My new favorite holiday!

Reposting this, as there was apparently a glitch in the Matrix with the website update and this exchange is showing that I never posted a thank you! My Gifter gave me an incredible cultural experience and I am so grateful! I've learned about Maslenitsa, the oldest surviving Slavic holiday, which is about saying goodbye to winter through outdoor activities, the building and burning of a large straw doll, and of course eating delicious foods like blinis and special cakes. These photos are incredible, you were right there in the middle of everything! Thank you so much for the doll - it is exquisite and so special. The sun makes me smile just to look at it, and I can't wait to try all the goodies you sent. Thank you for your letter, I really felt transported, and I hope to celebrate in person some day.