Memory Lane

Every year after Thanksgiving, the PA system in our grade school would crackle with the sound of the Cinnamon Bear. Not only was it a break from school and the normal routine (though older classes didn't always listen or it was part of a "studyhall") but it was a fun story and a fun tradition.

Amazing what you can rediscover over the internet -

The Christmas story of the Cinnamon Bear in MP3

Ukrainian minimum wage

The Kyiv Post ran an interesting article today on the minimum wage in Ukraine - that covered an experiment run by the Ukrainian National trade Unions forum despite the fact that the "experiment" was flawed - costs vary across Ukraine and so 1 person from 5 different regions doesn't reveal much - it is still interesting. When one considers that the average pension is even lower than the official minimum wage - around $95 a month you can see that the situation can be very desperate for some.

However, one thing the article failed to mention is how people with this money normally "survive"

1) Most students or young adults live with their parents - minimum wage but no rent or utilities. If they have left home, having gone to the city to work often their parents are often sending them products - potatoes, cottage cheese, etc.

2) most people would try to pick up extra jobs and work.

3) for the pensioners - they have their own apartments normally and they don't have to pay for public transportation. They still must pay for utilities and these prices continue to go up as the government can't afford to subsidize them. The costs are still far from the real value.

If you are unlucky enough to not have an apartment and to not have family who can send food or help out -- you do have a very dismal life indeed.

The article was very accurate on the quality of food - the average shopping bag would be cheap meat - like hot dogs, probably some buttermilk (kefir) which would be a meal replacement, and bread. Potatoes and oil are a must.

What I'm bringing to Thanksgiving Dinner

Here in Kiev, a group of us get together for Thanksgiving dinner. This year is extra special as it will be Saphira's 1st Thanksgiving - she won't remember it, but the glow will engulf her I'm sure.

In addition to some other sides - I'm bringing this delectable pie. I did a test run when apples first came into season in September. It was gone in two days. Just Alister and I. And that was with self-control. This pie is like having pie a la mode without having to buy a pint of ice cream.

I made some variations the first time and this time stuck with them with a few others - mainly lowering the sugar and adding cinnamon and other spices. Also - I use a pat-in-the-pan oil crust instead of a traditional pate brisee. Its faster and fool proof. Still, I recommend you make it first and put it in the freezer as you chop apples as it will help stop the custard from being absorbed.

So here is the recipe with my variations.

Sour Cream Apple Pie with Streusel Topping Recipe

INGREDIENTS

1 pie crust - http://www.exit109.com/~mstevens/lrccookb/PATINPAN.htm (leave out the sugar - this crust can be made in the pie crust)

Filling
1 cup sour cream
1/3 cup sugar
2 Tablespoons flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 egg
1 1/2 teaspoon Cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon Allspice
3 cups peeled, sliced tart apples (about 1 1/4 pounds of slices)

Topping
1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
1/3 cup flour
1/4 cup butter, room temperature
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/3 cup chopped walnuts

Mix together all ingredients (except nuts) until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Mix in nuts. Chill until needed in the recipe.

METHOD

1 Preheat oven to 400°F.

2 Beat together sour cream, sugar, flour, salt, vanilla, spices and egg (can beat by hand). Add apples, mixing carefully to coat well.

3 Put filling into a pie shell and bake at 400 degrees initially for 25 min.

4 Remove from oven and sprinkle with Cinnamon Crumb Topping. Bake for and additional 20 more minutes.

Let cool for a hour before serving. Serves 8.

In search of . . .

I was writing directions on Saphira's Schedule in Russian for my Russian class when I was stymied by the word sleepsuit / footed pajamas. Wikipedia was no help - no one has posted a Russian entry for sleepsuits. However - I discovered this link in the English post.

And the idle curiosity question popped into my head - how many adults actually wear footed pajamas? I may have to write the company to find out. I mean, even in the really cold months I'd rather wear socks and longjons rather than footed pajamas.

In the meantime - I thought I would ask here - are you a footed pajama wearing adult? Why? comments welcome.