The 13 Desserts of Christmas (Les Treize Desserts de Noël)--A Little Late

Most of you know I am a devoted Francophile--both in RL and in miniature --and that I am especially interested in Christmas traditions from all over the world. 

I have a miniature Mas Provencal (which I am in the process of redecorating) that I made a number of years ago after subscribing to a service in France. How I came to make this house is a long story so I will spare you the details.  

In the spirit of authenticity, I asked my friend, artisan Luce Fediere, who lives in Provence, to make me the 13 Desserts that every Provencal household serves after midnight mass on Christmas Eve.  There is some variation in what items appear on the table but a friend of Luce's who is from an old Provencal family give her the "real" list of 13 desserts:  walnuts, raisins, dried figs, almonds, pompe à huile (olive oil bread), black and white nougat, dates, candied quinces, calissons, oranges, candied melon and white grapes.

Here is a real Provencal table with the 13 Desserts.

Here's a close-up photo that Luce sent me to show what she had made.  Aren't they amazing?  

   

And here they are arranged on the table in my newly redecorated great room (more on this project to come). 

I am so grateful for all Luce's efforts to make the authentic items for me! 

You can find more of Luce's work here:  http://my-french-cuisine.blogspot.com/

Bonne Fetes!