William and Catherine Christmas Caganers

Christmas in Cataluna sees the addition of two new Caganer figurine figures for your christmas nativity scene,

  Prince William and Catherine (Duke and Duchess of Cambridge).

Here they are shown wearing their wedding outfits, and having assumed the position of the pooping caganer.

See previous post on Obama Caganer here to learn about the tradition of this fertility symbol.

Caga Tió - Christmas in Catalunya, Spain

Caga Tió - Christmas in Catalunya, Spain

Christmas is coming and the poop logs are in the shops click on the link above the photograph to read about them

Feliz Navidad

Hilary Clinton and George Bush to join Obama for Christmas

Last year I told you about the Christmas nativity figure the Caganer of Barack Obama and also the history of the figurine; this year he is joined by Hilary Clinton on the Caganer world stage.

Many people will be wondering about the missed opportunity that is a Sarah Palin figure for the huge american market.

George W Bush is also back in Caganer focus....

Ain't necessarily so

Merry Christmas to all our friends.......

it's not really like this.............

In good Sorts for Christmas?

It is that time of year when everyone in Spain is hoping for a little luck, El Gordo (the fat one) the Spanish national lottery Christmas draw is about to take place. Work colleagues, groups of friends and families often share part of a ticket for the big draw, so that if their numbers come up then the luck is shared within the group.

Another colourful character from Catalan popular culture that you may encounter when purchasing your lottery tickets is, La Bruixa d'Or or La Bruja de Oro (the witch of gold) She is a witch that comes from out of space to sprinkle gold dust representing good luck.

The La Bruixa d'Or originates from the town of Sort which in Catalan means luck, and just coincidently is the town which boasts the most winners.

For your perfect Catalan christmas this year you will need your Cagana (Obama), cagartió your La Bruixa d'Or and of course you will need to buy that winning lottery ticket too!

Fiesta de Navidad -Mediterranean Garden Spain

Caga Tió - Christmas in Catalunya, Spain

Barak Obama’s appearance in the Catalan Christmas nativity scene may have prepared you in advance of meeting another colourful and popular Christmas character known as Caga Tió  (or the poop log in English). 

 Caga Tió  (pictured above) is currently making its annual appearance across Catalunya in anticipation of Christmas gifts. Come Christmas Eve the Yule tide log  which is what is, will be placed on the fireplace close to flames, whilst the songs of the ‘Christmas log’ or ‘Tió de Nadal’ as it is more properly known in the local language, are sung by the children of the household. The tradition has some similarity to the hanging out of Christmas stockings in anticipation of gifts.

 

Caga tió,

caga torró,

avellanes i mató,

si no cagues bé

et daré un cop de bastó.

caga tió!

 

Translated as:

Poop log,

poop turrón,

hazelnuts and cottage cheese,

if you don't poop well,

I'll hit you with a stick!

 

 

Turrón is widely available in Spain but if you would like to make your own version try this basic recipe, you can also add chopped nuts.

 

Ingredients:
8 ounces caster sugar
8 ounces ground almonds
2 egg yolks
1 egg white

 

Method:

Mix the sugar and ground almonds in a bowl.

Fold in the egg yolks, one at a time.

In a separate bowl whisk the egg white into a stiff froth and then fold it into the mixture.

Turn out the mixture into a baking tray.

Form the mixture into a slab about ½ ” thick using a rolling pin.

Cover it with greaseproof paper or foil and place a weighted chopping board.

Place in a cool dry place and allow mixture to dry out for two to three days.

Serve in 1” squares. Consistency between a nougat and a fudge.

Ultimate Christmas scene - Caganer Obama

Only in Catalunya.......

The “Caganer”

Literally translated from Catalan it means “The Shitting Man” or “The Fertilizer”.

The Caganer was an obliged figure in the Christmas Cribs of the eighteenth century since at that time was believed that with his fertile depositions the soil of the crib will became rich and productive for the coming year! 

It was also believed that he would bring good health and calm to the body and the soul, which is necessary to do the crib with pride and happiness that Christmas brings at home. Putting this jolly little man in the crib used to bring luck and happiness. 

With the course of the time, the original personage of the shitting peasant has evolved and at present days he has been replaced with personalities increasingly famous and relevant in the Catalan, Spanish and world society! 

The caganer is a very loved and respected figure on the typical Catalan nativity scene. It is not a joke, but totally the opposite, it is a tribute to the person, trade, or activity it represents.

After a very accurate design of the character, we make the plaster cast and we produce each figure one by one by hand, we allow them to dry, and we put them in the oven. After that we paint them again one by one by hand. 

For some years up until today this figure has became a singular symbol and cult for many collectors.

 

Read about Caga Tió another fine Catalan Christmas tradition

Attack of the Sprouts!

Brussels Sprouts are not every ones favourite vegetable but when you sit down for your festive meal you can be sure that the sprouts are coming.

Play attack of the Sprouts.

Christmas wishes - Felices Fiesta

CHRISTMAS WISHES - FELIZ NAVIDAD

We are leaving the cold behind and heading off some winter sunshine in Santa Cruz de Tenerife where we will be catching up with old friends in what has become our 'traditional' Christmas holiday, or Navidad as the Spanish call it. While some of you will be feeling the cold we shall be dancing to live salsa music whilst watching a fantastic fireworks display over the harbour in Los Cristianos. We will think of you and try not to laugh too much!

Infuriating

Why do they bother to call it a Christmas cactus? I’ve had Zygocactus for ten years now and each year its flowering period has missed Christmas by a mile. Where in the world does Christmas fall in November? Sure enough it is barely December and the flowers are gone.

Maybe I could torture the plant; sorry I mean extraordinarily render it by placing it in a state where it could be subjected to daylight deprivation brainwashing it into thinking Christmas is really November. But then I would probably be attacked by the eco-warriors and charged with plant abuse.

And whilst I’m disappointed in the attitude of my Christmas cactus I’m really quite annoyed with the Christmas Rose or Helleborus Niger, which doesn’t show up until around the Chinese New Year and then hangs around till Easter!

Christmas shopping? My wish list!

Only 47 shopping days left to go!