Friday, December 11, 2009

Let's Liven Things Up...!!


I've been talking a lot lately about the traditions of Christmas times.

You know, so many of the traditions that we celebrate didn't actually come from here in the States. Most came to us as European traditions that we adapted to use as our own. However, nearly everyone of them was a version of medieval traditions.

Heard the term "Eating humble pie?"...want to know the origins of the term? Of course you do! And you just know that the old reliable Hermit is going to bring it to you, right?

Humble (or 'umble) pie was made from the "humbles" of a deer -- the heart, liver, brains and so forth. While the lords and ladies ate the choice cuts, the servants baked the humbles into a pie (which of course made them go further as a source of food). This appears to be the origin of the phrase, "to eat humble pie." By the seventeenth century Humble Pie had become a trademark Christmas food, as evidenced when it was outlawed along with other Christmas traditions by Oliver Cromwell and the Puritan government.

Another tradition that has it's roots in history is the popular drink "Wassail". Originally a very strong drink with some very strong ingredients, this traditional holiday drink has been adapted to the point that there many less harsh recipes, with a variety of ingredients.

Wassail comes from the Old English words waes hael, which means "be well," "be hale," or "good health." A strong, hot drink (usually a mixture of ale, honey, and spices) would be put in a large bowl, and the host would lift it and greet his companions with "waes hael," to which they would reply "drinc hael," which meant "drink and be well." Over the centuries some non-alcoholic versions of wassail evolved.


If you want to liven up the holidays a bit, why not try both of these old time traditions at the same get-together! It might raise a few eyebrows...and certainly should raise the energy level!

Now, let's get some coffee and sit outside a while! Looks like a beautiful day coming!

12 comments:

Wyn Boniface said...

Hailsa! The Nordic of Wassail. Most of it is Germanic tradition. I got to burn my log.

HermitJim said...

Hey Wyn...
I'd have a yule log, but I have no place to burn one!

Guess I could try the back yard, huh? Good health, my friend!

Thanks for coming by today, Wyn!

Wyn Boniface said...

I am going to do it in my backyard.

HermitJim said...

Hey Wyn...
Probably my neighbors would call the fire dept.!

I guess I could figure out a way to grill or roast some meat using the yule log!

vlad said...

Wyn, you might put the yule log in a dakota fire pit.

My wife cooks beef brisket in a cast iron dutch oven in the fireplace. Yum.

Momlady said...

I have made wassail and it is mighty strong and good. And this year, on the 21st, not only will we burn the yule log, we will have a proper bonfire to welcome the return of the sun.. (The local fire department will be on hand for a while just in case.....the burn pile is HUGE!) I will have coffee and hot cider on hand for the firemen. I just hope there is no wind. At least everyone outside will be warm.

JoJo said...

Good Morning My Special One, I'll pass on the humble pie, the drink sounds OK. Thanks for the history lesson. We are all going to become so smart reading your blog. Off for some fun with daughter 2 and oldest granddaughter today. Hope everyone has a great day today. I do have time for coffee on the patio so please pass the pot.

HermitJim said...

Hey Vlad...
That sounds pretty good to me! Haven't had a good brisket in a long time!

Thanks for coming by today!


Hey Momlady...
Good for you, having the fire dept. on hand just in case! Hopefully you won't need them!

You'll have to share your recipe of wassail with us someday!

Thanks so much for coming by today!


Hey JoJo...
I do hope that you ladies have a good time out fighting the crowds and doing the shopping! Be careful...it's a jungle out there!


Glad you have enough time for coffee on the patio before you go!

Thanks. sweetie, for coming over today!

Catman said...

Hi Hermit Jim,

Thanks for the reminder of lessons learned in school years ago. Back in a time when kids were taught facts, and not propaganda.

Merry Christmas.

HermitJim said...

Hey Catman...
I remember those days, but only vaguely! That was around the same era that parents could punish their kids in public if they had to, without the threat of going to jail! The same time that prayer was allowed in schools, the pledge was still said, and gasoline didn't cost as much as a small house!

Now we are not supposed to even say "merry Christmas" but happy holidays instead...!

Thanks for coming by today, my friend!

Andrea said...

Merry Christ-mas!

It doesn't seem like Christmas if I don't get my father-in-law schnockered. Last year it was homemade blackberry cordial. This year, limoncello. Might have to look into Wassail for next year!

HermitJim said...

Hey Andrea...
You are a BADDDD girl! Doesn't sound like the FIL minds all that much though!

Just gotta love the folks that make their own hooch! Bet the taste was terrific!

Thanks for coming by today!