Learning ABCs.....

I can't beleive I am saying this now, but my baby girl will be going to school next year. Everytime, I would hear moms talk about schools, in my head, I was like "Oh, I don't have to think of schools for a while." Well I can't say that anymore. Someone asked me the other day, "What school Erika will be attending?" Yes, it is my time to think of it. She'll be 5 next year.

So as I had the school issue on my mind for some time, I've decided to start now teaching her as much as I can. Starting with ABCs, numbers, colors and shapes. How to write, pronounce and recognize. Since my priority for her is to know Russian as a first language, I've been teaching her russian, but now I will have to do both at the same time. Hopefully it wont be to much of a pressure for her. We'll take one letter at the time.

So grown up...

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Napa Valley, California!

I've been wanting to post these pictures a while back, but kept forgeting about it.

We've took a road trip, with another friends couple to Napa Valley, California about 2 weeks ago. The trip was planned to celebrate our= My hubbies 30th and My 26th Birthdays. I personally love road trips especially if joined by a fun people. This trip turned out to be lots of fun and definetly memories for life.

At first we've planned to stay a day or two in Napa, CA and then head to San Francisco, but end up staying in Napa for the whole trip and loved every minute of it. That little town has so much to see and taste. Starting with the different vineyard to tour, wines to taste and beautiful senery to see.

We've setteled in a gourgeous hotel in the center or Napa Downtown called "AVIA Hotel". Even thought it was a bit out of our budget, we still decided to stay after voting on it. The hotel is bearly 1 year old and the rooms were very relixing and well furnished.

The outside lounge had a fire pit, wodden swings and beautiful benches. It was decorated with lots of real plants and flowers. We would come out there with the delicious fruit parfaits and enjoy the sunshine.

Then there were furniture and art work inside that was absolutely gorgeous and drawn my attention.

The Chairs, Chairs and more Chairs. Every corner and room of the lobby was furnished with these beautful, rich chairs, sofas and loveseat.

Breakfast was to die for. The Yogurt with Fresh Berries Parfaits were delicious.

We were able to visit a beautiful Castello di Amorosa Castle Winery.

Taste some good wine. YUM

Do a picnic outside on the beautiful green hills of Napa California, with some aged cheese, olives, balsamic vinegar, bread, olive oil, salami and some good vine.

Visit shops, antique stores and art galleries.

In conclusion the trip turned out to be great and very relixing. I would do it again anytime.

Relaxed.

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Decorating Tips.

I've been given as a gift for Christrams a "House Beautiful Mazagine" subscription for a year from one of my husband's friends. (By the way, a very good idea for a gift). Always when I am at the checkout I would always glance thru them, to try to memorize good decorative ideas for my house. But the minute I walked out of the store, I would forget them. So now I have been getting this magazine every months delivered to my door and I get to reffer to it when ever I want.

As I was looking thru the new May issue, that I received yesturday, I came to realize that my house was missing lots of decorative details that are very important. So I began making arrangements, (while my husband was watching the kids). I began to move things around, putting extra details on the tables, and rearranging the furniture a bit. Even thought I love real plans and my house has at least 1 plant in every room, I came to a conclusion that I need some more, especially the once that are bloomed. My new rule is to have at least one center piece of bloomed flowers at all times.
Here is what I came up with:

Also found out something new about pillows.

"Pillows have to bring something new to a room scheme. A pillow can introduce an entirely new color, add graphic pattern to a room of solids, or layer on texture"

Since we've always had leather coutches, I always thought they look good without pillows. Then I found some cheap pillows at Ross store, that I though would look good on my couches. I am thinking right now I will be on a hunt for more pillows that could compliment my room and at the same time bring out something new and fresh.

Speacking of something new and fresh, I ended the day with crocheting this wonderful bracelet, that I actually wanna keep for my self. I am not big on jewelery, that is heavy and seems to be always in a way (especially when you are holding a 8 month old all the time.) So I actually gave up on big/ long neckleces ever since Abby was born. But this bracelet is very light, soft and my favorite colors. 

 

Crochet Hand Bracelet- $15

Also here is one I've knitted couple of days ago.

Knitted Bracelet with Buttons- $12

Interior Decorator...
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Welcome Sunshine!

This was a truely warm day outside. Something I've been waiting for a while. We all need to get outside and get some vitamin "D" especially us in the Northwest. So I was excited to dress kids into their short sleeve dresses and summer outfits and take a walk outside.

That day I was inspired to create something bright, and summery.

Flower Pins or Brooch or a Hair Clip.- $12

Red Flower Twist Pin- $5/ each.

Red Twist Flower Hair Clip -$5

Sunshine, Element Boutique.

Polka-Dot Peep-Toe Shoes

I've been trying to creat my own pattern to make these peep-toe shoes I've once saw online. There are many different patterns for kids shoes that could be found online or purchased, but I've been wanting to creat something of my own from start to finish. So I refused to buy the pattern and took several atempts to and long hours to create these from my daughter. I am not completely satisfied with the finish product, at least it fits, looks like a shoe and comfortable.

Trust me, I'll be twicking and turning the pattern to make it perect the way I want it to be, and be able to call it my own.
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Easter!

To keep family tradition, I decided to bake a russian Paska Bread for Easter with my older daughter Erika. She ofcourse was more excited about decorating it then the whole baking process. But it was a long time before we would be able to sprinkle the tops with those colorful sugar sprinkles. I'am not a big dough person and dont have much experience workign with dough. However the whole process of baking Paska Bread brought so much merories of my childhood. I am the youngest of 4 children in our family and this was by far one of my favorite things to do, was to help my mom bake and decorate.

On Saturday morning I got all the details from my mom oh how to bake the Paska and was excited to begin. This was a long, old school process and took me most of the day. As I remember, my parents used to collect cans from different can foods to have for the time of Easter. Well, since I've decided to bake this Paska Bread day before I didn't not have any cans at hand. I end up opening all kinds of canned foods just to have enought cans for my big batch of dough. I guess for the next couple of days, will be eating lots of canned foods including green beans, corn, chilli, condensed milk, and canned pineapples.

Erika was able to help me with every step possible. She was there sitting on the countertop and helping me with all the ingridience, and making sure everything was mixed and blended the way it supposed to be. She remined me alot of myself, being little and wanted to be such a big help to my mom. I remember my mom would give me a little piece of dough, so I could create my own little pastry.

Meanwhile, Abby was excited to not be interrupted from opening every drawer and cupborad possible. This is her new way of getting my attention and exploring the kitchen. Now that she get's up on her feet, she is able to reach much more things and get into stuff.

The dough had to raise 3 times, and as much as I didn't want to, I had to push it down to rise again. My sister kept on saying, how you have to warm up the whole house and keep it warm for the dough to rise.

After all the outcome was sucessful, (for days) house was filled with the smell of baked bread and I was satisfied with a freshly baked piece of Paska Bread with a cup of hot tea.

Happy Easter!

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