A Filipino mother is called the “ilaw ng tahanan”  or “light of the household” around which all activities revolve. In my case, my Mom is also the “lightning (and occasionally the thunderbolt) of the household” and those who know her will agree and start to giggle when they read this.

One distinct memory I have of my mother is from an airport in Japan. We were living in Tokyo at that time and one summer my parents decided to have a look-around-for-opportunities in the maybe greener pastures of the U.S. of A.  My parents never traveled on the same flight for strategic reasons and my Mom came back a few days earlier to settle things on the home front.

On the day of my Papa’s strategic arrival, we all went to the airport to pick him up. As we waited, my Mom, upon seeing Papa, ran towards him, jumped, put her arms around his neck  and gave him a long kiss in front of a crowd of Japanese who cried out in amusement at the very affectionate and cinematic scene created by this pretty woman dressed in purple billowing pantaloons  straight out of a scene from “Arabian Nights”. I was only 9 years old and at that moment, in my little mind, my Mom  with her dramatic show-stopper had  for one instant become the Genie in my favorite TV sitcom “I Dream of Jeannie”. Somehow, she had created a moment of magic in our lives and , I’m sure, in that of the usually reserved and stolid Japanese onlookers.

Many  years have passed and I still think my Mom is a Genie. She is very supportive and shows it in tangible and practical ways. She helps without being asked. She is a “problem-solver” transforming  negative into positive,   just like a  helpful “Genie”.

I love you Mommy! Happy Mother’s Day!

P.S  Mother’s Day is a celebration honoring mothers and celebrating motherhood, maternal bonds and the influence of mothers in society.  I am sure that all of you out there, when you stop and think about your Mom, will find that “Genie”  moment somewhere in your memories — that time when Mom was there to solve your problems and give you comfort or provide  a moment of wonder and joy. Let’s celebrate Moms on Mother’s Day!

Video: I Dream of Jeannie Opening

Pilot: Season 1 Episode 1

QUIZ:  By 1966 all prime time shows were filmed in color but Season 1 of I Dream of Jeannie was filmed in black and white.

Give the three reasons.

In honor of my Mom’s Purple Passions on that day in my childhood memory, I have created the Mother’s Day Vintage Violet Collection. The first 3 website subscribers and first 3 fans from our Facebook Fanpage with the correct answers to the quiz will receive a “Tea for Two” Gift Certificate and a Mother’s Day Gift on one condition:  the winner must be a mother herself or bring his/her mother (or mother-in-law) to receive a gift from the Vintage Violet Collection.

My childhood memory of Easter was the “decorating” part of Easter eggs. Easter eggs are special eggs that are often given to celebrate Easter or springtime. The egg is seen by Christians as a symbol of the resurrection.  While dormant it contains a new life sealed within it.

I remember that for every three eggs my siblings decorated I only finished one. I also remember how I was irritated by the colored Pentel pen we used because it would smudge easily and get my fingertips all messy with color and affect the surface of the white egg shell while I tried to finish coloring the patterns I drew on the egg. I was quite finicky about detail. At the early age of eight, the Easter eggs I came up with actually looked somewhat like this!

A mix of modern, diasporan and traditional Ukrainian “pysanky”.

When we were sent off to find the eggs our parents hid on Easter morning, I  actually wanted to find my own Easter eggs. The ones I decorated, to me,  were the nicest of them all. A prize was given to the one who found the most eggs (not the best-decorated egg because that would be unfair since I was  even then recognized as the artistic one of the bunch)  I did not care about the prize, I  just wanted to recover my little works of art!

In Bulgaria, Poland, Romania, Russia, Ukraine, and many Central European countries’ folk traditions, Easter eggs are a popular symbol of new life. A batik (wax resist) process — the most intricate of which is the Ukrainian pysanka and the Polish pisanka — is used to create  brilliantly colored eggs.

An unfinished pysanka ready for the black bath of dye. It bears the Ukrainian Easter greeting: "Christ is risen!"

In another life I might have ended up a pysanka artist!

And so, to celebrate Easter, Russian Cookie House is sending you on an egg hunt –  the first three of you who find the answer to the question below will get a box of the original, pure, genuine Russian Tea Cookies  – the cookies that started it all.  (Because they kinda look like eggs too!)  

QUESTION:   A woman named Maria Feodorovna received a surprise gift on Easter that started  both a tradition and a well known collection. What was the specific gift and who gave it to her?

Happy Easter and Happy Hunting!

Gina

Happy Valentine’s Day to All of You !

I was looking for something of note that had been said to express  the idea of love and I found it from what I must admit was for me a somewhat unexpected source.

From the Rasta Man,  the  Reggae Prophet, the King of Dreadlocks !  A man of obviously profound thought.  Have a read! 

“Only once in your life, I truly believe, you find someone who can completely turn your world around. You tell them things that you’ve never shared with another soul and they absorb everything you say and actually want to hear more. You share hopes for the future, dreams that will never come true, goals that were never achieved and the many disappointments life has thrown at you. When something wonderful happens, you can’t wait to tell them about it, knowing they will share in your excitement. They are not embarrassed to cry with you when you are hurting or laugh with you when you make a fool of yourself. Never do they hurt your feelings or make you feel like you are not good enough, but rather they build you up and show you the things about yourself that make you special and even beautiful. There is never any pressure, jealousy or competition but only a quiet calmness when they are around. You can be yourself and not worry about what they will think of you because they love you for who you are. The things that seem insignificant to most people such as a note, song or walk become invaluable treasures kept safe in your heart to cherish forever. Laughter seems part of daily life where before it was infrequent or didn’t exist at all. A phone call or two during the day helps to get you through a long day’s work and always brings a smile to your face. In their presence, there’s no need for continuous conversation, but you find you’re quite content in just having them nearby. Things that never interested you before become fascinating because you know they are important to this person who is so special to you. You open your heart knowing that there’s a chance it may be broken one day and in opening your heart, you experience a love and joy that you never dreamed possible.”  

-Bob Marley

Enjoy the thought and the day and if you want to make Russian Cookie House  a part of your celebration of  love, you know where to find us.

From My Bohemian Heart to Yours,

Gina

P.S … and as always, we like to tickle the curiosity as well as the palate and the love of all things FREE of our friends. Three people can get it right and claim ONE BOX of RUSSIAN COOKIE HOUSE  delicacies.

Question: At one point in his illustrious career, Bob Marley claimed to have killed someone. He was, however, never charged with a crime. What did he claim to have done? Have a go and use your “ S. Holmes  Gene”!

I  always thought of myself as some sort of a “Bohemian”.  Trouble was that I did not know exactly what that meant. To my great relief, however, I found out that many people shared the same predicament. In fact, a whole slew of attributes were considered “Bohemian”.

Nouveau: bohemians with money who attempt to join traditional bohemianism with contemporary culture

Gypsy: drifters, neo-hippies, and others with nostalgia for previous, romanticized eras

Beat: also drifters, but non-materialist and art-focused

Zen: “post-beat,” focus on spirituality rather than art

Dandy: no money, but try to appear as if they have it by buying and displaying expensive or rare items – such as brands of alcohol

Somewhere in there I was hiding, a bit of this and a bit of that, less of one and more of the other.

I  always wanted to be a Bohemian gypsy with money who longs for a simpler past but has access to the finer things in life and  loves art. I guess you could call it having the cookie and eating it too!

And when I design a cookie and its packaging I want it to be a small work of art, yet affordable, a link to a romantic past but a treat that makes you feel good about yourself right here today.

Like this !

And when I realized that  what was inside the chocolate coating was an old Bohemian recipe handed down to us by a lady who came from the actual place called “Bohemia” which gave the name to all the “Bohemians” of whatever inkling they are,  I saw it …

P.S  We will give the smartest cookies among our followers another chance to get their hands on FREE BOXES of Russian Cookie House product. Since our first Quiz question proved much too easy for the sleuths among you we have now upped the ante! No easy googling but some serious research! Let’s see who gets it! Grab a cookie and a cup of coffee (or tea) and off you go……

Q: What is the name of the  German author / poet who chronicled the life of a famous Bohemian general ?

The  first reason why I am so happy  is  that I know what the squiggles up there mean.

The second reason is that we will give a box of cookies to the first three people who figure out what it means and let us know who they are so we can let them have the cookies. First answer in, first cookie box out…..

Now that I have consoled myself with the age-old wisdom that giving is almost as good as receiving, I will shortly come to the main message of  this very first original Russian Cookie House  Blogue. (Don’t laugh, I just do NOT like the word “blog”. Makes me feel like I am writing an engine manual, don’t know why!)

KUNG HEI FAT CHOI !

Which brings me to the FAQ regarding this topic.

Q: Why would anyone give Russian Cookies for Chinese New Year?

A: While “tikoy” and the usual fare are perennial favorites, China is clearly on the speed dial path of transformation and these days anything that is given in the spirit of  “wishing well”  is welcome, even iPads (as long as it is red because THAT is indispensable).

Russian Cookie House has exquisite red packaging.

Q: Where do you put the “Hong Bao” ?

A:  This is not a problem with Russian Cookie House gifts since the envelope is part of the package. Problem solved.

Q: Do you have any additional reasons why one could have Russian Cookies for Chinese New Year?

A: We have a whole selection of round cookies that blend in perfectly with the lunar full moon theme as well as the round coin symbolism which is central to the festivity.

With best wishes and until next time,

Gina

Sweet traditions inspire and, over time, they have become part of so many things we cherish in life. The first birthdays we remember, our first date, our wedding, the baptisms of our children, our anniversaries. The list can go on much longer, but always, there was something sweet to savor. Sometimes, it is just about our favorite habit of the day when we sit down with a cup of coffee or tea and something sweet.

We at Russian Cookie House love these traditions and we want to share them with you and want to become part of yours. Feel free to share your thoughts about these things with us.

We will always take the time to answer.
Email us: info@russiancookiehouse.com