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Thomas Kearney · (This post was last modified: 11-30-2015 11:38 AM by Thomas Kearney.)

(11-29-2015 06:23 PM)L Verge Wrote: Along the way Thomas, stop in for a tour at Surratt House. We stopped doing candlelight tours (three nights of them) after about 35 years, but we now decorate the house and show it off for two weeks before Christmas. Our schedule this year starts this Wednesday, December 2, and runs through Sunday, December 13. (Wed-Fri, 11am to 3 pm with last tours at 2:30 and Sat-Sun, noon to 4 pm, last tours at 3:30).

We try to stay to more traditional decorations of the mid-1800s, but naturally we have to throw in a little glitz! This year, our emphasis will be on antique dolls and toys. We will be "All Dolled Up" for the holidays, with such displays in nearly every room of the house to delight young and old. We also have a wonderful Christmas booklet on traditions from that era. It just seems to get thicker each year. It is a gift to all our visitors.

I'll be there on the 12th!

(11-30-2015 05:27 AM)BettyO Wrote: I well remember with great fondness the Candlelight tours at Surratt House - I would sometimes drive up for all three nights just to give tours in the house at night by candlelight! It was grand! Good memories -

I'm also a fruitcake fiend! LOVE it and could eat my weight in fruit cake. My mom makes a wonderful fruitcake - and when I can't get hers, my favorite is the Claxton! The're in the store now....you're making me hungry!

Nice throwback Betty! I'm also not a huge fan of fruitcake and treat it like a little kid treats veggies. Bummer Roger doesn't have a Mr. Yuck emoji!

(11-30-2015 10:56 AM)Eva Elisabeth Wrote: Laurie and Jim - why would people make fun of fruitcake lovers???

Is this "yours"? Looks good - so colorful and juicy!!! What is the green ingredient?

We have a traditional fruitcake (since 1474), too, Stollen, and I love it, especially with additional marzipan or poppy seed (which is not original). The main filling is dried fruits that have soaked in rum before, almonds, and spices (cinnamon, cardamom, vanilla, etc.). Despite the sealed original which only Dresden bakers are allowed to produce since Augustus II the Strong, a lot of variants have developed (and each baker his own creation).

I take back what I said about all fruitcake. That German fruitcake looks good Eva!

(11-29-2015 06:33 PM)Eva Elisabeth Wrote: What is your favorite tradition from that era?

Probably going door to door and singing Christmas Carols! I do a killer rendition of "O Holy Night".