turning over a new leaf

a new season.
a new time.

come on over to: http://turningoveranewleaf.wordpress.com


check it out.
steph

bedtime prayers.

tonight, during bedtime prayers, toddlergirl thanked God for hockey.

yes, she's Canadian.


steph

paska making marathon.

toddlergirl has been sick the last 2 days and i am not. it has been like a prison to be stuck inside these past days of glorious sun and spring air.

what am i doing to pass the time, you ask? besides many a load of laundry, i am on a paska making marathon.

i have made 3 loafs today already - with another 6 on the way!

yes. paska is my mennonite food weakness. platz, portzelkie (spelling, goodness, i have no clue here), pershkie- whatever, schmatever. they don't interest me in the least. but paska, yes, i heart paska.

paska is a lemon bread with cream cheese icing and rainbow sprinkles on top. you have to have the sprinkles to make it true paska-ness. (it's sort of an easter legend, but it doesn't have the bad rap pudding has at christmas time).

i know, i know. others recommend lightly toasting it with jam, which isn't so bad either, but clearly still inferior to the cream cheese icing and sprinkles.

i cheat. i have a breadmaker make the dough. but i have devoted entire weekends to making it the old fashioned way and it's good no matter how it comes.

here's my recipe if interested:

steph’s paska
breadmaker version
(aka cheater pants version)


I cup lukewarm water (I just use tap water)
2 tablespoons instant dry milk powder
2 tablespoons margarine or butter softened
3 teaspoons grated orange/lemon peel (I never measure, but I know I add a bit more- I like it zesty!)
1/3 cup sugar
1 teaspoon salt (I use a little less- maybe ¾ of a teaspoon)
2 medium eggs, beaten
3 ¼ cup all-purpose flour
3 teaspoons bread machine yeast

Add ingredients in order listed, ending with yeast, to the baking pan of automatic breadmaker. Follow directions for mixing dough and allowing to rise. (On my bread machine there is a DOUGH/PASTA setting and it takes 2 hours).

In two hours, when dough is ready, turn it onto a lightly floured surface and divide in
Half- if using standard loaf pans
Trios- i use aluminum superstore “loaf pans “ they come in a pack for 4 for maybe $2 (dimensions are: 20cmx10cmx5.5cm) they are a bit smaller in size than a standard loaf pan.

Put into 2 or 3 greased loaf pans (kind of shaping it in there) and let rise in a warm area for approximately:
Half- 40 minutes
Trios- 30 minutes

Bake in preheated 350F oven for:
Half- 30 minutes
Trios- 20 minutes.

Turn out onto a cooling rack and let cool. Eat with cream cheese icing and rainbow sprinkles (our family favourite) or toasted lightly with jam.

Yum.

birthday fun.

birthday morning paska

new presents are better than breakfast

dora, you're the best.

picnic lunch with mommy

special delivery from grandma and grandpa

when asked if you made the cake,

you always reply

"why, yes."

(twinkle in the eyes)

with oma & opa.

check out the little ringlet curls on toddlergirl!

unsure of the sparkler.

mommy realized after it was preventing her from snatching smarties sooner.
practicing my new age.

smarties please.

the smarties that came in the mail from grandpa.

there's something about the expression in this photo

that SO looks like my side of the family

(is it in the eyes?)

are we going to open them?

*now every morning when we get the mail, she asks if any more smarties have arrived?

happy second birthday audrey!

we love you.
love, mommy & daddy

coffee is good.

earlier today:

audrey was on her little ride-on car, zooming around the kitchen.

she peels out of the kitchen and into the hallway...

"bye! see you later mommy! i'm going to sshtarbucks!"

steph