Thread:61Storm/@comment-29709319-20181110010804/@comment-29709319-20181223032018

December 23: National Pfeffernusse Day, National Roots Day, and Festivus.

National Pfeffernusse Day! German spice cookie! Pfeffernusse are fluffy cookies made with ground nuts and spices and covered in powdered sugar. The exact origin is unknown however the Dutch believe that pfeffernusse (or pepernoten) are linked to the feast of Sinterklaas, which is celebrated on December 5 in the Netherlands and December 6 in Germany and Belgium. This holiday is when children receive gifts from St. Nicholas, who is partially the inspiration for the Santa Claus tradition. Over time, many bakers have created their own pfeffernusse recipes. Traditional methods included various nuts such as almonds and walnuts. Some modern recipes exclude nuts altogether along with the black pepper, retaining only cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, allspice and cardamom as flavoring. Molasses and honey are often used to sweeten the cookie

🌳National Roots Day encourages us to look into our heritage, families, family history, and ancestry. Collecting information about family roots is made easier when families are gathered together during the holiday season. It is entirely possible a grandparent, parent, aunt or uncle has already started a family tree and will share with other family members. It is often interesting to learn about the lives of our ancestors; where they came from, their struggles, their accomplishments. It is a combination of everyone on the family tree that helps to make the person we are today.

📺Festivus! In a 1997 episode of the popular television comedy, Seinfeld, Festivus was brought to the masses when Frank Costanza (played by Jerry Stiller) explains he invented Festivus in response to the commercialism of Christmas. Its slogan is “A Festivus for the rest of us.” Festivus was created by Reader’s Digest editor and author Daniel O’Keefe in response to family tension. One of its central practices is the “airing of grievances.” It was first celebrated in February of 1966 but later was recognized as it is now, on December 23 in honor of O’Keefe’s first date with his future wife. The Seinfeld episode was written by O’Keefe’s son.

I've never had a Pfeffernusse. They look good. Need to ask someone from the Netherlands🇳🇱, Germany🇩🇪 or Belgium🇧🇪 how they are. Monika your roots are Dutch, wondering maybe you might have had them. My roots are English and German. Still not clear on what Festivus is.

Sending cool sunshine hugs!🐶💕🎄💕