Happy Day Before the Day!

I'm sure you have some really silly traditions in your ends of the world as well...

This one dates back hundreds of years. to when Sweden was a very poor farm country. They baked in September or October, and then kept the bread over winter. You can imagine how stale it would be around this time of year... So for Christmas Eve (which is when we've always celebrated here), the farm mistress would roast a ham for the big dinner. The fat from it she would cook with spices in a huge pot, and people would dip their bread in the pot to make it less stale.

http://www.tasteline.com/document/files/jul03_doppigrytan_222.jpg

This was something to look forward to, especially for the old people, who wouldn't risk losing the last remaining tooth by biting the stale bread! So Christmas Eve became Dipping Day. 23rd became Day Before Dipping Day, and we also talk about the Day before the Day... Now, most people have forgotten, but the expression Day Before the Day remains. And some people still serve this, but I hope their bread isn't quite that old...

So, a very Happy Day Before the Day, everyone!

 

Interesting Solange....i love hearing traditional stories from around the globe, such as this one.
In Oz, our traditions and celebration periods were mostly based along the lines of English traditions, in that we celebrate on the 25th (christmas day).
Ham, Roast beef and christmas pudding being the traditional meals and all presents were not to be opened by kids and adults alike, before this day!

Christmas eve is traditionally a 'preperation period' for the big day ahead, which includes (or at least used to) lots of baking and cooking, singing christmas carols etc, followed by lots of drinking (or visa versa)

My first guess was that the term 'Day before the Day' was to mean christmas eve, but its actually not!

Sometimes i think its quite sad to see many of the older traditions fall by the wayside, such as baking bread etc
I guess in these fast modern times...its easier to go to 'Safeways' or 'Seven-Eleven'

Regards...

 

Actually...

This is today's effort! Sorry about the crappy quality of the photos, my phone is crap on closeups... I promise, the taste quality does not suffer!

Ginger cookies, Swedish tradition:

http://members.chello.se/solange/show/Cookies.jpg

And my saffron loaf, sweet, with raisins and almond paste inside! Yum!

http://members.chello.se/solange/show/Cake.jpg

It is supposed to me made in to Lussekatter, but I prefer the loaf!

http://www.sweden4rus.nu/img/info/prazdniki/lucia/lussekatter.gif

So even in this day, people bake... I used to bake my own bread, but the financial gain was not in proportion to the time it took. But I know it tasted better and it was healthier... At least I bake my own Christmas deliciousies!

 

The photo was taken in Portland Airport Friday morning. Finally got here safe...flew over Liverpool and waved to Halo (but you were still in bed); then flew over B'ham and waved to Matt and finally onto Goldie's house for a low-level wave on landing.

Have a great Christmas

 

Thanks Note the MG hoodie gave advertizing for 6,000 miles. I got here and my son instantly "borrowed" it from me lol.

Traditions here are my mother's mince pies........infamous melt-in-your-mouth pastry...awesome! (Sorry Solange..didn't mean to wander off topic..not thinking straight with jet-lag).

 

Yummy, Solange . . . I LOVE ginger cookies . . . and they look good in your photo. Eat one for me!

I hope you and yours and all Geeks everywhere have a wonderful Christmas and New Year. God bless us, every one!

 

Very interesting post, and yummy looking stuff
I too think that its neat to hear about old traditions.
Unfortunately like many others, I wasnt raised with much tradition except spend money on others. I suppose the giving point is there, but I think too many people these days have missed out on tradition. Its nice to read and hear that people still do follow tradition. nice post
Jaza

 

I still do most of the traditions we did in the U.K. Christmas Eve is the food preparation day, Christmas day we eat, drink and get 'merry'. Now Boxing Day, we do all the 'catching up' with other friends and relative and try and make a dent in all the surplus food goodies. And of course, catch up with my online friends.

 

you look beautiful any time of year,happy christmas