SECTION ONE - HOLIDAY LORE
It's Yule Time - Ahneke Greystone
Yule, a Joyous Season - Mariel Linar
Yule Carols - Contributed by Luna WillowSong
Yule Log Basics - Isha Arrowhawk
A Yule Wish Tree - Lady Chandra
Yuletide Cheer - Isha ArrowHawk
Yuletide Tree of Kisses - Luna Willowsong
Yule Log Desert - Isha ArrowHawk
It's Yule Time
By Ahneke Greystone
WHEN THE SUN COMES UP AGAIN
It is the Great Mother
Who gives birth to Him,
It is the Lord of Life,
Who is born again!
Darkness and tears
Are set aside,
When the sun comes up again!
Traditional chant (anon.)
A story is told about a baby born in a rustic setting. Shepherds gather round to witness
the heralded birth and celebrate the arrival of the Golden Child. The child becomes a
man who inspires others and who has many followers. He performs miracles and loves and
cares for humankind. He shares a last supper with the most loyal of his followers and
rises to heaven. He is promised to return in full Glory at the end of time to welcome
the risen dead into the next world.
This is the tale of the Roman god Mithras, who himself has roots to the ancient Persian
god, Mithra, and in Roman celebrations to Sol and to more ancient Son gods. His story,
that of a reborn god who brings hope to the dark world as the longest night passes, is
reflected in the stories of many other gods at this time of year: Adonis, Attis, Baal,
Bacchus, Balder, Chrishna, Dionysus, Frey, Helios, Horus and Ra, to name a few. It is
also an intimately familiar story to Westerners who know the story of Jesus so well.
As we settle into Winter, we share with all who have come before us an appreciation of
the return of the Light. What better time of year to honor the gods who bring us the
promise of delivery from the frightening darkness of the season? This is the turn of
the Wheel when we are aware of the power of conception; that there is creation and life
within the darkness which will be born into the realization of life. The stories of our
gods reflect our human relationship to the Wheel of life. Darkness is always followed
by light. As with our gods, we are reborn.
The Winter Solstice is the moment when the shift begins. It is the time when we begin to
look forward, rather than back. The Anglo-Saxons celebrated the end of the solar year
and the beginning of the new one at the Solstice. While most modern pagans think of
Samhain as the New Year, when we celebrate the Winter Solstice we are aware that this,
too, is a time of beginning. We hold that emergence in our hearts, for it is not yet
visible. Its tangible signs are yet to come.
The lesson is in the waiting. In trusting that the Great Mystery will, as the wheel
turns, bring us back into the cycle of rebirth. The Solstice is about the return of the
light from without and the light of inspiration from within. Both sources of
illumination are agents of transformation. This is the time of Faith. Of listening to
the ancient, instinctual voice within which speaks about rebirth and promises
eternity.
This is a special time when the focus is on community. On connection and celebration of
humanity and the special bonds which cross all religion and culture. We note what we
have in common with the worldwide celebrations of the season. We focus, not on
differences, but on similarities and common ground. We cherish the best of what we are
and see those qualities reflected in the people around us. We respect differences and
honor connection. This is a moment which has been holy throughout all time. We know,
perhaps more than at any other time of the year, that we are One.
Values at this time of year cross all culture and religion. The love of family and the
celebration of ethnic heritage. The feeling of reflection on the year past and hope for
the year forward. The shared feeling of anticipation of the days of feasting and
celebration. When we place Grandmother's angel or Father's star on our holiday tree, it
does not matter that they celebrated the birth of Christ and we do not. For the moment
is an instance of holy communion with those who came before. We honor them and welcome
their memory. Within our modern celebration of the Solstice we are aware of the myriad
of pagan details which give life to the day. This is what makes us whole. Past and
present together.
The Goddess
The Goddess at the Solstice is giving birth. She is celebrated as the life force, with
her time of Mothering to be celebrated come February. She is a young woman becoming
aware of herself, internalizing the wisdom of the Crone she has just been, and becoming
Self-aware as the Divine Virgin, the Maiden of our pagan trifold Goddess. She is the
symbol of all that we each hold within; each spark of inspiration, each creative thought.
She gives birth to the future. She is also the most ancient of gods, the Sun
Goddesses, who are fiery and wise and hold much of the Crone within themselves.
Goddesses of the Solstice are Maidens/Mothers and Goddesses of the Sun: Akewa,
Amaterasu, Ament, Arinna, Baba Yaga, Befana, Belili, Betha, Brighid, Ceres,
Cerridwen, Coatlique, Cybele, Demeter, Ereshkigal, Frigg, Fuji, Grianne, Hakea,
Hathor, Igaehindvo,
Isis, Kore, Lucia, Mari, Mehen, Nanshe, Neith, Nerthus, Oya, Pele, Perchta, Persephone,
Rhiannon, Sarama, Seshat, Srinmo, Sun Woman, Sunne, Tonantzin, and Unelanuhi.
The God
The God is the Child of Hope. He reminds us of the frailty of newborn life, and the need
for nurturing and delicate care of that which is so very precious. He is also the Stag;
proud spirit of the evergreen world. And the elder Holly King, who has just lost his
yearly battle to the Oak King of Springtime, reminding us, yet again, that all things
must pass.
Gods of the Winter Solstice are Sun gods, gods of Death and Rebirth and of Victory:
Attis, Baal, Bacchus, Balder, Chrishna, Cernunnos, Dagda, Dionysus, Freyr, Helios,
Herne, Horus, Jupiter, Osiris, Pan, Ra, Thor, and Woden.
Correspondences
Flowers: Amaryllis, chrysanthemum, dahlia, poinsettia, red roses, sunflower and white
lily.
Colors: Black, brown, green, purple, red, tan and white.
Trees: Alder, ash, birch, cypress, elder, fir, hazel, holly, oak, pine, spruce and
yew.
Creatures: Bat, bear, dog, eagle, falcon, goose, owl, raven, snake, sow, stag and
wolf.
Stones/Gems: Apache tear, blue topaz, garnet, obsidian, onyx, pearls and quartz.
Herbs: Bay, chamomile, cinnamon, cloves, ginger, hops, hyssop, mugwort, nutmeg, star
anise and wormwood.
Incense/Oil: Bayberry, carnation, cedar, cinnamon, clove, cypress, frankincense,
juniper, orange, myrrh, patchouli, pine, rose, rosemary, sandalwood and spruce.
Blessing
In this time of stillness, surrounded by the loving embrace of darkness, may we all be
aware of the blessing of family, community and friends. May we appreciate our history
and know that it is interconnected in so many ways to all the peoples of the world. May
we be aware of the unique spark of life which we each represent, and may we sense, as
the returning warmth of the Sun becomes ever more evident, that we are all part of one
great and glorious Fire of Life.
Blessings of the Creatrix and the Child of Promise!!!
Ahneke Greystone
Winter Solstice, 2000
Yule, a Joyous Season
By Mariel Linar
The season of Yule is finally here, a time that provide us with rituals to celebrate the
balance of light and dark, at this time we see the simultaneous death and rebirth of the
Sun-God represented in the shortest day of the year and of course the longest night.
This holiday is celebrated around the 21st of December. It is the true New Year, both
astronomically as well as spiritually. It begins on Mother Night and ends twelve days
later on Yule Night hence the "Twelve Days of Christmas" tradition. There is no other
time like the winter holidays for decorating and preparing for it. It makes us feel that
magic is in the air, and it gives us an opportunity to weave that magic through our
homes and our lives, a chance for rituals welcoming the healing powers of warmth back
into our world. The colors of the season red and green, are of original Pagan descent.
Wreaths and holly and fancy cookies and breads are part of our traditions as well. Since
this is a solar festival, it is celebrated by fire and the use of the Yule log, you can
make the traditional Yule log, out of a big piece of oak decorate it in the manner of
your choice, and put it aside until Yule, when is time to burn the log, or if burning the
Yule log is not an option, you can get a small version, and just drill small holes into
it large enough to fit small candle tapers, and burn the candles for each of the twelve
days, making sure that they burn completely in a safe manner. A portion of the Yule log
is saved to be used in lighting next year’s log. This log is kept throughout the year to
assure protection for the home. This is also a good time to burn Bayberry candles to
ensure happiness and wealth throughout the year. They can be placed on the dining table
as part of a centerpiece and can be lighted at sunset and burned until they go out by
themselves, and then of course there is the Yuletide crafts, which are fun to make and
makes the home look very festive indeed, if you have children, then you have the edge of
having extra help and creativity from that source. You can ask them to help you come up
with ideas - a source which is vast- and bundles of energy which sure helps the tired
parent. There are lots of materials laying about the house if you only know where to look
for , for example this year instead of buying your Yule greeting cards, why not make them
from old scraps of fabric in the colors of the season, using construction paper, old Yule
greeting cards, buttons, glitter glue, and from there just let yours and your kid’s
creativity soar!!!
Lastly Yule is the time to think about what you want to accomplish in the months to
come. Now is the time to outline goals you and your family might wish to work on. Write
out in a piece of paper something you want to accomplish in the coming year, rub cinnamon
on the paper (for success)place in a hollow Yule ornament along with Allspice (wealth)
Rosemary (protection) and coriander (health). Tie red, green and gold ribbons to the
ornament and hang above the door. When you have achieved your goals take the ornament
down and bury in the ground. Remember to be grateful for everything you have received
during the year, for gratitude turns what we have now into not only enough, but more.
Here is an easy Yule craft that can be done by children and parents alike.
Snowman necklaces:
Items needed:
33mm jingle bells
small paintbrush
white acrylic paint
1/8" hole punch
craft foam - black and orange
craft glue
1/4" green pom-poms
white floral wire
glue gun
red yarn.
Before starting clean and bless your items in the name of the God and Goddess to rid
everything from any negative energy. You will be empowering the necklaces at the end for
protection.
Making snowmen:
Paint bells white; let dry. For each snowman, punch seven circles from black foam and cut
3/8" L triangle from orange foam for nose. Holding each bell upside down, use craft glue
to attach two circles to bell for eyes. five circles to bell for mouth; let dry. Cut 2
1/2" piece of wire; bend into half circle. Hot glue wire ends to sides of bell for top of
ear muffs. Glue pom-pom over each end of wire. Cut a length of yarn for necklace; fold in
half. Know ends together. Slip folded end under hanging loop of bell; pull knotted ends
though fold to attach necklace. When finished you can empower them for protection and
give out to friends and family letting them know, that each snowman necklace is for
protection and to think of angels guarding them as their merry sound is heard. You can
say these words of protection or any other you feel comfortable with:
Guardian Angel hear my call
bring to me peace and love
and every time this bell is heard
may your presence here be felt.
Yule Carols
Contributed by Luna WillowSong
In the Bleak Midwinter
first verse by Christina Rosetti, slightly altered
Additional verses by Laura Deal Raeder
Tune: "In the Bleak Midwinter" by Gustav Holst
In the bleak midwinter, frosty wind makes moan.
Earth stands hard as iron, water like a stone.
Snow has fallen, snow on snow, snow on snow.
In the bleak midwinter, it is ever so.
Darkness now surrounds us as the nights grow long,
Yet we fill the night time with our hopeful song.
Winter’s cold won’t reach us here, where we light our fire,
As we burn the old year on its funeral pyre.
Now the new year beckons, even in this night.
Soon the days will lengthen, and our hearts grow light.
Hope will grow within us as we look ahead,
And we see that spring wakes out of winter’s bed.
Light will follow darkness, as the earth turns round,
Sunlight follows moonlight, thawing frozen ground.
So our lives renew with every dawning day,
And with every new year, blue skies follow gray.
**********
Lady Moon Shine Softly
Tune: "O Little Town of Bethlehem"
Lady moon shines softly down
To light the Earth below
As we, her children, gather here
Around the Yule fire's glow
We wait for morning's dawning
First light of holy birth
Our Lady turns the wheel of life
Her Son returns to Earth
With joy we'll greet his dawning
A new year has begun
With increased light is bright new hope
Reborn in Everyone.
********
Silver and Gold
adapted by Susan M. Shaw
Words and Music by Johnny Marks
Silver and gold, silver and gold
Ev'ryone wishes for silver and gold
How do you measure its worth?
Just by the pleasure it gives here on earth
Silver and gold, silver and gold
Mean so much more when I see
Silver and gold decorations
On ev'ry Yuletide tree
********
The Thirteen Days of Solstice
Shekhinah Mountainwater
Tune: "The Twelve Days of Christmas"
On the first day of Solstice the Goddess sent to me,
some healing to set me free.
On the second day of Solstice the Goddess sent to me,
Gifts from my love
and some healing to set me free.
etc.
1. Some healing to set me free
2. Gifts from my love
3. A helping dream
4. A branch of evergreen
5. Joyous song!
6. Greetings from my neighbors
7. Magick for the year
8. Fine conversation
9. Nine pearls of wisdom
10. Candles for the lighting
11. Deep contemplation
12. Showers of abundance
13. A grand celebration
*****
Moon of Silver II
Carusone
Tune: "We Three Kings"
Come Thou, Lord, the Newborn Sun,
Come, Sweet Mother, Holy One.
Praise we sing Thee, Love we bring Thee
As ever shall be done.
Chorus:
Oh, moon of silver, sun of gold!
Gentle Lady, Lord so bold!
Guide us ever, failing never,
lead us all in ways of old.
Maiden, Mother, Ancient Crone,
Queen of Heaven on your throne,
Praise we sing Thee, Love we bring Thee,
For all that you have shown.
Chorus
Lord of Darkness, Lord of Light,
Gentle Brother, King of Might!
Praise we sing Thee, Love we bring Thee
On this Solstice Night.
Chorus
*****
The Solstice Child
Lunaea Wetherstone
Tune: "What Child is This?"
(Greensleeves)
What child is this who brings such light
that all who see Her grow hopefull?
The Solstice candles, this darkest night,
rekindle a flame in our soul.
This, this is the Solstice child,
the Maiden brilliant, the Maiden wild.
Come, sisters, to hold Her near,
the hope and the light of the New Year.
[Variant]
What Child is this, who brings such light
That all who see Him grow hopeful
The Solstice candles, this darkest night
Rekindle a flame in our soul
This, this is the Solstice Child
The Sun God brilliant, the Sun God wild
Come, Pagans, to hold Him near
The hope and the light of the New Year
These carols, and dozens of others can be found at: http://members.tripod.com/~Willow_
Firesong/YulCarls/index.htm
This collection is a nonprofit labor of love. All songs are to be shared freely, as long
as credit is given and no profit is made from the transaction. Please do not profit from
the work of others without sharing the fruits of their labors with them.
Yule Log Basics
By Isha Arrowhawk
The burning of a Yule log is for bringing luck to a household for the coming year. It is
considered bad luck to buy one, so make your own. It is not considered bad luck to get
one as a gift, so you may want to make extras. It should be lit with a piece saved from
the previous year. Traditionally it is burned during Christmas Eve dinner, and should
burn for the duration.
How To's:
Materials
The materials needed are a dried log, evergreen foliage, pine cones, berries (preferably
red), hot glue gun, wax, and wax colorant of choice. Optional: staple gun, cinnamon
sticks, any other embellishments you care to add (dried Baby's Breath gives this a
distinctly Victorian look).
Step 1
Select a log. If you plan to burn this in a traditional manner, select the largest that
will fit your fireplace. Generally a well dried log over 6 inches in diameter and about
18 inches long will do.
Step 2
Head outdoors and collect some fresh pine branches or branches from any type of
evergreen. Find some small to medium pine cones, and try to find some red Holly Berries.
Store bought berries (floral department of most craft stores) can be substituted, but
will have to be removed before burning.
Step 3
Glue or staple the branches to the log in a pleasing arrangement. Optional: Pour or drip
colored wax over the log before adding any foliage.
Step 4
Add the berries. If using artificial berries, use a single staple or dab of glue to ease
later removal.
Step 5
Optional: use hot glue to add cinnamon sticks.
Step 6
Glue on the pine cones. Concentrate most in the center, but add some at random among the
foliage.
Step 7
Prepare some colored wax in one or more colors and dribble it over the entire project.
The following colors look quite nice - Gold and Burgundy, Burgundy and Dark Green, Red
and Green, White, or White in combination with any of the previous colors.
Step 8
Enjoy.
History:
The Yule Log
There is a custom that on Christmas Eve an enormous log of freshly cut wood called the
Yule log would be fetched and carried to the house with great ceremony. On Christmas
Eve, the master of the house would place it on the hearth, make libations by sprinkling
the trunk with oil, salt and mulled wine and say suitable prayers. In some families, the
young girls of the house lit the log with splinters from the preceding year which they
had carefully tucked away. In other families, the mother had this privilege. It was said
that the cinders of this log could protect the house from lightning and the malevolent
powers of the devil. Choices about the variety of wood, the way in which it was lit and
the length of time it took to burn constituted a genuine ritual which could vary from
region to region. The custom, which dates back to the XIIth century, was known in most
Europeans countries, notably in France and in Italy where the Yule log was called a
ceppo. This tradition persisted in Quebec as it did in France up until the last quarter
of the XIXth century. Its disappearance coincides with that of great hearths which were
gradually replaced by cast-iron stoves. The great log was thus replaced by a smaller
one, often embellished with candles and greenery, placed in the centre of the table as a
Christmas decoration.
Today, the Yule log has become a traditional pastry, a delicious cake roll, smothered in
coffee or chocolate-flavoured icing and decorated with sugared holly leaves and
roses.
Yuletide Cheer
By Isha ArrowHawk
The chill breath of winter touches us,
As blankets of snow cover the ground.
With the glow of moonlight upon them,
Its like diamond sparkles all around.
Inside the room is cozy and warm,
The scent of evergreen wafts from the fire.
Surrounded with love and family,
I've got all that I could desire.
Sleigh bells jingle from the front porch,
As my coveners decorate outside.
They've no need of blankets,
They have the warmth of love inside.
In my home we all gather round,
And with Pagan carols our voices ring.
Then we settle down to enjoy the tale,
Of the Oaken Lord and the Holly King.
For our holiday is quite different,
Than the cowan Christmas night.
We cast our Circle, join together,
And welcome the return of Light.
Then we sit and share the feast,
As we pass bread and wine around.
As blessings from mingled voices...
"Never hunger," "Never thirst" abound.
All too soon the rite is ended,
And we greet the newborn day.
As we clasp hands together,
This wish we send your way....
It's no matter your tradition,
Be you family, friend, or guest.
We wish you joy and peace,
And may your Yule be Blessed!!
(c) Isha ArrowHawk, November 2, 2000
Yuletide Tree of Kisses
Luna Willowsong
This is a holiday project that is fun for the whole family to do together. My kids loved
it!
You will need:
1 12” square of cardboard to serve as the base
Aluminum foil to cover the cardboard
(or wrapping paper and saran wrap)
1 Styrofoam cone of preferred size but no smaller than 8” or bigger than 12”
2-4 bags of Hershey Kisses (How many kisses you need will depend on the size of tree you
decide to make and how many you snitch! Buy extra to avoid frustration!)
1 recipe of Royal Icing (This serves as “edible glue” to attach the kisses to the
tree)
Green food coloring, (the paste type coloring for cake decorating works best for more
vivid color, but ordinary food coloring will work also, but will result in lighter color
of green)
A cake pick decoration of star or sun (optional)
Andes mints (optional)
1/8” satin ribbon (optional)
Prepare the base for your tree by covering the cardboard with the foil, or with wrapping
paper over which you will layer saran wrap. Open the kisses and have them ready to go, as
you will need to place them on the tree fairly quickly before the icing dries out.
Liberally frost the bottom of the cone and place it on the center of the base. Then
continue to frost the cone and base, making sure that when you frost the tree and base
that there are “peaks” on the surface. Once you have done this, beginning at the bottom
of the cone begin placing kisses bottom side against the cone, pressing them into the
icing. Continue all the way around and begin another row of kisses above the previous one
all the way up the cone until you have reached the top. At the top of the tree you may
place a final kiss or a star or sun cake pick decoration.
If you wish to place packages around your Yule tree, put two of the Andes Mints back to
back and tie the ribbon around them with a bow. Icing can be used to glue them to the
base to keep then secure
Royal Icing
3 egg whites
1 pound powdered sugar
1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
As always when working with egg whites, make sure that egg whites are room temperature
and that all utensils and bowls are free of grease. Beat egg whites. Sift together
powdered sugar, a few drops of food color or a dab of the coloring paste, and cream of
tartar. Place all ingredients into a mixing bowl. Beat 7 to 10 minutes or until icing
holds a strong peak.
It is almost impossible to specify the exact amount of sugar that your recipe needs as it
depends on the size of the egg whites as well as the moisture content of your powdered
sugar. For this reason I like to have extra on hand.
Keep frosting covered with a damp cloth at all times to keep it from drying out.
Happy and Blessed Yule!!
Yule Log Desert
By Isha ArrowHawk
How to Make a Yule Log (by Ted Thomaidis)
This traditional dessert, also called a buche de Noël, is a chocolate cake rolled up with
a filling and frosted to resemble a real holiday yule log. The steps are time-consuming
but not really difficult. This recipe makes one log, which should feed up to 15
people.
Making the Cake
Steps:
1. Heat the oven to 425 degrees F. Line a 17-by-12-inch sheet pan (called a half-sheet
pan) with parchment paper.
2. Whisk eggs, yolks and sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer set over a pot of lightly
simmering water. Whisk until the mixture forms a thick ribbon when it's drizzled back
over the surface (about 5 to 8 minutes). Remove the bowl from the warm water bath. Beat
the mixture with an electric mixer for 5 minutes more.
3. Sift together flour, cocoa and cornstarch. Stir the vanilla into the egg mixture,
then fold in the flour by hand using a flexible spatula.
4. Quickly spread the batter evenly over the lined pan until it's about 1/2 inch thick.
You may have batter left over.
5. Bake at 425 degrees F for 10 minutes. Remove from the oven.
6. As soon as the pan can be handled, run a knife around the edges to loosen the cake
and slide it out of the pan, still on the parchment.
7. Sprinkle some granulated sugar over the top and roll the cake up lengthwise, still on
the parchment.
8. Let the rolled-up cake cool. If necessary, secure it with string or a wedge to keep
it from unrolling.
Tips:
Skip the homemade batter and use a commercial cake mix instead. Since the batter needs
to be very flexible, choose a mix that contains pudding. You'll still need to bake it on
a parchment-lined, half-sheet pan; lay down an even 1/2-inch layer of batter and bake
according to package directions.
Making the Filling and Frosting
Steps:
9. Make the filling by placing chopped milk chocolate and bittersweet chocolate into a
large metal bowl.
10. Heat 1 c. chilled heavy whipping cream until it steams, then pour it over the
chopped chocolate. Let the hot cream melt the chocolate.
11. In a separate bowl, beat the remaining 2 1/2 c. chilled heavy cream until stiff
peaks form. Don't overbeat the cream.
12. Let the melted chocolate-cream mixture cool for about 15 minutes, then fold the
whipped cream into the chocolate in thirds, using a flexible
spatula.
13. Cover and chill until needed.
14. Make the frosting by placing butter in a double boiler set over slowly simmering
water.
15. Add semisweet chocolate squares and allow the chocolate and butter to melt, stirring
often. This won't take very long.
16. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the 2/3 c. heavy cream.
17. Let the icing sit at room temperature, stirring occasionally as it cools, until
needed.
Tips:
The filling recipe is very simple. Whipped cream mousses stiffen nicely in the fridge.
You can use any mousse recipe you want, or you can use a packaged mousse mix.
You can substitute semisweet chocolate for the bittersweet chocolate.
You can use a premade commercial cake frosting or icing. Choose a dark
chocolate flavor.
Assembling the Yule Log
Steps:
18. Carefully unroll the cake and remove the parchment paper. The cake will want to stay
rolled; don't worry about it.
19. Spread the mousse as evenly as possible over the inside surface of the cake; a
spatula works best for this step. Try not to let the cake crack, but if it does, don't
worry: Icing will cover the cracks.
20. Roll the cake back up. It may be easier to add the mousse and roll as you go.
21. Choose the best looking end of the cake and cut off a 3-inch section, making a
diagonal cut. This section will be the branch.
22. Place the rolled-up cake on a serving platter, seam side down.
23. Trim a bit from the branch section, so that the branch is thinner in diameter than
the log. Eat the extra piece.
24. "Glue" the branch onto the log at a diagonal with a little icing.
25. Remelt a few tablespoons of icing and drizzle it over the branch to cover it. Work
carefully - the branch won't be secured tightly.
26. Spread icing on the log, dragging it with the spatula, to imitate bark.
27. Serve the yule log immediately or chill it until needed. If chilled, allow it to
rest at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving.
28. Sift powdered sugar over the top and onto the serving platter just before
serving.
Tips:
To remelt icing, use the microwave oven set at 50 percent power.
Decorate the serving platter with berries, cookies and small holiday desserts to create
a stunning centerpiece.
Try not to chill the log too long, because the icing will harden.
