Today is my friend Ulyana’s 50th birthday. I’m so happy she is my friend.

Yesterday I had lunch with her and her father (visiting from New York City) at Altu’s restaurant. We had a very nice time and of course enjoyed the food. Ulyana made a cake. She is an artist with food as well as her life… and this cake was beautiful. It was a whole wheat honey cake with whipped cream on the top and coffee/walnut filling. She drizzled the top with chocolate sauce and caramel. It was just beautiful to look at.

I made Ulyana a boa scarf (on my Singer knitting frame) with the Flirt yarn I got at Yarn for Ewe this week. It is just perfect for her, turquoises and blues and purples. It will go with at least 85% of the clothing she wears. As you can see, it went great with what she just happened to wear to our lunch.

Tomorrow she is throwing a Contra Dance/potluck party at Foster Community center. After my art show, I’m going to run over there and sing with Brian. We are the entertainment for dinner. I haven’t contra danced in a long time but I will no doubt stick around and dance a while. It should be a lovely scene, with many folks I know and love. Brian’s old time band, Scarlet Runner String Band, will be playing the live music for the dance.

Brian and I started going out together because one day about 8 years ago Ulyana encouraged me to go to a contra dance at Foster Community Center, where Scarlet Runner was playing for the dance. After the dance we all went over to Emil’s italian restaurant for a late dinner/snack, and Brian and I ended up talking until 1am. We started dating after that. So I owe Ulyana a big debt of gratitude for getting me to the right place to connect with Brian. I’d met him before at concerts, but never got to know him. I’m a lucky woman that it all worked out so well.

Happy Birthday, Ulyana!!!!!!!!!!!