"CHRISTMAS" Thread - 1500

[CandyKane]

This is post #600. We still have 900 more posts to go to reach our goal of 1500 posts before Christmas.

[CandyKane]

Another blistering hot day here today. I watched Christmas With The Kranks last night just so I could see the snow.

[Pretjah]

had to watch it's christmas time again charlie brown yesterday.

not sure what i'll put on in the back ground to pass the time at work today!

[CandyKane]

What is Figgy Pudding?

Before you sing, "Now bring us some figgy pudding," it might be helpful to know exactly what you are requesting. Figgy pudding is an English dish similar to bread pudding. Made from figs, bread crumbs, cinnamon, nutmeg, and milk, the pudding is baked, then topped with a scrumptious brandied hard sauce, custard icing, powdered sugar, or whipped cream.

The dish was immortalized in the song We Wish You a Merry Christmas and was served by Mrs. Cratchit in the Charles Dickens classic A Christmas Carol.

[Pretjah]

What is Figgy Pudding?

Before you sing, "Now bring us some figgy pudding," it might be helpful to know exactly what you are requesting. Figgy pudding is an English dish similar to bread pudding. Made from figs, bread crumbs, cinnamon, nutmeg, and milk, the pudding is baked, then topped with a scrumptious brandied hard sauce, custard icing, powdered sugar, or whipped cream.

The dish was immortalized in the song We Wish You a Merry Christmas and was served by Mrs. Cratchit in the Charles Dickens classic A Christmas Carol.

thank you for the informative post....but no thank you for putting that song in my head for me to sing all day now!!!!! B-)

[Pretjah]

"The raising of the "first Christmas tree" by workers at the site of the future Rockefeller Center (New York City), under construction in 1931, establishing this annual tradition which continues more than 75 years later"

[Pretjah]

How Riggers Raise the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree: Live on Scene

Thanksgiving is still two weeks away, but the Christmas season officially began today—at least here in New York City—with the installation of the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree. Problem is, how do you install a monster tree in the middle of a crowded plaza? With about 10 guys, a crane, cables and a little eyeballing.

Bob Gerosa, a third-generation rigger, runs the family business that erects the tree each year. He told PM that this year's tree weighs approximately 13,000 pounds (about 8 tons). That's actually light for a Rockefeller tree—two years ago the tree weighed about 36,000 pounds, and the average is about 20,000. A different family each year supplies the tree; this year's 72-foot-tall Norway spruce came from the Varanyak family in western New Jersey. Once the tree was shipped to Rockefeller Center, it was time for Gerosa's team to get going.

The team used a crane with a 142-foot boom to raise this year's tree. Workers attached two cables—the main load line, designed to carry most of the weight, went on the top of the tree. A lesser cable went on the bottom. Gerosa said the crane operator uses those two cables to raise the tree horizontally. The main load line then brings up the top until the tree stands upright. Riggers like to have plenty of room for error—Gerosa said that the crane, with a 142-foot boom and a 45-foot radius from the tree's center of gravity, could hoist more than twice the spruce's weight.

When the trunk was secured in the metal stand, Gerosa's crew disconnected the bottom cable but left the top—"You always keep the crane hooked up for safety," he said. At that point, it's time to straighten the tree and secure the top. Workers up in the top limbs of the tree—including Gerosa's son—attach one end of the anchoring cables. Gerosa himself doesn't usually go up there, but he said it's not so bad. "There's plenty of branches to stand on," he said. "It's like when you were a kid." The situation gets more precarious with wind or bad weather, he said, but today the crew was fortunate to have clear skies and little breeze.

Once one end of the anchoring cables was secured to the tree, the riggers ran them to four anchoring points—two on 30 Rock (the GE building) and two on the far side of Rockefeller Center's famous ice skating rink. Gerosa said his guys then adjusted the tension wherever needed to make the tree stand straight—"They eyeball it and try to make it look nice." Then, finally, they were able to disconnect the main crane cable.

That's it for Gerosa's team. Now that the tree's in place, another company comes in to set up scaffolding and decorate it

[Pretjah]

What are the qualifications for a tree to be considered for Rockefeller Center?

The minimum requirements are that the tree be 65 feet tall and 35 feet wide.

[Pretjah]

Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree - The Unofficial National Tree

Rock Center Always Has a Norway Spruce:
The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree is nearly always a Norway spruce. This Norwegian tree is not native to the United States and will not be found naturally in any North American forest. It is usually planted as an ornamental. Tree growers send in tree photos with hope that their tree might be selected. The Rockefeller Center Gardens manager is always looking for the perfect tree. The top annual selections are flown over, critically inspected and the best tree picked.
The Largest Cut Christmas Tree Display in the World:
The desired dimension for a Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree is a minimum of 65 feet tall and 35 feet wide. A tree smaller than that will only be considered as a future candidate. Trees from 75 to 90 feet tall are the preferred size and the tree is usually older than 50 years. After the tree is cut, the head gardener for Rockefeller Center counts the stump rings to get a more accurate measure of its age. A Norway spruce typically lives about as long as a human, from 80 to 100 years.
Interesting Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Facts:
# The farthest distance a tree has ever traveled was approximately 518 miles - from Ottawa, Canada.
# The tree travels in the middle of the night with a police escort on a carefully planned route so traffic is disrupted as little as possible.
# The first nationally televised Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree lighting was in 1951 on the "Kate Smith Show".
# It takes two dozen electricians on scaffolding to decorate the branches with 30,000 lights attached to five miles of wire.
The Rockefeller Center Tree Tradition:
The tradition of the tree began in the Great Depression during the construction of the Rockefeller Center complex in 1931. The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree tradition formally began in 1933 when a tree, strung with 700 lights, was placed in front of the old RCA Building, now the GE Building. A Rockefeller Plaza outdoor ice skating pond was added in 1936. NBC-TV first televised the tree lighting in 1951 and as part of the nationwide "Howdy Doody" television show from 1953-55.

[Noel+]

Pretjah, Thanks for posting this historical information. We do have a section for traditions as well. Christmas has a rich history!

[Noel+]

We tried a new variation of a gingerbread cookie recipee last night -- not so good! Christmas time we'll be using our old recipe!

[Noel+]

Our mailbox was vandalized -- as well as all our neighbors -- so I haven't received my Christmas orders from QVC yet. I'm thinking they were stolen ......

[Noel+]

We decided to watch a Charlie Brown Christmas tonight! YAY!

[CandyKane]

Pretjah--Thanks so much for the Rockefeller tree information. I loved it, especially the old pic of raising the first Christmas tree. Doesn't look very Christmasy by today's standards, does it?? lol

[CandyKane]

Our mailbox was vandalized -- as well as all our neighbors -- so I haven't received my Christmas orders from QVC yet. I'm thinking they were stolen ......

Oh Noel---I praying some horrible grinch didn't steal your Christmas.

[Noel+]

Thanks CandyKane!

I called QVC: policy is wait 13 days and if not received they replace it!!!!!!!!!
Now they have the Santa spirit!

[Pretjah]

noel - glad to hear it!

[Mrs.Claus]

Noel - QVC sounds like they understand the spirit of Christmas - really hoping they weren't stolen though.

Hubby had an extra long holiday (Civic) weekend - he had to go back to work today.

On Monday we did our one-on-one dates with our girls (well at least we each went out with one girl - need to switch it next time). Hubby took the oldest to go see Charlie St. Cloud and they both really liked it. I took the youngest (who just turned nine and has super long and strong fingernails like her mom) to get a manicure and learn about taking care of her fingernails. The lady was great, even telling her that it's not that good of idea to polish her nails all the time and that manicures are really a treat, even for mom. She also told her about filing her nails and how often. It was a good experience, especially because she heard it from a "professional" rather than her mom. Next date I take the oldest and we're getting pedicures - hubby takes the youngest who wants to see the new Cats & Dogs movie.

[Pretjah]

sounds like a fun time!!!!

[ksrjreed]

Getting ready to go to Toledo this weekend for the State of Ohio Challenger League Tournament, for anyone who may not know Challenger League is a non-competitive baseball league for special needs children and they have a blast with it. Also received news that our insurance is going to pay for a special needs stroller for my son, getting Christmas blessings well before the big day.