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Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Corner View... Traditions...

I try to keep some of my English traditions alive and pass them to my 
kids, even though we're in South GA and some of the traditions here
are way far off from how I remember my Christmases growing up. 

One thing I love to do is bake mince pies at Christmas, it appears to be an 
acquired taste and there aren't many Americans that like this little Christmas
staple. I can't imagine a Christmas without a mince pie... humbug!!! 

I have started to make pumpkin bread and  ginger bread though as the kids
like that way more. 


I guess I really remember it being a tradition in my house
that my Mum baked her ass off before each Christmas. 
She would make the Christmas Cake which is a big deal in England too, 
very rich fruit cake made weeks in advance and soaked in brandy. 
She would use knitting needles to poke holes in the cake to pour the 
brandy in and then wrap it up again, this process went on for several 
days before finally she'd wrap the cake in marzipan and then ice and 
decorate it. Wonderful... mmm. and she made her own Christmas 
Pudding too... I really miss Christmas Pudding.. all rich and warm and soaked
in brandy butter...no wonder everyone in England sleeps thro' the 
Queens speech with all that brandy in the food!!!! 

For other Traditions around the world, click on the links in my 
side bar... you won't be disappointed. 
CHEERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

10 comments:

Kasia said...

Oh, I'd love to have your Mum's baking skills. I only can bake gingerbread, my cakes come out like they are made out of play-dough... I love mince pies but can't bake them. I buy them...

Great photos!

Unknown said...

Those brandy soaked cakes sound wonderful! My mom used to bake like crazy too, but she was definitely crazy during the holidays all perfect house and perfect cookies. I'm so glad she's toned down a bit!

likeschocolate said...

I am one of the strange Americans who love mince pie, but I think I will pass on the Kidney pies. Merry Christmas!

tanïa said...

How beautiful and delicious these rose cakes look like!

flowtops said...

The cakes look so cute!

Skylar said...

Wow! Those cakes are so beautiful! :)

Theresa said...

Those cakes are great. Are they made from a mold?

Victoria | Hibiscus Bloem said...

Great traditions. Fond memories of Christmas pudding, mince pies and of course Brandy butter to go with them! My little family don't like either so we give them a miss now. Enjoy yours.

nadine paduart said...

ha ha ha... boozy x-mas cake, yes please! i love the rose petal bundt mould too, you know! :)
[ps : word verification on this message is 'fergie' - some english tradition, hey??!!]

Annabel said...

My mom bakes like crazy all the time! (I'm a kid, I still live with her.) She's such a great cook!