Wigilia

by Marinka on December 7, 2010

Something strange happens when you are a blogger.  You meet people on their blogs, through their Twitter streams, you become involved in their lives and then when you meet them in person, you feel as though you’re old friends.  Because you are.  Except they’re now in 3-D. There’s heartbreak involved, and joy, and sometimes, if you’re really lucky, tremendous pride at a friend’s accomplishment and success.

I feel blessed that Pauline is my friend. When I first started  blogging years ago, it was Pauline that gave me one of the biggest boosts.  She linked to me, which is the blog-equivalent of taking me under her wing, she answered my questions and she shared her wisdom with me.  If you’re reading this blog now, chances are good that it’s because of Pauline.  And even though I am now old and wise (in blog years only, of course) I often turn to Pauline when I need advice.

So when I found out that she was writing a children’s book, I was delighted.  Because it’s about damn time that people that I know and love shared their stories with the world.

I ordered the book a few weeks ago and read it as soon as it arrived.  (Of course, being a worrywart, I was super-worried that I wouldn’t like it and that I’d have to go through the whole I’m not quite finished with it yet awkwardness with Pauline.)  Yay that my worries were for naught– I loved it.  Pauline’s voice rings throughout, and her children and family are there in full force.  A Christmas story with a twist, about a Polish-American family on Christmas Eve. Pauline’s family!  If you’ve ever wanted to see a popular blogger in cartoon form, here’s your chance!

I passed it on to my 12 year old daughter, and she enjoyed it as well.

Here’s her review:

This book is such a charming story of Poland’s traditions during the holidays. Young children will love this book because it’s during a happy time with a happy family telling a traditional story filled with love. This book tells children how a Polish Christmas Eve is celebrated, and it does it well. I love this book. And I wish my mom would write one about the Russian traditions, even though she’s not Christian.

Do yourself a favor and go here and order the book. You and your kids will love it and you’ll learn a Polish tradition. A great gift idea, too!  (And if you  buy many, many books, maybe Pauline will be so impressed with me that she’ll insist that I play her daughter in the movie version.  Her youngest daughter, of course!)

Enjoy!

__________________

Thank you, everyone, for entering the Oxfam giveaway. And congratulations to the lovely Sue Bob for winning the goat! Someone’s stocking is going to be very full this holiday season! And if you didn’t win, please make sure to visit the Oxfam Collection and make yourself a winner! Throw some money at them and get that goat.

One year ago ...

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{ 21 comments… read them below or add one }

Migg December 7, 2010 at 12:32 am

Such a lovely post!
My heart is bursting.

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Scary Mommy
Twitter:
December 7, 2010 at 6:52 am

You’re so sweet and I’m so happy for Pauline. I actually teared up reading this. Dear God, what has happened to me?

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Hollywood Farm December 7, 2010 at 9:24 am

Maybe your preg with all of that baby talk lately!

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awesome dude December 7, 2010 at 8:07 am

I am happy that you liked it. I hope that I may read it too.

Actually. my great-great grandfather was from Vilno and it was part of the Polish kingdom at that time.

Russia did not allow Jews to settle till second division of Poland.

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Dena December 7, 2010 at 8:47 am

I hope you follow your daughter’s advice and write a children’s book about Russian traditions! My daughter currently has little interest in the Polish & Russian side of her but is absolutely nuts about the Portuguese side of her family. I’m hoping (crossing my fingers so tightly that they could break) that her Portuguese grandmother has enough memories left to share them with her.

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Pauline
Twitter:
December 7, 2010 at 9:06 am

When I found myself alone in my hotel room in NYC this summer you are the first person I called. I never properly thanked you for allowing me to crash your dinner date. You are a good friend, Marinka. Everyone needs a Marinka in their lives. Mine is forever much brighter with you in it. Thank you for commenting on my blog years ago and creating a friendship that I hold dear to me. Thank you for everything.

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Hollywood Farm December 7, 2010 at 9:23 am

You are a good friend. Passing it on!

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Grace December 7, 2010 at 10:37 am

Marinka, you are a wonderful friend! Smart, intelligent, pretty, young woman!
I am so glad you both have each other! What a blast!
I love you , I love Pauline and I love the book – Wigilia-

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Karen at French Skinny December 7, 2010 at 11:57 am

You’re not supposed to make me well up and laugh at the same time! Or are you? A delightful post:)

xoxo

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alexandra
Twitter:
December 7, 2010 at 12:16 pm

This is wonderful.

Hard work, and belief in yourself, and good friends to celebrate with.

It makes trying for those goals so much more encouraging.

Very nice post.

And, congrats, Pauline!!

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Tonya
Twitter:
December 7, 2010 at 1:03 pm

I’ve been looking for a great holiday book to read to my son. With such a beautiful review I will get this one!!! Thanks, Marinka!

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Mike December 7, 2010 at 1:37 pm

What a great idea! My family is a couple generations removed from Poland, so it will be great to see what great traditions we are missing out on =)

Thanks!

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annie December 7, 2010 at 3:03 pm

I agree with your daughter and the other posters that you should write one as well. I’ll be happy to write you a post just like this one – you’ve been my “Pauline”. I couldn’t have braved this new blogging world without you!

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Suebob
Twitter:
December 7, 2010 at 4:49 pm

I am so happy about the goat. Chivo II will be given in honor of my dear brother-in-law, because I know he will love it.

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dusty earth mother December 8, 2010 at 12:24 am

What a great post, Marinka, and a great tribute. I love good blogging-to-real-life-friendship stories!

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JulieBouf December 8, 2010 at 1:19 am

Man … the two of you, you both make me so jealous-your closely held heritage’s and the most awesome/funny parents I ever did read about (your and Pauline’s parents – not the two of you)-the fact that you HANG IRL.

I love the book and I love both of you 😉

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magpie December 8, 2010 at 1:25 pm

Oh, I should get that book – since my daughter is 1/4 Polish…

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Erin I'm Gonna Kill Him
Twitter:
December 8, 2010 at 10:52 pm

I married into a Polish family so I really would like to get that book. They’re the worst Poles ever – they don’t even eat perogis, but maybe they’ll read a cute book.

I loved the line about ‘now they’re in 3D.’ It is surreal.

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haniaski December 9, 2010 at 8:49 am

Thank you for being Paulina’s great friend!Love you both!:)

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renatamic December 9, 2010 at 2:24 pm

blah, blah, blah…i’m just going to be nasty and jealous cause she’s MY bff, MINE MINE MINE…and you’ve written this awesome post and i’ve heard so much about you…and now you’re probably her bff and not me. ok…random jealous spout over (for now). what a great review…you really are a lovely person (until you steal my BFF…then it’s war). oops, that wasn’t supposed to come out that way. *sigh* btw – your daughter seems to have the writing genes, doesn’t she – too cute!

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Sarah at the Stroller Ballet December 11, 2010 at 10:10 pm

This is awesome…so amazing. I just got here through reading Pauline’s blog. Love it! Must check out the story :). That’s always been a dream of mine – to write children’s literature. So inspiring!!

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