tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8044541580633294348.post3919254587188675830..comments2024-03-29T04:16:43.389-04:00Comments on Reggie Darling: Christmas Traditions at DarlingtonReggie Darlinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04044215790585354363noreply@blogger.comBlogger55125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8044541580633294348.post-52640793617747407802013-12-24T17:06:52.256-05:002013-12-24T17:06:52.256-05:00Merry Christmas and a splendid 2014, Reggie! I lov...Merry Christmas and a splendid 2014, Reggie! I love all of your traditions, and particularly enjoyed the creche, because my husband and I have a circa 1930 (I think) stable that belonged to his parents. We purchased our own white ceramic figures and bring out the set every year. It's on our living room mantel.<br />My order of Bitter Orange potpourri arrived two days ago and the fragrance is wonderful. I've ordered a bottle of the refresher to keep the experience going as long as possible. We're having Christmas dinner at a friend's house, but will do our traditional filet of beef with Bearnaise sauce for ten people on New Year's day. MaryDnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8044541580633294348.post-32651576418610347052013-12-24T17:06:25.543-05:002013-12-24T17:06:25.543-05:00I'm still waiting for my Bitter Orange. I susp...I'm still waiting for my Bitter Orange. I suspect it will be here in time for New Year's eve. Wishing you, Boy and sweet Basil a wonderful holiday season.<br /><br />Regards,<br />BonnieAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8044541580633294348.post-44887517725499446892013-12-24T12:56:29.036-05:002013-12-24T12:56:29.036-05:00By the way dear Reggie, my box of Agraria's Bi...By the way dear Reggie, my box of Agraria's Bitter Orange Potpourri arrived yesterday. It is all you described and so much more. You are indeed a man who lives well. Thanks for sharing your favorite things with us.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8044541580633294348.post-7094369514156707452013-12-24T12:05:00.295-05:002013-12-24T12:05:00.295-05:00Panettone with scrambled eggs and smoked salmon fo...Panettone with scrambled eggs and smoked salmon for breakfast on Christmas morning. Best, HertsAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8044541580633294348.post-35831919487109429552013-12-24T09:37:52.957-05:002013-12-24T09:37:52.957-05:00As to creche sets, ours is a bit odd as well. My f...As to creche sets, ours is a bit odd as well. My father-in-law, in his travels, picked up several olive wood sets in Israel and each family received one. Over the years, we have ended up with a couple of sets, having lost some pieces, and what we have left doesn't always go together perfectly. Baby Jesus, for some reason, has a head that looks like that of an adult man, and Mary is larger than anyone else, including the camels. I suppose everyone who has kept a creche set over the course of years ends up with something like that! Sadly, we do not have a pug in our set (or, for us, tortoise shell and marmalade cats). DSGnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8044541580633294348.post-57120420352560045132013-12-24T08:39:30.797-05:002013-12-24T08:39:30.797-05:00Dear WWL,
Thank you for the suggestion of spiking ...Dear WWL,<br />Thank you for the suggestion of spiking egg nog with blackstap rum, I must buy some today to have on hand. I am sure it will enhance the Ronnybrook egg nog I am keeping to serve as a backup for the Ted Nog the delivery of which I feversihly await (once consumed one wants MORE!). Merry Christmas to all of the WWL families from those of us at Darlington. ReggieReggie Darlinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04044215790585354363noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8044541580633294348.post-9876059483748295422013-12-24T08:37:03.009-05:002013-12-24T08:37:03.009-05:00Dear brother Frecky,
The Droste chocolate apples a...Dear brother Frecky,<br />The Droste chocolate apples are a Darling family Christmas tradition that I remember fondly! I now buy ones every year made by Terry's (available at a nearby Hannaford's of all places), and have one to give Boy tomorrow morning. You and I are blessed to have learned the joy of singing from Mr. Langstaff as boys, for which I will always be grateful. And thank you for introducing me to the Christmas music of the Blenders, a great favorite of mine. Merry Christmas to you, too, dear brother. Fondly, ReggieReggie Darlinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04044215790585354363noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8044541580633294348.post-39119210430405369732013-12-24T08:32:36.694-05:002013-12-24T08:32:36.694-05:00Dear Lord Cowell,
I look forward to learning of yo...Dear Lord Cowell,<br />I look forward to learning of your new Christmas traditions in the Manor House, when you move into it upon its completion. I loved the photos of it on your splendid blog the other day. Wishing you and yours the Merriest! ReggieReggie Darlinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04044215790585354363noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8044541580633294348.post-20127766925369432642013-12-24T08:30:56.728-05:002013-12-24T08:30:56.728-05:00Dear Jan,
I love the idea of your Solstice birch l...Dear Jan,<br />I love the idea of your Solstice birch log, and the memories it evokes of your father. Also the sleigh bells, and your tradition of ringing them for your neighbors to hear! Many thanks, and Merry Christmas to you and yours. ReggieReggie Darlinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04044215790585354363noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8044541580633294348.post-58211277078278539652013-12-24T08:29:12.005-05:002013-12-24T08:29:12.005-05:00Dear Mark,
Marzipan was also a Christams tradition...Dear Mark,<br />Marzipan was also a Christams tradition in my house growing up. MD used to put little packages of it (cellophane wrapped plastic baskets containing the same fruit-shaped marzipan you describe) in our Christmas stockings. It was hard as a rock and practicaly inedible (although as a child sometimes I was desperate enough to eat it). Imagine my surprise when I first tasted freshly made marzipan as an adult. It was a revelation! Thanks, ReggieReggie Darlinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04044215790585354363noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8044541580633294348.post-49931598483846750102013-12-24T08:26:13.968-05:002013-12-24T08:26:13.968-05:00Thank you GSLThank you GSLReggie Darlinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04044215790585354363noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8044541580633294348.post-34778927006569444152013-12-24T08:26:01.788-05:002013-12-24T08:26:01.788-05:00Dear ddu,
Juicy Fruit gum! I haven't thought ...Dear ddu,<br />Juicy Fruit gum! I haven't thought of that in many decades. I loved it as a boy, and couldn't cram enough sticks of it into my mouth, happily chewing away! Merry Christmas!Reggie Darlinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04044215790585354363noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8044541580633294348.post-10483475156977268762013-12-24T08:24:44.330-05:002013-12-24T08:24:44.330-05:00Dearest Roxie,
If you haven't bought Mr. Hitz&...Dearest Roxie,<br />If you haven't bought Mr. Hitz's cookbook yet, I highly encourage you to do so. Knowing you, you'll love it! I recall the gorgeous ornaments you made following the BG example, from your marvelous blog (Dear Readers take note!). Thank you for providing us with our Christmas tradition of roasted prime rib and Yorkshire pudding. Believe me, Boy and I toast you whenever we tuck into it. This year, I am sure that Basil will too, as this is his first Christmas with us, and his first opportunity to savor the deliciousness of your recipes! Fondly, ReggieReggie Darlinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04044215790585354363noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8044541580633294348.post-28798677492045122752013-12-24T08:20:18.051-05:002013-12-24T08:20:18.051-05:00Thank you, N! Merry Christmas to you and yours, t...Thank you, N! Merry Christmas to you and yours, too. ReggieReggie Darlinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04044215790585354363noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8044541580633294348.post-72355414920909007992013-12-24T08:19:54.869-05:002013-12-24T08:19:54.869-05:00Dear Anon,
Thanks for reminding me of glasswax ste...Dear Anon,<br />Thanks for reminding me of glasswax stencils. Now that takes me back to happier times! I belive you can still find glasswax on the Vermont Country Store's website. Not sure about the stencils though. Perhaps eBay? Merry Christmas! ReggieReggie Darlinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04044215790585354363noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8044541580633294348.post-25125616568257567952013-12-24T08:16:39.340-05:002013-12-24T08:16:39.340-05:00Hello Ashley -- I was not familiar with Pannukakku...Hello Ashley -- I was not familiar with Pannukakku until I looked it up on the Internet. MD used to make a version of it from a recipe that appeared many decades ago in the New York Times. She sprinkled the puffed up pancake with freshly squeazed lemon and a liberal dose of powdered sugar. It was Heaven! I understand it remains one of the most popular recipes the NYT ever published. Thank you for jogging my happy memory of it. Best, ReggieReggie Darlinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04044215790585354363noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8044541580633294348.post-58756996168461609202013-12-24T08:12:57.106-05:002013-12-24T08:12:57.106-05:00Thank you Sandra!Thank you Sandra!Reggie Darlinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04044215790585354363noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8044541580633294348.post-10358015237911122072013-12-24T08:12:42.265-05:002013-12-24T08:12:42.265-05:00Dea Tabitha -- I do so look forward to meeting you...Dea Tabitha -- I do so look forward to meeting you one day, and hope that it is sooner than later! I adore the idea of putting wreaths up on your gates. I shall be sure to do so in your honor next Christmas! ReggieReggie Darlinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04044215790585354363noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8044541580633294348.post-79510486188741179342013-12-24T08:09:07.646-05:002013-12-24T08:09:07.646-05:00Hello Parnassas/Jim: I am not aware of the America...Hello Parnassas/Jim: I am not aware of the American version of Black Forest Bears. I've seen them from Germany (or course), France, and Russia (one of my favorites in my collecction is a large one from Russia). I would like to go to Germany or Austria (or Switzerland for that matter) for Christmas one year, as I understand "they" do it particularly well. The German and Austrian city Christmas markets look wonderful. ReggieReggie Darlinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04044215790585354363noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8044541580633294348.post-72548388990323457942013-12-24T08:06:25.539-05:002013-12-24T08:06:25.539-05:00Dear JT -- I wish you a wonderful Christmas at the...Dear JT -- I wish you a wonderful Christmas at the beach, and the start of new traditions in your life. I once spent a Christmas on Captiva Island, off the coast of Florida, many years ago, and loved it. It was a house party organized by MD, who rented a house for the holiday right on the beach, and invited her adult children and their "significant others" to join her. We put up a small tree and decorated it with sea shells collected on the beach and fairy lights. It was magical, and a memory that I shall always treasure. ReggieReggie Darlinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04044215790585354363noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8044541580633294348.post-80050161252754322622013-12-24T08:02:20.698-05:002013-12-24T08:02:20.698-05:00Dear Tabitha, one of the joys of a large family ga...Dear Tabitha, one of the joys of a large family gathering (at any time of year) is the crowd and the hubub. The drawback is all the dishes and pots and pans to be dealt with afterwards! We, too, shall be celebrating Christmas quietly this year, just the two of us. I wish that you were closer to us, instead of on the other side of the Pond, as I would certainly invite you and your Mum to join us. I ordered a prime rib that is large enough to feed six, as it turns out! ReggieReggie Darlinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04044215790585354363noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8044541580633294348.post-61134299668099030732013-12-24T07:58:47.432-05:002013-12-24T07:58:47.432-05:00Thank you, MD (!) I am fond of the photo of my you...Thank you, MD (!) I am fond of the photo of my young parents and sister as well, and am glad you like it. RDReggie Darlinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04044215790585354363noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8044541580633294348.post-9426724399972218552013-12-24T07:57:14.910-05:002013-12-24T07:57:14.910-05:00Dear Anon, may I please be invited to your house f...Dear Anon, may I please be invited to your house for Christmas Day? Your menu sounds marvelous. Reggie adores gratins (of any kind!) and has a great fondness for corn pudding, which was the signature dish of one of my father's cooks many years ago. I was never able to wangle the recipoe out of her, despite begging for it. Rgds, ReggieReggie Darlinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04044215790585354363noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8044541580633294348.post-45306522253776136822013-12-24T07:54:07.453-05:002013-12-24T07:54:07.453-05:00Hello Anon, I LOVE the idea of Chinese bbq ribs as...Hello Anon, I LOVE the idea of Chinese bbq ribs as a Chrstmas Eve tradiiton! And what a lovely way to honor your father's memory. Rgds, ReggieReggie Darlinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04044215790585354363noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8044541580633294348.post-81884319069366585082013-12-24T07:52:54.399-05:002013-12-24T07:52:54.399-05:00Thank you, Deana -- I wish you and yours a Merry C...Thank you, Deana -- I wish you and yours a Merry Christmas. Your blog is a gift to all of us, your fortunate readers. ReggieReggie Darlinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04044215790585354363noreply@blogger.com