Childhood Tradition in the Kitchen

Some memories from childhood are extremely clear and bring one way back in time.

As a child, upon entering my late maternal grandmother's home, a distinct smell of cooking immediately hit one's nose.

She made some absolutely delicious Polish dishes throughout my growing up years.

She emigrated to the United States from Poland during her teenage years.

A signature dish was golumpki, often called stuffed cabbage or cabbage rolls.

The dish consists of cabbage leaves, boiled until soft, wrapped around a meat filling.

 Golumpki in my late grandma's tradition consists of hamburger, rice, eggs, chopped onions fried in oil, ketchup mixed with water to pour on top. 

Grandma always added little squares of cooked salt pork, too, but I have always skipped that tradition.

 Once in casserole dishes, the golumpki are cooked for about an hour and a half. 

They are SOOOOOO delicious.

(Dziekuje, Grandma.)

WHAT IS ONE DISH FROM YOUR OWN CHILDHOOD THAT YOU STILL LOVE?

Tasty Treat

People in western Massachusetts are living inside a deep freezer these winter days. 

It is c-c-c-c-c-old.

Tonight, with winds, the weather person predicts temps of MINUS 40 degrees.   Now that is chilly.

Luckily, we have nice heat and cars that, so far anyway, are working!

This week, one of the days, I went out to lunch with a friend in a favorite restaurant.

We shared some of the most absolutely delicious, cheesy artichoke-spinach dip with triangle-shaped chips.

It was hot out of the restaurant oven and the taste merited an A-plus.

My friend ordered sweet potato fries instead of regular fries and we also split a delicious cheeseburger with lettuce and tomatoes. Yum.  (No photos of that, however, as we gobbled it down.)

In an attempt to avoid sodas and coffee, I've been drinking lemon water  these days and it's quite yummy.

On days like the restaurant visit, Old Man Winter can freeze all he wants.  We had fun!

WHAT DO YOU LOVE AS A SPECIAL TREAT TO EAT?

Lotus Blossoms in Cut Glass

 The first time seeing lotus-shaped tea light holders in cut glass made a memorable moment.

They looked quite exquisite with light striking different shades of color in the see-through petals.

Having those on a dresser or table would be dreamy.

Well, guess what?  My daughter bought a pair for me one birthday.

They remain among my favorite decor items.

 Then, while perusing Marshall's one day, a lotus cut glass covered small container screamed from a shelf. 

It matched the tea light holders perfectly so it came home and joined the others.

Now, even in the midst of housing transition, this threesome collection made it to my temporary bedroom.

They adorn the top of a small dresser and are reflected in a three-way mirror in the background.  

 A trio of tiny glass angels stand vigil on the mirrored tray where the holders are.

Seeing this tableau daily brings comfort.

 

 

WHAT IS SOMETHING THAT BRINGS YOU COMFORT? CAN YOU SHARE WITH US?