Sherri had a little lamb…Shots for Jesus…and I can stand!!!!

Our Muslim hosts are extremely gracious and like good Protestants, they look for any reason to have a dinner party. We are not sure the translations are coming through correctly but apparently yesterday was the Muslim holiday where they honor those who have committed suicide? Apparently the traditional way to celebrate a Muslim holiday is to cut a lamb. I don’t think this is like cutting a steak into bites but more like cutting it’s plans for tomorrow a little short. Cutting the lamb is a big family event where all gather around and enjoy the activities with much frivolity, various sorts of spirits and lots of sweets. Kind of like a birthday party but the guest of honor does not get to go home. If you don’t already know, lamb is on Sherri’s no can do list so we were OK not to have been invited to participate in this ceremony.

Today was the big Christian Holiday for the year. When we asked what Christian holiday it was Rose told us it was for the tri (three) the atyets (father), son and the “other guy”. We were fine with filling in the details using our imagination and getting on with dinner. At home when we have 9 or 10 people for dinner we have to get out the extra dishes, the leaf for the table and bring up the chairs from the basement to make sure everyone has plenty of room. When you only have one room and one small table you just do what you can. Our little kitchen table is about the size of a card table but today there were 9 place settings squeezed in tight with small dishes and glasses. The family sized meal centered around a massive plate of noodles, chicken and some greens on top to make the traditional Kazakhstan dish that we can’t remember the name of but it was very good. We are told that this dish is normally served “with cow” but for us they were kind enough to substitute chicken. Adding to the table were various salad choices including stalichniy salat, a Kazakhstan version of German potato salad. To get the religious festivities started off right I was asked to open the new bottle of cognac. There is a prize in every box of cracker jacks and in a similar fashion there is a prize in the cap of every cognac bottle. So Sherri has a new three stone diamond ring from the Marcela bottle. We are no experts in the spirits but we had always thought that cognac was for sipping. Each shot of the strong libation was preceded by a toast from our guests wishing us much happiness and a speedy court hearing for Jacob Miras. Like dinner at grandma’s, Rose ensured that all of us were sufficiently over-served with both cognac and food. After a short rest period where the little girls entertained the crowd dancing to some of the hip-hop music on our computer, it was time for dessert and tea with milk. Today is the Sunday of Memorial day and at home we are sure that there are families squeezing in around the kitchen table eating, drinking and having a good time together. Several continents away, 11 time zones apart, separated by different language and religious choices we find that daily life is not really that different from our own.

Much to our surprise, Jacob was in a wonderful mood today. However, we did find one of his buttons today. He has a little cold and those of you with kids know that means he will occasionally do a walrus impersonation. Trying to wipe his dirty little nose elicits an entertaining little shout of protest. In our family, we like to say “find out what they don’t like and do it to them”. Wiping his nose goes on that list. Not only was he as cute as ever today with his funny little hat, but we finally caught him on film standing on his own. Clearly he is advanced and may soon be giving JC a run for his money. Speaking of JC, it is apparent from this picture that he is suffering the same level of separation anxiety as we are. The boy is going to be hard to keep down on the farm after spending time on the Marine base with Uncle Eric playing on the AMTRAKS and watching the Marine Jets take off and land. Apparently he has now switched over exclusively to Spiderman flip flops from Mom’s fancy slippers so the manning up is going well.

Happy holidays at home and thanks for following along.

Tim and Sherri.