Happy Saint Nicholas to all from Emma Blogs LLC on http:// emmapalova.com
Posted from WordPress for Android
Saint Nicholas
Category Archives: Uncategorized
Three Sundays of Christmas
Bronze Sunday
By Emma Palova
EW Emma’s Writings
The third Sunday before Christmas in Czech Republic is bronze Sunday. On that day all stores open their doors to shoppers, and the Christmas markets begin on the major squares in towns. The town squares shine with decorated Christmas trees to the nines.
The timing coincides with the four weeks of Advent. I’ve noticed the same trend here in the USA. Area communities such as in Honey Creek, Cannonsburg decorate and light their Christmas trees around the same time, so does Lowell in Michigan prior to the annual Santa parade held this year on Dec. 6th.
Small stores like the nickel and dime store Springrove Variety in Lowell are open on Sundays starting Dec.7th from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Typically, this is the time when you get your mistletoe coated with white or gold for Christmas at the markets. The parasite plant that brings abundance and love is a must in European households.
To stay warm, the markets offer mulled wine with cinnamon sticks, grog or rum with tea, and hot beer. At this time of the year, I bought some of the most beautiful crochet linens.
But, probably the biggest of all Christmas traditions is the holiday baking that starts around this time.
The most famous pastries with almost a sacred quality are vanilla crescents and Linz sweets. Baking takes place at least two weeks ahead of time so they soften by Christmas.
The aroma from baking with vanilla and nuts fills the homes with that special holiday atmosphere. And as my facebook friend and real life cousin Marta Krajcova posted, and I quote:
“I love the smell of vanilla as it bakes in the crescents, it fills the house,” she wrote. “We’re almost done.”
I will feature the recipe on the new Travel & Food page on http:// etravelandfood.wordpress.com
Follow me next week for Silver Sunday
Copyright © 2014 Emma Blogs LLC All rights reserved.
Straits of Mackinac
Tale of three cities on the Straits of Mackinac
By Emma Palova
EW Emma’s Writings
Mackinaw City, MI -This is a story about three communities located on the Straits of Mackinac in Michigan. The Straits are a narrow waterway that separates Michigan’s Upper and Lower peninsulas.
But the Straits connect two of the Great Lakes, and that is Lake Michigan and Lake Huron.
The USA’s longest suspension bridge the “Mighty Mac” spans the five miles over the Straits. The steel construction swings in the wind. It connects the communities of Mackinaw City on the south side and Saint Ignace on the north side.
The area is magnificent as it combines human skill with nature’s beauty. It is rich in history and folklore. It is the most visited tourist location, and a nature lover’s paradise.
There are forts on both the Mackinac Island and the Mackinaw City, and an abundance of romantic lighthouses.
Local specialties include pasties, smoked whitefish and fudge.
One day is not enough for the entire area. So, you have to make a decision about your base camp. Saint Ignace is cheaper, but you pay the $4 fee to cross the bridge.
The most expensive is the Mackinac Island, some seven miles from the peninsulas. Three ferries will whisk you to the island in season for $18. My preferred time to go is off-season, because of the availability and the price of hotels. And the crowds are smaller.
Off season is somewhere around mid October until April. The colors are still beautiful in October, and the weather is nice around 60s Fahrenheit.
For a story on the Mackinac Island in winter go to the travel page on EW Emma’s Writings.
The stay in the new Bridge Vista Beach hotel in Mackinaw City at the beginning of November cost $69. The hotel has magnificent vistas of the bridge, the Straits and the island.
However, many establishments do close for the winter. So, check ahead of time who is open.
A great restaurant open year round other than the mainstay Keyhole Bar in Mackinaw City is the Pancake Chef. The local specialty the northern pasty beef or chicken is tasty and hearty. They also have local brews.
Many souvenir and fudge shops stay open. Marshall’s Fudge offered some 60 flavors.
To be continued….
Copyright (c) 2014 All rights reserved Emma Blogs LLC
Christmas through Lowell
Wedding baking
Interview with the bride
Married
I do have to borrow this one from my dad Vaclav Konecny.
Just married 36 years ago in Zlin, former Czechoslovakia to Ludek Pala.
I met him in grade school Stipa in 1976. The rest is history.
Fall scenes
Eating Czech
A true Czech fare of breaded chicken, pork or veal for Sunday dinner with potato salad.
Make it beaded fish for Christmas Eve. Watch for a recipe for the potato salad on http:// emmapalova.com and on http:// etravelandfood.wordpress.com
Art Prize 2014
The Art Prize starts today in Grand Rapids. The painting is by Kacey Cornwell.
It is on display at the first floor of The Fifth Third Bank in Grand Rapids.
Meet the artist Kacey Cornwell.
Receive your daily blog by subscribing to http://emmapalova.com
Follow the EW Emma’s Writings team on http://emmapalova.com
Copyright (c) 2014 Emma Blogs LLC
authoremmapalova 