Россия праздник (Russian Feast!)

I translated that with Google so I don't know if its accurate...correct me, Russian enthusiasts?

A couple of weekends ago we had Alex, Olga, Kim, and Tyler (and baby Liv!) over for a Russian dinner. The first two are from Russia, recently married there and living in Durham. The second two served missions in Russia and are about to start PhDs in Russian. We wanted these couples to meet - turns out Kim served in the area where Alex is from and Tyler served in the area where Olga is from! Serendipitous, much?

We decided to celebrate Mother Russia with a feast and lots of good cheer. Here's the menu:

Chicken Kiev - lots of butter!
Vegetable oil, for frying
4 (6-ounce) thin cut chicken cutlets
10 blades fresh chives, chopped to about 2 tablespoons
A palmful fresh parsley, finely chopped to about 2 tablespoons
A palmful fresh dill, finely chopped, about 2 tablespoons
1 clove garlic, finely chopped
6 tablespoons chilled butter
1 cup flour
2 eggs
1 cup plain bread crumbs
A wedge lemon
Plain, round toothpicks

In a large, deep skillet, heat 1 1/2 inches vegetable oil over medium high heat. Pound out cutlets to 1/4-inch thick with a small heavy skillet or a rubber mallet. Be careful not to tear meat (if needed - we didn't need to). Combine chopped herbs on cutting board with chopped garlic. Cut 4 (1 1/2 tablespoons) pieces of cold butter (!!!) and coat each piece liberally with the herb garlic mixture. On 3 plates, set out flour, eggs beaten with a splash of cold water and bread crumbs. Uncover chicken and squeeze a wedge of lemon over breasts. Place an herb-covered piece of butter on each piece of chicken. Wrap and roll cutlets tightly up and over the butter cubes. Discard pie tins used for breading. Secure stuffed chicken with toothpicks. Roll stuffed breasts in flour, then egg, then bread crumbs. Fry the Kiev bundles 7 to 8 minutes on each side until deep golden brown all over.

Haluski
4 cups wide egg noodles
1/2 cup butter
2 cups sliced sweet onions, about 1/8 inch thick
2 teaspoons brown sugar
6 cups red cabbage, sliced thin
1 teaspoon caraway seed
pepper to taste

Cook egg noodles according to package directions, then drizzle with a bit of oil to prevent the noodles from sticking together and set aside. While noodles are cooking, melt butter in large deep skillet over medium-low heat. Add onion, sprinkle with brown sugar and saute, stirring occasionally for about 5 to 10 minutes, or until softened and just beginning to turn golden. Add cabbage to skillet, stirring well to incorporate with onion, and saute for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in caraway seeds if using, then cover, reduce heat to low, and let simmer for 5 to 10 minutes. Turn heat back to medium, add cooked noodles, salt and pepper, and stir well until noodles are heated though.

Russian Mashed Potatoes (c/o Kim and Tyler)

Apple Sharlotka and Russian Tea (c/o Alex and Olga)

April Fools' Backfire

So....

I decided to play a joke on Aaron yesterday. I sent him a picture of a pregnancy test with a positive result (I took a picture of my computer screen with my phone's camera) and said simply, "We need to talk." He responded with shock via text and some questions. A few minutes later I received a call and text letting me know, in his daze, he had gotten in a wreck! Not serious, but a fender-bender that ruined his headlight and bumper.

Yikes. Major backfire. Of course, I let him know if was a joke. He was a little miffed. :/

One Thing Needful

Read this article. Please. Especially all the beautiful women out there. It wouldn't hurt the guys either. Excerpt:
I believe we can find our steady footing and stilling of the soul by turning away from physical preoccupations, superwoman accomplishments, and endless popularity contests, and returning instead to the wholeness of our soul, that unity in our very being that balances the demanding and inevitable diversity of life...Often we fail to consider the glorious possibility within our own souls. We need to remember that divine promise, "The Kingdom of God is within you."

You might have noticed some common themes in my posts lately, namely a search for identity. I assume this is a common reaction post-partum for women. Our worlds become completely different. A friend Jess this week said this, "I just assumed I would still be myself after he was born. I didn't realize how different I would be. I didn't realize my brain would become hardwired to match his brain. I didn't realize he would be a part of me." How true. It snuck up on me, and I didn't even know it!

Mo's Mobilizing in Japan

"As disciples of Jesus Christ, members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints strive to follow the Savior’s admonition to feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, take in the stranger, clothe the naked, and visit the sick and those in prison. The Savior also taught that we are to love and care for each other and visit the fatherless and the widow in their afflictions."


The tsunami and earthquake diaster and devastation has been heart-breaking; the stoicism of the Japanese has been inspiring.

Upon wondering how my church is mobilizing in the wake of this diaster, I found this MSNBC article. The church's Humanitarian Relief Fund is another principle way that Mormons can help out.

On a related note - I was particularly touched by Yoshihiko Kikuchi's article in the March 2011 Ensign (monthly church magazine), The Healer's Art, published before the diaster. The article set my heart upon the people of Japan, as I'm sure it did scores of other readers. I couldn't help but think, Is it coincidence this appeared in this month's magazine?

A Lost Art

Last night I spent a few hours pouring over old letters, cards, and momentos from my childhood, youth, and young adulthood. It was invigorating to remember so many events and stages in my life, and I laughed out loud at how romantic and dramatic I was about everything. Most of those recollections came from my writing - I used to write, a lot. Poetry, stories, personal goals, memories, letters to boyfriends, letters to friends, letters to boys that I would never give them, and letters to myself. I had forgotten how frequently I wrote out my thoughts and feelings - very theraputic.

And, for your reading pleasure, here are some samples!

Advice Request for Teen Magazine - classic, right?
Dear Juli: I'm 13 and I haven't been kissed yet. All of my friends have. I've had plenty of boyfriends, but it's never happened. I feel so left out. I want to save my first time for someone I really care about. Is there something you can say to make me feel better? -Unkissed in Mississippi
_________________

Poetry writing instead of paying attention in class - I sound a little like a hippie

I am a sponge
Aching to soak up streets and laughs and prose
Spring myself to the corners
Being hit by the lightning of establishment, of belonging
Always searching
__________________

And...love poetry from a young innocent heart!

Weary head and bleary eyes
still spinning form a kiss
given hours ago

There is a swell of tears beneath me
My body is crying out for yours - its match
It cannot be calmed;

To comprehend this distance is madness

With every second I discover loving you
Fresh and begging
A dream that reached this world
Just for us

How, how did I ever find you?
What mercy granted and honor bestowed...
I am exposed, for you
Rewarded with a glance, a word, a thought
Millions of them flow together
To form every star in my sky

For so long love confused
Now it is pulsing through my veins
You are lingering in the air
Please stay the night, stay for all my life
________________________

These days, I ALMOST NEVER write letters and I NEVER write poetry or stories. How sad! There is so much contained in a letter compared to an email - the handwriting, the pictures, the use of space, etc. I miss this lost art of letter-writing. I hereby pledge to begin anew with letter writing and creative writing. I want the joy that comes from creating stories and images as you sift through your thoughts on paper.

Do you still write creatively or write letters?