Borscht Recipe

I've been dying to try and make some Borscht lately, and finally got the chance to do it tonight. Since my Dad's family is Russian, I felt like making Borscht would be...I don't know, a traditional kind of thing. Like Noodle Kugel and Matzo Ball Soup and Challah :)

So, I looked around on the internet at different Borscht recipes and none of them were in my time frame or qualified for our diet. I decided then, that I would make my own recipe! Since we have such a large family, you might need to cut it in half.

Here it is; McKenna's Original recipe. Presenting...

BORSCHT

 (Serves 12)

Time: 1 Hour 

 6 Medium Organic Beets, Cubed

3 Cups Organic Cauliflower, Chopped

64oz. Beef Broth (Store-Bought Organic or Homemade)

2 lbs. Organic Grass-Fed Chuck Shoulder Roast

1 Organic Onion, Sliced

2 T. Cold-Pressed Extra-Virgin Olive Oil (for Sauteing)

½ C. Red or White Wine Vinegar

Salt & Pepper

Dill (Optional Garnish)

Sour Cream (For those not on a Paleo Diet or the Whole 30 Diet)

 Combine the Beets, Cauliflower and Beef Broth in a large soup pot. Simmer.

While soup is working up to a simmer, generously salt the Chuck Roast(s) and sear it in the Olive Oil in a super-hot sauce pan 1-2 minutes each side. Let the meat rest on a cutting board 5 minutes, then cut it into small pieces for the soup. Return to not-so-super-hot pan and brown with the onions, Vinegar and a cup of Water.

 While the meat is browning, remove a third of your soup (mostly the veggies) into a blender or food processor. Blend into a thick puree. Add back to the soup pot (you may have to do the pureeing in multiple batches). 

Finally, add the meat into the soup pot (making sure to include all the onions and liquid that is now very beefy). Boil the Borscht until the Beet cubes are tender, but not mushy. Add the Salt and Pepper for flavor. Serve hot with the garnishes of your choice and enjoy your delicious, meaty Borscht! 

A Little Hiccup

Just a quick update. I haven't yet had the opportunity to participate in the last day of the "Inspired by Film" fashion event at www.bramblewoodfashion.com 

The reason is, that on this particularly beautiful pre-Spring day, our young ones have been laid up with the Stomach Flu...So, I shall be slightly delayed in including my entry. Hopefully, I can get it posted in a day or two. Please pray! Our little 3 year-old is just puking her poor little stomach out...

Inspired by Film Fashion Event//Day 6 (Day3)

Today's www.bramblewoodfashion.com blog event's theme is "Sci-fi/Fantasy/Fairytale". I decided to base today's outfit on 

Snow White from "Mirror Mirror". 

I curled my hair again, side-swept my bangs (they're longer than hers) and added bright eye makeup and strawberry-red lip sheen :) The outfit is based on her forest fighting garb. I happened to have a shirt the same color as her blousson, a black vest and flowy gauchos...just like hers! I added the gray shawl that she wore the evening she found out that Prince Alcott was going to marry the Queen.

"Who's ready to crash a wedding?"

Snow the brave!

My sister was a great photographer! I don't know how she captured the lighting in this one, but it looks great!

"En garde!"

This is the Spanish blade that my brother graciously allowed me to use.

 I can't believe this is the second-to-last day of the event! I've had such fun and it gave me the idea to do it myself someday. What do you think? Would you participate? Comment or email me at missmckennaray@gmail.com

Inspired by Film Fashion Event//Day 5 (Day 2)

Today's theme for the "Inspired by Film" blog event is 1990s-2010s. It was a hard decision. I debated through some of my favorite movies, "Leap Year", "Mission: Impossible-4", "The Princess Protection Program", etc (I know, it's a broad spectrum...). But I finally decided on taking today's outfit inspiration from Hannah Lawson, the main character on "October Baby" one of my very favorite movies of all time! 

I pulled inpiration from different outfits she wore throughout the movie. I wore my bangs up and put some curls in with my waves ;) Then, a floral tank (bringing in the floral blouse) and over it, a sleeveless cardigan (like the one she wore at the end). I paired my tops with the simplicity that Hannah sticks to; a single-pendant necklace and a wide bracelet.

I'm clearly not used to taking "Selfies" (I was looking at the camera, not the mirror!)

 It wasn't that creative, but so much fun! 

Inspired By Film Fashion Event//Day 4 (Day 1 for me...)

I just found out today about a blog event going on. And, I'm a little late joining in, but here is my "Entry" for today. The theme is 1960s and I had this dress sitting in the basement with the Summer clothes, ready to wear and perfect for the occasion! This dress, I made from a "Vintage Vogue" pattern especially for my birthday last year on which day, I attended a garden-party-style wedding. In the first pictures, I wore it casually, with a thick brown belt, denim blazer, pearls and open-toe wedges paired with an Italian-leather purse.

In sitting down, I bumped my elbow on the arm of the rocking chair :P

These are my favorite shoes!

I was giving "the look" to my brother who graciously acted as photographer :)

"Ouch!" That was right after I bumped my elbow!

 A close-up of the purse, belt and blazer.

Here, I replaced the belt with the original cummerbund that I made for the wedding, took off the blazer and added long gloves and a yellow clutch.

The back of my cummerbund with a knot.

Here is the VINTAGE crinoline, I wore underneath the skirt. A birthday present from my dear Aunt!

So, there you have it. My 1960s-inspired ensembles for the "Inspired by Film" fashion event hosted by www.bramblewoodfashion.com . Click the icon on the right side of the screen to go straight to the event. It started last Sunday and ends this Saturday (I missed a few days because I wasn't aware...) I hope you'll join me for a late entry. Maybe I shall host an event like that soon. What do you think?
Feel free to pin any of these pictures, but be sure to provide a link back to my blog in the description. Thanks!

Late 18th Century + Early 19th Century Gowns

So, I've officially started taking photos of all the things I made last year. Thanks for your patience! First, Mirial's Georgian formal gown and Mandee's Regency gown. They match! Hope you enjoy :)

I told Mandee, "Just look up at the tree..."

Grins :D

Detail on the ruffle sleeve and gathers at the waistline.

Please don't kill me, fellow seamstresses...I put a zipper in!

Detail on the skirts.

Mirial was gathering her "nuts".

Mandee wanted to pick "nuts", too!

More grins! Always grins!!!

 

 

 

 

 I hope you liked the pics. It was so much fun taking them! Chilly, but so much fun! If you have any questions, email me at missmckennaray@gmail.com. I'd love to hear from you and become friends!

Recommended Reading List #1

So, I have compiled a list of my favorite books that I recommend to everyone when they ask. I've read most of these at least twice through :) My favorite and my best, as you might put it! 

First is "Stepping Heavenward" by Elizabeth Prentiss. It's the fictional journal of a girl growing in her faith during the mid 1800's. I've read this one through many times and discover more about the heart of what my Savior has for me each time through. It's a good read-aloud for older sisters or mothers to younger sisters 12 and up. And I say 12 and up only because the antiquated language might be a little beyond early comprehension.

This book was a happy birthday present from my parents two Summers ago. A fantastic read for girls 13 and up. Debi Pearl hits home with practical insights to how we as single young ladies can be preparing for our future position as helper and completer at the side of a godly man. There's also a study guide at the back written by one of Debi's lovely daughters!

"Little Women" is one of my annual reads! The home-centered tale of four sisters is rich with good old-fashioned American history and values to apply in every day life. I recommend "book one" (the first half. My edition is divided) for all ages. And it's fairly easy to understand even for younger girls. But, part two is more...how shall we say, romantic? It's the part where the girls go abroad, fall in love, and get married. If your younger girls struggle with things like keeping their hearts at home, and romantic thoughts and feelings, I wouldn't recommend it yet. Or the second sequel (book 3) "Jo's Boys". That one gets pretty intensely romantic. 

This book is fabulous for all ages! A great read aloud for the whole family. "Little Britches" by Ralph Moody is the story of an East-coast family that moves to Colorado to start a farm. I've read it 4 times through and it gets better each time :)

A riveting tale told in first-person by Corrie Ten Boom herself! This narrative takes place in Holland during WWII when the Ten Booms hid Jews in their home above the watch shop. 

I have mentioned this book before, but I had not read it yet. I am at the end of it now and gaining more and more knowledge each page I turn :) Perhaps I'm not very clever with post titles, but this truly is on the top of my recommended reading list! 

There will be more to come as I read and acquire more books to add to my library (the top of my dresser). Meanwhile, what are the books that you recommend? Have you read any of the books that I posted above? Please comment and let me know!