Our In-Box

Lately I've gotten several notes from readers here or over at The Mini Pie Revolution Headquarters. In December I received a cry for help from a grandfather getting ready to make mini pies with his two grand-daughters and recently received a follow-up letting me know  how it worked out.

Yesterday was a double pleasure, as my (snail) mail box contained a lovely little collection of favorite recipes sent to me by Anna, of Produce Stories. All of the recipes are vegetarian and I've already marked several to try, particularly her two risotto recipes (one with ramps and one with celariac and leeks). Thank you, Anna!

I also received an email from Shmuel in Israel, with a recipe and photos for Arbor Day (Mini) Pies (TU-B'Shvat cake). You can read Shmuel's first letter and learn about his Arbor Day Mini Pies over at The Mini Pie Revolution Headquarters.

As we were sending emails back and forth, Shmuel mentioned that he was very taken with the Tiny Pies video we posted and included some photos of his wife's work with miniatures (though not edible). How adorable is this tiny bakery?!

Of course I wrote back and asked for more detail. I received this very lovely response and permission to reprint it:

"My wife, for nearly 52 years already, Sarah is a fabulous, though very humble person. She is creative in so many ways that its difficult to know exectly where to begin. But concerning her work with miniatures has been going on for a long time. Some five years ago a small item in the newspaper caught her eye, about a miniaturist club that was being formed and anybody wishing to join, please contact Gloria. That was a great opportunity for her to develop her skills even more, each member showing and teaching the rest what could be done with materials at hand.

The general market for miniaturists supplies and materials in Israel being so limited don't encourage importers to stock even some of the basic materials so a lot of "McGuiver" methods have to be employed to make their wonderful items from scratch, some of which can be seen in the miniature bakery that I sent a photo of. That project took several months to complete. She used Fimo and other such clay-type materials to make breads, cakes, pizzas, cookies, and whatever it takes to stock a conditory, all within a 9" x 6" box with a depth of about 5".

The club has already exhibited many dozens of their creations at several shows but lately, whatever ways advancing age has of acting up, the club has sort of fallen apart. Now Sarah is working on a few projects simultaniously: "an archeological dig site" a "furniture emporium" and some other small scenes.

However her cooking abilities are "full sized" making it hard for me to keep up any successful diet. The mini-pies were my idea.

I'm sure shes not too keen on my telling all about her, she being so modest about herself, but I am proud of the many things she produced, including our three children."

Thank you, dear readers, for sharing a little bit of your life with me and for allowing me to share them on this blog. Shmuel, thank you especially for your glowing description of your wife and her work and congratulations on nearly 52 years of marriage!

Comments

[Michelle]

What a lovely interaction to behold - thank you for sharing! Isn't the blogging world wonderful??? That might just be the cutest little bakery ever too...

[baking history]

I immensely enjoyed this letter and the story it tells. Thank you for sharing it!

[Sophie]

That miniature bakery is beautiful! And the vegetarian risottos sound great.

[Cakelaw]

Thanks for sharing - the miniature bakery is just gorgeous, and I am so glad that we all got a chance to see it.

[JEP]

Delightful post today!

[Ann]

Michelle, it really made my day to get such lovely mail.

Baking History, I'm glad you dropped by!

Sophie, isn't it adorable? We'll definitely have to try one of the risottos soon!

JEP, I loved having the chance to write it!