Happy 2012, a solo and a kitten…
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I Hope you had a wonderful new year’s eve. My hubby and I stayed in tonight and made a massive batch of guacamole which we devoured between the two of us. We partied it up at our youth pre-new years eve banquet and I’m feeling a little guilty about asking Grandma to babysit two days in-a-row. And Vadim has the flu (he was babied most of the day).
But boy was the banquet fun!! The photo above was taken by Vlad, a photographer from our church who volunteers to taken banquet photos of our youth.
I sang a solo (knees shaking, hands trembling… but I did it!). I don’t know why I get so nervous. I lead worship nearly every Sunday and trust me, I look people in the eye! But the tables turn when I’m alone up there. T
he first time I sang a solo in church, people thought I was dancing I was so terrified that my body was swaying. And we don’t dance. Nope, no dancing. So, imagine my embarrassment. But I think I’m getting better and braver. I still have to pull the stabilize your mic with two hands maneuver, but all-in-all, it was pretty ok. :).
My contribution was the best beef in the world (I made 4x the recipe). I also made 35 of these beauties to raise money for our church (will post a how-to later).
My favorite part was hosting the “deal or no deal” game show! There’s me keeping my game face on, taking a call from the “banker” who happened to be my hilarious sister Svetlana. She kept making offers like “$6 plus a kitten,” for which (shockingly) our contestant said “no deal!” It would have been funny if he took the deal though, since I’m pretty sure there was no kitten.
Happy New Years! God bless, prosper and protect you and those you love!
-Natasha
P.S. How did you celebrate the new year (in prayer, smooching your spouse, fireworks?) I’d love to hear about it; well, not so much about the smooching 😉
Natasha Kravchuk
Hi! I'm Natasha Kravchuk. Here you'll find delicious, trusted recipes with easy step-by-step photos and videos. 
wow your solo experience is so similar to my first one!!! I have been singing solo on the stage for 6 years now and my knees STILL tremble lol. It’s all for God anyways :)) Can you please post up a recipe for the caramel apples? I want to make some for my youth group. Thanks and God bless!!!
You must be braver than me; I don’t sing solo very often 🙂 About the apples, I won’t be posting that probably until around September/October; when it’s more “in-season” Here’s the general idea: 2 Bags of caramels (each bag is 16 oz), 2 tbsp heavy cream, 1/2 tsp vanilla, 1/4 tsp salt, chopsticks for the apples For about 9-10 medium apples (you may get a little more than 10 if they are small). Melt the caramel in a bowl over a pot of hot water (or melt it just in a heavy-bottom pot to go faster, but keep an eye on it so it doesn’t over-heat). Dip each apple one at a time to fully coat them and let the excess drip off into the pan, then scrape off the bottom, immediately dip into your favorite toppings (it sets pretty quickly) and place the apple on wax paper to cool. You can refrigerate them to cool and set better.
Wow sounds pretty simple…thanks!!! 🙂
We went to church in the evening, then stayed up eating shrimp with cocktail sause, pimento-stuffed olives, & toasted bread with a little bit of mayo (sounds weird, I know–I have my in-laws to thank for the toast with mayo idea), and watched a documentary. Haven’t stayed up that late in a while since being prego means I’m tired by about 8 pm :).
By the way, you did an awesome job hosting the game–it was hilarious–good acting skills. And your solo was beautiful–I love that song :).
Thanks Natalia. I really enjoyed this years banquet. It was a small crowd, but my favorite banquet so far. Your evening actually sounds very nice.
Wanted to wish everybody a Happy New Year. We celebrated are New Years at church we had a party and me and my hubby had to sing to. The song turned out very good they asked us to sing it again the next day. I love reading this blog and making yummy food you are great Natasha my hubby asked me to Thank you for the wonderful Kvas and other food that he tried. Thank you very much.
That’s awesome; to be able to sing with your husband! You are both very welcome 🙂 I’m glad you enjoy the recipes.
Looking forward to seeing the salad and troobachki post! you sure have delish food!!! thanks hon!
Thank you Natasha for making guacamole and making very enjoyable evening for your husband, even though he was high on NyQuil. I love you very much.
Haha. Thanks for the laugh. Any time darlin’!
Natasha, I’m so glad we got to celebrate with you guys. It was so much fun. You have a beautiful voice by the way and you sounded like an angel. 🙂 seriously….oh and I cant belive your deal or no deal game face, i couldnt do it. Hubby had fun too which is always a plus. Oh yeah. Im planning on making that beef it was delish. God bless and see you soon I hope.
I was so glad you both could make it and that you had fun. Thank you for your compliments, you are so sweet 🙂 (Maybe an angel with a cold)
Happy new years Natasha! Thanks 4 all your posting looking forward o more yummy recipes this year! super excited! Any channce u might hav a recipe 4 “kislaya kapucta” salad (sour cabbage)?
Thanks Vita! My Mom makes that all the time, but I’ve never taken down the recipe. I will ask her to call me next time she makes it, but it may be awhile since she just made a whole bucket of it! 🙂
the game was a hit, i’m glad you thought of it! I spent my new year sleeping 🙂 …signed…a pregnant sleep deprived mama 😀 hows that for a story!
Thanks Anna! Sounds like you made a good choice; catching your zzzz’s.
Happy new years. I had a wonderful night with my family.
I put Lily to bed and watched a movie with some hot tea. I am loving staying home. I am trying to fully enjoy this season in my life.
That does sound nice (similar to my night).