Schliefferlies

Schliefferlies are a delicious, deep-fried Swiss pastry. My Great-Grandma Buhrley brought this recipe with her when she emigrated from Switzerland to the United States. My Grandma White would make them every year at Christmastime and when my parents got married, they continued the tradition. When Sam and I were engaged, I told him about the recipe and we decided to make them to surprise my grandpa. We've made them every year since and it's been fun to carry on the tradition.

 

We decided to make them after Christmas this year since my parents would be hear and they are my dad's favorite.

 

Schliefferlies

 

Ingredients:

2 cups sugar

6 eggs, separated

1 stick butter, softened

2/3 cup evaporated milk

1 t. vanilla extract

1 1/2 t. baking powder

1 t. salt

4-5 cups flour (that's what my grandma's recipe says but I usually add quite a bit more)

 

Crisco

powdered sugar

 

Directions:

 

In a large mixing bowl or stand mixer, beat egg yolks and sugar until lemon colored. Add butter, evaporated milk, vanilla, baking powder and salt.

 

In a separate bowl, beat egg whites until stiff peaks form and add to the other mixture.

 

Add flour until you have a soft, not-sticky dough. (It may seem like you are adding an obscene amount of flour, but trust me, you don't want your dough to be too sticky.)

 

Cover with plastic wrap and keep in fridge for several hours. DON'T SKIP THIS STEP!

 

Take a ball of dough, about the size of a softball out of your bowl and return the remaining dough to the fridge. It's much easier to handle if it's cold. Roll dough to 1/8" thickness. Feel free to flour the heck out of it. If the dough is too sticky it may make you angry and traditions should be happy, not angry.

 

Cut into 2"x4" strips. I've found the pizza cutter to be quite helpful for this.

Cut 1" slits in the center of each rectangle.

Take one end of the dough and pull it through the center, like so:

It should look like this.

Heat the Crisco in a deep pan. 355-360 degrees F is ideal, though it may fluctuate five degrees or so.

Add a few Schliefferlies to your pan. Turn over when the bottom side is lightly browned. It only takes about a minute. (I recommend having a fryer and a roller, if you can find a partner in crime.)

When both sides are browned, remove them to a paper towel-lined strainer.

Spread the pastries out on the table. We usually put down a brown paper grocery bag to absorb more grease and prevent mess. Sift powdered sugar over the top.

Repeat with remaining dough.

One recipe makes quite a bit, so plan to share some with your friends or neighbors, or don't. I won't judge.

We like them for breakfast or dessert or a midnight snack.

 

Store in an air-tight container. You can reheat them in the microwave for a few seconds. They taste the best when they are warm.

Christmas Morning

On Christmas morning, Abby came in to greet me while I was in the bathroom. I said, "Merry Christmas!" Her face lit up with excitement and she said, "You made me so happy!" She hadn't remembered that it was Christmas. Then I sent her out to check out the goods and she was jumping for joy saying something that neither Sam or I could figure out.

 

I got them to pause to take a quick picture before getting started. We got this real, little tree at the grocery store. It was just right for our little apartment. Unfortunately, it was starting to look pretty shabby by Christmas morning.

 

Clara was a little under the weather but after a shot of Tylenol and some unwrapping, she was good to go.

 

Abby got tape! Four rolls all for her.

Clara loved unwrapping. Sometimes she would take the paper off and set the box aside without looking at what was inside. It took her a while to catch on that it was more than just paper on boxes.

This was probably Clara's favorite gift--a cash register. (Proof that I was there.)

Abby got dentist Barbie which we all love. Now her Barbie can be just like daddy.

 

The girls had a blast playing all day with their new stuff. They didn't ask to watch shows and we could hardly get them to eat. We had a few Skype chats with family and had a delicious Christmas dinner. It was nice having out first Christmas with just our little family.

 

Grammy and Grampy are coming to celebrate the New Year with us so stay tuned for some more holiday excitement.

Merry Christmas

I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day was never one of my favorite Christmas songs until I learned this beautiful story behind it. The song truly has a powerful message:

1. I heard the bells on Christmas day
Their old familiar carols play,
And wild and sweet the words repeat
Of peace on earth, good will to men.

2. I thought how, as the day had come,
The belfries of all Christendom
Had rolled along th’unbroken song
Of peace on earth, good will to men.

3. And in despair I bowed my head:
“There is no peace on earth,” I said,
“For hate is strong and mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good will to men.”

4. Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
“God is not dead, nor doth he sleep;
The wrong shall fail, the right prevail,
With peace on earth, good will to men.”

5. Till, ringing, singing, on its way,
The world revolved from night to day,
A voice, a chime, a chant sublime,
Of peace on earth, good will to men!

Gingerbread Houses

Or, more properly named, graham cracker houses. We had fun making these little houses. We always made them growing up and Sam and I made them with some nieces and nephews when we lived in Utah but we haven't done it for a couple of years.

 

Sam and Clara were partners. Clara put a few candies on the house and a lot of candies in her mouth.

Abby and I were partners. She loved making hers but was a little upset to find that she wasn't allowed to eat the whole thing immediately.

Oh, Clara. What would we do without you?

Our finished house.

I'm wishing my basic photo editing program had "bruise removal." Abby gave the coffee table a head-butt last weekend.

Daddy and Clara's House.

 

 

We've been trying to do lots of fun crafts and activities to bring the Christmas spirit into our home. I've said it once, and I'll say it again, holidays are way more fun with kiddos in the house!

Color Me Mine

For my friend Anika's birthday, she invited a group of girls to Color Me Mine. She brought sandwiches and an adorable zebra-print cake and we we all ate and talked and painted pottery. It was so much fun. I've always want to go and now I want to go back on a date with Sam.

 

I decided to make a celebration plate that our family can use on birthdays and other special occasions. I just got it back and I think it turned out pretty cute. I might just deem myself special tonight so I can use it!

Meeting Santa

You may not know this, but we go to church with Santa. Seriously though, isn't this guy legit? He is so jolly and sweet with the kids. All of the children were very excited to visit with him at our Christmas party. All of the children except Abby. As soon as she heard that Santa would be there, she told me she didn't want to sit on his lap. She proceeded to tell me several more times throughout the morning. She wasn't even swayed by the offering of candy. I could really care less if she sits on Santa's lap. However, we did contemplate forcing it on her to enter a local radio contest's bad Santa Photo Contest.

 

Clara, on the other hand, was all about it. She will do anything for some candy. I don't think she has any idea what she's doing on this man's lap, but she sure was excited about her candy cane.

 

Our girls have very different personalities and it's fun to see how the react to different situations.

Cookie Exchange

For Girl's Night this month, we had a cookie exchange. Everyone brought three dozen cookies and we all got to take home an assortment of treats. I made Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Fudge. To see my recipe and some of the other recipes check out our Philly Food Blog.

 

I'm sure going to miss these Girl's Nights and all of these amazing ladies when we leave.

 

And, that's me, doing my tradition pose. I've decided that if I make a silly face on purpose it will stop me from looking silly on accident.

 

Thanksgiving

We made the trek to Michigan again this year to celebrate Thanksgiving. We got to be there for a week and a half so that Sam could go to a couple of interviews. Sam's parents were there too so it made for an extra-special visit.

 

I took about five pictures while we were there, which I guess is better than none, right?

 

I love this picture because it's totally not posed. Just some true family bonding.

 

 
Abby loved using the apple peeler/corer/slicer.

 
Abby was also Grammy's assistant on the rolls.

 
Aunt Sarah bought the girls these cute turkey headbands. I love Clara with a mouthful of roll. To be honest, I think that's about all she ate.

 
The delicious spread.

 

To make up for my lack of pictures, I thought I'd share the pie recipes I used this year. I made four and they all turned out delicious.

 

I used this recipe for apple pie. I've made apple pie about a million times and I don't think I've ever used the exact same recipe. This one was yummy though--not too sweet. I used Granny Smith apples in place of the Northern Spy because, seriously, what is a Northern Spy apple anyway?

 

Tar Heel Pie via Woman's Day

 

Ingredients:

U.S.

Metric

• 1/2 recipe Standard Pie Dough, or 1 store-bought refrigerated rolled pie crust
• 1/2 cup(s) (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
• 1 cup(s) semisweet chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup(s) granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup(s) packed light brown sugar
• 1/3 cup(s) all-purpose flour
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon(s) pure vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon(s) instant coffee granules
• 1/4 teaspoon(s) kosher salt
• 1 cup(s) pecans, roughly chopped
• Whipped cream, for serving                         

---

Directions:

1. In a large bowl, whisk together 1 cup flour, 1 tablespoon sugar and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Using your fingers or a pastry cutter, work the chopped butter and shortening into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Sprinkle with 2 tablespoons ice water, 1 tablespoon at a time, until the dough is crumbly but holds together when squeezed (if necessary, add additional ice water, 1 teaspoon at a time).
2. Transfer the dough to a piece of plastic wrap and shape into a 1-inch-thick disk. Wrap tightly and refrigerate until firm, at least 1 hour and up to 2 days.
3. Heat oven to 350 degrees F. On a lightly floured surface, roll a disk of dough into a 12-inch circle. Fit it into the bottom and up the sides of a 9-inch pie plate. Trim the dough so that the overhang is even all the way around (about 1/2 inch from the edge of the pie plate). Fold the overhang under itself to create a thicker rim of dough and crimp as desired. Refrigerate until ready to fill.
4. Melt the 1/2 cup butter. Place the chocolate in a large bowl and pour the warm butter on top; stir until smooth. Add the brown sugar, eggs, vanilla, coffee and remaining 1/3 cup flour, 1/2 cup granulated sugar, and 1/4 teaspoon salt and mix to combine. Stir in the pecans.
5. Pour the chocolate mixture into the pie crust and bake until the filling is set and the crust is golden brown, 30 to 35 minutes. Let stand for at least 1 hour before serving. Serve with whipped cream, if desired.

This recipe was SO good. It was like a brownie inside a pie crust. Yum!

Blueberry Pie (Make Ahead) via Cook's Country

 

1 recipe double-crust pie dough (The Pillsbury Just Un-Roll is great)
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
4 whole graham crackers, crushed to fine crumbs
6 cups blueberries (fresh or frozen)
1 ¼ dried cranberries
¾ cup sugar
2 tablespoons minute tapioca
2 teaspoons lemon juice
¼ teaspoon salt

On lightly floured surface, roll 1 dough into 12-inch circle (or just unroll if using store-bought). Transfer to 9-inch pie plate. Brush crust with 2 tablespoons melted butter and sprinkle with half of cracker crumbs. Cover with plastic and refrigerate for 30 minutes. Roll second dough into 12-inch circle and brush with remaining butter, leaving 1-inch border around edge. Refrigerate, covered, on large plate for 30 minutes.

Heat 4 cups blueberries and cranberries in saucepan over medium heat, stirring occasionally and mashing slightly, until blueberries break down and mixture is thickened, 8 to 10 minutes. Let cool slightly, then stir in sugar, tapioca, lemon juice, salt and remaining blueberries. Refrigerate until cool, about 15 minutes.

Transfer filling to dough-lined pie plate. Sprinkle remaining cracker crumbs over filling. Fold lip of bottom crust inward over filling. Brush border of dough with water, then arrange top crust, buttered-side down, over pie. Crimp edges of pie. Cut six 1-inch slits, about 1 inch from crust and four 1-inch slits near center of pie. Allow pie to firm in freezer for 1 hour. Once pie is firm, wrap it tightly with plastic, then aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 2 months.

Adjust oven rack to lowest position and heat oven to 375. Bake until juices are bubbling and crust is golden brown, about 80 minutes. Let cool on wire rack at least 2 hours.
This pie is seriously delicious. There were a few blueberry pie skeptics but this recipe made them all believers.

For some reason, the site with the Vanilla Bean Pear Pie recipe isn't working so I'll just post the Pinterest link in hope that it will work again soon.

Pretty Tootsies

I forgot to post this gem a few weeks back...

 

 

 

Abby really wanted to paint her own toes but I told her she could do mine instead. I figured a larger canvas would be easier to work with. I was a good sport and even went in public with them like this.

 

After she painted them, she said, "Oh mom, they look really bad." Ha! I convinced her that they were, indeed beautiful. It sure is fun doing things with my girlie girl.

Shopping Trip

I went shopping today and here's what I came home with...

 



It's time to start stocking up for Baby #3. It's a BOY!

We are thrilled to have a little man joining our family. He is due March 28.

As I'm sure can can imagine, this pregnancy has been particularly stressful. The ultrasound appointment brought a lot of relief. We were so happy to see a beautiful, healthy little one.

First Snow

I looked out the window and noticed it was snowing (actually, I looked at facebook and read some one's status that said it was snowing). I told the girls to come look outside and they were thrilled. Abby loves the snow and Clara loves everything that Abby loves. Naturally, they had to go check it out.



 

There's something so cute about little girls with snow in their hair.

None of the snow stuck around, thank heaven. I'm really hoping for a mild winter like last year.

Stroller Revamp

The girls' doll stroller has been very well loved. I've done a few minor repairs but as of late, it's situation was pretty dire. Well, enough was enough. We went and picked out some fabric at Jo-Anns to make a whole new seat for the stroller. I wish I had taken a "before" picture to show you it's sad state. Here's the "after":

 

Piggy made a wonderful model.

I used parts of this tutorial and some of this one and a little bit of my own ideas (which mostly came as a result of me making a mistake/the lady at Jo-Anns cutting my fabric cock-eyed).

 

 

I love how it turned out. Hopefully the sturdier fabric (I used canvas for the backing) will hold up better to the love of every child who enters our home.

Abby Turns FOUR

On October 31 we celebrate Abby's 4th Birthday. I'm not at all sure where four years have gone, but alas, they are definitely gone.

 

We are so blessed to have such a sweet, beautiful, loving, smart daughter. She is a great big sister, a wonderful helper and a joy to everyone around her.

 

In the morning, I let her open this new bow shirt to wear to preschool.

 

We waited for daddy to get home to open the rest of her gifts and the wait was excruciating! She was spoiled rotten. Her favorite gift was the Barbie she showed us at Target a few weeks back.

 

 

 

We had balloons to play with all day, which is always a hit.

 

 Abby and her friend, little Abby (plus Tiff).

 

We had an ice cream bar, complete with all the fixin's. I also made cupcakes in ice cream cones. It was the least stressful party I've ever planned because there wasn't a lot of prep work involved. It was nice to spend the day with Abby instead of in the kitchen.

 

 

 

I made this cute sign and also these ice cream cone balloons. What did we ever do without Pinterest?

 

 

Clara was sure to snitch some strawberries before the party started.

 

After the party, most of our guests joined us for trick-or-treating. We were quite the popular group with so many cute little ones.

A rare occasion...a picture of the moms!

Clara LOVED Trick-or-Treating. She would walk right up to the doors and hold her hand out. She would often continue holding it out with expectation of more treats. As this picture shows, she also refused to let go of her bucket, even when it weighed as much as she does.

Abby's costume was quite popular. It still looked pretty cute covered with a coat. We didn't even put Clara's feathers on so you couldn't really tell what she was supposed to be.

 

This girls snagged a ton of loot.

 

 

Abby had a blast on her birthday and everyone else had fun joining in her celebration.

 

We love out sweet girl!