The Holly and the Ivy - for Harp and Ukulele

One of my favorite Christmas carols, The Holly and the Ivy is arranged here for harp and ukulele.  It runs about 1 minute.

Pictures in Video -

1 - Window with Ivy Tendrils, German stained glass, circa 1819
2 - Heigh Ho Holly, book illustration by Walter Crane, 1900
3 - Battle for Wesnoth, elvish style digital portrait, 2011
4 - Holly, book illustration by Laura Coombs Hills, 1890
5 - Pia de Tolomei, detail of painting by Dante Gabriel Rossetti, circa 1870
6 - Janvier, print from calendar by Samuel Grasset, 1896
7 - Scribner's for Xmas, poster print by Louis Rhead, 1895
8 - Harper's Bazar Xmas 1894, magazine cover, 1894
9 - Winter, book illustration by Florence E. Dudgeon, 1800s

How Shall I Fitly Meet Thee - for Harp

Here's another Bach chorale for the Christmas season. "How Shall I Fitly Meet Thee" is from the Christmas Oratorio, and it runs about 2 minutes.

Pictures in Video -

(A European collection of sacred art--for a more ethnically diverse set, see my "What Child Is This?" video.)

1 - border from The Nativity of Our Lord, book illumination by Alfred Trevor Crispin, 1873
2 - The Angels Approaching the Shepherds, book illumination by Alfred Trevor Crispin, 1873
3 - The Adoration of the Magi, book illumination by Alfred Trevor Crispin, 1873
4 - The Nativity of Our Lord, book illumination by Alfred Trevor Crispin, 1873
5 - The Adoration of the Shepherds, book illumination by Alfred Trevor Crispin, 1873
6 - The Annunciation to the Shepherds, illumination by Willem Vrelent, circa 1460
7 - Nativity with Harps, post card from Germany, 1907
8 - The Adoration of the Shepherds, painting by Gerard van Honthorst, 1622
9 - The Birth of Jesus Christ, book illumination by Alfred Trevor Crispin, 1873

Jesu, Joy of My Desiring - for Harp

Joyous Holidays! Here's a harp arrangement of one of my favorites. Once again, I have taken the liberty of changing a word in the title. While "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring" is the popular English name, the original hymn's title from 1661 was "Jesu, Meiner Seelen Wonne," which translates to "Jesus, Bliss of My Soul." This arrangement is of J.S. Bach's chorale setting from a cantata written in 1723, and it runs about 3 minutes.

Pictures in Video -

(A European collection of images of Jesus--for a more ethnically diverse set, see my "What Child Is This?" video.)

1 - Joseph Sleeps Through the Nativity, book illumination, anonymous, circa 1330
2 - Madonna of the Small Trees, detail of painting by Giovanni Bellini, 1487
3 - The Adoration of the Shepherds, painting by Gerard van Honthorst, circa 1650
4 - The Adoration of the Magi, bas-relief drawing by John Flaxman, circa 1794
5 - The Rest on the Flight into Egypt, detail of painting by Pompeo Batoni, 1758
6 - The Triumph of the Innocents, detail of a painting by William Holman Hunt, circa 1890
7 - The Finding of the Savior in the Temple, painting by William Holman Hunt, circa 1854
8 - The Baptism of Christ, painting by Jose Ferraz de Almeida Junior, 1895
9 - The Sermon on the Mount, painting by Carl Bloch, 1890
10 - Address to Saint Philip, painting by James Tissot, circa 1890
11 - Casting Out Money Changers, painting by Carl Bloch, circa 1860
12 - The Shadow of Death, detail of a painting by William Holman Hunt, circa 1870
13 - Christ Taking Leave of His Mother, painting by El Greco, circa 1595
14 - Christ's Appearance to Mary Magdalene After the Reserrection, painting by Alexander Ivanov, 1835
15 - The Doubting of Saint Thomas, painting by Matthias Stom, circa 1645
16 - Christ and the Two Marys, painting by William Holman Hunt, 1847
17 - Head of Christ, painting by Rembrandt, circa 1648
18 - The Gospel of our Lord, Jesus Christ according to Saint Peter, book cover illustration by Carlos Schwabe, 1895

We Wish You a Merry Christmas for Harp & Ukulele

Merry Christmas, everybody!  Here's a favorite carol of the season, arranged for ukulele and harp by my friend, Mary Roman and myself. A minute and a half of fun.

Pictures in Video -

1 - Christmas Card by Jenny Nystrom, Norway, circa 1900
2 - A Christmas Carol, newspaper illustration, Allentown, PA, 1900
3 - Christmas Eve, chromolithography print published by J. Hoover, 1880
4 - Frohliche Weihnachten, post card, Germany, 1906
5 - Frohliche Weihnachten, post card, Germany, 1906
6 - Buon Natale, post card, Italy, 1913
7 - Now Is a Goodly Feast Outspread, book illustration by Eliza F. Manning, London, 1894
8 - The Coming of Father Christmas, book illustration by Eliza F. Manning, London, 1894

Coventry Carol for Harp & Ukulele

This haunting lullaby was part of the nativity plays performed in Coventry, England by the city's guilds for centuries.  The melody goes at least back to 1591 when it was written down with the words to be sung by three mothers of Bethlehem.  Arranged for ukulele and harp by my friend, Mary Roman and myself, this is about 2 minutes of lutey-harpy poignant lullaby.

Pictures in Video -

1 - Nativity Scene, woodcut print by Lucille Oille, 1945 presumably
2 - When Life Is Young, by Mary Elizabeth Mapes Dodge, book illustration, 1894
3 - Armenian, book illustration by Franz Burger, 1897
4 - Scene in the Jewish Quarter of Constantine, painting by Theodore Chasseriau, 1851
5 - Centuries of Oppression, Persecution, and Ruin, book illustration, 1899
6 - A Flood, painting by John Millais, 1870
7 - The Young Mother, painting detail by Gerrit Dou, 1658
8 - At the Cradle, painting by Albert Neuhuys, before 1914
9 - Ix Voto, votive painting from Pfarrkirch Maria Geburt, Germany, 1767
10 - Ex Voto Gott Sie Dank, votive painting from Pfarrkirch Maria Geburt, Germany, 1867

Yuletide Blessings - for Harp

 

This is the first-ever holiday carol composed by me! Instead of singing it (lol), I have arranged it for harp. Hope you enjoy it (about 2 minutes long).

Pictures in Video -

1 - Postcard by Ellen H. Clapsaddle, New York, 1907
2 - Bringing Home the Yule Log, greeting card, London, circa 1900
3 - Bringing Home the Yule Log in Catland, book illustration by Louis Wain, London, 1910
4 - Bringing in the Yule Log, book illustration, London, 1856
5 - Yule Logs, book cover, George Alfred Henley, London, 1898
6 - Inglenook, textbook illustration, Foresman, Chicago
7 - A Stitch in Time, Victorian trade card
8 - Time for Porridge, watercolor card by Jenny Nystrom, Sweden, pre-1947
9 - Around the Yule Log, book cover, William Boyd Allen, Boston, 1898
10 - The Circle of Love, book illustration by Eliza F. Manning, London, 1894
11 - With Kind Regards, greeting card, Germany, 1915
12 - The Great Bell, book illustration by Sarah Hutchins, Philadelphia, 1890
13 - Christmas bell, magazine illustration, Germany, 1892
14 - May Your Christmas Be Happy, postcard, US, 1910

Silent Night - for Ukulele & Harp

 

Here's another carol arranged collaboratively by my ukulele-friend, Mary, and me. It's a tinkly-pretty uke & harp version of Silent Night, and it runs just over 2 minutes.

Pictures in Video -

1 - Christmas postcard, Italy, 1940
2 - Merry Christmas, postcard, Germany, 1902
3 - Nativity postcard, Norway, 1912
4 - Merry Christmas, postcard, Germany, 1908
5 - A Warm Christmas Greeting, postcard, Germany, 1917
6 - Merry Christmas, postcard, Germany, 1904
7 - Winter, postcard by Gino Salviatti, Italy, 1948
8 - Christmas postcard, Norway, 1909
9 - The Head of the Herd, postcard by Harry Payne, 1909
10 - Christmas Wishes, postcard, circa 1905
11 - A Merry Christmas, postcard, Russia, circa 1908
12 - Merry Christmas, postcard, Germany, 1913
13 - Merry Christmas, postcard, Norway, 1892
14 - Wishing You a Joyful Christmas, postcard, circa 1905
15 - Merry Christmas, postcard, Germany, 1909
16 - Best Christmas Wishes, Christmas card, North Carolina, date unkn.
17 - Merry Christmas, Christmas card by Jenny Nystrom, Norway, circa 1910
18 - Merry Christmas, postcard, Italy, 1940

What Child Is This - for Ukulele & Harp

 

This year, my ukulele-playing friend, Mary, and I have been arranging Christmas music for baritone uke and harp.  Our first was What Child Is This, to the tune of Greensleeves, and it has a great, lutey, stringy sound.  It runs about 2 minutes.

Pictures in Video -

1 - Virgin Mary of Hoshiv, copy of icon, Ukraine
2 - Adoration of the Shepherds, a 1905 copy of an anonymous 15th century painting, Siena, Italy, circa 1450
3 - The Star of Bethlehem, watercolor by Edward Burne Jones, England, circa 1885
4 - Nativity, fresco by Sandro Botticelli, Italy, circa 1476
5 - Adoration of the Christ Child by the Shepherds, engraving by Johannes Bourgois, Belgium, circa 1600
6 - Illumination from the Trivulzio Book of Hours, Belgium, circa 1470
7 - Adoration of the Shepherds, painting by Gerard van Honthorst, Netherlands, circa 1622
8 - Adoration of the Shepherds, painting by Josefa de Obidos, Portugal, 1669
9 - Black Madonna of Czestochowa, tapestry in Phillipines church
10 - Mystical Nativity, painting by Sandro Botticelli, Italy, 1500
11 - Scene from the Life of Jesus, fresco by Johannes Zick, Germany, 1746
12 - The Virgin with Angels, painting by William Adolph Bourguereau, France, 1900
13 - St. Francis and St. Clare of Assisi in Adoration, painting by Josefa de Obidos, Portugal, 1647
 

Pachelbel's Canon in D for Christmas

Here's my latest holiday musical arrangement.  It's Pachelbel's Canon for harp plus some chamber instruments.  Enjoy!  The video is about 3 minutes long.

The Corrected Whimsical Witch-Hat and Elfitude Patterns

Well this is embarrassing.

I have replaced the Whimsical Witch-Hat and Elfitude patterns with corrected versions.  The crochet hook I used for developing the patterns was a brand-new one with the wrong size indicated on the molded label and on the printed package.  To make these hats, please use US size L, or 8 mm.  If you have a Boye hook that says 'N', it might be incorrect like mine, and it will work fine.  The best bet is to measure your hook with a caliper to get the millimeters.  And always make a gauge swatch. 

Thank you for your patience!

Homespun Holiday Garland

I love this little gingerbread-man garland!  It was made of calico by a very talented crafter in San Antonio.  I think it would also make a nice bunch separately--arranged in a basket, perched on Christmas tree branches, or handed to a child to play with in anticpation of the big day.

Each figure is about 6 inches high.  All you have to do is use a large gingerbread man cookie cutter as a pattern, trace around it on some calico prints, stitch together, stuff, and join hands.

Spiced Pecans

If you're looking for a holiday snack that's not sugary or eggy, this is for you.  Thanks to my dear friend, Kay, for sharing her recipe.

SPICED PECANS

1-1/2 lb. pecan halves

1/2 cup butter, melted

1-1/2 tsp. soy sauce

1-1/8 tsp. salt

3/4 tsp. Tabasco sauce (or more)

Preheat oven to 300 deg. F.

Combine all ingredients in a large metal pan, like a lasagna or jelly roll pan.  Stir well to coat the pecans, and spread them evenly in the pan.

Bake for 20 minutes, stirring twice.  Remove from oven and scoop the pecans out onto paper towels.

When completely cool, store in an airtight container.

Elfitude

This fast, easy hat has a looped-over point and a puffy doughnut brim. Crank a few out in red and green, but don’t stop there--how about midnight blue or chartreuse or hot pink? This Christmas, show your true Elfitude!

UPDATE:  To make this hat, please use US size L / 8 mm--or the hook that gives you the correct gauge.  I have replaced the downloadable file with a corrected version.

Skill Level   Easy

Yarn
183-201 yds / 168-184m worsted weight acrylic, wool, or blend in 3 colors

Schematic diagram included.

A free .pdf of this pattern is available as a download from Ravelry.

download now

Check out the Loopy Leprechaun Hat, a variation of Elfitude.

I Love Tasha Tudor

Ever since I was a little girl, I have known about Tasha Tudor.  Back then, I knew her as a beloved children's book illustrator and author.  When my daughter was born, I carried on the tradition my mother started, by reading her wonderful books to my child.  But wait, there's more!

This incredible woman has also become famous for her lifestyle.  Up until her death in 2008, she lived a beautiful life, set in rural Vermont--in a house hand-built by her son, and following her favorite 19th-century homesteading practices.  She was an avid gardener, cook, spinner, weaver, knitter, candle-maker, and more, in addition to producing her charming artwork.

You can learn all about her in these gorgeous books:

The Private World of Tasha Tudor

by Tasha Tudor, Richard Brown

(photo above) 

Tasha Tudor's Heirloom Crafts

by Tovah Martin, Richard Brown

Tasha Tudor's Garden

by Tovah Martin, Richard Brown

 Forever Christmas

by Harry Davis, Tasha Tudor illus. 

 

Absinthia Returns, Part 1

Shopping mall in Toronto, 2008  (photo by Benson Kua)

Living a Simple Life

My Swedish friend, Absinthia, has kindly agreed to have another conversation with me for this blog.  In 2011, we posted an 8-part series of emails, starting here.  The current series is about living a simple life, and I think you'll enjoy her perspective.

Dear Absinthia,

I have been thinking about you a lot, lately, and I hope we can have another conversation--this time about simple, basic living. As humans, we must start making the transition. Global warming is happening faster than we expected, and we’ve just got to take swift, major steps to correct the way we are living on this Earth.

- amanda

Hello!

I wanted to think if I have something to say and share about simple living, and I think I do :-) We have been living a small simple life for some years now so I have learned quite a lot, remembered lessons my granny and grandfather taught me, read some, heard some, realised some and thought some too ;-)

I am now a teacher fiber crafts, and I also do commission work.  It may sound strange, but I am much happier and feel physically much better now, even though we have approximately a third as much money as we did before.

I hear and read that many people think that Christmas is a very stressful time. I think that may be because they are focused on the material stuff “Buying, buying, buying!!!” instead of making an experience “let´s have a lovely holiday together: read, tumble around in the snow, and drink hot cocoa!”

And this is the core of the climate-disaster in the making, don´t you think? If we stop the “buying, buying, buying,” then the big businesses cannot enslave the poor countries into child labour, and then the international traders will no longer get rich from all those poisonous mass-producing industries that contaminate the water and the earth, and all the cheap stuff will no longer be transported hence and forth, bought by us and then hardly get any use before we exchange it with some new cheap bad-quality stuff, and then get thrown away at the junk heaps everywhere.

We have completely stopped buying Christmas gifts. We buy trees in an agroforestry-project and send their gift-cards as Christmas cards :-) It saves the earth and gives the growers and their families a way to support themselves. I am happy to have found such a nice project to support. We have supported them for more than 10 years now :-D

- Absinthia

The conversation is continued here:

  Absinthia Returns, Part 2.

Merry Mincemas!

Here's this year's mince pie, with a new-and-improved top crust using a holly leaf cookie cutter and my mother's edge-crimping technique.  Yum.  Click here for the recipe.

Stir-Fried Spinach

This is an easy veggie for a holiday meal. Grinding the sesame seeds is optional, but it does make the seeds' nutrients more accessible when eaten.

STIR-FRIED SPINACH

spinach leaves, well-washed
olive oil
sesame seeds
salt

(use amounts needed for your guests)

Using a mortar and pestle, lightly grind the sesame seeds (about 1/2 tsp. per serving).

In a large skillet, heat the olive oil (about 1/2 tsp. per serving) on med-low heat. Add the spinach and sesame seeds, and shake in some salt. Stir-fry until the spinach wilts a bit.

Serve immediately.

Vegetarian Mince Pie

There's no mincemeat in this pie! It's basically a highly spiced pear and raisin pie, which tastes great with whipped cream or ice cream.

Here's what a friend of mine has to say about mincemeat pie:

"We always had mincemeat pie at Christmas, but my father sort of spoiled it by telling me that mince were fuzzy little critters that lived in burrows along streams. Although Mother indignantly denied that, I was a little less fond of the pie for awhile."

MINCE PIE

1-1/2 lb. ripe pears (about 3 med.) peeled, cored, & diced
6 oz. raisins
2 oz. sweetened dried cranberries (or golden raisins, etc.)
1/4 cup chopped pecans
1-3/4 cups sugar
1 Tbsp. flour (as a thickener)
3 Tbsp. cider vinegar
1/4 tsp. salt
3/4 tsp. gr. cinnamon
3/4 tsp. gr. allspice
3/4 tsp. gr. nutmeg
3/4 tsp. gr. cloves

2 unbaked pie crusts, 10” circles
--------
In a large pot, bring all filling ingredients to a boil, stirring often. Reduce heat to medium, and cook for 25 - 30 minutes, or until pears have released their juice and the liquid has cooked down a bit and thickened, continuing to stir frequently throughout. Remove from heat and cool while preparing the crusts.

Preheat oven to 350 deg. F.

Place one pie crust in the bottom of a deep dish pie pan. Do not trim edges. Use a cookie cutter to make a decorative pattern in the central 6” of the top pie crust dough.

Pour the filling into the lower crust in the pie pan. Carefully place the top crust over the filling and fold edges under. Pinch the upper and lower crusts together around the edge of the pan, and fold inward if needed.

Bake until crust is golden, about 40 minutes. Let cool to room temperature and serve with whipped cream or ice cream.

Makes 1 pie

* Note: you can use underripe pears, and they will taste fine. But the filling must be cooked longer to release the fruit’s juice, and then cooked down. If you don’t do this in the cooking pot, it will happen in the oven, and the pie will be runny.

Adapted from a recipe in Southern Living, Nov. 1998.

Click here for an alternate top crust design.

Stuffed Cheese & Walnut Loaf

This is hands-down, my best vegetarian main dish. It blows everyone away when I put a crust on it, en croute. (The photo above shows the loaf without crust.) Non-vegetarians say they can't tell it's not meat, and the leftovers slice and freeze like a dream. The stuffing is a nice surprise in the middle, too. Serve it with sage gravy, and your guests will be glad they came to your house for dinner!

STUFFED CHEESE AND WALNUT LOAF

1-1/2 cups cooked brown rice
2 cups chopped walnuts (pecans, cashews, almonds, or mix is okay)
3 Tbsp. butter
1/4 tsp. black pepper
1 cup finely chopped fresh mushrooms
1 med. onion, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. dried thyme
1/2 tsp. rubbed or dried sage
1 tsp. dried marjoram
4 oz. cream cheese, cut in chunks
2 Tbsp. parsley, chopped
8 oz. mild cheese, chopped (cheddar or jack)
1-1/2 cups fresh spinach, cut in 1/2” horizontal strips
1/2 cup dried cranberries

1 unbaked pie crust, 10-inch circle, optional

Place nuts in a large pan, toast on medium-low heat. Add the butter and black pepper. When butter is melted, add mushrooms, onion, garlic, salt, and herbs, and cook for a few minutes until the water coming out of the mushrooms is cooked down. Turn off heat.

Add the cream cheese and cover. Let sit a few minutes to soften and melt in the pan, then stir. Remove from burner and add the rice, parsley, and cheese. Toss to coat well.

Preheat oven to 375 deg. F. Butter and flour a standard loaf pan (approx. 8-1/2” x 4-1/2”). Place 1/3 of the loaf mixture into bottom of pan. Lay the spinach on top, then sprinkle with cranberries. Pull spinach and berry stuffing away from the sides of the pan. Place more loaf mixture along the sides of the pan, to contain the stuffing by about 1/2 inch all the way around. Add remaining loaf mixture on top, and pat down gently.

Bake for 30 minutes, or until golden on top. Remove from oven, and cool in the pan for at least 1 hour. Turn out onto a platter or baking sheet if adding outer crust.

To encase in pastry:

 

Preheat oven to 400 deg. F. Drape a 10” unbaked pie crust over loaf, pinch corners, and cut off excess or fold across the ends. Be sure the seams are pinched shut. Garnish the top with shapes cut out of any excess crust. Bake for 15-20 minutes, until crust is golden.

Remove from oven and let sit for about 30 minutes--the longer, the better for slicing.

Serves 8. Slice with a bread knife, and serve with sage gravy.

Chestnut Soup

This soup has such a wonderful flavor. It's always a hit at our house. If you can't find bottled chestnuts in your local stores, they can be ordered online. It's definitely worth the trouble. One year, I started with chestnuts in the shells--roasting, peeling, and chopping--but the soup didn't come out nearly as well, and the preparation was much more difficult.

Since we're not alcohol drinkers, I keep bottles of cooking wine and sherry in the 'fridge for recipes like this one. This dish can easily be converted from vegetarian to vegan by substituting olive oil for the butter and rice milk for the regular milk.

UPDATE: I'm adding a  nonalcoholic alternative to sherry.  Tried it this year, and it turned out as well as or better than actual sherry.


CHESTNUT SOUP

7 oz. bottled chestnuts (200g), chopped
2 Tbsp. butter
1/8 tsp. black pepper
1 lg. carrot, chopped
3 celery stalks, chopped
1 med. onion, chopped
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. dried thyme
1/2 tsp. dried chervil
1/2 cup white wine
3 cups vegetable stock
1 cup milk (non-dairy is okay)
2 Tbsp. sherry
      OR 1 Tbsp. apple juice, 1 Tbsp. coffee, pinch vanilla powder*

Melt butter with pepper in a stockpot over med. heat. Add carrots, celery, onion, salt, and herbs. Sauté until the vegetables begin to soften, about 10 min.

Add wine and stock. Stir in chestnuts. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, for 45 minutes, or until vegetables are very soft.

Remove from heat and stir in milk and sherry or juice, coffee, and vanilla. Purée in batches.** Return to pot for re-heating. Just before serving, heat soup to desired temperature, covered.

Serves 4 - 8 (4 for main dish, 8 cups for appetizer)

* Ground vanilla beans can be bought online.
** For a smooth soup, purée with a food processor. Use an immersion blender for a chunkier texture.

Adapted from a recipe in The Silver Palate Good Times Cookbook by Julee Rosso & Sheila Lukins.