DECK THE HOLIDAY'S

Origins of the Straw Bear     In Whittlesea, from when no one quite knows, it was the custom on the Tuesday following Plough Monday (the 1st Monday after Twelfth Night) to dress one of the confraternity of the plough in straw and call him a  "Straw Bear".  A newspaper of 1882 reports that  ..."he was then taken around the town to entertain by his frantic and clumsy gestures, the good folk who had on the previous day subscribed to the rustics, a spread of beer, tobacco and beef".     The bear was described as having great lengths of tightly twisted straw bands prepared and wound up the arms, legs and body of the man or boy who was unfortunate enough to have been chosen. Two sticks fastened to his shoulders met a point over his head and the straw wound around upon them to form a cone above the  "Bear's"  head. The face was quite covered and he could hardly see. A tail was provided and a strong chain fastened around the a...

   The visage of the Jolly Red-Suited man has been around for a long time, and many, many different versions for almost as long. Few icons have represented the Holiday of Christmas quite like the happy-go-lucky Santa Claus (aside, of course, from Jesus, himself) and few have had the impact that the droll elf has had. Over the years, many films and TV specials have been made featuring St. Nick, each portrayed in its own different way. Here are ten of the finest examples of how cool Santa can be. 10. Bill Goldberg (Santa’s Slay)    Bill Goldberg plays the devil’s son, who lost a wager with a angel and was forced to spend 1000 years playing Santa. Now the wager of that time has run out, and Mr. Santa isn’t so joyful anymore. He makes up for lost time and starts to kill people. And really, how incredibly cool does WWE Wrestler Goldberg look as the holiday elf? BAD ASS. 9. Paul Giamatti (Fred Claus)    As Nick Claus, later on the e...

   Behold,  Star Wars  made entirely out of scarecrows. This glorious Halloween lawn paid special attention to each straw-stuffed detail. Check out the Emperor's lightning hands, Han's belt, the glowing lightsabers, and the Death Star. Truly this is the best Halloween lawn on the planet.    These photos were taken by  Jesusshuttlesworth34  — we salute you straw rebels, droids and Jedis! Also, there's no word on the internet as to where this glorious lawn is located. If anyone knows where this masterpiece lives, please let us know! Full size Full size Full size Full size Full size Full size Full size Full size Full size Full size Full size Full size Full size Full size Full size Full size Full size

      This recipe was found at www.saveur.com  .  There's always some great cooking and baking going at this place. Heaven and Hell Cake    Dallas chef Stephan Pyles's rich, multilayered dessert of angel food and devil's food cake, peanut butter mousse, and milk chocolate ganache should be frozen before icing is added and refrigerated before it's sliced. FOR THE GANACHE: 2 lbs. milk chocolate, such as Valrhona, chopped 1 1/2 cups heavy cream FOR THE ANGEL FOOD CAKE: 1 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar 1 cup cake flour 1 1/2 cups egg whites 1 tsp. cream of tartar 1/8 tsp. kosher salt 1 cup sugar 2 tsp. vanilla 1 tsp. almond extract FOR THE DEVIL'S FOOD CAKE: 1/2 cup vegetable shortening, plus more for pan 1 1/2 cups cake flour, plus more for pan 1 tsp. baking soda 3/4 tsp. kosher salt 1/4 tsp. baking powder 1 cup coffee 1/2 cup cocoa powder, sifted 1 1/2 cups sugar 1 tsp. vanilla 2 eggs FOR THE PEANUT BUTTE...

   This buttery brittle features candied orange peel, walnuts, and cashews for a bright twist on toffee. Orange and Nut Toffee ingredients 1 Candied Orange Peel, recipe below, or purchased candied orange peel, coarsely chopped 2/3 cup   coarsely chopped cashews 2/3 cup   coarsely chopped walnuts, toasted 1 cup   butter 1 cup   sugar 3 tablespoons   water 1 tablespoon   light-colored corn syrup directions 1. Prepare candied orange peel, set aside. Line a 13x9x2-inch baking pan with foil, extending the foil over edges of pan. Sprinkle 1/3 cup cashews and 1/3 cup walnuts in pan. Set aside. 2. In a 2-quart heavy saucepan melt butter over low heat. Stir in sugar, water, and corn syrup. Bring to boiling over medium-high heat, stirring until sugar is dissolved. Avoid splashing side of saucepan. Clip a candy thermometer to side of pan. Cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, until thermomete...