Valentine's Day - numbers and facts

It is the day again today, Valentine's day!

I believe it has changed a lot in my home country ( I have been living abroad for a long time), but when I was younger we didn't celebrate Valentine's day, it just wasn't a tradition. People started celebrating about a decade ago. I am never back home in February.... I wonder how it compares to the US or the UK.

Here is to learn more about the popular day!

Bet You Didn't Know: Valentine's Day

Year Of The Horse

Today, January 31 is the beginning of Chinese New Year.

Each year corresponds with one of the 12 Chinese zodiac signs and animals. Each sign is believed to influence the personalities of those born in those years.
In 2014, it will be the year of the Horse.
"People born in the Year of the Horse are talented and popular, strong minded, energetic and sociable. They have good communication skills, but sometimes talk too much. They work hard and are good decision makers..."

Horse: 1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014

I was born in the year of the Rat. I wonder what will the year of the Horse bring?!

Rat: Born in 2008, 1996, 1984, 1972, 1960, 1948, 1936, 1924

Chinese New Year lasts two weeks and is traditionally a time to honour ancestors and Chinese gods. The centuries-old celebrations end with the Lantern Festival on the 15th day of the New Year.

Chinese communities consider Lunar New Year to be the biggest and most important festival, so a huge number of Chinese from across the world go back to their home country to celebrate the New Year. This phenomenon is called the biggest human migration in the world.

via Baidu

It is about fork

I am one of these people watchers, so when I moved to the US I noticed one thing right away, they eat differently! At first I thought it was just that particular person's way, but no, they all eat that way. So I investigated and realized that it is the American way.
We Europeans have a different method, so called European style. The fork is held in the left hand, the knife in the right and both by thumb and forefinger, so the palm hides the handle. Once you cut a piece of food, you just put it straight to the mouth by the left hand while pointing fork down.



European style

In the American style the fork is shifted between the left and right hand.  It starts the same way, the knife is held in the right hand and the fork in the left, but once you cut food on the plate into bite-sized pieces, you put the knife down on the plate and transfer the fork from left hand to the right hand and then move food to the mouth. The fork is held almost like a spoon or worse with clenched fists.
Also, what I see all the time, whenever food is soft enough to cut with the edge of the fork it is done so. You only use knife for cutting steak etc. So what you normally see are people sitting at the tables with one hand on their laps and the other hand "forking" their food.
To be honest, to me it looks horrible, like you don't know what to do with your hands when you eat. Maybe it is because it reminds me how we teach children to eat. Their motoric skills are not yet developed for this task, so an adult usually precuts everything first and a child tries to deliver the food in the mouth with whatever way they can find.
Well, I got used to it. I mean, I got used to watching the American style, I am still feeding myself using the European way :-) It is also considered the proper style everywhere else.

American style

There are different eating techniques around the world - with hands, chopsticks and so on, and it is great. We all have traditions, I just didn't expect to find differences in this area in the US.
What is interesting, as I found out, is that the "American style" originated in Europe, brought to America by British colonists and is still used in the US today while Europeans moved on and modernized their utensils style.
Funny thing is that when you watch American movies, everybody typically uses the European style. Has the Hollywood modernized too?!

I have found the above pictures at the following website, but even there, what you normally witness in the American restaurants, is described as incorrect hence the red cross = wrong. I guess we all need to refresh our Dining Etiquette skills.

By the way, the utensils... a knife, a fork etc. are commonly called silverware in the US, but don't be surprised when you get a plastic knife and fork, ....and everything else - a plate, a cup etc. It is definitely the world of plastic here. It is more sophisticated plastic I guess, nevertheless still plastic. This is how it looks like. There are many versions...in restaurants and hotels too. It drives me crazy, I am not camping!  I suppose I could write a whole new chapter on the topic of 'American Dinning'.

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!!!

 

 

 

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!

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!

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 – 24^th 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 6^th 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

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

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!

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.