All I can say is that archaeologists work up an appetite. I’m not sure if it’s the hard, physical labor, or being outdoors in the fresh (and alternating hot and freezing) air, or what. When it comes time to eat, most archaeologists don’t pack anything with much dazzle for lunch– hummus and pita, leftover pasta…
As adoptive parents, most of us have missed some of our children’s milestones. Whether it’s as brief as their first few hours on Planet Earth, or years of learning to talk, walk, eat, and dress, we sense the loss. When our first son came home at almost eight years old, I took pictures of everything: …
This one day’s breakfast would change everything. Hopefully. After attending an early-evening meeting, we had traveled most of the night, arriving to the dacha around 4:00 am. Naturally, the children had slept, after being plied by my husband (Guilty Party #1) with ice cream (Guilty Act #1) around 10 pm. By 12:30 am, he bought…
Today is Russian Christmas and there are a dozen semi-specific foods, along with designated table settings associated with the holiday (http://www.destinationsdreamsanddogs.com/russian-christmas/, http://www.destinationsdreamsanddogs.com/preserving-an-adoptee%E2%80%99s-culture-and-customs/). We do the kutya and have hay strewn across the table, along with a big white candle, indicating the Light of the World. Though it’s pretty much the same each year, this time,…
If one were a visitor to this country, I could only imagine what they would think when entering any grocery store this time of year. Stacked in every aisle would be piles of canned goods, but how were the ingredients to be used or combined? Gravy, green beans, yams, minestrone soup, stuffing, pumpkin, coffee creamer,…
Oh yes, it’s that Thanksgiving time of year when even those of us mere mortals hope to pretend that we’re Martha Stewart, the Pioneer Woman, or some other Domestic Diva, able to fold common table napkins into cornucopias spilling with the harvest of the season. It’s not gonna happen. Yet, we try. Our family’s goal…
Upon the occasion of Sashenka’s 12th birthday, I decided to take the girls to one of the oldest, continuously-operating teahouses in the environs. We would enjoy genteel conversation and dainty delicacies even if it killed us. Mashenka, our 14-year-old, immediately liked the idea. Sashenka, however, would probably prefer driving a Formula One race car off…
I am a vegetarian. For a few days, at least. But only under duress. And only with the occasional chicken, beef, or turkey thrown in for good measure. Preferably on a daily basis. I think it’s probably best for me to go the veg and fruit route. For general health, for the occasional creeping pounds. …
Sure, in our less sane moments, we’d all like to bring home a dozen or so children who need families. But there are realities, people, realities of life that we must address. So here is Alexandra to help you in your time of need, hopefully with a bit of humor. Better to laugh than to…
Happy New Year to our friends far and wide! Holidays are always special times at our house. Let’s just say that if there’s a chance for dress-up, prayer, and matzoh ball soup, I’m there. The children were so sweet. They prepared a list of conversation starters, thoughtful questions, as well as making toasts to their…
