![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP-j5gdwwFXPaQKR2p6Z9aQFiTpchyphenhyphenR7M9XcRimw4gaB3al4uU0qOVWbtXOO1SOMEmvPOS7A5TaPiKmYdelwN0BSUnCZYhHZVtlAe28ciG7XcJDrwB9UTbagR2_Kwtzj69_6fL2Wf1Nr4/s400/20110320-IMG_4625.jpg)
Every year since their return from Azerbaijan (
for the PeaceCorps), Carolyn & Jesse have invited us to their Novruz celebration. It's the first day of Spring & is Azerbaijan's New Year celebration. Check out the
2010 &
2009 celebrations!
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjME8YO9ksNA8OPY9mGMsCBpjZsNI7ItXLLj0xzhwPAp9B402FfhUuZOK8oN32UtzuKgdzRvxj8nwxLMmC5GQi5E6cunQGe9LM0NIyOBLD_kKqtaO8tmuQ8eJ_lgVXkLYHO87tpPQAqlt0/s400/20110320-IMG_4626.jpg)
On Sunday, March 20th, the Williamses prepared their favorite Azerbaijani foods to share with us!
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The yummy spread!
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Plov! Always a favorite. :)
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A tasty, cold potatoey/eggy salad (
didn't catch the name) & yummy yogurt/spinach/herb soup (
didn't catch that name either) :)
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Bread & Meat! Finn was a big fan of the meat & even had seconds. :)
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And of course, Bahklava!
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Jacque helping Finn with his puzzle, while waiting for the feast to begin.
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After dinner, Jesse put his Boy Scout skills to work & built a small fire in their driveway.
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I love this picture of Jacque & Cedar. They both look like they're having a great time! :)
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Stu & Kenton, humoring the girl with the camera. ;)
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Finn trying to wait patiently for the fire to get big enough...& possibly doing the potty dance?? :P
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The first to jump over the fire! This year, he got to do it by himself - no help! He even practiced saying the traditional saying, "Ağırlıgım- uğurluğum bu odda qalsın!" Which essentially means, all my troubles fall into the fire,
so we can start the New Year with a clean slate.
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Kenton & I helped Cedar jump this year. Last year, we carried him as we helped Finn jump. What a difference a year makes...
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Kenton's turn. Cedar & Finn were never far from the action & Cedar was definitely making me nervous a few times. But he knew that the fire was HOT & was steering clear every time.
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A blurry, but cute, Jacque!
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Carolyn in a blur, with a curious Finn watching.
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Jesse...& Cedar! :)
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Carolyn & Jesse helping Finn. Finn definitely jumped more than the traditional 3 times. He was having too much fun to stop!
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Thanks for another great Novruz, Carolyn & Jesse! Always a good time...always delicious food!