Growing up on the farm, I had one friendship that has lasted through the passages of time. I never knew what it was like to have a friend that would support me through thick and thin. During my time with my ex-husband, I had the fortunate opportunity to build a few friendships lasting until this day and I'm thankful for those friendships.
When I returned to Oregon in 1985, I didn't know what God had in store for me and my little girl. Everything was new and different being a single parent. I watched my little girl turn from a toddler into a grade schooler and then into a middle schooler. Changing it up again, I met a man who would be the love of my life and he had several children who came to the new relationship. I have built friendships with each one of the children I know will last a lifetime. But what do you say to young children in helping them build their own relationships with their friends.
I suggested these guidlines to help our children build those friendships that would last a lifetime: 1) find someone who is acdemically on the same page as theirself; 2) find someone who has similar tastes and outlooks on life; 3) and finally find someone who has the same values and morals they share.
One of my daughters has had the privilege of building several friendships in her lifetime including one where she and her husband played "Match-Maker". The "match" was a hit and now the friend is getting married to my daughter's husband's best friend. My benefit in all this has been to pray for this couple and watch both couples cement those friendships lasting a lifetime. I also get to help and make life a bit easier for the bride-to-be and her family helping with little things. God put these friends together with their special partners and I'm so thankful God has given these couples friendships lasting a lifetime.
This next weekend, there will be a bridal shower for the bride-to-be and she requested I make a certain pastry she fell in love with at our house. This Austrian treat is not sweet but very good. I hope you enjoy this pastry as much as our family and friends. May God bless you with those around you who will be your friends for a lifetime.
Austrian Twists
3 cups flour
1 cup cold butter
1 package yeast
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup sugar
Mix the dry ingrediants together including the yeast. Cut the butter into the flour mixture until it resembles peas. Set aside
In a separate bowl mix 8 oz (1 small carton or 1 cup) sour cream plus 3 egg yolks. Mix into the flour mix until just moistened. This will be a semi-dry dough. Refrigerate overnight or 4-5 hours.
Take out the dough from the fridge and mix 1/2 cup sugar with 1 tablespoon cinnamon. To this add 1 cup chopped walnuts. Set aside.
Cut the dough into four portions. Roll each portion into a circle 8-10 inches in diameter and sprinkle with 1/4 of the cinnamon mixture. Cut the dough into 8 pizza wedges. Roll up from the large end to the small end creating a small croissant. Place the small rolls onto a parchment lined cookie sheet. Repeat for the remaining 3 pieces of dough.
Bake immediately in an oven set for 375 degrees until the rolls are lightly golden. Serve warm or cool. They are good either way. Makes 36 rolls.
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
One year ago......
I've been trying to put off posting this month because of the events of one year ago. The losses are still raw and fresh, and I find myself thinking about both my parents quite a bit.
Last year, our family lost my mother on January 8th and then two weeks later to the day and almost the exact time, our family lost my father. Each one of my family has been dealing with these losses in their own fashion. Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's were bittersweet because this was the first year without the patriarchs of the family. In writing this post, I want to honor both parents and say that I learned much growing up.
My mom taught me how to sew, cook and clean. Most importantly, she taught me how to give 100% to my family and love them dearly. During her last days, she would repeatedly stated, "Your father and I tried to be good parents but we weren't perfect. We just loved our children." My father taught me how to chase cows, sheep, and goats (lol). Plus he taught me about passion and how much I emulate him by being stubborn. Yeah, Dad, you taught me that.
Anyway, knowing my parents loved me was important. I hope that when I'm gone, my children will know that I'm not the perfect parent, but I love my children and family.
Okay, so how do I follow-up this with a recipe? My mother made this awesome dessert called Apple Oatmeal bars because she didn't have any other name for it. The bars are technically called a "Brown Betty". I hope you enjoy these bars as much as our family.
Apple Oatmeal Bars
1 cup flour
1/2 salt
1 1/2 oatmeal
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon soda
1/2 cup butter
Mix the dry ingrediants together and cut in the butter until the mix resembles peas. Spread 1/2 of the mixture in a 9x9 square pan. Press to form a crust. Put aside.
2 1/2 to 3 cups sliced apples
1/2 cup sugar
1 Tablespoon cinnamon (remember I like cinnamon but you can cut this down if you like)
Pour on top of the crust and dot with 2 Tablespoons of butter. Complete the bars by pouring the rest of the dry mix on top of the apples.
Bake at 350 for 40-45 minutes
Cut into squares and serve warm or cold. I usually serve the bars warm with a cinnamon flavored whipped cream (recipe follows).
Cinnamon flavored whipped cream.
1 cup heavy cream
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
Whip the cream until soft peaks form, then add the rest of the ingreadiants. Serve over the warm apple squares and watch the cream melt into the bars. The result is one yummy dessert you will enjoy any time of the day.
Last year, our family lost my mother on January 8th and then two weeks later to the day and almost the exact time, our family lost my father. Each one of my family has been dealing with these losses in their own fashion. Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's were bittersweet because this was the first year without the patriarchs of the family. In writing this post, I want to honor both parents and say that I learned much growing up.
My mom taught me how to sew, cook and clean. Most importantly, she taught me how to give 100% to my family and love them dearly. During her last days, she would repeatedly stated, "Your father and I tried to be good parents but we weren't perfect. We just loved our children." My father taught me how to chase cows, sheep, and goats (lol). Plus he taught me about passion and how much I emulate him by being stubborn. Yeah, Dad, you taught me that.
Anyway, knowing my parents loved me was important. I hope that when I'm gone, my children will know that I'm not the perfect parent, but I love my children and family.
Okay, so how do I follow-up this with a recipe? My mother made this awesome dessert called Apple Oatmeal bars because she didn't have any other name for it. The bars are technically called a "Brown Betty". I hope you enjoy these bars as much as our family.
Apple Oatmeal Bars
1 cup flour
1/2 salt
1 1/2 oatmeal
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon soda
1/2 cup butter
Mix the dry ingrediants together and cut in the butter until the mix resembles peas. Spread 1/2 of the mixture in a 9x9 square pan. Press to form a crust. Put aside.
2 1/2 to 3 cups sliced apples
1/2 cup sugar
1 Tablespoon cinnamon (remember I like cinnamon but you can cut this down if you like)
Pour on top of the crust and dot with 2 Tablespoons of butter. Complete the bars by pouring the rest of the dry mix on top of the apples.
Bake at 350 for 40-45 minutes
Cut into squares and serve warm or cold. I usually serve the bars warm with a cinnamon flavored whipped cream (recipe follows).
Cinnamon flavored whipped cream.
1 cup heavy cream
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
Whip the cream until soft peaks form, then add the rest of the ingreadiants. Serve over the warm apple squares and watch the cream melt into the bars. The result is one yummy dessert you will enjoy any time of the day.
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