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!"

Ebay pic

With some research, I discovered 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.

Buy these three here for $250

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,

get it here

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,

source

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

source

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!

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

Etsy image $15.00

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

800 for $2.27

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!

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.

Figgy Pudding A Victorian Christmas Tradition 

Tasting History with Max Miller 

Not making one, Heavens no, too many steps.

But sampling one.

Figgy Pudding A Victorian Christmas Tradition 

Tasting History with Max Miller 

Here's a bit of the info from

The Conversation-

"A Brief History Of Christmas Pudding"

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.

source

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 

"The Man Who Invented Christmas" 

movie's "The Christmas Spirits" web page

source

 (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."

source

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.

source

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!