I don’t think I’ve been awake at the dawn of New Year for over a decade, but last night we decided to do it Polish style, with traditional noms, wine, and a viewing of the fireworks (ubiquitous in this country when the years change).
But first, dinner. Poles, like Hobbits, eat about five times a day, with breakfast, “second breakfast” (lunch), dinner (between 2 and 4 pm), the “before-evening” meal (between 5 and 6 pm), and “supper” (between 7 and 9 pm).
I suppose this feed from last night is the “before-evening” meal, a delicious casserole of kasha (buckwheat groats), mushrooms, sausage, chicken, and cheese sauce, served with a vegetable medley that is a hybrid between cole slaw and sauerkraut, all washed down with a cold beer:
Malgorzata then prepared a sumptuous 11:30 pm buffet in the living room: smoked pork loin, cheeses, bread, pickles, smoked salmon, sliced red peppers and tomatoes. Andrzej and Malgorzata prepare for the New Year:
And a New Year’s toast, taken with a self timer:
Emma the d*g was freaked out by the fireworks, and barked continuously (she used to be given d*ggy Valium before the noise began). Hili was also frightened, and hid behind the couch, emerging only after the fireworks had been over for about half an hour:
“Are they done yet?”
This looks great. I love casserole.
I will expect to see a carefully packaged, overnight delivery of a sample delivered by FedEx to my Upper West Side building tomorrow. Thank you.
Yes, that bottom photo is clear evidence that you’re annoying the head of the household.
Have to be picky – but it is spelled “kasia” – although pronounced kasha.
You should comment about the embroidered tablecloth. Something we don’t see in the US. But having an Irish mother and Polish father, we had them as well as doilies and other such – everywhere. I assume many other cultures as well.
Hate to be pickier, but the spelling in Polish is “kasza”
What a space cadet! I must have been thinking about my friend Katarzyna, aka Kasia. But then I recently wrote “good” instead of “could”. The connection between the brain and fingers is not what it should be.
You will be cashiered!
awwww the pets should have been drugged. They don’t understand what’s happening and their hearing is very sensitive. 🙁
Poor kitteh. Great spread. Lovely tablecloth – creates a feeling of nostalgia in me. I used to embroider those things as a child, just for fun.
I was raised on kasha and I absolutely love it!
Poor animals. My dog gets angry and barks but she stops when you tell her to. My parent’s dog gets so terrified he shakes and hides in the bathroom.
I’m jealous of the noms. My stomach is destroyed again & I can’t give it good things.
My dog retreats to the bathroom, too. Guess it must be cavelike? My parents’ border collie used to wrap himself around the toilet base whenever there were fireworks.
Good thing you don’t have a weight problem Jerry. Looks like Poland would be a very tough place to make a resolution to lose weight!
Agreed! 🙂
What a nice way to spend New Year’s eve!
And I didn’t know there was Valium for d*ggies…
I do not approve of fireworks because of the pollution – for example
http://inderscience.metapress.com/content/r01vvq5740200143/
& what they do to animals.
But merry new year to all anyway 🙂
xxx