I want to share some real little peeks into our flat soon, but these pictures were taken by my sister Kyleigh on my family's first dinner with us. I love our house so much :) we are very thankful to have such a comfortable place! (Though I was telling my friend Hannah last night, if we ever live in another apartment again I want to be as close to the ground floor as possible, even though we'd forgo the pretty city lights at night. That's a story for another day!) By the way, that beautiful crocheted afghan was a wedding gift from Kyleigh that we found when we returned from St. Petersburg. Everyone would have been amazed if she'd unveiled it at the shower, but she quietly put it on our couch. We use it every day!


Six days until Christmas, and I hope to find the last of Joel's gifts before grocery shopping today, apart from perhaps some homemade ones :) For two days this week we will stay with my siblings in my old house (it always feels strange to say 'my family's house' and not 'our house') while my mom flies with dad. I'm looking forward to the special time with my siblings, and maybe we will make ice cream (another soon-post!).

Do you have any advent traditions?

Love,
Cait

our first thanksgiving

The Saturday after Thanksgiving Joel and I hosted our very own first Thanksgiving. I loved the busy day in the kitchen, and it didn't seem hard to get everything together. We invited some good friends from Russia with their new baby Bogdan (the star, see above ;) and new Kazakh friends. They seemed to enjoy all the dishes and had never had a thanksgiving before so if something had gone wrong, no one would have guessed! I said it before, but this really made our house feel cozy and homelike. It already was to the two of us, but that feeling simply quadrupled with a full room.

We learned about Russian New Year salad, Kazakh food and horse meat (they promised to invite us over but I might have to play sick), Grandpa Frost, and other traditions, as well as exchanging stories and reading together.
We had our Christmas tree up, and Yelena made the lights flash to entertain Bogdan.
Joel and I were so happy.

Love,
Cait

It is difficult to pick up where you left off, or to write an emailed reply, when there has been a gap of time or life has moved and changes considerably. I'm been content not to be on here (and regrettably neglecting emails) and so much has happened.
Little special days - one month of marriage, one year since our courtship (november 12th), two years since our meeting (november 21st), two months of marriage. We bought a table, hung pictures, bought a Christmas tree (and put it up).
We had our first married Thanksgiving with my parents, and last night had our first Thanksgiving in our own home. Denis, Zhanara, Marat, Yelena, and baby Bogdan came over for their first Thanksgiving ever. I had a lovely time making everything! (Though two little chickens substituted the turkey, since one wouldn't fit in our tiny, pretty oven) We've had guests before but it was amazing to see our table almost full, and to feel our house homey and warm. And one told me, "I like your house, I feel comfortable here." That is what we want, and what its goal is. Warm, comfortable, inviting, something that says home (and is also very colorful). And lots of talking (which also happened).
I love grocery shopping. And cooking, baking, making ice cream, curtains, keeping the cat happy. We got fish (tentatively named Miss Scarlet and Mrs. Peacock) and they need protecting.
These pictures are from our first morning in our apartment, after coming home from Russia. Boxes for tables and boxes everywhere :) It was very happy. And then reading cards a few days later, after going to my family's house (with it not being my home) for the first time to open gifts.

Have a lovely day; I'm going to get to the Thanksgiving dishes. See you sooner again!
Love,
Cait

beauty of a place

It's a lovely thing to love your room. Or your house, or your kitchen. Right now I have a room, and it is my favorite place, and what I could have called years ago a dream room (even though it's not pink and fairy-themed). I love the cranberry wall and Grandpa's olive dresser, and the chair that I can't sit comfortably in, and the art shelves and story-filled pointe shoes. It's scattered with gifts and old books, oddities and quirky color combinations. There are cards with wise words to memorize. In the afternoon the room is flooded with colored light coming through the curtains. (Isn't afternoon sun delicious?) I light all my candles and it smells heavenly (like Tyler Candle Company to be exact). I like the frame wall and the painting by Katie and the twine with pretty things clothespin-ed to it.

Blythe eyes, German monkey dolls; cat.

Bagpipes in a corner gathering dust. Cat hair everywhere. (Especially on the pretty chair that's made for taller people)

Peacock feathers, wax drippings, a painted marionette that lies with no place to display.

But a room is not a home, and if you have a home it needs to bless everybody, not just yourself. The most beautiful homes I've been to are the ones that are aesthetically lovely and personal, and also welcoming, warm, song-filled, pouring love and time and good food and purpose.


I don't have tea parties in it but a room is good practice.

Yay! More houses.

[norhjem]

the above is probably my favourite ever. [the city sage]

[bed of roses]