In Preparation

For those of you who did not know - we are soon approaching a very important annual holiday - Kroon Day. March 3 to be exact.

Here is a short refresher course on Kroon Day:

It was determined (by Teagen, Keeton & Sarah I believe) that once a year Kroons should just celebrate being Kroons. As there is no Kroon birthday in the month of March it was selected as the optimal month for Kroon Day (I'm not sure why July & August were passed over, but I usually don't understand everything).

Kroon Day is designated as a day where Kroons are to do 'All Things Kroon.' This generally constitutes eating donuts, watching movies that fit the 'Kroon' motif (The Good, The Bad & The Ugly would be the ulitmate Kroon movie - but most of us can only watch that one once). On Kroon Day all Kroons should call one another and wish each other 'Happy Kroon Day' and all Kroon kids exchange cards & nominal gifts. Dinner plans are best to include either (1) a meal cooked by a Kroon Mom or (2) a nice steak dinner. And such activities as biking or skiing (or kyaking for the Loren Kroons) are also to be included as much as possible.

I'm giving you all warning so that you can participate in Kroon Day if you would like. We are not exclusive and we do not restrict participation. Feel free to partake in any of the above activities as part of 'Kroon Day.'

As Mark is not a big fan of Kroon Day (yet) if anyone would like to participate in Kroon Day with me let me know, I would appreciate the company. As it stands right now, I plan on at least engaging my office in Kroon Day with a box of Gramma Damma's donuts on Monday morning (note to all non-Kroon celebrators out there - donut shop donuts are the ideal selection for Kroon Day - if possible linger as long as you can in the donut shop and drink either coffee or chocolate milk with your donuts).

Now I'm going to work on a plan to sneak a bite or two of donut to Logan....he's young and impressionable and I'm sure the prime candidate to become my fellow Kroon Day celebrator!

Orange Bread

I have been eating at least one orange a day for the last two weeks or so. They are just so good this time of year. I was saving my orange peels in the freezer for quite awhile to make an old favorite treat of mine, Orange Bread. I had to get the recipe from my Mom, and it was a bit more complex than I had thought, but the result was worth it! Here is the recipe if you want to try it (note: you can make enough Candied Orange Peel at one time to make several loaves of bread and just freeze it in 1 c portions).

Orange Bread

1 c. Sugar

1 Tbsp. Butter

1 Egg

1 c. Milk

3 c. Flour

3 tsp. Baking Powder

1/2 tsp. Salt

1 c. Candied Orange Peel (below)

Mix & bake in loaf pan at 350 degrees for 50-60 minutes (My Mom is the queen of concise recipe instructions).

Candied Orange Peel

Shred orange peel in a food chopper (I use a food processor and my Mom uses the Kitchen Aid fine chopper attachement, and it works well if they are slightly frozen). Cover with water in a saucepan. Bring to a boil and then pour off water. Repeat two more times. Take equal parts of orange peel and sugar. Boil down (until thick and sticky), then cool and store. Freezes well.