This is what you need in winter when your electric car dies. No charging station needed! The Mennonites had it figured out over 75 years ago!
This type of enclosed sleigh was referred to as a "caboose". The light on top was powered by a dry cell battery and used at night. This square shape style was not the normal design of the time but served the purpose. Its closed runner design was also not commonly used. The single or dual open runner type (shown below) is how most were built. Some units had a small wood-burning stove inside. Today, it looks fun and cozy. I'm guessing it was less fun for those who had to use them back in the day. They were practical however. And they served the purpose, which was to stay out of the -40 degree wind chill! They were sometimes used to transport children to school during extreme weather. A caboose this size could pack in 1 adult and 5 children.
It’s been said that tweibach and bread speak to the heart of the Mennonite culture. So I thought it might be fitting to post an article about the funny looking “buns” that are so well known. Tweibach are of course part of a bigger faspa tradition - but let’s stick with tweibach for now.
A short history lesson: Russian Mennonite tweibach is a centuries old food tradition that was enjoyed almost daily, as well as at special celebrations. Pronounced Tweebak in Plautdietsch, it is a yeast bread roll formed from two pieces of dough that are pulled apart when eaten. Placing the two balls of dough one on top of the other so that the top one does not fall off during the baking process is part of the art and challenge that must be mastered by the baker. Traditionally, this type of tweibach is baked Saturday and eaten Sunday morning and for afternoon Faspa, a light meal. Tweibach originated in the port cities of the Netherlands and the Danzig area. The toasted, dried buns were used to provision ships. Mennonite immigrants from the Netherlands, who settled in around Danzig in West Prussia, continued this practice and brought it to Russia when they migrated to new colonies in what is today Ukraine.”
Faspa: A light mid day lunch tradition of the Mennonites which consisted of tweibach, butter (lard was used if no butter was available) jam (usually rhubarb, strawberry or saskatoon berry jam), coffee and sometimes a few cold-cuts (ham or sausage). The more "deluxe "faspa was generally reserved for Sunday jast (guests) which may also include; cheese (usually Bothwell cheese or cheese curds) and pickles. If you really wanted to roll out the red carpet for faspa, you might also include raspberry or cherry preserves (see below).
A great coffee mug for any faspa! Available in our gift store. Click on heart to view
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