Pennsylvania Dutch Tradition

Having grown up in northeastern Pennsylvania, one of my favorite traditions came from a childhood of fastnachts! Pennsylvania Dutch celebrate Fastnacht Day the day before Ash Wednesday to mark the start of Lent. The idea behind it was to use up ingredients like butter, sugar, and lard before the fasting that occurs during Lent. Fastnachts are a type of doughnut, and when you grow up with them, not much else compares. 

Fastnachts don't have a hole, are square-shaped, and are often potato based. My dad told me that my grandmother used to make twelve dozen every year. She had stopped making them before I was born, so I never had the opportunity to taste hers, but there were a few local bakeries that sold them all throughout my childhood, and one still does to this day. 

My mom, not being Pennsylvania Dutch, bought fastnachts, but also called it Doughnut Day. Not sure where this idea came from, but in my house, the last to get up in the morning was labeled the doughnut. Being the youngest, I remember being annoyed year after year when she'd say, "Good morning, Doughnut."

I got my hands on my grandmother's recipe once I started traditions with my family. Because it was for twelve dozen, it seemed impossible to reduce it to a dozen or two. I reached out to that one bakery near my hometown to see if they would ship fastnachts, but no luck. I found a website that did ship, but the cost of shipping alone was over the top. So, over the years, I substituted all kinds of recipes and just kept on calling it Fastnacht Day. A few years ago, we found a market that carried all kinds of ethnic treats. I had high hopes, but only found paczkis, Polish doughnuts. My husband's mother is one hundred percent Polish, so we bought a dozen. 

Every year, after making a yummy version of a doughnut, I always swore I'd attempt that fastnacht recipe the next year. Here I am, years later and I still haven't. Perhaps once my homeschooling years are over and mornings aren't filled with doing lessons, I'll roll up my sleeves and make fastnachts. If it's the twelve-dozen recipe, I suppose I'll just share my Pennsylvania Dutch roots with anyone willing to try one. 

Happy Fastnacht Day!

❤️-shaped Food

 As I've shared before, I am all about food, and it is more often than not part of our family's traditions. So, on Valentine's Day, you know I am going to make heart-shaped food - sometimes for more than one meal.

The best heart-shaped recipe differs depending on which family member you ask. As with other traditions, some were a once-and-done attempt, and others reappear each and every year - either way, they all involved hearts. I could type a list of the foods we've made over the years, but it's much more fun to show you! Here are a bunch that I found pictures of.

It all started with a heart-shaped meatloaf.

Heart-shaped English muffin pizzas ready to go in the oven.

Sugar cookies!

Corn bread hot dog hearts were a hit.

Check out that pepperoni!

You can make a heart out of a hot dog.

Everyone loved this breakfast cake.

The only one not heart-shaped, but the one that has lasted the longest - ice cream sodas, made with a pink (or red) fizzy beverage.

Obviously, we like pizza - this time mini heart ones.

My husband, the scone making king, went along with the heart theme with these. 

Family Valentine Box

 

When I was younger (read: single), I wasn't a big fan of Valentine's Day. Even once I was married, I didn't like what I consider the obligatory feeling of it all. What I did love was the idea my sister came up with when her children were little - a family Valentine's Day box. So, I stole it. The idea, not the box!

Being the uncreative spouse, I asked my husband if he would like to make it, and of course his answer was yes. I should have known it would be a bigger and better version of the decorated shoe boxes I remember from childhood. A wooden crate, stencils, red paint, stain, and ta-da! Our box was created. (There are different heart patterns on the sides and back as well. He said he couldn't just leave them blank.)

We aren't really present people, but grandparents sent gifts every year that sometimes had our box overflowing. As soon as the cousins' valentines arrived in the mail, in the box they went. Of course, all the valentines that my three made were in there. as well as a sweet treat or two. My favorite was finding Reese's peanut butter cups - everyone knew those were for me. 

More often than not, we dig into our box after breakfast. I mean who wants to wait until later when you can start off your day with hearts, candy, and family time! We have another tradition that makes February 14th even more fun, and I'll be posting that one soon!

Olympic Traditions

They're coming! The winter games start next week! I've always loved the Olympics, especially the winter games. I remember watching Dorothy Hamill, Eric Heiden, Bonnie Blair, Nancy Kerrigan, and of course the "Miracle on Ice" hockey team. Yes, I am that old. For the younger crowd, how about Lindsey Vonn and Shaun White.

We weren't big TV watchers, so my children must have realized the Olympics were a big deal when Mom allowed them to tune in for two weeks and even stay up late on an occasion or two. Looking back on our family blog, I discovered that we started our Olympic traditions back in 2010. That's when I had a four- and seven-year-old. 

That first time, I went all out. We made rings out of paper plates and painted them, which also turned into a homeschool lesson on continents and flags of different countries. We also made two kinds of Olympic rings cookies, because I guess one wasn't enough. For dinner on the night of the opening ceremony, we had a meal that was popular in the host city. Lastly, we made torches out of tissue paper and tinfoil, which we carried as we marched around our great room to the Olympic theme. I'm thinking the marching didn't make it to future Olympics because I don't remember ever doing it (and that is why it's so nice to have a family blog to refer back to).

Two years later for the summer Olympics, I changed things up a bit. The paper plate rings made a comeback, but I added a homemade pizza with different colored peppers making up the rings. Unfortunately, there are no black or blue peppers, but I found purple ones, close enough. The Olympic pizza idea went on for quite a few opening ceremony nights over the years, but the next idea continues still today - ice cream cone torches. It only took orange sherbet and sugar cones. 

   

2012 was also the year our friends hosted family Olympics. There were four families competing and believe it or not, our family won! I'm not sure why that competition didn't continue every two years. Perhaps our tug-o-war victory was just that intimidating! It couldn't have been my cupcakes - weren't they cute?

Along with my thirdborn, came the return of the tissue paper torches and another Olympic themed decoration.

All these memories and pictures are from when my children were much younger. But by now I am sure it won't surprise you that even as teenagers, a few traditions continued. Painting paper plate rings and ice cream cone torches are still a big hit every two years. Thinking they had outgrown the painting, I saved the last set of rings they had made. But in 2024, my youngest reminded me that we needed to paint, so I got out the plates and paint. I am pretty sure this will be the year that I'll be hanging up the rings I saved from two years ago. Although I can guarantee those sherbet and sugar cone torches will be back for the opening ceremony! Let the games begin!

Rise and Write

I have been using the YouVersion Bible App for years. One of the things I like about it is the extensive list of devotions available. You can choose the topic, how many days, and whether you wish to complete it on your own or with friends. The other day, I stumbled across an interesting choice - a devotion titled Rise and Write: Overcoming 3 Common Obstacles Christian Writers Face by Body and Soul Publishing. 

By now, you probably know that I would love to write a book about traditions. You may also know that I have started and stopped attempting to do so a bunch of times over the past few years. I have many reasons - some might call them excuses - as to why I just can't seem to get past a certain point. I was encouraged to start this blog to help me move forward with my book idea. I can't say it has been helping much, but I do love to sit down and write a post each week. 

But back to the YouVersion devotion. The introduction grabbed my attention immediately.

Writing is challenging and demanding on its own. But as Christian writers, we also face spiritual resistance that seeks to derail our writing projects. When our goal is to glorify God, who our spiritual enemy hates, we can be sure that obstacles of every kind will be placed in our writing path. 

Is that why I have been stuck for so long? I gave that some thought. I hadn't really considered if I am writing a Christian book, I just tried to start writing. But thinking about the traditions our family has, many of them are rooted in our faith. And we do not do some things that seemingly most people do, again, because of our faith.

Then I thought about who I am and who I want to be seen as. Yes, I am a mom of two adults and one teenager who has many years' worth of ideas and things to share. But even more, I am a Christ follower, and I want people to see Jesus in our family life. So, then I am a Christian writer, and I want my words--my traditions--to bring glory to God, as well as encouraging other moms. 

The rest of the first day of this devotion spoke to my heart and I love the final sentence: It's time to rise and write! Perhaps this is the perspective I need. I wasn't searching for a devotion on writing, but there it was. I am looking forward to reading the next three days and seeing if it helps to guide me as I write. 

If you have been reading along for the past few months and can think of someone who might be encouraged by my posts, can I ask you to share Seasoned Mama with them? Even if these words don't lead to a book, I would still love for others to read them here.

Fourteen Reasons Hearts

Yes, I know Valentine's Day is a month away, but sometimes you need to get a head start on traditions.

These days, this idea is all over Pinterest and moms' Facebook posts, but back when I stumbled upon it, it was just luck that I found it. Although you probably have already seen it, I thought it was worth blogging about, if not to introduce you to the idea, then to encourage you to do it this February.

It's fourteen reasons hearts. This tradition is so simple to do, and you will love your children's reactions. Yes, even the teens. All you have to do is think of fourteen reasons you love your child.

Grab some red construction paper (or whatever color and kind of paper you have on hand) or order some pre-cut hearts online like I started doing a few years back. On February first through the fourteenth, put a heart on your child(ren)'s door with something you love about them. It can be one word or a little more detailed. I like to do all fourteen hearts ahead of time, that way all I have to do after waking up in the morning is grab the tape and stick a heart on each door. It doesn't take much prep time, and it only takes a few seconds to hang them up each day. Easy! 

If you think the hearts won't matter to older kids, come take a look my children's doors. They have years of hearts still hanging up! When my oldest moved out of state, I sent her hearts in the mail, all at once, not one each day! She told me I didn't have to, and this might be the year that I stop. I mean, she is twenty-two. But then again, if a tradition is loved by an adult child, what's one more year?

So, start working on those hearts so you'll be ready to go. And I'll be writing about a few other Valentine traditions once February hits!

Winter!

 I love wintertime! Yes, I'm always cold, even inside the house, but it's still my favorite season, with fall coming in a very close second. Unlike most people, I like that it gets dark earlier in the winter, but I do miss the Christmas lights.

To make winter brighter, I've been known to keep up a few Christmas decorations - white candles in the windows, the lighted garland, and/or a bunch of snowmen. This year it's just the garland on the staircase railing, just greens with white lights, perfectly wintery. I also put out my winter dish and hand towels and continue to use our winterberry pattern dishes until the last chance of snow passes us by. 

Having grown up in Northeast Pennsylvania and living there until I was in my early thirties, I was a snow lover. I sledded (in my much younger years), took walks, learned to drive in it, and did my share of shoveling. My first move took me to Florida, where I grieved the loss of seasons. Two winters there was enough for me, and I was quite happy to land in Southwest Virginia, where I was told a fair share of snow would fall. And for twelve years it did, sometimes even feeling like I was back in PA! Then it was central Tennessee, where it's been hit or miss with snow for the past eight years. Some winters we have had more than I thought possible here, and others we just got a dusting or two. I have high hopes as I look ahead to the rest of January and February!

With snow days comes a tradition - snow cream. I had never heard of it until a VA friend shared her recipe. Over the years, I've tried adding different ingredients to snow, some good and some just okay, but always a treat! Of course there is always hot cocoa, sledding down our perfect-for-sledding-hill (Yes, I actually did that one time - lying on my neighbor's back as she steered!), and the never-ending pile of wet mittens, jackets, and snow boots. A note to young moms: snow days become even more fun when your children can put on all their snow gear by themselves! Or maybe it was just me who would get tired out from getting them all dressed, having them stay out for a short amount of time, and then starting the whole process again after the last sip of cocoa was gone. 

I don't know what Nashville weather will bring us this winter, the extended forecast is looking rather warm. But I plan on enjoying the cold, the fuzzy blankets, the wintery accents around the house, and hopefully the snow as long as I can!

2026 Is Here!

2026 is here! I'm an early to bed kind of gal, so I can't say my New Year's Eve was overly exciting, but anything that creates family time is a win for me!

Over the years, we have had many different kinds of New Year's Eves. It always centers around family, friends, fun, and of course food. You know I'm always there for the food! This year it was one of my family's favorite dinners - jerk chicken nachos. The very first time I tried this recipe, we had a picnic in our great room, and every single time I've made these nachos since, we have dined on the floor. 

When they were younger and we lived near the most creative friend I have, we had photo booths, crafts, and balloons with an activity inside to pop every hour up until midnight. I miss time with that sweet family, but those memories and all the pictures I have still make me smile. 

For the past several years, the neighbors across the cul-de-sac have invited us outside for a little sparklers and fireworks celebration. Throw in some hot cocoa or sparkling cider (depending on the weather) and it always feels quite special. I'm thankful we have friends to celebrate with no matter where we have lived. 

We watch the ball drop in New York City, and since we live in the central time zone, it is only eleven o'clock here, which is close enough for me! I call it done and head to bed, leaving the diehards in our family waiting til midnight.

Stealing from my mom again, I have always served pork and sauerkraut with mashed potatoes on New Year's Day. Why? Because pigs don't walk backwards. At least that is what I was told when I was growing up in a Pennsylvania Dutch area. This year, however, I switched it up a bit, making a beef roast instead, without any complaints from my family. I was obviously the only true fan of pork and sauerkraut.

I am not a resolution maker, probably because I failed time after time when I was younger. Instead, I am looking forward to a new year of digging in to my writing again. Perhaps this will be there year all these thoughts and traditions morph into more than blog posts and into a book. That thought makes me look forward to getting the house back to normal, sitting with a fuzzy blanket and my laptop, and digging in. As I work on that, keep an eye out for new posts and lots of tradition ideas. 

Happy New Year!

Over Already?

How can Christmas be over already? No matter how hard I try to slow it down, it always comes and goes in quite a whirlwind--although it's the very best kind of whirlwind. 

My daughter arrived home on the afternoon of the 22nd, followed by my MIL, whose plane landed that evening. After that, it was a blur of activity, noise, laughter, boys wrestling, and of course, traditions!

A few days of annual must do's included:

• watching The Grinch, Home Alone, White Christmas, and It's a Wonderful Life
• taking our light drive with hot cider and cookies
• cut out cookies baking led by my husband on Christmas Eve morning.
• Christmas Eve (afternoon) service
• dinner in the dining room (Why don't we eat in there more often?)
• three pairs of matching Christmas jammies
• cookies and homemade hot cocoa for Christmas morning 
• opening the wrapped stocking gifts
• exchanging family gifts
• working in the kitchen (this year it was beef stew and soda bread)
• playing a card game 
• extended family dinner
• walking through the Festival of Trees

We continue being festive through to New Year's Day, including my daughter's birthday on the 30th and then my son's on January 5th. Whew! The whirlwind continues, and that makes me happy - I like it to last as long as possible!

Hope your Christmas season was full of joy, love, and your own family traditions. 

Stolen Traditions

I finished up my wrapping, so I'm feeling quite accomplished today. I don't love wrapping, but I do have fun with the name tags, just like my mom used to. Yes, I stole her silly tradition and my kids love it. 

She would always fill the from space with anything but Mom and Dad. Sometimes it was just the name of the store where the gift came from - back then it was often the Sear's Catalog. But she also came up with other silly things. Like the year Barry Gibb gave me a Bee-Gees album (Yes, I'm that old). 

So as I sat on the floor of the office over the last few days, I amused myself as I wrote out my to's and my from's on each gift tag. I'd share a few, but my children have been known to look at my blog from time to time and I can't ruin the surprise. I've discovered that tag reading on Christmas morning ranks pretty high.

Stocking stuffers get wrapped and tagged too, again because that's what my mom did. My husband grew up with unwrapped stuffers so he thought wrapping them was strange and vice versa, but unwrapping those tiny gifts was always my favorite part, so my childhood tradition prevailed.

I stole several other of her Christmas traditions as well: cookies for breakfast on Christmas morning, white candles in every window, and baking nut tussies.

Out of all our traditions, the ones I stole from my mom might be just a little more special. Not because they mean more than the rest, but because they were hers.

Christmas Trees

Christmas trees are one of my most favorite things. In my house, I have two, the large tree that we put in the front window and a smaller twig tree that my parents gave me as a housewarming present when we moved to Tennessee. I absolutely love both, but if one had to go, "Goodbye, twig tree!" I need a real tree! 

I am going to go ahead and blame my dad for this one, but I am a tree snob. At some point, I'd say during my teenage years, he started allowing me to choose the tree as we walked the beautiful Christmas tree farm. Even though it hadn't always been the case when I was younger, I began picking the fullest tree I could find. Yes, height was important, but fullness was key for me. I became extremely picky - who am I kidding? Picky was an understatement. When we moved from Pennsylvania and away from Christmas tree farms, the selection became limited and many years were spent lamenting over the size, or lack thereof, of our tree. It was only a few years ago that I was able to put my tree perfectionism on a shelf and simply enjoy whatever tree stood in our study. 

The decorating is easy - white lights and treasured Christmas ornaments given to me by my mom. The handmade stuffed and sequined ornaments that she collected over the years were always my favorite. The ladies of a local church made these beautiful creations every year and sold them at their bazaar.  Some were individual and some were sets - like Pinocchio, Geppetto, and Jiminy Cricket! When my parents stopped decorating a large tree as they got older, those precious ornaments were passed on to me. What a gift! We also add rag garland and a bunch of other ornaments that I've collected over the years.

My favorite, although slightly embarrassing, Christmas tree memory is from the December I was pregnant with my firstborn; my husband and I walked over to the Home Depot to choose a tree. It was a sad selection to say the least, and I settled on one that was at least a little better than most of them. We carried it home across a field and into our neighborhood. You can already tell it wasn't impressive in size if a pregnant woman was able to help carry it home! 

My dear husband, who had grown up with artificial trees, put it in its stand and began reaching for the lights. That was, until his eight months pregnant wife caught sight of it. Let's blame the hormones for me not being able to handle the sight of that imperfect tree. I mean, it had to be the hormones--why else would I go sit in my walk-in-closet so my husband wouldn't see me crying over a tree. It obviously took me a while to get myself back together, because when I finally emerged from the closet and walked into the living room, the tree looked different, and definitely somewhat improved. I mean, I know branches relax once a tree has been brought inside, but it was more than that. 

My husband had carried the tree back to Home Depot, explained that his pregnant wife was quite unhappy, and exchanged it for a different tree. Which he then walked back home. Our "pregnancy tree" certainly didn't turn out to be one of our nicest, but it probably is the tree we remember the most!