Simple advice for a better life.

Happy Mother’s Day – Beautiful Story

Mother’s Day is such a beautiful time to reflect, honor, and express appreciation to a very special woman in our life – OUR MOTHER.

We all have, or had, a mother in our life, whether it is a biological mother, step-mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, or other very special woman, who always was there for us in absence of our own mother.

When I found this beautiful and touching story, I saved it to share with all of you on this special day.

It is a bit lengthy, but I assure you, it is worth the few minutes of your time to read it in full, and you will be very glad you did.

Please share your comments, or memories, from your own life experience.

BEING A MOTHER…

After 17 years of marriage, my wife wanted me to
take another woman out to dinner and a movie. She
said, ‘I love you, but I know this other woman loves
you and would love to spend some time with you.’
* * *
The other woman that my wife wanted me to visit
was my MOTHER, who has been alone for 20 years,
but the demands of my work and my two boys had
made it possible to visit her only occasionally.
* * *
That night I called to invite her to go out for
dinner and a movie.
* * *
‘What’s wrong, aren’t you well,’ she asked?
* * *
My mother is the type of woman who suspects that a
late night call or a surprise invitation is a sign
of bad news.
* * *
‘I thought it would be pleasant to spend some
time with you,’ I responded. ‘Just the two of us.’
She thought about it for a moment, and then said,
‘I would like that very much.’
* * *
That Friday after work, as I drove over to pick
her up I was a bit nervous. When I arrived at her
house, I noticed that she, too, seemed to be nervous
about our date. She waited in the door. She had curled her hair and
was wearing the
dress that she had worn to celebrate her last
birthday on November 19th.
* * *
She smiled from a face that was as radiant as an
angel’s. ‘I told my friends that I was going to go
out with my son, and they were impressed,’ she said,
as she got into that new white van. ‘They can’t wait to hear about our date’.
* * *
We went to a restaurant that, although not
elegant, was very nice and cozy. My mother took my
arm as if she were the First Lady. After we sat
down, I had to read the menu. Her eyes could only
read large print. Half way through the entries, I
lifted my eyes and saw Mom sitting there staring at
me. A nostalgic smile was on her lips. ‘It was I
who used to have to read the menu when you were
small,’ she said. ‘Then it’s time that you relax and
let me return the favor,’ I responded..
* * *
During the dinner, we had an agreeable
conversation- -nothing extraordinary but catching up
on recent events of each other’s life. We talked so
much that we missed the movie.
* * *
As we arrived at her house later, she said,
‘I’ll go out with you again, but only if you let me
invite you.’ I agreed.
* * *
‘How was your dinner date ?’
asked my wife when I got home.
‘Very nice. Much more so than I could have imagined,’
I  answered.
* * *
A few days later, my mother died of a massive
heart attack. It happened so suddenly that I didn’t
have a chance to do anything for her.
* * *
Some time later, I received an envelope with a
copy of a restaurant receipt from the same place
mother and I had dined. An attached note said: ‘I
paid this bill in advance. I wasn’t sure that I
could be there; but nevertheless, I paid for two
plates – one for you and the other for your wife.
You will never know what that night meant for me.
I love you, son.’
* * *
At that moment, I understood the importance of
saying in time: ‘I LOVE YOU’ and to give our loved
ones the time that they deserve. Nothing in life is
more important than your family. Give them the time
they deserve, because these things cannot be put off
till ‘some other time.’

 

What a beautiful and touching story, wouldn’t you agree?

 

HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY!!!

Easter Sunday – Julian Calendar

HAPPY EASTER TO ALL MY READERS,

FAMILY AND FRIENDS,

WHO CELEBRATE EASTER

THIS SUNDAY.

KHYSTOS VOSKRES – VOISTYNU VOSKRES!

In case you are still searching for Paska recipe, use this convenient link.

If you are interested in learning about the Ukrainian tradition of Easter Basket Blessing, filled with Symbolic Foods, click on these links and enjoy.

HAPPY EASTER!

Spring Flowers in Full Bloom

I have been dealing with some medical issue, and almost missed updating you on the beautiful spring flowers all over my garden, and my daughter’s garden.

My apologies… but better late than never.  I am doing well now, thank you.

If Spring has not really sprung in your neck of the woods yet, this should reassure you that it is on its way.

So be patient, and before you know it, you will be admiring the beauty of your own garden as well.

Today I will share few pictures of the spring flowers still blooming in our gardens.

My daughter loves tending to her flower and veggie plants, and here are some pics of her spring flowers.

 

 

Nice clusters of Hyacinths, Daffodils and Tulips.

 

My little granddaughter is amazed by the beauty of these flowers, since she was not thinking of such colorful final results, while helping her mom with bulb planting last Fall.

  

These are some of the flowers that still are in full bloom in my garden.  Here are Grape Hyacinths and Johhny Jump-Up (Viola Corunta).

Most of my perennial plants have certain sentimental value to me, because they traveled with us from our previous residences, and have been shared with our family and friends, adoring their gardens as well.

 

 

Pink Phlox and Star of Bethlehem, as well as a budding Pink Azalea bush.

 

Periwinkle (Barvinok – in Ukrainian) is a very traditional plant for Ukrainian gardeners, since it is used to weave Wedding Wreaths for Newlyweds, to be used during a Ukrainian Wedding Church Ceremony.

It is also used to decorate the Easter Baskets filled with special and symbolic Ukrainian Easter Sunday brunch foods, before being blessed at the church.

Enjoy these, and stay tuned to more of my future gardening posts.

Easter is just around the corner, so Ukrainians, as well other Eastern European bakers are scurrying around, looking for recipes to make that special Paska (Babka) bread, to be blessed and served for Easter Sunday brunch.

Everyone has their special recipe, or decorating method, for their Easter Bread.

Here are some of the posts I already prepared previously for your reading pleasure, as well as my favorite Paska recipe.

 

Here is my favorite recipe for Ukrainian Easter Bread – Paska.

This link will take you to the recipe and technique of decorating Paska.

 

 

 

 

 

 

So, you have the Paska recipe, all ready to bake, but not sure about the pans to use for this project.

 

    

 

 

 

 

No worries.  This post will show you several different types of bakeware suitable for Paska baking.  Click on the link and you will see a larger selection of bakeware.

OK. Now you ask – How to you get this Paska ready for blessing?

Very easy…I  have a post which tells you all about the Ukrainian Traditional Foods you need to include in your basket to be blessed, and then consumed at your Easter Brunch.  Here again click on the highlighted link to read all about it.

So, your Paska is ready, but you want some of those gorgeous Ukrainian Easter Eggs in your basket.  No problem.

 

These are the 12 steps that turn a plain white egg into a piece of art – Ukrainian Easter Egg.

Click on the link above, to visit that post, and learn how to make them.  You will be delightfully surprised at your own hidden talent. Not kidding!

 

 

 

 

 

 

You can take up this project on your own, or engage your whole family.  The above Pysanky were made by my children in their teenage years.  Sure, your young children can do it as well (with your supervision of course, as lit candles are used for heating the stylus filled with bee wax).

Also, I would suggest to use a hard-boiled egg for children under 6, to prevent losing the finished project to a “Humpty Dumpty” experience, and face the long-lasting disappointment.  Believe me, I have been there…very heart breaking.

Are you thinking why would anyone invest so much time in decorating an egg?

These eggs here are close to 90 years old now.  They were decorated by my great-aunt (and her children) who was our first family member to come to the US.

If it interests you, please click on the link above, and read the rest of the story.

I have wrapped the whole Ukrainian Easter Tradition in a nut shell, in this one post.

I hope you enjoyed it, enriched your knowledge, and will share it with others.

Happy Easter!!

Khystos Voskes!  Voistynu Voskres

Christ is Risen. Indeed He is Risen.

 

Once I found this recipe on Pinterest, and pinned it to my board for recipes to try, I noticed that over few days time, over 100 people repined it to their boards.

Since I was looking for an interesting Passover recipe, I decided to try this one, to find out if it actually is that good, or did the original picture make this recipe so popular.

Today was the day to give it shot.  I already had all the ingredients at home ( I love snacking on Matzo, vs chips or cookies….less calories).

I increased the amount of salt, pepper and garlic, to satisfy my taste.

I really enjoyed the Mushroom, Onion and Matzo Kugel, and now understand why it gained so much popularity.

There was enough filling to fill TWO  pie pans, even though the original post stated to use one 10 inch pie pan.

 

I also used a large frying pan to saute the vegetables, and prepare the filling, since a 10 inch pan was too small for all these ingredients.

I will list all the ingredients so the recipe is exactly the way I made it, but you may go to the original site to see their version.

 

I used Yehuda Matzos.  They are already quite toasted, but I did bake them for 5  minutes as the recipe required.

Ingredients:

  • 10 Matzo crackers (1 box)
  • 2 1/2 cup chicken broth (store-bought, or make your own)
  • 1 cup hot water
  • 1/4 cup vegetable oil ( I use canola oil)
  • 3 cups diced onions (3 large onions), I used my nifty onion chopper
  • 2/3 cup grated carrots (1 large carrot)
  • 1  1/2 tsp. salt
  • 1  1/2 tsp paprika
  • 1 tsp. garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp. black pepper, ground
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced (garlic zoom is a must have gadget for this job)
  • 16 oz sliced mushrooms
  • 2 Tbs. chopped parsley (I used dried parsley)
  • 4 egg whites, large eggs
  • 2 whole large eggs
  • cooking spray

Directions:

  1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
  2. Place Matzo crackers on a cookie sheet and bake for 5 minutes.
  3. Break them up into small pieces, place in a large bowl.
  4. Pour the chicken broth and water over the matzo, mix, and let it soak up the liquids.
  5. Into a large frying pan, add 1/4 cup oil, and heat it up.
  6. Place the chopped onions and cook them for 5 minutes, covered.
  7. Add sliced mushrooms, carrots, garlic, parsley and spices.
  8. Cook another 5 minutes, covered, stirring occasionally.
  9. Remove from heat, and fold in gently, add the moist matzo.
  10. Beat the egg whites and the whole eggs, until frothy.
  11. Fold into the veggie and matzoh mixture.
  12. Use cooking spray to coat the bottom and sides of TWO 10 inch pie dishes, or one 10 inch, and one 9 inch, as I did.
  13. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
  14. Using a large serving spoon, scoop the filling from the frying pan into the pie pans.
  15. Cover each with aluminum foil, and bake on a middle oven rack for 20 minutes.
  16. Uncover the pies, and bake 18 minutes longer.
  17. Once done, remove from the oven, and let them rest for at least 5 minutes.

Enjoy!

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