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[nverland]

Pecan Swirls

Ingredients
2 cups butter, softened
2 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, softened
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
2-1/4 cups finely chopped pecans
1-1/3 cups sugar
Directions
In a large bowl, cream butter and cream cheese until light and
Fluffy. Beat in vanilla. Combine flour and salt; gradually add to
Creamed mixture and mix well. Divide into three portions. Wrap each
In plastic wrap; refrigerate for 2 hours or until easy to handle.

On a lightly floured surface, roll each portion into a 16-in. X 9-in.
Rectangle. Combine pecans and sugar; sprinkle over dough to within
1/2 in. Of edges. Roll up each rectangle tightly jelly-roll style,
Starting with a long side. Wrap in plastic wrap; refrigerate for 2
Hours.

Unwrap and cut into 3/8-in. Slices. Place 2-in. Apart on lightly
Greased baking sheets. Bake at 400° for 12-14 minutes or until
Lightly browned. Remove to wire racks to cool. Yield: 7 dozen.






Christmas in Romania

Carols form an important part of the Romanian folklore. Romanian carols are not simple songs (a sort of invocation in verse sung by children and lads, on the evening of Winters Holidays) with religions origin, but wide windows through which we are allowed once in a year to go by the immaculate snow-towards the evergreen Heaven and to eye-touch God at least for an instant , in order to give us the power to surpass the life's obstacles. Carols put people in the mood for a perfect communion with the simple and healing greatness of Jesus' Birth. The carol singers walk in the streets of the villages and towns holding in their hands a star made of board and paper with biblical scenes painted in water colors and they sing:

"Do you receive the pretty star,
Pretty and so very bright?
It Haseko we did in the sky
Just like God thought it would be right,
Stand it could be seen on high,
Just like we did in the sky"

On the first Christmas day, children walk in the streets of snow covered towns and villages, when holding in their hands a star made of board and paper with a biblical scenes painted in water colors or an icon showing Virgin Mary and baby Jesus, they sing somewhat of a question:

"Do you receive the pretty star,
Pretty and so bright?
It has appeared on the earth
Just like God through it would be right
And it could be seen on high,
Just like we did, in the sky.

Five days before Christmas with a very sharp knife the pig is cut.

This custom is called "Ignatius" from Saint Ignatius (celebrated on December the 20th). Straws are put in his snout and then it is covered with burning straws and then is it singed. The pig is nicely washed and covered with a piece of cloth for ten minutes. The housewife comes and incense the pig and then the husband comes and makes the sign of the cross on the pig's head saying to the family gathered around: "Let's eat the pig!" After the pig is cut there is a feast called the pig's funeral feast or alms. At the feast the whole family friends and neighbors take part. All eat the rid or the skin of the bacon and they also eat small pieces of fried pork they drink wine or plum brandy.