If you have been following my last few posts, you already know about the baby shower I organized for my daughter, last spring.   Like any other special event, baby showers also end with a thank you and a keepsake, also referred to as “favor”.  I have prepared my favors from a pink votive candle in a glass jar, wrapped in pink tulle, tied with a dainty pink ribbon, plus a special Thank You note from the baby, text of which I am including in this post.

I thank you for coming
I wish I were there,
But I’m still quite busy
With growing my hair.

My cheeks are now rosy,
I’m anxious to see,
‘cause I want Mommy and Daddy
To be so proud of me.

I’ll use all the gifts,
And all the clothes nicely pressed
Since when I meet Mommy
I won’t yet be dressed.

My little message,
Comes straight from the heart,
Thank you for giving me
Such a beautiful start!

Be sure to come see me.
I know that you will.
When Mommy and Daddy take me home,
It will be such a thrill

Love,
“Baby Girl” (insert baby’s last name)

photo credit: alicegop

Showers are lots of fun, since you get to see so many interesting gifts, chat with some of your old friends, and meet new ones, snack on variety of tasty foods, play fun games, and even win prizes… if you’re lucky.
I will share a few of the games we played at my daughter’s baby shower.

Guess the flavor of the baby food:

1. I purchased 6 jars of baby food (carrots, sweet potatoes, apricots, pears, peas, green beans).
2. Peeled off the labels, and taped them on a sheet of paper and numbered each label with the same number as the jar it came off of  (later on I used the sheet as an answer key).
3. I placed a sufficient number of pencils and scrap paper in a basket next to the jars.
4. The interested players had to write down the food flavor in each jar, by just looking at the unopened jars (I thought it was more fun this way, rather than tasting it, and guessing the flavor).
5. The player with the highest number of correct answers was the winner.

Gift Bingo:

1. I purchased a pack of round multi-color stickers.
2. Numbered the stickers from 1-50, since I had 50 guests at the shower.
3. Each gift box brought to the shower was labeled with a numbered sticker.
4. I printed out 50 blank bingo cards, and each guest received one card and a pencil.
5. Each player had to fill in their Bingo cards with numbers between 1-50.
6. As the gifts were being opened, the sticker was removed, and its number called out.
7. Everyone who had that number on their Bingo card, would circle it.
8. As soon as someone had a row of numbers circled for Bingo, they would call “BINGO”.
9. Gifts were given out to each winner, until the last gift was opened.   (You can buy lots of prizes, so you do not run out, or stop playing the game once all the prizes are given away)

Guess the number of  jelly beans in a baby bottle:

1. I purchased a baby bottle and a bag of jelly beans.
2. Filled the bottle with enough jelly beans all the way into the tip of the nipple.
3. Counted the jelly beans as I was filling up the bottle.
4. Wrote the number of jelly beans on a small piece of paper , folded it into a small square, and taped it to the bottom of the bottle (of course, on one knew it was there).
5. Each player had to write down their name on a sheet of paper placed by the bottle, and enter their guess of the  number of jelly beans in the bottle.
6. The person closest to the actual number of jelly beans in this bottle was the winner of the bottle and the jelly beans.  (I kept the bottle in its original wrapping,  so it was known that it was brand new).

There are many different games to play at showers, but you are the best judge of how many you want to select, so the shower does not run for too long, especially if it is taking place away from home, and your available time is limited.

Punch is one of those drinks that looks elegant, and tastes great, no matter what the occasion for celebration.  I have posted a Baby Blue Punch for blue theme baby shower, so to be fair, I am posting a recipe for a Pink Punch, for the pink theme baby shower.
This punch has a very refreshing taste, and an appealing rosy color.  Very simple to prepare, and one recipe serves 40.

Ingredients:

• 32 ounce bottle of apple juice, chilled
• 12 ounce can frozen cranberry juice concentrate
• 1 cup orange juice
• 1 ½ liters ginger ale
• 1 apple – sliced horizontally into ¼ inch thick slices (optional)

Directions:

1. In a large bowl, combine apple juice, cranberry juice concentrate, and orange juice.
2. Stir until dissolved.
3. Slowly pour in ginger ale.
4. Float apple slices on top of punch.

Tip: I used a cookie cutter, and cut out little hearts in the middle of the apple slices, which at the same time removed the core.

This punch makes a very interesting addition to a blue theme for a baby shower.
The baby blue color of the punch resembles the sky, and the melting ice cream scoops, resemble frothy white clouds.
It is non-alcoholic, thus very inviting for the mother-to-be.

Ingredients:

• 1 (.13 ounce package of blue, berry flavored unsweetened drink mix)
• 2 liter bottle lemon-lime soda
• 64 oz. white cranberry juice
• 8 scoops vanilla ice cream

Directions:

1. In a large punch bowl, stir together the drink mix, lemon-lime soda, and white cranberry juice.
2. Float scoops of ice cram on top

Tip: If you like this punch to be sweeter, you may add 1 cup of sugar.  I like this recipe without the additional sugar.

“April showers bring May flowers” (a very familiar phrase), but spring also brings lots of baby and wedding showers.

Last spring when I was planning a baby shower for my daughter, I searched for different themes and decorating ideas.  I came upon this wonderful idea for a centerpiece….a Diaper Cake.  I was so impressed by it, that I decided to make one on my own.

There are many selections of diaper cakes you can purchase (they range in price from $29.95 – $220, depending on the size of the cake, and additional decorations), but I liked the challenge of creating one of  my own.  After all, I had nothing to lose, even if the project failed, the diapers would still be usable.  I would like to share  my technique of creating a Diaper Cake Centerpiece.

Supplies:

• Box of size 1 diapers (at least 90 pieces)
• Cake platter
• 100 rubber bands (assorted sizes)
• Roll of paper towels
• 3 yards of ribbon
• Your choice of decorations (small baby toys and small baby items)

Instructions:

1. Roll up one diaper at a time, starting at the top and tightly rolling down to the bottom.
2. Wrap around twice with a rubber band.
3. Set aside until you have enough for one layer.
4. The base layer will require at least 30 rolled up diapers.
5. Layer two – at least 25 rolled up diapers.
6. Layer three – at least 19 rolled up diapers.
7. Top layer – at least 10 rolled up diapers.
8. These numbers might vary slightly, depending on how tight you roll them, and how large is your middle stabilizer.
9. Remove at least half of the paper towels from the roll, to slim it down, since you will use it for the middle stabilizer.
10. Start arranging rolled diapers around the bottom of the stabilizer, at least two layers side by side, so your base layer is at least 12 inches in diameter.
11. Secure layer with a large rubber band.
12. Repeat same process for second layer and third.
13. If your middle stabilizer is too short, you can extend it by inserting bottle washers in the middle, or some thin, long toy, or rattles, etc.
14. Measure enough ribbon to go around each layer plus extra to tie a bow (you may chose not to have a bow, especially if the shower is for a baby boy).
15. You can strategically tuck into the ribbon around the cake, some small toys or baby items, as additional decoration.
16. Select your favorite topper for your cake.

Voila….you are done, and your  project is a success!!!

Tips: You can decorate the layers with additional baby items like rattles, pacifiers, wash cloths, socks, bibs, small toys, etc.

Stay tuned….additional baby shower posts are coming up!

photo credit: Zeitgeist

The small town of Binghamton, New York is a very ethnically diverse community.  My family and I were also part of it for several years, thus it is very near and dear to my heart.  An unbelievable tragedy struck that community on Friday, April 3, 2009, when a deranged individual, a total coward, brutally took the life of 13 innocent, freedom loving people, at the American Civic Association.

One of the victims, Maria (Mima) Koropey Zobniw,  a part time case worker at the American Civic Association, was a dear friend of mine, and of my family.  She was a gentle and loving person, with an ever present smile, kind heart, great listening and understanding skills, and readiness to assist in every possible way.  She was an intelligent woman, who was very active in the Binghamton community, and especially the Ukrainian community throughout the US.  She touched the lives and hearts of many people, and will be missed immensely by all who knew her.

Here is my humble tribute, a poem by an unknown author, in memory of my dear friend Maria (Mima) Zobniw,  to her family and friends, and the families of the other 12 victims:

Do not stand at my grave and weep
I am not there, I do not sleep
I am a thousand winds that blow
I am the diamonds glint on snow
I am the sunlight on ripened grain
I am the gentle autumn’s rain.

When you awaken in the morning’s hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight
I am the soft stars that shine at night

I am still near
I am with you everyday
I did not leave you, I will always stay
I live within your heart and soul
Only my body paid death’s toll

My spirit lives and I am free
Look hard for me, and you will see
Do not cry, I feel no pain
When in need, just call my name

Do not stand at my grave and cry
I am not there
I did not die

If you are interested in additional news releases pertaining to this tragic event,  you may check the following links:

msnbc
Syracuse.com
Obituary
Pressconnects.com

Videos of a Prayer Ceremony (thanks Essential Dissent)

Video 1

Video 2

Easter is one of my favorite holidays, because of its rich traditions.  One of these is the blessing of a basket of special foods which becomes the Easter Sunday brunch, being the first meat meal, after a strict fast on Good Friday and Saturday.  One of the special foods in that basket is a round shaped Easter Bread, called Paska in Ukrainian, or Babka in Polish.  The top of this bread is elaborately decorated with fancy dough ornaments, having a cross as the central motif. Here is my family Paska recipe, which makes two large loaves, or several small ones.

Ingredients:

• 1 tsp. sugar
• 1 cup lukewarm water
• 1 package dry granular yeast
• 3 cups scalded whole milk, lukewarm
• 5 cups of flour
• 6 eggs, beaten
• 1 cup sugar
• ½ cup melted butter
• 1 tsp. salt
• 1 Tbs. orange zest
• 1 tsp. lemon zest
• 6 cups of sifted all purpose flour

Directions:

1. Dissolve the sugar in the lukewarm water and sprinkle the yeast over it.
2. Let it stand for 10 minutes.
3. Combine the softened yeast with the lukewarm milk and 5 cups of flour.
4. Beat well until smooth.
5. Cover and let the batter rise in a warm place until light and bubbly (I place it on a heating pad, and cover it with plastic wrap, then with towels, to keep it warm).
6. Add the beaten eggs, sugar, melted butter, salt, and orange and lemon zest.
7. Mix thoroughly.
8. Stir in enough flour to make dough that is neither too soft nor too stiff.
9. Knead until the dough no longer sticks to the hand.
10. Turn the dough on a floured board, or other work surface, and knead until smooth and satiny.
11. Place in a bowl, cover, and let it rise in a warm place until double in bulk.
12. Punch down and let it rise again.
13. Prepare your loaf pans by thoroughly greasing them with shortening.
14. Divide the dough into 3 parts, if you have large enough pans to make only two loaves, and leave the third part for ornamental decorations.
15. If you wish to make several small breads, then fill your greased pans 1/3 full with the dough, still leaving some dough for decorations.
16. To make ornaments, one of them being the cross, you roll out some dough into a rope like shape and form it into an ornamental cross to place in the middle of the top of the bread.



You can also make other ornamental decorations for your Paska, such as a braids, rosettes, twisted swirls, cones, etc.



17. Now that your loaves are decorated, dip a pastry brush in whole milk, and gently brush the bread tops, and ornaments, to give them a nice golden color once baked.  For a darker shade, you may use a wash made out of one egg beaten with 2 Tbs. of water.
18. Set the loaves in a warm place, once more, until almost double in bulk.
19. Do not let the loaves rise longer than necessary, because the ornaments will lose their shape.
20. Preheat you oven to 400 degrees, and bake the bread for 10 minutes.
21. Lower the temperature to 350 degrees, and bake for 30 minutes longer, or until done.
22. For smaller loaves your baking time should be shorter, so you need to use your judgment.
23. To prevent over browning of the tops, you may cover them with loose pieces of aluminum foil, once the Paska is lightly browned.
24. Remove the loves from the pans, and cool completely.
25. You may wrap cooled loaves in aluminum foil, and plastic bag, and freeze until ready to use, to keep them fresh.
26. To thaw, keep covered, to prevent from drying out.

Tip: If you like raisins in your bread, you may add 1-2 cups of golden raisins to your dough, and you need to make sure to push them deeper into the dough before baking, or they will burn if stickig out of the bread.

Here is another recipe for my vegetarian friends, and one I like preparing for my family on meatless days, especially during Lent.   It requires only few ingredients, and is quick and simple to prepare, unless you decide to make home-made pasta, which I have done for this recipe.  This recipe serves 4-6.

Ingredients:

• 1 head of green cabbage, cored and coarsely chopped
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 1 carrot, shredded
• 2 tsp. Maggie Seasoning
• ¼ tsp. celery seeds
• 2 Tbs. canola oil
• Salt and Pepper to taste
• 2 cups of cooked pasta (for home-made pasta, see recipe below)
• Grated Parmesan Cheese

Directions:

1. Remove and discard a couple of the outer leaves from the head of cabbage.
2. Cut the cabbage in 4 quarters.
3. Cut out the core from each quarter.
4. Chop up the cabbage, coarsely.
5. Place cabbage in a pot filled with cold water (enough water to cover the cabbage).
6. Add 1 tsp. of salt, bring it to boil, and cook for about 10 minutes, stirring often, or until the chunky parts of the cabbage are semi-cooked (not to overcook it, or it will turn into mush).
7. Remove from heat, and pour out onto a strainer to drain.
8. Add 2 Tbs. of canola oil (or butter if your diet permits it) into a frying pan, and heat.
9. Add chopped onions, and sauté to a golden color.
10. Add shredded carrot, and celery seeds, and cook 2 more minutes.
11. Add the cabbage to this saucepan, add Maggie Seasoning, and salt and pepper to taste, mix all together and sauté for another 5 minutes.
12. Add the cooked pasta , and blend in with the rest of the vegetables.
13. You can add some of the Parmesan Cheese to the Halushky,  and mix it in now, or let everyone sprinkle their own cheese , to their taste.

Here is the recipe for Home-made Pasta, to use with this Halushky  recipe.   Making your own pasta is quite simple, and probably much easier than you ever imagined.  It’s even easier with a pasta maker, but his time I am making it the old fashion way.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups of white, or whole wheat, flour
• 1 egg, slightly beaten
• ¾ cup milk
• ½ tsp. salt
• 1 Tbs. canola oil

Directions:

1. Place the flour on your worktop, and make a well in the middle.
2. Add the egg, and salt.
3. Slowly add milk, as you are incorporating the flour into the mixture in the middle (with a spoon, work the flour gently from within the well, all sides, until you almost use up all the flour) . The dough becomes homogeneous , at which point you knead it with your hands, to obtain the consistency of pizza dough. You might need to flour up your worktop a little more, to prevent the dough from sticking during kneading.
4. Place the dough on a floured surface, cover it with a tea towel, and let it rest for few minutes.
5. Flour up you worktop again, take ½ of the dough and roll it out, using a rolling pin, to 1/8 inch thickness.  Use a knife, or a pizza cutter, and cut to desired shape pasta.
6. Sprinkle generously with flour, and toss gently together, so the pasta does not stick together, and let it rest.

1. Repeat the above process with the second half of the dough.
2. Fill a large pot with water, half way, add some salt and oil, and bring it to boil.
3. Drop ½ half of the pasta into the boiling water, keep the pot uncovered.
4. With a wooden spoon, mix the pasta, making sure none is stuck at the bottom of the pot.
5. Pasta will rise to the top, and start boiling again.
6. Cook for 2 minutes.
7. Remove, with a slotted spoon, into a bowl.
8. Pour some cold water over pasta, and pour out into a strainer, to drain off the excess water.
9. Cook the second half of the pasta as above.

This recipe makes a little over 1 lb. of pasta (more than you need for the Halushky recipe).  My kids loved the left over pasta mixed with onions sautéed in butter.)

Tip:  Some prefer their Halushky more creamy,  so they serve it with a side serving of sour cream, or Ranch Dressing.

This weekend I had a very special guest at my house, who watched me work on my next post for my blog.  After sitting there patiently, as not to interrupt my train of thought, he decided to help out….after all…isn’t that what friends are for?  As he was hard at work, I decided to chip in by taking a few pictures of this event, and sharing them with you.  By the way, his name is Kiwi, and besides being a diligent writer, he is a devout singer.

Kiwi is sitting quietly…. brainstorming……gathering his thoughts……..still kind of in a daze….

Now he is contemplating the correct title for the post……..

Ok….. he also wants to include his profile…….

All ready to go…..”pecking’ away at his story…….

Pheeew…. this is exhausting…… this blogging thing is definitely not “for the birds”……..who made up this expression, anyway…….

I hope you enjoyed this  story, as much as I enjoyed his company.

If you want to share your pet story, please email it to me, include your pet’s picture (if you wish), and I will post it on this blog.