Weather ~ Picture of the Day ~ Santa Claus ~ Brown Sugar-Glazed Ham ~ Christmas Eve ~ National Eggnog Day

 

 

Good 34º cloudy foggy morning. 

 

Yesterday we had lots of rain and topped at 46º.

 

 

Picture of the Day

 

 

Interesting about Santa.....

 

Santa Claus, also known as Father Christmas, Saint Nicholas, Saint Nick, Kris Kringle, or simply Santa, is a legendary character originating in Eastern Christian culture who is said to bring children gifts on Christmas Eve of toys and candy or coal or nothing, depending on whether they are "naughty or nice". He is said to accomplish this with the aid of Christmas elves, who make the toys in his workshop at the North Pole, and flying reindeer who pull his sleigh through the air.

 

The modern character of Santa is based on traditions surrounding the historical Saint Nicholas, the English figure of Father Christmas and the Dutch figure of Sinterklaas.

 

Santa is generally depicted as a portly, jolly, white-bearded man, often with spectacles, wearing a red coat with white fur collar and cuffs, white-fur-cuffed red trousers, red hat with white fur, and black leather belt and boots, carrying a bag full of gifts for children. He is commonly portrayed as laughing in a way that sounds like "ho ho ho". This image became popular in the United States and Canada in the 19th century due to the significant influence of the 1823 poem "A Visit from St. Nicholas". Caricaturist and political cartoonist Thomas Nast also played a role in the creation of Santa's image. This image has been maintained and reinforced through song, radio, television, children's books, family Christmas traditions, films, and advertising.

 

To read a lot more and the Santa Claus history, go here:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santa_Claus

 

 

 

From Mr. Food

 

Make the holiday feel extra-special by adding a big dose of "WOW!" to your holiday ham this year. Our Brown Sugar-Glazed Ham has a caramelized crispy glaze that goes perfectly with the saltiness of the ham. This easy semi-boneless ham recipe is gourmet-store, fancy-schmancy without the costly price tag!

 

• 1 (5- to 6-pound) fully-cooked semi-boneless ham
• 1/2 cup light brown sugar
• 1/3 cup honey
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 teaspoon cornstarch
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

 

1. Preheat oven to 325º. Line a large roasting pan with aluminum foil. Using a sharp knife, score top of ham in a crisscross pattern. Place ham in pan.
2. In a small saucepan over low heat, combine remaining ingredients and cook 3 to 5 minutes, or until melted and smooth. Brush 1/3 of glaze over ham.
3. Bake 1-1/2 hours, or until a meat thermometer inserted in thickest part of ham registers 140 degrees. Baste ham with remaining glaze every 30 minutes during cooking.
4. Remove ham from oven and let rest 15 minutes before slicing. Serve warm or cold.

 

 

 

Historically this date.....

1818 – The first performance of "Silent Night" takes place in the church of St. Nikolaus in Oberndorf, Austria.

1826 – The Eggnog Riot at the United States Military Academy begins that night, wrapping up the following morning.

1851 – Library of Congress burns.

1865 – The Ku Klux Klan is formed.

1943 – World War II: U.S. General Dwight D. Eisenhower becomes the Supreme Allied Commander.

1968 – Apollo Program: The crew of Apollo 8 enters into orbit around the Moon, becoming the first humans to do so. They performed 10 lunar orbits and broadcast live TV pictures that became the famous Christmas Eve Broadcast, one of the most watched programs in history.

2000 – The Texas 7 hold up a sports store in Irving, Texas. Police officer Aubrey Hawkins is murdered during the robbery.

 

And births this date include...

1809 – Kit Carson, American frontiersman (d. 1868)

 

1905 – Howard Hughes, American film producer and inventor (d. 1976)

1922 – Ava Gardner, American actress (d. 1990)

1923 – George Patton IV, American general (d. 2004)

 

 

1974 – Ryan Seacrest, American television host

 

 

 

 

 

All I know. Nuff said. Have a great Christmas Eve. Ciao.

xo Sue Mom Bobo

 

Christmas Eve on December 24 kicks off a series of holiday traditions. Some are ancient practices with a modern spin, while others date back hundreds of years.

Christmas Eve is filled with both religious and nonreligious traditions. Religious traditions center around the birth of Jesus. Different denominations have their own traditions. On Christmas Eve Roman Catholics and Anglicans hold Midnight Mass. Lutherans celebrate with candlelight services and Christmas carols. Many evangelical churches hold evening services where families celebrate Holy Communion.

Around the world, Christmas Eve is celebrated with a variety of foods. In Italy, they celebrate the Feast of Seven Fishes. Russians traditionally serve a 12-dish Christmas Eve Supper before opening gifts. Meanwhile, in Bulgaria, the Christmas Eve meal consists of an odd number of meatless dishes.

Besides food and religious services, the holiday is when Santa Clause takes to the sky in his sleigh to deliver Christmas gifts around the world. Other names for the white-bearded man in a red suit include Father Christmas, Kris Kringle, and Saint Nicholas. No matter what he is called, the legend of Santa is based on a real-life man named Saint Nicholas of Myra. The early Christian bishop was known for secret gift-giving, as well as many miracles. Through the years, the legend of Santa grew to include the North Pole, a sleigh driven by reindeer, a naughty or nice list, and his jolly laugh, “ho, ho, ho.”

HOW TO OBSERVE

What are some of your holiday traditions? How did they begin?

There are many ways to observe Christmas Eve. For many families, the most important thing is to make lasting memories with their loved ones. Here are some ways to celebrate:

• Attend church for a candlelight service or Midnight Mass
• Read the account of Jesus’ birth from the book of Luke
• Put out milk and cookies for Santa
• Pass out Christmas cookies and other goodies to your neighbors
• Host an ugly Christmas sweater party
• Gather around the tree with your family and cups of cocoa and share favorite holiday memories
• Go caroling in your neighborhood or at a senior center
• Make a gingerbread house
• Hang up Christmas stockings
• Read Christmas classics like The Night Before Christmas and A Christmas Carol
• Watch a fun Christmas movie like Elf, Home Alone, or The Grinch
• Rent a limo and look at Christmas lights

As you can see, there are many wonderful ways to celebrate Christmas Eve.

CHRISTMAS EVE HISTORY

Hearkening back to the 16th century when Christian traditions were first influenced by winter solstice celebrations, decorating and preparing for Christmas Day took place the evening before. This included putting up the tree, decorating with mistletoe and holly, bringing in the Yule log and making dishes for the Christmas meal.

Jewish traditions have historically influenced Christian practices, too. One such practice is that the church day traditionally begins in the evening. Christian churches have celebrated Christmas Eve in part because it is believed that Jesus was born at midnight. Many churches today hold Christmas Eve services or Midnight Masses. They may also hold candlelight vigils, Nativity productions or sing carols.

 

And it's also........

 

National Eggnog Day is observed once a year on the day before Christmas.  Also known as egg milk punch, eggnog is a very popular drink throughout the United States during the holidays.

Eggnog is a sweetened dairy-based beverage that is traditionally made with milk and cream, sugar, whipped eggs and spices.  When served at parties and holiday get-togethers, liquor is often added to the eggnog such as brandy, rum, whiskey, bourbon, vodka or a combination of liquors.  The filled glass is typically garnished with a sprinkle of cinnamon, nutmeg or pumpkin spice.

Eggnog may be added as a flavoring to food or drinks such as coffee, tea, breads, pies, cakes or puddings.

The origin of the eggnog drink is debated.  It is the belief of some that the drink was originally developed in East Anglia, England, while others believe it originated as a medieval European beverage made with hot milk.