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Tis’ the season to be jolly and what better way to induce a little jolliness than with a good mug of mulled wine?  All over the world for centuries, people have been drinking mulled wine …

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Pliny* had a point when he quoted Alcaeus who coined the phrase, in  vino veritas and so did the barbarians who enjoyed a good couple of goblets when they were having meetings.  When one pages …

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We had a pomegranate tree in the middle of the back vineyard when I was growing up. It was very old and the ants usually got to the fruit before we did but I loved …

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In Europe, the advent of the New Year is enthusiastically heralded with outstanding food, very noisy jubilation, a plethora of differing traditions and great optimism and hope – much like everywhere else in the world. …

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Wishing all of you and your families all the best for Christmas – may this year be your most blessed and may all your recipes work out perfectly. We have tried, in the past few …

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In the Philippines, Christianity is the chosen religion and Christmas begins 9 days before the 25th with a mass, the Misa de Gallo when the story of the birth of Jesus is read.  Each evening, …

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This will be our last Christmas post this year and we wish everyone a joyous day and trust that it brings peace wherever you are.  Since this season is a time of love, traditionally spent …

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Even though the Japanese aren’t traditionally Christians, Christmas is celebrated here – it was introduced by the Christian missionaries and for many years was only celebrated  by those who had turned to the Christian faith. …

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Nollaig Shona Dhuit (happy Christmas) will echo through Ireland on Christmas Eve as the Irish greet one another and since the children in Ireland still learn to speak the language at school, they’ll understand perfectly. …

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Like most traditions in most religions, the Christmas tree could have pagan roots – but then even candles were once used by the Egyptians* in the worship of their deities 3,000 BC.  In Roberts Chambers’ …