Day Five: Favorite BoJon Food Memories and A Number One Son Has A Birthday

This google image made me smile. Although Kraft Butter Mints were not sLOVEnian in nature, my sweet grandmother Steblay kept these gems in her drawer for the kids. She always gave us a handful of these buttery soft mints that melted in your mouth. She was an awesome grandma. These will always spark that memory of a wonderful childhood and the good people I shared it with.

My grandmother was a remarkable woman. She is pictured her with my oldest sister Pat. I often wish my sister were still here so she could share her memories of Grandma with me.

I wish I had a photo of my late cousin Sammy with Grandma Kocman. He told me one of the fondest memories he had of our paternal grandparents were spending Sunday afternoons watching baseball with her and Grandpa K making root beer floats. My paternal grandmother was ill most of her life and I do not have as many fond memories of her as I do with Grandma Steblay.

I do not have many photos of my paternal grandmother or grandfather. I adored my Grandpa K. He was a gifted storyteller. As a young child I wish someone would have had a tape recorder. I would love to listen to what he had to say.

Potica is such a wonderful food. It is filled with honey and ground walnuts, fresh cream, butter and often folks add raisins. My mom did not. I have searched and searched for the perfect potica. I have found a few that come close to my mom's secret recipe from the Women's Glory in the Kitchen cookbook. There is a company in Evergreen, Colorado and they appear to be from the same area as my ancestors. They make potica like the kind my mom made from the area of  Ljubljana, Slovenia. There is a company in Minnesota  called sunrise Bakery in Hibbing, Minnesota. This old school Italian family also makes a very decent potica. Of course, in my hometown of Pueblo, Colorado you will find some of the best potica.

Kolbasi is a traditional sLOVenian sausage and the very best can be purchased at Frank's Market in Pueblo, Colorado. Sometime it is wise to preorder it as they sell it out quickly. My uncle Edward "Munson" Trontel was co owner of the market with his brother-in-law Frank Javornik. Since the folks are all gone the children run the business today, Their meat is delicious and they had also owned their own feedlot and had anti biotic free cattle.

Ham is a good choice to bring to the table along with kolbasi.  Ah...the good memories and flavors and smells make me homesick for my mom's cooking. She was a great cook and I miss her terribly.

My mother always had her apron on and was a social creature which I imagine is where I get my ability to converse with almost anyone.

Happy birthday to our number one son today! He shares this day with my mom's older sister Mary Steblay Mishmash. Although my mom lost her sister to Alzheimer's she was a quiet and very sweet little lady.  I only have a wedding photo of her and Uncle Charlie to share.

Photos are such an important part of our heritage. I am hoping many will allow me to share their photos here. I am going to put my blog into volumes of books so I have that history to pass down.

Jeremy and Brittany 2014 at a Bronco game. I betcha didn't figure that one out huh? Laughing Out Loud!

You might not guess this guy loves those Denver Broncos! So happy birthday to an awesome son! A terrific guy!

Brothers Jeremy and Nick December 1993

Brothers April 30 2016
Dober Dan!