Happy Tsagaan Sar

Please enjoy my walk down Tsagaan Sar lane from International Day at ASU, to the changing of the seasons, to a wonderful and special time with Muugii's family and finally a glimpse of me shedding my heavy, long winter coat and furry hat for a shorter winter jacket--still needed.  There's a certain exciting ritual we all feel when we can do this!

It was International Day at ASU and our class did a great job researching New Zealand--right down to the Haka

 

The snow/ice is still with us as is the smoke from the stacks in the background, but as you can see from the photo below it's starting to melt turning into a kind of "black" snow. 

 

 

I had the honor of joining Muugii's family for the Tsagaan Sar celebration--the Mongolian Lunar New Year.  It's very much like the American Thanksgiving right down to basketball on the TV. 

The main course, sort of, is a side of beef which the family buys and has someone else cook.  I know that wouldn't fit in my oven!  You use the knife on top to slice what you want.

Muugii's mom, Batdulam is greeting me with the traditional Zolgokh Mongolian greeting. 

Muugii and her daughter, Amina.

I love this painting; it reminds me of Chagall.  It was done by Muugii's father who was very talented.

Muugii's husband is wearing the traditional Deel.  Batdulam lives in the Ger district on the outskirts of UB.  As we drove out there, it was wonderful to see so many people dressed in their deels. 

I love the children:)

She's making the traditional Buuz--a type of steamed dumpling.  Muugii has agreed to show me how to make them!

Yummy!  It is my favorite:)

It's traditional to bring a hostess gift and also gifts are given to each person when they leave.  These were mine:)

Voila!  I'm still wearing those heavy snow/ice boots (thanks, Christy), but not for much longer.