Traditional Drinks on New Years Eve
In Austria they are drinking Champaign or other types of sparkling wine.
In the Netherlands, at midnight, Glühwein (bisschopswijn) or Champagne is drunk.
In Poland, drinking a glass of champagne exactly at midnight and raising toast for luck in the upcoming year is one of the most common small traditions.
In Spain, ffter the clock has finished striking twelve, people greet each other and toast with sparkling wine such as cava or champagne, or alternatively with cider.
Russians meet the New Year by drinking a special mixture of vodka, lime juice and the first tap water to be run in their home as the clock strikes midnight. The drink is known as Graznaya Voda (dirty water), and is believed to protect the drinker from bad luck all year round.
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Top Ten New Years Traditions - #5 Traditional Drinks
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Top Ten New Years Traditions - #6 Religious traditions
Top Ten New Years Traditions - #6 Religious traditions
In the United States, many religious communities have a tradition of New Year's Eve being known as "Watch Night". The faithful of the community congregate in worship services commencing New Year's Eve night and continuing past midnight into the new year. The Watch Night is a time for giving thanks for the blessings of the outgoing year and praying for divine favor during the upcoming year. Though held by some to have begun in the African American community, watch night can actually be traced back to a sect of Christians known as the Moravians who held the first Watchnight Service in Herrnhut, Saxony, in 1732. The practice was later adopted by John Wesley, the founder of Methodism. Watch Night did take on special significance to African Americans on New Year's Eve 1862, however, as slaves eagerly awaited the arrival of January 1, 1863-the effective date of the Emancipation Proclamation. This particular New Year's Eve became known as "Freedom's Eve."
In Japan, the day is a preparation day to welcome toshigami, new year's god. Therefore, traditionally, people clean their home and prepare Kadomatsu and/or Shimenawa to welcome the god before New Year's Eve.
Buddhist temples ring their bells 108 times on midnight, during 31 December to 1 January. These bell rings are called as joya no kane in Japanese which means "bell rings on new year eve's night." Each bell rings represent 108 elements of bonno, defilements, or Kilesa in Sanskrit, which is said people have in their mind. The bells are rung to repent 108 of the bonno.
In the Netherlands, in Reformed Protestant families, Psalm 90 is read.
Monday, December 14, 2009
Top 10 New Years Traditions - # 7 Unique Rituals or Traditions
In Russia a tradition is the 'Pizdets' - which involves checking your reflection in the mirror and shouting 'pizdets'- a common oath.
In the Phillipines, throwing coins at the stroke of midnight is said to increase wealth that year. Traditions also include the serving of circularly-shaped fruits, shaking of coins inside a metal casserole while walking around the house, and jumping up high which is believed to cause an increase in physical height. People also make loud noises by blowing on cardboard or plastic horns, called "torotot", banging on pots and pans in the belief that it scares away malevolent spirits and forces.
In Venezuela, those who want money must have a bill of high value when they toast at midnight, those who want to travel must go out from home while carrying some luggage.
In Canada, in rural Quebec, people ice fish and drink with their friends until the early hours of January 1.
In Ecuador; Walking around the block with the suitcase will bring the person the journey of their dreams.
In Hong Kong, the people usually get together in Central, Causeway Bay and Tsim Sha Tsui to celebrate and to look at the night lights along the harbor.
The Irish call New Year's Eve; New Year's Eve, or in Irish - Oíche Chinn Bliana, Oíche na Coda Móire or Oíche Chaille. Celebrations in major cities are modest. The beginning of 2009 was heralded only by the ringing of church bells.
In Mexico, traditions include sweeping the dirt out, taking luggage outside as a symbol of future trips, hanging sheep dolls (mainly made out of wool) in the doorknob for prosperity, among others.
New Year in Serbia is traditionally celebrated extensively. Indoors, families celebrate New Year's Eve with an abundance of food. Decorated "Christmas"-trees are predominantly related to New Year, hence called "novogodi%u0161nja (new years) jelka". Around or after midnight, "Deda Mraz" (Grandpa Frost) visits houses and leaves presents under the tree, to be unpacked then or, if the family is asleep, only to be discovered in the morning.
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Top 10 New Years Eve - #8 Clothing
#8 Traditional Clothing worn on New Years
Most Filipinos follow a set of traditions that are typically observed during New Year's Eve. Included among these traditions is the customary habit of wearing clothes with circular patterns like polka dots, this signifies the belief that circles attract money and fortune.
Spanish tradition says that wearing red underwear on New Year's Eve brings good luck.
In Venezuela, those who want to find love in the New Year are supposed to wear red underwear on New Year's Eve. Yellow underwear is worn to bring happiness in the New Year.
In Brazil, they usually dress in white, to bring good luck into the new year.
In Ecuador, one of the most popular traditions, wearing yellow underwear are said to attract positive energies for the New Year.
In Italy, tradition provides a set of rituals for the new year, as dress in red underwear or getting rid of old or unused items by dropping them from the window.
New Years Traditions around the World
#9 Traditional Foods to celebrate the New Year
The French call New Year's Eve "le Réveillon". It is usually celebrated with a feast called le Réveillon de la Saint-Sylvestre. This feast customarily includes special dishes like foie gras and drinks like champagne. The celebration can be a simple, intimate dinner with friends and family or a much fancier ball (une soirée dansante).
On le Jour de l'An (New Year's Day), friends and family exchange New Year's resolutions and sometimes gifts. Some people eat heart or log shaped desserts, sometimes made of ice cream
The holiday period ends on January 6 for the Epiphany. On this day, they traditionally enjoy a type of cake that varies depending on where you are in France, resembling king cake in the United States.
It's a Greek tradition to serve Vasilopita (New Year's Bread) at midnight. This special bread is baked with a coin or charm hidden inside. The head of the household cuts the bread exactly at midnight and whoever receives the piece with the coin will have good fortune throughout the year.
In Italy, dinner, taken with parents and friends, usually includes zampone or cotechino (kind of spiced Italian sausage) and lentils.
In the Netherlands, New Year's Eve is called Oud en Nieuw ("Old and New") or simply oudejaarsavond ("old year's evening"), and is usually celebrated as a cosy evening with family or friends. Traditional snack foods are oliebollen (oil dumplings) and appelbeignets (apple slice fritters)
In the Phillipines, Filipinos celebrate New Year's Eve with the company of family and close friends. Traditionally, most households stage a dinner party named Media Noche in their homes. Typical dishes include pancit, Hamon and if the family could afford it, Lechón (roasted pig), which is usually considered as the centerpiece of the dinner table. Barbecued food is also an integral part of the menu.
In Turkey, small gifts are exchanged, and large family dinners are organized with family and friends, featuring roast turkey, a special Zante currant-pimento-dill iç pilav dish, dolma, hot börek, baklava baklava and various other eggplant dishes, topped with warm pide, salep and boza.
Spanish New Year's Eve (Nochevieja or Fin de Año in Spanish, Cap d'Any in Catalan) celebrations usually begin with a family dinner, traditionally including shrimp and lamb or turkey. Early next morning, party attendees usually gather to have the traditional winter breakfast of chocolate con churros (hot chocolate and fried pastry).
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Top 10 New Years Traditions
Buy at AllPosters.com
#10 Bon Fires and The Burning effigies (Old Years)
Ecuador
celebrates a unique tradition on the last day of the year. Elaborate effigies, called Años Viejos (Old Years) are created to represent people and events from the past year. Often these include political characters or leaders that the creator of the effigy may have disagreed with. The dummies are made of straw, newspaper, and old clothes, with papier-mâché masks. Often they are also stuffed with fire crackers. At midnight the effigies are lit on fire to symbolize burning away of the past year and welcoming of the New Year.
In Brazil,
Paulista Avenue is a great New Year's Eve celebration, with large fires burning at midnight.
In Iceland,
Bonfires are also set in several places throughout the country and are often accompanied with shows, musical events and sometimes foodtables.
More New Years Tradition from around the World at "The Top 10 New Years Traditions".
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Just how well do you know your Dog Breeds?
So you think you know your dog breeds pretty well do you?
This test will challenge even the best of you!
Do not get too confident, it gets a bit harder as you continue on!
Can you tell a Dalmatian
from a Shih tzu?
Have you ever heard of a "Saluki" Dog Breed or the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever?
Test your dog breed knowledge, or your multiple choice skills.
See if you are a "Hot Dog"!
Take my Dog Breed Quiz and test your skills
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Horse Posters and Prints
When you see horses running with their manes flying in the wind, they look so wild and carefree.
This Horse Posters and Print website has some gorgeous horse prints by Bob Langrish who I think is just a fantastic photographer. He really captures the essense of the horses, you almost feel as if you are right there watching them run. Hearing them the beat of their hooves.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Collectable Angels for Christmas
(Note: The above print is copyright by the artist and sold through my affiliate, please do not copy it)
Angels from Heaven
I love Angels. There is something that brings comfort and a feeling of being loved and protected when you look at a painting of an angel, or a beautiful glass figurine.
Some of my favorite are the portraits of children as angels, because they are so pure and filled with a genuine love for life.
If you love angels or know someone that does, you will enjoy looking at this incredible collection of Angels.
(Note: The above print is copyright by the artist and sold through my affiliate, please do not copy it)
Monday, November 2, 2009
How to make Christmas memories that will last a lifetime:
1. Start a Christmas tradition with the entire family. Make it special for everyone, sit down with the family each year and talk about those special childhood memories. Talk about why certain things that you do around the holidays make it extra special.
Some families get together and decorate their tree with special ornaments that have a special meaning. With those heart warming foods, and warm winter drinks. Christmas music playing in the background.
Our family always enjoyed getting together to make Graham Cracker houses, with homemade frosting for the glue and each person would bring different candies, chocolates and marshmellows to decorate their house with. After all of us were done we would take pictures of each person with their graham cracker house to hang up at Christmastime.
More ideas at Keepsakes for Christmas, as well as some very special Christmas gift ideas.
Sunday, November 1, 2009
The Perfect Keepsake Gift For Mom or Grandma
Are you looking for a very special gift for your Mom, or that special Grandmother in your life?
This "Braglet" bracelet comes with four rectangle frames plus two additional spots to hold a 6 x 6 ( 1 carat) birthstone of your choice.
Photo's lasered are 14 x 18mm. You can engrave a message as well if you do not want 4 photos lasered.
These bracelets are finely handcrafted 100% PURE STERLING SILVER (70 grams) piece of jewelry.
My suggestion to help this gift become more affordable is to have several of their children go in on the gift together. This will become a family heirloom to be passed down to their children and grandchildren.
Saturday, October 31, 2009
The cutest little Fairy I have ever seen!
Isn't she just the cutest little fairy you have ever seen? Whispering Willow Fairy Dolls are so cute.
Whispering Willow Fairy Dolls
The Magic of Fairies
What are the magical Fairies of Folklore?
Where do they come from?
There is a couple of stories that I love about the origin of fairies.
One of them is that when the very first baby laughed out loud for the first time, its laugh broke into a thousand pieces. Each one of those thousand pieces became a fairy.
(from ~J. M. Barrie's 1902 novel The Little White Bird)
There is another that speaks of Children being Bundles of Joy.
That when a child dies, that joy is believed to form a fairy. The fairy is kept alive by the memory of a child so as long as the dead child is remembered, the fairy stays alive.
(from ~ Fairy Dust, by Karen McCombie)
Fairies have always seemed so full of fun and always mischievious.
Who among us can help but smile when we see their delicate little angelic forms.
Today I bring you a darling collection of the;
Whispering Willow Fairies,
may they enchant your home and heart with their mystical powers!
Friday, August 28, 2009
RedGage Rocks
It is called RedGage.
It is Viral, you can learn more on the website called RedGage Rocks that I created to share the wealth, so to speak. It has some great information on just why it is becoming more and more popular everyday.
I will tell you a secret, so far in a little over a month I have made over $463.00. I got lucky and won the $400.00 montly raffle for July, but the other money has come just from the content I have uploaded. 4 of my photographs have been chose to be featured, which pays almost $500.00 everytime they choose to feature one of your uploads.
Worth checking out? You be the judge! :)
Update October 31st, 2009
I have the following after 4 months.
582 Uploads
497 Friends
42 Subscribers
I have made $553.23
I have had 45929 Total Unique Views.
Friday, August 7, 2009
Is it really almost Halloween?
When the ghosts and goblins come out to play, these adorable dog costumes will brings smiles and laughter to many.
These are our favorite dog costumes, for you to view.
Please always be sure that your dog is a willing participant any time you choose to put a costume on. Some dogs love it, some may not!
Be Safe and Happy Halloween!
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Discovered a New Website
They have a contest for July...
" For the month of July there will be a daily raffle, a weekly raffle and an end of the month raffle.
* Every day one winner will receive a $50 prize.
* Every week (Sunday night) one winner will receive a $150 a prize.
* At the end of the month one winner will receive a $400 prize.
Throughout the day you can earn points that will convert into "raffle tickets" based on your RedGage activity. At the end of the day, a computer will randomly select a raffle ticket declaring that day's winner. "
If any of this sounds intriguing to you check out Redgage, I've earned two cents in a little over an hour just by uploading things!
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
What is so Tweet about the New Google Wave?
Have you heard about the new "Google Wave" that Google is putting out? Everyone and their dog is twittering and chatting about it. I had to go to their website and check it out.
It looks pretty exciting. It sounds to me like you will be able to combine all your social networking sites into one place. People that like games can play them with others online. People can gather together in an almost real time meetings and share the webspace to present ideas.
At least that is what I am getting from it.
Check it out through "What is so Tweet about the New Google Wave?"
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
I have been busy making....Squids!
Well actually in thinking about it. I was creating some lenses to help others at Squidoo. I had made How to Find Free Photos for your lens.
Then I had been just looking around on the Giant blog and saw something about twttrlist, a new lens. I tried it and was having some trouble, tried it again the next day and could not get it to work. So I tried to find the link again, and could not remember where I saw it at. It wasn't at the bottom of the dashboard. After a very long search I decided we need one place to go to and find all those Specialty Lenses You Can Choose From and that lens was born.
So while I was working on that lens, (which I put on the Squidoo Answer Deck so we could find it later), I wanted a special "squid" for the ebay lens. So I created one.
That is what lit my fire for making Squids!
I created a whole bunch of different character Squids, in different colors and designs. I wanted to share them with Squidoo, and this lens was born: Free Squid Images for Squidoo .
My creativity did not stop there, I became thrilled with my little Squid characters and decided to make some Squid banners:
Free Squid Banners and Dividers.
So that is how my week went, one idea inspiring another. It really had a snowball affect. Now I need to go back to work so I can get some rest! LOL
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
How to Find Free Photos for your lens or website
African Skies
Poster
Buy at AllPosters.com
The Dance
Think of your lens as a beautiful dance between you, the writer and creator of the content and your audience, the reader and end user. A dance should be done with a certain grace and ease. There should never be any awkwardness felt by either party. Both dancers should feel the excitement as they move together, and leave them breathless with hearts beating, a feeling of being alive at the end of the dance. Always grateful to have danced together, and hoping to someday dance again.
So how do you build a lens or website that will excite your passion, as well as your readers?
Read on and we will begin the journey my friend...
The rest of the story...
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Hidden Depths
Hidden Depths
Poster
Buy at AllPosters.com
You've heard the old proverb "Don't judge a book by its cover" many times I'm sure. But do you ever find yourself surprised at the hidden depths you find within others.
There have been many occasions when I thought I knew someone, and find myself pleasantly surprised when I find that hidden "treasure" within them.
Someone that may seem hardened and cynical or shallow. Then you find out that they volunteer to help children to read in their spare time away from work.
Maybe you are talking with someone who is normally quiet and reserved, socially very shy and suddenly the subject touches on their passion, art, gardening, cars, their children...their eyes light up and they become almost another person as their passion for something they love. You learn so much about who they are as talk with them.
Always amazed at those moments, how they touch you and change the way you see someone else.
My final thought to leave with you is to look for that hidden treasure in others that you meet, even those people you think you may know. They may truly surprise you, and enhance your life in taking the time to get to know them for who they are.
If your not sure what I mean by this, watch the youtube video of Susan Boyle on Britain's got talent and you will have no doubts.
Friday, May 8, 2009
Another checkmark off my Bucket List
We did, my husband and I finally made it to see the Grand Canyon. Visiting the Grand Canyon was on My Bucket list. I have to say it was not the least bit disappointing at all. It is so huge, you just stare and stare with wonder, hardly a word spoken at first. People can stand side by side and hardly even know that another person is so near, because the Grand Canyon is so captivating. The colors are just incredible. I created a series of five webpages about our trip that show the different aspects of the Grand Canyon. I hope it gives you a little different view of the natural wonder.
The first is about the The Watchtower, as we entered through the east entrance of Grand Canyon National Park this was the first sight we came to.
The second in the series is about the Peaks of the Grand Canyon. Help me name them if you can!
The third is about the The Tusayan Ruins these are just amazing, I always think of our country as pretty young in entire view of life on earth, but the people that created this village lived there thousands of years ago.
The fourth in the series is about the Colors of the Grand Canyon. It is incredible to me how many different hues and shades of colors in the rocks of the Grand Canyon. It changes with your view, the time of day, the seasons, the weather. I honestly don't think you will ever have the same exact view if you continue to visit it over and over again.
The last of the series is about the Museum at the Grand Canyon, with photo's of the some of the artifacts, in incredibly good shape for being 4000 to 7000 years old.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Flaming Waves on the Oregon Coast
Flaming waves, Ocean Colors by Beautiful_Ocean
View other posters At www.zazzle.com
Browse other Fine Art Posters
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
My love of Horses
I was soon collecting model horses of my own. My collections grew over 50 strong, and these did not sit high upon a shelf, each was named and played with for hours on end. I would pack them in a laundry basket and haul them to my friends houses even for a short 1/2 hour play time. I had "Pal" a Palimino stallion rearing up so strong, and Sundance, a Morgan Bay that was gorgeous, who was in love with Sunshine a running mare, with long flowing mane. The list goes on and on, I can still name each and every one of my Breyer horses.
My best friend in the world was a girl a year older than me, Marie. She is still my best friend, though we don't talk as often as we could, when we do it as if time stood still. There is a comfort with Marie that I find with no other, a true friend I can tell anything to. A friend that I can be myself with. She holds a huge part of my heart.
My older sisters, (I was second to the youngest of seven children) were a large influence in my life. Both Joy and Star, loved horses too and when they were in high school, both bought their own horse. I was thrilled because it meant I could learn to ride, and ride we did. Every day riding, grooming, petting, sneaking them treats, like carrots and apple flavored hard candies that they loved! I would do anything to be around horses, I loved the way they looked, felt, smelled. I absolutely loved being on the back of a horse, bareback, running in the wind. Loved it!
My love for horses has not dwindled over time, though I am content now to watch them from afar, I still dream of being that young girl again. Wild and free on the back of a horse, such power beneath you, yet a deep love that is not able to be defined for their companion.
Horse Calendars
Horse Prints
Love Horses
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
What to buy for Valentines Day
If your looking for that last minute gift for Valentines day, a birthday or anniversary, then check out:How to say I love you with style.
There are some beautiful gift ideas that will leave your loved one knowing just how much you love them.
Monday, February 9, 2009
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Share a kindness...
read more | digg story
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
I made Giant Squid Status!
Squidoo is a place where you can created websites or lenses about anything you have knowledge of. You can sell things and make money, promote your own artwork, or business.
You can start building your own website or lens on Squidoo, here.
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
How to promote items for sale on Ebay
Is it best to rely on the hundreds of customers at ebay, will that certain someone that is looking for some beautiful Vintage Blakely Fine China look on the days it is for sale?
Will promoting the items on social networking sites help?
Photos maybe?
Email?
My experiment today is to do all these things, promote it just like I would any of my websites and hope the buyer that is lucky enough to win this beautiful set of antique china will dilvulge where they found them at.
So wish us luck!
About Me
- ArtByLinda
- I live in Idaho, but have a great passion for travel. If I am not traveling, I am researching for our next trip somewhere. I found a great need to find personal opinions, views and photos of different locations within a well known destination. As well as those little known sites along the way that are worth a stop at. I hope you enjoy traveling with me and seeing the world through my window seat!
