Travels in the Wide World

Monday, January 7, 2013

It's mini road trip time!

Snow! So happy!

Happy hikers.

Not as warm as it looks.

This is a happy dog.

Happy! Happy!

And an awesome sunset on the way home.

The happy stats.

Sunday, January 6, 2013

Mikeala's Birthday

Yup, she's 9!

Guess where Sara took her for her birthday?

Serbian Christmas Eve

Mmm. Pig.

Serbian Christmas is the time of year we see the most of Sara's family. Always lots of food, time together, and traditions. Christmas Eve service is at St. Petka's Orthodox Church.

The candles are for family who could not attend, because they have passed away, are sick, or travelling far away. This year, we had to light one more candle for Sara's dad.

Here is the Christmas Tree ready to enter the church.

It's dried oak, with walnuts, cotton balls, and crepe paper. No one knows why, it just is. This tree has a short life.

After being blessed and taking part in the service inside the church, it's brought outside to a bonfire, blessed again with sprinkles of water, and thrown into the fire. Only AFTER it's in the fire, the men rush in and break off branches to take home for good fortune and blessings throughout the year.

I have no idea how this happens every year without serious injuries and death occuring. Check out this video... See? No idea.

After securing a piece of tree from the fire, it's time to take part in the Christmas Prayer, food (!!), and the "tea", otherwise known as slightly diluted slivovitz. (Plum Brandy) Good times for all!

Merry Christmas! Christos Sirodi!

While Sara and Mikeala were painting... Ben and Marko were hiking.

This was Marko's first real hike, and it had a little of everything. Some rain, some sun, a little snack, a little rock climbing, hard trails, wide trails, and...