Category: <span>Life</span>

It is difficult to attribute our newfound fully-booked social calendar to solely having moved back to Philadelphia where we can enjoy friends and family. Perhaps Sophia’s own social life in which we’re her dutiful chauffeur and chaperone is what keeps us busy. The real answer is that it must be a little bit of both and it is weekends like this that give me a clear picture of what my life will be like for the next few years.

Just like my parents, my in-laws offered to come into town and spend a Saturday evening with the girls so that we could go out. We’d be crazy to say no and even crazier to deny them the opportunity to spend time with their granddaughters. We’d NEVER say no. Especially on a Saturday night. We grabbed some pub fare just down the street from our place with some friends old and new and had the best time. Company was good, but strolling to dinner and back was spectacular; We missed that while living in Maryland.

Another first for us was taking both kids to a museum. We are members at the Please Touch Museum and Sophia adores going so we finally decided to take the both of them. I loved the museum just as much as I enjoyed it in its old location when we took my now 11 year old nephew.

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Eliza was a very impatient shopper while Sophia was a thorough cashier. There was a bit of everything for everyone of every age including a pretty fantastic Alice in Wonderland exhibit.

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Sophia loved being a doctor and practicing all sorts of medical procedures on anatomically correct babies. Maybe she will grow up and become a doctor. A mom can dream.

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All the pretend play made everyone tired and hungry. I whipped up a batch of my sister’s fiesta salad while the kids decompressed at the crafts table. You needn’t be fooled, the kids don’t always (okay, almost never) craft this nicely. Eliza always wants whatever Sophia has and Sophia never wants to share anything even if she herself doesn’t need it this moment.

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We topped our weekend off with a wee bit of kid bowling at a good friend’s son’s 3rd birthday. This was her first time bowling and Sophia had an absolute blast. She loved renting the shoes and pushing the ball down. There was more time outdoors and more delicious and homecooked eats but far too much to recap in one post. This is just a gist of our busy and fulfilling weekend.

Cookery Flavors Life

I have to admit that the blogging has been a bit slow as of late because of, well, life, kids, Faberie. Busy, beautiful, bountiful life that has left not a lot of time for the documentation or retelling of all that living. Alas, having shed our winter coats we made space for our camera and endeavored to capture our everydayness.

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Good weather brought us out for the majority of the weekend. First up, Sophia and I picked up on our tradition from last summer when Eliza was just a wee one and took a leisurely walk through the neighborhood to a coffee shop. Over her chocolate bar with a glass of water and my coffee we talked about everything and nothing in particular. We lounged, people watched, discussed the artwork on display, and planned the remainder of our time out. I cannot tell what it was exactly that relaxed and invigorated the both of us except that the fresh air, the quiet humdrum of our neighborhood and our conversation were just what we both needed. I am a firm believer in giving each child individual attention and uninterrupted time.

My parents, as has become the usual, offered to share their time this weekend with us. Giddy with excitement over the prospect of cleaning our entire house and cooking, we gladly accepted. Both Evan and I have grown accustomed to the fact that they offer to come and spend time with us and the kids and aren’t waiting to be invited.

Sunday was the first day since we’ve moved to Philadelphia that we had a chance to clean the entire house from top to bottom without interruptions. Those who know me, know that I like to have a clean home. I love the fresh scented and shiny floors, clean baseboards, polished appliances and sparking counters.

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The warm weather helped usher in our spring culinary repertoire. We cooked light and delicious meals both new and old staples that pleased everyone’s tastes. First up were pan-fried eggplant topped with a garlic and dill dressing.

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These evoke unbelievable memories. I remember the very smell of our kitchen in Baku, the sound they made as my mom fried them and the amazing garlic aroma that emanated as the cool garlicky dressing hit the hot eggplant slices. They’re so easy, so delicious and so … home for me.

I could have made an entire dinner from these but alas, our little diners weren’t as keen on a one-course meal so we added in a pasta course.

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Simple and flavorful this dish took 15 minutes to make from start to finish and ten of those were inactive. Linguine, garlic zest, garlic juice, heavy cream, parmesan, olive oil and basil. Questo! The pasta wasn’t something that my mom cooked growing up, but maybe, one day my daughters will reminisce about playing by the kitchen and smelling the intoxicating lemon aroma while I finished the pasta in the sauce. Hopefully!

Cookery Flavors Life

I am ready for the weekend and it is too bad that I have to wait five days. Time seems to fly by during the weekends and especially when we are having fun. The weekend sort of started earlier than Friday afternoon but went by at warp speed. Firstly, there was my birthday which fell on Tuesday this year. The day of, I took as, what my job refers to, a floating holiday which is also, what my friends affectionately call, National Sass Day ;-). Among other things, there was a visit to Milk Bar. It was, needless to say, a busy day capped off by some Indian fare together with those truly responsible for the day—my parents. All that activity and it was just Tuesday.

The weekend approached and after a thankfully uneventful Friday evening spent at home, Evan and I headed on a date. This would be our second or third date night since Sophia’s birth (3.5 years ago). Needless to say we were very excited to get to spend an evening together in such gorgeous weather. So excited that I may have put on mascara and even accessorized. A brief stop at a speakeasy and dinner were just what we needed to remind ourselves that after nearly seven years of marriage, we have not run out of things to talk about and, more importantly, still make each other laugh like we did when we first started dating in … 2002. This, of course, would not have been possible had my in-laws & sister not come into town to babysit. Truly grateful.

Speaking of marriage and because the wedding season is fast approaching, on Sunday, I joined Evan’s family in showering a special bride with attention and gifts. I admit that I like weddings but am not always a fan of bridal showers. Mediocre food, terrible yet mandatory games and endless hours of present opening can make for quite a long afternoon. I have been to great showers as well as quite poor ones and this one was one of the best.

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Held at the Philmont Country Club, the shower was styled beautifully. Each table was accented with a gorgeous arrangement that would befit a wedding table scape in lovely greens and lavenders. The food and company were outstanding and even though I was joining Evan’s family for the event, I felt quite at home and part of the family. That got me thinking about families and marriage. I believe that you don’t just marry a person but that you also marry their family. In the case of Evan’s cousin who is marrying a beautiful girl (who also happens to be Russian), I can, with absolute certainty, say that she is marrying into a wonderful family.

Capping the weekend off was a beautiful Boston Cream Pie, Candy Land and various shenanigans from the tiniest of mischiefs that will melt your heart.

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Cookery Flavors Hubby Cooks Life Moments

Life

Kids’ musical voices and all the commotion

Bowlfuls of matzo ball soup and kugel

Macaroons and chocolate matzo bark

Afikoman and a glass of port wine

These are a few of my favorite things

The city is in bloom, the weather has turned, it is Passover and we are deliriously happy to celebrate. Friday and Saturday were our first Seders with our families in three years. We didn’t have the luxury to head home from Maryland and longed for the day when heading to a Seder meant just a half an hour drive. That day has come and, equipped with our home-made macaroons and chocolate-caramel matzo bark, we headed to my parents’ home on Friday and then to Evan’s on Saturday.

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The adults talked, the kids hunted for afikomen and together, we retold the story of Passover. My in-laws spoiled me with a home-made, kosher for Passover (a few days early) birthday cake.

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And even though I am almost, but not yet, a year older, I can honestly say that I don’t feel older or wiser for that matter. I simply feel content. A special thank you to my mother-in-law for thinking of me and baking a delicious flour-less chocolate cake with a cream cheese swirl.

Life Moments

I shouldn’t admit this, but until this past Saturday the last time we went out with friends was well over 3½ years ago. We lined up babysitters, cooked a home-made dinner, baked a chocolate babka, and ran ventured out on a very blustery end-of-March evening to spend some time with old friends. And after a few minutes figuring out what to do with ourselves since we didn’t have to entertain, hold, feed, or play with anyone for an entire evening, we were back to our old selves—just catching up and having a good time over good food & drinks.

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Back home, Sophia shared her all-time favorite cartoon (My Neighbor Totoro) with my nephew and they played together, chased each other, and even helped with Eliza. Later that evening while getting dressed for bed, Sophia declared that she wants “Alex to stay here ALL the time!” and so do we!

And as the expression goes, “when it rains, it pours,” and we continued our friend-themed weekend by hosting another set of dear friends on Sunday evening for a get-together and a playdate for our kids. Get-togethers used to be simple: wine, cheese, good bread, some appetizers. They still are relatively simple: hummus, veggies, pita chips, pizza, beer, wine, and mocktails. Except that, as I found out, playdates are like children: they require a a third, sweet course. Our friends offered to bring dessert and I couldn’t, and frankly wouldn’t, say no to dessert. Fully expecting brownies or some other one-mixing-bowl wonder, I was astonished to discover that homemade dessert was ice cream and not one, but two flavors.

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The highlight of the evening was seeing Sophia interact with her new friend. It was pure joy seeing their happiness in playing together, learning to share, understanding one another, and communicating. Though they started out shy, the girls were fast friends by the time everyone said their goodbyes. And once again, Sophia said that she wants her new friend to be here “all of the time.” I think we will have to schedule another playdate soon and maybe this time it will be our turn to make dessert. It will be difficult to match two ice-creams!

Life

 

Since we’ve become parents, we’ve swapped out Sunday afternoon drinks for gelato. No complaints though since the gelato in question was Capogiro which recently moved into our neighborhood in the form of Capofitto serving both their gelato as well as pizza and libations. Sophia chose dark chocolate and burnt sugar as her flavors and ended up preferring the burnt sugar over the chocolate. This is yet further evidence that she takes after Evan’s family and not mine. I cannot imagine anyone in my family choosing any other flavor over chocolate.

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Alas, with spring and school visits come colds and so we spent quite a bit of time with family on Saturday while Sophia was getting over a cold. And since sharing is caring, Sophia showered love her little sister with love and open mouthed kisses. Little Eliza is now a major grump with a runny nose, a fever and likely teething. Trying to keep her spirits up, we let her try a галета (galette) which is a basic biscuit cookie and something most kids in the USSR grew up eating from a very early age. I remember having them with milk or tea before bed. My mom used to steep one in hot water and mix with grated apple as a snack when we were little. I do the same thing for Eliza now.

wall_climberAnd since neither the weather nor runny noses were conducive to a lot of time outdoors, the kids have literally been climbing the walls. Spring, I mean proper spring, can’t come soon enough!

 

Life

Life

We forget our old lives, the roads taken to this place where we are now. And even if we try to look back and remember, we often find that the images are fuzzy. Trying to remember is valiant albeit futile. And while my heart flutters, the further time displaces and propels our lives forward, the less I mourn and the more sure I am that I am happiest where I am. Here and in the now.

Why the deep thoughts? Well, despite my otherwise bubbly personality, that to most casual observers will come off as a bit ditzy, there are serious thoughts that ruminate at all times. Evan says I have impostor syndrome and playing a ditz is a big part of that (according to him).

Big year, big changes, big realizations. My birthday is coming up. And yet again, I am nagged asked about what I want for my special day. Yet again, I don’t want anything because I don’t need anything. There are things I adore because I like pretty things and style. I love shoes and purses and beautiful jewelry. But they are all material things and, despite their luminosity and craftsmanship, are just things. They’re possessions that take space in your home and rarely, if ever, bring the type of joy that real life does. I am, in that respect, a lot like Evan. So in the end, all I want for my birthday is a date with my husband and some delicious cake with my family. And I happen to think that one of the most special things is to receive a call on the exact day because … you know someone thought of you and cared enough to remember.

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Food For Thought Life

Sometimes you need a few links to get you through the rest of the workweek…

  1. I love this beautiful faucet design. Water savings are an extra bonus.
  2. Nature, every so retreating from our daily lives is beautiful. These pictures highlight what we’re missing out on.
  3. On marriage and beautifully written.
  4. That cheesecake I made last weekend was based on this recipe but amped up.
  5. This is for you. You know who you are.
  6. The foods we will go crazy for in 2015.
  7. Isn’t everything lately about the kale & the bowl

Life