This holiday season I broke with family tradition and… traveled. Where?

To Barcelona. It’s a beautiful old city with amazing architecture. But one of the things we found fascinating is an odd Christmas tradition they have. A pooping log.

Yep. You read that right. But I’ve cleaned my language up a bit. See this ridiculously happy log hanging out in a town square? He’s called a Caga tió. A ‘shitting log’. Early in the holiday season, parents bring home a small one… each night he ‘grows’, larger and larger – provided the children keep him warm with a blanket and feed him every evening. On Christmas, they sing a song and beat it with a stick to make it poop presents, usually sweets.

I kid you not.

We have SO MANY photos of tiós. Remember, I’m raising boys.

Still skeptical? Think I’m a bit insane? I don’t blame you. I had the same reaction at first. But you can read more about this tradition for yourself HERE.

About Anne

Though USA TODAY bestselling author Anne Renwick holds a Ph.D. in biology and greatly enjoyed tormenting the overburdened undergraduates who were her students, fiction has always been her first love. Today, she writes steampunk romance, placing a new kind of biotech in the hands of mad scientists, proper young ladies and determined villains.

Anne brings an unusual perspective to steampunk. A number of years spent locked inside the bowels of a biological research facility left her permanently altered. In her steampunk world, the Victorian fascination with all things anatomical led to a number of alarming biotechnological advances. Ones that the enemies of Britain would dearly love to possess.

To chat with Anne, stop by on Facebook or join the Department of Cryptobiology Facebook group. You can also join her newsletter list to have cover reveals, sneak peaks, sales and giveaways delivered straight to your inbox.