Santas From Around The World: The Southern United States- The Holiday Armadillo (Advent 2020, Day 17)

Since we are on Day 7 (actually Night 7) of Hanukkah, I wanted to return to the festival of lights to showcase a recent addition to the melding of Jewish and Christian holidays known as Christmukkah. Without further ado, here’s the HOLIDAY ARMADILLO!!!

From the TV Show Friends, the Holiday Armadillo is Ross Geller’s attempt to bring his son Ben a visit from Santa. But being so close to the holidays, Ross can’t find a Santa outfit to rent. The next best thing he can find is a gigantic armadillo concert. So instead of St. Nick, Ben is visited by the Holiday Armadillo, Santa’s half-Jewish friend who covers all of the Southern States… and MEXICO!

Things obviously get even more kookier as Chandler shows up as Santa! Ross, who was trying to use the time as a chance to introduce his son to Hanukkah, wants Chandler to vamoose. Naturally, Ben wants the Armadillo to leave instead. But a wise Chandler agrees to stay but only if the Holiday Armadillo will tell him AND BEN of the first ever miracle of lights!

And then Superman arrives on scene!

It’s something you must see to believe…

For today’s recipe, this is very similar to one my grandmother used to make. They’ve got a great sugary crunch factor. Plus, they have an eggy-custardy flavor that I just adore. Enjoy this Southern Butter Cookie recipe from Southernliving.com.

Santas From Around The World: Mexico- Los Reyes (Advent 2020, Day 16)

On Day 5 of this Advent, I mentioned that while the children of some countries in Central and South America receive gifts during the holiday season, they do not get those prizes from Santa. Our featured country of Mexico is one of those lands. Instead of St. Nick, they get their prizes from The Wise Men!

Known as Los Reyes, the Wise Men or Magi give the children of Mexico presents on January 6th, Epiphany (AKA Dia de Los Reyes). Epiphany represents the day the wise men found baby Jesus and gifted him with gold, frankincense and myrrh. See on December 25th, the people of Mexico celebrate Christmas, with a trip to church and a big fiesta. But the gift exchange doesn’t happen until that last day of the holidays! January 6th!

The event ends almost a month long celebration of the birth of Christ. Small gifts of fruit and trinkets are given to all children who participate. A lucky kiddo finds a gift of money hidden from sight. Other fun and games result in the winning of prizes. But the one prize every child wants to find is the baby figure placed inside the oval shaped Rosca de Reyes (King’s Cake). The winner of that present gets to be the host and guest of honor of another big party held later in February. 

Since the Wise Men gave Jesus the first ever Christmas gifts, it makes sense that they are the main gift givers for the holiday season. As areas of Northern Mexico become integrated with those American states that border the Rio Grande, some Mexican children do get gifts from Santa on December 25th. But that tradition is so new, that most boys and girls from that country have never even heard of St. Nicolas.

When you think of the cookies of Mexico, there’s really only 1 choice- the Mexican Wedding Cookie! Though many food historians think that the cookie actually originated in the Middle East. Since we’ve already had a very similar cookie in this Advent with the Russian Tea Cake, I am sharing with you a totally new different cookie recipe. 

I present to you- Hojarascas. These light flaky cookies represent the leaves of autumn, of which they are named after. They pack a cinnamon punch, which I greatly enjoy in Mexican desserts. 

Enjoy!

Santas From Around The World: Denmark, Norway and Sweden AND The Marvel Universe- Odin (Advent 2020, Day 15)

 

Today’s post is quite godly. But not in that Jesus, Mary and Joseph sort of way. The version of Santa we are looking at today is Odin- the Allfather. You know, of Norse mythology and all that. Still doesn’t ring a bell? You know, Thor’s dad (played by Sir Anthony Hopkins) from those Marvel movies? 

Ah, I thought so!

According to Norse mythology, Odin is all-knowing and all-seeing. So he knows whether one of his subjects has been bad or good. Also, the magic gifts that Odin bestows upon those he favors, such as the hammer Mjonir to his son, Thor is made by dwarves and elves. Plus many characters would ask Odin to give them gifts in order to fight epic battles such as Sigmund with his magic sword. According to myth, Odin does his gifting by riding in a flying sleigh lead by the 8-legged horse named Slepnir or sometimes a pair of goats. Odin does this during the time of the Wild Hunt- also known as the 12 days of Yule. 

Still not convinced that Odin is a version of Santa? Odin’s Nordic title of Allfather translates into English as Father Yule. Or Father Christmas. 

 

Still not buying it? Fine. In the 1991 Marvel Holiday Special, it was revealed that Odin in a big purple cloak, was really Santa! There, now you have proof that Odin isn’t a version of Santa, he’s actually the genuine article!

Well as you let that sink in, here’s a recipe from Scandinavia.

Enjoy!

Katy Keene Special #33

Despite the cover, there's no beating the heat in this holiday themed issue. But that's okay with me! As long as it's not a Scrooge- whereas the cover is seasonal and the interior is all something else. Now not every story is Christmas related. But at least two stories have that yule tide spirit and that's enough for me.

The main yarn is a festive story involving supermodel Katy Keene getting all her wealthy friends together to help support an ailing children's hospital during the holidays. Then there's a short in which Katy gets her sister a video game for Christmas. Being an Archie Comic, it's got that typical one-liner ending. There's a third short story that is at least set during Winter. But it's not a Christmas tale.

The final adventure involves a character dreaming about Amelia Earhart. I was wondering why this story was included and I think I've got my answer. Despite promises of future editions, issue #33 would be the last of the series. With exception of a couple of issues of a Katy Keene Digest title (that would be cancelled before Summer, 1990) there would not be another Katy Keene comic published again until 2019 with a miniseries release in anticipation of the live-action Lucy Hale series that aired on TheCW. So, I think Archie was trying to empty it's inventory.

For a 30 year old Archie Comic, this one isn't so bad. The Archie titles went through a slump in the 90s. But you don't see evidence of it here. In fact, I thought this series was pretty innovative what with a number of the outfits in these stories were designed by fans. I appreciated how the editors gave credits to those readers for their contributions.

Before I close this review, I wanted to point out an oddity. I love to read over every single aspect of an old comic. There was a letter from the editor inside. In it, he talks about his writers and artists that would be attending a Con. One of the artists listed was Dan Parent, who happens to be my favorite Archie artist of all time. With this book being 30 years old- just how old is that guy? From his Facebook page, he looks early 40s. What was he in 1990? 12???

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

Santas From Around The World: Iran- Amu Nowruz (Advent 2020, Day 14)

Not all Santas come during the Winter. No, I am not talking about the Easter Bunny or Great Pumpkin. For today’s version of Santa Claus, we head to Iran during the verge of the first day of Spring. 

Our main character is called Amu Nowruz. He appears on the day of Nowruz, the Iranian New Year. Thus Amu Nowruz’s name literally translates as ‘Uncle New Year.’

Amu Nowruz appears with a controversial black-face character known as Haji Furuz. Haji Furuz is a sort of Iranian minstrel, who parades the streets begging for money while banging his tambourine.

The spring equinox marks a special time of romantic tragedy, The Iranian New Year is the only time that Amu Nowruz and his wife Nane Samra are able to be reunited. That’s because Samra is the daughter of a frost deity and Nowruz is a descendant of fair weather beings. Imagine their love story as if Romeo & Juliet was penned by Mother Nature. 

Amu Nowruz is depicted as elderly silver haired gentleman who wears a beat-up Astrakhan hat and carries a long staff and cloak. Excited to be reunited with his bride, Amu Nowruz brings presents for the kiddies he meets on his way to his annual day-long rendezvous. The pair regale the children with the story of Nowruz before the ill-fated lovers must part once again for another 364 days.

I have a heart for Iran and it’s people. Several of my cousins are from Iran. They were smuggled out of that country by the great-uncle after which I am named, on the cusp of the Ayatollah overthrowing the American backed country. And that’s where I am sharing a holiday tradition from my family.

Every year, the mother of my cousins would make her family’s traditional baklava. More of a pastry that cookie, it’s still really delicious. It’s traditionally made with rosewater. But if you can’t find it, vanilla extract will work just as well.

Enjoy!

All-New Batman: The Brave and the Bold, Vol.1

This is another book that I could have finished a month or two ago. But it had a holiday issue inside and I just couldn't pass up the chance to feel the intended yule tide feelings inside. 

The Christmas themed story has Billy Batson taking a shopping trip to Gotham City. Billy is expecting something out of the ordinary since Gotham is the playground of Batman's rogues gallery. But when Billy and Tawky Tawny step off their bus they are faced with the citizens of Gotham trying to kill each other! It's all due to the Psycho Pirate! Turning into SHAZAM!- The REAL Captain Marvel, it's up to the visiting superhero to find Batman and bring back that holiday spirit!

Along with the SHAZAM story, there's several more very fun team-ups. First, Batman heads to the bottle city of Kandor with Superman to solve the motive behind a break-in in a society that hasn't faced crime in centuries. Then Batman and the Flash are sent through the looking glass by the combined efforts of The Mirror Master and The Mad Hatter. J'onn J'onzz, The Martian Manhunter challenges Batman into helping the extra-terrestrial become a better detective. Plus Batman joins forces with Guy Gardner to help a troubled alien on the lamb from those dreaded Manhunters!

Those were all great stories. But besides the holiday story, the best adventure was an epic crossover that puts Wonder Woman in the arms of the Caped Crusader. The gods have paired the two unlikely lovers together on a sort of bet. In what becomes the wedding of the century, countless heroes arrive to witness the nuptials. But then a near unlimited line-up of villains crash the blessed event! If you thought Fantastic Four Annual #3 was the ultimate wedding day battle royale- think again! They've got nothing on the exploits of the Brave and the Bold.

Batman: The Brave and the Bold was a feel good TV series. Though it may be long cancelled, I get to relive that magic in the pages of this amazing volume comics based on the Cartoon Network hit. 

Total fun for the whole family. Full of a nostalgic cast of characters, this book didn't feel old at all. Sholly Fisch (Scooby-Doo Team-Up) has that magic touch in his writings drawing upon the stories I grew up reading as a kid but adding original twists and turns that keep the book from ever feeling stale.

The only thing I hated about this book is that it ended!

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 10 out of 10 stars.

Santas From Around The World: Bavaria- Krampus (Advent 2020, Day 13)

I’ve grown to become a fan of Krampus. A holiday staple of Central Europe, Krampus is the antithesis of Santa Claus. A half-goat, half-demon creature, Krampus kidnaps bad little children on Christmas Eve and takes them to clean in his workshop. Whether Krampus returns the children to their homes after they make his work area spotless is up for debate as some nations traditions state that Krampus eats the kiddies afterwards.

The legend of Krampus has been around since before the birth of Christ. Folklorists consider the character to be a sort of boogey man cautionary tale to naughty children. Then in the 17th century, Krampus was added many European holiday traditions as the yin to Santa’s yang as part of the Festival of St. Nicolas which occurs every December 6th. 

Krampus’ time almost came to an end in the middle of the 20th century. Far right regimes sort to eliminate the evil influence on the holidays. And their plan almost worked until Krampus began a sort of renaissance around the turn of the 21st century.

A series of comic books, horror movies and pop culture kitsch has brought Krampus back into the forefront. Now a European holiday season isn’t complete without the soot hued monster.

There’s a number of countries I could glean a cookie recipe from. But when I think of Krampus, my mind goes straight to the Black Forest of Bavaria. So for my Advent gift for you today, enjoy this delicious Gingerbread cookie recipe that can double as an ornament or decoration!

Enjoy!