Hoping for a "snow day"...

It's cold enough and the past few days we've been "teased" by lots of flurries.

Sunday after church, we had a lovely Ёлка, which literally means "fir tree," but means "Christmas party" to most Russians. Дед Мороз, "Grandfather Frost" comes with Снегурочка, "the lovely Snowmaiden" and the children recite poems, sing songs, dance, played the piano, etc. and he gives them each a little gift at the end! Everyone brought really scrumptious food. Speaking of which, I want to share a simple recipe with you:

Галубцы or Cabbage Rolls

(This lovely photo is from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cabbage_roll)

2 lbs. ground beef
3/4 c. cooked rice
1 lg. egg
1 onion, chopped fine
1/2 tsp. salt & pepper
1 large head of cabbage
1 jar tomato sauce
1 can (14.5 ounces) tomatoes
1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
salt and pepper to taste

Remove leaves from head of cabbage gently, trying to keep whole. Mix together ground beef, rice, onion, egg, salt and pepper. Place about 1/4 cup meat mixture in center of each leaf; fold in sides and roll ends over meat. Place in Crock Pot. Combine tomato sauce, tomatoes, cinnamon, salt, and pepper; pour over cabbage rolls. Cover and cook on low for 7 to 9 hours. Serves 6 to 8.

Thanks to my friend, Marina, for telling me how easy it is to making in a crockpot!

Olivia is in the cream dress on the right. My niece Juliana is in the light pink on the left and you'll see Emma for a bit, too, in the red and white velvet dress! She loves to dance, but I think she was a bit overwhelmed by it all. Kyra is wearing dark pink, one Ella is wearing turquoise, the other Ella in a Christmas plaid dress and little Michael the orange sweater...most of them are in my Sunday school class. So cute, eh?

Is there a secret to rotating digital videos? We've taken a few videos using our camera, but vertically...so, I need help. Anyone? Hannah played the piano beautifully, but the video is vertical!