SCANDINAVIAN YULE BREAD

 

SCANDINAVIAN YULE BREAD

 

Ingredients:

2  pks   Dry yeast
¼ cup   Water (warmed)
1  pint   Milk
1  cup   Shortening
1  cup   Granulated sugar
1  tsp    Salt
2           Eggs (beaten)
2  tbs    Ground cardamom
7  cups  Flour (sieved)
2  cup   Candied fruit (floured)

 

Instructions:

Cream the shortening, sugar and salt together then add the cardamom and the beaten eggs.

Dissolve the yeast in the warm water the Scald the milk until lukewarm then combine the lukewarm and the softened yeast.

Then Blend in 3 cups flour beating until smooth Add the creamed shortening mixture and the remaining flour mixing until smooth.

Make dough that can be handled add 1 more cup of flour if necessary, then Add the candied fruit then knead well.

Allow to rise until it has doubled in size.

Turn out the dough onto a well-floured board and shape into loaves the dough should make three good sized loaves. Bake at 375 degrees F for 1 hour.

THE BEST CHRISTMAS MOVIES EVER – ELF-MAN (2012)

 

Christmas isn’t looking too bright for the Harper family, when their inventor father (Mackenzie Astin) is kidnapped by three criminals Mickey, Jean-Pierre and Big Bucket (Jeffrey Combs, Dave Coyne and Larry Nichols) who want to steal his latest invention, a chip that produces unlimited electricity.

The children, Kasey and Ryan (Carly Robell and Blake Kaiser) are being looked after by their grandmother (Marty Terry) when Kasey makes a wish upon an old elf figurine that’s been in the family for years. As Christmas is the time of miracles, her wish comes true, and an elf (Jason 'Wee Man' Acuña) appears to help the family get Eric back ably assisted by butcher Amy (Mirelly Taylor) who is in love with Eric.

A fun family film with a “Home Alone” vibe.

FAVOURITE CHRISTMAS SONG # 28 - A WINTER'S TALE

 

A Winter's Tale

Written By Mike Batt, Tim Rice

Performed By David Essex

 

The nights are colder now
Maybe, I should close the door
And anyway the snow has covered all your footsteps
And I can follow you no more

The fire still burns at night
My memories are warm and clear
But everybody knows it's hard
To be alone at this time of year

It was only a winter's tale
Just another winter's tale
And why should the world take notice
Of one more love that's failed?

A love that could never be
Though it meant a lot to you and me
On a world wide scale we're just another winter's tale

While I stand alone
A bell is ringing far away
I wonder if you hear, I wonder if you're listening
I wonder where you are today

Good luck, I wish you well
For all that wishes may be worth
I hope that love and strength are with you
For the length of your time on earth

It was only a winter's tale
Just another winter's tale
And why should the world take notice
Of one more love that's failed?

It's a love that could never be
Though it meant a lot to you and me
On a world wide scale we're just another winter's tale

It was only a winter's tale
Just another winter's tale
And why should the world take notice
Of one more love that's failed?

It's a love that could never be
Though it meant a lot to you and me
On a world wide scale we're just another winter's tale

GANNA

 

Christmas in Ethiopia is known as Ganna and as the orthodox Ethiopian church uses the old Julian calendar and is celebrated on January 7th.

The most spiritual place experience a traditional Ganna is in Lalibela, which was built by King Lalibela in the 12th century as Ethiopia's own Jerusalem.

Pilgrims travel for days to attend colorful Ganna ceremonies in one of the thirteen ancient churches carved from solid volcanic rock.

In the rest of the country and particularly in the capital Addis Adaba the celebration takes place in modern churches that are designed in three concentric circles.

Men and boys have to sit separately from the girls and the women and the choir sings from the outside circle.

As the People enter the churches they receive candles and after lighting them everyone walks around the church three times.

Once people take their places they then stand throughout the mass, which can last as long as three hours

FRUMENTY

 

Ingredients:

10oz      Kibbled wheat

5           Cups water

1/3        Cup beef stock

1/3        Cup milk

2           Egg’s

Pinch    Dried saffron threads

I tsp      Salt

 

Instructions:

Boil the kibbled wheat for about 15 minutes in the water until softened once the wheat is softened remove from the heat and stand until the water is absorbed.

When the water has been absorbed add the milk and the beef stock and return to the boil.

Reduce heat and Simmer stirring the mixture for about 5 minutes.

Separated the eggs and Stir in the yolks only then add the salt and saffron then continue stirring until the egg starts to thicken then Remove from the heat

Allow to stand for approximately 5 minutes before serving.

THE BEST CHRISTMAS MOVIES EVER – ALONE FOR CHRISTMAS (2013)

 

When the family leave home to visit Grandma's house on Christmas Eve, they leave their dog at the kennels, but suspecting the family home is going to be burgled, he escapes so he can protect the home.

In essence the film is a canine version of “Home Alone” with Bone the dog pitted against burglars Jake and Rob (Jeremy Mascia and Justin Hoffmeister) and his goal is to prevent them from stealing the presents from under the tree, and he must use every trick he knows to stop them, even when they call Quentin (Kevin Sorbo) an evil dog catcher to help them.

But he keeps the home safe until Mom and Dad (Kim Little and David DeLuise) and the kids Dillon and KC (Davis Cleveland and Natalie Jane) get home and they can have a peaceful Christmas together.

FAVOURITE CHRISTMAS SONG # 27 - SAVIOUR’S DAY

 

Saviour’s Day

Written By Chris Eaton

Performed by Cliff Richard

 

Now we have been through the harvest
Winter has truly begun
Now we have walked in the chill of the night
We are waiting for, waiting for
For the Saviour's Day

Many have come from the valleys
Many have come from the hills
Many have started their journey home
To be with someone, with someone
On the Saviour's Day

Open your eyes on Saviour's Day
Don't look back or turn away
Life can be your's if you'll only stay
He is calling you, calling you
On the Saviour's Day

Joining the old and the young ones
Joining the black and the white
Meeting the need of the hungry is he
Will we ever remember him
On the Saviour's Day

Open your eyes on Saviour's Day
Don't look back or turn away
Life can be your's if you'll only stay
He is calling you, calling you
On the Saviour's Day

Here's to the God of the present
(Raise your glasses)
Here's to the God of the past
(Drink to the King)
Here's to the hope in the future he brings
We will sing to Him, sing to Him
On the Saviour's Day

Open your eyes on Saviour's Day
Don't look back or turn away
Life can be your's if you'll only stay
He is calling you, calling you
On the Saviour's Day

On the Saviour's Day
On the Saviour's Day
He is calling you
On the Saviour's Day
On the Saviour's Day

(Calling, calling, calling you)
On the Saviour's Day
(Calling, calling, calling you)
On the Saviour's Day

(Calling, calling, calling you)
(Calling, calling, calling you)
(Calling, calling)
Raise your glasses drink to the King