Friday, December 20, 2013

Hark! A Christmas Blog Contest! - Day 20ish

Okay then! Wednesday's answer was d). Boxing day is the day the money in the alms boxes is counted, although it has come to mean many other things.

Today's pie is Cranberry-Ginger-Pear pie. I have no idea how this tastes as I have never made it. It came up on my google search for "ginger pie" and looked good.

The question is:

The first song played from space was a Christmas carol! Was the song:

a) Jingle Bells
b) Santa Clause is Coming to Town
c) Jingle Bell Rock
d) Rudolf the Red Nosed Reindeer

Bonus! Can you name the space program that played it? 

(Note: There is no special prize for answering the bonus question. It's just there to make you feel smart!)

Wednesday, December 18, 2013

Hark! A Christmas Blog Contest! - um... what day is it?

Yeah. I know. I should avoid doing countdowns that involve contests considering exactly how much time I have around the holidays.

On the upshot, I have finished all of the prize baskets!

First place will win:
- A downloadable copy of the Piano Guys: A Family Christmas (via Amazon or iTunes).
- First pick of the handmade ornaments (you have the choice of a white star, a green sweater, or a little sock - pics to come when I've recharged my camera battery).
- Either a homemade gingerbread, or a gingerbread mix.

Second place will win:
- A downloadable copy of the Piano Guys: A Family Christmas
- Second choice of the handmade ornaments.

Third place will win:
- The remaining ornament.

The previous correct answer is b). St. Nicholas brought three boys back from the dead after they were murdered and pickled in brine. Legend has it that the murderer was planning on selling the cuts of boy meat as pork. Ew.

Today's pie is rhubarb (because why not).

Today's trivia question is:

Boxing day - the day after Christmas - is called such because:
a) you box up all the Christmas things
b) fruitcake used to be called "box cake" in Sweden
c) Italy used to hold boxing matches the day after the festivities
d) it is named after the traditional counting up of the money in the alms boxes

Thursday, December 12, 2013

Hark! A Christmas Blog Contest! - Day 12ish

I need to apologize for my disappearance over the past two days. I caught something that just knocked me flat.

The answers to days 8 and 9 are "I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas" (or some permutation thereof) and c), Odin.

It is believed that the clicking of the reindeer's hooves was interpreted as Sleipnir, the eight-legged horse who sprang fully formed from Loki's womb, on the rooftops as Odin gave gifts to the good children of Earth.

Think about that in the Marvel universe, and it gets very, very weird.

I suspect you should leave Odin a reminder of mead (alcohol made from honey) and make him this Greek Honey Pie. I know, technically it isn't pie, but it came up when I searched for "honey pie."

I've made the decision that the Christmas carols are too easy, and they're boring for me. Trivia is way more fun.

Today's question is:

St. Nicholas is sometimes depicted with children standing in vats or tubs. This is because:
a) he is the patron saint of children
b) he once brought three boys back from the dead
c) it is symbolic of his love of Christ
d) in the region where he was from, it was customary for bishops (as he was) to bless alter boys as they bathed

Welcome back!

Monday, December 9, 2013

Hark! A Christmas Blog Contest! - Day 9

Based on the results from this weekend, I'm going to assume that weekends are a terrible time to do this.

Lesson learned. We'll cut Saturdays and Sundays from the schedule. 

I also have an announcement about the prizes! I have finished two of the ornaments. I will post pictures when I have all three. First and second place winners will get to choose which one they get. 

Today we're featuring Strawberry Pie (mmm... strawberries). 

Saturday's trivia response was d) Spiders. 

The legend is that a spider wove the blanket the baby Jesus used in the manger. 

Today's Trivia is:

An obscure origin of Santa is found in:

a) Zeus
b) an Old English poem called "Seafarer"
c) Odin
d) The Virgin Mary

Have a great Monday! Or just yell at it because it's a dirty rat fink that should be drop kicked into another state. Either way.

Sunday, December 8, 2013

Hark! A Christmas Blog Contest! - Day 8

I don't have a lot of answers waiting from the last post, so I'm going to leave it up a bit longer before publishing the comments and answer.

We're back to the Christmas carols today, but before we do that, here's a recipe for delicious peach pie! 

Today's carol is:

Hallucinatory phenomenon involving a natal celebration devoid of color.

I'm going to admit to being very tired today, so please pardon the lack of witty prose. Mom and I went to Denver yesterday and we didn't get back until about 1am. I drank so much caffeinated soda I didn't sleep until it wore off around 2. Note: next time, leave earlier.

Saturday, December 7, 2013

Hark! A Christmas Blog Contest! - Day 7

Sorry for the delay, folks! It's harder than it looks to blog from a cell phone. I had to wait until I could get wifi.

Today's pie is the American classic, apple pie.

Yesterday's answer was Joy to the World.

Today's trivia is:

Which animal is a symbol of Christmas in Poland?
a) rabbits
b) bears
c) fox
d) spiders

Have a great rest of your day!

Friday, December 6, 2013

Hark! A Christmas Blog Contest! - Day 6

Aaannnd we're back!

Today we have a delicious pumpkin pie recipe to try!

Yesterday's answer was... c) dyed goose feathers!

The Germans figured out that goose feathers were the easiest to turn into an artificial Christmas tree, but the trees were still remarkably unrealistic.

Image courtesy of www.christmas-treasures.com

They had sparse branches and were often small, rarely topping over 50". The trees would be covered in whatever people could find to cover the sparseness of the tree.

Today we're back to carols!

An emotion excited by the acquisition or expectation of good given to the terrestrial sphere.

Also, tomorrow's post will be a bit odd. I'll be heading down to Denver for Christmas shopping with my mom and will be trying to post from my cell phone - which I've never done before. Fingers crossed.

Thursday, December 5, 2013

Hark! A Christmas Blog Contest! - Day 5


Yes. Yes I am. In fact, today's recipe is for Lemon Merengue Pie.

Yesterday's answer was "Silent Night."

Today we're back to trivia and here's the question:

The first artificial Christmas trees were invented in Germany and were made of:

a) gathered pine limbs
b) animal furs
c) dyed goose feathers
d) specially treated and carved wood

Happy guessing, and happy 5th of the month!

Wednesday, December 4, 2013

Hark! A Christmas Blog Contest! - Day 4

And now... the answers from the last two days.

Day 2's answer was "Hark! The Harold Angels Sing" (don't worry, those will get progressively harder).

Yesterday's answer was actually b) a parasitic infection. (It should be noted that this was the only correct one among the available choices. There is another theory that it may have been caused by a trait reindeer have that allow them to adjust the specific location where they need heat in their bodies, but it has also not been proven.)

In this article from Parasitol Today, Dr. Halvorsen claims that a parasite with immunities to freezing temperatures is responsible for the famous red nose.

Of course, it could also just be magic.

I also have a prize to show you from the final baskets! Okay, it's not actually in physical form, but you can have your very own, downloaded copy of the Piano Guys' Christmas album, A Family Christmas. All three winners will receive a downloadable copy of the album.

Today we're having another Christmas Carol!

Nocturnal timespan of unbroken quietness.

Good luck!

P.S. Hey pie peeps! Here's a cherry pie recipe for your trouble!

Tuesday, December 3, 2013

Hark! A Christmas Blog Contest! - Day 3

Okay, so we have a slight modification to the contest.

As it turns out, the picture I have of the Christmas Carol images to guess is of a terrible resolution and one big picture. If I take one little one off the picture, it shows up on the site as a smaller-than-a-postage-stamp thingy. If I try to enlarge it, it pixelates and you can barely see it. No, I don't think that will work.

So, I'm adding in some trivia.

Since I posted such a late post last night, I'll keep yesterday's question up for awhile before I tell you the answer.

Today's pie is for quiche. Quiche is egg pie, right?

Today's question is:

Norwegian scientists have hypothesized that Rudolph's red nose was caused by:
a) a genetic mutation.
b) a parasitic infection.
c) a physical trauma.
d) magic.

Have fun!

Monday, December 2, 2013

Hark! A Christmas Blog Contest! - Day 2

I apologize for the delay, everyone. Between some problems with the image questions and the fact that I just spent two hours at the grocery store because of an impending snow storm, I'm only just getting to the post now.

I'll leave this one up for awhile so everyone can comment if they like.

Yesterday's answer was "O Come All Ye Faithful."

Today's pie is French Silk.

Today's question is:

Listen, the celestial messengers produce harmonious sounds.

Sunday, December 1, 2013

Hark! A Christmas Blog Contest!

Ladies and gentlemen (and Steve. Shut up Steve), after a rather long hiatus, I have returned, and with goodies from the fat guy himself!

Okay, Santa has nothing to do with this, and when I asked him he said "Leave me out of your life's plans, weirdo," but that's besides the point.

The point is, I am hosting a Christmas contest right here on the blog! Ravelry even said it was a good idea!


Okay, they also seem to like pie.

The game is this: Every day until the 24th, I will post a strange phrase or image that represents a Christmas song or carol. Your job is to figure out which one it is. There might be duplicates, so if you've answered, say, "We Wish You a Merry Christmas" once, it might come up again.

For the people who answered "Pie!" there will be a link to a pie recipe every day. Just for you guys. Even if you don't want to participate in the contest, I am doing something for my pie peeps.

Here's a recipe for pecan pie!

I will open the comments for the answers, and the next day at 9 am I will close them so I can tally up the correct answers. Because all comments on this blog are moderated, you won't be able to see anyone else's comments until I post them... which will likely happen right around the time the comments are closed. I know. I'm evil.

Rules:
1) You may only post once per question. Once you've answered, you're done. Any additional answers will be disregarded.

2) You must be logged into a Google account. I know, very single-minded of me. Here is my reasoning. I really don't want anyone upping their odds by entering multiple times, under multiple accounts or anonymously and regularly changing their name and entering over and over.

This also allows me to email you if you win. If you would like me to inform you another way (say via text or twitter because twitter), drop me a line in the comments. I'll get back to you right away.

As for the prizes...

::coughs nervously:: ... they aren't, um, exactly finished. But I can tell you that there are three of them for the first, second and third place winners. They (will) contain handmade ornaments, tasty goodies and possibly something to do with the Piano Guys. The first and second place winners will also get something extra special.

Also, there is a fantastic playlist I have made, just for this year's Christmas on Spotify, that everyone who participates will receive a link to.

So, without further ado, the carol.

Move hitherward the entire assembly of those who are loyal in their belief.

Happy guessing, blogonauts!
Creative Commons License
Help, The Stash is Attacking! When Yarn, Knitting and Growing Up Go Terribly Awry by Kimberly Lewis is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.
Based on a work at thestashattacked.blogspot.com.