Welcome Wassailers

Hello Friends,

It's Wassail Wednesday here at MET, which means that not only will we be open for extended viewing (until 8 p.m.) of our amazing Festival of Trees, but we will also be doing some special activities.

For today, beginning at 5:30 p.m., we will be offering samples of our hot wassail. The term wassail comes to us from an Olde English toast which means "Be in good health," so we proudly serve it to you to boost your spirits and get your creative juices flowing for tonight's gingerbread house-making workshop.

Yes, at 6 or 7 p.m., visitors can make their very own gingerbread house the Museum way: with cardboard and paint! Interested participants are encouraged to pre-register by calling us at 639-4434, as supplies and seats are very limited for tonight. (Thanks to the many of you who have called us already!)

If you're not able to attend tonight's events, build your own at home. A how-to is below.

Gingerbread House How-To

Materials: cardboard, hot glue, paint, house pattern, ribbon, cotton balls, regular glue, paint brush, any other decorations desired

• Use patterns to trace shapes onto cardboard. Make two copies of each of the three patterns for a complete house.

• Cut out cardboard shapes. Use caution with sharp scissors!

• Use hot glue to attach walls of house to a larger piece of cardboard that will be your foundation and to each other. Use caution with hot glue!

• Use paint, ric-rac, cotton balls, glitter, stryofoam, fabric, markers, beads, glue, etc to decorate your gingerbread cottage and make it your own!

Thirsting for some delicious wassail? Try this recipe.

American Wassail Recipe

Makes: 1.5 gallons

Ingredients:

• 1 can (1 qt 14 oz size) pineapple juice
• 1 quart Orange Juice
• 1/2 cup lemon juice
• 5 tea bags
• 2 cups sugar
• 2 teaspoons whole cloves
• 3 cinnamon sticks
  
  

Directions:

Combine fruit juices. Steep tea in 2 1/2 qts boiling water for 5-10 minutes. Remove tea bags. In sauce pan combine remaining ingredients with 1 qt cold water - bring to a boil and boil 3 minutes. Strain. Just before serving combine juices, tea and spiced water and bring to a boil.

And to all of you, be in good health and Happy Wassail Wednesday!