AWO Party at the Spaso House

Each year after our annual craft fair, which I think really should be called an art fair - it's more artisans and such selling their goods, the AWO (American Women's Org.) has a party at the Spaso House, the residence of the US ambassador. We thank our contributors and have a reason to get dressed up and have some wine! As I was on the Craft Fair committee this year, as treasurer of course, I even got recognized during the speeches. Who knew I'd be famous in Russia?

We had a great time this year and followed it up with dinner with a group of our friends.

Me, Meghna, Amber, & Carrie
(Meghna & Carrie's husbands work with Cameron as well)

Hook 'em Horns!

Dinner at El Gaucho

Thanksgiving in Moscow

Last year I got no Thanksgivings, so it only makes sense that this year I should have two! As we are in Russia, where they don’t celebrate the American holiday of Thanksgiving, Thursday was a work day. A work day which happened to be my last day in the office. Unfortunately Cameron was in Budapest this year for a conference, so I was on my own. One of the groups that I lead over here is called Moscow Meals, just a group of girls and their significant others (or not) who eat out on the 4th Thursday of each month. So, I planned November’s dinner to be a Thanksgiving dinner at Starlite Diner (think Denny’s but much more expensive!). They had a Thanksgiving menu which included Turkey, mashed potatoes, and pumpkin pie! My group dwindled down to 5 of us the evening of the event, and was very international – including a Northern Irish, Canadian, Mexican, and only 2 Americans! Even though they ended up running out of pie and didn’t bring our turkey for an hour after our soup, we had a fabulous time.

Thanksgiving at Starlite Diner
Me, Cara, Paola, Erika, & Ashleigh

Then on Saturday, we celebrated Thanksgiving again over at my friend Lindsey’s place. It was an afternoon full of familiar favorites, including Mary Ellen’s sweet potatoes and a homemade apple pie! Lindsey and I spent Friday night making the pie – I did the easy part of peeling the apples and let her do the hard part of the made from scratch crust and lattice work! We rounded out the evening with a few Bailey’s after the Guitar Hero sessions.

Thanksgiving Pie at Lindsey's

Lindsey & I

Lindsey, Amber, and I