I love the different seasons of the year. Summer is a great one because of its warmth. Since we somewhat endure the winter months in Russia, we surely enjoy our brief heat wave. Yesterday we traveled an hour outside of Moscow to a dacha (summer home) to pick berries. A friend from church invited us for the day, and we enjoyed a time of fellowship, good food and fresh air. 
The country atmosphere seemed nice compared to Moscow’s pace of fast life, noise and pollution. Buck and Luke also played a game of pool and chess with the man next door.
After picking berries, we prepared a meal the old-fashioned way. I washed vegetables with rain water that was collected in an outside barrel or tub. Of course, all the vegetables were grown on the spot, and we even picked some right before we ate. It was hard work preparing the meal, but the outcome was worth it. The house had no running water, so all the drinking water was brought in from a well down the street. This type of life reminded me so much of our days in Bryansk and brought back great memories.
I remember eating with the head pastor’s family in Bryansk, and we had beef, potato, carrot and onion stew that had been cooked all night in a pechka (stone hearth). All the dairy foods (i.e., sour cream, mayonnaise, cheese, etc.) were made from scratch right after milking the cow. A great taste that is unforgettable!
The day was fun and pleasant, and we even had a chance to witness to a villager. We came home with berries to put in the freezer. And now I am off to make fresh cherry tarts…
