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Tag Archives: Christmas

Cherry Kolaches, our Christmas Day Tradition

23 Friday Dec 2016

Posted by cathysmaha in Czech Heritage, Family Favorites, Holidays, Home, My Roots

≈ 3 Comments

Tags

Baking, cherry, Christmas, Czech, family, Kolache, tradition

The gifts are wrapped, the house is decorated, and the baking is done. This year I thought I’d take a break from making Kolaches for Christmas Day until I mentioned this to my family. WHAT? BREAKING FROM TRADITION? So, I will not break the tradition and made them today.  The truth is I love them as much as my daughters and their families.

This year I used my Mother’s Foundation sweet dough which she used for cinnamon rolls and Kolaches. My KitchenAid mixer makes easy work of making bread instead of taxing my arthritic wrists. The past several batches of bread I’ve made from standard flour have been too dense, so I decided to try King Arthur’s unbleached bread flour. I loved the result with a very light sweet dough that melts in your mouth.

The cherry filling started with a bucket of frozen sour cherries I purchased at the Farmer’s Market last summer. img_8562

There is nothing better than the taste of those cherries. Truly, I could eat a bowl of the cherry filling and forget the bread dough!

I also make a dozen chocolate kolaches which started as a request by one of son-in-laws, now a family favorite as well.  I simply put chocolate chips (or this year a dove milk chocolate square) in the middle of the dough ball and then pinch it closed.  Let it rise to double in size then bake. When you remove from the oven, brush with melted butter and sprinkle with sugar.

img_8552

Another tradition for our Christmas Day celebration is the Nordic Kringla.  Turns out Kringla is a big hit with my 3 year old grandson and 1 year old granddaughter.  My 6 week old grandson has yet to weigh in…but next year…

Wishing all a very Merry Christmas and a peaceful and healthy New Year!

CHERRY KOLACHES, our Christmas Day Tradition

Mom’s Foundation Sweet Dough

2 cakes (Packages) yeast
1 tablespoon sugar
1 cup lukewarm water
1 cup milk
6 tablespoons shortening (I used unsalted butter)
1/2 cup sugar
1 teaspoon salt
6-7 cups flour (I used 6 cups King Arthur Bread Flour)
3 eggs, beaten

  • Dissolve yeast and 1 tablespoon sugar in lukewarm water. Set aside to soften and rise.
  • Scald milk.  Add shortening, sugar and salt; cool to lukewarm. Add 2 cups flour to make a batter.  Add the yeast mixture and beaten eggs, and beat well.
  • Add remaining flour or enough to make a soft dough. Knead lightly and place in greased bowl. Cover and let set in warm place, free from draft.  Let rise until doubled in bulk, about 2 hours.
  • When light, punch dough down and shape in balls about the size of a walnut and place on a greased cookie sheet. Let rise.
  • When risen, push the centers of balls down and fill with cherry filling (or filling of your choice).  Let rise again.
  • Bake at preheated 400 degree oven (375 degrees for convectional oven) for about 7 minutes or until golden brown.

Cherry Filling
1 1/2 cups sugar
4 tablespoons cornstarch
3/4 cup juice from cherries
3 cups pitted tart red cherries (water pack)
1 tablespoon butter
1/4 teaspoon red food coloring

Combine 3/4 cup sugar with cornstarch.  Stir in cherry juice. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, till mixture thickens and bubbles; cook 1 minute longer.  Add remaining sugar, cherries, butter, and food coloring and cook until thickened. (Mixture will be very thick.)  Let stand while preparing bread dough for Kolaches.

Reference:

KOLACHE … Bohemian Heritage and Christmas Tradition

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The Day After Christmas

26 Friday Dec 2014

Posted by cathysmaha in Holidays, Home

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Tags

all year, bustle, Christmas, day after Christmas, God, holiday, hustle, Light of the World, Matthew West, year

Christmas decorations in Braga, Portugal.

The vision of the holidays brings about fond memories, warmth and good cheer. Once they are here we all seem to hustle and bustle around, becoming too busy to really enjoy the season and remembering the ‘reason for the season’.

As I did my last minute shopping for groceries and gifts, it was easy to see the stress on the clerks faces as well as the faces of the shoppers.  It makes me sad. I, too, am guilty of being stressed over the holiday and it is all self-imposed.  The perfect Christmas newsletter must be produced (not so perfect this year!), cookies and candies to be made, gifts to be purchased and wrapped, menus planned, etc., etc ., etc.

As I look at the decorations in my house that will now need to come down and the beauty of the Christmas tree disappearing, I searched for a song about ‘after Christmas’ and discovered this great song by Matthew West.  It captures my sentiments and hope that you, too, will keep ‘The Light of the World’ in your heart all year long.

Advent wreath Русский: Рождественский венок Sl...

Advent wreath Русский: Рождественский венок Slovenčina: Adventný veniec (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Matthew West – Day After Christmas Lyrics

Artist: Matthew West

Album: The Heart Of Christmas

DAY AFTER CHRISTMAS

Here comes the letdown Christmas is over
Here comes the meltdown, there goes the cheer
But before we have a breakdown, let us remember
The light of the world is still here

Happy day after Christmas
And merry rest of the year
Even when Christmas is over
The light of the world is still here
The light of the world

Come January I’m ready for summer
The Super Bowl’s over and I’ll settle for spring
Sometimes we all need a change in the weather
But it won’t change the reason we sing

Happy day after Christmas
And merry rest of the year
Even when Christmas is over
The light of the world is still here

The light of the world
The light of the world
The light of the world

So take down the stockings, take back the sweaters
Take down the lights and the star and the tree
But don’t let this world take your joy after Christmas
Take joy to the world and just sing

Happy day after Christmas
And merry rest of the year
Even when Christmas is over
The light of the world is still here

Happy day after Christmas
And merry rest of the year
Even when Christmas is over
The light of the world is still here

The light of the world
The light of the world
The light of the world
The light of the world
The light of the world
The light of the world
The light of the world

  • Copyright: Westies Music Publishing, Word Music LLC
    Lyrics powered by http://www.musiXmatch.com

Read more at http://www.songlyrics.com/matthew-west/day-after-christmas-lyrics/#DfXc2tXWkIsX00G1.99

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Chocolate Kolaches

19 Friday Dec 2014

Posted by cathysmaha in Czech Heritage, Family, Family Favorites, Holidays

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

Bread, cherry, chocolate, Christmas, Kolach, morning, tradition

Chocolate Kolaches

Christmas morning without Kolaches is like the 4th of July without fireworks. Cherry Kolaches have always been my favorite and, until a few years ago, the only kind I ever made.  What to do when your new son-in-law doesn’t like cooked fruit? You can never go wrong with Chocolate.

Hershey's Chocolate Kisses

Hershey’s Chocolate Kisses

The first year I was a bit doubtful about the results but I was pleasantly surprised. I took a piece of dough, as I would for the cherry kolaches, but flatten in slightly, pressing 1-2 chocolate kisses in the dough, then pinching the dough closed around the chocolate.

Allow the dough to rise, per the recipe, and bake.  Brush with melted butter and sprinkle with sugar when removing from the oven (optional).

See the original recipe on my Cherry Kolaches post.

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Chocolate Dipped Pretzel Rods

05 Friday Dec 2014

Posted by cathysmaha in Family Favorites, Holidays

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Tags

chocolate, Christmas, gifts, pretzel, sugar

There is something decadent about chocolate with something salty. Chocolate dipped pretzels are a favorite of mine and last Christmas I made Chocolate Dipped Pretzels Rods in white chocolate and with dark chocolate to give as gifts. Ahem…except for those that didn’t make it past my mouth!

IMG_0054

CHOCOLATE DIPPED PRETZEL RODS

  • White Chocolate Chips
  • Dark Chocolate Chips
  • Pretzel Rods
  • Sugars and Sprinkles

Spread waxed paper on cookie sheets.

Melt chocolate  per instructions in microwave and pour melted chocolate into cup for dipping (makes about the right depth on the pretzel rods).  Over a separate plate or bowl, sprinkle the pretzel rods with sugar or sprinkles and place on waxed paper to harden.

Place pretzel rods in pretty tin or cello bag to give as gifts.

 

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Christmas Memories 2013

31 Tuesday Dec 2013

Posted by cathysmaha in Family, Family Favorites

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Tags

auld lang syne, Christmas, cookies, dog, grandkids, happy new year, Santa

The hustle bustle of Christmas is over.  The decorations are still brightly shining and the memories are precious. To share but a few…

Big BAD Joe after he ate all of the Christmas Cookies (not so precious):

IMG_3372

Grandson Evan posing in front of the Christmas Tree (but terrified of my new Canon DSLR camera):

IMG_0010

Evan with Santa

evan and santa 2013

Believe, it or not, Evan really isn’t into crying unless he is scared so, just for the record, here’s a picture of the true Evan, happy and fun!

IMG_2013_12_25_0157

Family photos taken September 2013 finally delivered by the photographer after our Christmas Cards and Newsletters were sent:

Family horizontal 1

Our family is blessed and we enjoyed spending time together. Now, on to 2014 and the adventures of a new year.

AULD LANG SYNE

Should old acquaintance be forgot,
and never brought to mind?
Should old acquaintance be forgot,
and old lang syne?

CHORUS:

For auld lang syne, my dear,
for auld lang syne,
we’ll take a cup of kindness yet,
for auld lang syne.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

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Christmas Crockpot Hot Chocolate

24 Tuesday Dec 2013

Posted by cathysmaha in Family, Family Favorites, Holidays, New Traditions

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Tags

chocolate, Chocolate chip, Christmas, crock-pot, drink, family, fireplace, Home, hot chocolate, marshmallows, mug, Slow cooker, tradition

Hot Chocolate and the holidays just go hand-in-hand.  That warm cozy feeling in your tummy while gathered around the fire or Christmas tree with loved ones is what Christmas is all about.

Christmas Fireplace

Christmas Fireplace (Photo credit: rockinpaddy)

Daughter, Sarah, requested that we try this recipe for Christmas morning 2012 and it was delicious.  It took a little longer to heat in the crock pot so allow plenty of time for it to warm to serving temperature.

IMG_1550 - Copy

I’m dreaming of a white Christmas!

Christmas Crock Pot Hot Chocolate

1.5 cups heavy cream
1 can sweetened condensed milk (14 oz.)
2 cups milk chocolate chips
6 cups milk (I used 1%)
1 tsp. vanilla
mini marshmallows

Stir together the whipping cream, milk, vanilla, and chocolate chips in a crock pot.

Cover and cook on low for 2 hours, stirring occasionally, until mixture is hot and chocolate chips are melted. Stir again before serving. Garnish as desired.

adapted from mrshappyhomemaker.com

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Peppermint Candy

20 Friday Dec 2013

Posted by cathysmaha in Holidays

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Tags

candy, Christmas, hard candy, holidays, Peppermint

Every Christmas, for many years, we have made Cinnamon Hard Candy.  I’ve often wondered how Peppermint hard candy would taste and it is also very good.  My girls are freaked out by the blue color but you could also make it without any food coloring if you are smurf-adverse.

Peppermint Candy

PEPPERMINT HARD CANDY

1 cup white sugar
1 cup karo syrup
1 cup water
1/4 teaspoon peppermint oil (usually behind the prescription counter at your grocery store)
1/4 teaspoon blue food coloring                                                                   powdered sugar

Combine sugar, syrup and water in a sauce pan.

Sugar, Karo and Water ready for the stove

Boil without stirring, over medium-high heat until it reaches hard crack stage (300-310 degrees).

Once the candy starts to thicken and turn golden brown, watch carefully or it can scorch.

Candy reaches hard crack stage
  • When done, remove from heat and quickly add peppermint oil and food coloring.
  • Pour into a metal pan that has been lined with about 1/4 to 1/3″ powdered sugar.
  • Sprinkle powdered sugar on top of candy immediately. Let cool until the edges start to firm up and then immediately begin to score the pieces from around the edges and keep cutting inward, in squares, as the candy hardens.  This makes it easier to break into more uniform pieces once the candy has hardened.
Peppermint Candy (2)

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Aunts and Uncles…storytelling…treasures of the family

03 Tuesday Dec 2013

Posted by cathysmaha in Family, Holidays, Home, Humor

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Tags

aunts, being present, Christmas, Christmas Eve, family, gift, holiday, Iowa, memories, memory, PRESENT, stories, uncles, video

Aunts and Uncles are a bit like Grandparents.  They get to spoil the nieces and nephews, shower them with affection and love, and leave when they are amped up on sugar and fun.  It’s a good gig! I was an Aunt at age 7 and grew up with my niece and two nephews. It was wonderful having playmates and helping out my older sister and brother. A highlight of every year was when they came to stay with us and go to Bible School at the rural Carlton Brethren Church, a half mile from our house. There were sticker charts, ice cream, indoor picnics, dress-up (sorry Jeff and Duane), and so many stories!

Aunt Cathy and Sherri

Aunt Cathy and Sherri

sherri duane and jeff christmas about 1969

After college I moved out-of-state and was always sad not to be closer to my family but treasured each of the visits back to see everyone. I was very fortunate to have wonderful Aunts and Uncles as well.  Not all of them lived close but my siblings and I always knew we were loved with the hugs/kisses that went with their visits.

At this state of my life, I have 3 Aunts and 1 Uncle.  Uncle Jack will be 90 this month and planning a big celebration.  Aunt Joyce (Jack’s wife) turned 86 in February. Aunt Lora (also my Mother’s BFF in school) turned 94 this year. Aunt Wilma will turn 100 next June.  From these wonderful people I learned the importance of family/loyalty, laughter, music, traditional dishes prepared for holidays and family gatherings.

Several years ago, when camcorders were new to the market, we traveled to Iowa with our newborn daughter to celebrate Christmas.  Christmas Eve day several of my family members were visiting at my Mother’s House.

Cathy and Uncle Jack

Cathy and Uncle Jack

We turned on the camcorder asked our family members ‘what is your favorite Christmas memory?’  I tear up just thinking about it.  The heart-warming, loving, funny, and sarcastic stories were great at the time but are true treasures now.

Stories

Stories (Photo credit: Enokson)

This holiday season let’s spend our time BEING PRESENT and sharing stories for our children and grandchildren to treasure.   Break out the smart phone and make a video, perhaps the best PRESENT of the season!

What’s your story?

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Crunchy Potato Casserole, aka Wedding Potatoes

29 Friday Mar 2013

Posted by cathysmaha in Family Favorites, My Roots

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

Casserole, cheese, Christmas, crunchy, Easter, family, ham, onion, potato, wedding potatoes

Crunchy Potato Casserole is a yummy side dish and family favorite.  It has become tradition served with Christmas and Easter ham.  I typically make the casserole the day before.  Simple to make and bake.  To make it easy on myself, I typically make the casserole the day before, cover, and refrigerate until ready to bake.

December 28 2012 004

Many folks refer to this dish as ‘wedding potatoes’, since it is often served as part of wedding feasts.

CRUNCHY POTATO CASSEROLE

1 large bag frozen hash browns partially thawed
1/4 cup butter melted
1/2 cup chopped onion
2 cups grated cheddar cheese
8 ounces sour cream
1 can Cream of Chicken soup
1/4 cup butter, melted
crushed corn flakes (or seasoned bread crumbs)
parsley flakes

IMG_1539

Mix all together (except for 1/4 cup butter and crushed corn flakes) and put in lightly buttered 9″ x 13″ pan. Sprinkle crushed corn flakes (or bread crumbs) over the potato mixture and top with remaining 1/4 cup melted butter. Sprinkle with parsley flakes.

Crunchy Potato Casserole ready for the oven

Bake at 350 degrees for 50 minutes (or until hot in the center).

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Baked Ham…Crockpot Style

26 Tuesday Mar 2013

Posted by cathysmaha in Family Favorites, Holidays, New Traditions

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

baked, butt, Christmas, Cook, crock-pot, Easter, ham, Home, potato, Slow cooker, tender

Easter and Christmas holidays call for a baked ham.  Easy-peasy recipes allow the host/hostess to enjoy their family and friends and this recipe, coupled with the crunchy potato casserole (March 29, 2013 post), make preparation easy.

December 28 2012 004

My family doesn’t enjoy spiral sliced hams, honey-baked hams, but they LOVE this recipe.  The leftover ham makes wonderful sandwiches, too.  Typically I purchase a Butt Portion Ham, often available for $.99-$1.39 a pound, a true friend of the family budget.

Crockpot Ham

BAKED HAM CROCKPOT STYLE

Pour 1/2 up water in Crock Pot. Wrap precooked 3-4 pound ham in foil; place in Crock Pot. Cover and cook on High 1 hour then turn to low for 6-7 hours or until ham is hot. If cooking a larger ham, cook 1 hour on high and 8-10 hours on low.

Cathy’s method: I follow the instructions above put typically have to cut a few slices off the ham to make it fit in the Crock Pot and place the slices around the larger ham then cover all in the foil. I start the ham about an hour before bedtime and then turn to low and cook 12-14 hours. The ham is juicy, tender and delicious.

Adapted from Rival Crock Pot Cooking

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