Thursday, December 1, 2016

The Great Log!


Christmas in America is made up of many holiday customs from foreign countries.  Bringing in the Yule is one of these customs.

The Yule log, Yule clog, or Christmas block is a log specially selected to be burned on a hearth as a Christmas tradition in a number of countries in Europe.   The origin of the folk custom is unclear.    Numerous scholars have observed that, like other traditions associated with Yule, such as the Yule boar, the custom may ultimately derive from Germanic paganism holiday customs from foreign countries.

In olden times, everyone had a fireplace.  It was the only source of heat.  At Christmas time it was the custom to bring in a "great log"...larger than any that would be burned during the year.  In the far north, the Scandanavian peninsula, the Christmas season was also known as the Yuletide, and, the great log burned for days.


Early colonists brought the custom to this country.  And, while the log burned, nobody worked...I don't know-can we get away with that today?  Sometimes the log would burn for about 12 days!  I guess that's why they would cut from the largest tree they could find in the forest!

But, just before the log would burn entirely away, the fire was put out, and the remainder of the log was saved for the next Yuletide.

I think we all feel warmth and joy from a lively, crackling fireplace.  They say a blazing hearth is the sign of a happy home.

Do outdoor fireplaces count?  I love to sit outside when it's cool weather and bask in the warmth of this little fireplace.   A nice hot cup of java, and my radio humming the old classic rock tunes is quite a treat.

~photo by Suzanne

Thank you so much for coming by today, on this first day of  December.  I'm already busy here at the KardKorner with plenty of Christmas projects.  I helped my mother compile a booklet of Christmas customs, including Christmas carols, for her Christmas party with the seniors at her church.  They will have a pianist playing the Christmas carols, and are inviting members from another church to join in on the fellowship.  It promises to be a wonderful program!

***
Here is my cute little mom, and my sister, Leta, on a recent trip we made to Branson, Missouri.  Mom turned 90 years old in July, and is still very active in her life.
~photo by Suzanne * November 16, 2016
Branson, Missouri


***  If you have the time, please step in (you don't have to knock), and say hello!  And, come back anytime!  

Thank you to:
wikipedia
google
yahoo images

Some of the information on the Yule log came from an old booklet that mom acquired in the late 1950's, and still has today. 

Have a safe and Happy December!  Be kind, laugh, and love!  
See you soon, my dear readers!♥ 



"There are those who give with joy, and that joy is their reward."
~Kahlil Gibran




10 comments:

  1. Hi, Suzanne!

    Even though it is still hot in Florida and we have no use for a fireplace just yet, this post gave me a warm and fuzzy feeling.

    I appreciated these vintage illustrations showing folks bringing in the Yule log and I enjoyed reading about the tradition. It's true. A fireplace with a roaring blaze is synonymous with a happy family. My mother was one of four sisters. Each of the sisters had children. One of my aunts had a farm and she and my uncle lived in a big old farmhouse with a large fireplace in the living room. When the whole gang gathered there for holiday celebrations there was always a huge log burning. The fireplace drew everyone together in happiness and laughter. I miss those years more than I can say. The house I grew up in also had a nice fireplace located in the basement game room. It was so much fun when my dad put me in charge of keeping the fire going on cold winter nights. I can still hear those logs sizzling and popping and feel the radiant heat penetrating my skin all the way to the heart. Of course, the Shady Dell was my home away from home, and John Ettline tended the fire in the barn dance hall. I can still picture big John wielding 50 pound logs and tossing them onto the fire. The Dell also had an outdoor fireplace next to the auxiliary dance terrace. On chilly autumn evenings after the sun went down, rats gathered around that fireplace drinking hot beverages from the snack bar and chatting, sometimes until the wee hours of the morning.

    Your mother looks terrific, Suzanne. Your sister does, too. I'm so glad you had a chance to visit them recently. Thank you for making use of that old booklet printed in the late 50s to bring us this cheery post.

    Have a nice Friday and a safe and happy weekend, dear friend Suzanne!

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    1. Growing up in an old home, we had a fireplace in the living room, and also one in the basement. Like you said Shady, what fun it was to help with keeping the fire going on cold nights. And, what fun it had to be at the Shady Dell, hanging around the fireplace with friends, hot drinks and good music! Mr. Ettline was the best, wasn't he!
      I don't have a fireplace in my home, but, will do some renovations this coming year, and, will include an electric fireplace at least! There are some that have an original appearance, and they are cleaner, lol!

      It is very interesting to read about and learn some of the customs from days gone by, in other countries. I really enjoyed going through the little book my mom has, and will probably post a few more of the stories throughout the month.

      Thank you Shady, for stopping in to see me. It's been a busy few days now, and, my son is helping me with some decorations. Funny what you can get done when you don't work, lol!

      Take care, I'm sending cool breeze wishes your way, we have plenty here to hold us over! See you soon, dear friend! ♫

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  2. Oh wow! Happy Birthday to your Mom ~xox ~ love the owl ` sweet!

    Wishing you fun in your weekend ~ ^_^

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    1. Hi Carol, and, welcome! Thank you so much for coming by and for the Birthday wishes to my Mom. She's glad to be 90 years old, and still gets around good. Again, thank you, and have a great weekend!

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  3. Hello, I would enjoy the outdoor fireplace. I can not imagine burning one log for days. Happy Birthday to your Mom. Love the cute owl at the end. Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Happy Saturday, enjoy your weekend!

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    1. Hi Eileen, the outdoor fireplace is really fun. I get to listen to the birds sing, and, the squirrels complain, haha! I had hoped my link would go through to your blog this time.

      Thank you for the Birthday wishes to my Mom, and, have a great Birthday weekend yourself!

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  4. Hello Suzanne, I came to visit from Carol's blog above - nice to meet you and belated happy birthday to your Mother, I hope I look that good when I am 90!
    Wren x

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    1. Good Morning Wren. Welcome to KardKornerKrib. Nice to meet you also, and, thank you for the Birthday wishes to my Mother. She looks so cute to me, and I hope to look that good at her age also. Thank you for stopping by, and have a great day!

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  5. Hi there Suzanne, really nice to read this post - as always, lots of things new to me. I love your outdoor fire place, compact, and you've a good surround for it too.
    Your Mother is wonderful and not at looking her age. I always attribute that to someone having a kind and caring nature.
    Well, our Summer heat is starting up now and so it goes.
    Keep warm over your way and with many good wishes I'll say cheerio for now :D)

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    1. Hello Sue. It's hard to imagine you're heading into the summer now, with our temperature at 19°. My little outdoor fireplace is nice on cool evenings. It is so cold today, but, I'm not against putting extra scarves and socks on to enjoy it!

      My mother does have a kind nature! She is so active, teaches knitting, helps organize church activities, and also helps package the meals that are delivered to needy and older citizens who can't get out or fix for themselves. And, she's a laugh a minute!

      Thank you so much for stopping by and leaving a comment. Have a Merry Christmas, Sue! ooxx

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