The Buche de Noel!

photo by ana traina ~ 2011 ~

Since this past Christmas at the Parker’s, where for dessert they served a delightful and very festive, Buche de Noel, I have been reminiscing about my time in Paris when I was very young. In particular, I remembered my first Christmas there and though I was alone and hardly spoke a word of French, I had my shiny red satin sneakers keeping me company. On that Christmas morn, I woke up very early to explore my new neighborhood, (the 6th arrondissement). It was magical, all the old world patisseries were aglow with a warm buttery scent that mingled with the fresh falling snow. It was all in an awestruck moment that I spied the rows of frosty Christmas logs rivaling their beauty against each other in the baker’s window. I soon found out by a knowingly smiling Parisian man all wrapped up in his Yule tide attire, who had stopped to enjoy me ogling at the butter-creamed wonders, what these enchanting pastries were. “American?” he asked.  I looked up with a start and pretended not to be afraid. He pointed to the sugary confection and then spoke in English, most perfectly, with a soft and understanding twinkle. “That is a Buche de Noel, and it is trés, trés bon!” I was very timid of course, being so far away from home, so I just gave him half a smile to thank him before I quickly moved on with nothing but slight embarrassment and an empty tummy.

It wasn’t till years later that I actually had my first sinful bite of this chestnut cream filled gateau.  It was in Angelina’s on the Rue de Rivoli and I am very proud to say I ordered it in perfect French.  And yes indeed, it was just as the memorable Parisian man had said, “trés, trés bon”!

Here is some History of Buche de Noel that I was able to uncover and discover...
One of the famous stories about this French dessert is associated with the great Napoleon Bonaparte of France. He issued a proclamation, as per which, the people of Paris were ordered to close the chimneys of their houses, during winters. It was thought that entry of cold air into the houses was causing spread of illnesses and the proclamation was aimed at prevention of such diseases. It was during this time that Buche de Noel or yule log cake was invented in Paris. As use of hearths was prohibited, they needed some sort of traditional symbol that can be enjoyed with family and friends during the festive season that falls in winter. Thus, this cake became a symbolic substitution around which the family could gather for storytelling and other holiday activities.

The origin of this well-known French pastry is also linked with the ancient Celtic tradition of celebrating the winter solstice. On this shortest day of the year, the Celts would search for a large trunk of oak, beech, elm or cherry and burn it as a symbol of rebirth of the sun. During the Middle Ages, the ceremony of burning logs became more detailed. The logs themselves would be decorated with ribbons and greenery. Then the youngest and the oldest member of each family would carry the log to the hearth and set it in flames that will burn for the whole night. The vestiges would be collected the next day, to be used throughout the year. It was thought that these logs help cure various sicknesses and protect the house from the wickedness of the evil spirit. With time, the practice changed and people started representing the practice with a log-shaped cake that was served as dessert to the guests.


To all the luscious zingertalers,

I thank you for all your sweet encouragements and...
I wish you all the wonderment and love your heart can hold in 2012 and all the years to come!

Love,
Ana

A Shadow Thought!

photo by ana traina ~ 2011~

Upon a hill the shadows stood, shining!

The Chimney Sweep!

photo by ana traina ~ 2011 ~

Today we are expecting Dr. Soot and Cinder to give our chimney its annual scrubbing,  and I remembered my aunts talking about how lucky Chimney sweeps were. So, my curiosity was plucked once more and here is what I was able to uncover and discover...

Chimney sweeps are believed to bring good luck, although the source of the lore is uncertain. One story tells that Britain's King William was saved by a chimney sweep from being trampled by a runaway horse and carriage in 1066. The King rewarded the sweep by inviting him to his daughter's wedding.

A variation of the tale says that a Chimney Sweep tumbled from a roof. His coattail caught onto the gutter, and as he was dangling in front of a window. A young woman, engaged to another, saw him and pulled him inside. The two fell deeply in love and were married.

Both versions are taken to mean that the presence of a Chimney Sweep at a wedding brings good luck!

Chimney sweeps also practiced the custom of carrying a live pig through the streets on New Year's Day. People would pay a small amount to the sweep and in return could make a wish while pulling a hair out of the pig. This practice has ceased.

Top hat and tails were the traditional Chimney Sweep uniform in the Victorian era, because their clothes were cast-offs from funeral directors.

Chimney sweeps still wear a traditional all black uniform with small black cap. It is considered good luck to rub one of your buttons if you pass one in the street.


In Germany, Austria, Hungary and contiguous regions, the Chimney Sweep is considered an especially favorable omen of good luck if you meet with him on New Year's Day. Meeting a chimney sweep -- called a Schornsteinfeger or a Schlotfeger -- at New Year's meant good luck for the year, especially if he would give you his card.

In 17th century England, the size of a house could be determined by the number of chimneys (hearths) it contained, leading to the initiation of the Hearth Tax. The occupiers of the houses (rather than the homeowners) were taxed at the rate of 2 Shillings per each hearth (chimney), to be paid in bi-annual installments.

Elfantasmagoria

A Shadow Thought-em!

drawing by ana traina ~ 2011 ~

"I heard a bird sing
In the dark of December
A magical thing
And sweet to remember.
'We are nearer to Spring
Than we were in September,'
I heard a bird sing
In the dark of December."

-   Oliver Herford, I Heard a Bird Sing

Ms. Daisy Daniel’s Traveling Whispers!

drawing by ana traina ~ 2011 ~

Ms. Daisy Daniel says that it is most bone-traumatizing when traveling to the Australian Outback
Especially, if one decides to go all the way by means of a zebra’s stripend rack,
Instead of taking the cozy comforts of the trusty train that goes clickey-clac-clac!

This is why she must persist, and even insist, that a portable and feathery cushion be taken
To prevent the most durable of derrieres, O’ dare I say it, from aching!
Now, on the point of sea-bathing, there is one fact Ms. Daniel believes needs strengthening!

In bathing before breakfast it is wise to take one’s teatime with only lightly buttered biscuits
and politely say your goodbyes to the chocolate, chestnut and coconut creamed tidbits!
For as sure as sherbet, you’ll plummet faster than plain-vanilla prophets on their fattened flattened pulpits.

O’ don’t disremember the Mustard Leaves and Friar’s Balsam for the rough and tumble joy
and never ever get caught by that charming and winsome chap some like to call cowboy.
They are abundant down here, like the Kangaroo just waiting for the chance
To steal your heart and take your ride while asking for a kiss and a schottische sorta dance.

The Hush-Hush Tree of Central Park!

photo by ana traina ~2011~

Yesterday, my husband and I were ambling through Central Park looking for different locations to shoot our annual holiday v-card when we happened upon this strange and glorious site filled with the Christmasy spirit... A fully bedecked Christmas tree, dressed ever so festively in tinsel, pictures, poems and wishes... Of course, this perked my curiosity! Here is what I was able to uncover and discover ~

Somewhere deep in the park, (a location that is purposely kept secret, so as not to attract too many tourists or publicity) and at the very beginning of every December, the park pixies come to decorate this secret tree with images and thoughts that are wrapped in plastic and tied with colored strings. These are treasured mementos from park goers who want to remember their beloved pets, who have left this world. Then, each year, after the holiday, the park pixies carefully undress the tree of its ornaments, so that they may magically reappear the following year. 

photo by ana traina ~ 2011 ~

Normally, Central Park does not officially decorate, however, an exception is made for this humble tree that celebrates all creatures... the great and the small!

The Romantic Fiction of Maude Green!

Donner and Blitzen!

photo by ana traina ~2011~

Now Dasher! now, Dancer! now Prancer and Vixen!/On, Comet! on, Cupid! on Dunder and Blixem!

"Dunder" and "Blixem"? Yes, for sure you've always heard "Donner" and "Blitzen," right? The former were Dutch names written into the poem by Livingston. Only in later versions, modified by Moore in 1844, were the two names changed to German: Donder(thunder)and Blitzen (lightning)...
 
Since 1950 or so, the two reindeer names have been Donner and Blitzen in both the “Rudolph” song and the “Visit” poem.

Last Bits of Odds and Ends ~ Reindeer were ancient domestic animals that came into being several thousands years ago.

The Christmas Reindeer carries with it numerous legendary interpretations. The mythical stories of the Norse narrate the tale of Thor, the god of Thunder who flew through the stormy sky in chariots drawn by magical goats termed Gnasher and Cracker. The Goat was also a popular Christmas symbol in Sweden during the 18th c., In Finland the traditional gift bringer during Christmas was Joulupukki or the Yule buck. 


For more Reindeer lore, check out ~ http://zingertalesandmore.blogspot.com/2010/12/reindeer-edible-nibbles-and-bit-of-lore.html

A Note on Adventuring!

photo by ana traina ~ 2011 ~

On Saturday, I was feeling rather sluggish and bored. (Bored), a feeling I rarely have because I believe that one should never, ever, be bored. If they are bored, it is most assuredly due to the simple fact that they themselves are boring. What to do? What to do? Somewhere, in the back of my mind, I remembered my friend Laura Dinerman Marino telling me about this amazing exhibit, going on now, at the Guggenheim. The day’s plans were made, in my mind at least.

photo by ana traina ~2011~

Now, all I had to do was convince my husband that we should stroll through the park (one of my absolutely favorite things to do) to see this exhibit by some Italian guy who’s name escaped me.  Luckily, for me, my husband was easily won over... and so our little jaunt turned out to be quite an enchanted adventure... Here are just a few photos from the fantastical work by Maurizio Cattelan...

photo by ana traina ~2011~

Last bit of odd and end... Ah, yes, there is adventure to be had!

The Tiny World of Memory!

photo by ana traina ~ 2011 ~

I have always loved snow-globes, there is something almost mystical about them. So, when I spied this wondrous snow-globe the other day it plucked my curiosity cord... So, here is what I was able to uncover and discover...

Around the turn of the century, Erwin Perzy, an imaginative Viennese craftsman who produced instruments for surgeons, learned about Edison’s light bulb and his curiosity was tugged... So in turn he tried to make a brighter bulb  of his own by filling a globe with water and white grit and shining light through it.

Alas, it didn’t work, except to remind Perzy of snow.  At the request of a friend who tinkered in souvenirs, he put the Basilica of the Birth of the Virgin Mary below a glass globe, which, when shaken, resembled a snowstorm. Perzy patented the “Glass Globe with Snow Effect” in 1900, launched a business and, by 1908, won an award from the Austrian emperor, Franz Josef I.  His company still churns out domes today.  The good Viennese water and a secret snow mixture lead to a snow that softly floats, floats and floats.  It is said, all other copies can’t match his formula.

Still, other manufacturers ferociously guarded their recipes for snow, later adding chemicals to keep the water from freezing and to make the snow float rather than just fall.

By the 1920s, German firms were exporting snow-globes to the U.S. and Canada.  In 1927, a Pittsburgh man, Joseph Garaja, filed a patent for a snow-globe.

After that, snow-globes were everywhere. They were called by many names, such as, snow-shakers, water-domes, snowstorms, water balls and blizzard-weights.

In America, during the 1940s, snow-globes were often used for advertising. In Europe, during the 1940s and 1950s, religious snow globes were common gifts for Catholic children.

The snow-dome's placement of a scene below glass makes literal the word souvenir, French for “memory,” a word derived from a Latin verb meaning, roughly, “to come from beneath” — as memories so often seem to.

It may have been Orson Welles’ “Citizen Kane” that cemented the snow-dome as a carrier of memory.  In the 1941 film’s opening scene, the title character breaks a globe on his deathbed, its contents recalling — and carrying the viewers to — his woodsy, snowy childhood home.  No matter how kitschy or common the globes became by the end of the 20th century, they still evoked, as they did for Kane, a dreamy and idyllic nostalgia.

Do you remember when you got your first snow globe?

 

Lemon Drop the Wondrous Bat-Dog Talks to Santa!

photo by ana traina ~ 2011 ~

An exclusive Lemon Drop sighting.  

As I was perusing the usual end of year decor in shops from 57th St. to Union Square.  I happened upon this exchange between what I am certain was Lemon Drop the Wondrous Bat-Dog, disguised in fancy and might I say appealing wintry apparel and the one and only Santa Claus.  What at first I thought was an innocent relaying of Christmas wishes I stepped a bit closer to eavesdrop on the pair.  It was not the innocent wish of a young pup looking for a bone or a bed or even a treat but a very wily underground character searching for the scoop only Santa could have.  "There are criminals everywhere",  I heard Lemon whisper, "and I know you think the North Pole is off limits but I'm tellin' you Nick..."  And that is all I heard and saw.  I quickly took the shot as Lemon started to sniff me out.  So I ran.  As you can plainly see by this picture though, Santa is sweatin'.


For past Lemon Drop scoops, see the post below...

zingertales and more: Lemon Drop Cracks the Case!

zingertales and more: Lemon Drop Cracks the Case!: photo by jane shirek When last seen, Lemmie , the Wondrous Bat Dog a.k.a Lemon Drop, was walking the lonely road that only super heros ...

zingertales and more: Shermano Poufflé talks!

zingertales and more: Shermano Poufflé talks!: photo by ana traina Undercover Detective O-D Cohen who single paw-dedly captured Miss Bosco as we know is a suspected illegal trafficker...

zingertales and more: A special BOW-WOW report!

zingertales and more: A special BOW-WOW report!: photo by ana traina You remember the last time we had an Exclusive Poopy Scoop Report from Ms. Beckella B. Barkson , the world renowned...

zingertales and more: Zingertale News Flash -- Miss Bosco Captured!

zingertales and more: Zingertale News Flash -- Miss Bosco Captured!: photo by laura dinerman Marino Undercover Detective O-D Cohen has single pawdedly captured Miss Bosco , suspected in illegal trafficki...

zingertales and more: LEMON DROP, drops off radar!

zingertales and more: LEMON DROP, drops off radar!: photo by Susan Sedlmayr and digitally enhanced by Ana Traina When last seen, Lemmie was walking the lonely road that only super heros and...

zingertales and more: LEMON DROP's LONELY WALK!

zingertales and more: LEMON DROP's LONELY WALK!: Sources now say that Lemmie the wondrous bat dog aka Lemon Drop has her ears to the wind harking for any clues... If you remember her nos...

zingertales and more: Breaking News...Lemon Drop Spotted in the Flordia ...

zingertales and more: Breaking News...Lemon Drop Spotted in the Flordia ...: When last seen Lemmie was ensuing a clandestine tip on the Youtan Poluo smuggler's suppliers whereabouts, shepherding him to a remote villa...

zingertales and more: Lemmie the wondrous bat-dog hits dead end!

zingertales and more: Lemmie the wondrous bat-dog hits dead end!: Sources say, Lemmie was ensuing a clandestine tip on the supplier of the Youtan Poluos whereabouts. The tip shepherded him to a remote vil...

The Romantic Fiction of Maude Green!

Almost a Shadow Thought!

photo by ~ ana traina ~2011 ~

There is an elephant in my city!

Dream Dust!

photo by ana traina ~ 2011 ~

This weekend I did two things completely out of the ordinary... one, I watched Miracle on 34th street on Saturday morning... and it still makes me cry!  The second thing I did was to go down to ABC carpet and stand on line to take pictures of Santa! Which I shall be posting very soonishly!! However, after taking some pictures of Santa, my eye was struck by these enchanting bottles and I thought of this poem... 

A Dream Within A Dream 
by 
Edgar Allan Poe

Take this kiss upon the brow!
And, in parting from you now,
Thus much let me avow--
You are not wrong, who deem
That my days have been a dream;
Yet if hope has flown away
In a night, or in a day,
In a vision, or in none,
Is it therefore the less gone?
All that we see or seem
Is but a dream within a dream.

I stand amid the roar
Of a surf-tormented shore,
And I hold within my hand
Grains of the golden sand--
How few! yet how they creep
Through my fingers to the deep,
While I weep--while I weep!
O God! can I not grasp
Them with a tighter clasp?
O God! can I not save
One from the pitiless wave?
Is all that we see or seem
But a dream within a dream?

Scott Cohen's Manly Diary ~ My Little Pumpkin Seed!

pie baked by scott cohen ~ photo by ana traina ~ 2011

Manly Diaries #376

Year: 16
Month: 199
Day: 5570

A Captain’s gift to his first mate.

The day is coming. The preparation is all, some great poet once said. The sleepless nights,
the early risings, the musings of a mind well saturated. The arduous study, the worry, the
dreams, the fantasy, truths and imaginings of a young and fruitful child evolving into the
precise and telescoped young man.

What do I speak of you ask. What long journey no ship can harness or sea demon undo?
What meandering can last 5570 days without falter or tragedy? It is the development of a
babe, I share. The complicated and eventual evolution of man itself. It is the test of a first
mate to be the captain of his own vessel. The test is near but all that comes prior will
vanish into the ether of knowing.

The day is coming. When weather will dictate the route but oceans will be conquered just
the same.

The day is coming. When wood and oar will break with time and ire, yet muscle and
strength will motor us forward.

The day is coming. When the rope that binds will stretch and fray beyond its ability to
yield, yet a human fiber will tie us down.

The day is coming. When the stars do not shine and the way is lost, yet the equations of
Euler and Pythagoras let us see once more.

The day is coming. When pi will shine ever more light into the soul of infinity, yet pie will
feed the soul of you.

Preparation is all. Feast upon the food of life young one. Feast upon that which gives you
strength. Feast upon the challenge ahead and sail with the wind upon your back and the
sun upon your face. Feast on.

The Christmas Orange!

photo by ana traina ~ 2011 ~

The Christmas Orange

Let me tell you a story
From time long ago,
Of a child in Denmark
Quite lost in the snow.

Both her parents had passed
From this earth full of strife,
So, alone she was facing
The trials of life.

The town constable found her,
And took her away
To a building of stone,
All dismal and gray.

She was frightened and cold,
For the hour was late.
She was given some bread,
Which she hungrily ate.

She was taken upstairs
To a room full of beds
Where the other lost orphans
Had just laid their heads.

When the gaslights were out,
And the caretakers gone,
There were whispers and
Child-like carryings-on.

For the next day was Christmas,
And then they would see
In the parlor a wondrous
Bright evergreen tree.

There the chains made of paper
And berries on strings
Would become the most magical
Marvelous things.

On the branches the candles
Would flicker with light,
And shine in the faces of
Children so bright.

Every year each was given
The same little gift—
An orange—so special
In times of great thrift.

With excitement, the child
Crept out from her bed.
She hoped for a glimpse
Of the splendor ahead.

As she went down the stairs,
A hand grabbed her arm.
She startled with fear
And was filled with alarm!

The headmaster had caught her--
His voice was so stern
While explaining the lesson
That she soon would learn.

Now remorse overtook her,
But it was too late.
No gift on the morrow
Would be her sad fate.

The sentence pronounced,
She returned to her room.
Her excitement became
Inescapable gloom.

In the morning, the others
Went down to the tree.
But the child stayed behind--
Alone she would be.

She knew that the children
Their orange would receive.
But her lack of the gift
Would cause her to grieve.

She peeked out from her quilt
As the children returned.
But she tried to keep smiling
And look unconcerned.

They gave her a napkin
Tied round with a bow.
They all were excited
Their gift to bestow.

She unwrapped the small present,
And there was revealed
A ripe juicy orange
All sectioned and peeled!

With a gasp of surprise, she said,
“How could this be?
I was told there would be no
Such present for me!”

It was then that she learned
Of their motives so pure--
Each had given one section
Of orange to her!

Such concern for another
By children who cared
Showed the spirit of Christmas
Unselfishly shared.

Courtesy of an Anonymous Author

Every year around this time, when the air turns crisp, I get a crazy craving for clementines. Yesterday, when I returned home after one of the busiest days I had in months, I was greeted by the strong scent of citrusy childhood memories.  Sitting in my Grandmother Rose’s cramped but very bright kitchen on Kingsbridge Avenue in the Bronx. Sucking the sweet juice out of the little slices of Christmas oranges she always had, handing me slice by slice, as she told me the story of the little orphaned girl and the beauty of sharing.  When I investigated where this wonderful perfume emanated from within my own home I found a lovely box of clementines sitting on my kitchen counter waiting for me to delve into wintry and Christmasy pasts.  A small gift of shared citrus wonder.