Advent :: Day 21 / Nuts for Christmas!

Walnuts for your Stocking, originally uploaded by Ouissi.

Thanks to Flickr user Ouissi for allowing me to share her photo!

Something for you to read: Click on the photo above to read a little fun historical background on the role of walnuts in European Christmas traditions, courtesy of Ouissi.

Something for you to watch: Please set aside ten minutes to do this! Watch a ten-minute look back on Mark Morris' production of The Hard Nut. Morris collaborated with famed comic book illustrator Charles Burns in 1991 for an update on the classic tale of The Nutcracker. The production is set in the 1970's instead of the late 18th century. I admit, it is not my favorite Nutcracker ever, but it is truer than most to the E.T.A. Hoffman story, and offers up some wonderful, creative moments. The video shows excerpts of Morris' version of the joyous Snowflake dance - watch to see why it's one of my favorite pieces of choreography ever!

Something for you to make:

Walnut Shell Place Card Holders via Zakka Life

Walnut Shell Votives via Ella Pedersen

:: EDIT ::

I had to add this adorable Walnut Boat Ornament via Disdressed

Something for you to listen to: Speaking of Nutcracker updates check out Duke Ellington's arrangement of The Nutcracker Suite.

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I'll tell you what is nuts - all of the snow we've been getting! I'm staying toasty warm watching Family Guy with Matt. Goodnight all!