Siesta at Siklós Castle

A Small Note from Paradise

People are always telling you that change is a good thing. But all they're really saying is that something you didn't want to happen at all... has happened. Our holiday has ended this week and we are back to our "normal" life as we know it.....sad. Not that we had a bad life but it is full of rushing and repetitive motions I take really badly. Summer is also over we had a horrible storm last night while on our trip out for the best ice cream in the city. After those 37-ish degrees it was only a chilly 17 which is a bit hard to take.
Anyway I will have  the best memories of the last days: lazy mornings, warm lights, scented lotions, and hmm that venison with forest fruits......hmmmmmmm....

Mellow Summer Afternoon

“I think we have to take this turn."
"No, I think we still have to go down this road and turn left at the end."
Two bikers just seem a bit lost in the city looking for a memory of the past. Heat is unbearable even on the bikes. The sign at the end of the road points them in a direction completely opposite they were heading. No problem, a sharp turn and again they are on track. Now flying in the right direction, to the very edge of the city.
“I had my best southern fried cheese and fries at that restaurant." My husband explained as we got a glimpse of the building.
Faded yellow wall and green beams with traditional 20's touch, and that dated revamp which was compulsory in the mid 70's. Simple but very welcoming with the tables spread under the horse chestnuts’ shadow in front of the restaurant. As we set down memories, stories, pictures just rushed to my hubby and I could not stop listening and enjoying each word, sentence and story.
A light breeze was hanging on the leaves and we had the best southern fried cheese and fries at that restaurant.
As places like these don't always survive in the "western wind" our visit soon might just be a memory. In fact, some day I might look at it as a tribute to this city, the way it keeps changing on you, the way you can never count on it. I know because that's the sort of thing I'm always saying about things like that. But the truth is... I'm happy and heartbroken at the same time.
The light breeze tangled on the leaves until the sun went down and we went home. Left me thinking about the place the smells, lights. Would this be here the next time we are around? I will never know ….and believe me not knowing has its charms.

Things I like in Summer

Brunches

 Tanning

 Beaches

 Tank tops

 Mango lemonade

 Flip flops

 Summer romances

 Sunglasses

 Taking pictures

 Late nights

 Bikinis

Long walks

 Memories

 Warm air

 Shorter than short shorts

 Summer Breeze

Tan Lines

 Belly tops

Gazpacho

Bonfires

 Margarita slushies

Sun kissed hair

 Smell of burned grass

Barbeques

Blue skies

Concerts

Make it count!

Merry Balaton!

St. Martin’s Day

November 11th is St. Martin’s Day in Hungary a traditional feast day celebrated by tasting the new wine and eating geese. As cruel as it sounds this day falls right around the time when the geese  are ready to be slaughtered. It is also the time when traditionally the first candles are lit.There are also a lot of traditions to this day concerning weather forecast for the winter. St. Martin’s Day traditions date back hundreds of years and there are several tales surrounding its origins and the connection between St. Martin, the geese and wine.Since the 6th Century, the seven weeks of fasting leading up to Christmas ('Old Advent') started on St Martin's day, or Martini. It was the day when the financial and the farming year used to end. Cattle and fowl that wouldn't make it through the winter were slaughtered and salted for conservation. Like sharecropping, geese - which by this time of year were fully grown and plump enough - were either part of the rent paid to the lord, or were given by the lord to the tenants who attended on him. It was the day when farm labourers and handmaidens were dismissed and given a goose as a gift. New farm labourers and handmaidens were also hired on this day. The families prepared for the dark times of winter by the fireside.We thought that we will get into the festive mood with a day trip to the Skanzen in Szentendre. Having collected all highlights of traditional Hungary the Skanzen is an open air ethnographic museum with  nicely done houses presenting all the perks of village life.

Houses are grouped by regions in  Hungary and can be visited all year long. Interiors are changing according to season.

This time many of the houses had small displays of churches and the holy family, most of these are handcrafted by family members in preparation for Christmas.

 All houses are quite small but really homely. They remind me of  how the village life was when I was a little girl. I remember that my aunt used to have the same furniture and that huge bed which was made out of feathers.Yeah Hungarians are very big on feather duvets, coats and all the rest we just cannot get enough of it!!Most things are done with goose feathers I don1t think I have to say that November is the plucking season:O)).Only down barbs are used to make the stuffing for all things warm. It takes an enormous effort to make a pillow  a duvet not to mention the hardest part of the making is not to sneeze while tearing down from the quill.
My gran used to keep them quite often at her village house but not only for feathers and the meet but for many other benefits.The Martin's goose which was served goose with red cabbage and potato dumplings was said to have healing powers. Its fat (rubbed in) was thought to help against gout and its blood against fever. A feather from the left wing, burnt and mixed with wine, was believed to be a miracle cure for epilepsy. Even the wishbone of a goose had a meaning: if two people held one end each and broke it, the one with the larger end was thought to have their wish fulfilled. If the bone was pale and white, the winter was expected to be meagre and cold but if it was of a red colour, supplies were expected to last through the winter. I know these sound really unorthodox methods or even worse but these beliefs were big part of village life in the old times.I have to admit that although sometimes I find these methods frightening I still love to listen to them.

Martin's day celebration was organized to the highest standard. there were food and wine tasting, and crafts. You could also try feather cleaning, pillow making and painting, candle making, wreaths weaving, sock goose making and much more. We had such a good time with my niece who visited us that weekend. We made most of the crafts (which was free) and went home with a tonnes of stuff.

Our lunch was some fresh bread form the Skanzen bakery and cracklings made from sheep pig. Although i wouldn't prefer to have this all the time it was perfect for our so called picnic.

 The part I mostly enjoyed was the farm which is right in the middle of the museum. The animals were really cute. they also had guinea fowls which are my mothers 'favorite' they would be eligible for the title of the most annoying animals in the planet for sure as they sounds are highly annoying especially at 6AM  in the morning.They also had a Puli, horses sheep pigs, chickens, peacocks, cows and sheep.A delight for kids and adults.

 

 

There are several churches we visited in the museum this my favorite. Made entirely out of wood looking really warm and inviting make sure you do not miss it as it is quite walk from the entrance.

Doesn't matter what the season is Skanzen is one of the best places for a family visit there are a lot of things to do and make and see. For further details check the website.

♥♥♥

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Autumn at Virágospuszta

Some time before we discovered Virágospuszta. Any time we are visiting them in county Nógrád we make sure that we have time to enjoy the scenes. Virágospuszta is a huge nature reserve with animals roaming free which you can pet as much as you like. I love  the emus and the camels which are quite unusual in the quaint folk-art styled houses. Be aware that they love attention!!! The last time we were out there the weather was absolutely fantastic. Here are some of the pictures I've taken.