In
order to party at home, both Lenas had to stop and pick up appropriate
supplies...
...and
a cake to celebrate whatever the occasion was for that evening!
Lena
Heater proudly shows one of the souvenirs which Lena (Snider) had bought
on their shopping trips.
In
this photo, Lena hugs the artist from whom she had previously purchased
a carved wooden picture of a temple.
This
is the artist who did the huge framed oil painting of a Russian snow scene
which is hanging above their heads.
Lena
Heater had thoughtfully purchased this beautiful painting as a gift for
us to hang in our home.
The
artist personally signed his work of art on the reverse for us.
While
Lena also loved these oil paintings of cats, she knew that we were running
out of space to hang more decorative art in our home.
Want
a whole fox fur rather than just using part of it for a hat (or 'shapka")?
Lena
'joined' a group of women who were dressed in traditional Russian outfits
and were singing for contributions.
These
were some new Russian dolls that Lena loved and just could not pass up
bringing home. (She bought the 3rd thumbnail on this page.)
If
you're going to drink, you need to plan ahead!
Bella
went to the theater with Lena
and both of them were impressed...
...with
some of colorful artwork in the theater's entrance which depicted scenes
from Russian fairy tails.
Lena
and Sonya went to the huge outdoor International Exposition Center to
look for some souvenirs. There was a miniture...
...train
which gave children...and tired ADULTS...rides around the grounds.
Sonya
poses among the flowers in one of the many beautiful gardens for Lena...
...and
Lena got her photo taken in front of one of the huge fountains.
A
massive bronze "Star" from the era of the Soviet Union still
stands on top of this building.
Lena
waits for "Heater Lena" while she makes a cell phone call before
they stop for lunch...
...in
Lena (Snider's) favorite restaurant that features Russian cusine.
A
trip to Moscow would not be complete without visiting Sveta
and the apartment complex alongside a lake where Lena lived for many years
(before she moved in 1997 to her current Moscow apartment).
Behind
Lena is the apartment complex where Sveta
still lives...
...and
her apartment's window overlooks the lake. Sveta
has really gotten into interior GARDENING and she has beautiful...
...potted
plants to add color and decor to her apartment.
