Christmas tree

Hello friends,

I do hope you are all well after eating and drinking during Christmas holidays.

At last, I can show you our Christmas tree. As I said before we bring the Christmas tree into the house only on 24th December. My son and my husband decorated it while I was cooking in the kitchen. Under the tree we put not only the presents but fresh sweet bread - brioche, fruit, seeds (beans, pear, poppy seeds, corn etc), garlic, onion, money and Nativity scene of Bethlehem and a bell. Christmas food has magic meaning: poppy-seed and peas bring abundance, honey makes life sweet, garlic and onion bring health, and apple means beauty and love.





Traditionally no meat is eaten on Christmas Eve. So we had thick lentil soup with garlic scones for lunch and fish with potatoes, poppy seed cake, called beigli for dinner. Every food that we eat at Christmas symbolizes abundance. Lentil, poppy seed and scales of fish are like a lot of small coins.

When the tree was ready and the gifts were put under it we lit all 4 candles on our Advent wreath and I rung the bell to announce that Little Jesus had come and we opened our presents. Then we listened to the new CDs, chatted, watched movies and enjoyed each other’s company. That is what Christmas is for… I think. We talked with Csilla on Skype.

On 25th and 26th December we visited relatives and I entertained my father for lunch. We had meat soup, roast duck, fried chicken, mashed potatoes and salad. Sorry, I do not have any photos because I was so tired of all the cooking that I had no energy to take any photos. What typical menu did you have at Christmas?

I have attached a picture of Christmas wafer which is eaten with honey, a slice of my husband’s birthday cheese cake and cookies that I prepared.




At Christmas we eat so-called Christmas beans (I think its English name is broad bean or field bean) - that are easy to prepare. Soak the beans overnight- they get much bigger. Rinse the soaked beans and put them in a pot of cold water. Bring to boil, add salt and simmer covered for 2-3 hours until beans are tender. Once the beans are ready drain them. You can add salt if it is necessary and enjoy.




Dear friends, I owe you the responses for your comments. Thank you all so much for your notes and kind wishes.

Mauricio, I do hope that one day you can visit all parks in London. I wish it for my bottom of my heart. Thank you for your kind words. Keep commenting.

Hyoshil, thank you for your wishes. I was glad to read that your son received the certificate of merit. I think, it is the best thing for mothers when their children are rewarded for their outstanding achievement. Congratulations. How was your Christmas? Would you mind if I ask you whether you speak to William in Korean? My elder brother is married to a Czech woman. They speak only in Czech at home and his children do not speak Hungarian. I am quite sad about this and angry with my brother that he has not taught their children Hungarian yet. What is your opinion?

Karoun, I liked reading about your tradition Yalda. It was really interesting. Thank you. What I liked the best about Yalda is when grandmothers tell children old tales. How lovely. I remember listening to my late grandmothers’ tales and stories about their life when I was a child. I liked those stories so much. Dear Karoun, thanks also for your Christmas wishes even if you are not Christian. I agree with you that the word would be better if people respected each other more.

Anne, it was such a pleasure to learn that you have read my blog entries from 2006 September. I am glad that you are feeling near to me because of children. Please, tell me more about you and your family.

Marianna, I like reading your comments sent not only to me but to other bloggers as well. I was laughing loudly when I read your idea of me as a model again. Although I know that you are just kidding, I am sorry to tell you that I am absolutely not a type of a model. I think I am too shy and I am not photogenic at all. Sorry, if I have disappointed you.

Filippo, I hope you will have the chance to travel to London soon. Do not miss going to the theatre.

Renata, glad to read your comment on my entry again. Thanks for the kind wishes.

Hania, I am glad you liked the photos. Hope you can visit these places too and experience all the beauty of London.

James, you got it. I wrote Merry Christmas in Slovak and in Hungarian too. It made me happy that I could write and show you something new as a parent. Anyway, I really admire you for your daily writings. I like reading them.

Cris, thanks for your kind comments. Wow! What mouth watering dishes. However, the potatoes in orange sauce sound a little unusual for me as we rarely eat sweet and salty things together. Anyway, I liked the photos. You all look very happy in it. I spent three mornings in the kitchen and I was so tired of all cooking. My mum used to entertain us for Christmas lunch. Since she is not with us I am the one who invite my father. I am sure, Cris you also value these days with your mum. Am I right?

Naheed, thanks for the pics of pigeons as a Christmas present.

Satya, c'est la vie. I am of exactly the same opinion as some situations happen in life and we cannot do anything about them.

Ana Paula, where are you? I hope it is all well with you

Well, I have rambled on long enough. Looking forward to hearing from you. Take care,

Anita

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