My paternal grandmother passed away on Tuesday, Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows, in the morning at her house. She was born almost 94 years earlier on the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary. My brother celebrated the Mass for her locally as well as the Funeral Mass in Halletsville, TX. Both were beautiful, a reflection of God's gift of her life. The day before she had spent an hour in front of the Blessed Sacrament and called some of her children and others who were on her prayer list to ask them to pray for someone who was ill with a brain tumor. She was called away quietly around 6:45 the next morning. What a beautiful way to leave this earth. With great hope we pray for her quick entry to the Presence of God and know she is able to pray for us from a better place.
These two pictures of my grandmother are from 1984 at the wedding anniversary reception of her sister. They were the only ones I could find online (posted by my dad's cousin who does a lot of genealogy work), but I also like them because they show her joy, humor, and feisty personality. Even to her last days she was laughing, smiling, and getting on someone or other about something they did or didn't do. :)
My Grandmother was a great cook and loved to bake. She baked her last batch of cookies in the week before she died. She also made some yummy poppy seed kolaches. The following is her recipe. I'm especially posting it here for all her grandchildren who wanted it.
Grandma's Poppy Seed Kolaches
In a large bowl combine 4 cups room temperature to warm flour, 3 rounded teaspoons instant yeast, 1/2 cup sugar, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/2 cup melted butter, and 2 cups warm milk. Spread a thin layer of flour onto tabletop and pour dough onto table. Dough will be sticky. Knead dough and form into a large ball. Cover loosely and let rise for 10-15 minutes.
Put 1 cup warm water in blender and while on "mix" slowly add 1 cup poppy seeds. Mix in blender until smooth and thick (about 5 minutes). Pour poppy seed mixture into saucepan and simmer on medium heat. While simmering, add 3 tablespoons sugar and 1/2 cup milk. Simmer until thick (about 5-10 minutes). Pour mixture into bowl and cool in freezer for 5-10 minutes.
Roll out dough to about 1/3 inch thickness and cut into circles or squares about 4 inches across. Put 1 rounded tablespoon of poppy seed mixture in the center of each piece of dough. Fold and pinch edges shut. Place on greased baking sheets 1 inch apart. Butter lightly. Back at 300 for 10-15 minutes. Makes 12-15 kolaches.
These two pictures of my grandmother are from 1984 at the wedding anniversary reception of her sister. They were the only ones I could find online (posted by my dad's cousin who does a lot of genealogy work), but I also like them because they show her joy, humor, and feisty personality. Even to her last days she was laughing, smiling, and getting on someone or other about something they did or didn't do. :)
My Grandmother was a great cook and loved to bake. She baked her last batch of cookies in the week before she died. She also made some yummy poppy seed kolaches. The following is her recipe. I'm especially posting it here for all her grandchildren who wanted it.
Grandma's Poppy Seed Kolaches
In a large bowl combine 4 cups room temperature to warm flour, 3 rounded teaspoons instant yeast, 1/2 cup sugar, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/2 cup melted butter, and 2 cups warm milk. Spread a thin layer of flour onto tabletop and pour dough onto table. Dough will be sticky. Knead dough and form into a large ball. Cover loosely and let rise for 10-15 minutes.
Put 1 cup warm water in blender and while on "mix" slowly add 1 cup poppy seeds. Mix in blender until smooth and thick (about 5 minutes). Pour poppy seed mixture into saucepan and simmer on medium heat. While simmering, add 3 tablespoons sugar and 1/2 cup milk. Simmer until thick (about 5-10 minutes). Pour mixture into bowl and cool in freezer for 5-10 minutes.
Roll out dough to about 1/3 inch thickness and cut into circles or squares about 4 inches across. Put 1 rounded tablespoon of poppy seed mixture in the center of each piece of dough. Fold and pinch edges shut. Place on greased baking sheets 1 inch apart. Butter lightly. Back at 300 for 10-15 minutes. Makes 12-15 kolaches.
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