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