Christmas - Outside

Snow - untouched, white, wiled. There was so much of it that some trees got completely buried in it and it covered all of our windows to the very top! It is still beautiful and I miss it so much!

Self Portrait

Can you feel that Fall in almost over?

My Interpretation Of Fall

It is almost Thanksgiving and winter is nearing, yet here a few deciduous trees just begin to turn yellow. It barely feels like beautiful and rich Fall, but a couple of little things help the mood a bit:
1) Dry leaves brought for me by my mommy from Idaho.


2) Vintage Fall pendant again brought from Idaho by my mom, she knows how I miss Fall!


3) Tights in many different colors to match and mix with my favorite boots and skirts!

Second Fun Weekend!

This weekend was fabulous! This is a second fun weekend in a row! Don't get me wrong, I enjoy every day of my life, but this much needed time with my friends and family is sure appreciated!

So yesterday my husband and I went to our friends' house for dinner. My friend's husband cooked an amazingly delicious dinner that we all enjoyed! Well no surprise there, since he goes to Cardon Bleu - the school of cookery where Julia Child got her education as well! There were candles and tomato water in between meals, and nice nice conversations! This was quality time spent in good company with good food.






Today we went to church in the morning where afterwards we had more delicious food at their annual food festival! And after that I went to mom's house to help her cook dinner and plant some tulips in her garden.




And of course I could not miss the opportunity to get some pictures of her beautiful plants!



We had lots of fun, I finely got my craving for digging in some dirt satisfied a bit, had some tea with cinnamon and honey along with some sandwiches on the porch and took pictures of the best cat in the world! Oh and the dinner was delicious as always!






I don't want tomorrow to come, because it is going to be all studying for the two tests next week, and there are more to come and I am freaked out a bit! Oh, school, be over soon!

I am sure you all had an amazing weekend that I am going to read about on your blog soon! :)

Fire Warms Hearts

So about that bum/bon fire party that we attended two days ago - it was a perfect ending to a fun weekend. We had hot dogs and smores and lots of fun! Doesn't the color of the fire warm your heart? I so love to sit by one and enjoy the company of good old friends.



Oh how I wish I could write more, but I have no time or inspiration right now - I sure hope it will ease up soon!

Being Happy Today

What makes me happy is...

Seeing my dad playing in our church.

Hearing a good inspiring message in church.

Baking more bread.


Coming home from work and having a good omelet straight from the skillet.


Getting my packages on mail.

Learning how to do new crafty things, in today's case it is spinning wool - so much fun!


Sitting down for the evening with a chocolate bar, knitting (my progress is about 4" now!), and a good animal documentary.

Being happy is so easy right now.

Long Sleeves, Hot Tea, and Photo Albums

You know what I realized today? I missed long sleeves so much! It was so hot for so long, I never had a chance to wear one, but today it finally got cooler and I could put on one of my favorite. It makes me feel cozy and warm when it is cold and I am all wrapped. This is the time to drink hot yummy tea with chocolate and dream about the future, and write a bit depressed stories about rainy days...


I was on the lookout for a good big cup for my tea drinking, and could not find the one I liked, but today I stumbled upon it at last, while walking around Pier One. I love the texture it has to it, the size and as soon as I learn how to knit, I am hoping to make a lovely cozy for it! Tea makes my life easier and warmer and is definitely a mood booster!


Yesterday I took some time off studying and went to shop for an album for my scrap booking (which I haven't done for quite some time). I bought two albums:

- one for our wedding pictures.


- and one for our honeymoon trip.


I am excited to begin the process, but barely have time to order the prints!
I have so many plans for that half a year break I am going to get in 2.5 month! Guess what I want to do? Take some classes in college. Oh yes. :))) Never a break in this life. But I am going to take the ones that I always wanted to: photoshop, photography, and web design! Can't wait!

That is all for now.

Eat Vegies!

Vegerables are amazing - they are God's little marvels. So today, while making soup, I could not resist taking some pictures! :)

When It Rains, It Pours

Here in Vegas, when it rains - it pours. Only it pours for about ten minutes and then in another ten, everything drys out. Have to admit though, we had some fabulous weather today!

Cream Of Mashroom With Julia

Yes, sure it is Julia Child I am talking about - inspiration for French cuisine lovers for decades. I can't resist her just like anybody else, and today it was cream of mushroom for dinner...


This dish is an advanture of its own. Not only it is extremely delicious, but also is fun to cook. If you are like me and love mushrooms, you will enjoy the delightfull smell of fresh ones, then simmered ones, there is also smell of butter, simmered onions, and more! A pleasure to taste and smell budds you will not forget!

So here is the recipe in case you want to indulge as well...
You will need:
1/4 cup minced onions
3 tbs flour
6 cups chicken stock
2 parsley strings
1/3 bay leaf
1/6 tsp thyme
3/4 to a lb white mushrooms
1 stick butter
1 tbs lemon juice
2 egg yolks
1/2 3/4 cup whipping cream

Wash the mushrooms and separate stems from caps. Chop the stems and finely slice the caps.




Melt 3 tbs butter (yes 3 tbsp, you know how she loves butter...) in a 21/2-quart heavy-bottomed enameled saucepan.


Chop the onions and slowly cook for 8 to 10 minutes until they are tender but not browned.
Add the flour and stir over moderate heat for 3 minutes without browning.
Off heat, beat in the boiling stock or broth and blend it thoroughly with the flour. Season to taste. Stir in the mushroom stems, and simmer partially covered for 20 minutes or more, skimming occasionally. Strain, pressing juices out of mushroom stems. Return the soup to the pan. Add the spices. (The stems can be eaten and are delicious!)

Melt 2 tbs butter in a separate saucepan. When it is foaming, toss in the mushroom caps, salt, and lemon juice. Cover and cook slowly for 5 minutes.
Pour the mushroom and their cooking juices into the strained soup base. Simmer for 10 minutes.
Beat the egg yolks and cream in the mixing bowl.


Then beat in hot soup by spoonfuls until cup has been added. Gradually stir in the rest. Correct seasoning. Return the soup to the pan and stir over moderate heat for a minute or two to poach the egg yolks, but do not let the soup come near the simmer.
Off heat stir in the 2 tbs butter (she says 3 tbs, but we all know how she loves butter, and for some of us it is too much! Plus it adds up to exactly a stick...) Pour the soup into a tureen or soup cups, and decorate with optional mushrooms and herbs.


Bon Apetit!

Bread and More Bread!

Ever since we got that bread maker we have been making all kinds of bread. It smells so delicious in our house all the time! Yesterday I made the perfect loaf of bread! Today I made one for my mommy.
So you already guessed that you will see lots of bread on my blog now. :)




In Ukraine bread is treated with respect and frankly it is a lot better there than here... That is why having a yummy loaf of bread is a mood booster for us.

Bread And Jumping Beans

Last time a couple of days ago I told you about our new bread maker, and promised to show you the results. The pictures do not do it justice - it was dark and the bread was still hot when we cut it so it looks chunky, but I got to say it was delicious! All I did was just through the ingredients. Next stop: chocolate bread!



Also my awesome mommy went to Seattle and brought me five little pets from their thrill shop. They are Mexican jumping beans and are adorable. I could not believe that they are actually alive, but they are. So cute when they jump around. Today I am giving them a bath as you are suppose to do once or twice a month.



That is it for now, got to go and do my studying again...