I don't remember covering the tradition of the Yule Log. About 6 years ago, I put together a garden presentation on Christmas - Christmas trees, Poinsettias, Christmas displays such as Longwood with their trees made of succulents and herbs, and their lights making stars in the sky. There are botanical displays at Niagara Falls Greenhouse, Toronto's Centennial Greenhouses and Allan Gardens - they all have topiary Christmas displays.
But I hadn't considered the Yule Log to be a garden topic. The traditional log is meant to come from the forest - cut down a sizeable oak trunk/log so that it burns for so many days preceding Christmas. Another version has a portion of the log being burnt each evening up till Christmas (more practical).
Considered a Germanic pagan tradition, it is an emblem of divine light and is meant to absorb all the bad and negative things so that when it is burned, they are dissolved. In some cultures, there is a tradition of dragging the Yule Log from house to house and absorbing the whole town's negativity.
It has somehow evolved into a French cake - Buche de Noel. Cut one end of the log off and place it on top of the cake, along with other adornments - sleighs, trees, and so on. Maybe make a chocolate pine cone or little marzipan mushrooms. Given the ganache and buttercream fillings, it makes me think of this Christmas thought:
When what to my wondering eyes should appear... but ten extra pounds on hips, thighs and rear.
And here's a cartoon I found that combines the Yule log and the Christmas letter.
This is one of my favourite holiday cards - Floyd Elzinga work with some stars added. His tree trunks definitely would make great Yule Logs.
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