Korovai

05/29/2026

Not only is she one of the main organizers of in Edmonton this weekend she also baked a beautiful Korovai this week and shipped it to a customer in Ontario. Тричі Слава 🙌🙌🙌 to my Korovai baking partner Daria Vera Luciw. 

05/25/2026

Ambassador of Ukraine to the U.S. Olga Stefanishyna: "Today we honor generations of Americans who gave their lives defending freedom in wars across the world, and those brave Americans who gave their lives standing with Ukraine.

As Ukrainians fight for our survival and liberty, we deeply understand the price of freedom. We remember their courage and sacrifice with profound gratitude 🇺🇦🇺🇸"

05/20/2026

Homework for today!!!
1. Find your vyshyvanka
2. Wash and iron it if needed
3. Wear it tomorrow, Thursday, May 21st for World Vyshyvanka Day

No Vyshyvanka? Ask your Uki friends, they probably have extra or wear blue and yellow! 🇺🇦

05/19/2026

Triplet Tuesday today! Off to California, Wisconsin, and Michigan. Щасливої дороги, Многая літа молодятам! 

05/09/2026

And I wonder why more people don’t have weddings in Wyoming… 🫏

A rescued miniature donkey named Miguel has become one of Wyoming’s most in-demand wedding bartenders by wandering through cocktail hours with beer…

05/05/2026

I've got a smile on my face and a warm feeling in my heart at all the lovely comments about our Ukrainian Wedding class at Casper College 2 weeks ago.

05/04/2026

May the Fourth be with you!

04/26/2026

Forty years ago, in the early morning hours of April 26, 1986, Reactor No. 4 at the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant exploded, unleashing the worst nuclear disaster in human history. The blast released more than 400 times the radioactive material of the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima, contaminating vast regions of Ukraine, Belarus, and Europe and leaving a legacy of devastation that endures to this day.
This catastrophe was not only a technological failure— it was a profound failure of governance, transparency, and respect for human life. The Soviet regime, led from moscow, concealed the true magnitude of the disaster, delaying warnings even as radiation spread. Thousands of innocent people, including children, were exposed to deadly contamination, and residents of nearby communities continued their daily lives unaware of the danger. Even as the crisis unfolded, authorities allowed public gatherings, placing countless lives at further risk.
The consequences of Chornobyl have been immense and enduring. Thousands perished, hundreds of thousands were displaced, and millions have suffered long-term health, environmental, and economic effects. The land itself still bears the scars of contamination— a stark reminder of the costs of negligence and secrecy.
Today, the lessons of Chornobyl remain painfully relevant. russia’s ongoing aggression against Ukraine, including its reckless actions around nuclear facilities, once again threatens global nuclear safety. The occupation and endangerment of these sites undermine basic safeguards and raise the risk of another catastrophe—not only for Ukraine, but for the world. Only a free, independent, and sovereign Ukraine, unburdened by russia’s temporary occupation and aggression, can serve as the true guarantor of nuclear safety within its borders.
On this solemn anniversary, Ukrainians and supporters around the world call on the international community to hold russia accountable, to strengthen protections for nuclear facilities in times of war, and to ensure that the crimes and consequences of Chornobyl are never forgotten.

From the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America (UCCA)

04/22/2026

On this Earth Day 🌎 my thoughts go to russian caused ecocide. The Environmental Impact of the invasion of Ukraine goes far beyond Ukraine’s borders.

🤢Greenhouse Gas Emissions: The war has generated approximately 311 million tonnes of CO2. This includes emissions from military fuel, landscape fires, and future reconstruction efforts.

🌊 Kakhovka Dam Destruction: The 2023 destruction of this dam caused a "catastrophic ecological collapse," flooding 620 km2 and releasing 150 tonnes of industrial lubricants into the Dnipro River and Black Sea.

💣 Landmine and Chemical Contamination: Roughly 30% of Ukraine is now contaminated with landmines and unexploded ordnance, which leach heavy metals like lead and mercury into the soil and groundwater.

🌳 Deforestation and Fires: Millions of hectares of forest have been burned due to shelling. In 2022 alone, there were 25 times more forest fires than the previous year.

🐬 Marine Life Damage: Thousands of dead dolphins have washed up on Black Sea shores, likely killed by military sonar and explosions.

☢️ Nuclear and Industrial Risks
Zaporizha Nuclear Power Plant: Russian occupation and military activity around Europe’s largest nuclear plant have created a persistent risk of a catastrophic radiation release. Remember Chornobyl 40 years ago this month? 💥

04/20/2026

I taught a class last week on Ukrainian Wedding Traditions through our Continuing Education OLLI program at Casper College last week. It was an interactive class with all participants having a role. So fun!