Almost from the very beginning, my visits to Samara have included a Sunday afternoon dinner at the home of my friend Olga Starostina. The menu always includes homemade pelmini and homemade blini with several choices of fillings. In the past, her mom slaved in the kitchen and her dad entertained us with his stories. But they are both gone now, and Olga carries on the tradition. She and I share the loss of our fathers since we parted last year…causing tears at our meeting, but also fond memories binding us even closer as friends.
So here are some pictures of Olya’s feast – the pelmini, the blini, the samovar, and friends having fun.
Olga’s father Nicolai always pointed out the beautiful trees outside their flat–planted when they first moved there.
Everything looks so delicious. The tree is a beautiful reminder of Nicolai. God’s creatures will make wonderful use of that tree come spring. Olga just might find that tree to be a place to sit and think about her earthly father and God the Father of us all.
I thought nobody had those carpets on the walls anymore:) I LOVE the samovar (the tea kettle above), I had one in my office at work in Samara and used it several times a day:) Pel’meni in the bowl remind me of the ground meat I have in the freezer and the dough I have to make and really make a couple of hundred of those…lol It is so nice, Jeanette, to see you in all those settings! + I envy those people who have you right now and I don’t!:)lol
I am getting ready to fly…leave in a few hours! Can’t wait to see you Jeanette and do all the fun things that you have been doing…talking about the Lord, eating, and fellowship:)
Love ya!
Kasey