We don't always make desserts, honest!! Tanja sent us this blueberry pie recipe from the Savo region in Finland - we had just found a lovely pie dish in the local second-hand shop, and the pie worked beautifully with it. We ate it warm with ice cream, just as recommended, and we had enough left over for another couple of days - this recipe made lots! 

Okay, yes, this is recipe no. 3 from the Netherlands...we couldn't resist! Yael mentioned oranjetompoucen in her letter, and when we looked for a recipe, we could only find one in Dutch. So, we became language detectives, and Toby did a brilliant job, using his English and his German to work out much of it. Our filling was more of a thick custard than a cream, but we didn't let that stop us - it tasted delicious!

Carol sent us this recipe, together with an amazing letter, outlining customs and culture. It took us a while to get round to making it, because it coincided with a super-busy time - but we are so glad we did! Toby stayed away from the hot oil, but helped with all the other steps...including the eating...especially the eating!

The lovely Lino from San Marino sent a "holding postcard" while his letter is making its way over. Bearing in mind how long we looked for a contact in San Marino, we can't quite believe it, but it's here, we promise, stamps and all! When we sent him an email to let him know, he had more news for us:
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I wanted to share with you another exciting happening. Last Wednesday I was received by Giuseppe Morganti the Hon. Secretary of State for Culture and Public Instruction of the Republic of San Marino.
I shared with him Toby's project. He was very interested in hearing Toby's project, acknowledged it was a very nice and stimulating venture, and asked me to congratulate Toby and thank him for including San Marino in his project. I asked permission to take a picture of me and him, right after I read to him Toby's letter. Here is the picture: I'm the one standing on the right.
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What an honour!!! Thank you so much, Lino!! This brings the list of "missing countries" down to 40, with four of them arriving in the last two weeks!