Cooking Granny Style

While we were in Utah for spring break, my aunt Cecelia agreed to give us a cooking class.  We learned how to make all sorts of things that my Grandmother (Irene Johnson) made for us growing up.  Most of us have already mastered the art of Palacsinta - a Christmas favorite, so she moved on to Csoroge, Kolache and fried pies (Natalie's favorite).  Grandma (aka Granny) was born to Hungarian parents and raised on a farm in Texas, so the combination makes for some good food with lots of butter and plenty of cream and always contains pecans, apricots or poppy seeds.

Here's Cecelia with Natalie and Hannah.  The next generation of bakers.

Max was an excellent mixer and helper - and so cute! 

Thomas made the Kolache dough.  We hear he got a mission call to Washington State just after we left Utah, but he hasn't called to tell us about it yet... hint, hint.

Dad and Karie enjoying Csoroge.

Everyone spent some hands on time with the prep.  It was so fun to be together with everyone in the kitchen. 

My Dad and his sister Cecelia were the honored teachers.  Dad provided us with lunch (Gulgas with his fresh made bread) and Cecelia provided us with recipes and instruction.  Two very opinionated siblings.  Please don't ask them about raisins.

Here is some pecan Kolache, just about to go into the oven.  My mouth is watering!

 

Palacsinta

Crepes filled with either (1) apricot, (2) pecan or (3) cheese filling.  The crepes are filled and layered in a pan.  Then cream is poured over to cover and the whole thing is baked till it's warm through.  They are a Christmas must.  As kids we ate them as dessert for Christmas eve and then again for breakfast Christmas morning.  They are so delicious and still one of my favorite desserts (especially the Pecan), but definitely not on the low calorie list.

 

 

 

Kolache

A sweet dough filled with either (1) pecans and sugar or (2) poppy seeds and sugar.  Rolled and baked, then sliced for eating.  I have never eaten them fresh out of the oven until our cooking class.  Granny would usually bake them in the days before the holiday and bring them ready to slice.  They were always delicious but are AMAZING right out of the oven!

 

 

Csoroge

A sour cream dough rolled and cut into squares, then fried and sprinkled with sugar.  I like them soft, Cecelia likes them crisp.  It's a special occasion cookie.

 

Fried Pies

Left over pie crust dough filled with a reduced and sweetened apricot filling and baked. Cecelia said that she used to fill up the neighborhood kids with them.  I don't doubt it.  They are delicious.

 

 

Metal Mouth

Today two new sets of braces were added to our family.

 

That makes three at once!

Grateful

I am so very grateful for family...

Girls...

Cousins... we were able to go to Cortez and Roman's semi-final football game for the State playoffs.  They play for the state championships this weekend in Tacoma.

 

Amazingly talented, kind and fun Sister-in-Law's...

 

Food... (lots of it)

 

Cousins like Kennidi who shared her Mary Kay with all of the girls...

 

And Grandma who gives us Ice Cream Waffles for breakfast...

Halloween 2013

Halloween was a breeze this year.  Mostly because the girls' costumes were simple.  I only purchased (1) red cape, (1) mad hatter hat and (1) mad hatter vest.  The rest was either borrowed or something we already had.  I did not sew ANYTHING!

Pumpkin Carving at FHE.

The three princesses at Trunk-or-Treat

Little Red Riding Hood, Tangled (aka Rapunzel), Ninja princess, the Mad Hatter.

Ninja Princess fights the Ranger.

The Trick-or-Treat gang before heading out.

Red Riding Hood looks pretty excited for all of that candy.

Fair Time

 It's fair weekend here in Bonner County.  The girls wanted to enter some of the produce they have been growing at the farm.  Maren was super excited to get the Best of Show with her purple cabbage.

 

 

Paige won a blue ribbon for her squash and entered this vegetable creation - Granny Squash.

 

 

Hannah got a blue ribbon for her beautiful poppies (which only last a few hours in a vase - so no photo) and Izzy chose one of Kirk's sunflowers and entered it for him for a blue ribbon.

 

Some of the other favorites of the fair this year was Mama pig

and her 13 (yes! there were 13) piglets!

The girls loved milking the plastic cow,
but no one wanted to drink the plastic cow milk - wonder why?

 

Another new favorite this year... the mechanical bull.

 



 

Summer in Utah

 The girls and I just returned from a great trip to Utah.  Bret and Elizabeth hosted all of the girl cousins (and some fun neighbor friends) for Princess Week.  Everyday we celebrated a different princess with fun activities.  Here are some highlights...

Sleeping Beauty Day was highlighted with the tea party - including dress-up, mint tea, heart sandwiches, chocolate fountain and lots of giggles.  The day ended with a sleepover in the backyard.  9 Girls and one big tent made for a memorable night.

Pocahontas Day included a float down the Bear River at Oneida Narrows.

The Little Mermaid Day started with a hike through Minnetonka Cave and ended with swimming on the north shore of Bear Lake.

We were lucky enough to find a photo of Grandma's Quilt on the way to Bear Lake.

Belle Day revolved around horse camp.  We had to detour to a local park until the wind calmed down, then the girls got to work with their favorite horses - Rufus, Sunny, Victor, Peppy and several more.  Thanks Amy for another great day with the horses!

Thanks Bret and Elizabeth for a special week of memories!