My Great-Grandmothers Lost Potica Recipe

Over the past few days I've scored the inter webs for the correct Eastern European potica/orechovnik or nutroll recipe.  When I was a little girl, my family would drive to my Grandmothers house in Nebraska from Texas every fall and winter. I vividly remember the many hours my Grandmother and mother would spend in the kitchen trying to re-create my Great Grandmothers nutroll recipe.  

We would watch as they baked and would be in absolute Heaven at the finished product, yet my Grandmother and mom would be overly frustrated because 'it just wasn't right'.  I, however thought the endless nutrolls were to die for and quickly accustomed them to the Holidays at MY Grandma's house!  (It's funny how things come full circle isn't it?) 

Needless to say, after three consecutive years of attempting to nail the recipe, they finally gave up.

My Great-Grandmother immigrated to the United States from Czechoslovakia and was said to be an amazing baker!  So much so, that is what she did during the trying years of The Great Depression.  Her breads were sought after, which meant trading breads for ingredients, meat, clothing and potatoes.  At the time of her death, she had only written down a couple of recipes.  These recipes, however were in three different languages and used several different units of measure within one recipe.

So, THIS Holiday season, I will try my hand at the infamous nutroll recipe. I don't care if it's 'not right', because I never had the pleasure of tasting my Great-Grandmothers nutroll. I DID have the pleasure of the memories engraved in my head and heart from my own mom and Grandmother attempting to re-create it. I figure, at the very least... I am making some sort-of memories for my own children! That is 'right' for me...even if the recipe isn't!

 THIS is the recipe I will try this year around (unless my friends Vesna,or extended family, Anela & Nicola have a better suggestion)!???

Wish me luck and memories!

Halloween 2012

Hello All,

Halloween this year was definitely on a tight budget. The costumes turned out really great, even better considering I spent less than $20 on costumes for the entire family! I began picking things up in September as I would come across them. All were purchased at Goodwill's throughout Omaha. The only things I purchased outside of that was black electric tape, and green hair coloring spray!

Liam's costume was toddler t-ball pants with elastic suspenders.  I shoved sponges into the sides of the pants to make them stick out.  He was such a cute Oomp Loompa Liam!

 

All Photos by Jada Scott, Capturing Candids

 

Rod & I were 'stick figures', he forgot his white pants, so we had to improvise for the photo booth pictures and be naughty stick figures, ha ha!  I bought both shirts and pants from Goodwill for a dollar a piece and used black duct tape for the lines!  I The pencils were made using paper plates, toilet paper rolls, newspaper, tin foil and markers!



 

 

Cierra's costume was just a really pretty robe that I purchased from Goodwill for $3.59, we used a black trash bag for the belt.  Cierra's wig was purchased back in September brand new from a Goodwill for a couple of bucks!

My stick figure costume was deconstructed (removed the tape) and made into a work-friendly costume, Flo, the Progressive girl!   The letters were iron-ons purchased from Hobby Lobby when they were half price (keep a look out for ads which change weekly).  I used markers to make the 'I Love Insurance' pin and name tag!  This costume won me 'Most Look-a-like" which meant gift certificates for meeeee!  weeee!

Good Golly

Blog:
First, I MUST apologize for NOT posting in FOR-FRIGGIN-EV-ER!  A lot has been going on in my little Midwest slice of life!

Cierra:
 In August, Cierra started 6th grade, began swimming again, this time for Swim Omaha and had the orthodontist schedule her for braces (middle of this month).  It was at that time, I decided I probably needed to go back to work, because, NEWSFLASH! kids are EXPENSIVE! (cute! but expensive!)

 

Liam:
Speaking of expensive, Liam began Daycare at LePetite Academy Preschool in September!  He is getting big and is walking more and more every day (I will get a video posted next week for you guys)

Me:
That being said, I interviewed for a dream job with a dream company and actually got it!   I began working as a Case Worker and Employability Skills Instructor for the Customer Connect Program at Goodwill Industries a program that works closely with Metropolitan Community College.   I adore my job, beyond measure, it doesn't feel like a 'job' at all!  I am absolutely in love with Goodwill.  I knew they did a lot for the community but had no idea how MUCH, until I began working here!   I will post separately about those things, in an effort to shorten this post!  :)

Rod:
In the beginning of the school year, Rod accepted a position with a wonderful company, headquartered here in Omaha, Lozier.  Lozier, as a company does great things for our community (including being a key supporter for Goodwill Industries).  :)

Photo by: Jada Scott, Capturing Candids



Life's a Beach

When I lived in the UK, nearly 8 years ago, I'll never forget the questions I was most asked, by the British people:
"Have you been to California?"
"Have you been to Florida?"
and
"Have you been to New York City?"

My answer (at the time) to all of the questions, was, "No".  I was a midwestern girl who grew up in Texas.  I was the eldest of four and the vacationing we did do, amounted to a three hour drive to Camp Possom Kingdom every now and then and the twice a year road trip to Nebraska to visit the family.  When I would tell them, I hadn't been these places I would always get a sort-of bewildered look.  They never could understand how I could live in the United States my whole life and not travel within its borders!  I wonder what they thought of people whom have never even left their home state, or been on an airplane as an adult?  We all know there are LOTS of these people hanging around!  I, in fact was one of them for some time.  The only boundary I knew, was the ones we could afford to take as a family.

As an adult I've vowed that my children, will be QUITE a bit more well-traveled than I.  This summer I took Liam (7 months old at the time) on a road trip to Texas.  The 9 hour trip, took me 13!  ha ha   I simply stopped every time baby needed a break from the carseat!  It was a lot less stressful that way!  My dad and stepmom live in a little town called Electra.  It is not the town I grew up in, but is good to visit them every now and then.

After that, I was lucky enough to go spend a week vacationing with my brother's wonderful family in St. Petersburg Florida.  I took baby with me.  It was his first airplane ride, and his first time at a beach.  (My oldest spends every summer with her dad, fabulous step-momma and new brother in North Florida). I can't wait for her to get back, so we can go on our family camping trip.  We'd like to go to the Dakota's or Wyoming in mid-August.  VERY excited!

 Here are some pictures from the lil trips we've taken so far!

Enjoy!

AND.....get out there and go places!  You can always make more money...you can't always make more memories, so make them while you can!  :)

Playing drums with Pipa!

 Taking a break during the roadtrip back from Texas!

Liam and I at Clearwater Beach!

 Liam, sleeping at the pool!  yawn!

 Liam and his prized rock, he literally dug in the sand, started chewing on it...and wouldn't let it go all day!  ha ha

 About to go home from spedning the day at Honeymoon Island

 Honeymoon Island!

A fantastic picture of Cierra on the beach while visitin her dad!  LOVE!

Kiddos

Since I've last blogged, Cierra is now a 6th grader (still elementary school around these parts) :) and baby is almost crawling!

Where to Begin....New House

It has been For-Friggin-Ev-Er since I've blogged!   A lot has happened, the biggest thing... the house!
Rod bought us a house!  :)  It is in an established neighborhood, only a couple of miles from where our townhouse and was built in 1906!  We've always talked about houses and wanting an older one, so we can make it our own! So excited!

We use our back door, as our main entrance.

THIS is what we fell head over heels in love with about this house....... (It is on four lots)  This picture was taken from the front corner.  You can see the shed in the far corner...the house is hidden behind shrubs on the left.

We've done a lot to it thus far, but I have yet to compile all the pictures.  I will posting as I come across them!  We've painted just about every room, changed out just about every light fixture and Rod is still finishing up our Master (attic) bedroom renovation. 

MSPI and Cheesy Pizza Goodness

My baby is Milk, Soy Protien Intolerant (MSPI). I breastfed him, which means I cut all milk, soy and whey proteins from my diet since the end of December.

Let me tell you...it takes label reading to a WHOLE new level!

I've been supplementing formula for some time, since the boob job seriously screwed with my milk supply. Over the past couple of days he has only wanted his bottle. It makes me little sad, so to make myself feel better...I ordered a naughty, cheesy pizza!

School Schmool

I get discouraged when people call me a Professional Student. (Mainly people in my family). I think it's because it's not like I had a choice in the matter. Believe me! If I could've gone to school full-time, I certainly would have!

I finished my Bachelor's degree in 6 years going to school part-time and this Masters degree is taking me just as friggin' long.

I am on the downhill slope, and the finish line is within my reach now. SOOOO exciting! That being said, I still have a lot of research and writing to do.

If you have time, please take this survey for me! (It's for a paper I am writing on time management and critical thinking!

http://kwiksurveys.com?s=LHIHIK_f9fbdfa7

Smiley Babies are Second Only to Sleeping Babies!

Liam and Cierra are getting so big! Here is a short video of us getting him all ready for a bath!

My Boyfriend Knows I Poop....Dun, dun dunnnn

As a fore-runner to this post, you must know that I usually poop when my boyfriend is gone, not that I plan it that way, but I prefer to get my pooping done while he is occupied.

So the other night I pooped.
It. Wouldn't. Flush.

I thought it was pretty funny, so I started laughing.

My daughter called up to me,
"WHAT is so funny mom?"

Me: "I pooped"

Cierra: "What's so funny about that?"

Me: "Turds' stuck!

Cierra "What? eeww (laughing)"


And...that was that. I didn't want to plunge it, because then there would be poop on the plunger, and the thought of cleaning that made me wanna yak. SO I just left it there to...you know...soften up. The baby was fussing, so I just closed the toilet, washed my hands and forgot about it.

A couple of hours went by and I was downstairs cooking dinner, when my boyfriend bolted into the kitchen, saying (very proudly) "You are busted"!

I knew EXACTLY what he was talking about. ha ha

Apparently he had gone upstairs to go to the bathroom as soon as he arrived home from work and asked Cierra who forgot to flush.

Cierra said, "My mom. (shrugs) Wouldn't flush."

SO needless to say the secret is out....even kick ass, slightly vain, girly girls like me, drop a deuce that won't flush every now and then. (and blog about it) Don't hate!

Girlscout Cookies!

This will be the third year-in-a-row that my daughter has sold girl scout cookies.

Cookie sales bring out the crazy sales lady in me. When I was little, I sold girl scout cookies as well! Year after year, I had top cookie sales in my region. I was in Texas, the region was BIG! My motivation when I was young was two consecutive weeks at girl scout camp. I Loved getting away for two weeks. I was the oldest of four kids...what can I say? My parents couldn't afford to send me to camp for two weeks, so I had to sell cookies in order to go!

That being said, Cierra has no desire to go to girl scout camp, but had the top cookie sales out of anyone in her troop last year. The taste of success is addicting, what can I say? This year she has set an even higher goal. With new baby and not working, we shall attempt to meet this goal again! Oh yes! I said , "WE". This year we have cookies in hand, so you no longer have to wait for them. Needless to say, they are taking over my living room (inspiration in and of itself to sell the damn things)!

Justin Bieber's Mom

While doing make-up for a group of teenage girls prior to homecoming, they began whispering amongst each other...as teenage girls do! I enjoy giving them a hard time so I said, 'Secrets don't make friends ladies!" :)

They promptly stated that they all thought I looked like Justin Bieber's mom. Oh GAWD.

I've now graduated to looking like someones mom! For the record... here she is...Justin Bieber's Mom... And...here I am, ha ha

Two Fall Sets

I took Cierra's Fall pictures before Thanksgiving and did a couple of my niece's before Christmas as well. We haven't had the usual Nebraska snow-filled fall and winter! Here are some pictures from both of those sets, though I I have yet to edit them, you get the picture! Enjoy!

More Pictures of What you Missed

Here are some more pictures of what you missed, from before Halloween to nowish because I failed to blog over the past few months! Enjoying babydum!

Me two days before I delivered as 'Miss Piggy'...
Cierra as the Red Queen (I did her hair and make-up with every intention of blogging about it. IT. WAS. A-MAZING


Rod and I at our Anual Pumpkin Carving Party a little less than a week before having baby!




Me 3 days before I delivered!

Me 5 days before I delivered with my niece Jayslyn...

My brother and I...

Maddox (Liam's cousin) holding him...

Liam with his Oma...

Mel and Mercedes from Albuquerque (Mel and Liam have the same hair here... ha ha

Big sister Cierra holding her little brother...

Me(tired) and baby (sleeping) lol..

Noah (Liam's cousin) 'holding baby'

Liam and his Grandad Woody...

Senior Picture Set for Matthew

A couple of weeks after I had baby, my old GM asked me to take her son's Senior Pictures. The weather cooperated and so did newborn baby Liam! Here are some pictures from that set!

On a side note; I forgot how awkward teenage boys can be...and how fun it is to make them laugh!

Merry Christmas

Christmas with new baby was fantastical! I'm in love again! It's official! I just love the quiet sleepy nights by the tree! Here is a video of Cierra and I talking to him about Christmas. Most mornings he is so happy..it's le sigh!