#bliny (Russian pancakes)

[sovietpostcards]

[textingtroublesanswers]

*Despite her smile, Tala rolls her eyes to look at Maria* Seriously, can these two focus on the task at hand?

Hey! Love doves! Ludwig still needs to eat! Stop distracting him, Mikhail! Also you'll burn the blinis.

*She points to the pan of blini*

-🦖

"BLYAT!"

"Mikhail! Don't swear around the Kinder!"

Mikhail, panicking, trying to save his blinis, & glaring at Ludwig, says, "Pancake."

Ludwig hums, "You know what, fine. I'll give you that one."

"I did tell doktor he is distracting," Mikhail says over his shoulder, aimed at Tala, "I told him, now look at this blin. Is burnt to a crisp!"

[ratherberapedbydolphins]

Crepes - Easy Blini Russian Pancake Recipe This blini recipe is simple and delicious. Enjoy these Russian-style pancakes that are thin like crepes with caviar, lox, or something sweet.

[shawdeven]

Easy Blini Russian Pancake This blini recipe is simple and delicious. Enjoy these Russian-style pancakes that are thin like crepes with caviar, lox, or something sweet.

[rovingmusicologist]

Blini - Russian Pancakes Recipe Russian blinis are deliciously thin pancakes that can be topped or filled with a variety of foods, from sweet to savory. Serve warm. 5 eggs, 1 teaspoon vegetable oil or as needed divided, 1 pinch salt, 6 tablespoons vegetable oil, 1/2 cup white sugar, 4 cups milk, 2.5 cups flour

[orangestang-blog]

[russianreader]

Down the Rabbit Hole of Late-Stage Putinism

On February 23, Nikolai Zodchii was detained by police in Khabarovsk for appearing in public with these images of Vladimir Putin, which had originally appeared in broadcasts on state-run Channel One. Thanks to the indomitable VB for the snapshot and the heads-up, and for his personal fortitude in dismal circumstances. ||| TRR When contacted by the media, the Kommunalnik health resort, located in…

[mortal-kombattore-115]

Modern Warfare/ Shadow Company OC: Irina Makarova

General Information:

Name: Irina Makarova (Ирина Макарова)

Code name: Nomad

Alias(es): Natalya Ivanova, Vampira (by Valeria), Vamp (by Graves)

Nationality: Russian

Place of Birth: Moscow, RSFSR, Soviet Union

Birthday: May 22, 1986 (aged 38) 

Gender: Female

Sexual Orientation: Lesbian

Affiliations: Russian Ground Forces (formerly), Gruzdev Bratva (formerly), Shadow Company (currently) 

Eyes: Brown/Blue

Hair: Blonde (was naturally black)

Build: Lean athletic

Height: 5’6

Languages: Russian, English, Spanish, German, and Mandarin Chinese.

Relationships: Valeria Garza (one night stand)

Marks: Scar on neck

_______________________________________________________

Biography:

Irina was born just before the fall of the Soviet Union in the suburbs of Moscow, alongside her older brother, Vladimir Makarov. As the daughter of a high-ranking politician within the Russian government, Irina watched the Soviet Union crumble, taking her father with it at the age of 4. After her father’s death, Irina grew up with a brother who didn't consider her a sister, but rather a mistake who would often blame her for their father’s death and the failures of the Soviet Union. Irina cut ties with her brother when he enlisted in the Russian military in 1998. Irina would later enlist in 2004.

During her service, Irina was an extraordinary soldier with her fast reflexes and marksmanship skills as she quickly moved up the ranks.

After six years of service, Irina was discharged from the military and soon befriended a former soldier. Impressed with her combat skills, Irina was recruited into the Gruzdev Bratva as an enforcer. Over the years, Irina found a sense of belonging in the bratva, her ruthless methods and loyalty moved her up in the hierarchy.

Sometime in 2021, two members of the crime family broke into Irina’s home one night in an attempt to assassinate her, which resulted in two casualties and an almost slit throat. Discovering Makarov’s involvement in the assassination, she knew from then on that his torment was just beginning. After the failed assassination attempt by Konni, Irina fled the country altered her appearance changed her identity, and traveled to various locations in Europe and Asia.

In early 2022, Irina resided in Las Almas, Mexico, where she would meet Valeria Garza at a small cafe, unaware of the work she does. The two would occasionally meet at the same spot almost every afternoon, which brought them closer together. After the chaos happening in Las Almas between Task Force 141 and Shadow Company, Irina left Mexico and vanished. 

Several months later, Irina met Phillip Graves at a bar during one of her travels. Going over her dossier and being impressed by her military service history, as well as having the same hatred for Konni, Graves recruited her to Shadow Company.

______________________________________________________

Headcanons:

To celebrate one month of friendship, Valeria once gifted Irina a fruit bat.

Best friends with Velikan. Irina reminds him of an old friend she used to have during her bratva days. The two would often share stories about their pasts and often train together.

Her favorite comfort food is Blini (Russian pancake) because of how versatile they are. She loves to put some blueberry jam for when craving something sweet or smoked salmon with caviar for something savory.

[detectivedrewshouldgetaclue]

hey, if you could make your own nancy drew game, what would it be about, what would be the plot, and what would be like the fun minigame?

What a lovely question! Thank you, for asking.

Hmm, let me see. So many things I’m interested in, have already been done within the games!

That being said, I think I’d have Nancy visit somewhere completely new! It would be cool for her to go to Russia and search out some fabled Romanov treasure. She could play off her mother’s espionage legacy. Not quite as emotionally heavy as SPY (obviously, Russia is a serious place and the Romanovs are a tragedy), but something more diplomatic. Assisting the United Staes with foreign affairs sort of thing, via The Network (formally ATAC). Of course, the Hardy Boys would be helping, as Network agents.

I’d make the plot revolve around exploring the Russian palaces the Romanovs inhabited. Trying to find the treasure so the USA stays on Russia’s good side or something to that effect. A peace mission, if you will; return the treasure to Russia and, in return, smooth the ruffled feathers, between the two nations. There is trouble lurking about, though…whispers of a KGB rebirth that might threaten Nancy’s mission…

The tensions of strained relations, a murdered royal family, the infamous Rasputin, dark, mysterious, nighttime Gypsy camp visits, and possible fascist regime uprising add to the spook/goosebump factor in this game.

You could go to multiple a palaces with different clues and puzzles…because I can’t get enough of castles and old buildings, in these games! Each location would give clues, until you find the hidden treasure. Featured puzzles would include: A Russian nesting doll puzzle, a Romanov family portrait slider puzzle, a mystical trinkets puzzle in Rasputin’s hidden lair, a playing a balalaika (a Russian instrument) puzzle, a Romani/Gypsy tarot card puzzle (GET OUT OF HERE, RICHARD TOPHAM), etc. I’d also have Nancy do some crazy side task with a beautiful, intimidating, female, ex-Olympic figure skater (please, stop thinking about Yanni, this is different okay?), where you have to do a series of intricate taps, using your keyboard arrows, to land ice skating moves and gain her respect.

As far as a mini game goes, Nancy would have to to cook and decorate blinis (Russian pancakes), as her undercover job. She’s a history major exchange student, working on an internship and trying to fund her schooling (thanks for the hookup, Network!). This gives her an alibi for snooping, in historical areas.

I’d have the game set in winter, because I like the coziness of a snowy game and…WELL. IT IS FLIPPING RUSSIA.

You know the soundtrack would go hard, with some traditional Russian-inspired music.

Anyways. Just some thoughts, off the top of my head. 🇷🇺🌨️🪆

Annnnnd since I’m so visual…some inspo:

[otmaaromanovas]

What is the Romanov family's favorite food? Do they like sweet 🍩 or salty 🍕things?

Hello there! Thank you for your question.

Olga, Tatiana, Maria, Anastasia, and Alexei seem to have had a preference for sweet things! One of the palace staff, Jim Hercules, would bring back bags of sweets for the children when he went back home on holiday to America.

Alexei's favourite food was blini, a sweet pancake-like food. He wrote in his diary about eating sixteen of them in one sitting!

Nicholas preferred more savoury food, simple Russian meals of vegetables, breaded meat, and black bread.

Alexandra preferred food without meat for religious reasons, when her health allowed. She also loved to drink coffee.

More information. including menus used by the family and recipes, has been collected by Helen Azar in her recent book, 'Lunch on the Balcony'.

[sovietpostcards]

Blini battle!

[ouroboros-hideout]

41! For our Knife Queen and her useless stabbable appendage!

Useless stabbable and very hungry appendage. Turned out a bit longer than 10 sentences but fuck he police!

41: comfort food

Aon and Kurt were sitting at a small table at the edge of the mine's large workshop. It was already quite late, many of Aon's men were still on the road with a transport, the others had already gone to sleep after their work was done. Kurt would be spending another two or three days in Siberia before he was ordered back to DC, and he had made himself useful in the workshop during the day.

"Put the damn cigarette out at the table," Anna grumbled as she came through the door, a large tray of freshly made blinis and a few other goodies in her hand.

"Yes, yes, sorry, mom," Aon barked, rolling her eyes and stubbing out the cigarette as instructed.

The young girl handed Kurt a plate with a generous portion, he thanked her and gobbled it down immediately as if he was half starving.

"Oh, the little pancakes taste fantastic," he said, before shoving the next fork into his mouth.

Anna looked at Aon with narrowed eyes and asked her in a whisper in Russian: "Did he just say little pancakes?"

Aon couldn't help grinning and glanced sideways at Kurt before replying in Russian: "Don't bother about him, he wouldn't understand the difference anyway."

"What are you two yapping about?" he asked, his mouth still half full.

"She just said she is glad you like it," Aon lied.

"Yes. It's delicious, thank you again," the Colonel turned back to Anna and nodded gratefully.

"I wonder when I last heard that from Yoni," Anna teased her friend and poked her lightly in the side.

"Wait. Yoni?" Kurt now looked at Aon with a mischievous grin.

She sighed loudly and scowled at Anna, "Which side are you on, girl?"

[miorlett]

Sashenka with blini (russian pancakes) and in kokoshink (russian headdress)

[purplequay]

trick or treat! :D

treat ^_^ !

blinis ( russian pancakes ) be upon ye

[the-starless-reader]

Extended Shadow and Bone Timeline [Part 1]

It's autumn when the first trip to the Fold occurs.

At the beginning of Shadow and Bone, Alina's regiment marches from the military encampment at Poliznaya to Kribirsk. It takes them two weeks to get there. Alina gets her first glimpse of the Fold standing on the Vy, the wide road that had once led from Os Alta to the port cities on Ravka's western coast.

It is explicitly stated that the autumn sun was warm overhead. Alina takes notice of both the green and gold smells of autumn and the soft breeze at her back.

Alina almost gets trampled by the Darkling's coach before entering Kribirsk, and she spends the rest of the day at the Documents Tent. At dusk, she gets her first glimpse of the Grisha pavilion. The air is noticeably cooler.

Later at night, Alina sneaks out to meet Mal, and the plumes of their breath are visible in the cold air. In fact, it's cold enough for her to wish she had taken the time to grab her scarf and gloves.

The next morning, Mal and Alina are boarding the sandskiff and entering the Fold for the first time. Barely thirty minutes later, the volcra attack happens, and Alina's power is revealed. The skiff returns, and the survivors are taken to the Grisha tent. The bright autumn sun is clearly visible in the sky, and the flags above the tent are fluttering in the breeze.

Alina meets the Darkling, and her power is confirmed. She doesn't even get to speak to Mal before she departs for the Little Palace.

Additional information:

Establishing the date of the winter fete:

The first Malina reunion takes place in Chapter 14, on the night of the winter fete. In Chapter 13, it's stated that the King and the Queen are hosting the final winter fete at the end of the season. We're not given any specific date, but in Chapter 14, when she's arriving at the fete, Alina takes notice that the spring has barely begun to show itself. She runs away later that night, and in Chapter 16, when the second Malina reunion takes place outside of Ryevost, Alina explicitly states that she'd escaped from the palace well over a week ago. In Chapter 17, she wonders about Mal's life in the past five months.

Over the next few days, they keep a brutal pace, until they reach a village on the northwestern side of the Petrazoi. The festivities of the butter week are taking place. In Chapter 17, it's stated that the holiday takes place in the week before the spring fast. Alina's description of the customs, especially the mention of blini (a form of Eastern European pancake) corresponds with the Eastern Slavic holiday known as Maslenitsa. This suggests that we should probably stick to the Old (Julian) Calendar, rather than the New (Gregorian) Calendar.

Based on the information above, Alina's timeline at the Little Palace spans over five months and two seasons. And if we could calculate the possible date of the winter fete, we could also determine the approximate timeline of the whole story.

Establishing the date of the butter week:

Maslenitsa (also known as Butter Lady, Butter Week, Crepe Week or Cheesefare Week) is celebrated during the last week before the Great Fast. It's the eighth week before Eastern Orthodox Pascha [i.e. Easter].

Since Easter and its holidays are moveable feasts, the date of the celebration has to be computed to the first Sunday after the ecclesiastical full moon that occurs on or soonest after March 21.

In the Northern Hemisphere, the March equinox equals the spring equinox, and while some of the churches have adopted the revised New Calendar, the Russian Orthodox Church still uses the Old Calendar, which sets the date of Orthodox Easter anywhere between April 4 and May 8.

It's explicitly stated that Malina's second reunion takes place 'well over a week' after the winter fete, and the choice of words suggests that we should read 'well over' like 'less than a week, but still more than a half'. However, this is where our timeline starts to blur: all we know is that 'over the next few days' they are keeping a brutal pace, until they reach a village where the festivities of the butter week are taking place. Initially, Alina thinks it might be Sunday.

The approximate calculation says that at least 18 days have passed between the winter fete and the butter week festival. Fixing the date of the fete to the spring equinox sets the festival on the second week of April. This doesn't seem to fit with the Old Calendar, because our Butter Week is the eighth week before Easter, and in this case, Ravkan Easter falls outside the specified frame.

However, given that there is no mention of Easter in this world, we can only assume that the Ravkan butter week actually corresponds more with the pre-Christian celebrations of the upcoming spring, which were later adopted by the Orthodox church. It's worth mentioning that in pre-Christian times, blini were considered to be a symbol of the sun due to their round form. Traditionally, they were prepared at the end of winter to honor the rebirth of the new sun.

To confirm that the Ravkans are indeed using the Old Calendar, and that fixing the date of the winter fete on the spring equinox makes sense, we should take a closer look into the feast of Sankt Nikolai, the only other explicitly mentioned holiday in Ravka.

Establishing the date of the feast of Sankt Nikolai:

In Chapter 13, there's a mention of the feast of Sankt Nikolai, which takes place in winter. It seems to mirror the Christian celebration of the feast of Saint Nicholas, which falls on December 19, according to the Old Calendar.

According to The Lives of Saints, a table should be set for Sankt Nikolai on the darkest night of the year. In our world, this would mirror the December solstice, the day with the shortest period of daylight and longest night of the year. On the Old Calendar, the winter solstice occurs around December 25. It's also known as midwinter.

In Chapter 13 of Shadow and Bone, it's mentioned that the feast of Sankt Nikolai is celebrated with huge bowls of dumpling soup and kutya made with honey and poppy seeds. In Orthodox tradition, predominantly Eastern Slavic, kutya is a ceremonial grain dish served during the Christmas season or as part of a funeral feast.

On the Old Calendar, Christmas takes place on January 7, which could potentially explain why it is explicitly stated that the 'final' winter fete takes place at the end of the season. The festivities have probably started with midwinter.

Canonically fixing the date of the feast of Sankt Nikolai on the date of the winter solstice, we are creating a headcanon in which every change of season comes with a big holiday.

Final thoughts:

If the final winter fete happens five months after the events on the Fold, and the date is set to March 21, then Shadow and Bone starts somewhere between late October and early November.