Spring 2017

Spring came again at our house, peeps, steers, and a new tree swing...

Polish Bread Recipe for Easter and Christmas

Every Easter, we celebrate Jesus' death and resurrection.  One way we celebrate is with food. Michael always had a special Easter breakfast with his family, growing up.  So, the week before Easter, we travel down to Baltimore to buy the kielbasa.  This has been the tradition of Michael and his friend, Mr. Miller, for years. When the kids were small, one kid was allowed to go along.  Now, we all like to go because we know what a special treat it is.  Each year, it gets harder for Mr. Miller, who is getting older.  This year, he was still recovering from a fall, so he was not able to go along.  It was sad for all of us, and we missed him terribly.

Last year with Mr. Miller and Blane at Jimmy's Restauran

Last year at Jimmy's

Traditionally, our first stop is Vaccaros to buy coffee and a treat.  Then we pick up the kielbasa at Ostrowski's.  Sometimes, we stop by a church for Mass, a polish store, or the market.  Then we go to Jimmy's for lunch.  This year, we went to Chick-fil-a, then Ostrowski's, then a bakery nearby.  We got donuts, enough for us and the Miller's.  Sadly, Jimmy's was closed because they changed owners and were remodeling.  We just stood outside, not knowing what to do.  After looking for a restaurant, we just ate our donuts and went home.  Our day was special, but had a sadness in the loss of tradition and missing Mr. Miller.  We visited the Millers in the evening.

The sad picture of Jimmy's with the chair all outside, closed for renovation.

Here we are, eating donuts for lunch!

On Easter morning, we eat a special Polish breakfast of kielbasa, hard-boiled eggs, horseradish, and bread (which Michael's family always calls "bulka").  The closest bread that I have found is called "Babka."  We have been buying all different kinds of holiday breads for Easter and Christmas each year.  This past Christmas was the first year I made this recipe of Holiday Babka.  It turned out great, so I made it again for Easter this year.

Here is the recipe:  Cooks.Com Holiday Babka (Mother's Polish Bread) from Belle
We went to be with family and went to their church.  There we proclaimed:  He is Risen!  No matter what this life brings, we have hope of eternal life because Jesus died for our sins and rose again, conquering death.

After lunch, we had an Easter egg hunt.  

Get Outside! Day Trip Idea

Two weekends ago, Michael said, "Let's go somewhere!"  He is very spontaneous.  I was ready to stay home with Liv and Blane because they had been sick.  However, they were not sick now, and the fresh air sounded good!

So, I quickly packed ham and cheese sandwiches, made some trail mix, put some waters in a cooler, and we were off.

Our destination was Rocks State Park in MD.   There is a fee to enter the parking area near the King and Queen Seat.  We enjoyed a quick picnic, first.  Then, the short hike led us to the King and Queen seat, which it a huge rock around 190 feet tall.  Looking over the side was very scary for me.  I even laid on the rock to look over the side.  There were rock climbers using ropes on both sides of the rock.  It looked like fun.

Then, we all hiked down the rocks on the left side.  I was with Blane, and he was able to crawl over the rocks.  Michael held Liv.  He needs to carry a baby to slow him down.  Once at the bottom, we sat by the river and relaxed.  Then, we climbed up the other side of the rock (the left side from the bottom).   It was a workout, but very fun!


So, if you have a free day, you may want to take a drive to Rocks State Park.

Shredded Chicken for Tortillas

This is an easy meal that I have been making in the crockpot and on the stove top.  Then when we went to Mexico, Celia made it, too!  So, I thought I would share it with you.

Shredded Chicken Recipe

Ingredients:
Three Chicken Breasts 
1 Chipotle Pepper with a little sauce (you can buy these in a can with adobo sauce.  Freeze the extra for another day)
1 tsp. chili powder
1 tsp. ground cumin
Salt and Pepper to taste

Boil the chicken breasts in water on stove top for 20-30 min. (until cooked enough that they will shred apart when still warm)
Or put in the crockpot on high for 4 hours.
Shred, then add seasonings.  (I think Celia may have added fried chorizo, as well.  Of course, this would make it extra special).
Put shredded chicken into soft tortillas.

Add toppings of your choice:
chopped tomatoes
lettuce
cucumbers
sliced red onions
lime juice

Suggested Sides:  
Refried Beans
Rice
Fresh Garden Salad

Guacamole (Celia's recipe)

When Carlos was grilling the steaks for Carne Asada, Celia showed me how she makes guacamole.  I usually make guacamole the way our friend, Pablo taught us.  That recipe is here.  Celia's recipe was new for me; I never heard that some people add milk!

Smooth Mild Guacamole 

6 avocados

1-2 cups of milk 

1 1/2 small cucumber

Blend (in a blender) avocados and cucumber, 

and add milk until it is a smooth guacamole sauce.

(The amounts listed are approximate.  Use the amount of avocados that works for your family, and adjust the amount of milk and cucumber)

Thank you, Celia!

Carne Asada Recipe (Meat with Sides in Tortillas)

This is the special meal that Carlos, Celia, and their family made for us.  Carlos cooked the steaks on the grill and chopped up the meat.  Karla and her boyfriend were cutting up the vegetables when we came back from a church service.  Celia and I continued to cut up more vegetables.  I squeezed the small fresh limes into the red onions.  This meal is a special meal that takes a lot of time, but is so delicious.  

Our families together (Blane and Liv went to bed)

The best part of the meal was when each of the members of the family told us how happy they were to have us in their home.  It was very kind, meaningful, generous.

Of course, I asked how Carlos made the meat.  At first he said that it is his secret, but then he told me.  Thank you Carlos and Celia!

Carne Asada (Meat with Sides in Tortillas)

Beef Steaks with a lot of fat

Marinade steaks with Garlic and Coarse Salt for about 10 minutes

Then grill and cut into small pieces

This is the beef, cut into small pieces

Cut up vegetables:
Chopped cucumbers
Diced tomatoes

cucumbers, jalapenos, tomatoes

Red onions, sliced with lime juice on top
Limes quartered
Jalapeno peppers, diced small
Guacamole (Celia's recipe)
Grilled green onions and peppers on the side

grilling steaks and green onions

Put meat, then vegetables in your choice of corn or flour tortillas, add lime and hot sauce to taste.  Add a lot of love and generosity, and you have a wonderful treat!  Enjoy!