Madison is 14!!!!!

Fourteen years ago today I officially became a mommy. Well, 14 years and 9 months ago but 14 years ago today I held my first baby in my arms and nursed her for the first time and completely fell in love with her and motherhood! I love my vocation of being a wife and mother and wouldn't change it for any other thing in the world.
This is a picture of Madison and her Pioneer Woman Coffee Cream Cake we made for her B-day today and Lil Manny can't wait to give it a go.
Happy Birthday Honey, I love you sooooo much!!!! You are such a blessing.

Basket Blessing

This is a picture I've been meaning to post of our baskets getting blessed at the Easter Vigil. It's such a beautiful tradition and the Liturgy is one of my favorites that night even though it's was 2 1/2 hours. We had a candle light procession through and around the church and I held Manny while he proudly held his own beeswax candle. He did so good. I wanted to take his picture so badly but I didn't think it would be appropriate, darn it!

Mannypie

Here's and action shot of my cutie pie. He's getting so big!

Homemade Cheesestix

These were excellent! The recipe was from the Pioneer Woman's new cookbook. We made them with provolone, munster and sharp cheddar. We didn't like the sharp cheddar at all, they were too strong but the others were wonderful. Much easier than I expected. I'll try and post our adapted recipe soon ;)

Maple Syrup, yummy

Today I canned my gallon of pure maple syrup into smaller glass jars so it will stay fresher longer. It was a very easy process, just a little sticky.
All you do is reheat your syrup to about 180 degrees and then ladle it into hot, clean jars and put the sealing lids on that you had bathing in boiling water and the jars should seal themselves from all the heat. I used smaller jars because once the syrup is open you must keep it in the fridge since they are no preservatives so I like to just warm up a little at a time as needed.

Paska - Easter- Cheese

This is so yummy hot or cold. I know the Slovak name but there is no way I can spell it ;). It's so easy to make.

Paska Cheese-

6 eggs
2 cups milk
Pinch of salt

Whisk all together well and cook over med heat, stirring constantly till it resembles scrambled eggs in water.
Pour out mixture into a cheese cloth laying in another pot.
Pull ends together and twist to for a ball and squeeze with tongs because it is very hot.
Clip to hold it tight and hang for a few hours to drip.
Then take it down, wrap it up and refrigerate till your ready to go to Divine Liturgy and put it in your basket to get blessed along with your other Paska food.

The Easter Cheese is the dairy product in the basket that reminds us of the "prosperity and peace" of the Messianic times which had been foretold by the Prophets often referenced by "the land of milk and honey," referring to the spiritual wealth of Gods kingdom. (from- Celebrate Easter Slovak Style by Lawrence G. Kozlowski)

Guess How Much I Love You...

I suffered through making Buckeyes for your birthday, honey.
These are for my husband's birthday. I love, love, love to cook and bake but I can't stand making Buckeyes for some reason and he loves them. They are good, I like them too, we all do- although Mason likes his without the chocolate- I just can't stand making them ;(.

Pioneer Woman Pot Roast

This is from the old cookbook- which we love but I just hope the binding is better in the new one, all the pages have fallen out!- This is the first time we have gotten around to making it though since we have been very happy with my own recipe but I thought today we would give it a go.
I just love my big, oval Le Creuset pot It holds so much and works perfectly on the long griddle style burner in my new oven. Thanks again Marshalls for the great deal on clearance.

It's Here

Madison and I will now be planning our menu for the next few weeks. She can't wait to get started.