ME and my blog...

CUCKI STITCHING COVE ~ A place where dreams live ~
simple thoughts and happiness of an ordinary lady-

Tuesday 6 December 2011

Advent Calendar Door No 6

                          Heap on more wood! ------the wind is chill;
                          but let it whistle as it will.
                          We'll keep our Christmas merry still.
                                                                                     --Sir Walter Scott
                                                                                          "Marmion"
                                                                                              1808

hello dear friends,
jo Serendipitous Stitching   is hosting a very special advent calendar on her blog,,each day a different blogger friend shares the picture and her christmas traditions...
i am gladly filling the place in 6th of december :)
                                                           winter serenity by karen brittan
i finished this picture few years ago and it is my one of my fav stitching..you can almost hear the crunch of snow underfoot as these two beautifully dressed japanese ladies take a wintry walk...
i put my last stitches on the picture on 25 dec..
                                                        CHRISTMAS IN SOUTH AFRICA
We are not dreaming of a white Christmas, but rather a day at the beach or in a park with family and a big barbeque grill! Christmas here in South Africa is in the height of summer time and is celebrated somewhat different than from some other countries that have snow on christmas day.. Since it is summer time all the children are on a month long break from school and many people take this time off from work as well.

Some businesses shut down for the month of December. People take this holiday very seriously and are intent on truly relaxing. And you will find that most people celebrate Christmas Day outside in their backyards, down at the beach or anywhere that they can be together with family and friends. Christmas in South Africa is about being with family and friends, sharing a meal together and about relaxing.
 People also have Christmas dinners after the service, preparing tables out in front of their home and inviting many of their intimate friends to share. Homes are decorated with pine branches, and the decorated Christmas fir is a must, with presents for the children around.
 When it comes to dinner at the time of christmas in South Africa, most people prefer traditional dishes like turkey, roast beef, mince pies, yellow rice with raisins, vegetables, and plum pudding.
 Children are fond of the age-old custom of producing pantomimes--for instance, "Babes in the Wood," founded on one of the oldest ballads in the English language. Boxing Day, on December 26th, when boxes of food and clothing are given to the poor, is observed as a holiday.
 NOW
how to say merry christmas in different african languages..
In Akan (Ghana) Afishapa
In Zimbabwe Merry Kisimusi
In Afrikaans (South Africa) Geseënde Kersfees
In Zulu (South Africa) Sinifisela Ukhisimusi Omuhle
In Swazi (Swaziland) Sinifisela Khisimusi Lomuhle
In Sotho (Lesthoto) Matswalo a Morena a Mabotse
In Swahili (Tanzania, Kenya) Kuwa na Krismasi njema
In Amharic (Ethiopia) Melkam Yelidet Beaal
In Egyptian (Egypt) Colo sana wintom tiebeen
In Yoruba (Nigeria) E ku odun, e hu iye' dun!
                     
 AND
something very interesting i wanted to share with you all
and it is
COMMON SUPERSTITIONS
~Wear something fresh and new on christmas day--your luck will improve.
~If you leave a loaf of bread on the table after Christmas Eve supper,you will be sure to have a full supply until the next Christmas.
~Eat apple as the clock strikes midnight on Christmas Eve.
this will guarantee perfect health for the year ahead.
~ON NEW YEAR'S EVE, a few minute before midnight, throw open every door and window,no matter what the weather--rain,snow,sleet,or wind.
My fav rhyme..
it is called a beggar's rhyme too..
Christmas is coming,the geese are getting fat,
Please to put a penny in the old man's hat;
If you haven't got a penny, a ha' penny will do,
if you haven't got a ha' penny, GOD BLESS YOU !

                     At Christmas play and make good cheer,
               for Christmas comes but once a Year.
                                                                                --- Thomas Tusser
Let us focus this year on our relationships, on giving of ourselves to others and on relaxing. Whether we are buried in snow or sand or in leaves...may yours and ours holidays be blessed! 
                                                              MERRY CHRISTMAS
                                                                           TO
                                                                          ALL :)
love cucki.
    xxx

















27 comments:

Hazel said...

Hi cucki! I seem to be the one who comments after you on many peoples' blogs so I thought I'd pop by and say hi. Lovely traditions. Very different to England! thanks for sharing!! Xx

Chris said...

Hi cucki!
Very cool traditions and a wonderful post.

Diane (di) said...

What a beautiful post cucki. Your stitching is absolutely gorgeous and how wonderful that you shared the superstitions and Christmas traditions of South Africa with us. May you and your family have a wonderful holiday season. (Hopefully you can make yours 'stitchy'). :) hugs, di

Jo who can't think of a clever nickname said...

Beautiful Christmas stitching. I've chosen the little pillow as today's picture. If I have any doors left at the end I'll use the lovely Japanese ladies in the snow too.
It's so interesting to hear about your customs for Christmas in the sun. I love all the different ways to say "Happy Christmas" too. I might steal those for my next post! I'll credit you as my multi-lingual adviser :-)

Carol said...

Very interesting to hear about the South African Christmas traditions, Cucki. I can't imagine having warm weather at Christmas time as I live in the northern U.S. where it is usually snowy...

My nephew is teaching English in Malawi this year--do you know how to say Merry Christmas in that language?

Enjoy your summer and your holiday preparations...

The Knitting Cross Stitcher said...

That is a lovely advent calendar picture Cucki :) and I really enjoyed reading the rest of your blog post:)

mdgtjulie said...

What a lovely post, Cucki. It's always nice to learn about different people and what their traditions are. I'm wishing you the merriest of Christmases too!!

cucki said...

dear carol,in malawi they say merry christmas... like this
Moni Wa chikondwelero cha x'mas
:)

rosey175 said...

That advent calendar is such a neat idea and your little pillow looks awesome~ I don't think I would like to walk on the snow with geta as those lovely Japanese ladies are doing, haha.

We always go outside and leave the front door open at midnight to welcome in the new year. :D

Anonymous said...

Awww Cucki,
I love this post. Your stitching is beautiful. I love the custom of Christmas in Africa. Being together surrounded by family and friends is so important there. What a great way to relax and enjoy.

Thank you for sharing this with us!

Wishing you and yours a wonderful Christmas and a Happy and Healthy New Year!

(((Hugs)))

Lumiruusu said...

Thank You for this post!!
This was really something I love to read.
I am very interested about traditions ,and how people all over the world celebrate Christmas!
Merry Christmas in Finnish - Hyvää Joulua !

butterfly said...

Wow love your post today, what a good read.
Love all your work. Bless you.

Lesleyanne said...

Lovely stitching and a great post.

Dani - tkdchick said...

Cuki thank you very much for sharing what Christmas is to you. Christmas is truly unique to each person and how they mark the day.

Jan Gartlan said...

Lovely Christmas stitching! It was great to read about your xmas day and the superstitions. An Australian Xmas is very similar to yours :)

Penny said...

Very interesting post. Your stitching is lovely as usual! :) I love reading what Christmas is like in your country, thank you for sharing. :)

Kaisievic said...

Lovely post, my dear. Your Christmas in South Africa sounds very similar to Australian Christmases. Thank you for all your lovely quotes and stitching.

hugs, Kaye xoxox

Joysze said...

What a great post, Cucki. :D Love all your Christmas stitching and it made me laugh reading about Merry Kisimusi in Zim, cos when hubby first said it, it cracked me up and and I was like "wha???!!!!"

Unknown said...

Как интиресно.
А у нас в России по-другому,у нас снег,катание детей с горок,радости много.
С наступающими праздниками.

Christine said...

Thank you for sharing your Christmas customs, and all the different ways of saying Happy Christmas. In Cornish it is Nadelik Lowen!

Kerryp77 said...

a wonderful post cucki, i love your lady with the ribbon embroidery she is beautiful. xx

#HeatherMakes said...

Love all of your Stitching Sis xxx Well done to you xxxx

geeky Heather said...

Thank you for sharing about your Christmas traditions! I love all the poetry and verses you shared. Merry Christmas to you!

♥ Nia said...

So nice to read about Christmas traditions in South Africa! It's so different to see Christmas in summer hehehehe For us it's cold, too cold!!! :p It's really hard to picture Santa in a surfboard!! LOL :D

Mouse said...

oooo just catching up on posts :) lovely ... wonderful to hear how you celebrate and the different ways to say merry Christmas .... can't imagine being on the beach on Christmas day either ..lol love mouse from a very cold and wet and sleety mouse house today :) xx

Shirlee said...

Cucki ... I truly enjoyed reading your Advent Calendar post! I love the superstitions : ) Blessings, Shirlee

Meari said...

Merry Christmas, Cucki!

I hopped over here from Jo's blog. Thanks for sharing the the South Africa traditions. It was so interesting to read about. ☺

You have some beautifully stitched pieces.