Today I went to the German Christmas Market in Vancouver.
Yeah I know it says “Vancouver Christmas Market,” but everyone I know referred to it as the GERMAN Christmas Market. So I wasn’t going to argue the point.
I had some Maple Taffy.
Where they pour hot maple syrup over crushed ice or snow and then twirl it onto a tongue depressor.
The result is an icy chewy, caramelly candy that’s pretty damn awesome.
And picked up a pickle to hang on the tree when I get home.
Good times.
Everyone should have a ‘Good Luck Pickle’ on their tree!
Beware of your pickle.. if it gets gerkin’d by a chiweenie I hear that it’s going to be 4 more weeks of dog poop. (sending you and beth a gifty soon!)
It looks like a good time. What is with the pickle? Does it have any special meaning or did you just think it was cool?
Go to Wikipedia and look up “Christmas pickle”. You’re supposed to hide it on the tree and whoever finds it gets a reward or good luck for the next year.
As a german, who lives near the capital of german christmas markets (Nuremberg), let me tell you this: until now I’ve neither seen giant gingerbread men nor christmas tree pickles… but perhaps I missed the latest trend…
Let the youngest in the family hang the pickle. And hang it last on the tree. That’s for good luck. German tradition.
I’ve heard it’s a German tradition to hide the pickle in the tree and whoever finds it gets a prize. Might differ according to region I guess.
Perhaps you should come to Germany, visit a Christmas market and see for yourself if the one in Vancouver can be compared to the ones over here.
A pickle can also have another special significance for the young woman in the household.
I wonder if those tongue depressors were purchased used from a nearby medical clinic.
Thanks for sharing this! I live in Vancouver so I’ll have to check it out. I hadn’t heard of it (just moved up here this summer). My mom hangs a pickle ornament on the tree each year and the first “kid” to find it (I’m in my 20′s so I use the word kid loosely) gets a little prize. It’s one of my favorite traditions!
Man, this kinda bummed me out that I’m not up there with ya
i need to hide my pickle!
That maple syrup candy is right out of Little House on the Prairie books, which I read about a bajillion times. I always wanted to try it. I’m so jealous right now!!
The pickle always makes me think of PDQ Bach’s music. “Put the pickle down, Uncle John!”
Jorge, thanks so much for coming by the Vancouver Christmas Market (or German) it’s all debatable after three years. Glad that you had an amazing time, and that we hope that you’ll be able to come visit us next year. Really happy that you picked up a pickle! The legends of pickles and the way they started have become as interesting as stories of Santa Claus. Happy holidays! And Holly and Jolly the gingerbread people say “hi!”
See what happens when you show the world your pickle! Jorge, Jorge…
Long time fans. We miss you on TV dude. Get back to work!
I encountered fresh maple syrup candy while a student at NMU…it’s a wonderful treat, and vegan, at that!
A tongue depressor?!! How horrifying! I don’t even do popsicle sticks. {Shudder} I could NOT eat something off a tongue depressor!!
yeah, yeah, Christmas, but lets get to the important stuff…you were an answer on Jeopardy yesterday..the question was Hurley and dr. what ever your name was on Alcatraz(sorry I’m old I forget) and I’m yelling who is Jorge Garcia over and over..no one got it..but me..ha merry christmas
Are you going to play find the pickle on Jorge later???
Nope, no Xmas-pickles in Germany. I love the VCM (especially as I am not going to visit my family this christmas, this year) but: It’s like 10 percent of what a real German Christmas Market is. But a Glühwein after a shopping spree in town, this is what pre-Christmas time is about
We have a good luck pickle for our tree too….and a cricket on our hearth for good luck. I hope you and Beth have a very MERRY CHRISTMAS and 2013 is a very good year for you!
At Walmart today, someone had graffitied the vending machine and it said “RIP Nu Nu”. I like to think it was a tribute to your adorable puppy, may she rest in peace.
That candy looks awesome! Glad you had a great time.
mmmmmm……maple pickle
Se ve todo delicioso!!! perdon por no escribir mucho, ultimamente voy con mucho trabajo por arreglar
Jorge,
MMMM looks delicious!!!
Meet BeeBee: http://www.wimp.com/chihuahuawheelchair/
Thanks for the picture!
Jorge and Bethany!!! Happy Moldavian New Year!
))
Happy Happy New Year!!!!!!!
Happy New Year Jorge, Bethany & pups!
Beware of pickles. They are dangerous. Anyone that ate a pickle in 1768 is dead today. Coincidence? I think not.
http://www.collegehumor.com/video/6861990/lost-rpg
It’s beginning to look like you need to post something else.. dang!
Yes I know I’m sorry. I’ve been neglecting all of this stuff. I’ll try not to let go so long anymore. Well I’m not going to try but I’ll try to try.