Balabusta Mom: A Three Generation Legacy
It is important to note that I come from a legacy of 3 generations of Balabustas.
The first is my grandmother. As a Jewish/English Immigrant herself, my grandmother’s home and cooking has her own unique cultural flare. Grandma always kept her home tidy and inviting. Her house was decorated with family heirlooms- like her grandmother’s silver candlesticks (they are over a hundred years old!). Grandma also kept knickknacks all over her house that came from grandpa’s Telecommunications business trips. Most notable were her felt forest scene throw pillows from St. Petersburg, Russia. In her paperweight display case, she also proudly displayed her Royal Albert Old Country Roses fine China tea set.
Her favorite hobby is doing puzzles. My late grandpa would make a frame for each of her favorite puzzles, and he would hang them up all over her home. Some of her jig saws even had up to 10,000 pieces! Apart from keeping a nice home, Grandma is an excellent cook!
Growing up, she would always host the most amazing dinners to celebrate Passover, Thanksgiving, Shabbos, Rosh Hashanah (The Jewish New Year), and Hanukkah. Grandma was famous for dishing out 4 course meals almost every celebration. Her feasts often included an appetizer; chopped Liver Patte on Matzos (a type of unleavened bread which tastes like a giant cracker), a soup; homemade chicken soup with Lokshen (Jewish egg noodles) and Matzos Balls (a dumpling made from Matzos and margarine), an entree; brisket in a rich gravy or chicken Coq Au Vin, sides; many vegetable dishes and potatoes, and a dessert; chocolate mousse cake or a boiled pudding. She made so much food, that my grandfather would often joke around after dinner and would say, “Make sure you save room, this is just the appetizer!”
My Mom (My Mum)
My Mum (my Mom) is also an English Immigrant like my grandma, and has Jewish heritage. Her home wasn’t perfect (who’s is am I right?), but it was still very cozy and inviting. My mum always enjoyed picking out new color palettes for the rooms of her 1920’s small home. She picked warm colors like light pink, beige, and mauve to complement the antique wooden molding of her home. She also enjoyed making my little sister and I’s rooms vibrant and playful. When I was 12, she redesigned my room with light pink and purple walls to compliment a border with dancing monkeys.
My mom was also famous for planning the most extravagant and fun birthday parties for my sister and I. Growing up, I can always remember all my peers wanting to come to my house for a sleepover birthday party because my mom made them that memorable. She would plan parties based on themes like SpongeBob SquarePants, Luaus, and for my sweet 16th birthday, she held an authentic English tea!
Not to mention my mom and I singlehandedly planned my wedding in 3 months! God bless her soul!
My mom would often handmake my birthday cakes and for the past 5 years she would make me my favorite cake: a black forest cake with coffee buttercream and chocolate curls! (see photo below)
My mum is also an amazing cook who is known for improvising and making delicious homemade easy meals! She makes the most amazing soups, sauces, pasta dishes, pot roasts, and burritos! She is also very good at cooking many different cuisines like Mexican food, Italian, and Indian food!
My Mum is also known for her baking, and she makes several amazing Christmas cookies every year. My sister and I would deliver them to our neighbors. Her most famous Christmas cookies are her Swedish Sugar Cut out cookies, her Lemon Bars, and her Cranberry Citrus Cookies. I’ll be sure to include future posts about these great recipes as well :).
My mum always made Christmas dinners extravagant. She would cook a deliciously moist and flavorful Ham or Prime Rib Roast and a huge turkey! For sides, she made sweet Potatoe casserole, roasted vegetables, homemade stuffing and gravies, and green bean casserole. For dessert she would make homemade apple pie or White chocolate raspberry cake.
My mom is also known as the cheesecake queen as she can make many types and flavors of this delicious treat! Her Hershey’s chocolate fudge brownies with homemade chocolate frosting were always a favorite growing up as well.
Apart from how amazing of a cook and baker my mom is, more importantly, she is one of the most loving and caring people I know. Despite her ongoing battle with Multiple Sclerosis, she always works tirelessly to care for, feed, and nurture her family. For this I will be forever grateful!
Needless to say, she is quite the Balabusta that I still have a lot to learn from!
3rd Generation Balabusta- Me :)!
Hi! I’m Katelyn Garwood! I’m a full time stay at home mom of one beautiful baby boy. I love to cook, bake, and create! I come from a long line of great Balabustas! I am passionate about homemaking and believe it is a lost art that our world desperately needs! In our home, we serve God, honor family and respect our country. I believe that homemaking should be simple, affordable, and self-sustainable.
My Mission is to equip fellow homemakers with the tips I have gained on how to cook delicious food for your family and how to maintain a cozy and functional home. Here you can also learn DIY baby care tips, hygiene DIYS, cleaning DIYS, decor inspiration and much more! Join me on my Balabusta journey and let’s learn from each other! I am glad you are here!
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