havnblast Posted November 24, 2003 Share Posted November 24, 2003 3 Days to Thanksgiving and 4 days to the largest shopping day in the US and just a little over a month till Christmas.Does everyone here rush out the day after Thanksgiving and shop like mad? I myself tend to stay in the country that day, much safer.Anyone here have a favorite holiday tradition they would like to share - Thanksgiving or Christmas?? I always enjoy the 24th of Christmas when the whole family gets together and has a big meal and open presents. So much fun watching the kids go crazy waiting for the time to attack the presents. How about a favorite Christmas song? Little Drummer Boy is my favoriteAnd no I have not started Christmas shopping yet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ross549 Posted November 24, 2003 Share Posted November 24, 2003 I never go shopping on the day after Thanksgiving or from 6 days before Christmas. I usually try to have all the shopping done before Thanksgiving, but I am running behind this year.Favorite Christmas song: White Christmas. Gives me goosebumps almost instantly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prelude76 Posted November 24, 2003 Share Posted November 24, 2003 with my nationality being Czech, we have this tradition (i think its a Slavic tradition) of having only a dry pastry with a cross on it in the morning on the 24th, and we have to fast all day 24th and in the evening (around 6pm or 7pm), we have a huge feast, with no red meat (only fish, shrimp, crabs, etc). we then waited in our bedrooms until we heard a bell, and we ran downstairs and we had presents under the tree. we then had to sing some czech carols.so bascially, we get our presents the 24th at night, not 25th morning.oh, and its "Jesus" that brings presents at christmas. St. Nicholaus (Santa Claus) only fills stocking with chocalates and fruits on December 5th, which is St. Nicks day. Santa Claus coming on Christmas day is another example of a holiday symbol replacing a religious celebration (such as how Easter bunny is becoming the main guy at Easter.) but dont tell your kids that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SonicDragon Posted November 24, 2003 Share Posted November 24, 2003 Oh! Good topic!We travel for thanksgiving, so (unfortunatly) we have to do our shopping before we head home again. That usually means we have to shop on the day after thanksgiving :(A few of my close friends and I watch "The Christmas Story" (The "You'll poke your eye out one, where the kid really wants a bb gun), and Mr. Bean We've been doing it for for years. It started with our...baby sitter (not really... she was more like a second mother to us). We did it for a few years while she was here (and then she left town without saying goodbye or telling anyone where she was going, but that's another story). We've been doing it ever since. Sort of to have fun, and sort of to remeber her, so it's bitter-sweet.Christmas Music: Anything by Manheim Steamroller. My favorite one by them is probably God Rest Ye Merry Men (Rock and Roll). If you've never heard of them, they are definately worth checking out IMHO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
havnblast Posted November 24, 2003 Author Share Posted November 24, 2003 Good thing to add Sonic - favorite Xmas movie ----> A Christmas Story is a good one and so is that National Lampoons one - all those lights on that house Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ross549 Posted November 24, 2003 Share Posted November 24, 2003 Christmas Music: Anything by Manheim Steamroller. My favorite one by them is probably God Rest Ye Merry Men (Rock and Roll). If you've never heard of them, they are definately worth checking out IMHO.Their rendition of the Hallelujah Chorus on DVD-Audio is a sound to behold. Now I have to boot into windows so I can listen to it!!It is on their Christmas Extrordanaire CD as well. Quite good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SonicDragon Posted November 24, 2003 Share Posted November 24, 2003 Their rendition of the Hallelujah Chorus on DVD-Audio is a sound to behold. Now I have to boot into windows so I can listen to it!!It is on their Christmas Extrordanaire CD as well. Quite good.I don't remember it off the top of my head. I'll have to check if i have that song. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zlim Posted November 24, 2003 Share Posted November 24, 2003 Love Manheim Steamroller. I have 3 of their CDs; I turn on the player loud, put on my wireless headset and set up the Christmas tree usually around Dec. 7th.Thanksgiving has always been my favorite holiday because it is not as commercialized as the others.I do not wish to venture out on black Friday! Unfortunately, I'll have my mom here over the Thanksgiving weekend and I will have to brave the traffic to take her to a few malls. I usually drop her off, let her brave the crowds, meet her for lunch and then take her to a different mall. She'll be shopping and I'll be surfing the internet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corrine Posted November 25, 2003 Share Posted November 25, 2003 No traveling or day after Thanksgiving shopping for us. We're a small family so shopping isn't all encompassing. Since my husband and his family are from Ukraine, we've always celebrated Christmas in the Ukrainian tradition. It sounds as though it is very similar to the Czech tradition. Prelude, I think 6 PM represents the appearance of the first star, representing the Star of Bethlehem. Twelve courses (representing the twelve apostles) are served, including kutia (a wheat, honey poppy seed mixture), borsch (beet soup), varenyky (perogies), holobtsi (cabbage rolls), different types of fish, medivnick (honey cake). (More on Ukrainian Christmas Celebration: Ukrainian Christmas)So we also celebrate "new calendar" style on December 24. I think my favorite Christmas song is probably which ever song I'm hearing at the time! Silent Night is special, as is O Holy Night. I also enjoy Christmas songs sung by John Denver, Jim Nabor, the Vienna Boys Choir. I have two favorite Christmas movies and my husband and I try to watch them both every year -- "The Bishop's Wife" and "Christmas in Vermont". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cluttermagnet Posted December 1, 2003 Share Posted December 1, 2003 Wow, you guys have all posted some really nice stuff, and I learned a few new things, too. Some of those traditions sound delightful, being a lot less commercialized. I used to love all the presents as a kid, and have the neatest photo of me at age one- looking up at all the glitter of my first Christmas tree and smiling broadly, entranced. As I was the oldest kid in a family of five kids, I ended up getting the task of wrapping all the gifts my Mother bought (once I was about 10 years old or so). It wasn't really that much of a chore. I did it well, and never felt like having my gift suspense 'spoiled' was at all a problem. (Yes, I even wrapped my own gifts, if you can imagine that) I think I have a lot of favorite Christmas songs, but am hard pressed to recall many right now. One of many would be Good King Wenceslas (Wenceslaus?). Not for it's musical supremacy really, but just for the novel idea of a 'good' king. Imagine that! I bet his people really were fond of him, and greatly missed him after he was gone. No publicity agent on earth is going to get you publicity that favorable, unless you really, really deserve it. Oh, there are several others that sometimes actually give me chills. Yes we have a lot rolled up into Christmas, a lot of emotional investment.All the wonderful movies just captivate me, and I always watch as many as I am able. There are so darned many good ones- A Christmas Story, Miracle on 34th Street (all versions OK), A Christmas Carol (all are OK), The Jimmy Stewart 'second chance' one, what is it called? It's A Good Life After All? Can't remember. National Lampoon's Christmas movie is a classic, many hysterical moments. Yeah, Manheim Steamroller is still a favorite of mine. Tied in with a happy memory of someone in my life. They were playing those Christmas songs on the day I met them. Icing on the cake- I saw an ad for the showing of "Wizard of Oz' on one of the networks. On Sun Dec 7th at 7PM, If I remember right. Also a favorite (non-Christmas) classic. "I'll get you, my pretty pretty- and your little dog, too! Ahahahaha..." ("I'm melting...!") Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Paracelsus Posted December 1, 2003 Share Posted December 1, 2003 Well I hate to admit, after reading about the wonderful Slavic Holiday traditions, but my family is pretty Ho-Hum Scot-Irish American when it comes to Christmas. About the only thing relatively uncommon comes from a late 19th century infusion of pure Scots blood into the Moore family. And this being, my Grandmother's (Jean Craig) Plum Pudding.And no... There are no plums in Plum Pudding. Nor is it what most most Americans think of as pudding. Christmas just ain't Christmas without Plum Pudding & Hard Sauce Musically... I've been delving further back in time. Just got tired of modern carols. For those willing to challenge their taste in Holiday music, I highly recommend (in addition to the ubiquitous Messiah): J.S. Bach - Christmas Oratorio Marc-Antoine Charpentier - Midnight Mass for Christmas Michael Praetorius - Lutheran Mass for Christmas Morning (Awesome!!) The Play of Saint Nicholas (Mediaeval French) Pavel Josef Vejvanovský* - Vespers of Saint Wenceslas (Excellent!!) PS - If anyone would like the Plum Pudding recipe... Just send me a PM * I had to look at the CD cover to get this one right. This is especially for Prelude76 Vejvanovský is a late 17th century Bohemian-Moravian composer who is one of the few at that time who actually spent his career in Prahy (That's Prague to folks who don't know Czech) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SonicDragon Posted December 3, 2003 Share Posted December 3, 2003 oooOo. I'll have to keep my eye out for those clasics Paracelsus. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prelude76 Posted December 3, 2003 Share Posted December 3, 2003 Corrine: similar to the Czech tradition. Prelude, I think 6 PM represents the appearance of the first star, representing the Star of Bethlehem. Twelve courses (representing the twelve apostles) are served, including kutia (a wheat, honey poppy seed mixture), borsch (beet soup), varenyky (perogies), holobtsi (cabbage rolls), different types of fish, medivnick (honey cake).come to think of it, we start dinner at 6PM too. we dont go with twelve course meal though (maybe my parents would remember, i'll ask them), but fish is a bit part, plus shrimp, shrimp salad, crab legs... heck, i should just go to Red Lobster for christmas, come to think of it. Clutter:One of many would be Good King Wenceslas (Wenceslaus?). Not for it's musical supremacy really, but just for the novel idea of a 'good' king. Imagine that! I bet his people really were fond of him, and greatly missed him after he was gone.funny you mention this (its one of my favorites too), but its more than just a novel idea. the song is based on a real king, who really WAS good to his people. i forget the era, it was in medieval days, and ironically he was the King of Bohemia, which is the central region of Czech Republic today. The Prague Castle which dates back to the 9th century has a 14th century chapel which has the tomb of the of St. Wenceslav. i guess he was so good they made him a saint. but King Wenceslav IV, one of his future successors, led the whole region into bloodshed in the Hussite Wars. i guess all good things have to end. Paracelsus:Vejvanovský is a late 17th century Bohemian-Moravian composer who is one of the few at that time who actually spent his career in Prahy (That's Prague to folks who don't know Czech)i'm honored you thought of my heritage (i'm looking it up in mp3 format to sample it and might get it for christmas), but you have a 'slight' grammatical error. it's "Praha". "Prahy" is when you say "I am FROM Prahy". and if you "Praze" if you use it in the sentence "I am IN Praze".Czech is a bit nutty language from gramatical standpoint. take for example my czech name, Honzik:name: Honziktalking about me: Honzatalking to me (informal): Honzotalking to me (personal): Honzikutalking to me (even more personal): Honzickureferring to something that is mine: Honzovy crazy, eh? yeah, i try to stick to english as much as i can. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Paracelsus Posted December 3, 2003 Share Posted December 3, 2003 Thanks for the grammar lesson, Honzo I knew a bit about the variations in the spelling of nouns and proper names that comes with usage in varying contexts , but couldn't remember the correct one I'd love to visit Praha someday. Czechs have one of the richest cultures and history in Europe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeber Posted December 3, 2003 Share Posted December 3, 2003 OK, OK...lots of good music and geography info there...very informative...I learned a lot...Now let's get back to talking about FOOD. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pc-tecky Posted December 3, 2003 Share Posted December 3, 2003 What? Still not enough turkey from a week ago now Jeber? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Paracelsus Posted December 3, 2003 Share Posted December 3, 2003 OK, OK...lots of good music and geography info there...very informative...I learned a lot...Now let's get back to talking about FOOD. Jeeeeeeeez, Jebs!When did you start caring about taking a thread "off topic"?? Besides...I've already offered to divulge "The World's Best Plum Pudding" recipe to anyone who asks. Free(My Grandmother would kill me, if she were still living ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeber Posted December 3, 2003 Share Posted December 3, 2003 I don't care about "off topic", at least in this case. I just want food. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prelude76 Posted December 3, 2003 Share Posted December 3, 2003 I've already offered to divulge "The World's Best Plum Pudding" recipe to anyone who asks.i would like it. of course, why not just share it on a P2P network. after all, P2P is designed specifically so that people can trade recipes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corrine Posted December 3, 2003 Share Posted December 3, 2003 Ok, Jeber. How about our family favorite, and generally included in the selection for the Christmas Eve celebration -- Ukrainian Walnut Torte. I learned how to make it by following my mother-in-law around the kitchen with measuring cup & spoons in hand. She would put 1/2 a glass of this and a splash of that so I'd have her stop & I'd transfer her 1/2 glass into the measuring cup, etc. I came up with the recipe for a 6-layer torte made with a dozen eggs, ground walnuts, and other ingredients, but NO flour. Unfortunately, I can't give you the recipe or I'd have to kill you. My mother-in-law made me promise to keep it a family secret. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Paracelsus Posted December 12, 2003 Share Posted December 12, 2003 Come On, Folks!We can't let Kelly's thread languish like this. :'( Certainly a few of you must of something interesting to impart. (Or have we truly become so homogenized in the States, that we no longer have any interesting Traditions?? )If we can't get things rolling again...I'm gonna start posting more of my favorite Mediaeval and Renaissance Christmas CD's Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest LilBambi Posted December 12, 2003 Share Posted December 12, 2003 Tons of Homemade food!Gravy ... gotta have gravy, cream sauces and cheese sauces and lemon meringue pie and cherry pie and pumpkin and sweet potato pie ... zucchini bread, pumpkin bread, banana walnut bread, cranberry bread, fudge and all kinds of sweet stuff we don't indulge in most of year LOL! All so good and so bad for ya ... so they say. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Paracelsus Posted December 13, 2003 Share Posted December 13, 2003 OOOOOOOOwww-La-La!!! Gravy!! Ya Got That Right, Fran.And It has to be HOMEMADE!!! With Tons of giblets and lotsa herbs.I spend almost as much time making the roux for my gravy as I do for most everything else...Except the Turkey and, errr...ummm..., PLUM PUDDING!! Gravy from scratch is Soooooooooooo worth the effort. And really super easy. (Time consuming... but easy). Almost as easy easy as making, ummm.... errrr...Plum Pudding I mean... Most people spend a lot of time on their Turkey... and the Dressing... and so many other things... and then use NASTY dry mix, canned, or jarred gravy. Yuck-O! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest LilBambi Posted December 13, 2003 Share Posted December 13, 2003 Yeah! You got that right Paracelsus! Yummy! (off to PM Paracelsus for "The World's Best Plum Pudding" recipe .... back later ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corrine Posted December 13, 2003 Share Posted December 13, 2003 also mince meat pie and fruit cake (if it's good...)So that makes at least two people who like mince meat pie & fruitcake!I haven't had REAL mince meat pie in "forever". My grandmother used to make that as well as fruit cake (without any liquor). At least I have her fruit cake recipe -- which was really an adaptation of her old fashioned applesauce cake with the fruit & nuts added. Paracelsus -- I don't use a roux for gravy but it is a must for turkey soup. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Paracelsus Posted December 13, 2003 Share Posted December 13, 2003 Paracelsus -- I don't use a roux for gravy but it is a must for turkey soup.Hey Corrine...I forgot to mention that one of the best things about a gravy made with roux is that, if there is any left over...It makes a Great base for Turkey Soup (though I prefer something approaching stew in thickness) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Paracelsus Posted December 14, 2003 Share Posted December 14, 2003 Well Folks... You Asked For It(Actually, you didn't. But I told you this would happen if you let this Thread languish again) I do have an out, though... Temmu requested some info. The Martin Best Ensemble - "Thys Yool" A Mediaeval Christmas Taverner Consort, Choir & Players (Andrew Parrott, Dir.) - "The Carol Albums" Seven Centuries of Christmas Music Anonymous 4 - "A Star in the East" Mediaeval Hungarian Christmas Music Anonymous 4 - "Legends of St. Nicholas" Mediaeval Chant & Polyphony The Sixteen (Harry Christophers, Dir.) - "Christmas Music" from Mediaeval & Renaissance Europe And while it isn't all that old...Another composition that's worth listening to this time of year is: Jakub Jan Ryba - "Czech Christmas Mass" (1796) Not really a "Mass" in the normal concept...It is a collection of Czech folksongs and legends surrounding the Nativity, that Ryba set to music and placed in the traditional nine sections of a Catholic Mass... from Kyrie to CommunioIt became especially popular after WWII, as, since it wasn't a truly Religious work... The Communist Oligarchy in Praha turned a blind eye and deaf ear. This gave the Czech people one of the few opportunities they had during the year, to assemble in Church and celebrate their heritage.And it really is a fun piece of music. Quite worthwhile! NOTE: Almost all of the above I have purchased through "The Musical Heritage Society". I have no idea how easily they may be obtained on their original labels. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
havnblast Posted December 14, 2003 Author Share Posted December 14, 2003 hope everyone has at leasted started Xmas shopping - I started yesterday - OMG talk about a zoo. One of these years I will start earlier Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corrine Posted December 14, 2003 Share Posted December 14, 2003 Hey Corrine...I forgot to mention that one of the best things about a gravy made with roux is that, if there is any left over...It makes a Great base for Turkey Soup  (though I prefer something approaching stew in thickness) All I do for home made gravy is skim the fat from the pan where the meat was cooked and add potato water (the water the potatoes were boiled in -- gotta have mashed potatoes with gravy!). Bring that to a boil, adding plain water if the stock is really strong. Separately mix flour in cold water*. Stir as you slowly add the flour/water mixture to the boiling stock. Continue adding flour/water until the gravy reaches the desired consistency. Add salt/pepper to taste.Now, you can wait a few days in case this thread starts to languish again and then come back with instructions for making a gravy with a roux. If that doesn't work, how about the receipe for plum pudding?*Don't ask me how much flour to water. My grandmother & my mother both used mayonnaise jars to mix the flour/water. I use a salsa jar and that's the ONLY change! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest LilBambi Posted December 15, 2003 Share Posted December 15, 2003 Paracelsus! What no Jug Band Christmas albums?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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