Off to the Dacha

My timing today was exquisite. Not only did I manage to get to the market between heavy downpours, I also managed to get there when there where no other customers, so shopping was a delight.  I got lots of fresh veggies and fruit and will augment that on Sunday morning when Cindy and I can slowly stroll among the various stands at the Farmer’s Market.  Now that it is September, it is a much larger market with fresh fish, cheeses, meats and other things that the summer heat did not enhance.

Last night was the first time in a month that we were able to sit down and watch the BBC World News. It felt good to be back in visual touch with the news as opposed to the local papers and Internet. After the news we adjourned to the other side of the living room for proper cocktails. We have two sofas; one is a two person and the other a three-person/convertible sofa. When we arrived, these were each at opposite sides of the room leaving a huge hole in the middle. So I got the bright idea to place them back to back in the middle of the room. This gives us two living spaces, one for media and Cindy’s office, the other for intimate conversations and cocktails.  While I realize this arrangement will never win an award from Better Homes and Gardens, so far it meets our needs. At the risk of alienating Carole, the only interior designer I know, I’ve attached a few photos so you can see for yourself. You will notice lots of bare wall space. We can’t seem to muster any enthusiasm for purchasing pictures or wall hangings since we have so much stuff in WV.  We’ll go with the minimalist look for the time being.

Messy Media Area

Cocktails Anyone?

Reading Nook

Dinner last night was swell.  I found lots of fresh, really fresh, dill so I decided to make a type of Nordic meal.  I pan seared two mahi mahi fillets in a little bit of very hot peanut oil.  I had patted them dry and coated them with coarse salt and a grind or three of pepper. These fillets still had skin on one side, which I like since it holds things together.  I cooked, flesh side down, for about four minutes until it was very brown and crusted. I flipped it over for another two to three minutes and then added the juice of a fresh lime and a bit of white wine and butter to make a lovely fresh sauce.  I had made my famous tartar sauce, mayo, whole grain mustard, pickle relish and garlic, hours earlier so that all the flavors could come together.  I served the fish with hot buttered and dilled potatoes and a red beet salad and some of the best dark, dense bread we have ever had.  There is lots of dill left so I’m hoping Cindy will make gravlax this weekend.

I’m taking a special bus to AAS at 3:30 this afternoon and joining all the staff for a picnic. We’ll all be bussed from the school to the US Embassy Dacha, yep; even the Embassy has a dacha. It is about 30 minutes north of the school and I’m excited to see how your tax dollars will entertain me.  Since we won’t get back until about eight, I’ll send this early and without benefit of editing.  We’ll give you a full report, with photos, tomorrow. 

That’s it for now. Today marks the one-month anniversary of our arrival in Moscow and it has been exciting.    Cindy and wm