Thanks to all who gave advice on the sugar-free cheesecake. I didn't
go completely sugar free but pretty close using a combination of the
advice you all gave. The old lady had no clue it was coming and was
besides herself with joy when she saw it even though it wasn't very
pretty. It turned out just fine and it made her very happy. She said
at least 5 times what a nice easter she was having. Having her
granddaughter and great-granddaughter with her for the holiday made
her very happy.

The old lady is Polish born and came here in 1949. Louise is the
first generation born in the states. The immigrants practice
something called Swieconka. Louise mentioned it to me last week but I
thought she was joking but found out from another group she was
serious. So the food was brought to the church and blessed on
Saturday so we could celebrate on Sunday. I'm a non-believer but it
was fun watching how happy granny was with the whole day. Actually we
think the uncle that brought to food to be blessed just took it with
him in the car and went to the bar for awhile.

Growing up we always had pretty elaborate easter meals like the ones
that have been described here in the last week but from what I read I
knew that wasn't what was going to be served. When we arrived the
food was on the table and the first thought that came to mind was:
WHOA! Talk about the ultimate theme party! It was just how I had
read. Bite sized fresh and smoked sausage, ham torn into bite sized
chunks, rye bread, sliced boiled eggs, horseradish, and butter.
That's it. Now granny didn't actually have butter and we knew she'd
have margarine so we brought butter. We also know whole wheat bread
is better for her so I made two loaves which is what everyone chose.
Potato salad is also sometimes served for Polish Easter so I made some
which went over well and everyone wanted some of the leftovers.
Obviously none of my offerings were blessed but nobody seemed to mind.

Granny lives in a 4 flat across the hall from her son. 25 years ago
he married an Italian. Soon after the Polacks finished the meal the
Italians started showing up for their feast. The doors were kept open
and it was kinda like a dorm party with nobody under 40 allowed. It
was a 5 hour food-fest and lots of fun. I was full so I didn't pay
much attention to the other sides food but it all smelled good.

We're under a boatload of stress right now and it was nice to have a
day without a care in the world and lots of pleasure for a change.

For those who don't know what Swieconka is:

http://annhetzelgunkel.com/easter/swiecone.html#basket

The sausage came from a Polish Deli. You know.....The kind sheldon
says doesn't exist. Cheap and authentic. They even have milk this
week for less that Aldi does. We're hoping Louise can get by with her
Polish because from what I read on Yelp you're SOL if you only speak
English.

http://www.joeandfranks.com/

Lou

"Lou Decruss" > wrote in message
...
>
> Thanks to all who gave advice on the sugar-free cheesecake. I didn't
> go completely sugar free but pretty close using a combination of the
> advice you all gave. The old lady had no clue it was coming and was
> besides herself with joy when she saw it even though it wasn't very
> pretty. It turned out just fine and it made her very happy. She said
> at least 5 times what a nice easter she was having. Having her
> granddaughter and great-granddaughter with her for the holiday made
> her very happy.
>
> The old lady is Polish born and came here in 1949. Louise is the
> first generation born in the states. The immigrants practice
> something called Swieconka. Louise mentioned it to me last week but I
> thought she was joking but found out from another group she was
> serious. So the food was brought to the church and blessed on
> Saturday so we could celebrate on Sunday. I'm a non-believer but it
> was fun watching how happy granny was with the whole day. Actually we
> think the uncle that brought to food to be blessed just took it with
> him in the car and went to the bar for awhile.
>
> Growing up we always had pretty elaborate easter meals like the ones
> that have been described here in the last week but from what I read I
> knew that wasn't what was going to be served. When we arrived the
> food was on the table and the first thought that came to mind was:
> WHOA! Talk about the ultimate theme party! It was just how I had
> read. Bite sized fresh and smoked sausage, ham torn into bite sized
> chunks, rye bread, sliced boiled eggs, horseradish, and butter.
> That's it. Now granny didn't actually have butter and we knew she'd
> have margarine so we brought butter. We also know whole wheat bread
> is better for her so I made two loaves which is what everyone chose.
> Potato salad is also sometimes served for Polish Easter so I made some
> which went over well and everyone wanted some of the leftovers.
> Obviously none of my offerings were blessed but nobody seemed to mind.
>
> Granny lives in a 4 flat across the hall from her son. 25 years ago
> he married an Italian. Soon after the Polacks finished the meal the
> Italians started showing up for their feast. The doors were kept open
> and it was kinda like a dorm party with nobody under 40 allowed. It
> was a 5 hour food-fest and lots of fun. I was full so I didn't pay
> much attention to the other sides food but it all smelled good.
>
> We're under a boatload of stress right now and it was nice to have a
> day without a care in the world and lots of pleasure for a change.
>
> For those who don't know what Swieconka is:
>
> http://annhetzelgunkel.com/easter/swiecone.html#basket
>
> The sausage came from a Polish Deli. You know.....The kind sheldon
> says doesn't exist. Cheap and authentic. They even have milk this
> week for less that Aldi does. We're hoping Louise can get by with her
> Polish because from what I read on Yelp you're SOL if you only speak
> English.
>
> http://www.joeandfranks.com/
>
> Lou
>

the only thing different that was different here was the bread....rye
instead of whole wheat. And the butter would have to be in shape of the
pascal lamb. Oh, and you didn't dare eat it unless Father blessed
it.......in strict Polish neighborhoods you didn't have to cart the whole
meal to church on Saturday morning. Father and at least two altar boys came
door to door. Holy water in one hand and an empty offering envelope in the
other.
-ginny
(who learned quick about living in a Polish neighborhood)....

"Lou Decruss" > wrote in message
...
|
| Thanks to all who gave advice on the sugar-free cheesecake. I didn't
| go completely sugar free but pretty close using a combination of the
| advice you all gave. The old lady had no clue it was coming and was
| besides herself with joy when she saw it even though it wasn't very
| pretty. It turned out just fine and it made her very happy. She said
| at least 5 times what a nice easter she was having. Having her
| granddaughter and great-granddaughter with her for the holiday made
| her very happy.
|
| The old lady is Polish born and came here in 1949. Louise is the
| first generation born in the states. The immigrants practice
| something called Swieconka. Louise mentioned it to me last week but I
| thought she was joking but found out from another group she was
| serious. So the food was brought to the church and blessed on
| Saturday so we could celebrate on Sunday. I'm a non-believer but it
| was fun watching how happy granny was with the whole day. Actually we
| think the uncle that brought to food to be blessed just took it with
| him in the car and went to the bar for awhile.
|
| Growing up we always had pretty elaborate easter meals like the ones
| that have been described here in the last week but from what I read I
| knew that wasn't what was going to be served. When we arrived the
| food was on the table and the first thought that came to mind was:
| WHOA! Talk about the ultimate theme party! It was just how I had
| read. Bite sized fresh and smoked sausage, ham torn into bite sized
| chunks, rye bread, sliced boiled eggs, horseradish, and butter.
| That's it. Now granny didn't actually have butter and we knew she'd
| have margarine so we brought butter. We also know whole wheat bread
| is better for her so I made two loaves which is what everyone chose.
| Potato salad is also sometimes served for Polish Easter so I made some
| which went over well and everyone wanted some of the leftovers.
| Obviously none of my offerings were blessed but nobody seemed to mind.
|
| Granny lives in a 4 flat across the hall from her son. 25 years ago
| he married an Italian. Soon after the Polacks finished the meal the
| Italians started showing up for their feast. The doors were kept open
| and it was kinda like a dorm party with nobody under 40 allowed. It
| was a 5 hour food-fest and lots of fun. I was full so I didn't pay
| much attention to the other sides food but it all smelled good.
|
| We're under a boatload of stress right now and it was nice to have a
| day without a care in the world and lots of pleasure for a change.
|
| For those who don't know what Swieconka is:
|
| http://annhetzelgunkel.com/easter/swiecone.html#basket
|
| The sausage came from a Polish Deli. You know.....The kind sheldon
| says doesn't exist. Cheap and authentic. They even have milk this
| week for less that Aldi does. We're hoping Louise can get by with her
| Polish because from what I read on Yelp you're SOL if you only speak
| English.
|
| http://www.joeandfranks.com/
|
| Lou

Beautifully nostalgic and touching posting, Lou. Thank you for the
thought and effort. To me your finest touch was this phrase:
"... kinda like a dorm party with nobody under 40 allowed ..." You
have painted wonderful memories that I hope many of us still hold.

pavane

In article >,
Lou Decruss > wrote:

snip to here

>The sausage came from a Polish Deli. You know.....The kind sheldon
>says doesn't exist.

Dude, if you can't enjoy Easter dinner with The Ladylove of Your Life and
her family without trying to get some digs in on Sheldon, I suggest that
you seek the assistance of a trained and licensed mental health
professional immediately. He is living rent-free in your head and that is
bad. This is unnecessary and really spoiled your otherwise delightful
account of a great holiday.

I have learned where the Polish delis are in my major metro area by
following the adventures of Polish-American friends. Apparently the one
out in the burbs flies much of his Easter stock in from Chicago. If I
learn that they have pakczi (sp - the pre-Lent and St. Joseph's day
donuts), I will schlep my non-Eastern European butt out there.

Charlotte


--

Thanks for sharing a wonderful story and including information on the
traditional customs. I'm abashed - my Polish s-i-l has never mentioned
Swieconka or Polish foods other than little pastries. Time to get to
know him and his history better. His parents were WW II refugees, long
dead. jh

On Mon, 5 Apr 2010 21:11:39 -0400, "Virginia Tadrzynski"
> wrote:


>> http://www.joeandfranks.com/
>>
>> Lou
>>
>
>the only thing different that was different here was the bread....rye
>instead of whole wheat. And the butter would have to be in shape of the
>pascal lamb. Oh, and you didn't dare eat it unless Father blessed
>it.......in strict Polish neighborhoods you didn't have to cart the whole
>meal to church on Saturday morning. Father and at least two altar boys came
>door to door. Holy water in one hand and an empty offering envelope in the
>other.

Yup. The Catholic church always needs an angle to fill the till.

>-ginny
>(who learned quick about living in a Polish neighborhood)....

Yep. I learned a lot myself over the weekend.

Lou

On Mon, 5 Apr 2010 21:36:43 -0400, "pavane"
> wrote:

>
>"Lou Decruss" > wrote in message
.. .

>
>Beautifully nostalgic and touching posting, Lou. Thank you for the
>thought and effort. To me your finest touch was this phrase:
>"... kinda like a dorm party with nobody under 40 allowed ..." You
>have painted wonderful memories that I hope many of us still hold.

Wow. Thank you. That wasn't my intention but I'm glad you found it
worth reading. It will be a day I'll remember for sure.

Lou

On Tue, 6 Apr 2010 01:40:49 +0000 (UTC),
(Charlotte L. Blackmer) wrote:

>In article >,
>Lou Decruss > wrote:
>
>snip to here
>
>>The sausage came from a Polish Deli. You know.....The kind sheldon
>>says doesn't exist.
>
>Dude, if you can't enjoy Easter dinner with The Ladylove of Your Life and
>her family without trying to get some digs in on Sheldon, I suggest that
>you seek the assistance of a trained and licensed mental health
>professional immediately. He is living rent-free in your head and that is
>bad.

sheldon spamchop lives nowhere near my head. After participating in
the recent thread with his Hillshire farm rants anyone with a brain
would remember him when looking at Joe and Franks web site.

>This is unnecessary and really spoiled your otherwise delightful
>account of a great holiday.

If that little one liner ruined it for you then I would think you're
the one with issues. But I'm glad you found the rest delightful.

>I have learned where the Polish delis are in my major metro area by
>following the adventures of Polish-American friends. Apparently the one
>out in the burbs flies much of his Easter stock in from Chicago.

That doesn't surprise me. We've got the largest Polish population of
any city other than Warsaw.

>If I learn that they have pakczi (sp - the pre-Lent and St. Joseph's day
>donuts), I will schlep my non-Eastern European butt out there.

Paczki. Louise gets them every year. They're pretty damn good.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/P%C4%85czki

Lou

On Mon, 05 Apr 2010 19:27:23 -0500, Lou Decruss wrote:

> Thanks to all who gave advice on the sugar-free cheesecake. I didn't
> go completely sugar free but pretty close using a combination of the
> advice you all gave. The old lady had no clue it was coming and was
> besides herself with joy when she saw it even though it wasn't very
> pretty. It turned out just fine and it made her very happy. She said
> at least 5 times what a nice easter she was having. Having her
> granddaughter and great-granddaughter with her for the holiday made
> her very happy.
>
> The old lady is Polish born and came here in 1949. Louise is the
> first generation born in the states. The immigrants practice
> something called Swieconka. Louise mentioned it to me last week but I
> thought she was joking but found out from another group she was
> serious. So the food was brought to the church and blessed on
> Saturday so we could celebrate on Sunday. I'm a non-believer but it
> was fun watching how happy granny was with the whole day. Actually we
> think the uncle that brought to food to be blessed just took it with
> him in the car and went to the bar for awhile.

very cool, lou. i bet granny thinks you're a 'nize boy' for her
granddaughter. it sounds like it was a very gratifying occasion.

your pal,
blake

On Tue, 6 Apr 2010 12:11:33 -0400, blake murphy
> wrote:

>On Mon, 05 Apr 2010 19:27:23 -0500, Lou Decruss wrote:
>
>> Thanks to all who gave advice on the sugar-free cheesecake. I didn't
>> go completely sugar free but pretty close using a combination of the
>> advice you all gave. The old lady had no clue it was coming and was
>> besides herself with joy when she saw it even though it wasn't very
>> pretty. It turned out just fine and it made her very happy. She said
>> at least 5 times what a nice easter she was having. Having her
>> granddaughter and great-granddaughter with her for the holiday made
>> her very happy.
>>
>> The old lady is Polish born and came here in 1949. Louise is the
>> first generation born in the states. The immigrants practice
>> something called Swieconka. Louise mentioned it to me last week but I
>> thought she was joking but found out from another group she was
>> serious. So the food was brought to the church and blessed on
>> Saturday so we could celebrate on Sunday. I'm a non-believer but it
>> was fun watching how happy granny was with the whole day. Actually we
>> think the uncle that brought to food to be blessed just took it with
>> him in the car and went to the bar for awhile.
>
>very cool, lou. i bet granny thinks you're a 'nize boy' for her
>granddaughter. it sounds like it was a very gratifying occasion.

Thanks Blake. Granny does seem to think I'm ok. Probably cuz she
knows I make most of the food we bring over. The day was gratifying
and very weird. It turns out the woman the uncle married 25 years ago
has a daughter a few years younger than me. Odd as it is, Louise had
never met her. It turns out I've known her and her partner for almost
20 years. I had work planned this week for the chick who introduced
her to the chick who introduced me to her.

Six degrees of separation is pretty weird.

Lou