Posted on 12/09/2023 6:14:52 AM PST by Diana in Wisconsin
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How did a tropical plant become an unlikely symbol of the Christmas holiday? The history of the poinsettia begins with an old Mexican legend and, later, a prominent American business venture. Discover the legend of the poinsettia!
You say poin-set-ee-uh, I say poin-set-uh—but let’s call the whole thing off because the name of the ubiquitous holiday plant can be pronounced either way.
America’s Favorite Holiday Flower
Aside from the Christmas tree itself, no plant symbolizes Christmas quite like the poinsettia. More than 2 million will be sold this year, making it the largest potted flower crop grown in the United States!
Over 100 varieties of poinsettias are available in shades of red, pink, white, and yellow—solids, streaked, marbled, and multicolored. It makes it hard to pick just one!
Why Are Poinsettias the Christmas Flower?
Native to Mexico, the plant is called Flor de la Noche Buena (Flower of the Holy Night) due to its resemblance to the Star of Bethlehem.
In their native region of southern Mexico, poinsettias flower during the winter season. It’s a perennial shrub that was once considered a weed and will grow 10 to 15 feet tall in the wild. The Aztecs used the poinsettia bracts to make a reddish-purple dye for fabrics and used the sap medicinally to control fevers. The colored “flowers” are specialized leaves called bracts, while the actual flowers are inconspicuous beads found in the center of the bracts.
According to Mexican lore, a young child, Pepita, did not have a gift for the baby Jesus at a Christmas Eve service. She was penniless, so all she could do was pick a bouquet of weeds to offer. The angels felt compassion for her plight. So, after Pepita set the flowers at the crèche of the nativity on Christmas Eve, the angels transformed the weeds into beautiful red flowers. This is why red and green are the colors of Christmas today.
https://www.almanac.com/poinsettia-christmas-story
Nice story.
Added Food-Related Bonus! ‘Pepita’ are roasted Pumpkin Seeds. ;)
39 Pumpkin Seed Recipes That Are Anything But Boring
https://www.bonappetit.com/recipes/slideshow/pumpkin-seed-pepitas
(Pretty sure NO parts of the Poinsettia are edible.) :)
A general rule in grammar dictates elimination of meaningless redundant syllables and supports your pronunciation--"poin-set-uh"-- as correct!
Raspberry-Marzipan Coffee Cake
Layers of almond-flavored marzipan, raspberries and streusel.
Ingredients Buttery Streusel---- 1/3 cup Gold Medal all-purpose flour 1/4 cup granulated sugar 1/4 cup firm butter or margarine 1/3 cup slivered almonds Coffee Cake---- 2 cups Gold Medal all-purpose flour 3/4 cup granulated sugar 1/4 cup butter, softened 1 cup milk 2 teaspoons baking powder 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 egg 1/2 package (7 or 8 ounce size) almond paste, finely chopped 1 cup fresh or unsweetened frozen (thawed) raspberries
Instructions Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 9 inch square pan.
Buttery Streusel----In small bowl, mix flour and sugar. Cut in firm butter, using pastry blender (or pulling 2 table knives through ingredients in opposite directions), until crumbly. Stir in almonds.
Coffee Cake In large bowl, beat all coffee cake ingredients except almond paste and raspberries with electric mixer on low speed for 30 seconds. Beat on medium speed for 2 minutes, scraping bowl occasionally. Spread half of batter in pan. Sprinkle with half each of the almond paste, raspberries and streusel. Repeat with remaining batter, almond paste, raspberries and streusel. Bake for about 50 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Serve warm.
Thanks, Pete!
*DROOL* I am a sucker for anything ‘marzipan!’ :)
Herb-Seasoned Rib Roast with Red Wine Pan Sauce
Tender beef in savory red wine sauce is a holiday show-stopper.
Ingredients Seasoning----- 2 tablespoons steak seasoning blend* 2 teaspoons dried oregano leaves 2 teaspoons dried thyme leaves Beef----well-trimmed beef rib roast (2 ribs), small end, chine (back) bone removed (4 to 6 pounds) Salt
Red Wine Pan Sauce 1/4 cup finely chopped red onion 3/4 cup dry red wine 1 (13 3/4 to 14 1/2 ounce) can ready-to-serve beef broth 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
Instructions Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Seasoning---- Combine ingredients; press evenly onto all surfaces of beef roast. Beef------ Place roast, fat side up, in shallow roasting pan. Insert ovenproof meat thermometer so tip is centered in thickest part of beef, not resting in fat or touching bone. Do not add water or cover. Roast in 350 degrees F oven for 1 3/4 to 2 1/4 hours for medium rare; 2 1/4 to 2 3/4 hours for medium doneness.
Remove roast when meat thermometer registers 135 degrees F for medium rare; 145 degrees F for medium. Transfer roast to carving board; tent loosely with aluminum foil. Let stand for 15 to 20 minutes. (Temperature will continue to rise about 10 to 15 degrees F to reach 145 degrees F for medium rare; 160 degrees F for medium.) Meanwhile, prepare Red Wine Pan Sauce.
Red Wine Pan Sauce Skim fat from pan drippings, reserving 1 tablespoon. Heat reserved 1 tablespoon fat in 3-quart saucepan over medium heat until hot. Add onion; cook and stir 1 to 2 minutes or until tender. Meanwhile, place roasting pan over medium heat; add wine. Cook and stir for 1 to 2 minutes or until browned bits attached to pan are dissolved. Add wine mixture and broth to onion in saucepan; bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Cook for 12 to 13 minutes or until reduced by about 1/3 (about 1 1/3 cups). Reduce heat to low. Combine butter and flour in small bowl until smooth. Whisk into wine sauce; cook and stir for 1 minute or until sauce is thickened.
Carve roast into slices; season with salt, as desired. Serve with wine sauce and fave sides.
I knew that......snx.
Read the weather report for tomorrow ... meteorologist described what is blowing through the state as a “wicked” storm. Additionally, the dreaded “s” word appeared for the first time ... as the cold air filters in behind the storm, wet ‘snow’ at higher elevations & we hsve the Blue Ridge to traverse. Dagnabbit. I’ve decided to take mom’s little SUV - it has an all wheel drive function that kicks in on slippery roads & new tires. It also has a lower profile than the 2-wheel light-in-the-rear pickup & damaging high gusts of winds are also expected. Too bad the fabulous weather today isn’t happening tomorrow, too.
I expect to make great progress in the garden today! Golf cart ran well yesterday, the only fly in the ointment being it looks like a slow leak in the back left tire. I checked into options on the other golf cart when it had a flat tire: I can buy a whole new wheel/tire from the golf cart dealer or get my car mechanic to order a new tire & mount on the old wheel. I got the tire ordered, but surprisingly, that ended up being the more expensive option. This time. I am just buying a wheel/tire once pumping up the tire gets to be a pain.
The bluebirds were upset with me yesterday - they regularly hang out in the garden, sitting on my trellis which gives them a high vantage point. When I am working in the garden, they have to hang out somewhere else. Every time I haul a load, they are back & have to evacuate the premises temporarily.
The great horned owl was hooting the other night - I LOVE hearing that.
She passed away 12 years ago...but I think of her whenever I see a poinsetta.
How do you take care of poinsettia flowers to keep these holiday plants going strong? See our tips for keeping poinsettias happy and healthy. (Hint: Do NOT overwater!)
Poinsettias (Euphorbia pulcherrima) do need special care to keep blooming—and can be kept year after year to rebloom if you give them proper care.
By the way, the showy red parts of Poinsettia plants are not flowers; rather, they are modified leaves known as bracts. A poinsettia plant’s actual “flower” is the yellow bloom at the center of the bracts. They are plants that bloom when the days are shorter, making them perfect Christmas plants.
Choose plants with little or no yellow pollen to get the longest-lasting poinsettias. To get off to a good start, protect your new plant from cold temperatures and chilling winds on the way home from the store. As this is a tropical plant, don’t leave it in a cold car while you run other errands!
At home, follow these plant care tips:
The plants require bright, indirect light during the day for the brightest color (at least 6 hours a day), so place yours near a well-lit window. East-facing windows are best. However, keep it out of direct sun, which could fade or burn the leaves.
Avoid spots near heating vents and doors. Cold drafts will cause leaves to drop. No part of the plant should touch the cold glass. Excess heat can dry out the plants too much.
Poinsettias favor semi-cool conditions. Keep temperatures between 65° and 70°F, ideally. Basically, maintain temperatures that are comfortable to people. Be sure to lower the thermostat at night so that plants cool off.
Keep the soil moist, but be careful not to overwater, which is the most common cause of death. Only water when the top inch or two of soil feel dry to the touch. If underwatered, plants wilt and shed leaves.
Don’t let the plant sit in water or water-filled sauces which causes root rot. Be careful to remove any foil which may gather water. Treat the saucers like water catchers and 30 minutes or so after a good watering detach it in the sink and let it all drain out.
Fertilizer is never recommended while the plant is in bloom. Fertilize only if you decide to keep them after their holiday bloom.
Poinsettias like humidity. Add plants nearby to aide humidity. Use a humidifier or place plants on a tray filled with pebbles and water to increase relative humidity.
https://www.almanac.com/caring-for-poinsettias
Awww! I lost my BFF of many years to cancer. She LOVED Christmas and always gave the best heart-felt gifts.
I really miss her, but I talk to her all the time. :)
stole it, thanks for the smile!
I only buy "fake" poinsettias and re-use them. I hated throwing them out, they do not grow well in my area.
Meanwhile, we've had such nice weather my paper whites are blooming - a bit early this year, bees love them:
My helpers are getting ready for a visit from Santa:
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