fire in the belly

So we have been exploring our Russian heritage with some different things here at home.  My great grandfather on my mama's side immigrated here from Russian when he was 17 right before the Bolshevik Revolution happened.  Both he and my great grandma came from an area called Saratov.  Growing up I was actually embarrassed about my heritage because everything I was taught in school was post Cold War.  It was not until a class I took in college on Russian civilization did the beauty of Old Russia really come alive for me.  

 

Now I like to continue to explore this culture and hope to visit there someday in person.  The best book I read on Russian culture was that textbook from many years ago Land of the Firebird- the firebird is a common folktale in Russia.  I recently made my first firebird for a friend's son named Phoenix- I thought it was just right for him!  So we have been going through my old college textbook looking at the art, architecture etc for Russia.  

One of my absolutely favorite meals from my childhood that my great grandma taught her daughter in law who taught her daughter who tried to teach me and she said to her chef hubby will you learn to make these- we always just called them Cabbage Bread- they are also known as Bierocks, but I can tell you what just the mention of them and my sisters and I just get giddy!  They really are simple peasant food and they make wonderful easy lunch to take and keep well for leftovers.  It is not a surprise that they are popular in the midwest farm lands.  My great grandfather came from a farm family in Russia and he ended up in the midwest farming also.  

 

 

Bierocks are basically a bread stuffed with cabbage and ground beef with simple seasonings- goodness so yummy!  Here is a fun excerpt about Bierocks and the name.

So this has been a fun start to our heritage Russian learning.  On the slate is making some traditional Praniks with my mama soon!  My sisters and I had gotten my mama a traditional carved mold a few years back when the folks from Ring Cedar happened to live in my community for a while- it is just stunning, but you know it is wood- of course I love it!

These are some of the books I ordered to continue our Russian learning:

Martha

Tale of the Firebird

Masha and the Firebird

I will share more pictures soon of our heritage learning journey!  Of course there is the German side, the Italian side, and who knows what else!  Enjoy your Friday- I am at home nursing a horrible sore throat- thank goodness I had just gotten another bottle of Elderberry Juice- you can add this to any ol cup of hot tea and it is wonderful!