Define year ahead with traditions
The first week of January, in most countries with deep rooted traditions, is particularly important and defines their year ahead. Today, Jan. 6, is 12 days after Christmas, and this day is called Epiphany.
Today marks not only the end of the Christmas holidays, but also the start of the Carnival season, which climaxes with Mardi Gras on Feb. 16.
In some cultures, the greenery and nativity scenes put up at Christmas are taken down today, but in Russia and other Eastern European locales, it’s Christmas Eve.
Today, if you visit a French bakery, you’ll find the traditional “galette des rois” — the “kings’ cake,” made of pastry dough and marzipan (and a little porcelain gift baked inside) to mark the day the Three Magi: Caspar, Melchior and Balthasar, better known in the west as the wise men, who followed the star that led them to baby Jesus.
The polar bear dip is a popular custom for Jan. 1, but you have until today as it’s not just about testing your body’s defences, it’s meant to symbolize the cleansing of sins.
With England in lockdown and British Columbians on hold for a few more days,
I suspect live entertainment will also be on hold for a while.
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For small groups of six and under, The View Winery & Vineyard is continuing its Slip and Sip, which is a self-guided vineyard/orchard tour. Bring your snow shoes, children, or furry friends (on a leash) to follow the red shoes and festive decorations then warm up inside the tasting room with a glass of wine or cider tasting. The price is $10 or complimentary with bottle purchase. For more information, call 250-860-0742 or email: info@theviewwinery.com. The View is located at 2287 Ward Rd., just off Spiers Road in East Kelowna.
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I love to cook and I enjoy it immensely, but sometimes you just want to go out to enjoy a meal.
The Curious Artistry and Alchemy Café, 1423 Ellis St., has a plastic heated domes with tables and chairs inside for a Garden Bubble Experience which features a four-course chef’s menu. The price is $55 per person. Each menu is customized to dietary restrictions. The maximum group size is six people. You can book your table through opentable.ca/r/the-bubble-at-curiouscafe-kelowna. There are only two seatings per night, 5:30 p.m. or 8:30 p.m. Monday-Saturday.
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Thursday from 5 to 9 p.m. is Cheese Fondue Night at Summerhill Pyramid Winery. It’s made with a blend of Swiss and Quebec cheese supplied from local cheese monger Perseval and Young, served with mushrooms and a hint of truffle. Also included are pretzels, dried bread, grilled pears, cauliflower and sausage. The price is $24.95 per person. Wineshop prices for your libations and menu add-ons are available by request. Reservations required. Call 250-764-8000. The winery is located at 4870 Chute Lake Rd.