Archive for December, 2008
The chocolate chip cookie was inadvertently created in 1930 by Ruth Graves Wakefield at the Toll House Inn in Whitman, MA. Lacking baker’s chocolate for her cookie recipe, she substituted a chopped semi-sweet chocolate bar, expecting it to melt into the batter during baking. The chocolate did not melt, and the cookie became an instant American classic. Ruth received a lifetime supply of chocolate for the rights to publish the recipe.
December 19th, 2008
Hope you have a wonderful day! I must say, all this snow is a little extreme to get a day off on your birthday!!
December 19th, 2008
The concept of the American Santa Claus originated with St. Nicholas, who was born in Asia Minor in 280 A.D. He was known as a kind, benevolent man; indeed made a saint because of his generosity. In honor of St. Nicholas, December 6 became the traditional day in Europe for the exchange of Christmas gifts and the beginning of the holiday season. Dutch immigrants to the United States brought with them their version of the gift-giving St. Nicholas, known as Sinter Klass. Americans, unaccustomed to the Dutch pronunciation, turned this into “Santa Claus”, who is beloved as a symbol of Christmas by children of all ages.
December 18th, 2008
The candy cane begins with a stick of white candy. The white symbolizes the purity of the Christmas season. Red stripes are for the blood shed by Christ on the cross so that we may have eternal life. The candy is formed into a “J” to represent the precious name of Jesus. It can also represent the staff of the Good Shepherd. Its hard consistency represents the Solid Rock, the foundation of the church, and the firmness of the promises of God.
December 17th, 2008
Because it stays green all through the year, the evergreen tree is symbolic of the eternal life offered to Christians through faith in Christ. The treetop points heavenward. A star signifies the special star which guided the wise men to Bethlehem. Lights represent Christ, the “Light of the World”. Gifts beneath the tree are representative of God’s gift of His only begotten Son, who brings Hope, Love, Joy and Peace.
December 16th, 2008
Originating in ancient Egypt, beer is almost as old as civilization itself. In medieval times, monks brewed beer for a nourishing drink, which was permitted while fasting. Considered a valuable source of nutrition, beer played an important role in daily lives and workers were often paid with jugs of beer. The brewing of beer is considered by many to be the oldest manufacturing art practiced by man.
December 15th, 2008
Mexican legend tells of a boy who had no giftto put by the figure of baby Jesus in church on Christmas Eve. On his way to church he heard an angel tell him to pick some dried weeds for his gift. As he laid them beside the other gifts, the weeds turned into beautiful flowers. Dr. Joel Poinsett, the first U.S. ambassador to Mexico, brought the plant to the United States where it was named “poinsettia”.
December 14th, 2008
According to German tradition, the pickle brings good luck and was the last ornament placed on the tree. On Christmas morning the first child to find the gherkin was rewarded with an extra little gift left by St. Nicholas. This tradition encouraged the children to appreciate all the ornaments on the tree, rather than hurrying to see what St. Nick had left for them.
December 13th, 2008
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