Something Russian - animals made from wood shavings

Spent some time with a friend today, 

in the conversation he mentioned his former teacher, 

who makes animals from wood shavings.

The owls beak and claws are made up of hundreds of layers of shavings. 

He studies wildlife to make his models as accurate as possible. He even has a patent on his technique

He was offered 60, 000 pound ($100,000) for the owl, but refused to sell.

If you can handle Russian find out more here:

http://crabo.ru/news/podelki_iz_struzhki/2011-09-12-837

Something Russian - Mushrooms!

Most Russians love Mushrooms.

Not the sanitised ones you buy at the supermarket, but wild ones!

Some love the hunt, finding hidden treasure in the woods.

Others just love the taste, and are prepared to buy them by the bucketload (literally) from sellers at the market, or at the side of the road.

Knowledge of the different types is passed down the generations. 

Some need to be boiled first, some you can just fry in butter with a little garlic, and some potatoes.

You can also marinate them and keep them to eat on a cold winter evening.

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Something Russian - Wood Carving

I don't even know what to call this apart from a wood carving! This is carved by a friend using a part of the tree where there is an aberration, a kind of "tree tumor".

Here is a still of the face.

A Botanical Walk

One of our neighbours, Ira, came up with the idea of taking the kids on a walk to learn about some of  the local plants. She even prepared a guide with pictures. 

Our band of botanists set off in search of samples.

Their labours were rewarded, richly!

Those who could not wait for the picnic, tried placing sticks on an anthill,

and licking them afterwards (I am told it tastes sour).

Berries were also sampled

At the top of the hill we admired the view, although smoke from distant forest fires affected it badly.

Then we shared a picnic,

took a group picture

and headed back down the hill.

The track comes out at the biathlon stadium, where some, 

who could not wait for winter, ski on rollers!

Tired, but happy!

Dacha

A "dacha" is a summer cabin usually somewhere outside the city. 

The dacha is where the older generation especially spend their summer holidays and weekends.

It gives relief from the tight confines of flats in the concrete jungles of Russian towns. 

Dachas come in all shapes and sizes, they are mostly self-built.

I love the variety, I love the little inovations, and I love the artistic touches

Dachas are fairly primitave with no running water and a toilet dug at the end of the garden, 

however most do have electricity.

This is a "banya" (that is what the sign says), a Russian steam bath.

A dacha is mainly for growing fruit and vegetables, potatoes are especially important,

it's how the Russians survive during economic crisis.

All the pictures except the one below come from our neighbours' dachas,

which all seem prettier and more productive than ours!

I will show you some more of our dacha in later post.