We celebrated a wonderful Christmas in Hungary. Against Hungarian tradition, which involves putting the Christmas tree up on Christmas eve, we put ours up one week early. At the farmers market, on a snowy day, we found a beautiful tree for 4500 forint (about $20). With luck we also found a stand for a couple of bucks at the market. Dusty carried the tree home and trimmed the trunk with a hatchet, to allow the tree to fit into the stand. After placing the tree in the house, we enjoyed the thick pine smell all evening. The pine needles are extremely sharp, and small pine cones are growing throughout the branches. The next day we went to Tesco in order to purchase some ornaments. It is tradition in Hungary to decorate the tree with edible ornaments. We bought beautiful Christmas balls, made entirely of chocolate! After additionally buying a strand of lights and some tinsel, we set off back home to decorate our Hungarian Christmas tree.
I embroidered our names on some stockings and hung them on the stair railing. I also embroidered some other Christmas decorations for the house. We baked all week, before Christmas, and enjoyed some snowy days.
That same week, Dad got stuck at CDG airport in Paris for 2 days, on his way back from California. When he finally made it home, his bags didn't make it with him. Unfortunately, the airline "misplaced" all three of his suitcases! All of the Christmas presents, from the states, are in those bags. We are still waiting for the airline for find the baggage. This is the 3rd year in a row that AirFrance has lost his luggage at Christmas time!
The three of us enjoyed a small Christmas, exchanging some Hungarian gifts, listening to Christmas music and enjoying each others company. Dad made a fantastic Christmas breakfast, and Dusty and I prepared leg of lamb for dinner. For dessert, we enjoyed home-made custard pie and tapioca pudding. Christmas was made complete by the light snow that fell all day.
Merry White Christmas!!
