Book people from the LME community, gather around ... what was the first book you read in English? Mine says a lot about me… and I’m not sure in a good way 😂 Well...my actual “first book” was a bunch of kid’s books just to get the hang of English… but the first real challenge I read was The Shining by Stephen King. And honestly, what a chaotic way to start. 😂 It took me 6 months 😱 And even if you’ve never read a book in English, you’re still invited. Tell me...If you were to start now, what would your first book be?

Even as the cold sets in, the beach season on the Volga River carries on! 🏖️ Members of the "Polar Bear" club 🐻‍❄️ keep up their tradition of taking invigorating ice-water swims. 🏊‍♀️❄️ They have a cozy heated shelter right on the riverfront to warm up in after their frigid dip.

We've had such strange weather this year. No snow until mid-December! Unthinkable! But winter has finally arrived. I absolutely love these winter landscapes! It's like a scene straight from a New Year's card! ❄️

🇲🇦 Moroccan Couscous Recipe (Traditional Style)✨✨ Ingredients (for 4–6 people) 1. Vegetables🥕🍅🥔🧅 2 carrots 2 zucchinis 2 potatoes A piece of pumpkin (optional) 1–2 turnips 1 large onion A handful of soaked chickpeas A little celery or a mix of cilantro & parsley 2. Meat 🥩🍗 (choose one)Lamb (traditional choice)OR chicken 3. Spices🧄🧂 Salt Black pepper Turmeric Ginger A small amount of smen (optional) Olive oil or vegetable oil 4. Couscous 500g couscous Water with Salt A little oil ------------------- How to Prepare A. Preparing the Broth 1. Heat a little oil in a pot. 2. Add chopped onion and spices (salt, pepper, ginger, turmeric). 3. Add the meat and stir to absorb the flavors. 4. Add chickpeas and pour enough water to cover everything. 5. After about 30 minutes, add the hard vegetables: carrots, turnips, potatoes. 6. After 15 minutes, add the soft vegetables: zucchini and pumpkin. 7. Let everything cook until the meat and vegetables are tender and the broth is flavorful. ------------------------ B. Preparing the CouscousTraditional steaming method (with a couscous steamer) 1. Sprinkle couscous with a little salted water and let it rest for 5 minutes. 2. Rub it with a bit of oil. 3. Steam it for 15 minutes. 4. Place it back in the bowl, sprinkle with water, fluff it again. 5. Steam it a second time for 10 minutes. Easy method (without a steamer) 1. Put couscous in a large bowl. 2. Add enough hot water to lightly cover it. 3. Let it rest for 5 minutes. 4. Fluff it with a fork and add a little oil. 5. Cover and let it rest. ------------------ Serving 🍽️🍴 Place the couscous in a large dish and make a small well in the center.Pour a little broth over it.Arrange the vegetables on top .Place the meat pieces on the very top.Serve with extra hot broth on the side.

Forbidden city & snow baby& kindergarten under my house 🏠😊😘