20 November, 2006
Waiting for Thursday
This bird is still pretty frozen after being taken out of the freezer Saturday, so it will sit in the sink overnight. Yes, it is a HUGE sink where you could wash a dog and a kid and still have room!
Front Door delivery?
Don't we wish we had door to door delivery from Amazon.com in Astana, Kazakhstan? I didn't realize the boxes from the dumpster had migrated to the front door until I took this early evening picture (1st day after yesterday's snowfall.)
Anyway, we are grateful for our pouch system that gets us anything we care to order!
Anyway, we are grateful for our pouch system that gets us anything we care to order!
Fiddling with my camera...
I got this new camera a couple of months back and am still learning how to use it. It's one of those mini Casio EXILM ones that fit in your pocket -- blue metallic, too!
Candles? No, real fall pears. I must find out what "type" they are. Larissa came home from the market with them. Look lovely, but they are quite hard.
Candles? No, real fall pears. I must find out what "type" they are. Larissa came home from the market with them. Look lovely, but they are quite hard.
19 November, 2006
Guardians of the knitting cupboard
these beauties (Kazakh, Uzbek and Indian) are guarding the doors to the "knitting cupboard" -- a lovely piece of furniture where I literally threw knitting stuff into when I was unpacking. I'm almost afraid to open the doors, but must get going on something soon!
Snow!
It started snowing right before dark today (sunset: 5:19 pm) and now it's that gorgeous fluffy grated Parmesan cheese snow. The dog loved it. And it's still snowing. Will be interesting to see the first "snow removal" of the compound in the am.
And now .... snow/winter until March/April?
Sunrise tomorrow: 8:38 am. Yikes!
And now .... snow/winter until March/April?
Sunrise tomorrow: 8:38 am. Yikes!
Another fun blog: yarnstorm
I now have so many blogs to "look" at that I have them on a Blogarithm account to see when they all get updated. I don't often look at all of them, but like to see from time to time all the ones I have in categories.
A Fun blog that has fiber and cooking:
Yarnstorm
with a GREAT blog entry on "haberdashery" with lovely photos of old sewing items. Will have to drag out my Russian linen spools and see if I can take some photos.
A Fun blog that has fiber and cooking:
Yarnstorm
with a GREAT blog entry on "haberdashery" with lovely photos of old sewing items. Will have to drag out my Russian linen spools and see if I can take some photos.
Blogs: knitting and more
I continue to really love some of the blogs:
Irie's Fascinating Life and
Sock Pron
but am always finding something new, too:
Knitspot
Slipped Stitch
and some low carb blogs:
Weight of the Evidence
Kalyn's Kitchen
and one of the MOST fun and REAL eye candy:
paris breakfasts
I'm just procrastinating here: need to send a couple of e-mails, clean up the office here where I have things scattered on the floor, think about tomorrow (Thanksgiving prep stuff like shopping needs to get underway), think about a goodbye ladies event for Linda W, and .... grapple with my future knitting needs. I haven't had a moment of extra energy to dig anything out to knit -- not even relaxed enough to knit, sort of sad. Also still haven't looked at my new knitting mags that much. Sigh.
Irie's Fascinating Life and
Sock Pron
but am always finding something new, too:
Knitspot
Slipped Stitch
and some low carb blogs:
Weight of the Evidence
Kalyn's Kitchen
and one of the MOST fun and REAL eye candy:
paris breakfasts
I'm just procrastinating here: need to send a couple of e-mails, clean up the office here where I have things scattered on the floor, think about tomorrow (Thanksgiving prep stuff like shopping needs to get underway), think about a goodbye ladies event for Linda W, and .... grapple with my future knitting needs. I haven't had a moment of extra energy to dig anything out to knit -- not even relaxed enough to knit, sort of sad. Also still haven't looked at my new knitting mags that much. Sigh.
On the bookshelf, literally
From time to time I'll post photos of treasures on my bookshelves, including books!
These beaded slippers are made in Lebanon for Armenian priests to wear while serving Mass. A true treasure from friends.
These beaded slippers are made in Lebanon for Armenian priests to wear while serving Mass. A true treasure from friends.
Mail Call Eye Candy
courtesy of my "personal" shopper Laura G!
Spent the weekend trying to recuperate from the stress of having, it seems, someone in the house ALL the time fixing something (that should have been fixed in the first place). Finally relaxing this afternoon, looking at knitting blogs and listening to ITunes podcasts. Still no snow here and not that cold (famous last words, I'm sure).
Guess who came to lunch ....
The day was FUN. Lots of work, but worth it. The house staff will have stories for their grandchildren as the VIP came to lunch. Tons of guests with lots of congratulations -- yes, we can fit a LOT of people in that place. Gaz. brothers stayed around a long time, seranding and singing, and sang my favorite "Dark Eyes" po russkiye.
Had many thoughts about how to make this posting PC and all of that, so just decided to crib from the Embassy Website:
"President Nazarbayev and Ambassador Ordway Emphasize Strong Partnership at New Embassy Compound Dedication
More than 500 guests, among them President Nursultan Nazarbayev, Foreign Minister Kasymzhomart Tokayev, and Astana Mayor Askar Mamin, attended the embassy's long awaited dedication on November 14. Speaking at the ceremony, President Nazarbayev said the United States and Kazakhstan had achieved a high level of cooperation in international stability, energy security, nonproliferation, the struggle against terrorism, and support for democratic reform. (Link) Ambassador Ordway impressed the audience with remarks in Kazakh and Russian, describing the completion of the two year construction project as "a symbol of the two countries' friendship and strategic partnership." General Charles Williams, the director and chief operating officer of the State Department's Overseas Buildings Office, said the project represented $20 million in terms of investment in the local economy. The program of events began with the presentation of colors by the embassy's Marine Security Guards, followed by the national anthems sung by bass and alto impresarios Rafael and Zhalil Gizatullin, and performed by the Ministry of Defense's Zhas Ulan orchestra. Photographs illustrating the bilateral history were on display, as well as quilts sewn by craftswomen from Almaty and Astana, and artwork by Kazakhstani children. The "Sound 4" jazz quartet put the crowd in a celebratory mood."
And now, onto Thanksgiving planning.
Had many thoughts about how to make this posting PC and all of that, so just decided to crib from the Embassy Website:
"President Nazarbayev and Ambassador Ordway Emphasize Strong Partnership at New Embassy Compound Dedication
More than 500 guests, among them President Nursultan Nazarbayev, Foreign Minister Kasymzhomart Tokayev, and Astana Mayor Askar Mamin, attended the embassy's long awaited dedication on November 14. Speaking at the ceremony, President Nazarbayev said the United States and Kazakhstan had achieved a high level of cooperation in international stability, energy security, nonproliferation, the struggle against terrorism, and support for democratic reform. (Link) Ambassador Ordway impressed the audience with remarks in Kazakh and Russian, describing the completion of the two year construction project as "a symbol of the two countries' friendship and strategic partnership." General Charles Williams, the director and chief operating officer of the State Department's Overseas Buildings Office, said the project represented $20 million in terms of investment in the local economy. The program of events began with the presentation of colors by the embassy's Marine Security Guards, followed by the national anthems sung by bass and alto impresarios Rafael and Zhalil Gizatullin, and performed by the Ministry of Defense's Zhas Ulan orchestra. Photographs illustrating the bilateral history were on display, as well as quilts sewn by craftswomen from Almaty and Astana, and artwork by Kazakhstani children. The "Sound 4" jazz quartet put the crowd in a celebratory mood."
And now, onto Thanksgiving planning.
13 November, 2006
Getting Ready for the 14th
There were tons of last minute jobs ... the glue tape on the banister came off at 6:00 am before the breakfast on the 14th!
10 November, 2006
Count Down 'till Tuesday
when we have the dedication of the Embassy, 3 house guests, and a VIP guest at lunch.
The house has been full of workers, mini-blind hangers and more, and will continue thus through the weekend. I'm finally in my office/sewing room trying to unpack but getting diverted by listening to and downloading podcasts -- thank goodness for the GREAT internet connections.
Tonight we have an art exhibition to go to, and are also out at a Marine cake cutting ceremony dinner Saturday, and at the DCM's Sunday. Diet? Yikes!
The house has been full of workers, mini-blind hangers and more, and will continue thus through the weekend. I'm finally in my office/sewing room trying to unpack but getting diverted by listening to and downloading podcasts -- thank goodness for the GREAT internet connections.
Tonight we have an art exhibition to go to, and are also out at a Marine cake cutting ceremony dinner Saturday, and at the DCM's Sunday. Diet? Yikes!
04 November, 2006
Remember, Remember, the 5th of November
Guy Fawkes night and
Guy Fawkes
and why for the life of me should English school children all "learn" this nursery rhyme and why do I always remember it from my British School elementary days? Too funny. Must have been to teach a history lesson.
Remember, remember, the 5th of November
The Gunpowder Treason and plot;
I know of no reason why Gunpowder Treason
Should ever be forgot.
Guy Fawkes
and why for the life of me should English school children all "learn" this nursery rhyme and why do I always remember it from my British School elementary days? Too funny. Must have been to teach a history lesson.
Remember, remember, the 5th of November
The Gunpowder Treason and plot;
I know of no reason why Gunpowder Treason
Should ever be forgot.
Moved in ... just about
We're been in the new house now about 2 weeks. It's been the hardest and worst move of my entire life. The push has been to get "company ready" by Nov. 14 for the dedication of the Embassy. I'm down to fewer than 20 boxes to unpack, with lots of little things still to put away. I had lots of help, especially by the household staff who I swear each gave me 5 years of my life back during this time. The design issues of the place have been extremely frustrating.
Will post soon some pictures -- especially of the many good things about the house. We have a dishwasher upstairs -- Italian -- such a luxury! And a garbage disposal!
Will post soon some pictures -- especially of the many good things about the house. We have a dishwasher upstairs -- Italian -- such a luxury! And a garbage disposal!
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