Struffoli: A Family Tradition

There are some things everyone should know, if they don't already, about Italians. One, we love food! Love it! Two, the most important thing, other than food, is family. And three, traditions are very important! Mainly because they often involve both food and family. My grandmother, Nonnie, recently passed away. One of my fondest memories of her are the times we made Struffoli together. Her hands as she rolled out the dough will forever be ingrained in my memory. This past Thanksgiving, I watched my Dad pass on the tradition to my sons and niece. This dessert is so simple, but for me, there is nothing sweeter.

Here is the recipe:

First mix together 3.5 cups of flour, 6 eggs plus one egg yolk, and the zest of one lemon and one orange and a half teaspoon of salt.

Add a little limoncello, an Italian liquor, if you want.

The most important ingredient of any good Struffoli is family.

After the dough has rested in the refrigerator for 30 minutes it is time to roll in out into long ropes...or "snakes" as we called them. This is where little hands can be very useful.

Oh, and it always nice to have Struffoli prepared by a beautiful princess!

Luke is either making sure Macie is doing it right or he is doing it right. What he doesn't know, is there is no wrong way to roll out Struffoli.

After cutting the rope into small half inch pieces they are ready to put into canola oil for frying. They will puff up so don't put in too many.


Cook until golden.

Next, coat your Struffoli with plenty of honey. (If you can get it onto the plate)

And finally, the most crucial ingredient...SPRINKLES! Oh, and the must, must, must be the tiny little ball sprinkles. No other sprinkle will do. (Okay, I admit, that part is important to me but since tradition is all about making things your own, feel free to use any type of sprinkle you want. You may even prefer powdered sugar. I just highly recommend the tiny little ball sprinkles.)


Throw in some love from a very proud Crampa.

And enjoy...straight from the platter.

Mom's Sixtieth!

We just returned home from Colorado after celebrating my mom's sixtieth birthday! I can't believe she is 60! She doesn't look it though and if she were to take Dr. Oz's true age test I am sure it would confirm she isn't a day over 35. We, her family, decided rather than a big party, which she isn't fond of, we would rent a house in Breckenridge and take her away for a couple of days. It was so much fun! I wish I had taken my camera out more to capture all of the fun things we did. I often find myself torn between experiencing the moment and capturing it. But here are a few shots, mostly of these sweet kids, of our time there.

We did crafts...


Macie is ALL girl! I love getting my "girl fix" with my sweet niece.


I love this racoon hat. No more crafts for him, Jay is ready to play in the snow!


Snow time it is!

Whenever possible, I must get these two hugging! They are so darn cute!!!

Hot Chocolate Time!!!

I love this shot of Macie.

Story time before nap time. Kat took this one...thanks Katherine!

Mom. I love her!

Bath Time!

Now it is time for cake! Jay helped make this gluten free cake for Granny.

Happy Birthday Mom!!!!

Three days later we all celebrated Thanksgiving together. I think it is the best one I have celebrated in a long time! I love being around all of my family!

Mom and Steve

My sister Katherine, niece Macie and brother-in-law Eric.

My brother Mark and his girlfriend Elle.

I'm late on Halloween too...

Trick-or-Treat was a blast this year! The weather was perfect and both boys really got into it. I thought having it on Saturday would be ideal. It was, except the boys were hyped up at home all day in anticipation rather than hyped up at school. But once we got those costumes on and out the door...fun, fun, FUN!

Last year, Jay was a ninja. This year Jay dressed up as a SCORPION ninja! Luke, was Max, King of all Wild Things. I thought this would be a perfect costume for him. He is the biggest Wild Thing I know. I asked him if he wanted to be Max, not thinking at the age of two he would have an opinion on it. He said, no, he wants to be Batman. Batman? Really? Thinking this was a fluke and would pass, I bought the Max PJs anyway. Afterall, Halloween is all about me, right? So, while online I showed him the picture of the Max PJs. Wouldn't you know, the Warner Brothers website would include the Batman icon on the top menu bar. Luke, not missing a thing, says, "No, I want to be that one and he points to Batman." UGH.

I don't know if it was that my heart was set on him being Max because I knew how darn cute he would look or if it was more a matter of keeping him my baby but I bought the Max costume anyway. I know from here on out I will no longer have a say. So, Max it is! For two weeks, I wondered if he would actually wear the costume of my choosing or he we would end up Trick-or-Treating as Luke, King of the Terrible Twos. I should have known that once I mentioned "candy" he would wear anything.

So, here they are...my fierce Scorpion Ninja and Max, King of the Wild Things!

That's a Wild Thing if ever I saw one!

Let the Wild Rumpus begin!

Cute? No?

Fierce, except for those gorgeous blue eyes!

Once we started on our candy mission, Jay was long gone with his friends. I stayed back with Luke and was entertained for at least two hours. Door after door, Luke would look into the windows and yell "TRICK OR TREAT!!!!" Oh, he was ALL about Halloween. There wasn't one scary doorway that would keep him from getting that candy!

I guess this is it. My baby no more. I know it won't be long before Luke is off trick-or-treating with his big brother and all of their friends and I will be left at home to pass out candy. So, I got my way this year. Next year be on the lookout for Batman and probably another ninja...and a mom, who is finding it hard to let go, in tow.

I am so late wishing my 9-year-old HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

October 10th 2009

The day started out with Jay's second to last football game. He played like a 9-year-old!


The team did an obnoxious rendition of the HAPPY BIRTHDAY song.

More football at Jay's football birthday party. Nope, he isn't having any fun!

One dad and four kids per team.

Way to block that 6-year-old, Dave!

The fans.

Pizza at Lucky 13

Luke is waiting for cake.

Happy birthday sweet boy! I can't believe you are nine!

Some Words on Miscommunication...

Luke is two and a half now! And boy, does this boy know what he wants! The problem is I don't. Everyone knows the consequences that can result from miscommunication. Sometimes it can lead to disastrous results, other times, hurt feelings...the list goes on and on. With a two-year-old, miscommunication always leads to frustration and often tears. Here is our classic example.

We are in the car and Luke clearly wants something. What isn't clear, is that thing that he wants. He calls out very adamantly "Mom! I want *#&$#^*#&$(*#&$#&$" (water, I figure out later)

Me: "What?"

Luke: "&^#*$*&#($!!!!"

Me: "You want something?"

Luke: "&#^*$#&^$*#&!!!!!!"

Me thinking...."hmmm, it sounds like 'park'...is he asking to go to the park?"

This is where I make my fatal mistake...I guess...

Me: "You want to go to the park?"

Luke (thinking "what a great idea...forget the water!"): "Yeah! I GO PARK!!!!!!"

Me: "Luke, we can't go the park."

Luke: crying and confused I know he must be thinking: "then why did you suggest it!"

Me: Feeling like the worst mother ever!

Note to self: always start with water.

Mom & Tots

Luke and I just started the Mom and Tots class every Monday morning. It is an hour and half of pure two-year-old heaven! The very first day Luke sat a the playdough table and didn't move. He loved the playdough. These are taken on our third week where he has discovered all the wonderful possibilities in that room. Needless to say, playdough still gets his attention, but only for a minute.

Here he is painting with apples!!!


He is holding his hand up to keep his very enormous watch on.


Now, painting with paintbrushes...but this time, standing up!


Cars. Oh, the joy for a two-year-old boy! That is, until another 2-year-old boy tried to steal that joy. Time out woes shortly followed.

Tools!

Luke made me my favorite breakfast...plastic eggs and air cereal...YUM!!!

After hand-washing, circle time and a snack all the boys and girls go outside!

Luke drives a boat...

and a trike...

waits in line...

and this, I don't know what the heck he is doing...but he is having fun!

Stay tuned...I am sure there will be more Mom & Tots posts to come.

Go Bulldogs!

There he goes. First play of the day! Today he is playing offense. The kids say he is one of the best blockers. I love that he plays hard and tough. He loves the game.

Nick is number 30.

Good game!