Yule Logs & The Twelve Days of Christmas

The Twelve Days

of Christmas

The twelve Days of Christmas, although now largely associated with Christian rituals, date back to the pagan Yuletide feast of northern Europe. This was held at the time of the winter solstice and lasted 12 days. The origins of Yuletide itself lay in prehistoric days when, to encourage the dying sun to new life, primitive peoples lit bonfires to give the sun light and warmth.

No one knows when Yule logs were first ceremoniously carried into Norsemen's dwellings, but from the Middle Ages the custom was well established in northern Europe. A huge log chosen, from a forest tree was dragged home and decorated with greenery and ribbons. After it was dried, it was burned over the 12 days of Yuletide: Nordic people believed that this had a magical effect in helping the sun to shine brightly. But some part of the log was always kept for the following year not only to kindle a new Yule log but also to keep away evil spirits.

From:

The Little Book of christmas

by

Jennifer Mulherin

Happy Wednesday....hope you have all your presents wrapped!

Mumzie

Pinecone Rosette Garland Project for Front Door

Pinecone Rosette

Tools and Materials:

Pinecones

3-inch Styrofoam ball (I used a 4-inch ball)

Saw (or large knife)

Craft glue

Brown tissue paper

Floral wire

Wire cutters

Evergreen garland or swag

Evergreens:

I used Coastal & Sierra Redwood greens

Eucalyptus stems

Tools and Materials

1/2-inch sisal rope

26-gauge floral wire

Floral shears

Floral wire

I could not find 1/2-inch sisal rope in our area (I searched at all local hardware stores, Lowes, & Home Depot) and finally settled on 3/8-in sisal rope)  What's 1/8 of an inch?  It worked just fine.

Here's a picture of Martha Stuart's garland I was trying to replicate:

Martha Stuart's Garland

Notice that these pinecones are long and thin.  Mine are shorter and wider pinecones.  However, next year I know exactly where to find these cones up past Strawberry. 

  Also, I'm not sure how they fit all these pinecones on a small 3 inch Styrofoam ball,

that's why I used the 4-inch.

Here's my finished rosette.

I adjusted greenery, so rope won't show after I took picture.

Finsihed Project.

&

Work in Progress:

Cutting the greenery and wiring together branches

Making the Rosettes

Martha's instructions for making the Rosettes:

Start by sawing a 3-inch Styrofoam ball in half. (I used 4-inch).  Paint it with craft glue, and smooth on a piece of brown tissue paper, covering the Styrofoam completely. Cut floral wire into pieces about 5 inches long. Wrap the center of one piece of wire around the base of one pinecone; twist the wire to secure, leaving the ends loose. Attach the pinecone to the Styrofoam by poking the wire ends through it and out the flat side; twist the wire and fold flat to secure it. Continue adding pinecones, working from the edge to the top of the dome, until entire dome is covered; leave the flat side bare.

Oh, since I didn't have brown tissue paper I used a brown plastic bag, which was not a good idea.  The glue did'nt dry under the plastic and is still wet.  So, make sure you do use tissue paper!   LOL 

Buddy supervising the attachment of branches to the rope. 

He's so funny.  

I think Connor was sleeping through the whole process.

My pinecone attachment was a little messy, but it worked. 

Attach to Garland

Add a wire loop using the same technique, and hang the pinecone cluster at the corner of an evergreen garland or swag.

Finished!

Have a great Monday!

Mumzie

A Tribute to Kato - April 18, 1990 - December 18, 2000

“A Tribute to Kato”

April 18, 1990 – December 18, 2000

Santa Clara County Sheriff K-9 - January 1994 – December 2000

Kato was no ordinary partner, buddy, or friend and certainly was no ordinary dog. He was a Rottweiler and a Santa Clara County Sheriffs K-9. He was a dedicated working dog and one of a kind. I would like to share with you his story, and why I feel he was a true hero.  I dedicated a redwood tree in the Soroptimist grove in the Santa Cruz mountains in Kato's memory a few years ago.  The Santa Cruz mountains were part of Kato's old beat area...I figured he'd like having his own tree. 

Kato was born on April 18, 1990. His AKC name was “Kato Von Dalur” and his bloodlines were straight from Germany. His color was black and mahogany and he was 110 pounds of lean muscle. He was Schutzhund trained in obedience, agility, tracking and protection. He had what was needed to be on the force and he was a dedicated member of his team with extradiary
“Heart and Drive”.

Throughout his career, he was involved in community. He worked several years at the Santa Clara County Fair with Mike. His favorite booth was the “Kettle Corn” kitchen. He did Boy Scout presentations, community demonstrations and school presentations. Once a semester he accompanied Mike during a class at the West Valley College’s Administration of Justice department. He loved the students, and they loved him.

In March 1997, my husband, Mike, was involved in a life and death struggle with a suspect wielding a knife. When “Kato” was released from his patrol car, he quickly came to Mike’s defense, thus saving Mike’s life.

On May 29, 1997 the Santa Clara Sheriff’s Department awarded “Kato” a Certificate of Commendation for his outstanding performance in this life saving action and for being Mike’s most valuable partner. Kato was the first and only dog to receive this award from Santa Clara County. Kato was also the only Canine to receive the Exchange Club of San Jose Blue & Gold Award – for being injured in the line of duty.

In 1998, at the unheard age of 8 years, he was certified in Narcotics Detection and only one of two police Rottweilers in California at the time so certified.

Kato loved his work and he loved play. Excluding the bad guys, Kato loved everyone and was especially gentle with children. He not only was a dedicated member of the Sheriff’s department he was loved member of our family and will always be in our hearts. He served on the Santa Clara Sheriff’s Canine Unit from January 1994 to December 18, 2000 when he passed away from cancer which just two weeks shy of his official retirement.

Kato you will never be forgotten! 

Mumzie

Tomte Christmas Doll Collection...What Kato left anyway....

My Tomten Family

My very first Tomte was the little girl in the stripped skirt in the front. I love her sweet face and holly bouquet. She was given to me Christmas 1973 by Elizabeth Gunnear a dear friend and co-worker at Emanuel Medical Center in Turlock. I worked at Emanuel from 1971 to 1978, and have many found memories of those years, and especially the people. It was back in the days when nurses wore white caps and computers had punch cards... A long time ago.

Emanuel was and is still owned by the Swedish Covenant Hospital of America. Rich in Swedish blood and history you could always find Swedish treasures in the hospital gift shop. Some of my favorite times were spent working with the hospital volunteer pink ladies at the hospital gift shop. The gift shop was always staffed by several volunteer pink ladies, most of whom were of Swedish decent. Christmas time was a very special time and they really knew how to celebrate the season!

It was wonderful.

After my first Tomte, I fell in love with the little dolls and started collecting Tomte every year. Even after we moved to Sacramento in 1979, I continued to add to my collection, but they were hard to find and expensive. I did find a little shop in Old Town Sacramento that carried Scandinavian items, but they were very expensive and I had to wait until the after Christmas sales and very rarely did I find a Tomte.  I think I only found a couple in Old Town...the tiniest one in the very front of the picture is one of them. Well, life when on and these little people where hard to find, so I sort of stopped collecting. But every year at Christmas they came out for the season.

Swedish Tomten....a little history

The Tomte or Nisse is found in Scandinavian folklore that children young and old have shared for generations. Once found on each farmstead, today Tomten live in each house, apartment as well. Leave your Tomte or Nisse a Christmas treat and you'll have good luck in 2010! Whether clustered on a table or spread along a mantle,  I must admit that they bring a touch of Nordic whimsy and many memories of Christmas past. 

The Tomten
A Poem by ....Claes Larson - Kyrkby


Hard is the cold of Midwinter's

night,

stars sparkle and gleam.

In the lonely town at this midnight hour, all are sleeping.

Moon wanders its silent way,

snow lights white on fir and spruce,

snow lights white on roofs.

Only tomten is awake

                                                         

I haven't collected Tomte for several years, but I think I'll start again soon.  I'm thinking the next time we go down to see Kelly in Buelton, we'll go in search of  "Tomte"  in Solvang.

I still love them, well what's left of them anyway....
You may have noticed that there are only five Tomte in my collection.....well there's a story behind these five survivors.  I'm not sure why, but when the Tomte came out this year I figured it out.  This story finally came to me this morning and it's about Kato....Yes, before Connor there was Kato....

Kato and the Tomte 

It was Christmas 1999 and we were still in the old house on Spring Drive.  We went out shopping for the evening and since it was cold that night we left  Kato inside the house.  Kato was the Hub's K-9 police dog and a very well behaved, gentle soul.  He was a wonderful dog and part of our family and had never distroyed anything in the house. Well, that night he was up to trouble and for whatever reason he had it in for my Tomte collection.  When we returned the Tomte people were all over the floor.  Wood, fur, and clothes everywhere, and Kato looking very guilty in the corner.    He was in big trouble and he knew it, but I forgave him and figured he had his reasons. 
To this date all survivors have large Kato teeth marks on their heads and bodies. 
We lost Kato that following December.   
Well, it's been nine years today since we lost Kato, and I never understood until this year how the Tomte village people and Kato go together, but now I know. 
When the Tomte Dolls come out at Christmas, it's time to remember Kato.

Mumzie

I will post Kato's story later.

Frosty Weather in Central Valley - Outdoor Wednesday #48

The flowering Kale plants seem to tolerate frost very well.

Click on the picture to take a closer look....and you will see the white frost!

This is an Extra Large varieity...of the flowering Kale.

Frozen Pansies....next to the Death Valley Rocks in the background. 

Red Maple leaves

The last red rose of the season....so sad.

Nasturtiums

Hydrangea

Frozen water in birdfeeder.  A large Blue Jay was trying to drink ....

 Buddy scared him away!!!

The Heather...it will completely dye down and return again next year.

The recent frost and cold weather in Central California has taken it's toll on our yard.  

I'll be pruning everything down sometime this week.  I hope you enjoyed these photos of our yard.


A special "Thank You" to Susan @ A Southern Day Dreamer A Southern Day Dreamer who graciously hosts Outdoor Wednesday.  Please visit her blog to see more
Outdoor Wednesday fun!

Have a great Wednesday!

Mumzie

A Tree...Two Farms...and Santa

Twain Harte Christmas Tree Farm

Cool Old Sleigh

A walk to the trees....the redwoods were on the right.

We wanted a redwood this year because they stay fresh and green until New Years. 

Plus, we needed a tall skinny one to boot!

Way too tall.

A little thin?

Someone's cut from last year with frost.

Not a redwood.

Too tall...too short.

Well, off to another ranch.....

Sierra Glenn Ranch - Sonora

I love this little ranch.  We've found very nice trees at this ranch a few years ago.

Way too large...the one next to it was just cut for a city in the bay area. 

Look....Santa is at the apple barn.  Sierra Glenn has the BEST apples and hot cider. 

They also have apple pies and turnovers great for those of us not watching their sugar levels.

We found some Santa Helpers.

This little guy was so precious...love the pup too! 

Done deal....now we have to get our cut down the hill....

We found a 12 foot tall skinny tree just to our liking.  It was so heavy we needed help getting it down the hill...redwoods are a little heavier. The rancher was having his lunch at the time, but was more than happy to help.  Since his little tractor wouldn't start, he brought out the big gun tractor.  Okay, this is the tallest tree yet for us, but the deal is that you must cut trees at least 6 foot tall.   Plus, the price was the same for a 6 foot tree or a 26 foot tree.  So, it's like going to an all you can eat buffet....let's get a big one!  

Cutie pie pupster and Santa.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

Mumzie

Queen's Royal Collection - Tea Gift Shop

The Scottish make the best cup of tea and the absolute best tea was in Edinburgh. Perhaps it has something to do with the British influence.  However, I couldn't get a glass of ice tea anywhere. 

These pictures where taken at the gift shop at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh inside the Queen's Gallery.   Oh, pictures were not allowed in the Gallery, so I was being very careful not to get caught!

I really wanted this tea pot, unfortunately our budget didn't allow for such a luxury...

so this picture is  all I have to remember it by.

Wonderful goodies to enjoy with your tea. Yumm....

A royal pillow or two.  I wanted both of course.

Love the pink and purple color and design...wow!

About the Royal Collection

Shaped by the personal tastes of kings and queens over more than 500 years, the Royal Collection includes paintings, drawings and watercolours, furniture, ceramics, clocks, silver, sculpture, jewellery, books, manuscripts, prints and maps, arms and armour, fans, and textiles. It is is held in trust by The Queen as Sovereign for her successors and the Nation, and is not owned by her as a private individual.

We probably walked 20 miles that day...if you include all the steps at the castle.

A little history....

The Palace of Holyroodhouse, the official residence in Scotland of Her Majesty The Queen, stands at the end of Edinburgh's Royal Mile against the spectacular backdrop of Arthur's Seat. This fine baroque palace is closely associated with Scotland's rich history.

The Palace is perhaps best known as the home of Mary, Queen of Scots, and as the setting for many of the dramatic episodes in her turbulent reign. Mary was married at Holyroodhouse and witnessed the brutal killing of her secretary Rizzio by her jealous second husband, Lord Darnley, in her private apartments. The Palace briefly served as the headquarters of Bonnie Prince Charlie during the 1745 uprising.

Today the State Apartments are used regularly by The Queen and other members of the Royal Family for State ceremonies and official entertaining.

It was fabulous!  Remember the best way to get around Edinburgh is to walk...so make sure you have comfortable walking shoes.   The Royal Collection was awesome and it is always changing, so next time it will be something different. 

I want to go back....I miss the tea!

Please join us for The Plumed Pen blog's afternnon tea party, "TUESDAY TEA FOR TWO",

Have a wonderful Tuesday!

Mumzie