Life / WHAT HAPPENED TO ŚWIĘTY MIKOŁAJ? [17]

My grandparents came to the US from Poland in the early 1900s. They settled in the midwestern US where I still live. You're right, it is difficult to find the traditional Święty Mikołaj (or many other Christian traditions) in the US commercial culture. However, there is a growing number of us who were never heavily involved in the gift-giving commercial culture of the US. There are others who are returning to the culture of their ancestors into their family celebrations of the holiday. My Polish-American parish has sung kolędy at midnight mass for nearly 100 years, we share opłatki, we exhibit the nativity scene in our houses.

I'm celebrating St. Nicholas Day (a day late) by going to a 21st birthday party for my nephew, NICHOLAS! I was delighted when my sister named her son after this holy bishop!

Is there a special greeting for St. Nicholas Day?

Life / WHAT HAPPENED TO ŚWIĘTY MIKOŁAJ? [17]

Thanks, Polonius. I think I'll just sing "sto lat" to him for my greeting!

Even though my nephew is 21, I'm sure he's not too old for treats :)

Food / ALMOST FREE BIGOS AND PASZTET? [2]

Polonius3, this is a great idea. I think I'll begin my freezer package this weekend with some leftover pork roast and a bit of kielbasa. Yum!

Food / OLD POLISH FOOL-PROOF COUGH REMEDY [4]

Polonius3, I have heard of this remedy, but I have never tried it. Have you ever used it yourself? Does it have to be refrigerated or can it be kept at room temperature?

Food / KLUSKI Z SEREM -- family favourite. Lane kluski too. [10]

This sounds delicious. Is curd cheese similar to the cottage cheese we find in the US or is it something different?

Genealogy / US POLONIAN BUSHA (BUSIA) DISPUTE/DILEMMA RESOLVED [7]

Thanks, P3, for your evidence to solve the busia dilemma--it makes a lot of sense. I think you're right about "busia"; I believe it would be understood by most PolAms, even if it were not their primary term for their grandmother.

Busia, babcia or one of those other lovely terms for grandmother--they were wonderful ladies, good cooks and bakers, and kept their homes warm and welcoming for their families.

Genealogy / Polish name or nickname "Chudka" [5]

It isn't spelled this way, of course, but it seems like "Chudka" would be pronounced similar to the term, "ciotka" or "aunt" in Polish. Just a thought.

Genealogy / Polish name or nickname "Chudka" [5]

Thanks, Polonius--of course, you're right.

The hard "h" sound of the Polish "ch" always trips me up.

Life / Polish Poem Web Site (poems in English) [5]

What great links. Thanks so much for sharing these so we can enjoy them on the first weekend of spring.

Food / Gloria Jeans Coffee's Warsaw [13]

We have Gloria Jean's Coffee Beans here in the midwest US. The coffee beans are available for purchase in grocery stores or coffee-product stores, but there are no Starbuck's style cafes in which to sit and enjoy the brewed coffee. It makes a delicious brew, and there are many flavored coffee beans, also (chocolate mint, hazelnut, etc.). Were you planning a cafe or a coffee bean shop?

Food / Gloria Jeans Coffee's Warsaw [13]

The Gloria Jean's website says that they have been in business for over 23 years. There are over 100 stores in 24 states, but it doesn't list any franchises outside of the US. So, maybe Warsaw will be their first European outlet?