The wonderful Elizabeth from Pine Cones and Acorns has tagged me! A kind, talented, and avid blogger, Elizabeth never fails to educate, entertain, and uplift with her delicious posts. Literally and figuratively... from the most decadent chocolate creations (she is a master baker!), to the most exciting art and architecture, Elizabeth always provides a feast for all senses. And she is celebrating her one-year blogging anniversary...
Congratulations, dear friend!!
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| sweetopia.net |
And now, for the questions.....
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE SEASON AND WHY?
I really do love all of the four seasons
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| Gypsy In Me |
I love to feel and see the natural rhythms of changing seasons...
And I cannot imagine the winter holidays without snow :)
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| aestheticapparatus DO YOU PREFER TO WATCH TV OR READ? WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE GENRE OF BOOKS OR TELEVISION?  Books, books, and more books! I am perfectly content reading 19th century literature, although I do venture out every now and then :) Actually I just love to read...books, newspapers, magazines, and POETRY Although.....when in the right mood, I do love to watch comedies, TV or DVD Here are some favorites...  this really is hilarious and uproarious :) The French version is preferred, but the American version will do in a pinch ![Young Frankenstein - Special Edition [VHS]](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_ta1yty7ylj1LJrR14FZrTiXHgpPYWl0BJyGTWQogWt1ncCCwjet5-gabU2wkUd008-NGHaIdpwzQnj3vvXbhIJF66ViyQdWeDBcXvMOtcGjSkV1yMW9ggOdfwP17tYDfrQz2U-0w=s0-d) a brilliant Mel Brooks classic  memories of childhood...still so very funny IF YOU COULD STEP INTO A TIME MACHINE AND GO ANYWHERE IN TIME, WHERE WOULD YOU VISIT AND WHY? I didn't have to think long about this one. I would go back to Odessa, 1950's....  unknown |
so that I could meet my beautiful mom as a child.
ARE YOU A DOG OR A CAT LOVER?
I grew up having the sweetest kitty cats...
these are not my cats :)...I couldn't resist...they're from humorsharing.com
I love all animals!
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ASPECT OF BLOGGING?
Well, what started out as a need for creative expression, has blossomed into one of the most inspirational, beautiful experiences I could have ever imagined. The incredible, talented, warm, kind, witty, fabulous, dear people I have "met" through blogging are now the number one reason I blog!
Thank you ALL, wonderful friends!
And of course, my deepest gratitude to our spectacular Anita, that shining star, for the inspiration to start my own blog!!! MERCI CHERE AMIE!
Gypsy In Me
WHAT IS YOUR DREAM HOLIDAY?
This is where I was born....
oursurprisingworld.com
You can take the girl away from the sea....well, you know the rest!
SWEET OR SALTY? FAVORITE GO TO SNACK?
ALWAYS this.....
google
Or this....
google
Sometimes I crave a little marzipan filling....
google
My name is Irina, and I am a chocoholic.
WHAT IS YOUR DREAM JOB?
This is actually a really hard question to answer in regard to an actual profession. I have been blessed in that I love my "job" as a parent. I could not ask for a more rewarding and fulfilling pursuit.
I do love the arts, any creative endeavor, even teaching. When I was younger I wanted to work as a "nose"! (aka a perfumer) I have a "photographic" olfactory memory.
Someday I hope to combine some of my passions to create that dream job meant just for me.
Wishful thinking? WHY NOT? Might as well dream big... :)
thecolorsofmymind.tumblr
WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE ARTIST?
This is another whopper of a question, because my taste in art runs the gamut. I am so inspired by visionaries such as Dale Chihuly and Joan Miro. I am always soothed by the impressionists....their work makes me so happy. The charming art of Tasha Tudor and Jessie Wicox Smith. Truly these, and many others, are ALL favorites. And so many talented blog friends...
How you all inspire me!!!
Joan Miro
“Joy at learning to understand a tiny blade of grass in a landscape … almost everyone overlooks this which is so divine — Everyone looks for and paints only huge masses of trees, of mountains, without hearing the blades of grass and little flowers and without paying attention to the tiny pebbles of a ravine — enchanting.”
~ Miro 1918
Tasha Tudor
Childe Hassam
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CITY IN THE WORLD?
Odessa, because that is my place of birth, and it is exquisite...gorgeous.
Please see this post to get an idea.
I really like where I am now. Great music, culture, people, nature, art.
If I have to move somewhere, though, only Paris will do. :)
unknown
DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE SAYING OR A MOTTO?
There are SO MANY brilliant and inspirational thoughts...so hard to choose just one.
“There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.” – Albert Einstein
I think this encompasses just about every aspect of life. It teaches reverence, patience, joy, love, appreciation, humility.....
Thank you for taking the time to learn a bit more about me...
and now, I am choosing these lovely ladies (and a gentleman), to answer the next 11 questions....do visit their wonderful blogs!
Vanna at Delusions of Grandeur
Nathalie at Dolce Dreams
Lisa at Bilancia Designs
Sylvia at Simple Life
Ruben at Heavenly Minded and Earthly Good
Nancy at Fete et Fleur
Penny at Angelsdoor
Marcia at In Stillness and Simplicity
Dawne at Quiddity2
Violet at Create Beauty
And the questions are.....
1. Name one thing not many people know about you.
2.Do you have any favorite smells?
3. What is your favorite cuisine?
4. What is your favorite childhood memory?
5. What is your favorite childhood television show?
6. What is your favorite fairy tale and why?
7. You have been given 1 million dollars. How would you spend it?
8. What is the most daring thing you've ever done?
9. What is your idea of perfect happiness?
10. Who has had the most influence in your life?
11. What made you decide to start blogging?
The game continues as you choose 11 blog friends to answer a new set of 11 questions....it is fun, but please do not feel obligated to play (although we would love to learn more about you!)...
HAVE A WONDERFUL WEEKEND!
xoxo
It is wonderful to get to know more about you. You are still my mysterious lady! Odessa looks wonderful, especially the winter scenes. I would love to visit, it's on my list. Is much English spoken there? Wondering how I would make myself understood :-)
ReplyDeleteWhat can I say but that this is so much FUN!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI cannot say more than this:
You are brilliant in many ways. You shine like very few people shine. Your gentle spirit and profound sense of CARE is rare my dear sister. I LOVE HOW YOU SAID, "My name is Irina, I am a chocoholic!" that was funny........ODESSA. Oh there are so many fabulous places to see my dear, and if I COULD visit the places where my dear friends and relatives are from, it would be an opportunity to examine the environments that have SHAPED YOU ALL. AND I love MIRO'S quote about the blade of grass. YES, we all tend to want to EMBRACE the whole instead of just taking one single aspect of something, and making POETRY or art out of that. A true artists knows this, teaches this, shares this and allows the rest of us to figure out what WE are going to focus on. This is what makes us all potentially capable of creating original art and poetry. Taking a secret part of a whole, and revealing it in art. BRILLIANT.
Thank you for this wonderful opportunity as well to give RUBEN and our other dear friends a chance to SHINE!!!!!!!!!! LOVE YOU! Anita
Thank you, Irina. I am honored, and look forward to playing along and visiting your other guests.
ReplyDeleteI truly enjoyed reading about you. Love your images, especially that dark chocolate. ;)
Have yourself a gorgeous weekend.
Muah!
Good morning sweet friend!
ReplyDeleteI LOVE this beautiful post. I am so excited to learn more about you! I knew about your love of books and chocolate, but I did not know of your love for the sea. And you brought tears to my eyes when you said you would go back in time so that you could know your mother as a child, such a beautiful sentiment.
Right now you absolutely have a dream job, loving, educating and spending time with your daughter. That is at once the hardest and most rewarding job on the planet!
I have a feeling that you will one day have the dream job you I agine, you could not only be the " nose" but also the artistic director of the packaging and design.
You are such a special, beautiful, amazingly talented friend. I am so happy to have met you through Anita and I know we will soon meet in person.
Thank you for your more than kind sentiments, I am humbled to know both you and Anita for I have never met such friends as you. Your spirit, talent and happiness in the world are inspirations to me.
I hope you have a fabulous weekend. Thank you so very much for sharing ourself with us, Elizabeth
Hi Irina,
ReplyDeleteI can hear you talking with my Anita on the phone as I write this. I love this post. It reveals a lot of wonderful memories, love of family (and of course love of chocolate). I just posted for the first time in a month on Heavenly Minded. So I will let that sit for a few days, but my next post will be to answer the questions. Thanks for tagging me.
Your friend
Ruben
Hello Irina:
ReplyDeleteWe have been so intrigued to read and learn more about you. Odessa.....even its name is beguiling......how we very much want to visit it one day. How exciting that this was the place of your birth.
Thank you for the introduction to so many other interesting blogs, none of whom we have heard about before. What fun we shall have in seeking them out!!!
Dearest Irina,
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for your gracious invitation to join you in this fun game! I just loved reading those insights into who you really are and what your heart holds dear. Especially the comment about wishing you could meet your mother as a child!!! Oh, Irina, I feel the exact same way!! Except, of course, my mom was not born in such a romantic place as Odessa!! She was adopted and from what I know of her childhood, I wish I could have been her best friend and made her life happier. But she lives with us now, and we are all happy!
I love Child Hassam! I used to cut all the pix of his paintings out of Art and Antiques magazine. He is not an extremely popular artist with the general public, but his work is so very engaging. Tasha Tudor has been one of my loves for years, and two of my friends knew her fairly well. I have all her books, and my favorite one is the Pop-up book of her darling farm and house. And I love Einstein's quote!
An altogether charming post! It really made me want to be on the phone with you, like Anita was!!!I am here at the library reading this, as I have no internet for the next few weeks, but I will try to play this game when I can get back on Quiddity2. Such great questions you ask!!! And I look forward to reading all the other responses, too!
And P.S. Are you sure you can't come to Paris with us in July?????
luv,
dawne
My dear friend,
ReplyDeleteIt was a magical Saturday being able to speak on the phone. Thank you for the encouragement and connection that we made today yet AGAIN on so many levels! This is the first weekend where I cannot wait for Monday......think of me! Thank you for visiting once again! Anita
Oh it's my first trip here I think and I hit the jackpot! I've learned so much about you. We also share dear Anita right above me. The fanciful illo on your sidebar that she painted caught my eye. She was kind enough to paint one for my granddaughter. Blogworld is trés petite! :)
ReplyDeleteBon dimanche,
V
Hi Irina,
ReplyDeleteWhat a treat to learn a little more about you! But, there is something else that others should know about you as well though. You are a kind and loving soul, passionate about life, and the very best kind of friend...loyal. Thanks so much for your visit.
Big hugs and happy week!
Patti
Dearest Irina
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for thinking of me.. I am honored to be included among such wonderful and talented people... I look forward to playing along soon if I can find the words.. It was such a treat to ~come to know you~ a little more and you expressed it so beautifully.
Thank you dearest for your sweet note you left for Bebe... I am so happy she gave you a smile.
Bisous!
Penny
Oh, dear Irina , I love love love this wonderful post . Thank you for letting us know more about you. Being open is not so easy, but it also is important in terms of really letting others get to understand how we think, how we feel , what we believe, what we like... Guess what , I am Sylvia and I am a chocoholic , I am a book lover, I am an Art lover and one of my favorite painters is Miro. I was born in Sofia,which makes me an Eastern European and I have visited Odessa as a child. You know the rest :) Sometimes you are close to somebody more than you expected. Thank you for your invitation to join the tag game; I will try my best, but I am not promising :)
ReplyDeleteYou are wonderful, my sister!
Oh Dear Irina, I love love love this wonderful post. Thank you for letting us know more about you. Being open is not always easy, but it also is important in terms of really letting others get to understand how we think, how we feel what we believe, what we enjoy ...Guess what, I am Sylvia and I am an chocoholic, I am a book lover, I am an Art lover and one of my favorite painters is Miro; I am an every- season lover, I was born in Sofia which perhaps makes me an Eastern European and I have visited Odessa as a child ...You know the rest :) Sometimes you are close to somebody more than you expect. Thank you for your invitation to join the tag game; I will try my best, but I am not promising :)
ReplyDeleteYou are wonderful, my sister !
Irina, I also love and enjoy so many of the things you mentioned!!!
ReplyDeleteThe Sea
Chocolate
Childe Hassem's paintings
Chocolate
Tasha Tudor
Jessie Wilcox Smith
Chocolate
Anita
Beauty
Art
And did I mention
Chocolate?!?!
So sweet of you to 'tag' me ~ Life is quite busy right now I may not participate but I will so enjoy seeing what the others say and show!
It was delightful learning more about you and your passions.
xoxo
Violet
Dear Irina,
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for your tender and heartfelt words yesterday.. The last thing I wanted to do was make anyone uncomfortable, but I think I had, so I posted my giveaway a little early. I am so happy you enjoyed viewing my little mouse. I am blessed to have come to know you and honored to call you my friend.
Blessings,
Penny
It was fun learning more about you! I like how you used the photos with your answers! Happy Weekend!
ReplyDeleteCindy
Thank you dear Irina for including me!!! It's lovely to read a little more about you...I often wish I could go back in time and be with my Dad (who is no longer with us)...I'm sure I would be in for a lot of adventurous times...I will play in time...Fondly, Dzintra xoxo
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Dearest...enjoy your Sunday...Dzintra xoxo
ReplyDeleteThank you for the birthday wishes for my april fool's baby, Irina. ;) I'm stopping by all your blogs today. Guess I can't get enough of your beautiful heart. :)
ReplyDeleteHugs.
Sweet Irina,
ReplyDeleteI love the image of Odessa and will think of it kindly knowing that it is your home. Amazing, that there are choco-crazies across the world like us. I am fine until I get my first taste and then there is no stopping!
Your creative expression is a joy to many and I share your love of glass, a creative outlet for me on a small scale... nothing as grand as Chihuly.
Thank you for this lovely insight into you and your dreams. How wonderful to share a friendship across miles and oceans.
Bises,
Genie