Please excuse yet another blog break as I transition from Thanksgiving to Christmas-preparation mode. The house is halfway decorated, the Christmas photo order is in the mail, and our family's 2009 recap letter is a tiny glimmer in my head. Yes, I know it is only Nov. 29, but I LOVE these little steps I carry out every year. The day after Thanksgiving is my starting line.
Some people claim Christmas cards are too expensive or even obsolete. I say, "Don't steal my joy!" I love to send Christmas greetings as much as I love to receive them--in my mailbox or my inbox.
As long as they sell Christmas stamps, though, I will be stamping my envelopes with the Madonna & Child and sending the bulk of our family's cards via snail mail. With a very large extended family and great friends, the whole process can get to be . . . well, quite a process! Therefore, my spare "Moooommm!"-free hours will be devoted to this tradition for the next few days. I will love every peaceful moment as I reflect on our last year and those who loved us on our way.
In the mean time, enjoy some new Christmas tunes on the play list.
God Bless your first week of Advent!
Monday, November 29, 2010
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Family Favorite Pumpkin Pie
Just in time for Thanksgiving . . . it's my top secret pumpkin pie recipe!
OK, so it's not THAT secret. I took it from the back of a Festal pumpkin can in the mid-1990's. (The time Landen calls "way back then.")
That first pumpkin pie was such a success that "my" pumpkin pie is still requested at family holidays.
I think the secret is using both white and brown sugar. The original recipe said to use one or the other, so I split it between the two. This recipe calls for more sugar than some other recipes do. Both of my grandmas bake by the motto, "Never skimp on the sugar!" I trust them.
The use of nutmeg makes a big difference in taste, too. Cinnamon, cloves, ginger, and nutmeg should ALL be in a pumpkin pie. (In my professional opinion, anyway!)
And, so, here it is!
Family Favorite Pumpkin Pie
1 can unsweetened pumpkin
3 eggs, slightly beaten
1/2 cup white sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 tsp. cloves
1/4 tsp. nutmeg
1/4 tsp. ginger
1 cup evaporated milk (or 2% works, too)
Combine eggs, sugar, salt and spices and beat well. Blend in pumpkin. Add milk and beat well. Turn into unbaked pie crust. Bake at 450 fro 10 minutes, then reduce heat and bake at 350 for 40-45 minutes. Pie is done when knife inserted in center comes out clean.
Isn't it pretty? Thanks to my mom-in-law for the pumpkin pie plate. :o)
Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!
OK, so it's not THAT secret. I took it from the back of a Festal pumpkin can in the mid-1990's. (The time Landen calls "way back then.")
That first pumpkin pie was such a success that "my" pumpkin pie is still requested at family holidays.
I think the secret is using both white and brown sugar. The original recipe said to use one or the other, so I split it between the two. This recipe calls for more sugar than some other recipes do. Both of my grandmas bake by the motto, "Never skimp on the sugar!" I trust them.
The use of nutmeg makes a big difference in taste, too. Cinnamon, cloves, ginger, and nutmeg should ALL be in a pumpkin pie. (In my professional opinion, anyway!)
And, so, here it is!
Family Favorite Pumpkin Pie
1 can unsweetened pumpkin
3 eggs, slightly beaten
1/2 cup white sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 tsp. cloves
1/4 tsp. nutmeg
1/4 tsp. ginger
1 cup evaporated milk (or 2% works, too)
Combine eggs, sugar, salt and spices and beat well. Blend in pumpkin. Add milk and beat well. Turn into unbaked pie crust. Bake at 450 fro 10 minutes, then reduce heat and bake at 350 for 40-45 minutes. Pie is done when knife inserted in center comes out clean.
Isn't it pretty? Thanks to my mom-in-law for the pumpkin pie plate. :o)
Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!
Saturday, November 20, 2010
Platchinda
After I sent the boys out hunting this morning, I wanted to do one of two things today--shopping or baking. Shopping was not going to happen (except for my exciting trip to the grocery store), so baking it was!
I decided to try my hand at an old German specialty--Platchinda. I'm not sure what that literally translates to, but it is a pumpkin turnover. My Grandma Joachim made the best and I know I will have to practice many more times to replicate hers.
Mine did turn out pretty tasty. If you've never had an authentic platchinda, you would think it to be great. The smell and taste brought back yummy memories of being a little girl in Grandma's kitchen. I'm going to send a few back with my dad to give to her. I hope she likes them--and maybe she can give me some pointers for next time!
Platchinda
Make dough of:
2 1/2 cups flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup milk
3/4 cup cream
Filling:
2 cups (1 can) pumpkin
1/2 cup sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp ginger
1/4 tsp cloves
Roll dough out for one at a time on a floured surface (about 4 inches in diameter). Put filling in each and seal edges. Bake at 250 for about 25 minutes. Makes about 12.
I decided to try my hand at an old German specialty--Platchinda. I'm not sure what that literally translates to, but it is a pumpkin turnover. My Grandma Joachim made the best and I know I will have to practice many more times to replicate hers.
Mine did turn out pretty tasty. If you've never had an authentic platchinda, you would think it to be great. The smell and taste brought back yummy memories of being a little girl in Grandma's kitchen. I'm going to send a few back with my dad to give to her. I hope she likes them--and maybe she can give me some pointers for next time!
Platchinda
Make dough of:
2 1/2 cups flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup milk
3/4 cup cream
Filling:
2 cups (1 can) pumpkin
1/2 cup sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp ginger
1/4 tsp cloves
Roll dough out for one at a time on a floured surface (about 4 inches in diameter). Put filling in each and seal edges. Bake at 250 for about 25 minutes. Makes about 12.
Deer Hunting
The boys got to go out hunting early this morning with Dad and Papa Butter. Nathan took his gun along, too.
Friday, November 19, 2010
New Song
Last Saturday night, Teresa and I were making our way home from my hometown after a day of visiting. Teresa fell asleep shortly after we started our hour+ drive, so it was quiet--and dark--all the way home.
I hadn't listened to the songs on my van's hard drive in awhile (except for the Veggie Tales tunes my kids love), so I made my way through the list. One of my favorites, "Remember Me," was first. Then Martina McBride's "I Have Been Blessed" came on and I listened to it even though I had had another song in mind.
Isn't it strange how our brains work sometimes? As I listened to Martina, I remembered the slide show I made for my Mom's 50th birthday. Reba McIntire's "My Sister, My Friend" was first, then came "I Have Been Blessed," but what was the last song I used? I remembered it was a slow song, it had a powerful message, it was on a CD that I listened to a lot at the time, and slowly, slowly it came back to me in pieces. I remembered the last line, "How Could I Ask for More."
Today I discovered that playlist.com also has this song, so it is now on my playlist. I don't know how this song totally dropped off my radar since 2007, but I am glad it is back! It almost made me cry listening to it a few minutes ago, remembering some of the slide show pictures that went with the words--my parents together, our family at our wedding, my mom with her brand-new grandsons . . .
I hope you like it, too.
"How Could I Ask for More"
by Cindy Morgan
There's nothing like the warmth of a summer afternoon
Waking to the sunlight, and being cradled by the moon
Catching fireflies at night
Building castles in the sand
Kissing Mama's face goodnight
Holding Daddy's hand
Thank you Lord, how could I ask for more?
Running barefoot through the grass
A little hide and go seek
Being so in love, that you can hardly eat
Dancing in the dark, when there's no one else around
Being bundled 'neath the covers, watching snow
Fall to the ground
Thank you Lord, how could I ask for more?
So many things I thought would bring me happiness
Some dreams that are realities today
Such an irony the things that mean the most to me
Are the memories that I've made along the way
So if there's anything I've learned
From this journey I am on
Simple truths will keep you going
Simple love will keep you strong
Cause there are questions without answers
Flames that never die
Heartaches we go through are often blessings in disguise
So thank you Lord, oh thank you Lord
How could I ask for more?
I hadn't listened to the songs on my van's hard drive in awhile (except for the Veggie Tales tunes my kids love), so I made my way through the list. One of my favorites, "Remember Me," was first. Then Martina McBride's "I Have Been Blessed" came on and I listened to it even though I had had another song in mind.
Isn't it strange how our brains work sometimes? As I listened to Martina, I remembered the slide show I made for my Mom's 50th birthday. Reba McIntire's "My Sister, My Friend" was first, then came "I Have Been Blessed," but what was the last song I used? I remembered it was a slow song, it had a powerful message, it was on a CD that I listened to a lot at the time, and slowly, slowly it came back to me in pieces. I remembered the last line, "How Could I Ask for More."
Today I discovered that playlist.com also has this song, so it is now on my playlist. I don't know how this song totally dropped off my radar since 2007, but I am glad it is back! It almost made me cry listening to it a few minutes ago, remembering some of the slide show pictures that went with the words--my parents together, our family at our wedding, my mom with her brand-new grandsons . . .
I hope you like it, too.
"How Could I Ask for More"
by Cindy Morgan
There's nothing like the warmth of a summer afternoon
Waking to the sunlight, and being cradled by the moon
Catching fireflies at night
Building castles in the sand
Kissing Mama's face goodnight
Holding Daddy's hand
Thank you Lord, how could I ask for more?
Running barefoot through the grass
A little hide and go seek
Being so in love, that you can hardly eat
Dancing in the dark, when there's no one else around
Being bundled 'neath the covers, watching snow
Fall to the ground
Thank you Lord, how could I ask for more?
So many things I thought would bring me happiness
Some dreams that are realities today
Such an irony the things that mean the most to me
Are the memories that I've made along the way
So if there's anything I've learned
From this journey I am on
Simple truths will keep you going
Simple love will keep you strong
Cause there are questions without answers
Flames that never die
Heartaches we go through are often blessings in disguise
So thank you Lord, oh thank you Lord
How could I ask for more?
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