As much as an introvert as I am, I will always say “yes” to an event where food is involved. Luckily, I live in the Midwest- where potlucks are aplenty.

We recently joined a new church that really feels like home to us (and might as well be since it’s only a 5 minute walk away)!!

It is small & personal. It is open-minded, community oriented, & is so family-friendly. I’ve never once felt like I have to “mask” around anyone, which truly is a huge comfort to me; I am free to be myself and at the same time be truly accepted and still worthy of God’s love – a totally different experience than I am used to! Every single week there is a Fellowship potluck lunch (or breakfast) where we break bread together and build friendships. So many great things to say about this church. It truly already feels like family to us in such a short time. 

Today’s Potluck

Today I made Vegetarian Borscht with a lazy Garlic Pampushky. I still work morning to night on Saturdays for now so I was just too tired to make them from scratch like I normally do. I bought frozen Parker House Rolls and topped them as I would Garlic Pampushky. It was not the same to me, but it was still so good with the Borscht. Of course I had to bring сметана.

I had only planned to bring borscht, but Niko told me that Americans won’t eat it (I believed him because my mom doesn’t eat ethnic food at all) and that I should bring a second option, with meat. So I made Spicy Chicken Tortilla Soup too, for the meat-eaters. I brought chips to go with that soup. He was wrong and some did eat (and compliment or ask for the recipe of) the borscht. But others ate only the Spicy Chicken Tortilla so maybe he was right, too.

Another mom brought potato pancakes and sausages to serve alongside the Borscht (since that was what I signed up to bring), and another woman brought Peach Cobbler with homegrown peaches from her peach tree, served with a delightful vanilla sauce she made. There was also a yummy chocolate cake with Whipped cream! The same woman who brought the peach Cobbler may have brought that too, I’m not sure. It was good though!!

I’m on my way to being a Potluck Pro at packing/transporting dishes. This is how I walked the Leftovers home 😂. I was late, of course, so Niko walked the kids there while I drove the food in the baskets to carry in once it was finished. It’s better to have good food than rushed food.

When it was time to leave, he gathered the kids and drove them home so I could help clean up and gather my dishes once everyone was finished eating, then walk home. Being able to team work like that is such a blessing.

One of the women recently went on a mission sort of trip and brought all of the women back little handmade trinket boxes. Every single one was different, although some had similar color schemes. They are SO cute! I am so grateful that she included me already being so new! Everyone there has welcomed up with completely open arms, and I am really happy we have finally found the church for us.

Past Potlucks

The first few weeks we did not bring anything. After we went a couple times and decided that we really liked it there, we asked what we could bring to help with stretching meals since our family alone is very large & times are hard. Here are some other dishes I’ve brought over the last few weeks since we have began attending:

This was the corn pudding. I used one of the kids’ lunch trays to stack the containers on top of each other.

I then pushed the youngest kids in the wagon, having Athena hold the corn pudding against the side so it wouldn’t fall over. Sasha walked carrying the cookies.

Not pictured:

• Lunch lady brownies
• Chive & Cheese Cornbread

I really have so much fun planning my dishes for these potlucks each week. I enjoy planning together with the other women to create & bring together wonderful meals. Cooking good food & baking scrumptious treats for others is definitely my love language.

I’m grateful for this new community we have right in our own neighborhood. We have Dinner plans with a couple other families this Thursday, which I will bring dessert, and we have a mom & kid play day planned for Tuesday!

I think I can say that we may have finally found our people!!

Until next time ♡ Mama Morozov