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31 Dec 2013

New Year's Eve or Silvestr...


I come from Europe, a place with such diverse cultures, customs and languages, so it is not easy to find an event that is celebrated uniformly across the continent, but there is one exception - New Year's Eve is celebrated everywhere. There are many ways to do so,  but there will always be food, drink, music, and fireworks. Whatever choice of venue, you usually have to book well in advance.
My husband and I will be celebrating at home this year. We have been really busy past 12 months - with our move and house projects, there was simply no time or energy to plan anything, but  I am actually glad, it will be a peaceful and relaxing Silvestr.
 
Here's what is New Year's Eve known in some of the biggest countries of Europe:
 
France - la Saint-Sylvestre
Germany - Silvester
Spain - Nochevieja or Fin de Año
Italy - Vigilia di Capodanno or Notte di San Silvestro
Czech Republic - Silvestr
Belgium - Sint Sylvester Vooravond
Hungary - Szilveszter
Netherlands - Oud en Nieuw or Oudejaarsavond
Poland - Sylwester
Romania - Revelion
 
 
 
ENJOY YOUR NEW YEAR'S EVE!!!
 
 
 

29 Dec 2013

Czech Christmas sweet bread 2013

I was writing about vánočka in my other post some time ago, and this is the result of my baking this year.

My new oven performs great, and I managed to get the right ingredients as well. It tastes delicious.

stage 1

stage 2

stage 3

24 Dec 2013

How about Christmas piano?

When I was a little girl I remember I wanted to play piano, but my dad played violin (and other instruments), and as it was also less expensive to get violin, it was decided, I was going to start playing violin, and I don't regret it, but I still love to listen to piano music.

So I am inviting you to this Christmas piano concert, let me rephrase that, to a very unusual piano presentation performed by The Piano Guys! If you haven't heard about these guys yet, I am sure you haven't seen anything like this before...

Enjoy!



23 Dec 2013

Season's Greetings

It is one day before Christmas.
I hope you survived all that shopping and preparation for holidays, and wishing you a season filled with beautiful moments.




HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM CHICAGO!




17 Dec 2013

"The story of Luke"

I have another movie to report on - "The story of Luke". It is a comedy/drama about Luke, a young man with autism who is determined to get a job and a girlfriend.

It was kind of encouragement for me as I am facing several personal challenges right now myself , as we all do time to time, but nothing that can't be overcome!

Go and see the movie, it is worth it!


 
 
Winner of Best Film at Irvine International Film Festival & San Diego Film Festival, and Audience Awards at Fort Lauderdale Film Festival & Bahamas International Film Festival.


13 Dec 2013

Christkindlmarket in Chicago

I completely forgot to mention German Christmas market here in Chicago called Christkindlmarket .
But there is still time if you want to visit. I would definitely recommend it!


 
http://www.christkindlmarket.com/en/




History and Tradion:
 
Inspired by the Christkindlesmarkt in Nuremberg, Germany, which began in 1545, the Christkindlmarket Chicago brings a cherished German and European tradition with international flair and local charm to Chicago. Chicago's largest open-air Christmas festival was first held on Pioneer Court in 1996. By special invitation of Mayor Richard M. Daley, Christkindlmarket Chicago moved to Daley Plaza in 1997 and has become a staple event on the plaza ever since. Christkindlmarket Chicago has grown to become one of the most popular winter attractions in the heart of the city.
 
 
 
I love to go and visit every year because of the atmosphere and of course because of the food!
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
Kartoffelpuffer/potato pancake - my favourite
Glühwein
 
 


Czech Christmas

When I lived in Nebraska I wrote an article about Christmas in the Czech Republic, and I think it is a perfect time to publish it now in my blog.

Here it is:



"Our Christmas starts on Christmas Eve – 24th December. On that day we should eat only meatless dishes. My mother used to say that who fasts all day will see the golden pig – a symbol of happiness. Traditionally the meal consists of fish soup as starter and main course of fried carp and potato salad.

Raising carp has a long history in the Czech Republic. In the middle of October the fisherman begin to fish out the ponds and the fish is then sold swimming in huge wooden barrels on the markets in the cities before Christmas. You can choose the carp you want and then take it home alive where it is kept in the bathtub until Christmas Eve. In my family however, we were not buying fish in the market. My father’s hobby is fishing therefore we used to have our own fish. And it was not usually carp either but trout instead as we liked it better.
 
After dinner we hand out the Christmas presents. These are, according to tradition, put under the decorated Christmas tree by the infant Jesus – Ježíšek. So Santa Claus does not come to the Czech Republic.
In families with small children parents put presents secretly under the tree and after dinner one of the parents disappears to ring a small bell. It is a signal for the little ones from Ježíšek, announcing that he already visited the family and they should look if he left any presents for them. The tree is normally also decorated in secrecy by the parents. All this creates a magical atmosphere for the children. In my family it used to be exactly like that. Only later on when my sister and I were older, we decorated the tree ourselves and we always really looked forward to it.
We take down the Christmas tree on 6th January with the arrival of Three Kings – Tři králové  .

Another traditional part of Christmas is baking Christmas biscuits – Vánoční cukroví, small cut out shapes from Linz, nut, coconut, marzipan or cocoa dough which has jam or buttery cream between them and is decorated with sugar icing or chocolate. They are baked well in advance so that they are soft and fragrant just at the right time. There are the traditional ones but also the special ones in each family. Just to mention some…. Medvědí tlapky, Vosí hnízda, Kakaové ořechy ….and for many there would not be Christmas without Vanilla Rolls – Vanilkové rohlíčky.  In my family we also used to make every year Ginger nuts – Zázvorky, specially formed cookies made with ginger exactly how our grandmother used to make them. They are one of my favourites. Everybody knows honey gingerbread- Medové perníčky, small gingerbread biscuits, decorated with sugar ornaments which can be placed on the Christmas tree. Together with special chocolate figures in different shapes related to Christmas time. You can buy them in the shops before Christmas and naturally these are eaten from the tree during the holiday season.  There are tens of other types of biscuits some of which are specific to a region and others to a family.

Of course I have to mention the most traditional Christmas sweetbread – Vánočka made with raisins and sprinkled with almonds. In our family we enjoy a slice or two for breakfast and to make it even more delicious we spread it with butter and homemade jam.

If you are in the Czech Republic during Christmas you must visit our Christmas markets. There you have an opportunity to shop for unique gifts and enjoy the Christmas atmosphere. The markets begin with  switching on Christmas tree lights during the first week of  Advent running until end of December. Tens of decorated stalls appear in the cities where you can buy Christmas decorations, fragrant candles, special warm scarves and hats, toys etc. You can go back in time seeing craftsmen (blacksmith, glass blowers…)  practicing  their trade as they did generations ago dressed in their traditional clothes. You have an opportunity to try your hand at it or just buy the beautiful craftwork, for example blown glass Christmas ornaments. It is hard to resist the refreshments those markets offer. Aromatic mead - Medovina (made of alcohol, honey, water and yeast) mulled wine – Svařené víno (wine combined with spices and served warm) or roast chestnuts, gingerbread, corn on the cob, grilled sausages and others. Choirs and children’s performances can be watched on the stage throughout the day singing the Czech carols. 
 
 
In my country people say that Christmas Eve is a day when magic can happen. And there are various ways to find out if this is true. For example a fish scale placed under your plate during dinner is said to bring wealth and happiness in the coming year and I have already mentioned the golden pig.

We also try to foretell the future by:
 
- Cutting of the apple - You cut an apple open across the core and if the pips are in the shape of a perfect star you will have a wealth and good health in the coming year.
- Floating of walnut shells – We make little boats out of empty walnut shells and place a little burning candle into it. The shells are floated on water in a bowl. If your shell gets across the bowl you will live a long and healthy life. A sunk shell on the other hand brings bad luck.
- Pouring of lead – We pour melted lead into water and then read the shapes it forms
There are many other customs, rules and superstitions......"



I will not be baking the Christmas biscuits this year as we are still remodeling and there is so much else to do before Christmas, but these are some of the biscuits I baked last time.


 
 


 
 
I will definitely make Vánočka. I am planning to bake it sometimes next week in my new oven. I will let you know how it went:-)
 
Vánočka

 
Christmas Markets
 
in Brno - my hometown


in Brno - my hometown



 
 
 
 
 
 

11 Dec 2013

6 year old "offender"

This was part of the morning news, I just couldn't believe what I was hearing: "6-Year-Old Who Kissed Classmate Gets Sexual Harassment Suspension" 
This country can be very scary sometimes...
 
I remember having similar experience - boys kissing girls :-) in my kinder garden/school. I just didn't know they were "sexual offenders"! OMG! I guess 'lucky me', I wasn't living in the US at that time. How about you?
 
 
 
Huffington Post News
 


9 Dec 2013

The Cocoa Trees

Last time my husband came back from his business trip to Singapore I got Lindt - Swiss chocolate that he bought at The Cocoa Trees.
I normally love to receive something local - especially from Singapore, but Lindt is one of my favourite brands, so I was very pleased anyway. Doesn't it look special! It tastes that way as well.






So, if you are in Singapore..., or Malaysia, China, Hong Kong, Korea, India, Taiwan, Maldives, and want to get a 'sweet gift' visit The Cocoa Trees.
Look for this logo.





8 Dec 2013

Philomena


This week I saw the movie PHILOMENA which is based on the book by BBC correspondent Martin Sixsmith "The lost Child of Philomena Lee."



It is based on a true story about an elderly Irish woman searching for the 3 year old son she gave up for adoption as teen living in a convent. She meets Martin Sixsmith , a BBC reporter with whom she decides to discover her lost son.

I love Judi Dench and in this movie I have also seen a completely different performance of Steve Coogan.

Must see!


 

6 Dec 2013

South African nation is mourning Madiba

It was a sad day for South Africa and the world yesterday, when the death of Nelson Mandela was announced. There is no one news channel or newspaper that wouldn't talk about this extraordinary man.

I am married to a South African and have visited this beautiful country a couple of times, so it is especially touching for me.

Nelson Mandela Tribute
http://madiba.mg.co.za/














4 Dec 2013

Advent Wreath

This year I made my  Advent wreath* of Christmas ornaments. When I lived in Germany I bought this great metal base that can be filled with anything, so you can change your schemes every year. I don't belong to any organized religion, but I like this tradition.

If only I had other candles. I wasn't feeling well last week and didn't have a chance to buy new candles. It was the first Advent * weekend on December 1, and I wanted to finish, so I had to use the old ones. I hope to get new ones this week.








*
Advent is a season observed in many Western Christian churches as a time of expectant waiting and preparation for the celebration of the Nativity of Jesus at Christmas. The term is an anglicized version of the Latin word adventus, meaning "coming".
Advent is the beginning of the Western liturgical year and commences on Advent Sunday. The Eastern churches' equivalent of Advent is called the Nativity Fast, but it differs in both length and observances and does not begin the church year, which starts instead on September 1. At least in the Roman Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran, Moravian, Presbyterian and Methodist calendars, Advent starts on the fourth Sunday before December 25, which is the Sunday between November 27 and December 3 inclusive.
The Advent wreath, or Advent crown, is a Christian tradition that symbolizes the passage of the four weeks of Advent. The Advent Wreath is traditionally a Lutheran practice, albeit it has spread to many other Christian denominations.
It is usually a horizontal evergreen wreath with four candles.  Beginning with the First Sunday of Advent, the lighting of a candle can be accompanied by a Bible reading and prayers. An additional candle is lit during each subsequent week until, by the last Sunday before Christmas, all four candles are lit.  The custom is observed both in family settings and at public church services.

 from Wikipedia

2 Dec 2013

Lyon - Fête des Lumières


I have just seen an ad on Euronews TV for Fête des Lumières or Festival of Lights in Lyon, France and have to mention this one as I have heard so much about it.
If you happen to be in Lyon or in the area, you have to see it. It is the best known and most popular festival of Lyon and this year takes place from December 6 to December 9 throughout Lyon.

 
 
 

 

 

2011

 
2012
 


This tradition began in 1852 when households illuminated their windows and balconies to celebrate the Virgin Mary. Today the Festival of Lights showcases the city's architecture, and also includes rivers and parks into the show.
Up to 3 million visitors come to experience this event (free of charge) in many different areas of the city, but the best spectacle is located in the city centre.

I would love to see it myself one day as I haven't had a chance yet. I think it is absolutely amazing!

28 Nov 2013

Macy's Parade

The most popular holiday parade in America is the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade presented by the US chain store Macy's. It has been a New York city tradition since 1924.

It is watched by more than 3.5 million people on the parade route and by another 50 million people watch the event nationwide.




 
 



Thanksgiving

It is Thanksgiving today, a national holiday celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November here in the US as a day of giving thanks.

In 1621, the Plymouth (today Massachusetts) colonists and Wampanoag Indians shared an autumn harvest feast that is believed to be the first Thanksgiving celebrations in the colonies. For more than two centuries, thanksgiving was celebrated by individual colonies and states.
It was first celebrated on the same date by all states in 1863 when President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed a national Thanksgiving Day to be held each November.


Presidential Turkey Pardoning is a tradition when the President “pardons” a selected turkey, sparing the bird from someone’s dinner table and ensuring the rest of its days are spent on a farm.

 
 
Otherwise it is all about food :-)  O.K. and about spending time with family. Many people live far from family members and have to travel long distances to be with their loved ones. It is definitely the busiest travel day of the year.
 
You will probably find on the Thanksgiving table:
 
Turkey

 
 
 
Stuffing



 Gravy




Mashed potatoes
 
 
 
 
Green bean casserole
 
 
 
 
Sweet potatoes with marshmallows
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cranberry sauce






 Pumpkin pie




It is all delicious and there are many other Thanksgiving dishes, but these are typically the ones you will find on every American table. I was invited to several Thanksgiving dinners and had a great time. I like this holiday, unfortunately my husband's and my family are far away, so we can't share the experience.