Skip to main content

Dickens-Christmas

Dickens
Dickens

Christmas As Seen Through The Eyes Of Dickens~

The Christmas Story…according to the Christmas Bible story, Christ came down to earth from heaven to be born at Christmas, because of his love for all humanity.
Christmas Through the Eyes of Dickens~(1812-1870)
( a cry for social justice )
Christmas in Scrooge’s day…in 1843 Christmas was much less commercial. Many people went to church, and many followed the ancient tradition of making merry. however, nothing was allowed for or geared to the working class or poor classes of people
We all know the heart-tugging story of “A Christmas Carol” by- Charles Dickens…what many may not know are some of the historical facts that inspired this classic.
The English Christmas was at a low ebb when Dickens was a youngster.
The growth of the city exploded in the 1800s and became known as “the Fever-Patch.” It was the first big industrial city in the world, and it was dirty, extremely polluted, and unhealthy. the disease spread quickly…there were four cholera epidemics in Dickens’s lifetime. plus regular outbreaks of typhoid, scarlet fever,, and other ills. Two hundred open sewers ran into the Thames River…and more than half of the London population took their water from it for cooking, laundry, bathing, and drinking.
Much of today’s London was built in the 19th Century,
it was full of dark alleys and lanes, the streets were crowded, noisy, and very dirty.
Almost anything was bought and sold, the atmosphere was more akin to a modern third-world city than modern London. Many of the vendors were children-there were no child labor laws such as we have today. Many worked as young as 5-sweeping the streets.
The growth of the city exploded in the 1800’s and became know as “the Fever-Patch.” It was the first big industrial city in the world, and it was dirty, extremely polluted and unhealthy. disease spread quickly…there were four cholera epidemics in Dickens’s lifetime. plus regular outbreaks of typhoid, scarlet fever,, and other ills. Two hundred open sewers ran into the Thames River…and more than half of the London population took their water from it for cooking, laundry, bathing, and drinking.
“A Christmas Carol” was written in 1843, as was the first printed Christmas cards. However, in 1843 many very old traditions were still being celebrated. Some dated from ancient pagan midwinter festivals-which was celebrated long before the first Christmas. The latter part of the 1840s began to see signs of new customs and ways that brought London out of the disgusting conditions it had become famous for.
After the success of ” A Christmas Carol,” Dickens wrote a Christmas story each year for the next several years, including The Chimes,(1844) and The cricket On The Hearth (1845)-none were as popular as A Christmas Carol. It added a new word to the English language (“a Scrooge” is a miser…very few stories have done that.
Today’s Christmas is commercial in a way Dickens could not have dreamed of…but in part and thanks to him, we still feel that Christmas should be a time for family warmth, wholesome fun, kindness to others and especially children…his vision lives on~ RIP Charles Dickens.
Merry Christmas~Tis the Season~to read a great classic!
The Sage Hill Farms Family~

A Sense Of History-2021-Ahead

New Year

New Year

January 1, 2021
🎆

Happy birthday Kathy Stevens/our first niece, long career in nursing,

mother of one, grandmother of 2… Love you Kathy.

Rose Bowl game at 3…Alabama v Notre Dame,

2nd Quarter…21-7 Alabama! (played in Texas!)

Friends coming for coffee and pie-Apple, just like mother made!

Manifesting a Happy, Healthy, and Great New Year!
Make it count!!
Paying close attention to the little things I may have taken for granted over the years. Something special about this year?

The Path To Christmas~Road Bloggin’~Local Jaunt

tree

jasper    Jasper Square

tree

Most don’t live in real-life castles, however, don’t doubt that we have a few!!

My home ground, where my deepest roots and earliest memories of life are stationary. Sweet Home Alabama…words that ring my bell…be it Christmas or a stroll in the Sipsey Wilderness! (my birthplace)

For different reasons this year, and little to do with the COVID demon, we are not one big grouping. However, we have had smaller visits, and special they were/are.

Yesterday I made my way south to drop Christmas goodies to my eldest son/family…my son and his eldest were at work, so I’m sharing this pic instead of a live shot…made by the younger one of the clan…a seasoned part-time/freelance photographer…while he works through Nursing school!
Quite talented and innovative young man.

The drive was gorgeously winter, the traffic was heavy?? People are going somewhere! The coffee and home-baked cookies were delicious…hugs warm and knowing.

Family…the best security we have.

Tis the Season…to cherish family!

family    playmemory        chris

Christmas Through The Ages…..and Now~

blue

blue
Some Christmas History~

We’ve all heard the term “Those who do not know and learn from history are bound to repeat it.”

Here we are….The best offense is a good defense-Talk about it, write about it, live it, celebrate it…Preach it!!

 

The middle of winter has always been a time of celebration.

Even Pagan celebrations were a ritual born of beliefs that followed the only spiritual guideline available.
Long before the arrival of the man called Jesus, early Europeans celebrated light and birth in the darkest days of winter.
In Scandinavia, the Norse celebrated Yule from December 21, (the winter solstice,) through January. In recognition of the return of the sun, large logs were set on fire and people would feast until they burned out-sometimes lasting 12 days.
In the early days of Christianity-Easter was the main holiday; the birth of Jesus was not celebrated. In the fourth century, church officials decided to institute the birth of Jesus as a holiday.

By holding Christmas at the same time as traditional winter solstice festivals, church leaders increased the chances that Christmas would be popularly embraced.

By the Middle Ages, Christianity had, for the most part, replaced pagan religion.

In the early 17Th century, a wave of religious reform changed the way Christmas was celebrated in Europe. When Oliver Cromwell and his Puritan forces took over England in 1645, they vowed to rid England of decadence and, as part of their effort, canceled Christmas. By popular demand, Charles II was restored to the throne and, with him, came the return of the popular holiday.
The pilgrims, English separatists that came to America in 1620, were even more orthodox in their Puritan beliefs than Cromwell. As a result, Christmas was not a holiday in early America. From 1659 to 1681, the celebration of Christmas was actually outlawed in Boston. Anyone exhibiting the Christmas spirit was fined five shillings. By contrast, in the Jamestown settlement, Captain John Smith reported that Christmas was enjoyed by all and passed without incident.
After the American Revolution, English customs fell out of favor, including Christmas. In fact, Congress was in session on December 25, 1789, the first Christmas under America’s new constitution. Christmas wasn’t declared a federal holiday until June 26, 1870.

Yes, August Again-The Sun Rules~

leo

 

 

**You may or may not believe that the power and energy used to create and woven into the fiber of the whole universe, also is woven into our being.**

This is what makes each of us individual in all ways….so many people, and not a single one identical to another…even Identical twins have some differences.

The” real thing” astrology is very educational and helps one to understand the world and self in a way that isn’t always understood on the surface look.
( not the tea-leaf reader kind)
The intricate and amazingly complicated yet simple universe that God, The Creator of all life put together, and fine-tuned to perfect working order.

I’ve heard it said, spend your time fine-tuning the journey and the destination will be exactly as it should be.
~~

A few facts that make up the core of those born under the Sun sign…Beware!!
~

Leo is the fifth sign of the zodiac. These folks are impossible to miss since they love being center stage. Making an impression is Job One for Leos, and when you consider their personal magnetism, you see the job is quite easy. Leos are an ambitious lot, and their strength of purpose allows them to accomplish a great deal. The fact that these folks are also creative makes their endeavors fun for them and everyone else.

It’s the Lion that symbolizes Leos, and the king (or queen) of the jungle is a most appropriate mascot since they consider themselves the rulers of their universe.
Like Lions, Leos tend to be dignified and strong, and it’s this sense of their power that allows them to get things done.
A Leo on your team is a good thing since Lions are eager to see their projects through to completion. Putting these folks at the helm is a good thing, too, since the Leo-born are natural leaders.
They may ruffle a few feathers along the way, however, since they can also be overbearing and somewhat autocratic.
This may be in keeping with the Fixed Quality assigned to this sign — Lions are indeed opinionated and set in their ways. That said, they are well organized, idealistic, and have a knack for inspiring others.

Leo is ruled by the Sun — the center of the universe and the fuel for our being. 
Lions are outgoing, self-assured, and have a tremendous zest for life. So what if the world revolves around them? There are worse role models, for sure. Regardless of appearance, those born under this sign can be counted on for their loyalty and sense of honor. They are also decisive, intensely proud, and wonderfully romantic.

The element associated with Leo is Fire. Everything about the Lion’s personality is hot, hot, hot. Those born under this sign are fearless and strong, which may be why Lions plunge in headfirst and let the chips fall where they may. Thankfully, Leos are dignified enough not to commit too many pratfalls. .

The great strengths of the Leo-born are their creativity, idealism, and leadership. Lions don’t lack for ambition, either, so they’re likely to accomplish a lot — and have fun while they’re at it. Their warmth and loyalty ensure that others will enjoy the ride as well.
~

The month of August brings 8 birthday’s in my family circle… which is a lot of Leo personalities! Are we going to have a wild month or what?

I’m thinking we plan a party of connection…


If you are close by or coming my way…pop in and have a cookie…or a cucumber…LOL…I’m burned out on cukes so I’ll be opting for the cookies!!

Happy birthday to Us…

Salads and Patriotism ?

salad

Sage Hill’s Patriotic Kitchen…..

salad

 

Well…Yes…if one thinks about it and depending on what patriotism actually means…and, what “salad” actually means….hmmm, this could be deep!!
Fear not, I’ll explain…
~

Although the ancient Greeks and Romans did not use the word “salad,” they enjoyed a variety of dishes with raw vegetables dressed with vinegar, oil, and herbs. Pliny the Elder in Natural History, for instance, reported that salads (acetaria) were composed of those garden products that “needed no fire for cooking and saved fuel, and which were a resource to store and always ready” (Natural History, XIX, 58). They were easy to digest and were not calculated to overload the senses or stimulate the appetite.

The medical practitioners Hippocrates and Galen believed that raw vegetables easily slipped through the system and did not create obstructions for what followed, therefore they should be served first. Others reported that the vinegar in the dressing destroyed the taste of the wine, therefore they should be served last. This debate has continued ever since.

The history goes back even earlier, but trust me, you do not want to go there!!

It seems to me, in many ways salad has become an escape from too many choices and sometimes no choices…of the best foods.

I find salads to be intriguing, works of art and if eaten in a certain manner….an experience of Culinary Bliss!

Example….the oldest history of this dish explains the layering aspect…(not tossed or mixed)

It does open up a plethora of flavors when eaten from a layered design…

In my culinary dictionary, Iceberg lettuce is the worst example of edible greens…it has no flavor, no nutritional value and almost impossible to digest.
Romaine, Butter Crunch, Corn Salad Mix and a host of other greens are much better choices….Romaine being at the top for nutritional value…

Always break/tear the lettuce/greens instead of chopping….the latter cuts off or slows down the release of flavor and nutrients.

Today’s choice….
(*each of these ingredients are a layer-separated by a light layer of your greens)

Romaine…small amount
Asparagus spears,cut on a diagonal
Sweet onion/half moon slices (cauliflower can substitute)
Carrots or kale stalks/cut on a diagonal
Peaches/slices/fresh or canned
Sweet Yellow peppers
Walnuts or pecans…I like the flavor the pecan imparts….

As you layer sprinkle lightly with Sea Salt, fresh ground pepper and  a light dash of your favorite dressing…Poppy-seed is excellent on any salad with fruit.
Also Olive oil with extracts of orange and other flavors are delicious.

Now comes the most important step of having the ultimate salad experience!

Do Not take your fork and mix/toss all these ingredients…use your fork to spear down inside the layers….with each bite you will get a different and distinct taste/flavor….this opens and tantalizes your taste-buds, activates your digestive system to standing at attention….

If possible eat without bread or crackers….if not possible…toasted French bread would be a good flavor match…crispy and good!

All foods have a complimentary companion…get that basic understanding and the kitchen will be more inviting!

Tis the season…design your own culinary favorites and simplify!

 

Easter…..The Real Meaning

Easter

Easter

The best way to understand the real meaning of Easter would be from Jesus, in His three words … the new covenant.

https://www1.cbn.com/devotions/The-Real-Meaning-of-Easter

cross
Most all of us adapt to our current day forms of celebrations…….
Maybe that is OK as long as we don’t forget and fail to teach the real history, how and why the holiday came to be.

My oldest son loved holidays with all the trimmings…so naturally he enjoyed his basket and his little brothers basket! (circa 1966) his brother was a preemie of 5 months…no photo’s until his 6 month check-up.

randy

A master-piece by Bradley and Jack…grandsons..about 2009 I think.

easter
May your Easter Sunday be blessed with love and truth….

A Note From Sage Hills Patriotic Kitchen~

Roll Tide

Roll Tide

There was a time when the dinner table served a dual purpose, one… to feed hungry folks and two, to discuss any and all important issues of the day.
In the south, football and all things pertaining to, certainly qualifies for that spot!
Nothing speaks football in the south better than Tailgating…I’ve heard it said in fact…it is akin to a military exercise!!

I do know these two truths are high on the event calendar.

Alabama has its RV Army, whose troops converge by the thousands on Crimson Tide games. They come with coolers, grills, TV’s enough food for …well, an army! ( I have seen the kitchen table a few times)


Tennessee  has its Volunteer Navy, a fleet of various vessels that collects in equally impressive  numbers around Neyland Stadium…one of only two college football venues accessible by water.

So, there you go folks…gather round the dinner table, give thanks to Almighty God for your freedom to yell…Roll Tide!