I wish you all
Happy and safe Christmas!
Showing posts with label Christmas. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Christmas. Show all posts
Saturday, 24 December 2022
MARRY CHRISTMAS everyone!
And it is here, at last........
I hope you are all well and will be enjoying some quality time.
All our lot seems to be suffering with colds of various degrees,
including me, but that will not stop us getting together.
Last minute baking,
Vanilla Tort with marzipan,
it has been favourite in our house for many years.
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Have a wonderful time!
Monday, 5 December 2022
When I was growing up, it wasn't just Christmas to look forward at this time of year.
There is a tradition in many parts of Europe to celebrate Saint Nicholas Day
on the 5th & 6th of December.
Saint Nicholas is Mikuláš in Czech.
Who is Mikuláš?
Mikuláš is Czech for St. Nicholas, and Old St. Nick’s day is celebrated on December 5 every year, though the festivities are held on the eve of St. Nicholas Day.
On that night, Mikuláš, represented as a bearded bishop, visits the children of the Czech Republic with two friends in tow, an angel and a devil. Mikuláš is visually the closest thing the Czechs have to Santa Claus, because baby Jesus (Ježíšek) is the one who delivers gifts to homes on Christmas Eve. But weeks before, Mikuláš comes around to judge children for how they behaved each year.
The three characters: Mikuláš, the angel, and the devil traditionally visit the homes of families. If the children are good, the angel gives them sweets or candy. But if they’re bad, the devil threatens to put them in their sack and take them to hell. In order to escape this cruel fate, the kids have to recite a poem or sing a song. Instead of candy, these bad kids get coal or potatoes.
You might be wondering, who are these people going from house to house? Well, in a lot of small towns where families know each other, three or four people volunteer and the parents give them lists of which kids are good and which are bad.
The friendly visitors are repaid with either food or booze. So Mikuláš, the angel, and devil can be quite sloshed by the time they get to the last house. Some families arrange this visit with strangers for a fee. It’s like visiting Santa Claus at the mall except Santa Claus comes to you. Also Santa Claus is terrifying.
In big cities like Prague, parents bring their kids out to the Christmas markets just after sundown, around 5 to 8 pm on December 5, where they can meet Mikuláš.
And some people dress up just to hang out at the Christmas markets. You’ll know they’re coming when you hear chains dragging along the floor and children start crying.
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I still remember how scary it was when this lot turned up at our door; of course I didn't know then that they were friends of my parents!
You can read more here .
Wednesday, 23 December 2020
nearly there, but not quite
What am I talking about? Yes, Christmas, of course!
But also a small project (which turned out to be little more involved), which I started last week.
I wasn't going to make anything Christmassy this year, but I could not resist. I browse through this book every year and there is a project I have been promising to myself, so this was a last minute decision. It required some Christmas fabric, which I don't usually have in my stash, but as luck would have it, I did buy this piece a long time ago, just because I liked it.
I am making my own version, because I don't have all the materials required and I really did not want to go shopping very far, as the farthest we go at the moment are local food shops.
I did however find some white fleece fabric in one of my draws, great!
It is still very much work in progress, and it will not be finished by tomorrow, but who cares!
We will not be going anywhere, Christmas for us will be just two of us at home, keeping our distance from everyone and keeping ourselves safe. So there will be loads of time for getting it done
in the days ahead.
I wish you all - very Merry (and safe) Christmas,
thank you for your company this year and lets hope that soon this year will be just a bad memory.
Tuesday, 24 December 2019
Merry Christmas
to all my followers and to all who just pop in now and then, wherever you are in the world!
I hope you will have a wonderful time with your family and friends, calm and peace.
Here the old seasonal favourites have come out of hiding,
My favourite Christmas tablecloth, which I made some years ago
("Northern Quilts" pattern),
("Northern Quilts" pattern),
with embroidered corners.
And some last minute baking.
Although my clivia is little confused; after spending the summer outside,
it has now decided to flower for Christmas; a welcome addition to our decoration.
©pleasureinstitching.blogspot.co.uk 2010-2019
Sunday, 23 December 2018
it is nearly time
Christmas is nearly here,
and I am sure you all have been very busy too.
Not very seasonal in our part of the world, quite mild and wet,
yes, it is very English Christmas.
This week I managed to put together all the blocks for Little Patchwork Village wall quilt,
and started to stitch the block together.
But now I am putting it away for a while - I will be far too busy for sewing for the next few days!
Last minute baking today,
"Vanilletorte".
I have been making this cake since 1980, when I found the recipe in that year's December issue of Burda Moden magazine!
(Admittedly, I don't make it every year!)
The house is taking on Christmas look,
my latest quilt is on the wall,
and Christmas tablecloth is out for its annual outing.
We keep Continental Christmas at our house, Christmas Eve is still "Christmas" for me, when our children and grandchildren come to our house for a special meal and we exchange presents.
It means that I will be busy in the kitchen tomorrow, so I shall wish you now
VERY HAPPY CHRISTMAS!
©pleasureinstitching.blogspot.co.uk 2010-2018
Monday, 25 December 2017
In our house we keep Continental Christmas, we celebrate on Christmas Eve.
Waiting for the family to arrive,
and it is all over, food eaten, presents given and received, everyone gone;
time to clear up and relax.
Today we will celebrate English Christmas at our DD's house.
Christmas x 2, aren't we lucky!
I hope you all are having a nice time,
see you all soon!
©pleasureinstitching.blogspot.co.uk 2017
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