LeapDay Libations & Xmas Tree Flames
Pouring one out and lighting one up for rip-roaring rarity
Happy Leap Day! It’s February 29, that rare occurrence that only happens every four years (well almost…see below).
Remember the last leap year? Yeah. 2020. And before that it was 2016. This poor unfortunate phenomenon must think we’re just always mid-election year…
Why do we Leap Day?
The Earth moves around the sun at 365 days plus a few hours. So to keep the calendar consistent, a little compensation is necessary.
Leap Day began with the Julian Calendar in 46 BCE. But their quadrennial program caused the calendar to get ahead of the sun by 44 minutes at a pop.
To compensate for that, in 1582 AD the Gregorian Calendar added a double-leap year rule to skip leap days on century years not divisible by 400. So there was no February 29, 1800 but there was one in 2000. And there won’t be in 2100.
When will that calculation catch up to us? Well that’s a question for someone smarter than me to answer. This image encapsulates more the tenor of my realm:
When holidays collide
This year Leap Day happens to coincide with my favorite of the high holidays: Burning Of The Xmas Tree.
Usually landing somewhere between Twelfth Night and Valentine’s Day, it’s an evening of revelry and spark-spangled splendor. But also awareness and precaution. The sacred elements are a working hose, a spacious yard, and a windless night.
A Christmas tree burns with a mesmerizing and humbling ferocity. Somewhere between a Fourth of July fountain and a jet engine. You can’t help but picture it happening in a livingroom somewhere.
Fortunately this one will alight in my big stone firepit (wider than the tree is tall) surrounded by stone and gravel for several meters all around. And yes, I’ll test the hose ahead of time. What I like about fire is the taming of it. The Promethean power it puts in our hands.
Along with unparalleled pyromanic pleasure, this tradition of mine on the hellish side of wholesome also serves as a rigorous reminder to water the next one religiously and keep it far from any candles or outlets. Not to mention getting it out of the house quickly once the season is over.
Drink o’ the fest: Mulled Wine
Hearty red wine (per 1 bottle)
Brandy, tequila, or whiskey (1/4-3/4 cup)
Grand Marnier (1/8-1/4 cup)
Honey, sugar, maple, or other sweetener
Whole spices: cinnamon stick, cloves, allspice berries, mace, star anise, orange peel, ginger, etc to taste.
In a large saucepan, stockpot, or slow-cooker on medium, toast the dry cracked whole spices until aromatic (optional: add a healthy pat of butter to brown)
Carefully add a few splashes of wine and bring to a simmer. Add any fresh aromatics like orange peel or ginger coins
Add wine and liquor to taste; sweeten to taste
Cover and bring to a simmer; turn down heat to mature (20-40 mins)
Remove spices with a tea strainer and keep covered, on lowest heat while serving
(Try it for real! And post in the comments how it went)
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I’ll post video of the burning in the comments…so click the speechbubble button Friday afternoon to check it out.
Meanwhile I’ll leave you with this from Jim Gaffigan re Christmas trees: