A CALL TO THE UNIVERSE

A few years ago, I came across the mystical prayer "make the invisible, visible." And ever since then, I have practiced it whenever I'm outside among nature's bounty. It may sound silly, but this simple and brief invocation has really worked wonders for my senses and ability to become aware of nature's lessons and mystical web of details.

Yesterday was no different, while my partner and I hiked through an ancient rainforest, hanging with moss and ferns, on our way to Tonsina Point in Caines Head State Recreation Area near Seward.

As we hiked and once at water's edge, I put out a silent call to the universe, and waited as the wonder unfolded within my senses of sight, smell, hearing, and feeling.

Tonsina Point on January 28, 2017

The heights of the spruce and fir trees struck me like never before. Their towering trunks and canopies reflected the firmness and majesty of the mountains that they grew out of. 

The textures of dead trees, their inner workings exposed and folded in intricate ways, exuded such complexity and subtlety of color. 

The raindrops hung from the tips of evergreen needles, decorating the woods and trails in sparkly curtains. 

The snow, oh that white wonder and solidarity of the universe. It humbly folded beneath our feet, pressing deeper into the soil, while allowing us to pass through its pearly gates. 

Alaska's waters, what more needs to be said? 
Their purity, power, and reflection of wind's motion are at once soothing and mysteriously out of reach,

continually exposing deeper and deeper revelations. 

And there they are, the body of Mother Earth reaching out to Father Sky. 

The ancient, the sacred, the grandmothers of HERstory, 

at once swimming among the clouds and growing out of Earth's core. 

When their peaks are covered in alpine glow, surrounded by clear blue skies,

one can only stand still and stare, 

catching a glimpse of the divine.

Happy communing with Mother Earth!

~Modern Akhmatova 

REMEMBERING

Remembering those who fought, sacrificed, and paved the way forward, 

for the betterment of all life on Mother Earth

Remembering those living today, 

who are suffering, or feeling scared and voiceless

May we have the awareness of history, 

strength of vision, 

and love for all life

To come together in solidarity,

and to work toward bending the arc of the moral universe 

toward justice for all that lives on our beloved Mother Earth

~Modern Akhmatova

ALL IS MERRY AND BRIGHT

Family hanging out.

During my family's Christmas celebration this past Thursday I was reminded that the

"Universe gives us everything we need." 

As I reminisce on that day, a number of images weave themselves in my mind's eye:

- My Mom kneading, buttering and baking Serbian "pogaчa" (a sort of pastry-like bread) that morning

My brother-in-law and eldest brother getting the holiday meal ready!

- Arriving at my sister's house to half a dozen people opening the door, smiling and wishing us a "Merry Christmas"

- My five nephews' and nieces' anticipation and sweet impatience to start opening the gifts

- Pouring our homemade eggnog for the family, the sound of clinking glasses, everyone saying "cheers!" and "жiveli!", and the subsequent "oohs" and "aahs" at the deliciousness 

- Seeing my SO (significant other) running around the backyard, playing frisbee with the kids, his Mom and the dog 

Frisbee time!

- Getting to sit at the "children's table/the coolest/funnest table" for the holiday lunch

- The absolute mayhem of paper tearing, endless smiles, "thank yous", and hugs and kisses that ensued with the gift opening extravaganza 

- My sister-in-law and niece asking me in their animated way if my SO and I "REALLY did make the Nutella" that was part of our gift for everyone

- Going on a walk with my youngest nephew, niece, oldest brother and SO

- The whole family hanging out in the living room by the fire, while Skyping with relatives in Serbia

- Watching my youngest niece play with a new toy she really, really liked and wanted to show everyone

- My youngest nephew having the grandest time playing with one of the empty holiday bags 

My littlest nephew found the best gift! 

The entire day was made up of so many beautifully simple and precious moments that speak to the beauty and wonder of families and the quality time we spend together. To me and my SO, this is the essence of holidays. 

Merry everything!

~Modern Akhmatova

JOYOUS GIFT MAKING

As I returned home from a brisk afternoon bike ride earlier today and opened the door to our home, I was embraced by the exquisite smell of fresh baked dough. My significant other (SO) shouted from the kitchen "Just pulled the pizza out of the oven." I took off layers of winter clothes and walked over to him, smiled and said "There is truly nothing better in winter time than coming home to the smell of fresh baked dough." 

I truly meant this and it's because this is how I grew up in Serbia with my Mom's incredible cooking that made our small home so warm, cozy and loving. Ah, the sweet memories of childhood.

But they don't have to remain in our childhood. 

Last year, right around this time, my SO and I embarked on an epic "baking extravaganza." We actually started planning as early as October, but spent five weekends leading up to Christmas baking 60 DOZEN COOKIES (740 cookies to be exact). :) We really wanted to make our own gifts for our loved ones and found inspiration in what Grandma Bernie used to do. She is my SO's 94-year old grandma who used to bake 100 DOZEN COOKIES every Christmas! We tested a number of recipes before settling on the ones we loved the most (complete list of cookies is at the end of the blog post), both old and new, and those that we grew up on, like Grandma Bernie's Banana-Chip bars and my Mom's Vanilice, Baklava, and Strudla. These were going to make up the cookie baskets that we would then give to our loved ones in special holiday tins that Grandma Bernie used to use to store her cookies. 

Vanilice

Banana-Chip bar

Strudla

With our recipes in place and a Google spreadsheet to track all of the ingredients we headed to COSTCO on our two bikes and a "child" trailer. We biked 6 miles to COSTCO, filled our three bike baskets and trailer with 100+ lbs of groceries. SO biked back while pulling the trailer with 90+ lbs of groceries home. We even made a rest stop at a park on our way back and ended up having such a fun and relaxing time. No need to fight over parking spots at the mall or get stuck in traffic! We loved it :). 

Our awesome wheels and "child" carrier :)

So we didn't quite plan for everything, like where and how we would store 740 cookies for an entire month leading up to Christmas. CRAIGSLIST to the rescue! We bought a giant chest freezer and the problem was solved! :)

Throughout the month we listened to lots and lots of Christmas music (e.g. Diana Krall, Frank Sinatra, She & Him, and not so classy (SO's choice of course) Aqua Teen Hunger Force) danced, enjoyed the snow, drank, took pictures, and enjoyed every moment of baking for our family and friends. 

At the time, we hoped that our efforts would continue grandma Bernie's tradition in the family for years to come, and while we had an awesome time doing this last year and will probably do this again later on in our lives, we decided to do something a little bit more low key this year! To be revealed...after Christmas of course. Hint: our kitchen is already starting to smell SO good! ;)

Happy Joyous DIY Gift Making!

~Modern Akhmatova

COOKIES WE MADE:

1. Sour Cream Raisin Bar 

• A sweet and sour juxtaposition of raisins in sour cream sandwiched in an oatmeal crust. 

2. Hungarian Raspberry Pastry

• A superb combination of raspberry jam and walnuts set in whipped egg whites baked on a shortbread crust. 

3. Banana Chip Bar

• A delicious combination of chocolate and banana flavors, and when properly baked is still a bit moist.

4. Strudla

• A classic Serbian dessert. A delicious combination of sweet poppy seeds and raisins rolled into a doughy crust.

5. Vanilice

• One of the most common sweet delights from Serbia. A delightful combination of sweet dough with tart apricot jam and a hint of lemon in every bite.

6. Baklava

• The one and only! "Walnut" filling surrounded by the flaky, yet moist filo dough topped with lemon syrup.

7. Apple Gouda Oatmeal Cookie

• Not a particularly sweet cookie. It combines the sweetness of apples and raisins with strong olive oil and cheese flavors.

8. Peanut Butter Cookie

• A classic peanut butter cookie. Included homemade peanut butter and a sugar coated finish to give it a delicate crunch. Some sported cross hatches while others were dotted with chocolate chips.

9. Vegan Thumbprint Cookie

• A nutty cookie, with a hint of maple flavor and topped with apricot jam. 

THE SWEETEST PART OF MY HEART

You are wondrous
I see you in the origins of snow-capped mountains, river valleys, and wild flowers.

You are the sweetest part of my heart.

My being opens up in the presence of your understated beauty, honest joy and silent wisdom.

~Modern Akhmatova

LESS ELECTRICITY, MORE CONNECTIVITY

Source 

I've been reading about Japanese aesthetics lately and in particular 'wabi sabi'. One of the key principals of the wabi sabi worldview is the idea that we exist in a constant state of impermanence. In other words, our reality is evanescent, or simply put, nothing lasts. At first this may seem quite depressing, but what I'm discovering instead is that, as this idea settles into my everyday thoughts, I've become much more aware and grateful for the people and experiences that enrich my life and make it wonderful. At the same time, I see how important it is that I consciously make time for those people and experiences that I value most. And this brought me to the broad realization that "less electricity offers more connectivity" - in that spending less time watching TV, looking at apps and answering emails on the phone, and browsing the internet on the laptop means having more time to look at, listen to, speak to, interact with, touch, and connect to those people that mean the most to us. It also means having more time to engage all of our senses in hobbies and activities that fulfill our curiosity and creative desires.

Happy connecting!
~Modern Akhmatova