Pampers and Paklava has moved! My ship is docked at a new port. Come visit Beth at: WWW.PAMPERSPAKLAVA.COM You can also follow me on: Facebook: Pampers and Paklava Twitter: @pamperspaklava Pinterest: pamperspaklava Instagram: pamperspaklava
In the rearview mirror: Farewell Wanderlust and Lipstick
Seven years ago, I went to a travel event. There I met Beth Whitman, founder of Wanderlust and Lipstick, listed as number 40 of top travel blogs in the world. We got to talking. I mentioned I love to write and was hoping to start a blog. Oh, and I planned to visit Armenia a […]
365 Project: A year in photographs
Making New Year’s resolutions is typically not my thing. But for 2016 I made a year-long commitment to take (at least) one photograph each day–a ‘365 Project.’ Some photographers give themselves “rules” for their 365–only shots of family, new technique each week or some other focus for their project. As for me: No rules. Just […]
The BIG LEAP: Anniversaries and Adventures
On January 9, 2005, I took a huge leap. I drove over to the house of a guy I’d never met. Together we boarded a ferry and headed to Bainbridge Island. Wine tasting, several hours of getting to know each other and one dinner later, I was hooked! Thus began our grand adventure. Here we […]
My oh my, it’s Shepherd’s Pie
No lightweights here in the Shepherd household. In one corner we have our 4-1/2-year-old daughter, who weighed in at 47 pounds. In another our kitten Wallingford who, at only 9-months old, weighed in at 15 pounds. The star–Shepherd’s Pie 2016–weighing in at a hefty 11 pounds of deliciousness. And let’s not forget Winslow, who might […]
Anoush Abour Recipe: Armenian Christmas Pudding
Anoush Abour means “sweet soup” in Armenian. This dish has graced New Year’s and Christmas tables in Armenia for centuries and most likely predates Christmas itself. But wait, you say. Christmas was last week, December 25. Not so if you are Armenian. December 31 kicks off the holiday festivities with Father Christmas visiting on New […]
Wait! Don’t take down that tree. It’s Armenian Christmas.
Just about the time some of us put away our decorations and take down our tree, Armenians ramp-up for Armenian Christmas! The Armenian Orthodox Church celebrates Christmas on January 6, not December 25. This day is also known as Epiphany, the revelation of Jesus being God’s son. For most Armenians Christmas is a religious holiday and […]
A girl, her bunny and Santa Claus
A girl, her bunny and Santa Claus Her first visit with the big man in the red suit went well. They chatted each other up, laughed and shared stories. And…she found out she’s on the “good list!” Here’s a rendition of ‘Rudolf the Red-nosed Reindeer’ to all of you from our little elf. She said […]
Behind the scenes at the new PNB Nutcracker
Eight strikes on the clock as mysterious Drosselmeier presents young Clara with her Nutcracker, and the time-honored, much-beloved holiday story begins. And lucky us, because last week we got a peek behind the scenes of the new PNB Nutcracker with sets designed by Ian Falconer of Olivia the Pig fame and classic choreography by George […]
Seven year soup
When you’re down and troubled And you need some love and care And nothing, nothing is going right Close your eyes and think of me And soon I will be there To brighten up even your darkest night ~Carol King, You’ve Got A Friend I count myself lucky. I’ve had many wonderful friendships in my […]