NAME THAT VEGGIE

I bought this yesterday at the market. Is it edible? The large green leaf makes me think it is. But to be honest, I keep wavering between some kind of broccoli/cauliflower mutation and a piece of undersea coral. It was only $3 dollars so I'm pretty sure it's either not good for me or not very tasty. Everything that is healthy or tasty is much, much more expensive in February in Moldova. Example #1, a head of iceberg lettuce at the grocery store $9.00

Speaking of Moldovan oddities: did you know that Moldovans believe the draft is deadly? One open window is acceptable, two open windows (and therefore a cross breeze will certainly kill. Women and little girls must NEVER sit on the cement (benches, ground, etc) as this will damage their reproductive systems. Walking barefoot is a death sentence (a myth I have debunked since birth) as is giving a child with a fever a cold beverage. My housekeeper and Russian teacher nearly had a heart attack when they witnessed me give a barefoot Anna (sick with a cold/fever) a sippycup of cold juice with ice cubes. They immediately switched to rapid fire Russian and proceeded to condemn my parenting skills. I tried to explain that I was quite certain she was not cold and that I didn't believe socks were really necessary, especially when we have heated floors!! They discussed my retort (again in rapid fire Russian), but judging by the amount of finger wagging and "tisk, tisk's", I think they remain unconvinced. It's ok, before they arrived in the morning I had both kitchen windows open...and they never knew.

Right before we left St. Louis, I took the older kids to a pottery painting place. I explained to William and Sophia that could either paint something very small and keep it for themselves or something larger and give it to grandma and grandpa. They both decided that they really wanted to paint something to give to grandma and grandpa....that is until we entered the candy store, I mean painting store. Once they laid their eyes on the "treasures" to be had. Suddenly William was trying to convince me that grandpa would really like a robot and Sophia was certain that grandma wanted a horse. They did keep their word, however, and "gifted" their treasures. I'm sure mom and dad have the robot and horse displayed in a prominent spot in the house.

It's nearly 1am so will end now. Hope you all have a great week. We are enjoying some unseasonably (I hear) warm weather. The past 3 or so days have been sunny (a first since I came back after Christmas) and in the high-mid 50's!!

~L