The History of Christmas Trees in 9 Merry Short Stories

A fir sprig adorned ancient Rome or Dacian blouses; candles on fir trees recalled Christ's star; behind closed doors Christmas traditions endured Communist times.

Explore the history of Christmas trees through nine short stories and let’s be merry time traveling from ancient Rome and Dacia to the Druids and Saint Boniface, through medieval Germany and the Baltic Renaissance. Follow the journey under the glow of Martin Luther’s candles, which also adorned royal Christmas trees, and even hear whispers of those hidden under Romania’s Communist regime. Let us celebrate light and birth on one of the longest and most magical nights of the year.

01/12/202301/12/2023

Whimsical Winter & Folklore of Romania, an Advent Calendar

cozonac traditional Easter, Christmas desert from Romania

Enjoy this advent calendar inspired by whimsical winter traditions from the folklore of Romania. I hope that you will return each day until Christmas Eve to open another door, for a new surprise.

08/07/202305/08/2024

Being Bold, Climbing A Rare Medieval Council Tower, Bewitching Sibiu

Council Tower Sibiu view Small Square Big Square Patricia Furstenberg

Join me in climbing the seven floors of medieval Council Tower of bewitching Sibiu, located in the heart of Transylvania. We’ll squeeze our shoulders and bow to history as we’ll make our way up, up, up, but slowly, along a narrow spiraling stone staircase. We’ll pause to gather our wits and breath deeply before climbing further up on the suspended wooden stairs, all the way to the top!

26/12/202201/01/2023

An Unexpected Christmas Gift – Publication of the Month on Spillwords Press

So many readers loved An Unexpected Christmas Gift, my latest short story now nominated for Publication of the Month by Spillwords Press. Please VOTE (by 29 December) if you enjoyed my storytelling- or you can read it here then VOTE.

23/12/202226/12/2023

Storytime, An Unexpected Christmas Gift – Un Dar Neaşteptat de Crăciun

Oldest Christmas Carol. Wise Men and Infant Jesus in Manger

An Unexpected Christmas Gift

It was Christmas Eve and while it was still early afternoon, with the heavy clouds now lying low and everyone’s excitement buzzing like bolts of energy, the twinkling lights had begun to glow in the shops’ windows, on the eaves, hung in trees, tucked around door frames, or even adorning the houses of the village. As the wait for Christmas was nearly over and winter still had a long time ahead, mostly feasts and holidays, the cheer was barely contained.