Something to Do It Yourself before Christmas

When Halloween days are over the people start to think about Christmas. All American and Canadian newspapers are full of articles of how much the customers, i.e. we, are spending for Christmas gifts. How big is the customers’ shopping basket? It is understandable for the consumers’ society where we live.                                                             

But my workshop is aimed at the opposite direction. How much can one save if not buying retailing products but do it yourself as it was in old times.

My mother’s hands as far as I remember her were constantly moving. They kneaded dough, sewed buttons, clicked knitting needles and counted stitches. To just sit was an option. Her fingers itched to move and create, and art flew from them, in a seemingly unending stream.

Multicolored quilts adorned the walls and covered every bed. Home-cooked meals were served every night. My mother baked her first pie at the tender age of 3, picked up knitting needles at 8, and started sewing at 11.

Let us fill the house with wonderful smells, color and art.

To start with, cake “Napoleon” (the recipe #298 in my book “A Firebird Cornucopia of Russian Delights” ) is easy to bake yourselves and nowhere one can buy it except the Russian stores. To ease up the task we can buy there the layers and make just cream for it. Cream is different than here. That is why follow the instructions thoroughly. Then spread this cream between the layers and don’t forget put some crashed layers on the top.

Next time we will talk about sewing.

Now enjoy the photo show “Christmas Crafts”