It’s Christmas today. For those of us who, also, observe Christmas in the Julian calendar Christmas falls on the 7th of January. It’s commonly known as Ukrainian Christmas. For the most part, in my family, it has involved a large family supper on Christmas eve, the 6th of January, and a visit by carolers. The supper traditionally consists of 12 meatless dishes. I miss the large gathering of my mom’s family and the huge feast at my Granny’s.
After my culinary disaster last year, I scaled back my ambitions yesterday and just made three dishes, pedohay (perogies), holopchi (cabbage rolls) and kutia (boiled wheat in honey). I also made sure to call my mom to say "Christos Roshdiatsia".
It also occurred to me that I’ve yet to do a New Year’s post. Traditionally New Years is celebrated here first by some games, although I didn’t make it to them this year. At 10:30pm a church service is held in the community gym, and I did make it to the bilingual service (in fact I took part in it, reading the english version of some scripture). Shortly before midnight the service ends, and we sing Auld Lang Syne over and over and over and over and over, in Inuktitut, until the clock hits midnight. Did I mention it is sung over and over and over and over? There is of course the traditional countdown, and at Midnight everyone takes time to shake as many peoples hands as possible, wishing everyone a Happy New Years. New Years always seems to be accompanied by a lot of tears up here, I think as people remember those that are no longer with us.
Outside the Rangers fire off some rifle rounds, bear bangers and flares and then most people head out to Ulukson Point with their snowmobiles, ATVs and trucks. They then return to town in a great long serpentine line coursing all over the ice, and then through town. It is something to see and once again I’ve failed to adequately capture it on video. I thought I had it this year, I set up and waited for the line to go by the House as I stood by Leah’s parents. Apparently though I have no real concept of "Standby" and "On" and as the result got some great footage (pun fully intended) of my boots stamping in the cold while I waited. Next year.
Traditionally I post some sort of retrospective on my blogging year, but I’ve lost any momentum for that this year. But I will post my traditional sample of one post from every month in 2007. If you’re a regular visitor you may enjoy the trip back and if you’re new to the House and other Arctic musings, here’s a chance to see a bit of what it’s been about this past year.
January February
March April
May June
July August
September October (the feral cat post was really tempting
November December
Comments
2 responses
Merry Christmas! My step-father is Russian and we used to celebrate “Russian Christmas” with his parents. Your post brought back memories. Thanks!
Thanks Liza Lee. It is filled with great memories for me also.