Grandma's Hearty Pierogies

Living on our farm has been one of the biggest blessings I could ever imagine.

My childhood dreams came true.

We spent our summers in Pennsylvania and I spent a lot of time on my Aunt and Uncle's Dairy farm, helping milk cows and drinking the milk right there in the barn. My Uncle taught us so much about milk and nutrition and how healthy and good for you raw milk is.

This is one of the reasons I'm such a firm believer in milking our goats and drinking their milk.  

I also spent a lot of time with my grandma and cousins. Grandma Blough was famous for everything natural, cooking and canning.
We spent hours outside picking fresh raspberries and helping her in the garden.

These summers I never ever wanted to end, and I always prayed that I could move out there one day, or at least have a farm of my own so when I became a mommy I could teach my kids these things and have a garden and make these memories with my kiddos.

Back to my grandma...one of my all time favorites from her kitchen were her pierogies. (for all of you non German folks you pronounce them, pie·ro·gies).

I would beg her to make them every time I was over. My Aunt Rita makes some pretty tasty ones too, almost as good as grandma! ;) We would sit around the table and talk and laugh and eat this big delicious meal. I can still picture it like this was happening just yesterday (my grandma passed away 7 years ago)  and still smell the most amazing aroma of the pierogies frying.  

Well tonight after talking to my Aunt Rita, the kids and I made grandmas recipe.

 

It wouldn't be normal to cook in the kitchen if one of my kiddos weren't sitting on the counter.

But I wouldn't have it any other way.

The questions and endless talk  is treasured deep in my heart.

what could beat sautéing homemade pierogies in butter in the cast iron skillet?

 

As we sat down to eat these delicious pierogies (not quite as good as grandma's, I still need to work on perfecting the recipe). But the kids might disagree, they only saved a few for daddy when he got home (simply AMAZING, all 3 kids loved them!!)
 I shared lots of stories growing up and my fond memories of visiting my family in Pennsylvania.

 The kiddos were so interested and had smiles from ear to ear.

These are memories I hope they are storing deep in their hearts as well.

Crazy don't you think... how a simple food can have such significance in ones life?