The Polish Love for Grilling: A National Sport in Its Own Right

If football is one of Polish national sports, well, grilling is the other sport (If I can call this as sport. Maybe, why not! ) that Polish people love doing or partaking, especially if the weather is warm and sun is out all day long-grilling is the best activity. They have so much passion about it. I could see that.

 

When you say Grilling - It is way of cooking that involves heat from above and below the food using a charcoal or węgiel as we say in the Polish language.

 

If you were to ask me if I like grilling or other term barbecue, yeah, I like barbecued foods. Since it is also a common in my country. We have our own version of barbecue sauces and style of grilling though. But here in Poland, they usually grill the Kiełbasa (sausage) that they have. Talking about kiełbasa, Poland is a country of sausages. They have it in all shapes and colours. Name it, they have it all here. Probably, Polish kiełbasa's is unrated than Hungarian sausages. I don't want to sound bragging about this  nor to flatter my Polish husband, as for me Polish kiełbasa's are the best in the world. Need not to say more. You just have to try it and get back to me if It is far from your assessment. We usually order homemade ones from a close friend whose mum is fan of making kiełbasa at home. Homemade is always the best. Although, the ones sold in the supermarkets are also great. My favourite is the white kiełbasa. Lately, I just found out that they also have different version of sausages. Depending to which part of Poland you are in. We live in Silesian region of Poland, so we have a sausage we call it Kiełbasa po sląsku - Silesian kiełbasa. I don't know the difference though because for me they all have the same taste of sausages. Probably, my taste buds is not good in assessing the taste. I couldn't classify either which came from Krakow or from Silesia.  

 

The pictures below explains how Polish people enjoyed their sausages. We have a gathering of parents and children in our place once a year and they called this 'ognisko' - campfire. I thought we are going on a camping. But hell no! we have to make some campfire and grill our kiełbasa from the direct heat of the fire. I may sound a little naïve here, but I never tried doing some kind of grilling over fire with my sausage. Although, I have been to many camps in my life in my younger years, yet never tried doing some ognisko.  So, it was a wonderful sunny day in the middle of the fields with fellow parents and children. I could not stand the heat of the fire plus heat of the sun, still I am enjoying watching them taking their sticks and grilling their kiełbasa directly to the fire. It is fun, isn't it?

Ognisko

This is how they do it.

Why I refer grilling as another national sport in Poland? because I could see their passion in preparing for this feast with friends over wonderful Polish beers. Spring and summer in Poland isn't complete without meeting up with friends over grill, of course it should be paired with cold Polish beers. It is one perfect combination. When sun is out, they're you go, I could smell grill feast all over my neighbourhood. Isn't it wonderful?

If you look at the picture above, they are really having fun. Not mindful of the heat. It is like playing fire as a child. Who have tried playing fire when you are still a small kid? so it is like nurturing the kid in us when making some barbecue. I like this scene.

Warm spring and summer months are usually reserved for quite early evenings doing some barbecue and grill with family and friends here in Poland. It is nice activity actually to bond with family and meet friends after a long winter months. But, not good for our diet. Mind you, my implications to this new sport is that, it is not about the foods or the wonderful kiełbasa, it is about the people you are with. To bond and be with them once in awhile. In fact here in Poland, I am one of the organizer for our annual summer Filipino barbecue. It is our only time to meet fellow Filipinos living here in Poland or that Polish who also likes to commune with our culture. And that makes me note that Polish really knows how to mingle as well. If you understand what I mean. for sometimes, Polish tends to be so exclusive.

If you agree with me that grilling is another national sport in Poland, please comment down below or share your Polish grill stories. And if you are organizing some grilling time, invite me please. (joke)

Opps, did I not say that I've received several invitations now for grilling time with friends? Well, that sounds like I need to set aside my diet. Oh no! :-)

Pozdrawiam was!

xoAi

How do Poles spend Summer?

Poland is one of the nicest places on earth to visit. For me, it should be in the list of  places to visit before you die. Like Krakow's historic city is underrated and Poland's baltic seas are marvelous place too. There are lots of interesting places to visit here, with lots of history.  Landscapes are lovely especially at the countryside. Summer months are hot, the super snowy winter is spectacular , autumn is so romantic (especially if your sitting with the love of your life) and spring is really fascinating and inspiring for it's more colourful, flowers are blooming and popping enthusiastically. 

Summertime is one particular season  that I really like. Though, I'm a tropical girl who lives in the tropics all my life and who doesn't like to go sunbathing nor getting a tan for I prefer a little chilly weather, still I love Polish summer, because it's the only time where we get to visit friends, relax and eat our hearts out with the fruits in season and foods we do like to prepare easily outdoors.  

How do Poles spend Summer?

Grill is one summer sports here other than football. (insert your smile here.) Oh yeah! for mostly Poles loves to do barbecue or grilling right in the confines of their gardens. Invite family and close friends and party till the sun sets.  Usually sun sets later so there is really reason to stay long outdoors.  So, the best and quickest food to prepare is grilled kielbasas (Polish sausages), cheese and some meat marinated the Polish way. In my case, it's a pretty good occasion for me to share and prepare my favourite Filipino pork barbecue.  If you don't know what that is you can see the recipe here. Isn't it appetizing?

Secondly, they like to spend summertime getting that great tan they would want.  I do understand for the sun doesn't appears here all the time. There's a need of sun/melatonin in their skin. They are way too white and pale. So, they worship the sun with much liking and adoration. In which again, I don't like to do for I'm way too brown. That I don't need to worship Mr. Sun. Although, every single day I always love Mr. sun would appear to keep up with a good mood and feels great.

Living here for 7 years prepares me to adjust with the Polish way of spending summer. Mostly July - August are months where most families go for out of town or out of the country holidays. Probably places where the sun shines all day long with sand and seas are together. Baltic seas are really chaotic place to visit during the summer. I get to see how it's like there 2 years ago........too many people and mostly just worshipping the sun in which I find not appealing. And the seawater is way too cold for swimming. YAY!

Past weeks, this is how we spent our summer days .........

A great place for grill/barbecue party with friends right in the confines of the park. But you need to go there early for tends to get occupied quickly for it's free.

Eating ice cream is one hobby / thing to do to beat the summer heat. Imagine how big is that ice cream. Yes! I ate all of them. It's Polish version of Italian ice cream.

here we are kiddos, not mnding how silly they look like eating their ice creams. We enjoyed looking at them eating with great fascination.

How about an elephant plant in the middle of park? cool!

one of the best attractions are these beds of roses in the rose garden in Katowice Park. I recommend you to visit the place. Really romantic if your into flowers. You can see varieties of roses in different shapes and colours.

A handsome taxi driver at the park. You like? He's shy though. heheh! i like the rides only, excuse me!

And see, so many LODY WŁOSKIE which means Italian ice creams. I don't know if it really taste like Italian ones. Paging, mi amore!

A bear plant, right in the middle of the park. Cute!

I'm trying to picture out this place but crappy me I can't get the right angle for I'm chasing two active kids who loves to run all the time. But this is great place where you can run and ride your bikes for there's a pathways for running and biking. So, I'm thinking of running here next time.

Met this cute dredge lock haired lovers who loves to play the Australian didgeridoo. So, I approached them and taught me how to play the didgeridoo which I find it hard to do. I think, it takes me time to make such a sound. But yeah, they are so accommodating and I find them so cute for they only have their own world in the park sharing the same passion and love. Wow!

Here's my little boy running and running. So that explains the blurry picture for we are playing tag.

I love this rose. Makes me want to pick them. hehehe!

A view from the 8th floor apartment of a friend's place. I like the clouds like painting. 

Flock of people in and out of the park. Two active boys over there. Hi ben and Bo! Daddy Edwin are chasing them.

in case you don't know the prices of that ice cream....

we're trying to let this kids make some good pose for the mural arts is just so great for picture taking.

And how do you like crazy lollies? cool isn't it?

That's how Poles spend their summer and so that makes me like a Pole too. 

How about you, how do you spend your summer ?

until next entry for this summer series....

R.I.P.

An ordinary day here turned into a tragic day for all Poles. Polish Pres. Lech Kaczynski, wife and other prominent officials died on a plane crash. It was a devastating news for all of us here.

My deepest condolences to all who perished. I am one with the nation in praying for the eternal repose of their souls.


Everything has its own reason. Life really full of unexpected things.


Rest In Peace Mr. President

Wesołych Świąt!

That is Merry Christmas in Polish :-D

Try JibJab Sendables® eCards today!

That's us..........my family!

May the true reason of the season be in your hearts always.

Merry Christmas!

Inspired this early morning

Winter is officially here!

Yes! you read it right. When we woke up this morning, it is already white all over the place. I do love snow. There is part of me that is happy because it unleashed the child within....I am enjoying watching the snow from falling. It's really wonderful to watch the sky raining with snow. It amazes me, at the same time for me it's an event of a lifetime and a blessing to have witness such a magical event. On the other side, part of me is sad because it calls for more stay inside the house for long months of winter here in Poland which is depressing. Other than that, I do not like to wear more clothings but there is no other way to keep yourself warm all the time especially when you are out of home.

When I opened the window, my little girl screamed from the top of her lungs as if she saw something so strange and scary.

SNOW! SNOW! SNOW! It's SNOWING MAMA!



I smiled asked her to calm down, hugged her and opened the window wider for her. Seeing such a smile of a child on an early morning really so inspiring and overwhelming. That innocent smile and excitement makes me think how blessed I am for having them in my life. Those sweet little smile, early morning hugs, sweet kisses are just so adorable to savor each moment. I get teary eyed everytime I think about all of these. They are my precious little ones that I could not trade for anything.

Early morning today too while having my first cup of coffee while my children enjoying watching the snow outside just by the window, i opened my facebook and was more inspired because my very good friend, Precious of Mommy Talks shared to me such a wonderful story. It catches my inner soul, quenched more the motherhood in me. Now, it's my turn to share the story to all of you.


Once upon a time there was a child ready to be born. The child asked God, “They tell me you are going to send me to earth tomorrow but how am I going to live there being so small and helpless?” God replied, “Among the many angels, I have chosen one of you. She will be waiting for you and will take care of you.” “But…”, said the child, “tell me here in Heaven I don’t do anything else but sing and smile. That’s what I need to be happy!” God said, “Your angel will sing for you everyday. And you will feel your angel’s love and be happy.” “And…”, said the child, “How am I going to be able to understand when people talk to me, if I don’t know the language that men talk?” “That’s easy”, God replied. “Your angel will tell you the most beautiful and sweet words you will ever hear, and with much patience and care, your angel will teach you how to speak.” The child looked up at God saying, “And what am I going to do when I want to talk to you?” God smiled at the child saying, “Your angel will place your hands together and will teach you how to pray.” The child said, “I’ve heard on earth there are bad men, who will protect me?” God put his arm around the child saying, “your angel will defend you – even if it means risking life!” The child looked sad, saying, “But I will always be sad because I will not see you anymore.” God hugged the child. “Your angel will always talk to you about me and will teach you the way to come back to me, even though I will always be next to you.” At that moment there was much peace in Heaven, but voices from earth could already be heard. The child in a hurry, asked softly, “Oh God, if I am about to leave now please tell me my angel’s name...” God replied, “Your angel’s name is of no importance… you will simply call her MOM.

I hope I do inspire you all too today as what my favorite quote says...each and everyone of us are angels with only one wings we can only fly embracing each other.

See, I am officially back too! yey! chill everyone.............

We are going home soon

We are going home soooonnn:-( after some weeks away from home, it is time to end our summer vacation. It is sad but everything has its end. I love summer and I still like to unwind away from home. Soon, I will share our summer get away pictures.

Hahaay! life is really amazing. God created the world so wonderfully that sometimes I do not want to close my eyes so i would not miss any of those things. If there is one thing I learned in our trip, that is LIFE is really BEAUTIFUL!

Grill party!

We just had our Pinoy grill party here in Poland. I am one of the organizers of this years grilling. Setting up the logistics and that makes me busy the past days coordinating with everyone. Overall, it was really a blast again.

The pictures will explain everything.

Meet the lovely Filipinas here in Poland:-D

and the model mommies. Do we look like models of sunglasses?

More grilled foods on the table.

sweets!!!

My children, Izabela and Jan are really enjoying the heat of the sun and playing with other kids.


Looking forward for this year's grill party again.

:-D

I heart Krakow

There is something about this place that amazes me. Your like being put into a time machine and brings you back to olden time. Why? because everything you see around are so old, I think more or less a hundred years old. Buildings, streets and architectures are really old and distinctively still beautiful. Culture is still rich and intact. You could see churches in every corner of this place. Everything also in the city center is old even if the boutique or store is a modern store but they still maintain the old architecture.

Now, try to see...

This handmade stuffs caught my eyes. I love this so cutie.

This is what you call, religious. Every corner of Krakow you could see church as old as 18th century.

There is a wonderful story about this church. They call this one twin tower coz of the twin brothers....sorry forgot the name.

And the holy Divine Mercy Shrine. The right place where Jesus appeared to Sister Faustina.

This is not the right path where Jesus had that conversation with Sis. Faustina. This is the church where masses is held. The chapel where where Jesus appeared to Sis. Faustina is so holy and that photographs are not allowed inside nor wearing sexy clothes and silence should be maintained inside. So, we're not able to take pics there only outside.

View from the top.

The window of the room where Sis. Faustina died.

a stone fragment from where Jesus was crucified.

The tour would not be complete without visiting the Queen and King's place, the famous Wawel Castle. If Paris has effeil Tower, Poland has Wawel Castle.

a tourist wanting to take a good shot of the cathedral inside the castle.

But the best way to tour around the place is to ride a horse or just by biking.

So, that's where we were last summer. Late post right? anyhow, better late than never sharing it. There's still many things to explore from this place but time forbids us to go anywhere. Anyways, it is just near from our place about 2 hours by car so there is a lot of time to go there anytime.

Now you know why i love Krakow.