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Winter Holiday Thread

Started by pyewacket, December 04, 2015, 12:33:34 AM



SredniVashtar

Quote from: brigâ,,¢Â©2015 on December 25, 2016, 04:36:13 PM
FIFY

It looks like Falkie's bathroom isn't the only one that has tiny cameras. Yes, I paint them specially, but only once a year.

zeebo

Here's wishing you all a great 2017 filled with joy and fun and very few Geico ads!

Quote from: zeebo on December 25, 2016, 04:56:19 PM
Here's wishing you all a great 2017 filled with joy and fun and very few Geico ads!

You too, zeeb and stay off the roads. :D


albrecht

Quote from: aldousburbank on December 25, 2016, 06:12:14 PM
Mele Kalikimaka, yo!


Merry Christmas to you and your family and friends. You missed a C2C show about how Christmas/Santa was all about the use of mushrooms and substances.....particularly Amanita muscaria. No mention of the Viking "berserkers" involvement with mushrooms though and not nearly as good as the brothers McKenna on the subject. Or that guy, forget his name, on the subject of psychedelics who was on with Ian and, it seemed, was partaking of something because he kept wandering in his theory and breathing a weird way, hiccuping, and sounded out of it like he was having a stroke. I forget the details but I think later it was revealed that he had some medical incident?

pyewacket

I hope everyone had a delightful day and for those travelling about visiting friends and family- a helpful PSA:





Lilith

Quote from: SredniVashtar on December 25, 2016, 04:47:12 PM
It looks like Falkie's bathroom isn't the only one that has tiny cameras. Yes, I paint them specially, but only once a year.

People tend to forget that I have the Genesis Device ...  8)



pyewacket

Quote from: K_Dubb on December 24, 2016, 02:22:05 PM
Oh that is a nice one!  And good to see the words -- as a kid I thought it was "white people singing" hahaha.

I have baked several times with Buttery Sweet Dough -- you're right, it is much more potent than an extract.  I actually have to be careful it doesn't show too much over the handfuls of other spices.  But it does give a lovely, rich lemony flavor that sets everything else off well.  I am trying the plain Butter flavor today.


Happy to hear that you have tried the emulsions. I would not go back to extracts now that I have compared the two products. I mostly use the vanilla/butter and the Princess Cake flavors. I use the lemon for Italian Lemon knot cookies. Princess Cake has a slight nutty flavor with a hint of citrus- perfect for pastries and most other recipes.

Have you tried Fiori di Sicilia? I think I will order this one next time I restock. Others have recommended it for a citrus/vanilla flavor with a slight floral scent.

Do you make homemade Butter Cream frosting? If you do, I would recommend using High Ratio shortening rather than regular store bought- you will get the most pleasing, light texture if you do- without the 'greasy' or grainy texture one gets when they use the regular stuff. It also works well in baked goods.

I hope you are enjoying all those holiday treats- especial the fruitcake!  ;) ;D   

K_Dubb

Quote from: pyewacket on December 26, 2016, 08:13:29 PM

Happy to hear that you have tried the emulsions. I would not go back to extracts now that I have compared the two products. I mostly use the vanilla/butter and the Princess Cake flavors. I use the lemon for Italian Lemon knot cookies. Princess Cake has a slight nutty flavor with a hint of citrus- perfect for pastries and most other recipes.

Have you tried Fiori di Sicilia? I think I will order this one next time I restock. Others have recommended it for a citrus/vanilla flavor with a slight floral scent.

Do you make homemade Butter Cream frosting? If you do, I would recommend using High Ratio shortening rather than regular store bought- you will get the most pleasing, light texture if you do- without the 'greasy' or grainy texture one gets when they use the regular stuff. It also works well in baked goods.

I hope you are enjoying all those holiday treats- especial the fruitcake!  ;) ;D   

I have not used the Fiori di Sicilia yet but have big plans for a twelfth-night/Epiphany/trettondagskake next week.  I've been doing a bit more studying and that seems to have been the main cake event even in northern Europe, sensibly preserved in the south with their kings' cakes.  I will throw everything I have at this one, and the I think the concentrated orange-oil/flower scent in that bottle will work well.

I've never made buttercream -- all our fancy cakes have marzipan and that has its own challenges, as you know.  I've never made a pretty one.

pyewacket

Quote from: K_Dubb on December 27, 2016, 12:52:21 PM
I have not used the Fiori di Sicilia yet but have big plans for a twelfth-night/Epiphany/trettondagskake next week.  I've been doing a bit more studying and that seems to have been the main cake event even in northern Europe, sensibly preserved in the south with their kings' cakes.  I will throw everything I have at this one, and the I think the concentrated orange-oil/flower scent in that bottle will work well.

I've never made buttercream -- all our fancy cakes have marzipan and that has its own challenges, as you know.  I've never made a pretty one.

That sounds wonderful, K_Dubb- please show us how it comes out.  :) I enjoy your posts about all your holiday traditions and cooking/baking.

Marzipan is not my favorite, for sure! I don't like the texture and I would bet there is a special technique I'd need to learn to make figures and decorations with it. I have made my own fondant, gum paste, candy clay, and other chocolate based moulding compounds. Have you ever used Invertase? Invertase is an enzyme that catalyzes the hydrolysis (breakdown) of sucrose (table sugar). I've used it in candy making.

I found a history video series you might like.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FmPYqrpUkkI&t=160s

K_Dubb

Quote from: pyewacket on December 27, 2016, 01:39:49 PM
That sounds wonderful, K_Dubb- please show us how it comes out.  :) I enjoy your posts about all your holiday traditions and cooking/baking.

Marzipan is not my favorite, for sure! I don't like the texture and I would bet there is a special technique I'd need to learn to make figures and decorations with it. I have made my own fondant, gum paste, candy clay, and other chocolate based moulding compounds. Have you ever used Invertase? Invertase is an enzyme that catalyzes the hydrolysis (breakdown) of sucrose (table sugar). I've used it in candy making.

I found a history video series you might like.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FmPYqrpUkkI&t=160s

Thank you Pye, that is a good one!  He does not mention that the feasting consumed animals sacrificed to the Norse gods, an issue of course familiar from the New Testament, or that the sacred drinking included a cup for the king, which our British friends will recognize.

I am horrible at decorating with marzipan -- lucky to get a sheet big enough to drape over the whole cake without patching together -- so probably no pics this year.  I have never used Invertase; do you think it would help?  My marzipan is just almond flour, powdered sugar, egg whites and extract.

K_Dubb

The first ten minutes or so of this (New/Old Christmas) shows the dancing around the tree that was a big part of Christmas in Scandinavia, with a repertoire of songs and motions they all learned in school. Some of these are repeated around the Maypole, strangely.  Mom still knows most of these, though in the Norwegian versions.  Interesting to see Benny from Abba playing the accordion and to hear Alf Prøysen's dialect Norwegian translated into good Swedish.  I'd say the gammalt ages a lot better than the ny hahaha.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aJfkASJR6bs

K_Dubb

St. Stephen was, at least in Scandinavian tradition, a stable-boy to King Herod and his day (yesterday) was devoted to horse-racing, reflected in many of the Stephen-songs.  I, of course, want to think this goes back to pagan Yule and horse cults and kurgan culture, but who knows?  Here are star-boys doing their thing:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UgCttd_R0LU

pyewacket

Quote from: K_Dubb on December 27, 2016, 03:32:42 PM
Thank you Pye, that is a good one!  He does not mention that the feasting consumed animals sacrificed to the Norse gods, an issue of course familiar from the New Testament, or that the sacred drinking included a cup for the king, which our British friends will recognize.

I am horrible at decorating with marzipan -- lucky to get a sheet big enough to drape over the whole cake without patching together -- so probably no pics this year.  I have never used Invertase; do you think it would help?  My marzipan is just almond flour, powdered sugar, egg whites and extract.

You are welcome- I'm happy you liked it.

Rolling out a sheet of any sugar paste covering is a challenge unless you have a professional  sheeter machine and the room for one!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u_uXp-ehQ8c

I have only used invertase to make the liquidized centers in chocolate covered cherries. It takes several days or more for the enzyme to do the work. I have heard that it is also used in making a syrup that keeps baked goods moist for longer periods of time, but I've never tried it. Most people make a simple syrup, but I'd rather not add to the overall sweetness/sugar content of my cakes.

No matter how you make it- I am sure your family will appreciate your cake. The very first one I made using marzipan looked like a child did it. Haha I still get teased about it.  ;D Once I learned how to work with other products I could make realistic flowers and did the chocolate roses for my daughter's wedding cake. I also made a traditional Japanese wedding topper for a friend of the family.

Whatever skill level- people love the special effort we put into a celebration cake.  :)

Uncle Duke

This has been one of the most enjoyable threads for the past few Christmases, sad to say it looks like Paywacket may not be back this year to moderate it.  Pye was always one of my favorite 'gabbers, hopefully she will return at least through the holidays to ride herd on her thread.  In the meantime, let's pick up where we left off last Christmas.

albrecht

Quote from: Uncle Duke on December 06, 2017, 04:03:50 PM
This has been one of the most enjoyable threads for the past few Christmases, sad to say it looks like Paywacket may not be back this year to moderate it.  Pye was always one of my favorite 'gabbers, hopefully she will return at least through the holidays to ride herd on her thread.  In the meantime, let's pick up where we left off last Christmas.
We just got our first bit of "winter" weather so it is feeling a bit more like the Christmas season. Unfortunately rain, not snow. Got out my bins of crap today and bought a tree last night. Put up the lights last weekend and listened to Norry butcher a radio show while hanging them. K_Dubb will appreciate that the SON Christmas party is this weekend so I expect some good treats and eating.

Lilith

No snow here yet.  Lots of wind, but no snow, and not too cold.  I'm not complaining.

starrmtn001

Quote from: Uncle Duke on December 06, 2017, 04:03:50 PM
This has been one of the most enjoyable threads for the past few Christmases, sad to say it looks like Paywacket may not be back this year to moderate it.  Pye was always one of my favorite 'gabbers, hopefully, she will return at least through the holidays to ride herd on her thread.  In the meantime, let's pick up where we left off last Christmas.
+1 To Infinity! ;D

Hi, Pyewacket.  I too, hope you come back and join us even if it is just for the Yuletide Season. :-*

Juan

I had to put on a pair of long britches yesterday, but today, it's back to shorts.
Here's my favorite.

http://youtu.be/oH4WG1x_KR8

Rix Gins

Quote from: Uncle Duke on December 06, 2017, 04:03:50 PM
This has been one of the most enjoyable threads for the past few Christmases, sad to say it looks like Paywacket may not be back this year to moderate it.  Pye was always one of my favorite 'gabbers, hopefully she will return at least through the holidays to ride herd on her thread.  In the meantime, let's pick up where we left off last Christmas.

Christmas would come early if Pyewacket and K_Dubb were to post here.

starrmtn001

Quote from: Rix Gins on December 06, 2017, 06:22:42 PM
Christmas would come early if Pyewacket and K_Dubb were to post here.
It certainly would, Rix. ;)

Uncle Duke

https://youtu.be/nIJOBB3lJHM

For nearly twenty five years, radio personality Gary Burbank did a daily radio show on WLW in Cincinnati.  The man was a comedic genius, especially in creating the stable of fictional characters he voiced for the program.  One of the most popular was a slightly addled old man named "Gilbert Gnarley" who placed really warped phone calls to  businesses, politicians, government offices, etc.  Gilbert's tour de force was his annual "Christmas list" call a few weeks before Christmas to some poor, overworked clerk in a toy store/department.  The link above is his 2001 call.  The greatest toy he ever asked for was the "Michael Jackson 'Old Spotty' Pop Up Book".  I was driving in a serious snow storm listening to that call and damn near wrecked the car I was laughing so hard.

pyewacket

Quote from: Uncle Duke on December 06, 2017, 04:03:50 PM
This has been one of the most enjoyable threads for the past few Christmases, sad to say it looks like Paywacket may not be back this year to moderate it.  Pye was always one of my favorite 'gabbers, hopefully she will return at least through the holidays to ride herd on her thread.  In the meantime, let's pick up where we left off last Christmas.

Thank you, Uncle Duke, Brig, Star (CT), Rix, albrecht, Juan, and all the rest of you kind enough to revisit this thread. I stopped by hoping that this thread would continue as a Bellgab tradition. I am big on traditions. This is a thread for everyone and a place I had hoped would bring us all together, at least for awhile.

Life is a little hectic for me right now. Mr. Pye's retinas have been successfully reattached and, after two months, he was able to actually "see" the faces of the skilled surgeons who restored his sight. He will have more surgeries to come and another specialist for cornea implants.

This is the season for gratitude and reflection and especially so for us this year. We are so grateful for the people who dedicate their lives to careers most of us never really think about until we are in need of their help.

This season can remind us all that gratitude is the key to happiness. I did not come back to lecture anyone, so I will leave it at that. I just wanted to share this with you all in hopes that you will find much to be grateful for in your holiday season as well.  :-*

And for those of you who want to continue fighting into the holiday season, just remember this...





albrecht

Quote from: Uncle Duke on December 06, 2017, 07:52:44 PM
https://youtu.be/nIJOBB3lJHM

For nearly twenty five years, radio personality Gary Burbank did a daily radio show on WLW in Cincinnati.  The man was a comedic genius, especially in creating the stable of fictional characters he voiced for the program.  One of the most popular was a slightly addled old man named "Gilbert Gnarley" who placed really warped phone calls to  businesses, politicians, government offices, etc.  Gilbert's tour de force was his annual "Christmas list" call a few weeks before Christmas to some poor, overworked clerk in a toy store/department.  The link above is his 2001 call.  The greatest toy he ever asked for was the "Michael Jackson 'Old Spotty' Pop Up Book".  I was driving in a serious snow storm listening to that call and damn near wrecked the car I was laughing so hard.
I did a coffee spit-take at "Lil' Miss Smelting Kit' haha.

Lilith

Quote from: pyewacket on December 07, 2017, 01:07:30 PM
Thank you, Uncle Duke, Brig, Star (CT), Rix, albrecht, Juan, and all the rest of you kind enough to revisit this thread. I stopped by hoping that this thread would continue as a Bellgab tradition. I am big on traditions. This is a thread for everyone and a place I had hoped would bring us all together, at least for awhile.

Life is a little hectic for me right now. Mr. Pye's retinas have been successfully reattached and, after two months, he was able to actually "see" the faces of the skilled surgeons who restored his sight. He will have more surgeries to come and another specialist for cornea implants.

This is the season for gratitude and reflection and especially so for us this year. We are so grateful for the people who dedicate their lives to careers most of us never really think about until we are in need of their help.

This season can remind us all that gratitude is the key to happiness. I did not come back to lecture anyone, so I will leave it at that. I just wanted to share this with you all in hopes that you will find much to be grateful for in your holiday season as well.  :-*

And for those of you who want to continue fighting into the holiday season, just remember this...




Awww :)  SO good to hear from you pyewacket

I wish you and yours the best, always.

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