Kalmaņu vīns

Dažādu iemeslu dēļ pasen neko neesmu rakstījusi, bet vismaz šodien klusumu lauzīšu, pastāstot par kādu īpašu Ziemassvētku dāvanu.

Aizvadītajos Ziemassvētkos mani tuvākie ģimenes locekļi saņēma speciālu dāvanu - Kalmaņu vīnu, kas tagad man vienmēr atgādinās tēta pārsteigto reakciju un jautājumus visas nākamās pusstundas garumā.

Latvijā šī iespēja, šķiet, nav īpaši zināma, taču vismaz dažās ārvalstīs ir ierasta lieta dāvināt parastas mantas ar neparastu noformējumu - piemēram, baltvīnu ar unikālu etiķeti tikai dažos eksemplāros. :) Par to uzzināju, nejauši runājot ar vienu šādu meistaru, un ideja manai unikālajai Ziemassvētku dāvanai bija gatava! Ar meistara palīdzību tā tika arī realizēta, maniem vecvecākiem, tētim, mammai un māsai pasniedzot šādu dāvanu ar manis izdomātu tekstu gan pudeles priekšā, gan aizmugurē.

Lai gan šoreiz vīns bija parastais ungāru vīns, Ziemassvētkos par to aizdomājāmies, jo tieši tobrīd vectētiņš brūvēja mājas ābolu vīnu... Varbūt nākamreiz tas būs 100% Kalmaņu vīns ne tikai etiķetes, bet arī sastāva ziņā?!

Viesskolnieki

Tikko izlasīju Calis.lv forumā (ko šad tad laika pakavēšanai lasu) par kādas ģimenes jauko pieredzi, uz gadu AFS apmaiņas programmā uzņemot meiteni no Jamaikas.

Par šīm programmām pēdējo gadu laikā esmu dzirdējusi diezgan daudz un vienmēr nožēlojusi, ka nebija informācijas par tām tad, kad es mācījos skolā. Aizbraukt pašai apmaiņā man nebūtu bijis līdzekļu un gan jau arī tobrīd vēl interese, bet es domāju, ka tajā laikā gan es būtu gribējusi uzņemt kādu viesskolēnu. Piemēram, cik gan forši būtu bijis iegūt brāli uz gadu! :)

Nezinu, kāda citiem latviešiem ir bijusi pieredze, bet zinu vienu beļģu meiteni, kas gadu pavadīja AFS programmā Latvijā un lieliski iemācījās runāt latviski. Tas vien ir kā vēŗts! :)

Vēžošana

Nedēļas nogalē es pirmo reizi dzīvē izdarīju vēl kaut ko, ne tikai to, kas ir minēts iepriekšejā rakstā. Pirmo reizi dzīvē es arīdzan... vēžoju!

Seši cilvēki - seši noķerti vēzīši. Kā to dara?

1. "Iegādājas" māsu, kas visu izplāno, lai pārējiem nav nekas jādara. :)

2. Atrod ezeru, kurā mīt vēži, un sarunā tur aizbraukt.

3. Atrod divus stiprus puišus, kuri airēs un uz kuru vārda būs vēžošanas atļaujas (Lādes ezerā - 2 Ls no deguna).

4. Sarunā ar superīgo saimnieku, ka var lietot viņa murdus un no viņa var nopirkt arī vēžu ēsmu. Parasti ēsmā esot vardes (tikko nobeigtas), bet mēs vēžojām ar vistu kakliņiem.

5. Paņem murdus un brauc ar sešiem cilvēkiem (no kuriem viens vēžoja bērnībā un otrs pāris reizes kaut kad, bet pārējie nekad) divās laivās.

6. Izmet un iztin murdiņus zigzagā kaut kur ezerā. Gaida aptuveni 20min un tad ceļ vienu pēc otra ārā.

7. Sūrstojas, ka lielākajā daļā murdu nekā nav, un met atkal.

8. Priecājas, kad ir, un spēlējas ar vēžiem.

9. Brauc krastā, runā par viena vēža likšanu akvārijā un pārējo piecu vārīšanu.

10. Plāno nākamo vēžošanu uz ilgāku laiku un nopietnāku sagatavošanos. :)

Changes in my life

The time has come... Finally, being 25,5 years old, I did it!

My sister did it when she was around 12-13 and she did not tell Mum in the beginning as it was not allowed to do it so early, at least not till you are 18 or so.

My Mum did it only when she was 38... Michael says that his Mum was younger when she did it.

But I did it now! I was afraid that it will hurt a bit (as they are telling), but luckily it didnt.

What do you think?

Discounts with Groupon

As far as I know, Groupon discounted deals exist not only in the Netherlands, but also other countries. Not long time ago also in Latvia appeared several similar websites (although not Groupon), all offering great discounted deals.

I know that my sister is a huge fan of them and using them regularly. Here in the Netherlands I have used them and a couple of other websites a few times as most of the offers do not attract me. I do not want to get any beauty treatments, book a hotel (which anyways sounds quite expensive), go out for dinner on a regular basis or subscribe for a fitness club.

However, sometimes there are interesting deals we have used:

• House of Bols experience with cocktails - bought, but haven't used the deal yet
• Nepalese menu in "Mt. Everest" restaurant - tasty, expensive and slow service
• Skiing in "Snow Planet" - terrible

It is true that we wouldn't have been going to these places otherwise (except "Mt. Everest" which was in our plan anyway), but as the prices were not too expensive, it was interesting to try something new. And I think that it is worth it as long as you do not pay too much.

I have also used a couple of websites for presents, but can't reveal which deals - as those who got the presents might be reading my blog :)

How about your experience?

My famous sister

This is a funny day - I just got an e-mail from my sister who sent me a copy of Latvian magazine "Dīvas". My dear Latvian readers, I have never heard about this magazine - does anybody of you know it?

What was so important is the fact that my sister was on the cover of the magazine!

It reminded me time 12 years ago when I got on the cover of the most famous Latvian teen magazine "LABA" and everybody in my class (I think, it was the last year of the primary school) spoke about it.

However, this time my sister is on the cover because of the interview in the magazine where she is telling about language tricks in advertising. Unfortunately the interview is in Latvian, so not all of you will be able to understand, but at least you can enjoy the pictures!

I am not able to post all the interview, but I believe that Latvians can buy the magazine and read themselves if they are very interested. So here goes just the shot of the cover & the interview.

Nabadzība

Šodien draugiem.lv izlasīju jauku domugradu - atļaušos pārpublicēt.

"Vienu dienu tētis un viņa bagātā ģimene aizveda savu dēlu uz laukiem ar mērķi parādīt, cik nabadzīgi cilvēki var būt.

Viņi pavadīja diennakti kādā fermā pie ļoti nabadzīgas ģimenes. Kad viņi devās mājup, tētis jautāja dēlam: „Nu, kā Tev patika šis brauciens?”
„Ļoti labi, tēt!”
„Vai redzēji, cik nabadzīgi cilvēki var būt?”
„O, jā!”
„Un, ko Tu iemācījies?”
Dēls atbildēja: „Es redzēju, ka mums ir mājās suns, bet viņiem ir četri. Mums ir baseins, kas stiepjas līdz pagalma vidum, viņiem ir upe, kurai nevar redzēt galu. Mums ir lampas dārzā, kas dod gaismu, viņiem ir zvaigznes. Mūsu iekšējais pagalms sniedzas līdz žogam, viņiem pieder viss horizonts.”

Kad mazais zēns bija beidzis, tētis bija sēdēja kā mēms.
Viņa dēls piebilda: „Paldies, tēt, ka parādīji, cik „nabadzīgi” mēs esam!”"

Mysterious lover - Italian neighbour

Those who have followed the story about my secret lover will be happy to hear that there is Part 2. :)

At first, a few weeks ago there was another chocolate bar at my doorstep, pretty taste. Thanks!

At second, my dad and his wife came to Amsterdam during Easter. As Michael and me were in Germany, we arranged that they can stay in our apartment while we are on holiday - so we did not really meet each other. After coming back I found his note, saying: "I took your bottle of Latvian black balsam. Will explain you later why..."

So here I was, back home in Amsterdam and wondering why did a Latvian (arriving from Latvia and going to Latvia) need to take Latvian black balsam from Amsterdam??? I did not have an answer until this morning when my dad finally wrote me an e-mail and explained.

Turns out that in his first day here he met our neighbour David from Italy, who is living downstairs (btw, he is playing really loud music in late evenings) and who owns a restaurant. They started to chat and in the next day there was a bottle of champagne in the front of the door and an invitation to join for dinner at his restaurant.

David was very interested to find out what chances does he have with me... My dad replied - 0%, but he is welcomed to come and visit Latvia. David's reply: "Will there be Anita?" Sorry, no chance... But there is Midsummer Night in Latvia!

I am sorry to tell you that I have no idea how does David look like, I have never seen him! But my dad says - he is 36 years old and he looks like Karlsson :)

Going Dutch

I know that I have been treating my readers and blog really bad, but last week I was in Estonia (press trip) and this week I have my mum and sister over here in Amsterdam, so I was completely out of time and/or tired to write anything.

On Sunday Michael, me and my sister went to Volendam, which was completely overcrowded with tourists and therefore not so enjoyable. We also decided to be typical tourists taking a typical touristical picture, which you can see here. Despite not so good service it was fun, especially me remembering taking almost the same picture with two other people around 1996 (my first trip to the Netherlands).

About Kalmane

Some days ago I got a message from an Indian guy on CouchSurfing who asked me if I know that my surname is a very typical surname in India.

Sure, I know that, have heard it before from Indians, who are always very surprised about it and once I even got an e-mail in Hindi...

But what I didn't know is the fact there is even a popular coffee chain! He also e-mail me a picture of it (found on Google):

Now I am curious, where else can I find Kalmane (apart from Hungary, where every town has Kalman street, thanks to Hungarian composer Imre Kálmán)?

Letters to family

I just returned back home from our Portugal trip (comments about that will follow in the next days) and one of the first things I did was not sorting out pictures as some of you might think. No, I did what I am doing every week - wrote a letter to my grandma.

Here, I don't know what are your relationship with your grandparents and if they are even alive. I am a very lucky person, because I had three great-grandmothers when I was born. Unfortunately none of them is alive by now, but I still have a grandpa and both my grandmas alive, so I use any opportunity to visit them when I am back in Latvia.

Grandma from my father's side (so his mother) used to be a teacher of Latvian literature and language, so she had a very big influence for my love to ... Latvian literature and language. Although I was already six years old when I learnt how to read (which is quite late), I have been addicted to books and writing since the childhood. My grandma passed to me her passion for all of that.

So now we exchange letters, and it has been a tradition for several years - it started already back in 2007 when I moved to Malta. Every week or so I receive a letter from her, and write her back - and the other way around. We chat about books both of us have read, recent happenings within the family and close friends, my trips abroad, her cultural activities (she often visits different exhibitions and theatre performances) and news from Latvia.

It is a nice gesture to feel closer to your family if you do not see them every day. I do not like to call so much, so letters are a perfect way to keep in touch. And it's one of the rare occasions when I still use a pen and paper, not a computer. :)

Pancake Day

Did you know that today is not only International Women Day, but also Pancake Day?

I had no idea that such a Pancake Day even exists before this evening when one of the girls in my choir brought this topic up. It turns out that Pancake Day (also known as Shrove Tuesday) is the last day before fasting (also known as Lent) before Easter. It's the last day when you can eat everything you want, including all sweets and also pancakes.

My family is not religious and also Latvians as a nation are not very religious that's why I have just basic understanding of religious Easter traditions. I always colour eggs and make paskha with my grandma, but I have never fasted or gave up anything because Easter is coming and you need to sacrifise something.

How about you?

Small bacon rolls in grandma's style

It's Christmas time. And my grandma has a tradition to make special Christmas rolls every year. In the last years when I was in Latvia I used to help her. Although this year I am not at home (again), I still decided to make these wonderful Christmas rolls. As everybody here in Michael's family seemed to enjoy them, I decided to share the recipe also with all of you.

There are three different recipes as we always make three different rolls - bacon rolls, small sweet rolls with poppy seeds and small sweet rolls with cumin seeds.

Ingrediants
- Flour
- Fresh yeast
- Milk
- Eggs
- Butter
- Sugar
- Bacon
- Pepper
- Onion
- Sugar
- Poppy seeds
- Cumin seeds

Dough
Take one piece of fresh yeast and mix it in approximately one glass warm (not hot) milk and a bit of flour. Leave for some minutes to let it ferment.
Mix it with 500-600 grams of flour and one egg. Knead it with your hands for at least 10 minutes, preferably more, so it gets a nice shape and doesn't stick to your fingers anymore.
Then leave it in a warm place (I left it near the radiators) for a couple of hours. After that take it out, knead a few minutes more and leave it at the same place again for some time (I left it for an hour).
Once the dough is ready, divide it in three parts, one of them bigger than two others.

Small sweet rolls with poppy seeds
Take the first small piece of the dough and roll it with a rolling pin until it is flat enough and has a circle shape.
Then melt some butter in a pan. Spread the melted butter on all flat dough.
Take the sugar and spread it on the top of the melted butter as well. How much? As much as you feel like and how sweet rolls do you want.
Take the poppy seeds and spread them on the top as well. Make sure you put enough of them, do not be shy!
When it's done, cut them like you would cut a cake - in triangles.
Roll each triangle from the outside to inside, so starting with the longer part to the middle of the circle. It will create a nice shape of the roll.
Place all triangles on a pan with a baking paper. Do not forget to cover each roll with a bit of egg!
Now it's time to bake them :) I baked around 10-15 minutes in 170-200 degrees, but it all depends on you. They need to be a bit soft and not too crunchy after taking them out of the oven.

Small sweet rolls with cumin seeds
Take the second small piece of dough and repeat the same procedure as above, just, of course, use cumin seeds instead of poppy seeds this time. :)

Bacon rolls
Cut bacon and half an onion in small, small pieces. Add black pepper (in the worst case also white one works) and mix all together. You must be able to smell the pepper, just do not exaggarate the amount of it!
Take the last remaining piece - the biggest one. Again it needs to be rolled, just it is not so important in what shape do you roll the dough.
Once it is rolled, take a big glass and make circles in the dough with it - like you would do with gingerbread.
On each circle you put half a teaspoon of the bacon-onion-pepper mixture. Then roll it with your fingers and close the circle in a shape of a half moon.
Spread the egg on the top of it and again bake the same as both sweet rolls above.

You can eat them both warm and cold! Hope you will enjoy and say thanks to my grandma!