I married into a first generation Polish American family 18 years ago. Before that, I knew nothing about the culture, not even the major historical touch points. It was all completely new to me.
What I discovered was a rich mix of history, culture, mythology, and food that captured my imagination right from the start. I eventually wrote a fantasy mystery series inspired by the Mermaid of Warsaw because I found myself drawn to the folklore and the world behind it.
I have traveled to Poland several times since my in-laws retired in the United States and moved back home. Some of my favorite memories come from visiting my children's babcia in a rural village. I still remember the first time I saw storks nesting high atop tall poles and how striking that sight was. We visited Krakow and Warsaw on different trips, and each city had its own beauty and energy.
Białowieża National Park also left a lasting impression on me. It was close to where we were visiting family in Bialystok, and learning the history of the bison made the experience unforgettable. Poland is a place where history still breathes through the landscape.
One of our visits took place during Christmas. It was bitterly cold, but the warmth of the holiday made up for it. Family visits, shared meals, traditional dishes, hot drinks, conversations that lasted long into the evening. Those moments turn into memories you carry with you.
The Polish Christmas Card Collection is inspired by all of this. While my children's babcia and dziadek now live in Bialystok, their prababcia still lives in a small village with a view outside her window that looks just like the card titled A Taste Of Home. She has lived in that home her entire life, and her family has lived there for generations before her. That continuity and simplicity, that feeling of history and belonging, is what I wanted to capture.
These cards reflect the places, images, and experiences that shaped my understanding of Poland and the people who welcomed me into their lives. They are a small tribute to family, heritage, and the memories we gather along the way.
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