No Christmas for the Pilgrims

At least not as we know it.Since I have been researching my Pilgrim heritage I have often wondered what Christmas was like at Plimoth Colony for my 10th Great grandfather- I found this article written by a minister's at http://garlandsgrace.wordpress.com/ I was surprised by what I learned.
Though they came ashore on Christmas Day, it’s a little odd to talk about the Pilgrims at Christmas, since they did not celebrate Christmas, and they would have frowned on us for doing so. They would have gone to church, though, for they never missed Sabbath worship for any reason. In fact, Sabbath worship is the whole reason for their coming—their worship was the most important part of their lives, and they valued it above their lives.
They would not have complained about a long sermon, or a long drive, since they would have happily walked several miles in the cold or rain. They would not rush off to Christmas dinner; instead, they would sit and savor the Word of God in their hands. They would give a hearty “amen” to the sermon. They would wonder at the books of hymns and they would beg to sing yet another one. They would rejoice that they had a church building where they could meet openly without threats of imprisonment and they would weep with happiness that their children would not have to live in poverty, that they could receive an education, and that they could worship in freedom.
On Christmas Eve, remember the Pilgrims and their first night ashore. It was a beginning for them and for us. Think of them when you go to church, somber with gratitude for what they suffered for us, hopeful and determined to carry on their vision.
But keep the truth in puriety and walk in all humility take heed of pride & contention for that will bring distruction Seeke love & peace & unity and preserve faith, & sanctitie and God will blesse you with his Grace and bring you to his resting place. William Bradford

Snowman Ornies & a Sale

These great snowman ornies are perfect for a tree, a garland or for small gifts!

We are also having the last sale of the season at my website http://www.brandyannescandlesandprims.com/ get 15% off of your total order before shipping- just enter code MC15 at checkout.

Also checkout our "Specials" page for great deals on our square mason jar candles.

A Typical Pioneer Christmas

Christmas Eve would generally find most families singing carols around the Christmas tree or fireplace. On Christmas Day, most would attend church, return home for the traditional Christmas meal, and spend the day visiting with friends and neighbors.
Many of the homemade gifts, including corn husk dolls, sachets, carved wooden toys, pillows, footstools and embroidered hankies, might have had the family members working on for months ahead of Christmas. Others knitted scarves, hats, mitts and socks. If the family had had a good year, the children might find candies, small gifts, cookies and fruit in their stockings.
For some, there might even be a Christmas tree, gaily decorated with bits of ribbon, yarn, berries, popcorn or paper strings, and homemade decorations. Some of these home made decorations were often figures or dolls made of straw or yarn. Cookie dough ornaments and gingerbread men were also popular. In other places, wood was simply to scarce to “waste” on a tree, if one could be found at all. Other pioneer homes were simply too small to make room for a tree.
At the very least, almost every home would make the holiday a time of feasting -- bringing out preserved fruits and vegetables, fresh game if possible, and for those that could afford it, maybe even beef or a ham. Many women began to bake for the holiday weeks ahead of time, leaving the plum pudding to age in the pot until Christmas dinner.
Though perhaps modest, these hardy pioneers made every attempt to decorate their homes for the holidays with whatever natural materials looked attractive at the bleakest time of year, such as evergreens, pinecones, holly, nuts, and berries.
Laura Ingalls Wilder wrote of the preparations for Christmas on the Kansas Prairie: "Ma was busy all day long, cooking good things for Christmas. She baked salt-rising bread and r'n'Injun bread, and Swedish crackers, and huge pan of baked beans, with salt pork and molasses. She baked vinegar pies and dried-apple pies, and filled a big jar with cookies, and she let Laura and Mary lick the cake spoon. “That very Christmas, Laura Ingalls was delighted to find a shiny new tin cup, a peppermint candy, a heart shaped cake, and a brand new penny in her stocking. For in those days, these four small gifts in her stocking were a wealth of gifts to the young girl.
Many I know have gone back to a simpler time much like the pioneers by decorating with natural materials, making cookie dough ornamnets & gingerbread men, and buying or making hand made gifts.... and this my firends is a good thing!

The Winner Is...

Sharon of Primthyme is the first place winner
Judy of The Princess Ponders won 2nd place
Karen of Farmgirl'In Ga. Style won 3rd place
Congrats to all of you. I will contact you for your mailing address.

I have to admit when I took the bowl to hubby to draw the names my feet were heavy as I knew there could be just three winners and I would love to have given everyone something.
But since I am saving the names to add to my monthly website drawing you never know when I may be needing your email address too!
Thanks so much to all of you that enetered!

A Sad Situation That Opened My Eyes

Today as I was leaving the Market where I sell my candles and craft items, and feeling disappointed because sales had not been what I hoped for, another vendor stopped me and asked if I knew where the homeless shelter was in town. I saw that she was talking to a young man in his 20's that was clean & dressesd as well as the rest of us.I assumed that he wanted to volunteer or make a donation to the shelter. I started asking him if he knew where some businesses were in town so that I could help him find the shelter. He did not know where any of them were so my husband stepped in and gave him directions.
We went out the door and was almost to our truck when my vending neighbor came up to me & asked us to give him the directions to the shelter- he said" we have to get this young man something to eat".
I stood there and looked at him for a minute before reality set in. I said is that young man that wanted the directions homeless? The answer was yes- someone had told him we had been serving breakfast that day and he had come in looking for food.

I have just emailed the vendor to see if he did indeed get this young man to the homeless shelter.
I have not been able to stop thinking about him.
Several times over the past 10 years since my husband's illness I have many times wondered how I was going to pay for necessity items but somehow have always managed to do so. Many times I have been sad & sometimes bitter about this.
Today as I have thought about this young man having no home, or food to eat I have realized how fortunate I really am even though I do not have a lot of expensive fancy things.
When I sit down to eat my supper tonight and go to sleep in my nice, warm bed I will pray that the young man did indeed get some help & thank God for what I do have.

Giveaway Update

There has been such a great response to this giveaway- and since it is the Chritmas season I have decided to have a 2nd & 3rd place drawing for some tarts.
Also since I have a monthly drawing on my website I will add all non winning names to that list.

200 Post! Giveaway!

I finally have made 200 posts so I am having a giveaway!

The winner will recieve a Praire Prim Bar tart in Harvest Spice and 6 unscented Prairie Prim soap balls. The bar tart lets you melt as much as you want a little or a lot!

The prim soap balls are a primitive dark brown( darker than shown) and look great in a small wooden or enamel ware bowl setting next to your kitchen or bathroom sink.

To enter just leave a comment telling me what your favorite candle scent is ( mine or otherwise).

Mention the giveaway on your blog & be entered again- place an order on my website and be entered again!

Winner will be drawn on Sunday December 7th at 7:00 pm.

If you do not have a blog make sure you leave your email address!

Plimoth Document 1637

2 May 1637 : "It was ordered by this Court, that a jury should be empanelled to set forth the heigh wayes about Plymouth, Ducksborrow, and the Eele Riuer... "It is agreed, that the heigh wayes, both for horse, cart, and foote, shalbe as followeth ... we allow a heigh way from the cutt betweene Willm Bassets & Francis Sprage, to goe to Ducksborrow towne; the heigh way to be continued from Willm Bassets garden or orchard, through John Washburnes ground, to Willm Palmers gate, as it now hs, and so along through Peeter Browne ground, by the outeside of which we allow a way to the marsh, and vp to the woods; the way still to passe by Henry Howlands house, leauing it on the east side, so keepeing the old way through the march to Mr Aldens house, and from thence through a valley wch leadeth to the corner of Phillip Delanoys feild, so to passe to Edward Bumpas house, and fourty foote to be allowed above his house straight to Rowland Leyhornes house, & so passinge aboue the house to Greenes Harbor path."Plymouth Colony Records, Vol. 1, p. 58-59.

Happy Thanksgiving!

May everyone have a blessed & happy holiday! From Pilgrims& Pioneers!

Who Is this Pilgrim at Plimoth?

This photo shows a Pilgrim man dressed in authentic perod clothing of the time. The photo was taken at today's Plimoth Plantation- it does not say who the person is being portrayed- could it be Capt. Miles Standish? Isaac Allerton? Eduoad Bompasse?. Let your imagination be your guide!

There are many more names to choose from:

John Cooke

William Brewster

John Adams

Stephen Hopkins

Richard Warren

William Bradford

and many more

Do you see a realtive here?

For a great interactive link about the first Thanksgiving scroll down to the Plimoth in the fall post!

Photo courtesy of Yankee magazine.

Give Thanks 20% off sale!!!

In Honor of our Thanksgiving Holiday Brandyanne's Candles is having a sale! You can get 20 % off of any order until 11:59 pm Friday November 28th

A great way to save on Holiday shopping.Just enter code GT20 at checkout.

http://www.brandyannescandlesandprims.com/

Plimoth Plantataion in the Fall

What a lovely simple Fall scene. The plantation residents dressed in their cold weather clothing going about their daily chores
The view of the ocean is a stunning backdrop to the starkness of the village.
To know that my 10th great grandfather would have viewed this scene on a daily basis is still awe inspiring to me.
I would love to be able to visit the Plantation- especially at Thanksgiving time. I know of some lucky women who are actually going there Thanksgiving day!
I am so envious!
Their menu for that day will be:
Vegetable soup
Garden Salad
Roast Native Turkey with Giblet Gravy
Carved Roast Sirloin of Beef
Cornbread Stuffing
Mashed Potatoes
Butternut Squash
Creamed Onions
Cape Cod Cranberry Sauce
Hot Crusty Rolls
Wood Pressed Apple Cider
Apple Pie
Pumpkin Pie
Coffee & Tea
Adult: $64.95Child (under 12) $42.95
Adult Member: $45.95 Child Member: $30.95
Prices include museum admission and tax.
Museum admission includes: the Wampanoag Homesite, 1627 English Village, Mayflower II, Crafts Center, and Nye Barn.
This is a pretty hefty price tag but the History is well worth it & one I would gladly pay if I could only go!
Photo courtesy of Yankee Magazine.com
For an interactive view of the Pilgrims first Thanksgiving follow this link
http://www.plimoth.org/education/olc/intro.html

The Grandpa House

Kalona , Iowa is located 17 miles north of Iowa City, Iowa and is a big Amish community. While browsing their website for information I found this photo of the Grandpa House. It is a house that was created for the elderly in the family. Old order Amish families live together through out their lifetime- when a son gets married the original family house gets an addtion for the new family added to it. Apparently when the grandparents become elderly & need closer supervision an addition is built fo this also.

Note the traditional sparse furnishings.

Fresh Sage- Just In Time for Thanksgiving

Our fresh sage is still availalble in time for your Thanksgiving cooking!
It will come picked fresh at the time of your order and is 5 stems 6-8 inches in length.
To place your order go to www.brandyannescandlesandprims.com and click on the Herbs link.

200th post is coming!

I just realized I am approaching 200 posts! Time goes by so quickly!
I am considering having a giveaway so stay tuned!!