Seven Swans Swimming

I am looking at my cats wondering if they are in fear of the “Fiscal Cliff”. They are asleep on my bed. They have no fear. They live in the kingdom of Everlast; ruled by me, Tamara. They do not worry about food or shelter or medical insurance. They do not worry about bills or even what may happen in the next 2 minutes. Everything they need is provided. Can it be that simple?

Today is the 7^th day of Christmas. Seven swans swimming. Swans or Cygnus are related to geese and ducks. There are 7 species of swan and they mate for life. A male is a cob and a female a pen. A group of swans is called a bevy and during flight a wedge. The males will take turns with the female incubating the eggs. Swan has been considered a luxury food in England since the reign of Elizabeth I. They are a symbol of love and fidelity.

Today is the Feast Day of Saint Sylvester. He was a Bishop in Rome in 314. Constantine was Ruler and the cathedral church in Rome was actually Lateran Palace, a gift from Constantine to Saint Sylvester.

 In some countries today is simply called Sylvester. Let me introduce you to St. Sylvester…. Once upon a time in Rome there lived a dragon in a pit whose very breath could kill 300 men. Emperor Constantine called Sylvester before him and asked him for help with the dragon. Sylvester prayed to GOD and as he was praying St. Peter appeared to him and told him what to do. Sylvester descended 150 steps carrying two lanterns and upon seeing the dragon spoke to it the words of St. Peter, bound the dragon’s mouth with thread and sealed it. As he climbed back up the steps Sylvester came across two sorcerers who had followed him to be sure it was done. They were half dead from the stench of the dragon breath. Sylvester carried them back up the stairs and they and a whole group of people were baptized. Rome was freed from the dragon and from a culture who worshiped false idols. 

St. Sylvester died December 31 at a very old age. So if you are visiting Italy tonight remember it is La Notte di San Silvestro.

A traditional Sylvester Day Punch

Silvesterpunsch

DIRECTIONS

Add tea to 2 cups boiling water; steep 3 minutes. Cover. Reserve. Boil sugar, 1 cup water in saucepan 3 minutes; remove foam. Add lemon rind, vanilla; reserve 1 hour. Combine sugar mixture, tea, remaining ingredients in large container. Chill 8 hours in refrigerator before serving. Yield, 12 servings

Recipe Source: Catholic Cookbook, The by William I. Kaufman, The Citadel Press, New York, 1965

INGREDIENTS

1 tablespoon dark tea

3 cups boiling water, divided

3 cups sugar

rind of 1/2 lemon

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 bottle red wine

1 bottle Rhine wine

1/2 bottle Madeira wine

1/4 bottle rum

juice of 2 oranges

2 tablespoons pineapple concentrate

1/4 cup Maraschino juice

Details

Serves: 12

Have a pleasant day!