ALL IS MERRY AND BRIGHT

Family hanging out.

During my family's Christmas celebration this past Thursday I was reminded that the

"Universe gives us everything we need." 

As I reminisce on that day, a number of images weave themselves in my mind's eye:

- My Mom kneading, buttering and baking Serbian "pogaчa" (a sort of pastry-like bread) that morning

My brother-in-law and eldest brother getting the holiday meal ready!

- Arriving at my sister's house to half a dozen people opening the door, smiling and wishing us a "Merry Christmas"

- My five nephews' and nieces' anticipation and sweet impatience to start opening the gifts

- Pouring our homemade eggnog for the family, the sound of clinking glasses, everyone saying "cheers!" and "жiveli!", and the subsequent "oohs" and "aahs" at the deliciousness 

- Seeing my SO (significant other) running around the backyard, playing frisbee with the kids, his Mom and the dog 

Frisbee time!

- Getting to sit at the "children's table/the coolest/funnest table" for the holiday lunch

- The absolute mayhem of paper tearing, endless smiles, "thank yous", and hugs and kisses that ensued with the gift opening extravaganza 

- My sister-in-law and niece asking me in their animated way if my SO and I "REALLY did make the Nutella" that was part of our gift for everyone

- Going on a walk with my youngest nephew, niece, oldest brother and SO

- The whole family hanging out in the living room by the fire, while Skyping with relatives in Serbia

- Watching my youngest niece play with a new toy she really, really liked and wanted to show everyone

- My youngest nephew having the grandest time playing with one of the empty holiday bags 

My littlest nephew found the best gift! 

The entire day was made up of so many beautifully simple and precious moments that speak to the beauty and wonder of families and the quality time we spend together. To me and my SO, this is the essence of holidays. 

Merry everything!

~Modern Akhmatova

JOYOUS GIFT MAKING

As I returned home from a brisk afternoon bike ride earlier today and opened the door to our home, I was embraced by the exquisite smell of fresh baked dough. My significant other (SO) shouted from the kitchen "Just pulled the pizza out of the oven." I took off layers of winter clothes and walked over to him, smiled and said "There is truly nothing better in winter time than coming home to the smell of fresh baked dough." 

I truly meant this and it's because this is how I grew up in Serbia with my Mom's incredible cooking that made our small home so warm, cozy and loving. Ah, the sweet memories of childhood.

But they don't have to remain in our childhood. 

Last year, right around this time, my SO and I embarked on an epic "baking extravaganza." We actually started planning as early as October, but spent five weekends leading up to Christmas baking 60 DOZEN COOKIES (740 cookies to be exact). :) We really wanted to make our own gifts for our loved ones and found inspiration in what Grandma Bernie used to do. She is my SO's 94-year old grandma who used to bake 100 DOZEN COOKIES every Christmas! We tested a number of recipes before settling on the ones we loved the most (complete list of cookies is at the end of the blog post), both old and new, and those that we grew up on, like Grandma Bernie's Banana-Chip bars and my Mom's Vanilice, Baklava, and Strudla. These were going to make up the cookie baskets that we would then give to our loved ones in special holiday tins that Grandma Bernie used to use to store her cookies. 

Vanilice

Banana-Chip bar

Strudla

With our recipes in place and a Google spreadsheet to track all of the ingredients we headed to COSTCO on our two bikes and a "child" trailer. We biked 6 miles to COSTCO, filled our three bike baskets and trailer with 100+ lbs of groceries. SO biked back while pulling the trailer with 90+ lbs of groceries home. We even made a rest stop at a park on our way back and ended up having such a fun and relaxing time. No need to fight over parking spots at the mall or get stuck in traffic! We loved it :). 

Our awesome wheels and "child" carrier :)

So we didn't quite plan for everything, like where and how we would store 740 cookies for an entire month leading up to Christmas. CRAIGSLIST to the rescue! We bought a giant chest freezer and the problem was solved! :)

Throughout the month we listened to lots and lots of Christmas music (e.g. Diana Krall, Frank Sinatra, She & Him, and not so classy (SO's choice of course) Aqua Teen Hunger Force) danced, enjoyed the snow, drank, took pictures, and enjoyed every moment of baking for our family and friends. 

At the time, we hoped that our efforts would continue grandma Bernie's tradition in the family for years to come, and while we had an awesome time doing this last year and will probably do this again later on in our lives, we decided to do something a little bit more low key this year! To be revealed...after Christmas of course. Hint: our kitchen is already starting to smell SO good! ;)

Happy Joyous DIY Gift Making!

~Modern Akhmatova

COOKIES WE MADE:

1. Sour Cream Raisin Bar 

• A sweet and sour juxtaposition of raisins in sour cream sandwiched in an oatmeal crust. 

2. Hungarian Raspberry Pastry

• A superb combination of raspberry jam and walnuts set in whipped egg whites baked on a shortbread crust. 

3. Banana Chip Bar

• A delicious combination of chocolate and banana flavors, and when properly baked is still a bit moist.

4. Strudla

• A classic Serbian dessert. A delicious combination of sweet poppy seeds and raisins rolled into a doughy crust.

5. Vanilice

• One of the most common sweet delights from Serbia. A delightful combination of sweet dough with tart apricot jam and a hint of lemon in every bite.

6. Baklava

• The one and only! "Walnut" filling surrounded by the flaky, yet moist filo dough topped with lemon syrup.

7. Apple Gouda Oatmeal Cookie

• Not a particularly sweet cookie. It combines the sweetness of apples and raisins with strong olive oil and cheese flavors.

8. Peanut Butter Cookie

• A classic peanut butter cookie. Included homemade peanut butter and a sugar coated finish to give it a delicate crunch. Some sported cross hatches while others were dotted with chocolate chips.

9. Vegan Thumbprint Cookie

• A nutty cookie, with a hint of maple flavor and topped with apricot jam.