A Traditional New Year’s Dish

from Stella May

This is a traditional New Year’s dish for any person who was born or grew up in former USSR. To this day, not a single celebration goes without it.

The name of this salad in Russia is Сajiat ОЛИВЬЕ. For all the former republics that once upon a time were part of the USSR, this salad became a synonym for a New Year. It brings many of us a lot of bitter-sweet memories.

There are many variations to Olivier Salad. The recipe below is how my family made it, and how I still make it every year on December 31^st.

OLIVIER SALAD
5 large eggs

2 large Russet potatoes

2 carrots

1 can green peas

2-3 pickled cucumbers, traditional Vlasic is best

1 fresh English cucumber

½ cup fresh dill, chopped fine

½ cup green onion, chopped or 1 small…

The Christmas Tree

The Christmas tree is more than a much-loved and glittering centrepiece of festive decorations and celebrations. In the home, it is a unifying symbol the family can gather around, strengthening familial ties and a place of fun and cheer. When placed in the local community it becomes a rallying point for people to sing carols, meet, and strengthen social bonds. However, its exact origin is debated, and there are different ideas of how its importance to the festival evolved. Presented here is a retelling of how Saint Boniface introduced the fir tree into traditions and celebrations of the birth of Jesus. This tells how Saint Boniface cut down a sacred oak tree that was a prominent place of pagan worship in a place now called Hesse in Germany. Saint Boniface, also known as Winfrid or Winfred, was born…

BAKED HAM

from Janis Lane aka Emma Lane

Nothing tastes better then baked ham. Therefore, this is the perfect time of the year to share one of my favorite meals with you. The recipes are easy to prepare and are a wonderful combination of flavors that will have your family and friends asking for seconds.

Baked Ham with Raisin Sauce

1 ham (Cured) bone in or out by choice

Whole cloves

1 can pineapple rings, reserve juice

Water

1 or 2 dashes of bourbon or white wine, optional

Maraschino cherries to decorate, optional

Preheat oven to 350° F.

Score ham ⅛ inch deep. Place 1 clove in each square. Use a toothpick to hang pineapple rings around the ham. Don’t forget the sides!

Cover bottom of a large pan with ¼ inch of water, also bourbon or wine if you’re using it.

Add ham then cover with aluminum foil…

Pre-requisites:

You need to have had a 1-hour Reiki session, whether it was with Gina (me) or another Reiki Practitioner or Master Teacher.

You must have a book about Reiki which includes self-treatment hand positions. The book choice is up to you. I have a list of suggestions ready.

Have a conversation with me at least one week before class, if we don’t already know each other. You can schedule a free 20-minute Q&A with this link: https://the-reiki-caf.square.site/ If you don’t see a time that works for you, reach out and we’ll find one.

Included in your class tuition:

Q&A, attunement, meet your Reiki guide (guided meditation), snacks and lunch, self-treatment practice, and certification.

Wednesday Special Spotlight

Shines On

A cocktail drink from Usthat you can drink as much as you want and not have a headache in the morning.

Busy shopping, wrapping and socializing?
Ready for some rest and relaxation, but need to get going again soon?
Kick back with a festive cocktail!

Recipe by CD Hersh:

Cranberry Sangria by the glass mocktail recipe:

For each 8-ounce champagne glass you will need:

1/4 cup brewed Hibiscus Watermelon tea (we use Republic of Tea brand)
1/8 cup brewed Chamomile honey and vanilla tea (we use Twinings brand)
Sparking apple cider
1 rounded TBS jellied cranberry sauce (smooth or whole berry)
Fresh fruits (grapes, whole cranberries, pineapple chunks, peeled sliced star fruit, or peeled kiwi—or fruits of your choice)
Short skewer or sizzle stick

Directions:

Thread fruits on a skewer or swizzle stick and set aside.
Place teas and cranberry sauce in the glass…

Pre-requisites:

You need to have had a 1-hour Reiki session, whether it was with Gina (me) or another Reiki Practitioner or Master Teacher.

You must have a book about Reiki which includes self-treatment hand positions. The book choice is up to you. I have a list of suggestions ready.

Have a conversation with me at least one week before class, if we don’t already know each other. You can schedule a free 20-minute Q&A with this link: https://the-reiki-caf.square.site/ If you don’t see a time that works for you, reach out and we’ll find one.

Included in your class tuition:

Q&A, attunement, meet your Reiki guide (guided meditation), snacks and lunch, self-treatment practice, and certification.

For the early registration discount, complete registration by the end of the day, Saturday, Dec. 3rd. A $50 deposit holds your space, and locks in the $300.00 price. Dec. 4th – Jan. 14th tuition is $350.00.

Remember that most of these fabulous gifts are available by phone and Zoom.

To purchase, click here.

Enjoy!

Gina

All shares of this post are deeply appreciated.

Peace and love,

Gina

Wednesday Special Spotlight

Shines On

The ever changing collection of books you have.

We came across the following quote that made us pause and reflect. Let’s see if you have the same reaction.

An ordinary man can…surround himself with two thousand books… and thenceforward have at least one place in the world in which it is possible to be happy. Augustine Birrell

We don’t know about you, but the thought of surrounding ourselves with two thousand books makes us very happy. We love to read, we love books, and we love to surround ourselves with books of all kinds. If you could see into our offices, we definitely have two thousand books and that’s not including the library of paper backs in the basement that we’ve mentioned before. (See our post of November 9th) This obsessiveness extends to books we haven’t read. We can rarely bear to part with a…