Beading Begun

I have officially started the beading and the rest of the other stitching - mainly backstitch.  

Sheepish

Yes, this is a tiny sheep toy.  I've got a thing for sheep toys ... and this one was soft, cute, and cheap.  

Odessa In Winter

At the end of January our travel ban to Ukraine was lifted.  We went to Odessa to celebrate.  All these photos were taken on a chilly and windy February day.  No snow, though, and it was still warmer than Chisinau.

The flowers below Richelieu are a tribute to the fallen in the war.  They've moved the memorial now, but I think it was fitting to have it there.

Seaside Present

This tableau is going to the US with us to be sent to someone who loves the water....

Almost July-ed

The flowers are almost done - just the bottom and the edge to go.  It's going to be done just in the nick of time.

Fortress Soroca

I think it's good that the people of Soroca honor their war dead from the Transnistrian conflict after independence.  They have made a little park on the main drag near the fortress.  These photos are from just over a year ago.  The fortress is now open and has none of the construction debris around it.

Cold Weather Bling

 These photos are from last Christmas.  It was very cold the night we took them, but it was clear and beautiful.  Most of Chisinau's lights are donated from Romania.  That's part of the reason for the mishmash.  It was gorgeous to walk through and see, though.