that I am sitting here blushing which clashes horribly with my hair, but as she is someone used to unique hair colors, this will not disturb her at all. Thank you Linda.

A few of the bloggers who have been honored by Seamus, Sandee and Linda are:

Mo @ It's a Blog Eat Blog World
Ian @ EDog's Everything Page
Ann @ A Nice Place In The Sun
Richard @ Untwisted Vortex
Mimi @ Mimi Writes
Travis of Trav's Thoughts
Maddy of both Whitterer on Autism and Alien in a Foreign Field
Patois of Whee! All The Way Home
Jeni of Down River Drivel

All of them are worth more than just a short visit. If unfamiliar with their work, I'm sure you will become a fan in no time at all.

Needless to say, I am in excellent company but now it's my turn to pass this award on to several others. This is a difficult choice because I am so impressed by much of the writing out there in the blogosphere.

Therefore, here are five roars for powerful words! to the following blogs not to be missed.

Claire of A Little Piece of Me - Claire is a bright light that you visit when you want to smile. Even when discussing the most serious of subjects, there is always room for a quirky viewpoint. Let her take you on long walks in beautiful places, face the trials of learning a new field or the stress of dealing with family. Besides, she has recently taken up cartooning and that is worth a visit all by itself.

Rock Chick of Life Is Rantastic --Are the small aggravations of life getting you down? Join Rock Chick in letting steam flow out of your ears. Her writing style is sharp, funny, and to the point. When not in full out flaming attack on the deserving, she has wicked and inciteful commentary on all aspects of her life.

L^2 of A Dog's Eye View I will let her describe herself since it is the best way for you to see what a remarkable person she is.

"I have a "dog's eye view" of the world as I rely on the eyes and intelligence of my Leader Dog (dog guide) Willow to lead me through the chaos of my life. I also have a yellow pet Lab, Stella, who is a crazy, happy, never-ending bundle of energy. I have two Physics degrees, and a great love of astronomy (despite my inability to look up at the night sky and see anything but darkness). Other loves include crochet, music, photography, books, and writing."

Her photography is amazing and her life and view of the world a gentle place in the world.

Enigma4Ever of Watergate Summer. She is unabashedly liberal of view and peaceful of nature with a clarity of thought and word that even when you might disagree, you want to quote and spread around. Each article comes with her mood music of the moment simply by clicking the titles. Bring a cup of tea, sit down by the fire, enjoy the sounds, and treat yourself to some great writing.

Matt Man of Bagwine Ruminations - Rating Alert: This spot must be labeled hard R or soft X, but he is funny with a clever twist to words that turn the adventure of reading into a game where fun is had by all in such a way as to sneak in a sharp view of the vagaries of life. Some of the comments can be as hilarious as the article that stimulated ... I probably shouldn't use the word stimulated

Claire, Rock Chick, L^2, Enigma, and Matt Man - please go by Seamus's post to choose the color of your award (they're available in three colors). Please keep this award going. There is a lot of great writing out there and you can help us find more.

Latkes (Traditional Chanukah Recipe)

POTATO LATKES

What is the secret to making great latkes? I've found that the starchier the potato, the crisper the latke. As for varieties, I've tried baking potatoes (the starchiest), Yukon Golds, and boiling potatoes (the least starchy) and liked the flavor of them all. You can easily double this recipe for a crowd.

Active time: 45 min Start to finish: 45 min

Ingredients

1 lb potatoes

1/2 cup finely chopped onion

1 large egg, lightly beaten

1/4 cup chopped scallions, including the green part

2 tbsp matzo meal

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 to 3/4 cup olive oil

Accompaniments: sour cream and applesauce

Preparation

Preheat oven to 250°F.

Peel potatoes and coarsely grate by hand, transferring to a large bowl of cold water as grated.

Soak potatoes 1 to 2 minutes after last batch is added to water, then drain well in a colander.
Spread grated potatoes and onion on a kitchen towel and roll up jelly-roll style.

Twist towel tightly to wring out as much liquid as possible.

Transfer potato mixture to a bowl all other ingredients.

Heat 1/4 cup oil in a 12-inch nonstick skillet over moderately high heat until hot but not smoking.

Working in batches of 4 latkes, spoon 2 tablespoons potato mixture per latke into skillet, spreading into 3-inch rounds with a fork.

Reduce heat to moderate and cook until undersides are browned, about 5 minutes.

Turn latkes over and cook until undersides are browned, about 5 minutes more.

Transfer to paper towels to drain and season with salt.

Add more oil to skillet as needed.

Keep latkes warm on a wire rack set in a shallow baking pan in oven.

Notes:
• Latkes may be made up to 8 hours ahead. Reheat on a rack set over a baking sheet in a 350°F oven, about 5 minutes.
• Grating the potatoes, soaking them briefly in water, and then squeezing out the liquid (as stated here) keeps the batter from turning brown too quickly.
Makes 12 to 16 latkes.

First Night

About 2200 years ago, Greek kings, who reigned from Damascus, ruled over the land of Judea and the Jews living there. One Greco-Syrian King, Antiochus Epiphanes, forbade the Jewish people from praying to their God, practicing their customs, and studying their Torah. Antiochus forced the Jews to worship the Greek gods. It is said that he placed an idol of the Greek God Zeus on the alter in the Holy Temple of Jerusalem.

In response to this persecution, Judah Maccabee and his four brothers organized a group of resistance fighters known as the Maccabees. They fought against paganism and oppression. The tenacity of the rebels, which came from their steadfast faith in one God, is one reason this military victory has been so celebrated by Jews in future generations.

Against great odds, after three years of fighting, the Maccabees succeeded to drive the Greco-Syrians out of Judea. Hanukkah proclaims the message of the prophet Zachariah: "Not by might, not by power, but by My spirit."

The Maccabees reclaimed the Holy Temple in Jerusalem. They cleaned the Temple, removing the Greek symbols and statues. When Judah and his followers finished cleaning the temple, they rededicated it. On the 25th day of the month of Kislev in 164 BCE, the Temple was purified and rededicated.

According to tradition, when the Maccabees entered the Holy Temple, they discovered that the Greco-Syrians had defiled the oil which was used for the Temple's menorah. Only one vat of purified oil remained - enough for only one day. It would take the Jews a week to process more purified oil. Then a miracle occurred. The Maccabees lit the menorah and it burned for not one, but eight days, by which time the new, purified oil was ready. This is why the Hanukkah Menorah has eight candles (not including the shamash candle used to light the others) and one reason why Jews celebrate Hanukkah for eight days.

Christmas Tamales

The time has come for the Holiday recipes. We will start with the tamales simply because if you have never had homemade, you have never eaten a tamale. When I lived in California, the ladies would sell them by the dozen to poor, abused folk who had never spent a day cooking them with friends and family.

So gather a few friends or relatives and have a party. It is really worth the effort.

Tamales sound complicated, but once you’ve been through the drill a couple of times, they are easy. When done with a crowd of family and friends, they are one of the joys of the Christmas season. The trick is to prepare all the ingredients ahead of time so that the making of the tamales is simply a matter of assembling the finished product before steaming.

You will need a steamer large enough to stand the tamales on end and cover.

5 – 6 Dozen Corn Husks

Ingredients as shown below for Masa, meat, and chile sauce filling

Masa

2 1/2 cups chicken, meat or vegetable stock
2 cups lard, butter, margarine, shortening, olive or corn oil, or any combination of these

1-2 tablespoons salt (how much depends on how salty your stock is)

5 pounds fresh unprepared masa (stone ground corn treated with lime)

Makes about 30 cups -- Enough for About 5 Dozen Tamales

If you're using butter, margarine, lard or shortening as your fat, beat the solid fats on high speed in the bowl of an electric mixer for 2-3 minutes or until light and fluffy. Alternate adding the fresh masa mixture with the warm stock, a cup or so at a time until it is all incorporated.

Continue to beat for about 5-7 minutes or until the dough is a thick paste consistency.

If you're using oil, put the fresh masa in the bowl of the electric mixer and beat for a minute or two. Slowly drizzle in oil alternating with warm stock, about a cup at a time until it is all incorporated.

Beat on high for 5-7 minutes or until the dough is a thick paste consistency.

Drop about 1/4 teaspoon masa dough into a glass of cold water. If it floats, the dough is ready. If it sinks, continue whipping the masa for another minute or two.

THE FILLINGS

4 - 5 lb. boneless pork or beef roast1 large onion 6 - 8 garlic cloves
Cover the meat, onion and garlic with water in a large pot, bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for about 2 hours until tender, adding more water as necessary (you can use the cooking water as stock for your masa).

Cut meat into small cubes or shred.

RED CHILI SAUCE

12 ancho (or dried poblano) Chiles4-6 dried California Chiles

3 large onions

6 cloves garlic

1 can (28 oz.) pureed tomato

4 tablespoons olive oil,

About 3 cups chicken, meat or vegetable Stock

1 tablespoon cumin

1 teaspoon dried coriander

2 tablespoons dark brown sugar

salt and pepper to taste

Bring about a quart of water to a boil in a medium pot. Seed and rinse the chiles, and add to the boiling water. Remove from heat and let stand for about a half hour to soften. Remove chiles from water and reserve 2 cups of the soaking liquid.

Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet and sauté onions until soft but not browned.

Use a food processor or blender to purée the soaked chiles, onion and garlic.
Heat remaining oil in the skillet, stir in the cumin and coriander for 30 seconds or so (do not let the spices burn or they will become bitter!).

Add the chile mixture, 2 cups reserved chile soaking liquid and enough stock to give the sauce the consistency of a thin marinara sauce.

Stir in the brown sugar and season with salt and pepper.

Simmer for about 10-15 minutes more.

Put It All Together

Jump to

http://www.fabulousfoods.com/features/tamales/assemble.html

For a tutorial with pictures on assembling, tying and steaming your tamales.

Don't be intimidated. These are wonderful and will become a family tradition.

A Long Voyage To Somewhere

My ships aren't nearly as well decorated as the S. S. Manic Monday, but they are much more important to my life. It wasn't all that long ago, that Pan American World Airways inaugurated the first transpacific passenger service. If you wanted to go overseas before 1936, the only way to travel was by ship.



S. S. Letitia

S.S. Cameronia

The Letitia carried my grandmother, father, and two uncles to the United States. The Cameronia came ahead of them by a year carrying my grandfather. A third ship, The Algeria, came even earlier bearing three great uncles.

I've written about the wonderful free on line service offered by Ellis Island to help you locate an ancestor's arrival in the U.S. As always, I will be supporting the Ellis Island Foundation by purchasing their annual Lady Liberty Christmas decoration. It is only $20 (unless you purchase all the back years to 2003) and a good cause. They also have some inexpensive posters, books, and keepsakes from $10 and up in the gift shop.

This year they are offering something much more remarkable if expensive that you might want to consider. It is the Legacy Keepsake (shown below). During the operation of Ellis Island, The New York Times would record daily Ship arrivals. If you have done the free research at Ellis Island and know the ship that carried your ancestor, they will provide a framed certificate with a picture of the ship, the page of the ship manifest with your ancestor's name, and the record of ship arrival page from the New York Times and the name and date. While it is possible to get all the elements and make your own for less, it's much faster to take advantage of their staff and records to do it for you.

Just A Cute Thing

You Are Blitzen

Always in good spirits, you're the reindeer who loves to party down with Santa. Why You're Naughty: You're always blitzed on Christmas Eve, while flying! Why You're Nice: You mix up a mean eggnog martini.

Which of Santa's Reindeer Are You?

Fairy Collection

Everyone knows someone who collects fairies. If someone like that is on your holiday gift list, head on over to The Wren's Nest (Link on right). Mo is a wonderful person who will give you truly old fashioned service at a reasonable price, and his store houses a rather large collection of interesting things from fairyland

Not To Mention

Cats
Birds
Frogs
Gargoyles
Gnomes
Lighthouses

And all sorts of lovely things including tea from around the world and aroma therapy to keep you feeling peaceful in the midst of holiday happenings.

I get nothing from this commercial except the chance to do something nice for a sweet man.