"There is a time for everything and a season for every activity under heaven." Ecclesiastes 3:1

Thursday, February 11, 2010

A Safe Place

Everyone needs a place to express their feelings . . .

If only a Grammy could still her grown children's fears so easily. And yet, even if I can just be a safe listener, that is good too. Because I know Whom I believe and to Whom I can entrust all my cares.
The Name of the Lord is a strong tower,
the righteous run to it and are safe.
Proverbs 18:10


Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Charlotte's Maple Twists

I first saw this recipe on Lovella's blog, maybe two years ago, before mennonitegirlscancook came to be and it's one of those recipes I wish to have on my sidebar now. I have never met Charlotte, but we have become friends through the recipe blog and, from the start, I have loved her wonderful sense of humor.
So, I thought I would invite you to come and sit at my counter to watch the procedure. You may just decide to give this one a try as well.

Ingredients:

3/4 cup milk
1/4 cup butter
2 3/4- 3 cups flour, divided
1 Tbsp instant yeast
3 Tbsp sugar
1/2 tsp salt
1 egg
1 tsp maple extract

Method:

1. Heat milk and butter, add a couple of ice cubes until just very warm.
2. In mixer, mix 1 cup of the flour, yeast, sugar, salt.
3. Stir in hot liquids, then the egg and maple flavoring
4. With dough hook attachment (if you have it), add the rest of the flour, kneading until the dough holds together in a ball.
5. Cover bowl with plate or plastic and let rise about 45 min.,

Just before you are ready to roll out the dough, prepare the filling by melting

1/4 cup butter
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/3 cup chopped walnuts
1 tsp cinnamon
Combine and keep warm.

To assemble:

Now this is the part that may be fun to see. Divide your dough into three parts.

Sprinkle flour on your counter and roll out the first part into the size of a dinner plate. The trick to rolling out a round shape is to make a ball, flatten it with your hands and then proceed to roll and kind of stretch it into a circle by the way you put pressure on the rolling pin. Place dough on a greased pizza pan. Spread with 1/3 of the filling. Repeat with next two layers.

You will notice the indentation from a cup on top of the third layer. I use it as a guide and spread filling only around it. (alternately I have also just spread the first two layers with butter and spread with sugar/cinnamon mixture, leaving the top plain. In the end it doesn't matter. You can also leave out the nuts) Then, with shears or a sharp serrated knife, cut twelve slices around that center circle. Next, lift each slice individually and twist about 4 - 5 times. Cover with wax paper and light tea towel.

Let rise about 30 - 45 minutes. Bake at 350 F until golden, about 20-25 minutes. The aroma coming from the oven will make everyone in a good mood.

Lastly, make a thin icing with:

1 cup confectioner's sugar
2 Tbsp melted butter
1/2 tsp maple extract
1-2 Tbsp milk

I don't measure the milk, just pour in a tiny amount and stir. Drizzle over twists while warm or cooled.

For a Valentine's Treat ... roll each layer out into the shape of a heart, also using hand to for shaping. 


Monday, February 8, 2010

The Weekend in Review


(click on collage to enlarge)

It's been a wonderful packed few days. . . all coming to an end so soon. We had some family time . . . two family baby showers . . . a trip on the sky train into downtown . . . and experiencing the pre-excitement in a city ready for the winter games.
For some reason I've had more trips into the basement these days as well. . . usually Landon would be at the top with his arms raised, ready for me to take him down. Who can resist those big blue eyes that look at you like you can make all his dreams come true by finding another toy car tucked away somewhere.
Our goodnight kisses last night were not without tears. I asked Natalie what I would do when I wouldn't have a little girl to kiss goodnight . . . I told her I would miss her and she said, "I will miss you, Mimi."
Until next time . . .

Friday, February 5, 2010

A Visit to the Playhouse

Okay. . . a few words . . . I went downstairs for a little visit.

Natalie was happy to see me!

She scurried about, saying, "This place is a disaster!" (I laughed... imagining where she's heard that.)

My eager little hostess got busy. . .
And who says Mennonite boys can't cook?

Natalie had to put baby to bed.

I had a window view . . .

Looks like baby settled in nicely on the couch.

That's all for today.

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

Today's Anticipation

Last year I wanted to keep track of how many times we enter an airport, whether to go somewhere ourselves, pick up or take someone there. I forgot to keep track. It’s the beginning of February. I don’t think I’ve been to an airport yet this year, but today we are picking up!
These special guests have not been here since the summer, but I’m sure they will know exactly where the toy box and the play house are located. Oh, and of course they also want to see their new baby cousin!
We will be packing in a lot of things again in the next five days. I may not have time to post . . . oh, maybe just some pictures.




Monday, February 1, 2010

What's in a Name?

Her question, “Papa, why do call Mimi ‘Hon’?” made me realize how kids pick up on things we don’t even think about. It began with Honey, of course, and you can partly tell our age by this term of endearment which by now is just my name. Still sweet, though. I began to think about all the names I answer to.

I am named after my two grandmothers, Anna and Liese. As a young girl I was Annie. School registration changed that, but at home I remained Annie. To confuse the matter, soon after high school, I tried changing to Lisa, which is part of the reason a number of nieces call me aunt Lisa. In the end I decided to keep my real name which, when my Mom calls me, has a definite short "e" at the end and the "s" sounds more like a "z", but generally the "s" is soft and the "e" is silent. Nieces and nephews on my side of the family call me auntie or aunt Anneliese and the ones who grew up in German speaking homes call me Tante Anneliese.

I remember when I first was referred to as "Mrs" on a regular basis. It was when I was a parent helper at school. As a 28 year old, it felt strange, but then, they couldn't all call me Mom.

Even "Mom" took on new angles when the kids married. Now, about seven years ago I began answering to Grammy and a few years later Mimi was added to the list by Natalie. Those are the sweetest names, although it's getting hard to keep track of who calls me what. So if I call you up and say, "Hey, it's me," you know why!
....
Oh - and I can't let this post go by today without wishing my only sister, Monika, a very happy Birthday! Enjoy being 40-something for just one more year!