Ididn't put on weight, fortunately. I love eating but this time it was different (why? I don't know). ;) And what did I get for christmas? Mostly money but some cosmetics and sweets were also packed for me. It was nice, really nice. Me and my family spent a lot of time together and we were also watching christmas movies on tv (I love them!). And now I'm waiting for...
I love this time when my family is gathering and spending time together. Eating, eating and eating - that's our keynote. ;) But presents, of course, are also included. 'Many people around the world celebrate Christmas Eve in different ways. It is observed in many countries such as Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom and the United States.
Workers in some countries get a day off or half-day off to prepare for
Christmas Day, including last-minute shopping for presents, decorations
or food. In some countries Christmas Eve is celebrated with large family
meals featuring traditional Christmas dishes. In some cultures,
presents are exchanged and opened on the night of Christmas Eve. Many
homes have their Christmas trees lit up, mistletoes hung, and other
Christmas decorations, such as holly and ivy, at this time of the year. Some people organize groups of singers who go Christmas caroling from
door to door, or sing Christmas carols in public venues. It is also a
time for children in many countries around the world to hang their
Christmas stockings (or pillow cases), hoping for a present to arrive
from Santa Claus on Christmas Day, which is December 25 in the Gregorian
calendar. Children in France set out their shoes near a fireplace on Christmas Eve because they believe that Father Christmas (Santa Claus), also known as le Père Noël (in French), will arrive before dawn and fill them with toys, nuts and sweets. Many churches hold special services during Christmas Eve, including
midnight services. These services include special choirs and sermons to
celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. Many churches also display a crèche
or miniature Nativity scene. Christmas celebrations in different
countries combine the country’s cultural traditions, beliefs and
superstitions with more contemporary customs, such as Santa Claus and
Christmas trees.'
Christmas is coming, so today something connected with it: the world's most unique christmas trees!
I love reading National Geographic and today I've encountered this topic.
'The tradition of decorating a tree or tree-like
structure around Christmas began in Germany and has spread around the
world over the past few centuries. In many places, the look of the tree
is inspired by the local culture, climate, or environment, leading to a
wide variety of expressions. In this gallery we explore some of this
festive creativity.
In the U.S., roughly 70 percent of people choose artificial trees,
in large part because of their convenience. Still, those trees
typically require petroleum to make, are rarely recycled, take up space
in landfills, and must often be shipped around the world. Most are made
in China, with dirty coal-fired electricity, and some contain toxic lead. For those reasons, most environmentalists say going with a real tree is actually greener.
Sustainably harvested trees can suck up carbon dioxide from the air as
they grow and provide habitat for wildlife. They can also save energy and water over the course of their lifecycle. A particularly green choice is an
organically grown tree, which is grown without toxic pesticides that are
otherwise used by many growers. Other green options include buying a tree that was locally grown—to reduce the impact of fuel—using a live tree and then planting it in the ground after the celebrations, or decorating a houseplant. Some people also opt for the "Charlie Brown tree" look by collecting boughs from the yard and fashioning them into a makeshift “tree.” Other possibilities include celebrating an outside tree, a rock formation, or even a sweater.'
Beach Christmas
In
the Southern Hemisphere, Christmas comes in summer, making for a
different kind of celebration than those in the North. In Sydney,
Australia, this family decorates a tree with balloons on the beach.
Crafty Christmas
This vintage photo from 1955 shows a woman decorating her tree with homemade cookies. Over the years, trimming technology has evolved steadily, with LEDs replacing candles.
Today something about him, about my beloved, beloved artist, I can say.
Tim Burton was born in America in 1958 and beside being a film director, he's also a producer, a writer and an animator. He's famous for his dark, gloomy, gothic and sometimes funny horror, fantasy and animated movies. I love his style and so all of his films. My favourite ones are Beetlejuice (1988), Edward Scissorhands (1990) and Batman Returns (1992).
Beetlejuice: ,,After Barbara and Adam Maitland were killed in a car crash, they find
themselves trapped as ghosts in their beautiful New England farmhouse.
Their peace is disrupted when a yuppie family, the Deetzs, buy their
house. The Maitlands are too nice and harmless as ghosts and all their
efforts to scare the Deetzs away were unsuccessful. They eventually turn
to another ghost 'Beetlejuice' for help..."
Edward Scissorhands: ,,In a castle high on top of a hill lives an inventor's greatest creation -
Edward, a near-complete person. The creator died before he could finish
Edward's hands; instead, he is left with metal scissors for hands.
Since then, he has lived alone, until a kind lady called Peg discovers
him and welcomes him into her home. At first, everyone welcomes him into
the community, but soon things begin to take a change for the worse..."
Batman Returns: ,,Having defeated the Joker, Batman now faces the Penguin - a warped and
deformed individual who is intent on being accepted into Gotham society.
Crooked businessman Max Schreck is coerced into helping him become
Mayor of Gotham and they both attempt to expose Batman in a different
light. Earlier however, Selina Kyle, Max's secretary, is thrown from the
top of a building and is transformed into Catwoman - a mysterious
figure who has the same personality disorder as Batman. Batman must
attempt to clear his name, all the time deciding just what must be done
with the Catwoman..."
My biggest love! And I'm the lucky person to have one at home.
That's a ferret (but I hope everybody knows that). My own's name is Zuzia, as simple as that. She's unruly, fast, she sleeps for about 18 hours per day, eats meat and like biting every person instead of me, of course. But that's their nature, more wild than it seems. She's now a one-year-old lady and I hope that she'll be living with me as long as she can.
For those who don't know how ferrets behave, my favourite video with one of them:
Sorry but the photo's not mine - my camera still sucks ;c
Swedish meatballs Ingredients:
2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
1 onion, diced
1 pound ground beef
1 pound ground pork
2 large egg yolks
1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
For the gravy:
1/4 cup unsalted butter
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
4 cups beef broth
3/4 cup sour cream
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley leaves
Directions:
Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add
onion, and cook, stirring frequently, until onions have become
translucent, about 2-3 minutes.
In a large bowl, combine ground beef, ground pork, Panko, egg yolks,
allspice, nutmeg and cooked onion; season with salt and pepper, to
taste. Using a wooden spoon or clean hands, stir until well combined.
Roll the mixture into 1 1/4-to-1 1/2-inch meatballs, forming about 24
meatballs.
Add remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil to the skillet. Add meatballs,
in batches, and cook until all sides are browned, about 4-5 minutes.
Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate.
To make the gravy, melt butter in the skillet. Whisk in flour until
lightly browned, about 1 minute. Gradually whisk in beef broth and cook,
whisking constantly, until slightly thickened, about 1-2 minutes. Stir
in sour cream; season with salt and pepper, to taste.
Stir in meatballs and cook, stirring occasionally, until heated through and thickened, about 8-10 minutes.
Serve immediately, garnished with parsley, if desired.
As delicious as you can imagine! To be honest, I'm not a big fan of cooking - I definitely prefer eating. ;) And most of them I ate by myself... shame? Not at all. At least no one had the occasion to critisize me!
This is my first post on the blog so I'm going to write briefly what it's gonna be about. 'Nothing' and 'everything' would be the most suitable words here, I guess. Lack of idea is also the best idea. Inspired by everyday things, trying to write something more or less sophisticated. ;)
