When I was about 13 or 14, my parents shipped me to Youngstown, Ohio, to learn how to make kolache from my grandmother. Kolache (I say “Co-La-Chee,” but my grandmother always pronounced it “Co-Lawtch”) is the traditional family dessert that is always present at Thanksgiving, Christmas, and other family events—even my wedding. My grandmother was Slovak, and learned the dessert from her mother. Our version is a nut-filled roll made with a buttery dough and …
Tag: Life
Family Pumpkin Picking, Wightman’s Farm, NJ
My husband has been taking an annual October trip to Wightman’s Farm in New Jersey since he was a kid. He and his brother have continued the family tradition, so we rent a car each year and head out to New Jersey for pumpkin picking, a hay ride, and a try at the pumpkin slingshot. Our nieces, who are now 8 and 4, are the ostensible reason for this trip, but I think it’s as …
On Getting Laid Off
This May, I was laid off from my job of five years. It came as a complete shock and was especially difficult because I loved that job. I had been there for five years and would have continued to work there for the foreseeable future. I had been promoted to a manager position a year before and felt I was thriving in my new role. I loved my team, I loved my work and I …
Why I’m Starting This Blog and What’s Happening to Ultimate Bridesmaid
Hi, there. For those of you who have been following along on Ultimate Bridesmaid, you may be wondering what this new blog is and what’s happening to my old one. Well, here’s the answer. Is Ultimate Bridesmaid going away? Short answer: No. Longer answer: Maybe. The thing is, I started Ultimate Bridesmaid a little over five years ago, at a time in my life when attending weddings, bachelorette parties, and bridal showers was a new …
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Caitlin Kenney Smith 