Rascal Cats, Gratitude, Old-Fashioned Wrapping Paper, & Shirred Eggs
Dear Friend,
I’ll bet you’ve been decking the halls with boughs of holly around your house as you mentally check off the days left before Christmas. If you’re like me, you feel a bit of panic prick at your mind, accompanied by dreadful thoughts of ‘not enough time’ to get it all done. Yet, as the years of yore have shown us, it all comes delightfully together in the end.
We all did a bit of reminiscing this week about unexpected Christmas outcomes and found ourselves laughing uncontrollably as we recalled our cat, who loved to climb the Christmas tree and show his face among the ornaments. At first, we thought his face was an ornament, but upon closer inspection, we noticed the globe-like eyes that followed us as we walked through the room. Unfortunately, upon discovery, we laughed out loud, which caused the cat to jump off the tree. As a result, our beautiful Christmas tree lay on its side, surrounded by broken ornaments. That darn cat!
Introducing our 5 Days of Christmas…
Enjoy our series of 5 short videos highlighting our favorite products!
Beginning Tuesday, December 16th, through Saturday, December 20th, each one of us will share our chosen favorite product and what we love so much about it. You will be able to see one video a day, which includes a special offer for you!
So be sure to tune in and learn more about our skincare and the crazy family behind it all.
Ps…to make it easy on our customers, we will be delivering orders in person on Tuesday, Dec. 23rd, in Sisters, Redmond, and Bend. So for those who live nearby, there is no need to worry about postage. You will be given the option to select delivery or ship once you checkout.
It’s not too late to get a Possum Fox Holiday Box!
Are you looking for the perfect last-minute Christmas present? Check out our holiday box options! Give the gift of all-natural skincare. Now through Christmas we will be offering same-day shipping for all orders.
Victorian Christmas Wrapping Paper…
I’ve had the book, Little Women, on my mind this month. One of my favorite scenes is watching the giggling March girls trudge through the snow, huddled together in tattered dresses and overcoats. Although not seen, I was aware of a warm potato in each girl's pocket that kept their thinly clad hands warm on this cold winter morning.
Due to the Civil War, where their father served as a chaplain near the front lines, their Christmas afforded them very few gifts to share. It was during the Christmas celebration around the tree, with one of the girls playing the piano, that I began to wonder about wrapping paper and what was used to wrap Christmas gifts during the Victorian era.
I discovered that wrapping paper has been used as far back as the 1300’s. During the Victorian era, most people made their own wrapping paper out of thick copy paper. A technique called marbling was very popular during this time and was easy to make.
To make your own, here’s what you’ll need:
Oil-based paint in various colors
Sheets of thick, standard copy paper suitable for folding and wrapping
Dishpan or rimmed cookie sheet
To make your own traditional Christmas wrap:
Fill a dishpan or rimmed cookie sheet with ½ cup cold water.
Add drops of paint to the water, interspersing the different colors based on your desired look. (Don’t stir the ink/paint in the water)
Carefully lay the first sheet of paper on the water and press gently so that the entire surface of the paper is touching the water without being submerged.
Allow the paper to sit on the water for a few seconds.
In one swift movement, lift the paper off the water, then lay it color side up to dry.
Repeat with additional sheets of paper as needed.
Example of old-fashioned victorian Christmas wrapping paper.
Little Women’s Christmas Brunch…
Christmas brunch in the March household was an event eagerly anticipated by the girls. However, on Christmas morning, while the brunch was being laid out on the kitchen table with much excitement, Marmee (mother) came whisking through the front door, wrapped in a shawl. She quickly tells the girls of her visit that morning to a poor German mother and her children, who have no heat, no food, and a very sick baby. She asks the girls if they could find it in their hearts to take their Christmas brunch to the poor Hummel family, with the promise of having bread and milk instead when they return. The girls all agreed and gathered up their breakfast.
Upon their return home, they found a delicious surprise breakfast waiting for them that the neighbors had delivered. The girls experienced the joy of selfless giving, gratitude, and service, which was richly rewarded by their neighbor, Mr. Laurence, who sent them a feast as well later that Christmas day.
I love this quote from the book, Little Women, a sentiment that serves as a reminder of the importance of family and togetherness over material wealth, especially during the holiday season.
“We may not have much, but we have each other, and that makes Christmas Merry.”
Shirred Eggs in Cream Sauce with Sauteed Spinach…
The method of “shirred eggs” became a popular, elegant dish in the Victorian era, appearing in cookbooks such as Fannie Farmer’s 1896 Boston Cooking School Cookbook. A common preparation involved a base of sauteed spinach, eggs, and cream.
Shirred eggs faded from prominence for a time, but were reintroduced to a wider audience by Julia Childs in the 1960’s, who raved about their simplicity and elegance.
Ingredients
Spinach: About 4 ounces (115g) fresh spinach per serving
Butter: 1 tablespoon per serving, plus extra for greasing
Cream: 1-2 tablespoons heavy cream per serving
Eggs: 1-2 large eggs per serving
Seasoning: Salt, black pepper, and a pinch of nutmeg (nutmeg was a common Victorian spice for creamed dishes)
Optional: Grated Parmesan or Gruyère cheese
Instructions
Prepare the Ramekins: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Generously butter the insides of individual ramekins or small, shallow gratin dishes.
Cook the Spinach:
Wash the spinach well. In a saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the spinach and stir until it is completely wilted, which will happen quickly.
Season the spinach with salt, pepper, and a pinch of nutmeg. Cook for another minute or two until any excess liquid has evaporated and the mixture is relatively dry.
Assemble the Dishes:
Divide the cooked spinach mixture evenly among the prepared ramekins, spreading it into a flat layer. Make a slight depression or well in the center of the spinach to hold the egg yolk.
Carefully crack an egg (or two, depending on the dish size) into the center of each ramekin, being careful not to break the yolk.
Add Cream and Seasoning: Drizzle a tablespoon of cream over each egg. This helps prevent the egg from drying out and creates a rich sauce. Season the top of the egg with an additional pinch of salt and pepper. If using, sprinkle a small amount of grated cheese over the top.
Place the ramekins in a baking pan (a "bain-marie" or water bath was a common Victorian method for even cooking, but is not strictly necessary for this dish).
Bake for 10 to 15 minutes, or until the egg whites are set and the yolks are cooked to your desired consistency. Pull the dishes from the oven when the yolks are slightly jiggly, as they will continue to cook in the hot dish after removal.
Serve immediately with buttered toast.
December Calendar…
Find Possum Fox products at:
Procrastinators Market
Saturday, Dec. 20 & Sunday, Dec. 21
Sunnyside, OR
When it snows, you have two choices: shovel or make snow angels!
May your days leading up to Christmas be merry and bright!
Blessings,
Susan and the Possum Fox Family
POSSUM FOX BACKYARD GOODS