Easter menu.

Tradycyjne brytyjskie potrawy wielkanocne to:
- HOT CROSS BUNS ( bułeczki jedzone w Wielki Piątek)
- BOILED EGGS
- ROAST LAMB
- BAKED HAM
- SIMNEL CAKE (cisto z marcepanem)
Read more:

Traditional British Easter Recipes: 

http://britishfood.about.com/od/easter/ss/easterrecipes.htm

The Holly & The Ivy.

Ostrokrzew (HOLLY ) i bluszcz (IVY) to symbole świąt Bożego Narodzenia.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=57l6dSbVppM
Dlaczego?
O tym przeczytacie tutaj :
 http://www.whychristmas.com/customs/hollyandivy.shtml

Dog owners warned over dressing up their pets at Christmas.

Wreszcie ktoś zaprotestował przeciwko idiotycznemu i okrutnemu zwyczajowi przebierania zwierząt domowych w świateczne stroje.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1xOcZMqsy0A

RSPCA is urging pet owners to avoid dressing animals up in novelty items

It warns festive jumpers, reindeer antlers and Santa hats may cause harm

Novelty clothing stops cats and dogs being able to express themselves

Charity warned pet owners could be prosecuted under Animal Welfare Act

"For some dogs being in a costume can be particularly scary, or worrying, especially if there are bits on the costume that the dog isn't used to 

Dr Samantha Gaines, RSPCA 

(RSPCA -  Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals)

Poland’s Independence Day.

Poland has been celebrating Independence Day since 1920. During and after the Second World War this was done clandestinely. In 1945, the National Independence Day was replaced by the Day of Rebirth of Poland on the anniversary of signing of PKWN Manifesto, celebrated on 22nd of July, which essentially introduced communist rule in the country. Independence Day was restored as a national holiday late as in 1989 after Poland’s political transformation. 
Read more:http://www.polska.pl/en/experience-poland/traditions-and-holidays/independence-day/

International Stuttering Awareness Day

Dzis ochodzimy Światowy Dzień Osób Jąkających się . Święto ustanowiono w 1998 roku, aby uwrażliwić społeczeństwo na problemy osób dotknietych tą przypadłością.

Since 1998, every year on October 22 we celebrate ISAD. Isn’t this an excellent joint project between ISA, IFA and ELSA? Haven’t we already accomplished a lot together?The self-help groups and the national associations become very active and creative when International Stuttering Awareness Day approaches. The Stuttering Homepage has been the home of ISAD online conferences on stuttering until 2012.  The International Stuttering Association has been running the online conference since 2013.There is big media coverage in many countries. People who stutter from self-help groups as well as professionals are interviewed for TV and newspapers. Excellent projects, interesting discussions and parties occur around the World around October 22. It is so gratifying to see how the national associations use this Day for working and celebrating.

Read more:http://www.isastutter.org/what-we-do/isad

Famous people who stutter  : http://www.stutteringhelp.org/famous-people-who-stutter

THE FIRST NATIONAL SYSTEM OF EDUCATION IN EUROPE

Dziś obchodzimy w Polsce Dzień Edukacji Narodowej. 

The Commission for National Education of the Kingdom of Poland and the Grand Duchy of Lithuania (Polish: Kommissya Edukacyi Narodowey Korony Polskiey Y. W. X. Litewskiego; Lithuanian: Lenkijos Karalystės ir Lietuvos Didžiosios Kunigaikštijos Valstybinė Edukacinė Komisija, hereafter refered to as The Educational Commission) was established in 1773. By purpose and design the Educational Commission combined the educational systems of both Lithuania and Poland under one national controlling body, thus directly taking over the responsibility for education and becoming the first "Ministry of Education" in Europe.
Read more: http://www.lituanus.org/1968/68_4_01Rackauskas.html

World Moustache Championships

Daily Mail zamieszcza fotografie ze Światowych Mistrzostw Brodaczy i Wąsaczy.
Coś nieprawdopodobnego, co faceci mogą nosić na twarzy! Chciałabym jeszcze zobaczyć fotki tych panów w trakcie jedzenia spaghetti oraz poznać ich życiowe partnerki, o ile takowe posiadają....

More than 300 contestants showed off their elaborate facial hair at the World Beard And Mustache Championships

Men in top hats and suede dungarees gathered in the picaresque Alpine village of Leogang in Austria

There were silver beards teased into rigid spokes, majestic handlebars and pristine pointed moustaches

They competed in 6 different categories in three vital groups - moustache, partial beard and full beard

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3259034/Thought-reached-Peak-Beard-Meet-weird-wonderful-contestants-World-Moustache-Championships-sport-foot-long-whiskers-hectagonal-handlebars.html#ixzz3nbrYywdW
Pamiętajcie, że wąsy kota to whiskers.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2rO9S4Jb9b4
Do posłuchania i oglądania - moi ulubieni brodacze https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2-dSTR1-Hiw

Harvest festival.

Dziś dożynki. Nie wybieram się , ale z racji miejsca zamieszkania mogę otworzyć okno i posłuchać...
A jak obchodzi się święto plonów w krajach anglojęzycznych ?

Harvest festival https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EhVri0bZd00

Beard Festival in Hungary

Festiwale, festiwale... Festiwal Eurowizji za nami. Głosowano jak zwykle. Może teraz poczytajmy o festiwalu brody, który odbył się na Węgrzech. Uczestnicy usiłowali udowodnić, że brodate jest piękne. Czy im się udało? Zobaczcie na zdjęciach.

Facial hair is often criticised for being scruffy and unhygienic, but for these men, it is a way of life.

Having spent years perfecting and styling their beards, they finally had the chance to show off their eye-catching efforts in front of fellow .

Sporting Dalis, goatees and Hungarians, their aim was to take home the coveted prize for best facial hair at the 7th Kunsag Beard Festival in Kiskunfelegyhaza, south of Budapest, Hungary.  Entrants included one man with facial hair inspired by Napoleon III and another who had curled his beard to look like tusks.

The beard revolution appears to be at its peak with facial hair fast-becoming the must-have fashion accessory for men. 

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3094398/Beard-festival-Hungary.html#ixzz3b4Bz6n6A

Guinness World Record: Longest Beard in the world.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BP3G8iIu6a0

International Polar Bear Day.

Dzis obchodzimy Miedzynarodowy Dzień Niedźwiedzia Polarnego.
PBI's International Polar Bear Day is February 27th! Every year, this global event draws attention to the challenges polar bears face in a warming Arctic—and how we each can help.
You’re invited to celebrate with us by signing our Petition for Polar Bears, which asks world leaders for meaningful action on climate change. Then show your support for greenhouse gas reductions by bundling up for polar bears and taking our Thermostat Challenge.
READ MORE:
http://www.polarbearsinternational.org/our-work/international-polar-bear-day
Happy International Polar Bear Day!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fGdi-XrY4Hg

Imbolc.

Dziś w Irlandii i Szkocji obchodzony jest Dzień Świętej Brygidy wywodzący się z celtyckiego święta Imbolc ( wymawia się :  'im'olk') poświęconego Brigid - bogini wiosny, poezji lecznictwa i rzemiosła. Z dniem tym związane było także przepowiadanie pogody.
St Brigid's Day is also known as Feast-Day of Bride, Là Fhéill Bhrìghde, and Imbolc.
The early Celts all over Northern Europe celebrated this day as Imbolc. Imbolc (also spelt "Imbolg") comes from the Old Irish, "i mbolg" meaning "in belly." It is associated with the period when female sheep (ewes), pregnant with spring lambs, started to lactate and give milk again -- though this onset of lactation can vary up to two weeks before or after the 1st of February. Still, the 1st of February makes for a date that falls about halfway between the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox. 
Read more:
http://www.cooksinfo.com/st-brigids-day
http://culturalheritageireland.ie/index.php/irish-history-from-the-annals/80-irish-history-from-the-annals/174-the-festival-of-imbolc-and-st-brigit
or watch
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eH7okeqtY3o

A NEW YEAR.

“A New Year has tiptoed in.
Let’s go forward to meet it.
Let’s welcome the 365 days it brings.
Let’s live well with love in our hearts towards God and all people.
Let’s walk through it’s corridors with praise songs on our lips.”

Anusha Atukorala

10 stunning photos from Christmas markets around Europe

Zobaczcie fotografie najpopularniejszych targów bożonarodzeniowych z całej Europy. Jest tam też piękna fotka naszego Krakowa.
Christmas markets are THE places to visit during the holidays. They are magical, whimsical and really, really bright, and they resemble a fairytale scenery! Plus, you can find pretty much everything you want: snacks, drinks, hand-made products, traditional food, gifts, and the list goes on.
We have gathered the most impressive photos from Christmas markets around Europe and we present them to you. If you’re somewhere close, do not hesitate to pay a visit!
http://funifi.com/blog/10-stunning-photos-from-christmas-markets-around-europe/?NewFeed

Five things you didn't know about Christmas trees.

Ciekawy artykuł na stronie BBC.
Here are some the secrets of Christmas trees and their tough, tenacious lives.

• Christmas trees can turn to glass.
• Christmas trees are home to tarantulas.
• Christmas trees are as tall as trees can get.
• Christmas trees create their own ecosystem
• Christmas trees may struggle with future climates

Read more: http://www.bbc.com/earth/story/20141220-five-christmas-tree-secrets

The best Christmas window display.

Najpiękniejsze wystawy świąteczne w Londynie.

Christmas shopping in central London in mid December is not for the faint-hearted. 

Wind, rain, angry customers, queues and general confusion are just a few of the issues that shoppers have to deal with when trying to find the perfect present in one of the capital's department stores. 

But the biggest retailers do have their perks - one of the main ones being the beautiful window displays they build every year.

From Selfridges and Harvey Nichols to Harrods and Fenwick, the outside of every building is decorated with festive themes in a competition to create the biggest wow factor.  

This year, Father Christmas, multiple penguins, the ballet and even the iconic London black taxi have all featured in the festive scenes.

The golden goose at Selfridges took so long to create that the designer managed to work her way through ten audio books while building it....

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2877494/The-best-Christmas-shop-windows-London-s-department-stores-compete-capital-s-greatest-festive-display.html#ixzz3MGojFwTK

Craziest Christmas trees.

Co zamiast trdycyjnej choinki? Zobaczcie propozycje.

Craziest Xmas trees ever! Quirky alternatives to your usual festive fir

• Nobody said Christmas trees had to damage the environment
• From a cardboard creation to a technicolour dream
• Here are some quirky alternatives to your festive fir

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2864675/Craziest-Xmas-trees-Quirky-alternatives-usual-festive-fir.html#ixzz3LKWNiIxM

HOW TO MAKE A CHRISTMAS TREE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tbuILG3rTVo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Az4kVBgpBvc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RS_79bed-iI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5eM0Xb3oVfw

Christmas window displays.

Sklepy kuszą świątecznymi wystawami. Niektóre są naprawdę piekne i pomysłowe. Zobaczcie na zdjęciach w The Guardian. Redakcja zachęca nadsyłania fotografii.
The high street can be a beautiful thing, especially during the festive season, so let’s celebrate yours. Have you spotted a snowy forest scene in your local book shop? Or maybe there's a full-sized Father Christmas with reindeers in a garden centre near you.
If there's an independent shop with a particularly eye-catching Christmas-themed window display, why not take a photo and share it with us.
Read more:
https://witness.theguardian.com/assignment/5477046ce4b05735abcbf588?INTCMP=mic_231930

Kraków Christmas Market

Ozdoby choinkowe, biżuterię, szkło artystyczne, pamiątki - to wszystko można  kupić na Targach Bożonarodzeniowy, które rozpoczęły się na Rynku Głównym w Krakowie.

The Christmas market in Krakow is a regular feature of the city’s festive season. Traditionally, it starts in the last week of November and lasts through December 26th at least. Sometimes the organizers venture to prolong the Xmas market to January 6th, the Epiphany festival. Thus the festive shopping event may somewhat extend Christmastime in Krakow, long enough anyway - in Poland the Yuletide officially begins on December 24th and continues till February 2nd.

Read more:http://www.krakow-info.com/Christmas-market.htm

or watch

http://krakow4.webcamera.pl/

Remember, remember!

The Fifth of November

    Remember, remember! 

    The fifth of November, 

    The Gunpowder treason and plot; 

    I know of no reason 

    Why the Gunpowder treason 

    Should ever be forgot! 

    Dziś w Wielkiej Brytanii obchodzony jest Guy Fawkes Day
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=soe8Z_Ej4Ck
czyli rocznica wykrycia tak zwanego spisku prochowego, który miał doprowadzić do wysadzenia w powietrze Izby Lordów. Wesołej zabawie towarzyszą pokazy sztucznych ogni.
THE STORY OF GUY FAWKES:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=74GKQoYPL6E

Leif Erikson Day

Dzień Leifa Erikssona - to  amerykańskie święto obchodzone 9 października.
A kim był sam Leif Eriksson ? To wiking, który ponoć jako pierwszy Europejczyk dotarł do Ameryki Północnej.
Leif Eriksson, Leif Szczęśliwy znany też w krajach skandynawskich jako Leifur Eiríksson,  Leiv Eiriksson żył na przełomie X i XI wieku.(Był synem Eryka Rudego, który zakładał normańskie osady na Grenlandii.)  Leif podczas pobytu w Norwegii przyjął chrzest. Po powrocie na Grenlandię usłyszał wieści o nieznanym lądzie na zachodzie i wyruszył w tym kierunku.
Dotarł prawdopodobnie do Ziemi Baffina, Labradoru i założył osadę na Nowej Funlandii.
To tylko jedna z teorii. Inna mówi, że Leif Eriksson odkrył Amerykę około roku 1000, ale żadnych osad nie zakładał.
Data 9 października nie ma nic wspólnego z wydarzeniami z życia Leifa. Tego dnia w roku 1825 dotarł do Zatoki Nowojorskiej statek z imigrantami z Norwegii.
Do popularyzacji Leifa Erikssona przyczyniła się książka pod tytułem  America not discovered by Columbus, którą  w 1874 roku napisał Rasmus Björn Anderson.
Równie dobrze można ustanowić Dzień Jana z Kolna, który też podobno dotarł do Ameryki przed Kolumbem ;) Dowodów na to nie ma, ale byłoby nam MIŁO.

HAPPY LEIF ERIKSON DAY! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vZD-SQXHGOM