This month's trip has landed us in Russia. What an interesting learning experience we have had this month. We started our trip at the library where we discovered the magical world of Baba Yaga. Baba Yaga is a witch who shows up in many Russian children's folktales. She isn't always evil, but she usually is, and she is always riding inside of a mortar and holding a pestle. Which seemed a little strange to us. While we found Baba Yaga in a few books, it was "Vasalissa the Beautiful" that we focused on. Vasilissa is sort of like Cinderella.
Her mother dies, her father marries a mean woman with 2 terrible daughters. The difference is that there is no prince. Vasilissa is forced to go to Baba Yaga's home...she's terrified. Thankfully, Vasilissa has a magical doll that her mother had given to her. This doll helps Vasalissa survive her time with Baba Yaga and ultimately return home. My youngest daughter and I decided to make our very own doll. Here is what we did...
Using a paper doll body and clothing we cut out the pieces we needed to make our doll out of felt.
Assembled the pieces and stitch together the dress pieces.
Added a face and hair to the doll.
My daughter wanted to keep the clothing as removable, so I didn't stitch the doll together completely. This craft was a great joint project. My daughter even did some of the sewing. Now my daughter sleeps with this little doll. She refers to the doll as a worry doll, who she can tell all her worries to, just like Vasilissa did in the story book.
After we were finished reading this book we were inspired to make a tasty Russian treat...Russian tea cakes. We learned that these aren't cakes at all, rather they are cookies. Delicious little cookies. I found the recipe at a great Russian website Natasha's Kitchen. These cookies were simple to make and are melt in your mouth good.
Mix together 1 cup unsalted butter (room temperature), ½ cup icing sugar and 1 teaspoon vanilla
Add 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour and 1 teaspoon salt
Add 1 cup finely chopped walnuts (we used pecans)
Use a teaspoon to make 1" balls.
Bake at 400F for 10-12 minutes
Coat in icing sugar, while warm and again when they have cooled.
Russia was a great adventure. We were introduced to a new folk character and a yummy new favourite cookie. We had such a great time in Sweden and the UK and can't wait to set off again. You will find this month's passport page, filled with interesting facts about Russia here. If you are looking for the Russian placemat to print off, it's right here.
Take a look at the other blogs that are participating in Around the World in 12 Dishes are...
Adventures In Mommydom, Creative Family Fun, Domestic Goddesque, Glittering Muffins, Juggling with Kids, Kitchen Counter Chronicles, Mermaids' Makings, Mom 2 Posh Little Divas, Montessori Tidbits, Mummymummymum, The Educators' Spin On It , The Usual Mayhem.
MaryAnne K says
I love the doll you made! Thanks for sharing with Learning Laboratory at Mama Smiles =)