CHristmas in Lithuania by Gracie

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I dedicate this book to my great grandma, Virgina because I knew her for 9 years and we were very close. Then she passed away on November 14, 2011.



Christmas Eve In the country the trip to church was by horse-drawn sleigh by the jingling with tiny bells on the horse’s harness. Christmas started early in the morning on Christmas Eve: the house was thoroughly cleaned, all bed linen were changed, food was ready for several days, the livestock were tended to, water was heated and everyone took a bath and dressed with clean clothes. The table was then set with plates and had small fir tree branches and candles. A plate of Christmas wafers was placed in the center.

Lithuanian Christmas Lithuanians lived on small family farms, grew their own crops, and raised their own livestock. What they did, what they ate, etc., was intimately tied to the cycle of the seasons and to the products of their own labor. The ground is covered with snow, lakes and rivers are frozen. All nature


seems to be in a deep sleep except for the evergreen fir and pine trees. There are no fresh flowers, no fresh fruit, and no fresh vegetables.

First day of Christmas The first day of Christmas was considered most sacred and, therefore, all unnecessary work was avoided. Only food prepared days in advance was eaten. Much of the morning was spent at home singing Christmas hymns and carols. As the day progressed neighbors would start to visit each other and exchange Christmas greetings. And finally, usually at the home of the most prosperous neighbor, the musicians would appear, signaling the end of the Advent season and the return of entertainment and all types of merrymaking.


Makes about 6 servings of Polish Strawberry Kissel - Kisiel Truskawkowy Prep Time: 20 minutes Total Time: 20 minutes Ingredients: 1 cup water 1/2 cup sugar (or more to taste based on sweetness of fruit) 3 tablespoons potato starch (NOT potato flour) or 4 tablespoons cornstarch 1/2 cup cold water 1 pound hulled, washed and crushed strawberries Preparation: 1. In a large saucepan, bring to boil 1 cup water and sugar. Remove from heat. 2. Dissolve potato starch in 1/2 cup cold water and stir into the sugar-water mixture. Return to the heat and bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Add strawberries and mix well. 3. Portion into individual dessert bowls or one large bowl that has been rinsed with cold water. Place in the refrigerator until firm, about 3 hours. Serve with cream, half-and-half, milk or whipped cream.


Pictures of location, weather patterns, si

Europe is the 6th largest continent on Earth. It is surrounded by the Mediterranean Sea, black sea, strait of Gibraltar, Bay of Biscay, North Sea, Norwegian Sea, Greenland Sea, Barents Sea and Asia. Europe is located in the northeastern hemisphere and north of the equator. There are about 3,203,000 people in Europe.


Latvia, Portland, Germany, Russia, Belarus, the Baltic Sea, and the Gulf of Rigo and all are around Lithuania. Lithuania is in the northeast hemisphere. About 3,203,000 people how live in Lithuania.


Sources http://www.santas.net/lithuanianchristmas.htm http://www.google.com/imgres?q=what+borders+europe&hl=en&safe=active&client=firefoxa&hs=GQb&sa=X&tbo=d&rls=org.mozilla:enUS:official&channel=np&biw=1024&bih=629&tbm=isch&tbnid=AII6V0hv8PSDTM:&imgrefurl=http://ww w.j1sandiego.com/outdoors/12/map-of-europe-and-asiaborder&docid=xPiKEHeFAGg4BM&imgurl=http://www.j1sandiego.com/outdoors/12/map-of-europeand-asia-borderi1.jpg&w=600&h=483&ei=EFK_UJGOMYX49QTbwYDAAw&zoom=1&iact=rc&dur=2&sig=1118266052580 39538550&page=1&tbnh=141&tbnw=175&start=0&ndsp=17&ved=1t:429,r:3,s:0,i:94&tx=38&ty=57&su rl=1 http://www.lithaz.org/arts/xmas.html http://www.google.com/imgres?q=lithuanian+christmas+traditions&um=1&hl=en&safe=active&sa=N&t bo=d&biw=1024&bih=629&tbm=isch&tbnid=WFHsf79GHWwXBM:&imgrefurl=http://www.rimarama.co m/2011/12/may-your-horses-be-goodlooking.html&docid=2SfH3PqFiwRueM&imgurl=http://www.rimarama.com/wpcontent/uploads/2011/12/slizikai.jpg&w=500&h=375&ei=2jLHUPKDBYiw8ASE84H4Aw&zoom=1&iact=rc &dur=3&sig=111826605258039538550&page=2&tbnh=135&tbnw=182&start=17&ndsp=21&ved=1t:42 9,r:18,s:0,i:139&tx=39&ty=41&surl=1 www.google/images.com


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