Welcome to Vol. 2 of our Messy Mommies Newsletter!
Thanks for being a part of our Messy squad!!
Vol. 2 March, 2022
We’ve missed you all and are back to welcome the coming of spring. While the saying of March coming in like a lion and going out like a lamb is often true with our Chicago area weather, we have been pleasantly surprised by sunny skies, albeit somewhat cold days. There is lots to be hopeful for in the days ahead so read on for ways to welcome spring. Break out a bright colored table cloth, pick up cheerful flowers, and put a bowl of lemons on the counter! Time for some sunshine!
March is Women's History Month, and this year's theme set by the National Women's History Alliance is "Providing Healing, Promoting Hope.” We are inspired by the thousands of women from Ukraine that are being brave to care for and protect their children.
Check out how Big.Fat.Cookie is helping support Ukraine. This inspiring female baker and entrepreneur shared on Instagram, “My grandfather Lou was born in Kiev, and came to the United States as a 9 year old boy. Supposedly he traveled alone, but I always questioned that part of the story. As a baker, cookie maker and a Jew, I asked myself and my team ‘what can we do to help?’ We decided to do what we do best.” Big.Fat.Cookie in Chicago is making Hamantashen which is a symbolic sweet cookie eaten during the Jewish holiday of Purim. Profits will be donated to World Central Kitchen and the Polish Humanitarian Action. They are joining other bakers around the globe to show solidarity for the people of Ukraine. #HamantashenforUkraine.
Christiana Gorchynsky Trapani, the owner of the Door County Candle Company created a special yellow and blue Ukraine Candle. She is 100% Ukrainian and is very proud of her heritage. We love how Cristiana is shining a light of hope and quickly created this special hand poured candle. And, 100% of profits from the Ukraine Candle will be donated to Razom for Ukraine, a Ukrainian 501 (c)(3) organization.
Mark your Calendars
Spring Forward - adjust your clocks Saturday Night, March 13th! (The official spring forward time is Sunday, March 14th at 2am).
Absolutely Incredible Kid Day is a national holiday celebrated this year on March 17, 2022. Every year, millions of people write or tell a young person in their life why they matter and what makes them amazing. This holiday was founded in 1997 to encourage and inspire young people nationwide.
We think Audrey Scanlan, our Messy friend Amy’s daughter, is amazing! Audrey learned how to make the delicious Polish Paczkis from her grandmother. We recently had a family get together and Audrey made us Paczkis! This was so thoughtful of Audrey and helped us celebrate a special day. The Paczkis were so good and we were so impressed with her baking skills. We also love that Audrey learned the recipe from her grandmother and is carrying on a special family tradition. You can make Paczkis with your kids too! Audrey uses the Polish Paczki recipe from the Jenny Can Cook blog! Thank you Audrey! You are amazing!
THIS MONTH’S
RECIPES
With both St Patrick’s day and spring approaching, we want to share a couple of recipes to celebrate the season. Our Messy Friend, Laura Hansen’s husband makes Irish Soda Bread this time of year and wanted to share with you his family recipe. Tim grew up watching his mom and aunts make the Irish Soda Bread. While his mom and aunts have passed, he wanted to carry on this special family tradition and has perfected his recipe over the years. We love that Tim is keeping this tradition alive and what a great way to honor his heritage! Tim shared this story with us about the family recipe:
“Grandma Harrity (née Kelly) arrived in the United States, via Ellis Island, shortly after WWI from the town of Newport, County Mayo Ireland. Given the history of famine in Ireland, often times the recipes used in traditional Irish food was driven off of expense. Irish Soda Bread was an inexpensive way to feed ones family in Ireland. Grandma Harrity brought this recipe with her from Ireland and has made this bread for all of our family holiday gatherings and taught each of her three daughters how to make it. It has been passed down to the cousins and the tradition continues to be shared throughout the family in particular on St Patrick’s Day and during Lent. I hope you enjoy this bread and celebrating it with family and friends.” - Tim
Traditional Irish Soda Bread by Tim Hansen
Plain or with Raisins
Ingredients:
Instructions:
With spring upon us, who isn’t looking for a quick, easy to make, tasty and filling meal? This recipe was shared in Martha Stewart’s Food Magazine over 20 years ago and has been enjoyed by our family for years. It’s the perfect quick meal!
Red-pepper and Herb Ravioli
INSPIRATION
Spring is such a hopeful time of the year! We are making plans to celebrate the holidays of St Patrick’s Day & Easter as well as gear up for our kids' spring sports. Here are some things we think you will enjoy.
Who wouldn’t want a green St Patrick’s Day Mustache St Patrick's Day Mustache to celebrate on March 17th. These are fun for both kids and adults and will definitely keep the leprechauns away!
This adorable Bunny Deviled Egg Tray by Mud Pie will look great on your Easter Table.
Mud Pie also sells this stylish Deviled Egg Tray that can be used year round.
The GCI Outdoor Collapsible Rocker will take you from camping trips, to outdoor soccer games, spring regatta season and make outdoor summer concerts and picnics a joy to sit at. It may be a bit of a splurge, but it’s sturdy, foldable and easy to carry.
Please note that the Messy Mommies are an Amazon Affiliate partner and we receive a small commission from purchases from our links. Thanks for supporting the Messy Mommies.
Thanks for being a part of our Messy squad!!
Vol. 2 March, 2022
We’ve missed you all and are back to welcome the coming of spring. While the saying of March coming in like a lion and going out like a lamb is often true with our Chicago area weather, we have been pleasantly surprised by sunny skies, albeit somewhat cold days. There is lots to be hopeful for in the days ahead so read on for ways to welcome spring. Break out a bright colored table cloth, pick up cheerful flowers, and put a bowl of lemons on the counter! Time for some sunshine!
March is Women's History Month, and this year's theme set by the National Women's History Alliance is "Providing Healing, Promoting Hope.” We are inspired by the thousands of women from Ukraine that are being brave to care for and protect their children.
Check out how Big.Fat.Cookie is helping support Ukraine. This inspiring female baker and entrepreneur shared on Instagram, “My grandfather Lou was born in Kiev, and came to the United States as a 9 year old boy. Supposedly he traveled alone, but I always questioned that part of the story. As a baker, cookie maker and a Jew, I asked myself and my team ‘what can we do to help?’ We decided to do what we do best.” Big.Fat.Cookie in Chicago is making Hamantashen which is a symbolic sweet cookie eaten during the Jewish holiday of Purim. Profits will be donated to World Central Kitchen and the Polish Humanitarian Action. They are joining other bakers around the globe to show solidarity for the people of Ukraine. #HamantashenforUkraine.
Christiana Gorchynsky Trapani, the owner of the Door County Candle Company created a special yellow and blue Ukraine Candle. She is 100% Ukrainian and is very proud of her heritage. We love how Cristiana is shining a light of hope and quickly created this special hand poured candle. And, 100% of profits from the Ukraine Candle will be donated to Razom for Ukraine, a Ukrainian 501 (c)(3) organization.
Mark your Calendars
Spring Forward - adjust your clocks Saturday Night, March 13th! (The official spring forward time is Sunday, March 14th at 2am).
Absolutely Incredible Kid Day is a national holiday celebrated this year on March 17, 2022. Every year, millions of people write or tell a young person in their life why they matter and what makes them amazing. This holiday was founded in 1997 to encourage and inspire young people nationwide.
We think Audrey Scanlan, our Messy friend Amy’s daughter, is amazing! Audrey learned how to make the delicious Polish Paczkis from her grandmother. We recently had a family get together and Audrey made us Paczkis! This was so thoughtful of Audrey and helped us celebrate a special day. The Paczkis were so good and we were so impressed with her baking skills. We also love that Audrey learned the recipe from her grandmother and is carrying on a special family tradition. You can make Paczkis with your kids too! Audrey uses the Polish Paczki recipe from the Jenny Can Cook blog! Thank you Audrey! You are amazing!
THIS MONTH’S
RECIPES
With both St Patrick’s day and spring approaching, we want to share a couple of recipes to celebrate the season. Our Messy Friend, Laura Hansen’s husband makes Irish Soda Bread this time of year and wanted to share with you his family recipe. Tim grew up watching his mom and aunts make the Irish Soda Bread. While his mom and aunts have passed, he wanted to carry on this special family tradition and has perfected his recipe over the years. We love that Tim is keeping this tradition alive and what a great way to honor his heritage! Tim shared this story with us about the family recipe:
“Grandma Harrity (née Kelly) arrived in the United States, via Ellis Island, shortly after WWI from the town of Newport, County Mayo Ireland. Given the history of famine in Ireland, often times the recipes used in traditional Irish food was driven off of expense. Irish Soda Bread was an inexpensive way to feed ones family in Ireland. Grandma Harrity brought this recipe with her from Ireland and has made this bread for all of our family holiday gatherings and taught each of her three daughters how to make it. It has been passed down to the cousins and the tradition continues to be shared throughout the family in particular on St Patrick’s Day and during Lent. I hope you enjoy this bread and celebrating it with family and friends.” - Tim
Traditional Irish Soda Bread by Tim Hansen
Plain or with Raisins
- Ruber spatula
- Large bowl
- 12” cast iron skillet
Ingredients:
- 6 cups flour
- 5 teaspoons baking powder
- 3 teaspoons baking soda
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 1 teaspoon cream of tartar
- 4 tablespoons caraway seeds
- 3 tablespoons softened butter
- (optional) 1 box of raisins (12-15 oz)
- 1 quart of buttermilk
Instructions:
- sift 2 cups plain flour into a large bowl
- sift additional 2 cups of flour into bowl
- add dry ingredients (ex- raisins); mix
- sift 2 cups of flour into bowl
- add softened butter; crumble into bowl
- add caraway seeds
- raisins/(optional)
- begin adding buttermilk; add half
- begin mixing in the bowl with spatula
- add remaining buttermilk and mix with spatula
- add additional flour while mixing/kneading dough (2-3 minutes) til dough is somewhat dry/not sticky
- prepare the cast iron skillet with a dusting of flour on bottom and sides of the skillet
- place dough into the skillet and make a cross imprint with a knife at the top of the dough
- bake the bread at 350 degrees for 1 hour
- after 1 hour turn temp down to 325 degrees and bake for an additional 30 mins
- remove bread and cool on a rack right out of the oven
With spring upon us, who isn’t looking for a quick, easy to make, tasty and filling meal? This recipe was shared in Martha Stewart’s Food Magazine over 20 years ago and has been enjoyed by our family for years. It’s the perfect quick meal!
Red-pepper and Herb Ravioli
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- Salt
- 18 ounces fresh cheese or spinach ravioli
- 3 tablespoons minced fresh parsley (or 1 tablespoon dried parsley)
- 1 tablespoon minced chives (or scallions/green onions)
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- In a small saucepan, heat oil over low heat for 3 minutes. Add red pepper flakes, and cook for 2 minutes. Set aside.
- In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook ravioli according to package instructions. Drain, and return to the warm pot. Gently toss ravioli with flavored oil, chives, parsley, lemon juice, and 1/4 teaspoon salt.
INSPIRATION
Spring is such a hopeful time of the year! We are making plans to celebrate the holidays of St Patrick’s Day & Easter as well as gear up for our kids' spring sports. Here are some things we think you will enjoy.
Who wouldn’t want a green St Patrick’s Day Mustache St Patrick's Day Mustache to celebrate on March 17th. These are fun for both kids and adults and will definitely keep the leprechauns away!
This adorable Bunny Deviled Egg Tray by Mud Pie will look great on your Easter Table.
Mud Pie also sells this stylish Deviled Egg Tray that can be used year round.
The GCI Outdoor Collapsible Rocker will take you from camping trips, to outdoor soccer games, spring regatta season and make outdoor summer concerts and picnics a joy to sit at. It may be a bit of a splurge, but it’s sturdy, foldable and easy to carry.
Please note that the Messy Mommies are an Amazon Affiliate partner and we receive a small commission from purchases from our links. Thanks for supporting the Messy Mommies.