File Under: artists, celebration, celery puree with caviar, clementines, eleven pm party start, elf (adorable), Gluklya the Most Generous Host (thanks so much for inviting us!), fireworks, friendships (new and old), laughter (lots), painting, performance, poetry, presents, Prosecco, Pushkin, Putin, smoking, songs (from sentimental to singalong to Sufjan Stevens), sparklers, speeches, staircase (dramatic), Super 8,  tequila […]

As regular readers of this blog well know, there are few things we love more than a good flea market. Udelnaya, Russia’s biggest, certainly qualifies. But throw in a fresh snowfall, the Day-Before-New-Year’s-Eve shoppers searching for the perfect last-minute gift, steaming samovars, tasty lamb stew pirozhki, winter coats in every shape and color, communist-era Christmas […]

The video projector’s set up, the art’s on the walls, the Christmas tree is decorated, the PA’s arrived, the candy is out, there’s snow in an old pot to cool down the beer and champagne, the seating’s arranged, the coat rack and slippers are waiting… Let’s have a party!!! The Sound We See: A Saint […]

Sometimes even the sweetest of sweethearts need to go their separate ways. Known variously around here as Paolo Time, Free Day or just The Solitary Ramble, Paolo heads off to the hinterlands in search of controversial modern landmarks and ice-fishers while Lisa goes literary, exploring the last living quarters (and hat, plus wallpaper) of Dostoyevsky […]