What I Learned from My Grandma!

     When I was growing up my grandma watched me when my mom was at work.  I was raised by a single mom.  My grandma was your typical 1950/60's house wife, and proud to be one.  I was taught by my grandma that being a house wife/stay at home mom is truly a job, and not to let any one tell you differently.  My grandma had a routine for everything.  She had a set laundry schedule, a day for dusting, for vacuuming, cleaning the bathroom, ect. 

     She was always willing to help out her neighbors, even if it was just a cup sugar.  She would visit with the other stay at home wives in the neighborhood.  Many of them raised their children at the same time my mom and aunts were growing up.  So in many ways I had a whole neighborhood of 1950/60's house wives to learn from.

     Although my grandma never go to see me in my role of stay at home wife/mom, I know she would be proud of me.  Many time I will stop and think what would grandma for .... I try and pull from the things I learned at her feet as a small little girl and later at her side as I grew.  Many things she tried to teach me I wish I had payed more attention too.  Things like some of her now forgotten recipes.  But so many of the things she taught me you can't learn in books.  Things like serving your family with a good attitude.  Standing by your husband and not giving up when things get rough.  Caring whole heartily for your neighbors, and being there for them in times of need.  Yes my mother taught me many of those things also.

     I learned that the best ran household needs routine.  In recent years I have strayed from that.  I am working to get back to that in the coming new year.  As I start off on this journey I will take you all along with me.

Photo Credit:pop-circus.blogspot.com

Cookies a Family Traditon

   For the last 6 or 7 years we have made a point to make cookies during the Christmas Season to give to our neighbors.  This year is no different.  My kids enjoy helping to make, decorate, and deliver the cookies every year.  Every year we try to do one new cookie and a couple traditional cookies.  This year we are making chocolate chip, butter spritzer cookies, ginger bread men and women, and new this year we are making pumpkin bread. Yes, I know that is not a cookie, but I could not find a new one I liked.
     When I was growing up, I helped my grandmother on my mom's side make pumpkin bread for her neighbors.  I think that is were I got the idea to start making cookies for our neighbors.  When I started to stay at home with our kids and homeschool them in May of 2008, I took on a lot of the same things I saw my grandmother do when I was younger.  Many of those things I can share in a different blog. 
   
Until Next Time,
Pitters

Homemade Kolaches

     I am about 1/4 Polish, 1/4 Bohemian, and 1/8 Czechoslovakian for a long time I have wanted to learn how to make Kolaches.  Although I have learned the sweet variation of this pastry I have yet to make a savory one.  So I searched today for a recipe for a savory variation.  I found one that I am making for dinner tonight.  With the size army, I mean family I have to feed I am doubling this recipe.  Many of the recipes I found used store bought dough.  I am not saying that is wrong, but I want authentic kolaches.  I finally found one and so far I am happy with how the dough is turning out.  I am right now waiting until the dough doubles in size.


Recipe for the Kolache Dough

Ingredients:
1 3/4 teaspoon active dry yeast
1 cup warm milk (105 to 115 degrees F)
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
2 large eggs
6 Tablespoons Sugar
1 teaspoon table salt
about 4 cups unbleached all-purpose flour

   1. In a small bowl dissolve the yeast in 1/4 cup milk.
   2. In a large bowl combine the yeast mixture, with the remaining milk that has been warmed, butter, eggs, sugar, salt, and 1 1/2 cups flour.
   3. Gradually add enough of the remaining flour to make a workable dough.
   4. In a mixer with a dough hook, kneed dough until smooth and springy, about 5 minutes.
   5. Place in an oiled bowl and turn to coat.
   6. Cover with a kitchen towel or loosely with plastic wrap.  Let dough rise for 2 to 3 hours or until the dough doubles in size, in a warm, draft free area.
   7. Punch down the dough, kneed briefly, cover, and let rise in a warm, draft free place until nearly doubled in size, about 1 1/4 hours
   8.  Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.  Punch down the dough knead briefly, divide in half, form balls and let stand for 10 min.
   9. On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough 1/2in thick.  Cut into 2 1/2 in rounds. Reroll and cut out the scraps.
  10. Put in a tablespoon or 2 into in middle of the round.  fold the side around the filling and place seem side down.  Place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper , about one inch apart.  Cover with a towel or plastic wrap loosely and let rise for about an hour.
  11. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Bake for 12 minuets or until golden brown.

What I have learned watching my son as he earns the Eagle Rank in Boy Scouts

     As we see our 17 year old rounding the last bin of his journey to getting his Eagle Scout Rank in Boy Scouts, we have seen him grow from a little boy to a young man.  As a young man earns his Eagle he learns many things along the way.  He first needs to learn what it means to be a scout.  He is asked to start living out the scout law oath, motto, slogan and the outdoor code.

The Law

A Scout is:

Trustworthy, Loyal, Helpful, Friendly, Courteous, Kind, Obedient, Cheerful, Thrifty, Brave, Clean, and Reverent.

The Oath

On my honor, I will do my best
To do my duty to God and my country and to obey the Scout Law;
To help other people at all times;
To keep myself physically strong, mentally awake and morally straight.

The Motto

Be Prepared!

The Slogan

Do a Good Turn Daily!

The Outdoor Code

As an American, I will do my best to -
Be clean in my outdoor manners
Be careful with fire
Be considerate in the outdoors, and
Be conservation minded.

     As a young man earns merit badges he learns many life long skills.  As he plans his Eagle project and puts that plan into action he learns leadership skills.  He is required to hold leadership positons in his troop along the way as well.

     I am so impressed with my son. Not many young men earn the eagle scout award.  He is now only waiting for his board of review to be scheduled,  Even though he is cutting it close and at times he wanted to give up he did not give up.  I know that he will one day look back over his time in scouting with fond memories and be glad he stuck it out.

     As his mom I have learned not to do the things he need to do but to encourage him to do them.  I have had to let him fail at times and learn to get back up and start again.  That is hard for a mom to do, but as he has grown on this adventure I have too.  

Warm Comfort!

     One thing I love on cold days is the warmth of hot chocolate.  For a short time as I drink my warm cup of hot chocolate, I feel life stresses melt away.  Tonight as I am writing this I am drinking a cup.  After the long day I had, I needed it.  Tonight's cup of hot chocolate is full of peppermint, whipped cream, and crushed candy canes.

   Another way I find warm comfort is in God's Word.  I know the days I don't start off reading the Bible and getting time alone with my Savior, are the days that don't go as I planed.  Well let me say that it bothers me more on those days when things don't go as planed.  On those days I have learned that I need to stop everything I can and read, pray, cry out to God.

     One thing that a guest pastor talked about at our churches marriage conference this past spring was that it is ok for us to express our emotions to God.  He can handle it if we need to yell and cry out to Him.  Yes, you heard me we can yell at God if we are upset. It is ok to get upset with God when you feel things are to much.  David yelled at God, have you ever read Psalms?  David yells at God a lot in Psalms.   Let it out, and give it to God.

     I know that not everything is solved by this, but you can ask God to help you.  To help you get through the pain of loss.  That pain may never truly go away, but you can cry out to God to help you work through the feelings you are going through.  He is there of His children, he wants to hold us and help us.  He can help us endure physical pain, cry out to Him, he is the great physician.  If you fell lost and drowning in life He can help with that too.  We just need to ask for His help.

     That is what God is teaching me lately.  To lean on Him, during all aspects of my life.  He is there for me.  He want me to ask Him for help.  What is God teaching you?

Until Next Time,
Pitters

Unit Studies: Using American Girl History Dolls

     This year for fourth grade we are doing unit studies with our daughter.  We are starting with Kaya, she is the Native American history girl.  My daughter and I are enjoying reading the books and doing a few crafts. Of this unit we are also going to be using the other resources from National Geographic, Usborne Books, and many others.  This years history unit studies all came about because of my daughters love for American Girl Dolls.  She loves reading the books about the different dolls.  How many of you also have daughters that love 18in dolls?

     I like how we have the freedom to use materials and books that our kids love to help them learn different subjects.


List of books we are using this year for 4th grade history.

* all the historic doll books from American Girl
* The Frist Americans (Usborne Books & More)
* Timelines of World History (Usborne Books & More)
* Various books from the Library about the time period we are studying.

     We also use Pinterest to find crafts and recipes.

Getting Ready for Christmas!!

     Now that Thanksgiving is over, my focus is now on getting ready for Christmas.  We usually we decorate the week after Thanksgiving. Most time the weekend of Thanksgiving.  This year I was booked for Small Business Saturday so it will happen this week.  Every year the kids love helping to decorate.  They each have their own ornaments that they place on the tree. 

     Every year we bake cookies for our neighbors.  Our kids enjoy making the cookies and packaging them up. Our neighbors seem to be happy to receive them every year. This year we have a couple new families that we are looking forward to making cookies for.

 
     Our little dog know what our stockings are.  When she sees them she cries for hers.  I know, I know, we are the crazy pet owner types.  Our dogs this year are being spoiled with a bark box subscription for a few months.  We have already received the first one and yes I wrapped it up for them for under the tree.

     I hope to share with all of you the things we do to get ready for Christmas and how we celebrate as a family.  So many fun things coming this Holiday Season.


Until Next Time,
Pitters