Grandma Dots

These past couple days, I've been spending time with my dear granny Urbanski -Dots they call her- Listening to stories about bootlegging, farm days, work at the deli, memories of her family... Grandma's eyes would sparkle every time she mentioned her husband Donald. It's obvious she loved -still loves- him. Sadly, I did not have the pleasure of knowing, nor meeting, my grandpa. He sounded like an amazing person. 

Together, Dots and I looked through old recipes. When I asked her about grandpa's favorite's she said bread and sour cream pie. Her children would say fanny farmer fudge, molasses cookies or Regenia's Schepu chocolate cake. Looking through her recipes, it was apparent that desserts dominated above all else. Savory foods were less often documented, with the exception of hot dish and Polish classics like dumplings. 

Rather than recreate or modify recipes from my grandmother; I've decided to post the originals, stains and all! Sorry if they are illegible, but I didn't want to take away from the history and love that clearly went into creating these desserts. 

You will also notice names associated with some of the recipes. They are people within the community of Glendorado Church in Minnesota who developed the recipes. ​Those that are not labeled are Grandma Dots. 

It was difficult to select recipes with such a large selection to choose from. You'll need to stay tuned to future blog posts on other classics from my family's past, except next time I'll be sure to attempt the recipe! 

​Recipe humor
      Wife: "More accidents happen in the kitchen than anywhere else"
      Husband: "Yes, dear, and the worst of it is, we men have to eat them"

Preserved Children 
Take 1 large filed, half dozen children, 2 or 3 small dogs, a pinch of book and some pebbles. Mix the children and dogs well together; ....put them on a field, stirring constantly. Pour the brook over the pebbles... sprinkle the filed with flowers.....spread over all a deep blue sky and bake in the sun. When brown, set away to cool in the bath tub. 
                        -Anonymous