Last day under the tree

Our little stuffed Christmas moose (his label says that his name is Moosletoe) is hanging out under the tree this year. Today's his last day out before he goes into hibernation for another year, along with all the other holiday decorations. My tradition is to put Christmas away on New Year's Day. I think that started because NYD was often the last day off before going back to work. And, by NYD, a cut tree is dropping needles like crazy.

The Santa candle was a gift, the stuffed bird and fabric wreath ornaments were made by my stepmother, many, many years ago.

I don't have the cut tree problem any more, but I still want things put away on the first of the year. Fresh start, and all that.
More likely: old habits die hard.

Champignon

Just a little wild mushroom in the grass. They liked the damp, warm days we had in the late fall and I noticed many different varieties sprouting in all the usual places.

The grasses around us have gone from summer brown to winter green. And the winter wheat has sprouted in the fields.

We've started gaining minutes of daylight, although it's not at all perceptible yet. But in a couple of weeks we should start noticing it staying light a little later, and getting lighter a little earlier in the morning. Unless it's cloudy. Saturday was overcast and it felt dark all day. The holiday lights make things a little more bright, but they'll be coming down on New Year's Day.

Cerfeuil

This is cerfeuil (chervil) growing in a little bed on the western side of the house. I've been planting chervil seeds here for a couple of years now with mixed results. The spring crop has been good, and we use some, but then it goes to seed quickly and doesn't come back. It's a delicate herb and doesn't like hot weather.

Sprouts of chervil coming up among fall's leaf litter.

Well, last year the seed crop was abundant, and this fall I noticed these seedlings coming up all on their own. They're still there, so I'm hopeful that we'll have a good early crop over the next months. Chervil is a tasty herb with a light anise taste. It's good in salads and with chicken dishes, and would probably be a great addition to some Asian dishes, too. I'm hopeful that it's established itself and will self-perpetuate in this bed.

How it spreads

Mistletoe is a widespread parasite in our part of France. It's certainly present in our yard, seriously infecting two of our apple trees. Both of them are on their last legs, with more gui (mistletoe) than actual leaves in their branches.

A couple of mistletoe berries fell from the plant above and were caught in the crotch of this tree.

Mistletoe produces these white berries, and birds feed on them. When the bird poops, the seeds are often deposited on another branch and take root. Mistletoe thrives in apple, hawthorn, and poplar trees in our area. It's nearly impossible to get rid of, unless caught very early.

The old fashioned way

In the spring, when all the grape vine pruning has been done, the growers will fasten the single remaining cane of each vine to the guide wires. They normally use metal fasteners that are applied with an electric stapler-like tool. But, here and there, you see some string.

Whatever was tied with this piece of string is gone now.

I'm thinking that the string is used during the growing season to tie up a wayward stem that didn't get fastened in the early spring. It's just a guess.

Bûche de Noël

I haven't made one of these in many years. The bûche (yule log) is a traditional French Christmas dessert. It's a jelly roll/sponge cake, usually filled and frosted with chocolate buttercream, made to resemble a log. The bûches from a supermarket or bakery are much less rustic looking than mine and often pretty fancy, and they come in a variety of flavors.

My bûche de Noël, before we ate some.

This one is pretty simple, and kind of a mess, but it was tasty. I cut off one of the ends and stuck it on top to look like a branch, something that is typically done. The frosting was applied with a brush so that it looks like bark. I also sprinkled powdered sugar on top to suggest snow. Many recipes say to make little mushrooms with meringue, or use colorful marzipan to make leaves or other decorative shapes. Sometimes little candy (or plastic) figurines of Santa and reindeer are placed on top. The possibilities are endless!

Happy Christmas

Well, here we are. Puppy Claus has come and gone and left tasty morsels for dogs and kitty cats. And for us. We shall be enjoying a roast beast with all the trimmings.

A favorite wooden tree ornament.

Here's hoping that however you celebrate the end of the year, that you can do it in style with those you love.