The Daily Hailey

You probably have noticed I’m not especially housewifey. I am not great in the kitchen, though I can confidently say I’ve been facing some of that stuff more often and I’m getting braver. Maybe not better, but braver 😉 

I used to be friends with someone who loved to poke fun at me, because I wasn’t confident in my cooking and baking skills. While I knew she was being petty, I’ve realized in the last year or two that it truly affected me. I’m trying to be better, and braver, and celebrate my victories along the way. 

Yesterday, I made paska! 

It was definitely a group effort. Not at all just myself. We made a HUGE batch of paska using a recipe my sister gave me once, combined with some tips and tricks I stole from Mennonite Girls Can Cook. 

While making a big recipe for the first time was an accomplishment, let’s look at the fact that I COULD KNEED THE DOUGH!!! 

THIS is almost an even bigger victory than making it at all. My hands just wanted to get into it, and I truly enjoyed it. The batch we made was way too big for my mixer to handle, anyway, so this worked out! Brady did trade me out towards the end so I wouldn’t overdo anything, but man, I really enjoyed it. Maybe I should start baking buns more often. 

Aaaaanyway, another part of the kitchen stuff that stresses me out is botching a recipe. Usually, if I mess up a recipe, I never make it again. Thats not a good thing, but its the truth. 

So, yesterday’s paska was NOT a flop, but it wasn’t all glamorous either. Some of the buns had growths or were misshapen, and out of the two loaves I made, I smashed one against the edge of a rack trying to move it around, and completely squished it in half. Also, everything got just a little bit darker than I wanted. I think the oven was a bit too hot. 

But as I tell the kids, it doesn’t have to look good to taste good! 

Laela and I iced and sprinkled them together this morning. 

Turns out, I was right! The paska tasted amazing. I am SO happy with how it turned out. I often don’t like what I make, probably because I put such a high expectations on myself, but this was really yummy 🙂 

This years paska haul was a great success!! Thank you to my encouragers. You know who you are.