A Favorite Winter Salad

Well, actually, it's a favorite all-year-round salad. I sort of threw it together one day last winter when lettuce was scarce, and it turned out to be a keeper. Since it uses napa cabbage, it's really helped to beef up our winter menu options. In my humble opinion, the combination of flavors is just fantastic. So here ya go!

Napa Cucumber Salad

• 4-5 cups napa cabbage, sliced thinly (or just eyeball the amount you want for your family)
• 1 large cucumber, cut into chunks
• 1 large tomato, chopped
• 1/2 red bell pepper, chopped finely
• 1 apple (of a sweet variety, like gala), cut in bite-size chunks
• 1/3 cup almonds, toasted and chopped (don't skip the toasting, it makes this so good!)
• Ranch dressing to suit (I use the homemade version below)

Toss the veggies, apple and nuts together in a large bowl. Add dressing and stir to coat. Serves 6-8.

Homemade Ranch

• 1 1/2 cups mayonnaise
• 1 tsp. apple cider vinegar
• 1/2 tsp. dried parsley
• 1/2 tsp. dill
• 1/2 tsp. dried green onion
• 1/4 tsp. garlic powder
• 1/8 tsp. each of salt and pepper
• water to suit

Combine all ingredients, adding enough water to reach the desired consistency.

Enjoy!

Before and After!

Before...

After...

Belated Birthday Cake

When Rebekah turned 4 a couple of weeks ago, she and all the girls were fighting a horrible cold. I couldn't bear to give them a lot of sugar, so we made a simple apple dessert sweetened with honey for the occasion. However, I promised Rebekah that once they were all better, we would have a special cake, as the girls always look forward to this when their birthdays roll around.

So on Thursday, they helped me mix up the batter and bake the cake. Yesterday, while they were down for rest time, I decorated it. It was a simple idea that went together so fast and was composed of ingredients that I had on hand.  My girls are crazy about animals, so this was a great match all round.

Music Class!

We put a giant music staff on the girl's wall, to which we'll add notes as we go. Josh had the brilliant
idea to use electrical tape. :) 

Wearing our "special music glasses", which we used to find "D" on the staff and on the piano.

Holding their "D" posters!

Saturday Snippets

1. Christmas in January

Christmas in L'viv. The stately Opera
House behind the tree.

That's right, it is Christmas time again! Ukrainians celebrate Christmas on January 7th, so all of L'viv is hustling and bustling in preparation and celebration. Today I had a fun walk through the downtown area, which was decked with lights, trees, and a Christmastime bazaar. Ukrainian Christmas traditions are similar to many of our own, including special foods, caroling, gathering with family, and honoring Christ's birth.

A view through the bazaar, toward the Opera House.

Christmas shoppers and vendors

When the Soviet Union was in power, Christmas was a forbidden holiday in this area, as it did not support the pervading atheist propaganda. Due to that, holiday celebration and anticipation was centered on the New Year, with gifts being given, trees decorated, etc. When Ukraine gained independence and returned to widespread celebration of Christmas, the day was distinguished primarily as a tribute to the birth of Jesus, while New Year's retained its former holiday fanfare. As a result, people here still put up "New Year trees", and purchase "New Year paper" to wrap their "New Year gifts" in. It sounds kind of funny to our ears, but in a way it is nice to have those things separated from the celebration of Christ's birth. Neither is there talk of Santa on Christmas Day. Christmas is entirely a religious holiday, although St. Nick does make an appearance earlier in December. The 19th is celebrated as Saint Nicolas Day here, on which children receive gifts from parents and other close friends. This would probably be the closest thing to our Christmas morning.

There you have it--your Ukrainian trivia for the day. ;)

2. Coffee with a friend

Every week, without fail, Joshua sends me out by myself for some time away from the kids. (Have I mentioned what a wonderful guy he is?) I usually get a cup of coffee and sit quietly reading, planning for the week, or collecting my thoughts. This week however, I had a great time catching up with my friend, Krystia, at a dessert cafe. She is married to Igor, has a precious 2-month-old daughter, Eva, and is a wonderful believer from our Ukrainian church group. She is an encouragement to me!

Krystia and me on Ukrainian Christmas Eve

3. Nicolas Nickleby

I loaded up my iPod with 34+ hours worth of Charles Dicken's, who has been an entertaining companion thru food preparation and household chores. (Whenever I don't have entertaining little girl companions, that is!) In the moments when the kids are asleep or occupied, I've enjoyed the story of this young man trying to make his way in life against great odds. Thwarted by a stone-hearted, avaricious uncle and a cruel schoolmaster, Nicolas must not only protect his own honor, but also act as the lone defender of a beautiful sister against the advances of a rich and profligate lord. And I'm only halfway through the story! He is a hero you can't help but root for.

4. The Pertussis saga...over the worst.

Pertussis (Whooping Cough) certainly has its challenges, but by far the hardest part is the fact that it stretches out for such a loooooong time. After weeks of being up nights, hosting little sleepers in our bedroom, administering remedies, staying at home, and praying, it would appear that we are finally over the hump. All the kids still have an occasional bout of coughing, and probably will for a couple months yet. But the worst is over at last and we are returning to normal. We are so grateful for all of you who prayed with us through this tough season!

5. New Year's, new goals

I love the chance the New Year offers to set goals and plans, to bring closure to old things and start on new. Among other projects, we have been easing back into a school routine with the girls. One of our new "classes" this semester is going to be music awareness. I'm having a fun time planning basic music concepts to teach, such as rhythmic patterns, recognition of notes and names, location of notes on the piano,  beginning sight reading, and singing.  We've ordered a basic set of children's handbells, a small glockenspiel, and some noise makers to begin making music with. Can't wait for them to arrive!

Don't these look irresistible?

"Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee." (Psalm 63:3)

Of Christmas Clean-up and Scrooge

Photo, courtesy of Robert Doucette

As wonderful as the holidays are, they seem to bring along with them a truckload of food preparation, house cleaning, picking up, and reorganizing. It's almost enough to tempt one to a "Bah! Humbug!"

Almost, but not quite. ;)

A couple of days ago, I took a break from the piles of stuff and mound of dishes long enough to download this wonderful, free audio of Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol. Even if you aren't a lover of Charles Dickens, as I am, I defy you not to be entertained by this story! Not only is the tale a timeless classic, but the narrator should win a prize for his performance in this rendition.

Personally, listening to audio books or sermons helps my work hours be that much more pleasant, and even sometimes anticipated. ;) This book definitely had that effect. In fact, I could see it becoming a yearly tradition.

So, if you've got a chunk of house work waiting, or plans to sit in the car traveling somewhere, you might consider checking it out!

I daresay you'll heartily enjoy it! ;)

Our Month in Photos

Vinegar and water makes for an effective
and kid-friendly cleaner!

Helping Mamma rid the house of germs!

Favorite pastime, for all parties involved.

Friends from church sent us a card, with stickers!

The girls love table activities.

It's that time of the year!

Decorating was a breeze with these two around!

A bright spot in our house.

This flannelgraph has been a favorite.

Chasing away sickness with lots of fluids!

Zoobooks are always a hit around here!

Making a manger with dry spaghetti and craft sticks.

It was quite fun to eat the spaghetti, too. 

Our first light snow

"Hi!"

"Hey! Watch where you're aiming that thing!"

Simple things often provide the best entertainment.

Silly girl.

New chicken recipe with pecan rice. Mmmm.

Sister snuggle time.

Goodbye!

Favorite Christmas Tunes

I think Christmas music is great! On the whole, it is beautiful, nostalgic, uplifting, and full of truth. At our house we began listening even before Thanksgiving this year, and it has helped to counter the winter blues. So, I thought it would be fun to share some of my favorite picks of the season.

I realize that people have a varying array of opinions, preferences, and convictions with regard to music.  The following is simply music that I enjoy, and that I listen to in good conscience. If this music doesn't appeal to you or fit within your criteria, that's ok. I still want to be your friend. :)

You can find the first three of these albums on grooveshark.com, where you can listen for free!

Celtic Woman, A Christmas Celebration
Josh found this album several years back, and it has remained at the top of our favorites list ever since! These ladies have some of the most angelic soprano voices I have ever heard, and their arrangements are refreshing and stunningly beautiful. You'll also find a lot of interest in the background accompaniment, primarily in killer fiddling and deep cello.

Fernando Ortega, Christmas Songs
I find Fernando Ortega's compositions to be beautiful in their simplicity. His arrangements of familiar hymns are unique and add a lot of interest. I do not own every song in this album, as 2 or 3 of them did not appeal to me. I think the rest are winners, though!

Josh Groban's Noel is a new acquistion as of this year, and I'm so glad I got it! He is well-known for his beautiful tenor/baritone voice. These pieces are primarily choral in style with a little bit of pop thrown in. I nixed one of them, but have thoroughly enjoyed the others.

I really love a song that makes me tap my feet because I just can't help it! Smoky Mountain Christmas album does just that. I have even been known to grab a toddler or baby and start dancing around the room to one of these fiddle pieces. Great inspiration for house cleaning.

Some Charlie Brown Christmas Cheer

I heartily enjoyed watching this! It brought a big smile to my face after a long day.

Happy Fall!

Winters here in Ukraine can get pretty bleak, so I am basking in this while I have it!

View from our 10th story balcony windows.

Outside my kitchen window.

It's been a beautiful fall. Thank you, God!