Monday, November 22, 2010

Jolene's Pie Crust

Pie Crust:

4 c. flour
1 tbsp. sugar
2 tsp. salt
1 3/4 c. shortening

Mix together until it forms course crumbs.

1 c. cold water
1 Tbsp. vinegar (white)
1 egg

Add cold water, vinegar, and egg and mix until soft dough forms. Roll out gently for your favorite pie! Makes enough for at least 2 pies with top crusts.

Sunday, November 21, 2010

Odin Bake Time: 2 Months

Hey everyone!

Here is just a fun little update on Odin, Mark and I. Last Saturday Beverly and Marta threw a wonderful baby shower for Odin and it turned out so great! Beverly made amazing decorations and it was so fun to see everyone.

Thanks to everyone who came and thank you so much for the adorable gifts. Mark and I couldn't begin to repay you guys for all that you do for us. Odin is doing great! He is growing at a normal rate, kicking all the time and very healthy. Mark is loving his job. He is very proud that he can do a one handed pull-up. And we are having so much fun getting ready for little Odin to get here.

~Mark, Mary & Odin
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Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Thanksgiving recipes by Marta

Hello family!

I hope everyone is excited for Thanksgiving. I am excited to have Beverly, Mark, Mary & Michael with us this year. But I will miss having Gianni, Jolene and the girls far away along with Peter.

Here are a couple of the recipes I make every year for Thanksgiving.

Turkey:
20 lb turkey
3 Tablespoons salt(roughly)-Rub the outside and inside of the bird
1 lemon-Squeeze lemon all over the outside of the bird
3-4 medium apples-I wash the apples and put the whole apple inside the bird
2 medium sized onions-I just peel them and stick the whole onion inside
1/2 cup butter
1 teaspoon garlic powder
2 teaspoons paprika
I combine melted butter with the garlic powder & paprika and then take a pastry brush and brush the sauce all over the inside and outside of the bird.

Turn on oven to 350 degrees and cook for about 5-6 hours. Right before the bird is done I take off the bag or foil and stick it back in the oven for about 10 minutes so it becomes a little crispy on the outside. Then what I like to do is to take the juices from the turkey and make my own gravy.

Rolls:
I usually double this recipe because my family is big and they like to eat a lot of bread.
4 cups warm water
1 tablespoon sugar
2 tablespoon yeast
Combine these 3 ingredients and let it sit for 5-10 minutes and then add 1 tablespoon salt and 2 tablespoons oil if you want soft rolls. If you want harder rolls use 2 tablespoons of shortening instead of oil.

For soft rolls use 8 cups of flour, for hard rolls use 9 cups of flour. Let the dough rise until you see that it doubles in size, which is usually about 15 minutes.

You don't need to knead this dough, just begin to take some dough and make little balls.

Heat oven to 400 degrees and bake for 15-20 minutes until golden brown. Once I take them out of the oven I like to melt butter and brush the tops of the rolls right away.

I hope you enjoy these recipes.

Happy Thanksgiving!

~Marta

Wednesday, November 3, 2010

November Birthday's

Happy Happy Birthday to all the November Birthday's!

We hope it's not only a wonderful day for you, but a fabulous upcoming year!

Let's not forget to wish them a Happy Birthday!
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Francesca-November 9th
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Nicole-November 14th
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Paul-November 17th