Chuk-Chuk *edited*

We tried it! Our lessons learned in italics.
My favorite Russian dessert is Chuk-Chuk! I think that's because the honey in Kirov is soooooo good. (We never leave without a jar--this time, we took 3!)
I think I am going to try to make some for New Years. I don't think I can match what they make in Dolbiylova, but I'll let you know how it goes. Here is the recipe I am working with:

Chuk-Chuk dough:
4 eggs
3T powdered sugar (could add a bit more, but not much)
2 t butter (melted)
1/3 t salt
1/4 c milk (could easily double this!)
17 oz flour by weight (about right, but could easily skimp)

Syrup:
1 1/2 c honey
4 t sugar

1. Blend egg, butter, sugar, salt, milk, and flour and knead until dough is smooth. Add more milk if dough seems dry--don't want it to be too tough!
2. Let dough rest 30-40 minutes.
3. Heat honey and sugar in a double boiler and stir until sugar dissolves. Cook until it turns an amber color, but don't burn it!
4.Break into pieces and roll into small balls--the smaller the better. They don't have to be even!
*Some people recommend cutting small noodles or running it through a pasta maker. Your choice!
5. Heat canola oil in frying pan over medium heat, until very hot. Fry dough balls until golden brown, up to 5 minutes, and drain on a paper towel. We used a slotted spoon to place the dough into the oil without getting burned. Don't be afraid to get them really brown and a little bit crispy!
6. Mix fried dough and syrup in a big bowl.
7. Serve! Either mold and serve in some kind of shape, or serve in piles. Can garnish with nuts or powdered sugar. Good warm or cool, I found it best on the second day. A little goes a long way!

This is also called Tatar, because it is from the Tatar people. I think it would be good with chocolate, or cinnamon, or maybe some berries as garnish . . . I will let you know how this recipe turns out! Happy New Year!

Our version wasn't as delicious as in Russia, but pretty good! Thanks, Nancy, Nolan, and Georgia for being guinea pigs!

Home for the Holidays

It feels good to be back! I have been in a different world for the last few months, swimming in all kinds of wonderful things. I've been working on a trafficking prevention program for Doma International, which is pretty exciting, and working on growing my skills and expertise as a youth & child social worker. It's been wonderful, but I am thankful it is winding down and I am able to spend some more time at HOME, where I am able to just be me.

This weekend, I spent time with my big, wonderful family and made some great memories. Our choir shared a special moment Sunday singing Богородице Дево (turn up your sound to hear it!) and thanking our Precentor, who is moving on to new opportunities. And we received a surprise package from Sovietsk! We received letters, letters, letters and a copy of the full-length documentary shown on Kirov News. Tonight, I will be sorting Christmas and New Years cards sent from Sovietsk Supporters to the children at the orphanage. I have spent the last few days with people and activities which are central to me being ME, not a professional or a student, but just plain Sarah.

I've been thinking a lot lately about a special evening we spent in Sovietsk, largely thanks to you, Sovietsk Supporters. While Ben, his dad, and Mischa were boxing with the older boys, we ladies stayed back to paint faces and make bracelets. Jen and Katherine were face painting pros, and Barb was our jewelry queen. While they did their thing, I had the privelege of sharing a special moment with each of the children who were there. We called the children to a private room one at a time, and Sveta helped me present them with their special gift packets. Each child received plenty of gum, chapstick, lip gloss for the girls, hackey sacks for the guys, stationary, a special pen, and a mirror, all bundled up just for them. I wish I could share with you the look of delight each face had when they received their gifts, and the pride they had when they heard the gift was special, just for them. It wasn't so much the gifts, although they were welcome and much appreciated, but it was the thought that someone cared enough about just them to send a gift. They weren't one of 30 when I gave them your gifts. They were just themselves. It was a special night, and I saw more life in those young eyes than I had ever seen before!

Last week, we put together birthday Smile Packets for each of the children at Sovietsk. We are sending them early so each child will receive one on his or her birthday. We are sending a special picture, a memory of them which makes us smile, and wishes for the happiest birthday yet, specially made for each child. We hope this small gesture will have a big impact, and the kiddos will know they are remembered and loved on their birthdays, just for who they are.

These are tiny ways we can remind these young people of how special and important they are, just themselves. Some of them will have special moments over the holidays which help them grow in who they are, as I am so thankful to have had already this season. Some of them will go home fo the holidays. Some of them will not, and that will hurt.

If any of you would like to send a special holiday card or email to one of our children, just reminding them that they are important, remembered, and not alone, please email me. We sent many letters, but we have a few children who could use some extra love.

Thank you for all you do for these children! I wish each of you a Christmas week full of special memories and love, just because of who you are.

Happy Holidays

I love Thanksgiving. It's a great opportunity spend time with family and eat delicious food. Christmas is great for many of the same reasons, plus we get to sing some really good songs at church on Christmas Eve. And then we wake up the next morning and spend a relaxing day with family. The holidays are a always a great opportunity to spend time with the people you love. Unfortunately for our friends at Sovietsk, they don't always have this opportunity. We're asking everyone to chip in and write some holiday cards to the kids and let them know that we're thinking about them during the holidays.

The biggest holiday of the season in Russia is New Year's. (They place the same level of importance on New Year's that we place on Christmas). The Russian Orthodox church celebrates Christmas on January 7.

If you're interested in sending a card, please contact us and we'll let you know how. Happy holidays to you and yours.