Happy Name Day, Vratislav! Všechno nejlepší k svátku! Wrocław

Today we honor Vratislav.  Happy Name Day, Vratislav!

The name Vratislav is derived from the Slavic elements vortiti "return" and slav "glory".  This was the name of two dukes of Bohemia.  The city of Wrocław in Poland is traditionally believed to be named after after Wrocisław or Vratislav, often believed to be Duke Vratislaus I of Bohemia.

Vratislaus I of Bohemia, 14th century

Speaking of cookies...

Speaking of Christmas cookies, you can also get very creative and have some fun when you're decorating them yourself...as proven by this fine example:

Traditional Czech Christmas Cookies...and Sweet Life Bakery!

Christmas just wouldn't be the same without cookies!  Cookies are a big part of a Czech Christmas, and some traditional ones are butter (or linzer) cookies with marmalade (linecké koláčiky), vanilla crescents (vanilkové rohlíčky), bear paws (medvedi tlapicvky), and gingerbread cookies with icing (perníčky).

Linecké koláčiky

Vanilla crescents (vanilkové rohlíčky)

Bear Paws (Medvedi Tlapicvky)

Gingerbread (perníčky) - these are too pretty to eat!

Albeit delicious, it takes time to bake several varieties of these cookies, and although most people stick to tradition and make the time to do so, there are some that are just too busy.  If you're one of those that just doesn't have enough time to bake but still want to ensure that your family enjoys traditional Czech Christmas cookies, then let Sweet Life Bakery do the baking for you!  Sweet Life uses only the finest ingredients and traditional recipes to ensure that you'll be proud to have their homemade creations on your Christmas table. 

Sweet Life offers a wide variety of Christmas cookies - these are just a sample of their delicious offerings...

Wasps Nest (vosí hnízda)

  Linecké s čokoládou

Mandlové

 Ořechové s čokoládou

Vanilkové rohlíčky 

 

 Mrkvové cukroví

Kokosové kuličky

Kokosky

  

Perníčky


 Sweet Life's variety package (available in 1 kg or 1/2 kg package)

Sweet Life will be taking orders until December 10th.  Orders can be ready starting December 15th.  For any orders needed before December 15th, a 5-day advance notice is needed.

For additional information or to place an order please email either eric@sweetlife.cz or jana@sweetlife.cz or call +420 604 48 40 58 or +420 731 56 39 59.

Visit their website at http://www.sweetlife.cz/en/our-products/christmas-cookies 

Happy Name Day, Květoslava! Všechno nejlepší k svátku!

Today we honor Květoslava.  Happy Name Day, Květoslava!

The name Květoslava is a Slavic name derived from the Czech word květ meaning "flower, blossom."  Květa is a nickname of Květoslava.

Happy Name Day, Ambrož! Všechno nejlepší k svátku!

Today we honor Ambrož.  Happy Name Day, Ambrož!

Ambrož is a variant of Ambrose, which is of Greek origin and means "immortal".

'Tis the Season ...for a festive stroll through the Prague Christmas Markets

Oh, how I adore this time of year!  Strolling through the Christmas markets (Vánoční trhy) in Prague with the sweet smell of hot Trdelník in the air, sipping on Svařák to stay warm, taking in all of the sights and sounds of the holiday...this is what I look forward to every year!

Svařák (hot mulled wine)

Be sure to visit the Christmas market during the day as well as at night when thousands of lights are twinkling...

The Christmas markets are now up throughout the city, but the most famous one is in Old Town Square.  So grab a Svařák (mulled wine) or Medovina (honey wine or Mead) and take a leisurely stroll around Old Town Square.  If your're lucky, it may begin to snow...adding to the Christmassy feel.  

Be sure to admire the 27-meter tall tree that was gifted to Prague by the town of Vrchlabí, which is in the Czech Republic in the Giant Mountains (Krkonoše).

 Old Town Square at Christmastime 

  

  Christmas just wouldn't be right without a nativity scene, but a live one!?  This is one you won't want to miss!  There's also a petting zoo, performances of Christmas music and dance, and many, many stalls selling everything from Czech food, beer and treats, to glass, candles, and traditional Czech toys and marionettes.  It's a great place to pick up a little something to put under the tree or in a stocking.

   Other Prague Christmas markets are in Wenceslas Square, with smaller markets at Havelske Trziste and Náměstí Republiky, and all are within a 10-minute walk.  Another Christmas market is situated in Náměstí Míru, which is a bit outside of the city center but very easily reached by metro or tram.  You'll find more locals than tourists here.

Wenceslas Square

Snow begins to gently fall as people stroll through the market at Wenceslas Square

Náměstí Míru

I recommend going atop the clock tower at dusk or later when it's dark...the view is spectacular!

Trdlo

A delicious treat!  Trdlo is dough wrapped around a hot metal pin, baked to perfection and then rolled in cinnamon sugar or almonds.

One of the many stalls...this one sells candles

T

 The Prague Christmas market stays open on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and for the remainder of December.  

Hours are 9 am - 7 pm on weekdays; 9 am to 8 pm on weekends.

Happy Name Day, Mikuláš! Všechno nejlepší k svátku!

Today we honor Mikuláš.  Happy Name Day, Mikuláš!

The name Mikuláš is the Czech and Slovak form of Nicholas, which is of Greek origin and means "people of victory."

Saint Nicholas (4th century) is known as the patron saint of Greece and Russia, children, scholars, sailors, and pawnbrokers, and (via his Dutch name, Sinte Klaas) the original Santa Claus.

Naughty or nice?

Will you receive a gift tonight or be put in a sack and taken to hell?

Today is Mikuláš and for those of you in the Czech Republic, perhaps you saw St. Nicholas (Mikuláš) along with an anděl (angel) and čert (devil) wandering the streets.

They ask children if they have behaved themselves over the past year.  Good children receive a small gift, like chocolates, maybe even a little doll or toy car, but bad children are put in a sack by the devil and taken off to hell.  No, not really on that last part, but that's the legend.  Bad children typically get a bag of coal or potatoes.

As popular as Santa Claus is, I'm glad that the old Czech tradition of Mikuláš, Anděl a Čert (St. Nicholas, the angel and the devil) still lives on.  The Czech Republic effectively has two Christmas holidays...the main one being Christmas Eve, but before that the festivities on December 5th, which celebrate the eve of Mikuláš name day.  It's not a public holiday though and is mainly for children.  Nevertheless, I'm happy that we Czechs keep the tradition alive.  

Happy Name Day, Jitka! Všechno nejlepší k svátku!

Today we honor Jitka.  Happy Name Day, Jitka!

The name Jitka is the diminutive of the name Judita, which is the Czech and Slovak form of Judith.  The name Judith is of Hebrew origin and means "from Judea; Jewish."

Happy Name Day, Barbora! Všechno nejlepší k svátku!

Today we honor Barbora.  Happy Name Day, Barbora!

The name Barbora is a variant of Barbara, which is of Latin origin and means "foreign woman".

A Dickens Village scene

This isn't even reality, but it's how I want the season to feel.  Where is my violinist playing Christmas carols in the freshly fallen snow?  

I love the Department 56 Dickens' Village series and have several pieces myself so if any of you are looking for a x-mas gift (wink wink)...

Happy Name Day, Svatoslav! Všechno nejlepší k svátku!

Today we honor Svatoslav.  Happy Name Day, Svatoslav!

The name Svatoslav is of Czech and Slavic origin and means "one who celebrates holiness".