Posted on July 28, 2009
As I mentioned in my previous post, this last weekend was super special–a friend of mine from my college days came to town for a visit. I have not seen her for a few years. Since she has gotten married and had two precious girls. It is amazing how time flew by. I still feel like I am in my 20s, but the fact that my friends have kids that are walking and talking, and some of them are even attending schools, testifies to the contrary.
My friend Caroline was my and my niece’s roommate in college. My niece Luba and I attended same Christian college in Columbus, OH. There, during the first couple of weeks of school, we met Caroline. At that time Caroline was still looking for a place to live. Luba and I were already renting an apartment. We invited Caroline to stay with us until she could find a place to call her own. After a couple of weeks of Caroline staying with us it just felt right, like she really belonged there, so Luba and I chit-chatted and offered Caroline to become our roommate. Since then we became a family.
Luba and Caroline used to be the chatty roommates-there was always something to talk about. Being a full-time student and having a full-time job in customer service (banking) the last thing I wanted to do when I got home was to talk. I remember how they would insist I sit down and talk with them, but most of the times, after dinner and homework I was off to bed, while these two could talk into the wee hours of the morning. And let me tell you–they weren’t quite (time I got you back for all of that, roomies 
). Instead of going to Caroline’s room, which was separated from the room Luba and I shared by the living room, they would sit on the couch in the living room having their lively conversations. Once in a while I would peak out from my room and ask them to whisper. They almost always readily agreed. The moment I would get to bed, though, the whisper, within seconds would escalate to giggles and then laughter, and then, to what would seem to a sleepy, tired person, unacceptable volumes .
But that is in the past now. After 2 years in the same apartment we all drifted our own ways. I had roomed with another friend during my last year of college. Luba also had roomed with someone else from college, as did Caroline. However, the inseparable chatty duo could not stay away from each other–Luba and Caroline ended up as roommates again, until they both moved to Longview, WA.
Caroline, God bless her for that, moved to this tiny town to work with our youth and did a superb job. Many of the girls she mentored have become wonderful leaders, and some of them–wives and mothers. Caroline’s legacy in this town will not be easily forgotten. My family loves her as our own. But, don’t let me skip some interesting facts.
Caroline decided to take a trip to Israel one year. On that trip she met a man who stole her heart. They very quickly became engaged and a year later married. Caroline moved to Israel and started a whole new chapter in her life. Now she has two beautiful girls that are a spit image of her, and she is an excellent mother.
Caroline, we love you! We (I) are so glad to have seen you once again.
Caroline’s youngest, baby H*, is a cute living doll. At 16 months old she talks more than you would expect.
The gorgeous duo quickly stole Demetrye’s heart, although it looks like they found him irresistable as well. They demanded to be in his arms at the same time.
Can you believe this cuteness and these gorgeous eyes?! Look at these eyelashes…
Didn’t i tell you that the two can talk? Luba, on the right, with Caroline in the middle, and my sister, Marina to the right, still can laugh and giggle and go on chatting for hours. However, I can live through their conversations very easily now–I no longer room with them
Caroline’s oldest, H*, is a doll. The first time I saw her a few days ago, she came up to me and gave me a big hug. Within minutes she looked at me and casually said: “I am the BOSS!” I am glad that we established that very quickly 
H* is very quick to make new friends.
Caroline, you rock! I hope to see you again before you take off
Posted on July 27, 2009
How do you like my title? I thought you would love it. I did not full you with the title—I really have a confession to make.
Believe it or not, but there is more than one side to me… I am actually a self-acclaimed jack-of-all trades. “I Can’t” is not a part of my vocabulary. “I won’t” or “I don’t want to” is. But this is not what this post is about.
I love photographic amazing moments in people’s lives. There is not much I can compare the feeling of knowing that I preserved someone’s memories to. It’s a different kind of satisfaction. It is priceless to see my clients’ faces when they view their images for the first time. To make someone feel beautiful is an amazing gift. Oh, and by the way, I don’t believe that there are ugly looking people—only ugly attitudes. Some of the most amazing photos I have taken are of people who consider themselves “average”, and mistakenly so. But… this is not what this post is about either.
One of my other passions is teaching people all about whole foods nutrition—the one that gives you energy, preserves lives, reverses diseases as horrid as cancer and diabetes. But to teach others I have to practice the principles that I “preach” myself, which I do—I am a “practicing” high-raw vegan. “What is that?” you might ask. Vegan diet calls for all plant based ingredients only—no animal products of any kind. Being high-raw means that most of my food is consumed uncooked, leaving wonderful enzymes alive. Enzymes keep us feeling rejuvenated, younger, and more energetic, among other things… But, this is not what this post is about either. You can actually read all about this part of my life on my Nutrition Blog: Eat Healthy! Be Happy!
The fun part of this passion of my life is making creating amazingly delicious meals. I get to experiment a lot and amaze myself and others with my creations. Not only that but it allows me to meet people from different backgrounds, countries, and walks of life.
Over the weekend I was able to reconnect with my college roommate and a good friend. The last time I saw her was over 4 years ago. Since, she married and moved to Israel, and is now a Mom of two absolutely heavenly looking girls. They came to town a couple of days ago and yesterday I stole them away from everyone else so we could catch up on what is going on in our lives. And, you know that it had to happen over some good food.
There are people out there that I know that are raw vegan, or simply vegan, who accommodate their guests based on their guests’ dietary preference, be it good or bad. In my case I am who I am and I do not bend our house rule for anyone, unless food allergies are involved. I know it sounds harsh and almost heartless, but it is not—it is actually the opposite. First of all, when people come to visit me at my home, they are coming into my territory—my natural habitat, so logically they cannot [or at least should not] expect for me to change my life, or my diet just for them. Again, I know it sounds almost rude and cruel, but it is not. What my guests can expect is unprecedented care and hospitality. I will pull out all stops to make the feel at home—they can count on that. I will also make sure they are comfortable, relaxed, entertained and well-fed—they can count on that too. But they will NEVER, EVER find a shred of compromise in my life. That is a fair trade off in my opinion.
When I invited my friend, Caroline, and her two little girls over, I did not dash off to the nearest store to buy a pack of meat and cheese and other frills to make the dishes that I used to make for all of us while we were in college, in my pre-vegan life. Instead, I opened my fridge, pulled out all of my wonderfully fresh produce and got to cooking. I ended up with 6 dishes in an hour. How did I do that? I am so glad that you are curious.
I unashamedly recruited the help of everyone who crossed the threshold of my house. I created a menu in my head: 1 cooked and 5 raw dishes, and made sure that I had all of the ingredients for all 6. I, then, delegated different tasks, like shredding, peeling, chopping and blending to different people, while I worked on more specialized tasks, and tasting, which is a tremendously important and enjoyable part of cooking—right kinds of spice can make a dish or a wrong kind can destroy it or make it mediocre.
Here are the dishes that we (yes, I am saying WE) made:
• Potato Ravioli (I, and my sister Marina worked on it)
• Carrot Salad (my niece Luba and my hubby knocked this one out)
• Zucchini Noodles (I made the noodles, while Demetrye blended the sauce)
• Tomato and Cucumber Salad (my friend Courtney made this one, with my guidance)
• Apple/Celery Salad (I made the entire dish, but my guest Caroline stuffed the apples with salad)
• Banana/Strawberry Ice Cream (totally me, although Demetrye did prepare the strawberries)
The meal was delicious. Everyone was happy and NO ONE complained about the lack of animal products. The best part of our meal was that no one went into a food coma, since plant based, whole foods eating fills one up much quicker, and live foods, being rich in enzymes, ensure a more efficient easier digestion. It was a wonderful experience.
I normally do try to involve my guests, especially kids, in meal making, so that they can get excited about what they eat and will also realize that vegan living is fun and easy. But having 5 adults working in the kitchen with me was AMAZING, especially because I was the only expert on raw cooking in the room.
One of the shows that my husband and I enjoyed watching, when we used to subscribe to cable, was The Iron Chef. On the show there were a challenger and the Master Chef. They were given only an hour to compete and prepare the most delectable, best looking meals to determine who, indeed, is the master of the trade. After having worked with 5 sous chefs I can tell you that I am ready for my kitchen stadium experience! Bring it ON!
There are many more “secrets” in my life, and maybe one day I will tell you about them too. As for now, I wish you a Happy Monday, and a Healthy Life!
Posted on July 24, 2009
A couple of weeks ago I did a session for a fellow photographer and now a friend of mine, Jenica of Lemon Drops Photography. Jenica and her husband, Derrick, were celebrating their anniversary. I finally found time today to finish up images from their session. So, I have to warn you this post is loaded with images. They are all amazing and cover a range of emotions: serious, fun and all super-hot.
Jenica and Derrick are high school sweethearts. They married almost right after graduating from school, Derrick enlisted in the military (Thank you for keeping us save, Derrick!), and they were off to explore the world. They had lived in several places, but a couple of years ago (or maybe a bit more), Longview called their name, and they abandoned their beautiful life in Hawaii to move closer to their family. I am glad that they did–otherwise I would not have met them.
Jenica & Derrick, you guys were amazing. Thank you for letting me record such a special time in your life for you.
If you live near or in Longview/Kelso, WA area and are looking to celebrate a special time in your life there is still time to do it while days are sunny and beautiful. Don’t procrastinate and postpone it until “some other time”–life is to precious for that! Go ahead and shoot me an e-mail or call to schedule your session.
Posted on July 23, 2009
I wanted to share a sneak peak of the wedding I shot last Friday with Jenica of Lemon Drops Photography. The couple was absolutely gorgeous. I will post more images in a day or two, but for now please enjoy a couple of detail shots and a beautiful bride, Michelle, and her husband, Kyle.
The reception took place in Longview, WA at the beautiful Monticello Hotel.
