The Ancient Art of Mosaic

Mosaic Pictures a la Ancient Iraq

Actually, a la Mesopotamia, since back in the day that's what the area was called.  The art of arranging colored tiles into patterns, pictures or designs has been happening in these parts for thousands of years.  Some of the earliest ones are dated back to 2000 BC.  The craftsmanship of the early Sumerians was so amazing that many of the works are still able to be seen today.  The tile in our bathroom was put in 5 years ago, and it's already got cracks!!  Things sure aren't made the way they used to be :)  Anyway, this sounded like a project we could do.  I wasn't sure my daughter would get into it but she kept telling me how fun it was - and her picture turned out very well!!  My son was in Jedi mode today and this was a little too calm for him.

For the project you will need:

• Different colors of construction paper
• contact paper (or glue but this is easier)
• scissors

1.  Cut the paper into strips and the strips into squares.  Good scissor practice for the kindergartener :)
2. Cut a piece of contact paper whatever size you'd like.  Turn it over and peel off backing.  This is your canvas.

3. Arrange the paper "tiles" in any design you'd like.  Mine was a modern design but my daughter made a flower in a dark night sky.





It was very relaxing to sort through the paper and fit the little pieces where you think they should be. 



You just get in the zone and the rest of the world kinda fades away - try it some rainy day and see what you come up with.

On the Menu: Iraqi Food

A little Iraqi Snacky

Maybe an ancient Mespotamian cookbook??

Somebody should really stop me with these bad puns and rhymes.  Apparently, I can't stop myself :)  Anyway....here we are at my favorite part of the week - FOOD!  The cuisine of Iraq is very similar to most Middle Eastern countries, very healthy with olive oils, lots of legumes and grains, nuts and fruits.  They have a lot of exotic spices and interesting flavors.  I thought it was interesting that some of the ancient cuneiform (similar to heiroglyphics) tablets from over 6000 years ago had recipes on them!  I guess you could say that Iraq is the birthplace of cookbooks :)  In fact, both the national dish, Masgouf (bbq fish) and the national cookie, Kleicha , are recipes that are thousands of years old.  Why mess with something that's worked for millenia???  Both recipes looked good but it's been pouring rain here so we're not barbequeing fish, and the Kleich cookie recipe looks a little involved, so I found a simpler cookie.  Perfect to have with a cup of coffee or cocoa on a cold and blustery day. 

Kaak bil SimSim (Sweet Sesame Rings)

For the recipe you will need:

• 3 c flour
• 1 c sugar
• 1 t baking powder
• 1 t ground anise seeds
• 1 t salt
• 1 stick butter (1/2 c) room temp
• 1/4 c vegetable oil
• 1 egg
• 1/4 c milk
• 1/2 to 1 cup sesame seeds
• 1 beaten egg for egg wash

1. Add flour and other dry ingredients to large bowl. Combine.
2. Add butter and oil and combine with hands.  Messy but fun :)
3.  Add milk and egg to the party and squish and knead until a soft dough is formed.
4. Line cookie sheet with parchment or waxed paper.  Oil your hands a little, then take a small bit of dough and roll into rope shape.  Then turn rope shape into ring by pressing ends together. 

We had big ones, little ones, heart shaped ones, and a couple blobby ones- it was pretty fun!

5.  Brush the cookies with the beaten egg (which my daughter decided turned these cookies "healthy") and sprinkle with sesame seeds.  I kind of wish I left some plain because the kids didn't like the sesame seeds very much.
6.  Bake about 20 mins. in 350° oven.  Cool and enjoy.

Apparently these cookies will stay fresh for a long time if wrapped or put in container.  Cookies NEVER last a long time in this house so I can't testify to that.  My friend (who is Greek) said these looked like a cookie her mom makes every year at Easter time and another neighbor thought they were pretty tasty too.  They are not really very sweet and I liked the flavor from the anise but if you don't think you'd like that taste, I really think any flavor could be substituted and it would still be pretty yummy.  Hope you enjoy :)

Week 20: Iraq

Iraq- the Garden of Eden

Because it is the Christmas season, when love and peace towards all is in the air, I thought we should do a country that has been torn by war and turmoil lately.  I chose Iraq because it also has a lot to learn about!  Here are a few facts about Iraq:

• the name means "the fertile" or "deep-rooted" in Arabic and refers to the rich soil of the land, which lies between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers.
• Some believe this area is what the Bible refers to when they speak of the Garden of Eden.
• the country is located in Western Asia, in an area that was home to one of the first civilizations in the world - Mesopotamia.
• The capital, Baghdad, founded in 1867 BC, is one of the oldest metropolises in the world.  On the map- 32.54°N/ 44.4°E
• Iraq has been credited with bringing us the 60 second minute, the 60 minute hour and the first accurate calendar.
• Iraqi people have kept bees for over 5000 years and have used honey as food and a source of income.

Iraq is a country that has a deep, rich background of culture and history and it is a shame that the wars and destruction caused by greed and power have ruined many of the historical areas.  This week we will forget about the wars and fighting and focus on the history and culture of Iraq.  We are going to make a sweet sesame cookie, a mosaic like the ancient Mesopotamians did (well, kinda), and another project I haven't decided on yet :)  Any suggestions would be appreciated...  In fact, I love getting comments, so please leave any you have - unless they're mean.  Peace.