Maslenitza

The beginning of Spring is marked by the holiday of Maslenitza. This feast on Blini was started during pagan times. People greeted the beginning of spring (very important for peasants) by making pancakes – little symbols of the sun. Now people use Maslenitza to symbolize the end of winter and the beginning of Lent and, of course, as a great excuse to eat blini with all kinds of great fillings. The main dishes of Maslenitza are blini (Russian style pancakes--like German pancakes or crepes). The pancakes are eaten with butter, sour cream, honey, caviar, jam, etc.

Cheryl and Trisha invited us over to their place and helped us to celebrate Maslenitza. Lent starts a week later in the Russian Orthodox church--we have been eating pancakes all week! Tanya and Pascal also surprized us with a visit--one great Russian celebration.