Stripey

Stripey also had a very merry Christmas (and hopes you did too). A creative sort, evidenced by his unique and festive attire, he likes to put his artistic skills to work in the kitchen. Thus, while others baked various Christmas treats he decided to try his hand at marzipan art. He made the mushrooms for the traditional Bûche de Noël, but it was his marzipan penguins that he was most proud of (and which he insisted be admired, not eaten).


The day after Christmas, in true American fashion, Stripey went shopping. Sadly the shops in the Spotsylvania Towne Center and Central Park did not have the same abundance of discounted merchandise that they did last year, but he was still able to find some penguin themed goodies. Fighting the bargain hunters took a lot of energy, so after making his purchases Stripey decided to indulge in french fries at Five Guys.


He knew he did not need yet another not too healthy treat, but showing restraint over the holidays is just so boring (and it’s not like he ordered the large anyway).

Christmas Skipper and Reindeer Opus

Christmas Skipper and Reindeer Opus had a very merry Christmas and hope you did too. They celebrated with friends and family in Fawn Lake, Virginia, which was a winter wonderland due to the snow that blanked the region the weekend before. The house was very cozy, and they spent much of the holiday weekend sitting in front of a roaring fire admiring the lovely tree and Christmas décor.


When not doing this they were likely eating…perhaps a little too much, but of course calories do not count at Christmas (and who can resist all of the cookies and treats such as homemade cinnamon rolls, chilaquiles, porcini potatoes and artichoke lasagna). And they figured they were able to burn off at least some of the calories dancing to their favorite Christmas carols (nothing beats Elvis).


Christmas Skipper and Reindeer Opus have to admit that while they know it’s the spirit of Christmas that is the most important, they really do like giving and receiving gifts. Every year they eagerly await Christmas morning, and this year, as always, they were not disappointed (they might just have come home with a new friend or two).


They would also like to remind everybody that it’s only the fifth day of Christmas, so there is no need for the merriment to end just yet (although a day or two of food and alcohol detox might be advisable...if only to be in top form for New Year's Eve)!

Elsny

Like most Washington area residents, Elsny’s many plans for the weekend before Christmas did not materialize, due to the well over a foot of snow that blanketed the region. The snow provided an excuse for a very lazy Saturday morning (and to skip the gym), but after a nice lie in he was ready to bundle up and brave the great outdoors. Elsny was greatly rewarded for his efforts, as one of his favorite local spots, the Amsterdam Falafelshop, was open.


He indulged in their tasty falafel, and eagerly dove into their too yummy for words fries (the best in DC and beyond). During his visit he discovered that the owners live above the shop, and that he can always count on them in inclement weather (until 4 in the morning!).


Elsny enjoyed his adventure in the snow, but was happy to return to his warm apartment – nothing like a cozy winter evening in front of the fireplace, with friends and a glass or two of bubbly!

Pip and Pipsy

Pip and Pipsy are a merry pair, who proudly don their Nutcracker finery all year long. Nevertheless, they get very excited when it is their season, and eagerly start counting down the days at the first sign of cold weather. This year they decided to break from their normal ballet-going holiday routine and take in a performance of Handel’s Messiah instead (that said they highly recommend the Washington Ballet’s Americana-themed production of The Nutcracker, which never fails to please). They were happy they went, as the Kennedy Center production used the lavish orchestration of Eugene Goossens, which they were unfamiliar with and thoroughly enjoyed. They were also most amused by the very jolly tenor (it’s always encouraging to see that some people really do like their jobs…or have found the right medication to make it seem like they do).


Pip and Pipsy were happy that they had their tickets for Thursday night, before the big snow hit. Friday night, feeling brave, they ventured to Bailey's Crossroads for some rather unsuccessful pre-storm shopping...the "we're going to starve" panic level was high, reflected by the largely empty shelves. Pip and Pipsy were not too disappointed, as the real reason they had decided to run errands was because it had been a while since their last Dairy Queen visit, and they wanted to ensure that amidst the holiday craziness they did not miss out on December’s Candy Cane Chill Blizzard (the tastiest of the year). Of course they also got their standard peanut butter sundae, as it wouldn’t be a trip to Dairy Queen without it.


Saturday Pip and Pipsy woke up to a snow-covered DC. This sadly got in the way of their plans to attend a Christmas party that evening, so they decided to indulge in some baking therapy. They tried various new recipes, and are particularly proud of their spritz cookies and their mastery (upon first use) of the cookie press. Now if only the city would shovel up the snow so they could make their way to the gym to work off all of those holiday treats!

Santa Opus

Santa Opus was also able to partake in the trip to Dresden, and like Chase he is a great fan of German Christmas markets. He spent much of his trip at the Striezelmarkt, the largest of Dresden’s Christmas markets, and the oldest (575 years!) in Germany.


The days were chilly but the Glühwein kept him warm, and treats such as Mohnstriezel (poppy seed cake) filled his belly (he has to admit he is not the greatest fan of Dresden’s famed Stollen, although he did try almond and poppy seed versions that were quite tasty).


Santa Opus also enjoyed the market’s entertainment, which ranged from puppet performances for children to choirs singing German Christmas carols, and made friends with the market’s many creatures.


All of the time spent at the Christmas markets meant that he missed some of the city’s other attractions (most notably the Dresden State Art Collections).


He did, however, make it to the Royal Palace’s impressive Green Vault, where he admired Augustus the Strong’s many treasures, displayed in ornate themed rooms. He also managed to pull himself away from the markets long enough to try the cozy restaurant Paulaner's, which had what he thought was the best Glühwein in Dresden, and to enjoy a concert at the Frauenkirche, an 18th century church destroyed during World War II, which was reconsecrated in 2005 after thirteen years of reconstruction.


Santa Opus was very sad to leave Germany, but took solace in the fact that his suitcases were filled with Christmas décor and sweet treats to enjoy back in Washington (and he is, of course, already contemplating what German city and its markets he’ll hit next year).

Chase

Chase is a jet-setting Christmas-loving penguin. While he certainly does not feel the need to find an excuse to travel, the German Christmas markets always provide a wonderful incentive to find the time to head to Europe during the hectic holiday season.


He recently had the great luck to join his family in Dresden, which is perhaps the loveliest, most Christmassy city he has ever been to…every public space seemed to house a Christmas market. And he made it his mission to hit them all.


Chase stayed at the comfortable but not too glamorous Westin Bellevue (apparently only individuals staying in preferred Starwood guest rooms are deemed worthy of conditioner). He did, however, like its location on the Elbe across from the Old Town, as the walk over the Augustus Bridge was absolutely lovely. The hotel was also in close proximity to the charming Neustadt Haupstraße Christmas market, where he found some fabulous Christmas decorations, indulged in treats, and had a glass (or two) of Glühwein. He enjoyed the festive décor (even if there were no penguins), the traditional plum men and Kurrende (choir) figures being his favorites.


Chase managed to tear himself away from all of the shopping and consumption of sweets (if only briefly) to make time for a quick trip to the town of Meissen.


He enjoyed the views from the Albrechtsburg Castle


and liked the Gothic cathedral (although he did not quite understand the point of the room where visitors were invited to watch a video of an old man playing a somewhat unimpressive organ, but apparently some people were captivated).


Chase also stopped by the Meissen Porcelain Museum.


He was not a great fan of the tour, which involved being herded from room to room to observe live demonstrations of the process of creating porcelain objects (with a pre-recorded soundtrack), but did admire the lovely wares.


Although Chase enjoyed his excursion he was happy to return to Dresden and its markets…on a short trip it’s all about establishing priorities and making the most of one’s time, and it’s hard to beat Glühwein and whipped cream topped waffles.

Kris

Like Z, Kris is a great fan of Christmas. Amongst the things he enjoys the most about the season are its many sweet treats (Dairy Queen’s candy cane chill Blizzard is a favorite). He is also quite the baker, and looks for any excuse to make Christmas cookies. This past Sunday he took the train to Fredericksburg to help his family with their holiday baking.


The trip gave him the chance to check out the Norwegian Christmas at Union Station. The festive decor put him in the mood for baking, resulting in a very productive afternoon, and a kitchen filled with sugar cookies, jam thumb prints and white chocolate and peppermint cookie brittle.


Kris returned to DC the following day for a Christmas party at the Corcoran. He first met a friend for a gossip date at Caribou Coffee, and after they were up to date on the latest happenings in each other’s lives they wandered down to the Corcoran, where they indulged in bubbly and yummy treats.


Kris was particularly fond of the peanut butter chocolates with pop rocks, and consumed more than his fair share. Some people might think he should be counting his calories and watching his sugar intake, but what’s festive about that?

Z

The penguins love December; they know that the holiday season is their season. One of the biggest Christmas lovers of them all is Z, and every year he eagerly awaits the holiday festivities and merriment. He loves the decorations that transform the streets, stores and homes, and was thus very happy to receive an invitation from the Corcoran for a tour of the Danish Ambassador's residence. The home’s lovely decorations are the result of a collaboration between two students from the Danish School of Design and three from the Corcoran College of Art + Design.


They were inspired by the Danish fairy tale The Snow Queen, and made using only sustainable materials. Z was most impressed by their ability to transform such unglamorous materials into a winter wonderland. He also appreciated the Danish hospitality, but then he’s easily won over with a party favor (in this instance some Danish chutney).


Z’s evening continued at the Smithsonian Castle, where he attended the Young Benefactors’ Jolly Holiday party. He mingled with guests, said hi to Santa and enjoyed sweet and savory treats.


He danced the night away and not surprisingly closed the party down (leaving with more party favors). While others may practice moderation knowing that it’s going to be a long party filled-holiday season, Z knows that's not necessary, and that he’s man for the job!

Conrad

Conrad, like Gunter, is not really a turkey and mashed potatoes kind of guy. However, as is betrayed by his rather ample girth, he is a penguin who thoroughly enjoys his treats. He is particularly fond of sweets, which of course are in no short supply in Belgium. Conrad feasted on chocolate, waffles and cookies, and greatly appreciated the prevalence of whipped cream – he thought maybe they misunderstood him at the lovely Art Nouveau café Le Falstaff when he ordered a cappuccino, but who is he to complain when his coffee comes topped with a large dollop of whipped cream! He also greatly appreciated that his coffee always came accompanied by a Speculoos cookie…those Belgians are so civilized.


Conrad was thrilled that the Brussels Christmas market opened during his trip (and not just because it provided another opportunity for him to get some treats…like a Brussels waffle generously topped with whipped cream).


He loved the festive atmosphere, and even bumped into some Brazilians he had met on a trip to Milan (Conrad is quite the jetsetter).


Before leaving he made certain to stop at a Delhaize store to purchase his favorite goodies to take home with him. Besides the obvious (lots of chocolate!), he picked up marzipan, Speculoos spread and wine. During his trip he tried wine from Luxembourg for the first time, and found it most tasty. Conrad tried not to get too much, but had a distinct feeling that both he and his bags were heavier when they boarded the plane back to Washington.

Gunter

Gunter has never really been a turkey and mashed potatoes kind of guy, so he was happy to escape to Brussels for the Thanksgiving weekend, where amongst other things he could indulge in gaufres, frites and chocolate. He stayed at the Sofitel Brussels Le Louise - he wasn’t too impressed with the service, but it was a beautiful hotel and conveniently located to his friends’ apartment (where he may have spent a drunken evening or two).


Gunter has his priorities in place, so the first thing he did after arriving at the hotel and freshening up was head out to the Place Jourdan for frites at Maison Antoine, which had been recommended by a friend in Washington. He agreed that they were rather tasty, and if you happen to find yourself in Brussels he recommends them, as well as the frites from the Fritkot in the Place Flagey. Of course Gunter always needs some sweet after his salty, so post-frites he greedily indulged in Liege waffles from the waffle trucks that can be found all over the city.


His second day in Belgium Gunter, who is a great fan of Christmas, decided to head to Bruges, which he heard is quite festive during the holiday season. He must admit that he was not impressed with its Christmas market (or the nonstop rain), but the town looked lovely for the holidays, and had an outpost of Käthe Wohlfart, his favorite Christmas shop.


Lest you think Gunter is only about food and shopping, he stopped by the Groeningemuseum, which houses six centuries of Belgian art, for some culture. His favorite works were those by the Flemish primitives and James Ensor. After wandering the town's charming streets for a few hours he headed back to the train station, where before hopping on a train to Brussels he popped into the Ice Age 3 themed Ice Sculpture Festival.


He was most impressed by the ice sculptures, but decided to pass on having a drink at the ice bar. As a penguin he may have a high tolerance for the cold, but he still prefers his cocktails in civilized places.