Christmastime in Turkey

Zach made several batches of our favorite Christmastime cookies this week (Russian teacakes, and Mocha Espresso Snowcaps), and Eli and I made some sugar cookies and pretzel turtles. We made a ton, ate a ton, and will take the rest to all of our neighbors this week. Eli had a great time making cookies although he ate A LOT of batter and cookies and paid for it later (we looked for prune juice to get his system running again, only to find out there is no prune juice here. The Turkish suggestion is plain yogurt mixed with olive oil. Uh, yeah, I just didn't see him downing that very well). Turkey doesn't have much in the way of supplies for Christmas cookies/goodies, so here are some of the things that took advanced planning and extra work:

cookie cutters - brought from the U.S.

sprinkles and food coloring - sent from the U.S.

candy canes - sent from the U.S. and Germany

rolo candy (for the Turtles) - brought from the U.S.

Pecans - bought at the military base

powdered sugar - had to run it through the food processor because Turkey's is more crystal like

brown sugar - had to make it with white sugar and grape molasses

red hots - still without. not sold at the military base :(

While Christmas isn't celebrated here, the Turkish "New Year" decorations are quite similar to our Christmas decorations. This tree, standing in the local mall, makes it feel a bit more like the season.