Rest in Peace, John A. Blaha

John Blaha, Arnie's brother died on December 22, 2011. 

Age 84, of Shoreview, MN 30 Years with Int'l Harvester Passed away on December 22, 2011. US Navy Veteran; member of VFW Post 7555, Roseville. Survived by his wife of 59 years, Virginia; daughters, Barbara (Brad) Cornforth of North Branch and Patricia Heiman (Ken) of Coon Rapids; 6 grandchildren: Daniel (Elisa Coppini), Andrew, and Sara Cornforth, Jennifer (Todd) Paulsen, Kelsey & James Heiman; great-granddaughter, Scarlett Cornforth; brother, Arnold (Dorothy) Blaha; sister, Bernadine Benson; many nieces, nephews, extended family and friends. Mass of Christian Burial: 11 AM Thurs, Dec 29 at the Church of St. John the Baptist, 835 2nd Ave NW, New Brighton. Visitation 1 hr prior. Interment at Ft. Snelling Nat'l Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred. Services by Wulff Funeral Home of St. Paul.

Retrieved from: Legacy.com

Christmas Tradition--Hoska

Every year on Christmas Eve, the Blaha family gathers in Arnie and Dot's basement to celebrate.  This always involved good food, thousands of Christmas cookies and Czech Christmas bread--hoska.

Here's the recipe from Rose Svec Hansen:

Hoska
1/2 c milk

1/4 c sugar

1/3 c soft margarine

1 T salt

add to milk

3 T yeast

1/2 c warm water

dissolve yeast, add to above mixture

To above mixt:

Add 3 eggs slightly beaten

4 c flour

1/2- 1 c ground cherries and/or pineapple

a bit of lemon rind

blend/beat until smooth.

Sometimes Grandma Dot puts golden raisins in it

Add 3-31/2 c flour to make dough easy to handle.

Turn out & knead 5-8 min or until smooth.

Put in a greased bowl--let rise for 1 - 1 1/2 hrs.

Punch down--let rise 1/2 hr. 

Turn out & divide into 2-3 parts. Divide each part into 3.  Roll into long strips for braids.

Braid.

Let rise until doubled. 

Bake 350 for 30-35 minutes.

Brush with melted margarine and sprinkle with cinnamon sugar.