Yuletide

my little Norfolk Island pine decorated last year

I figured that I would get this up before I start the whirlwind of cleaning, decorating and baking that needs to be done. This post is just to share some Yuletide recipes, ideas, going-ons and reading. Please feel free to share you own in the comment section!

 

For the last few years Midwinter and Christmas are mostlu secular celebrations for me, but I still do enjoy the season. The one real exception to this is a newly adopted tradition of making a Midwinter feast for Ancestors who are no longer here to sit at the table with us. Last year I was inspired by Ms Graveyard Dirt, who put out a Holy Supper Challenge and she is doing so again this year, which I recommend folks to join in!

 

This year for the Winter Solstice I will make offerings to a new deity that I am getting to know {a post about that still to come!} and start some heather seeds that I got from a lovely friend in Cornwall, on a recommendation found on the Alchemy Works website. I will also be keeping an eye on the illuminations of both Newgrange and Maeshowe, which can be viewed on webcasts. And perhaps pining a wee bit that I will be missing the celebrations at the Kensington Market Festival of Lights.

 

I still haven't done any decorating, so one of the things that I have to do is deck my little Norfolk Island pine. Last year I cut out a bunch of woodland critters to put on it, which you can see more about here and perhaps gets some ideas. If you are looking for more Christmas tree ideas, you should go read Carolina Gonzalez's article A Very Magical Christmas Tree, her tree is fantastic!

 

There is plenty of cooking and baking to be done here yet, too. Here are a few recipes that I have enjoyed:

 

Maple Eggnog from Seasonal Ontario Food

Bourbon and Whiskey Balls from Poor Richard's Almanac

Medieval Gingerbread from Gode Cookery

Wassail from Gode Cookery

Christmas Cranberry Scones from Farmgirl Fare

Irish Cream Shortbread

Cider Loaf

Geimhread Gre {Winter Tea} from The Bare Footed Pavee

Yule Log from Epicurean

Pistachio Cardamom Shortbread from Dear Love Blog

 

Should you find some time for reading, here are links to posts and articles that you might find interesting:

 

Yuletide Traditions: Magic, Divination and Superstitions

Yuletide Traditions: Greenery and Decorations

Merry Celtmas from Three Shouts on a Hilltop

Yule & Hogmanay Part 1 and Part 2 from Tairis

 

And should you have even more spare time, here is a great movie called Mummers, Masks and Mischief about mummering and guising in Ireland.

 

Sláinte!

 

Laurel