Josh Kilmer-Purcell's Blog, page 131

Christmas Wishes That Last the Ages.

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Family history lines the Beekman mantle

Some people who saw our Country Living Holiday feature noticed the collection of vintage holiday post cards lining our dining room mantle. This was something we did our very first Christmas at the Beekman when we had few furnishings, and even fewer decorations. I remembered the stack of various holiday post cards in the attic that my mother had handed down to me years earlier. So we simply lined them up on the mantle without much thought of design. For whatever reason, they wind up in the same spot every year.

Nearly all of the cards are made out to "Mr & Mrs. Chas Palmer, Greenville NY." They were my Great Great Aunt and Uncle. The couple lived approximately 45 miles from the Beekman, and their farm still stands. For whatever reason, Mrs Chas Palmer's collection of postcards were preserved through the years. There are about three dozen in total, from several holidays throughout the year, but mostly Christmas.

These cards all date from 1908-1913. Before this time, Christmas cards were not for the masses. They were farily expensive cards that required fine printing and envelopes. The advent of commercial post cards in America led to the "Golden Age of American Postcards," lasting from 1898 to 1915. World War I interrupted the import of German postcards, which used the finest printing techniques. Several of our cards are German in origin, as noted in the printers' mark on the back.

While the fronts of these cards make great, simple holiday decoration, it is the backs of them that hold the real treasures. That's part of the reason we don't frame them. We encourage visitors to take them down and read them, one by one. It's wonderful to see the beautiful cursive handwriting and read the heartfelt holiday messages that, perhaps not surprisingly, aren't that different from today's.

While we know that most families don't save their cards past a couple of years, we think it's a great idea for everyone to pick up vintage holiday cards that they find in flea markets and antique stores. Not only do they make an inexpensive decoration, but it's also nice to preserve some long gone, kind soul's holiday wishes. While they may not have had the chance to know you, we're pretty sure that they would be happy that they have a second chance to wish someone a wonderful holiday season.

Below are the front and backs of some of our favorites from our collection, and a little history about the tradition of giving holiday post cards. Click on any one to start a slide show with captions explaining their history.

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'Twas the Night

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'Twas two years ago

In old Sharon Springs

Two boys did appear,

Along with their things.

City slickers turned farmers

Who hadn't a clue

But Farmer John and the internet

Taught them what to do.

They were bested by pigs

And challenged by llama,

But in their fabulous way

They handled the drama.

Tonight! Josh and Brent

Share clips that are new,

And answer the questions

Submitted by you.

Plus baking and crafts

And cocoa by fire,

And Sharon Springs friends

As their own village choir.

So put on your hat

Your mittens and coats,

It's off to the Beekman

To play with some goats!

SEE HOW WE DECKED THE HALLS THIS YEAR!

Holiday Harmony

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Seconds after this picture was taken we were already bickering about why one of us closed our eyes and the other didn't.

Recently we were asked by Good Housekeeping online for some tips on how to keep a relationship from suffering too much from holiday stress. At first we thought it was kind of funny that they would ask us that question, since one of the things we're best known for is, well, not always getting along.

But then we thought: maybe that's why they're asking us that question. We've had a lot of stressful changes in our lives over the last few years, and even though we can bicker with the best of 'em, we also know how to muddle through intact. And there are times during each holiday season that we all think: how will I get through this?

So, from our dysfunctional happy home to yours, here's our tips for keeping a relationship intact through the holidays. Use them at your own risk.

1. Remember that it's your holiday too. Too often couples feel they need to continue the longtime holiday rituals of their respective families. They run from Aunt Mabel's Christmas Eve Brunch, to Grandma-in-law's Holiday Dinner, to Cousin Sue's Menorah Lighting. By the time everyone on both sides of the family have been paid their respects, there's no time left to start your own holiday traditions. Take a year off from Aunt Mabel. Remember something goofy you and your partner did during your first few holidays together. Now do it again. See? It's already your own tradition.

2. Don't fight. Sometimes it's that simple. After ten years together, Brent and I found ourselves in the situation of living apart again. He had to stay at the farm, and I needed to work in the city. Weekends were the only time we saw each other. Too often I'd get on the train to come back to NYC and realize that we'd wasted our precious time bickering. We're the first to say that there's a healthy amount of nagging, but we've also learned to set aside days where we wake up and promise each other that we won't fight for the next 24 hours. It works. You'll be surprised at how generous you can be to your partner when you're simply reminded to be.

3. Think small. Too often we wrack our brains trying to think of the Mother-Of-All-Holiday-Presents to bestow upon our betrothed. It usually ends in disappointment and hurt feelings. Love is sometimes best shown in little ways. Does your partner always run out of his favorite deodorant? Buy him a year's supply to put in his stocking. Does she complain about dull kitchen knives? Get her an electric sharpener. It's these little things that show how much you really know each other. And that you care enough to make their life just a little bit better every day, not just on holidays.

4. Split up. Yep. Sometimes "divided you'll stand." There's no earthly reason for both of you to attend every single holiday party and gathering together. I hate work parties. They remind me of, well, work. Especially when they're not my own. So back when Brent worked in an office, I simply didn't go. And there's a few friends of mine that he's not all that fond of, so he skips their parties. Guess what? No one misses the missing half. And there were a lot less silent cab rides home.

5. Cut corners. Holidays aren't sporting events. As far as we know, no one hands out a prize on January 2nd to the couple who had the most impressive holiday season. If you don't feel like putting up the tree this year, don't. Spend the time going to a movie instead. Do you really need to bake a dozen cookies for everyone in your neighborhood? Trust us, their waistlines will be happier with holiday note telling them how thankful you are to have them as a neighbor. Cutting back this year won't hurt anyone. Because guess what? The holidays will be right back again this time next year.

Holidays at Beekman 1802

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At Beekman 1802 we work hard to design and create items that are of exceptional quality.  If you would like to make us a part of your holidays this year, please visit the online outpost of our Mercantile.  Click here.

Remember that the last day to order for guaranteed Christmas shipping is Dec 16.  NOTE:  some of our hand-made items are very labor intensive.  If an item is on backorder and we do not anticipate it being ready for shipping in time, we will notify and give you the option to refund your purchase.

You can also visit our Mercantile at 210 Main Street in Sharon Springs, NY.

To find other fine retailers carrying our products in your area, see our list of retail partners.  Click here

We hope you, your family and friends have a wonderful holiday season.

Sincerely,

Brent, Josh, Farmer John and all the goats

Beekman 1802 Generous Fruitcake

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Fruitcake became popular in Europe in the late 16th century, an ingenious idea resulting from imperialism's influx of exotic fruits and cheap sugar.  The fruit was preserved by soaking it in concentrated sugar water.

What better way to eat candied fruit than wrapping it in cake?!

It's unclear when someone had the brilliant idea to macerate the fruit and soak the cake in liquor, but surely no one put up much of an argument.

Always a fair man, during the holidays William Beekman would allow his servants to make products to sell in his mercantile and earn extra income.  His housekeeper, Generous, was well-known for her "spirited" fruitcakes.  She used only the best ingredients from the shelves of the mercantile, just like the version that we sell today.

Our version, made in the ovens of the Black Cat Bakery right in Sharon Springs, is a "generous" 1.5 lbs, and contains only the best assortment of fruits macerated in locally distilled spirits.

Each cake is hand-wrapped in brandy-soaked cheesecloth.  As the cake is consumed, keep the remainder wrapped and continue to brush the cloth with your own brandy or spirit of choice.  The flavors will continue to develop.  (You can try this technique with any fruitcake that finds its way to your doorstep)

NOTE:  The Generous Fruitcake is available in the Beekman 1802 Mercantile each year beginning Thanksgiving Day and is available for purchase until January 1.  To every thing there is a season…

To purchase, click here

We believe in sharing.  If you'd like to try our recipe yourself, click here

Winter Morning Wreath

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Many of the craft projects we undertake at Beekman Farm start with a morning walk.  Last winter, we were overwhelmed by the beauty of a hoar frost (click here to see images of this phenomenon), and this became the inspiration for some of our holiday decorations.

How could we re-create something so breathtaking?

Here's what we did:

Step 1: Collect bits of nature

Step 2: Wire each piece to a wooden dowel

Step 3: Boil several gallons of water in batches

Step 4: In large glass containers, combine water with Sodium Tetraborate (also known as household Borax) About 3 TBS for every cup of water.  Stir to dissolve thoroughly.

Step 5: Suspend the dowel over the edges of the container allowing the object to be submerged, without touching the sides or bottom of the jar.

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Step 6: Allow to sit for 12 – 24 hours

Step 7: Remove the object and allow to dry on paper towels.

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Pine cones

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Blue Spruce

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Sedum

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Echinacea

Step 8: Once dry, shake off any lose crystals

Step 9: Using a wreath form, or a plain wreath, wire the crystallized objects to the wreath, in a design of your choice.

Step 10: Hang from a door, window, or use as a centerpiece.  Some of the crystals are fragile, so it's best to place this wreath where it can be admired but not disturbed

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The Generous Fruitcake Recipe

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Most fruitcakes are heavy with lots of strangely colored dried fruits. This fruitcake has only fruit that we really like.  It can be adapted to include (or exclude) whatever fruits you like. Makes two 1 ½  lb fruitcakes.

Ingredients

1 ¼  cups
chopped dried Calimyrna figs
(about 6 oz)


4 ½  cups
chopped dried fruits, best quality, organic / local wherever possible. Here's what we like:
½  cup     dates

1  cup       candied pineapple

1  cup       dried apricots

½  cup      dried cherries

½  cup      dark raisins

1  cup       golden raisins


½  cup
light rum



1 ½  cups
unsalted butter, room temperature
(3 sticks)


1 ½  cups
white sugar



1  cup
packed brown sugar



8
large eggs



1 tbsp
pure vanilla extract



1  tsp
baking soda



½  tsp
salt



3  cups
all purpose flour



1 ½  cups
pecans, toasted

Instructions

The day before

Chop the dried fruits in good-sized pieces.
Combine dried figs, mixed fruits, golden raisins, and rum in large bowl.
Cover and let stand at room temperature overnight, stirring occasionally.

Make the cake

Preheat oven to 325°F.
Butter baking pans or forms.
Beat 1 1/2 cups butter, sugar and brown sugar in large bowl until light.
Beat in eggs 1 at a time, then vanilla, baking soda and salt.
Stir in flour in 4 additions.
Stir in pecans, dried fruit mixture and any soaking liquid from bowl.

Bake the cake

Divide batter among prepared pans. Place pans on baking sheet and place on center rack of oven.
Bake until tester inserted into center of cakes comes out clean, about 1 hour 20 minutes.

Finishing

Cool cakes completely in pans on racks.
Wrap in plastic or aluminum foil.
Let stand at least 1 day and up to 3 days at room temperature.
Wrap in cheesecloth, and if you wish, baste with liqueur of your choice.

Storage & Serving

Store several weeks at room temperature or months in a refrigerator
Serve at room temperature
If the cake becomes dry, use a pastry brush to brush the outside of the cake with brandy

If this all sounds too-complicated given all the other things you have to do during the holidays, let us do the work.   The Beekman 1802 Generous Fruitcake is available every year from Nov 1 – Jan 1.  Click here for more details.

To see Josh put this recipe all together, click here

A Victorian Holiday to Remember

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At the first annual Sharon Springs Victorian Holiday Celebration it would have been hard to know what year it was without a calendar.

Sharon Springs may have historically been a summer spa town, but that didn't stop the village from hosting a Victorian Christmas Celebration that would have rivaled any throughout the ages.  From an operetta performed on the second floor of the American Hotel, to Victorian dance lessons in this historic Roseboro ballroom, to the village's annual tree lighting ceremony, the day was as memorable as it was colorful. Watch the slide show below to see the brilliant finery of the many visitors to the village this weekend. (Photos courtesy of Harold Levine or Thom Driver. Thank you.)

While everyone in the village worked tirelessly to deliver an amazing experience, special thanks must go to our Beekman 1802 colleague, Maria Vought, who first had the inspiration for the event. Thank you, Maria!

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Holiday Cheers!

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To enhance your viewing pleasure and to make The Fabulous Beekman Boys' Fabulous Holiday Special as fabulous as possible, we're going to encourage the playing of a nice parlor game.

During the holiday special, take a sip of your "holiday cheer" every time you hear someone on the show say the word  "holiday"

If you need an idea for a festive cocktail, try our Christmas Kringle.  Click here

Need some nibbly bits?  Try a few of the ones we grew up with.  Click here

The Christmas Kringle

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What is a holiday party without a signature cocktail?

We discovered this particular glass of holiday cheer at our friend Michelle's annual Christmas Day brunch.

This is a "layered" cocktail that looks beautiful in the glass.  Here's how to make  Christmas Kringle

Ingredients

Champagne

Cranberry Juice

Creme de Menthe

Instructions (must be done in this order )

Fill the glass 3/4 with champagne

Next, pour in chilled cranberry juice until you are just below the rim of the glass

Finally, top with two tablespoons of creme de menthe

To garnish, keep a bowl of frozen whole cranberries to drop into the bottom of each glass

Cheers!