Friday, December 22, 2023

Santa, the Character Jug

Something else new this year on the 
Ozark Christmas Hutch!
While browsing through Ebay as I often do
I stumbled across a highly detailed Santa Claus Mug.
I thought, "That detail is awesome, I want that!"
I learned it was a Royal Doulton 1983 
Large Character Jug of Santa Claus D6704
I was intrigued and started searching Ebay
for one I could afford, or at least 
one that Sam would let me buy.  
I already spent a bundle this year.
They range in price from $50 to over $130.
In my search, I noticed that there were slightly
different ones that were cheaper, but the 
style numbers were also different.
I realized I was looking at smaller sizes.
The jugs came in three sizes!
I had to be careful, I was only 
looking for the large one.
Then I saw one with a candy cane handle
and liked that even better
It was the 1987 Royal Doulton Santa Claus 
Jug D6793 with candy cane handle
Its price got considerably more expensive,
Ranging from $275 up to $1500.00!!
I knew I wasn't getting one of those.
From there I found a different 
color candy cane version D6840.
The cheapest one of those was $300!!
It was a Limited Edition size of 1,000 
made in 1989 
for the American Collector's Society.
Then there was this one,
Limited to a run of just one, 
an African Santa D6704
a prototype that wasn't supposed 
to leave the factory. It's on sale 
now on ebay for $27,996.96!!!
It comes with a certificate that 
authorizes its release from the factory. 
Oo

I also found this one
a 1987 Royal Doulton Santa Clause D6794
It has a wreath handle.
Samantha and I occasionally decorate 
wreaths together around Christmas,
so this one would have a special meaning.
It was listed at $125 but I was able to get it
for $100 + $15.00 Shipping!
This style seems to sell for up to $250,
so I got a real deal!
And I must say, it looks right at home 
on the Ozark Christmas Display
The detail is so nice.
 I found a few other style versions out there,
Here's a white hat and green striped 
candy cane handle version, released 1989 
D6840 with a limited edition of 1,000.
It sold at auction for $2,100.00
and this one
D6794 released in 1987
He's an African Santa with a 
green hat and wreath handle.
It sold at auction for $4,500.00
see it here.
I'm happy with the one I found,
It was a reasonable price!
Thanks for stopping by
and 
Merry Christmas to all!

Tuesday, December 19, 2023

Not a Creature was Stirring, Except, the Mouse

I found it!
Back in December 2017 I decided I needed
a toothpick holder on the Christmas hutch buffet.
That decision materialized because I stumbled 
across a Hallmark picture of their 
reindeer toothpick holder...
I ran right down there to buy one for $9.99
The clerk informed me they had sold out
last month and wouldn't be getting anymore in.

That started my hunt on the world wide web
for cute Christmas toothpick holders.
I then came across the cutest little
mouse and pinecone toothpick holder
picture.  It was only a picture.
Someone had arranged it in among 
pine branches and powdered snow.
No info on the actual holder, just a
 charming picture.  
Which I can no longer find today.
But it looked a little like this.
I clipped it together from memory.

But I would search and search 
off and on for a few years
with key words just to see if it would 
pop up for sale sometime.
Last week I typed in Mouse Pinecone
and this popped up!
from Ebay 2 for $12.90 + $5.85 Shipping!
In two days they arrived!
A perfect little toothpick holder, and a spare!
The little gold sticker on the bottom says Japan
but no makers mark.
But he could be vintage, does Japan even
make little ceramic things anymore?
In my search I also discovered
a mug and a bell were produced



as well as salt and pepper shakers
ebay image

So it really was a cute little line.

Next, I needed toothpicks!
A quick trip to Walmart netted me
Now he's all dressed up and ready to serve!
A tiny little detail,
....
on a great big hutch!
Thanks for stopping by
and happy hunting!



Tuesday, December 12, 2023

Now Bring Me Some Figgy Pudding

Last year I kept seeing YouTube videos
on Christmas Pudding or Plum Pudding
or Figgy (or Fygey) Pudding.
I guess they're all the same thing.
I watched a few and thought it would be fun
try one.
Not making one, Heavens no, too many steps.
But sampling one.
Here's a bit of the info from
A Christmas pudding should have 
13 ingredients – 
that represent Jesus and the 12 disciples. 
Traditionally, these ingredients include: 
raisins, currants, suet, brown sugar, 
breadcrumbs, citron, lemon peel, 
orange peel, flour, mixed spices, 
eggs, milk and brandy. 
All things nice and spice. Schnapps2012/Shuttersock
Brandy is also traditionally poured over 
the pudding and set alight. 
The flaming brandy is said to represent 
the passion of Christ.
Christmas puddings were traditionally 
boiled in a “pudding cloth”, 
although today are usually steamed in a bowl. 
Presented on the table with a sprig of holly, 
they are then doused in brandy and set alight.
Some can get quite large!
The bigger they are,
the longer they take to boil in that cloth.
So I assume a lot of puddings 
weren't humongous.

Here's an excerpt from Bleeker Street's 
movie's "The Christmas Spirits" web page
 (An excellent movie, by the way)
"PLUM PUDDINGS
For the Cratchits, the plum pudding was the 
crowing symbol of the holiday celebration. 
Dickens describes its appearance as the 
meal’s crescendo with great appreciation: 
“Mrs. Cratchit entered—flushed, 
but smiling proudly—with the pudding, 
like a speckled cannon-ball, so hard and firm, 
blazing in half of half-a-quartern of 
ignited brandy, and bedight with 
Christmas holly stuck into the top.”
 The strange concoction began in the 
14th century as a mixture of beef, 
spices, and dried fruit. 
Over time, as the pudding grew 
more sweet than savory, it became 
a mainstay of the English Christmas. 
While Oliver Cromwell banned the item
 for a short time in the 17th century 
as a remnant of earlier pagan celebrations, 
King George I brought it back to the 
Christmas table in 1714. 
Dickens’ celebration of the desert made 
it the delight of every Christmas meal. 
And recipes for the liquor-soaked dessert 
became the pride of every household 
during the Victorian period."
So how big is a cannon ball?
There is another technique where
they press the ingredients into a bowl
or a fancy mold and steam it 
covered in a pot of water for 6 hours.
The puddings come out slightly fancier
than an oddly shaped ball.

I was very close to buying one
at World Market
source
It was $19.99 and not very big,
I wasn't sure Sam would even like it,
so I passed on it figuring I'd never get to
try one.
But the ghost of Christmas Present
wasn't done with me yet,
Last year, for Christmas dinner
Sam and I went to the Silverado Steakhouse
at the South Point Casino
They offered a special four course meal
and one of the dessert choices
just happened to be
a Holiday Plum Pudding with Brandy Sauce!
I jumped at the chance to try a
 cupcake sized plum pudding!
I don't remember if they set it on fire or not.
and I must say It wasn't bad, I liked it 
and can see why it is a favorite 
Christmas symbol to many.

In my many searches on on Ebay 
I stumbled across, of all things,
A plum pudding candy dish!
Since I had now tried a plum pudding
and learned a bit about them from YouTube,
why not own this symbol of Christmas.
 A Fitz and Floyd
"Plum Pudding Lidded Box" 
circa 1993
I found one for $29.71 + 
$12.95 shipping and $2.49 tax
I displayed it on the buffet in front 
of the gingerbread man
Notice how he is holding a wooden spoon 
with white frosting and sprinkles on it?
It looks as if he is preparing the Christmas Pudding!
Plus the plate that's attached even matches 
the Bordallo Pinheiro Christmas Holly plates
I have in the background!
How cool is that?
It's as if it was meant to be!
Sam thinks it looks like frosted crap...
But I don't, however, now that she's said it
I can't get it out of my head.
 But that's no nevermind,
I do like it and think it adds to the overall
baking theme of the buffet.
We have Mrs. Claus stirring batter,
the gingerbread men are measuring spoons,
there's a cupcake on the top shelf,
and a gingerbread house at the top.
So the Christmas pudding is right at home,
with its Gingerbread Man baker right behind.
Now that the Christmas pudding has
arrived,
God Bless Us Everyone!
Thanks for stopping by
and
happy hunting!

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