GRANDMA’S PIE
This is not actually my Grandma Sanders chocolate pie recipe – because she never had a written recipe for her pies – she just threw them together. Ususally, she would be cooking a meal and throw together biscuits and a pie WHILE she was at it.
I never knew her to even own a measuring cup or spoon – she used a tea cup with a broken handle for a “cup,” and a dash or dollop of everything else. She measured the salt, soda, or cornstarch by pouring it in the palm of her hand to just the right amount! She poured in the milk for the pie from a pitcher until it was right (and NEVER made a runny pie!)
Her pie crust was the prettiest, flakiest crusts I have ever seen…..and I don’t think that is just the distorted memories of youth. She made them by dumping flour, salt (a dab), and Crisco into a bowl and “pinching it”….that is, she worked the Crisco into the flour by pinching it into the mixture with her fingers until it was the consistency she wanted, then a “bit” of water to make a ball. She rolled it out on the end of the table, and popped it in the oven or filled it with fruit. (I stand amazed as I look at the sink FULL of bowls and measuring cups and spoons and mixer blades!)
After years of experimenting and trying any, and all crust and filling recipes, I have settled on this one. It is a combination that I feel is as close as I will get to her delicious pie…..it’s not as good….but, it’s close! I make the crust, as she did by “pinching the Crisco” into the flour (hint: put the Crisco in ice water to keep it cold as you pinch off small amounts and work them into the flour – then use the ice water for the 4 1/2 T water)
PIE CRUST
2 1/4 Cups Flour
1 teaspoon salt
2/3 cup shortening, chilled
4 1/2 tablespoons ice water
Work the shortening into the flour until mixture is the texture of course crumbs. Sprinkle the water over it evenly and work till all is moist and the doubh can be shaped into two balls. Roll out on a lightly floured surface to 1/8 inch and place in 9 inch pie pan. For one crust pie, prick dough with fork all over and bake 20 – 25 minutes at 450 degrees F – until golden.
CHOCOLATE PIE FILLING
1 1/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup cocoa
- Mix them together in a sauce pan
2 1/2 c milk
3 egg YOLKS beaten (save whites for meringue)
1/2 tsp salt
- Mix these well and add to sugar and cocoa….cook while stirring over medium heat until boils.
2 Tbl cornstarch
1 Tbl flour
- Add enough milk to make a runny paste and ad to the mixture – continue cooking and stirring until thickens.
- Pour into baked pie crust (makes 1 pie) and let cool in crust while you make meringue.
MERINGUE
Using the 3 egg whites from the pie – (hint – I always add 1 or 2 more egg whites, depending on how large or small the eggs are, for a big meringue)
Beat on high speed until peaks form – add approximately 2 Tablespoons of Sugar per egg while beating and continue to beat until it stands in firm peaks.
Spoon onto pie – then place in oven under broiler until meringue browns on top. Let pie cool before slicing…..(hint: cut thru meringue with a knife wet with cold water to keep it from sticking and tearing up the topping!)
I hope you try this – and I hope you like it. I love making it for family and friends because they always enjoy it……but, also, because I spend the time cooking to replay memories of my sweet grandmother!
Let me know what you think, and if you make it!
16 Things You Can Stop Doing
One of the great things about getting older is all the things you can STOP doing! And, I’m not talking about the obvious things like a bikini wax, sky diving, and push-ups. I am referring to things you can quit doing that will make your future better than your past. To quote the self-help gurus, (in a losely-combined-from memory form), “If you keep doing things the way you always have — you will keep getting what you always got.”
If you are Bill Gates or Michael Jordon, no problem…..just keep on keeping on! But, if you are among us normal humans, things could always be better. So here are some ideas for you to consider that could make things easier and better for you this year.
- STOP SPENDING TIME WITH THE WRONG PEOPLE
That would be the ones who drag you down – make you work to fit in time for you – or criticise you. Face it, the people who only like you at your best (or how they think you should be) are not the ones who matter! True friends love you even on your worst day. You’ll know the difference, because you will like yourself when you are with them!
2. STOP LYING TO YOURSELF
ABOUT EVERYTHING! Be honest with yourself….admit it if you don’t like cousin Correy, opera, football, or whatever. Let go of any, and all of the things you pretend to be or like because you think you should!
3. STOP PUTTING YOUR OWN NEEDS LAST
YOU are special too! Treat yourself like you treat your loved ones.
4. QUIT FIGHTING YOUR AGE
Get/stay healthy – keep active – be happy – but, don’t waste time regretting the wrinkles, sags or bags! Someone will always be younger, prettier, thinner, or smarter….but, they will never be YOU! Make the decision to accept the inevitable changes that come with age….be the healthy, well groomed, bright, fun, and wise 60 something you are!
5. STOP HOLDING ON TO THE PAST
Limit the time spent in “retrospection” – you have a present to live and a future to plan! Memories should be filtered and limited to the times that made us happy – let the rest go! You will never write the next chapter in your life while re-reading the past ones.
6. QUIT REGRETTING PAST MISTAKES
This goes hand-in-hand with #5. We have all made mistakes and have regrets – let them go! You have all the wisdom learned from those mistakes/lessons to make better decisions NOW. Use that wisdom to make a better happier YOU!
7. STOP BEING IDLE
We are not the “rocking-chair-on-the-porch” generation! Keep active, mind and body! As we learned in grade school, “Think and Do”
8. DON’T WASTE TIME ON SELF PITY
Life throws trash in your path to get you to change directions! (Now, I’m not against the occassional Pity Party…..in fact, I throw the best! But, “get-r-done” and move on!)
9. STOP HOLDING GRUDGES
If for no other reason than they wear you down and hurt you, while the person who you are grudging goes merrily along! Forgiveness isn’t “What you did to me is okay.” It is, “What I need is peace of mind and spirit.” (And, don’t forget to forgive yourself, too…..Same rules apply!)
10. STOP TRYING TO EXPLAIN YOURSELF
Your friends don’t need it and your enemies wont believe it!
11. STOP MISSING THE BEAUTY IN THE LITTLE THINGS
A great slogan that went around sums this up. “Enjoy the little things, someday you may look back and realize they were the big things.”
12 QUIT TRYING TO MAKE THINGS PERFECT
The world does not reward perfection – but, everyone likes someone who gets things done! Cut yourself some slack, simplify, and don’t be your own biggest critic!
13. STOP BLAMING
The past – your mom – the weather – the government – the Grinch – for your troubles! Take responsibility for your life….not for the problems….but for what you need to do to change things!
14. DON’T TRY TO BE EVERYTHING FOR EVERYBODY
You’ll just get used up and be no good for anybody. As they say, “You may not be somebody to the whole world, but to somebody you may be the whole world.”
15. STOP WORRYING
You wont change the future and you will suck the joy out of the present! Think positive and plan accordingly.
16 STOP BEING UNGRATEFUL
Take time everyday to realize, recognize, and say thank-you for all of the blessings in your life.
As is the nature of these ramblings, most of this commentary is aimed squarely at me. I am working on the premise that it will be easier to stop doing a list of things than it would be to make a list of things I need to do! I keep thinking of the fact that we are always changing…..we don’t have the option of staying the same….so if you are not making a conscience effort to improve, then you are getting worse. So I will end this with one of my favorite quotes from Jim Rohn
“The same wind blows on us all. It is the set of the sails, not the direction of the wind that determines which way we will go.”
I hope 2012 is the year you set your sails to take you where happines, health, peace, love, and prosperity fill your life. Blessings on you!
HOW OLD IS GRANNY?
about the shootings at schools, the computer age, and just things in general..
The Grandmother replied, “Well, let me think a minute;
I was born before:
- television
- ‘ penicillin
- ‘ polio shots
- ‘ frozen foods
- ‘ Xerox
- ‘ contact lenses
- ‘ Frisbees and
- ‘ the pill
There were no:
- ‘ credit cards
- ‘ laser beams or
- ‘ ball-point pens
Man had not invented:
- ‘ pantyhose
- ‘ air conditioners
- ‘ dishwashers
- ‘ clothes dryers
- ‘ the clothes were hung out to dry in the fresh air and
- ‘ man hadn’t yet walked on the moon Read more…
BUTTERFLIES IN JOPLIN
Take from this what you will….I received this in an email from a friend, and I would attribute it to the writer if I could find who that is. As it is, I don’t know who wrote it, but I feel confident that they would want it shared with others. I personally know that God watches over us, and He sends His angels to protect and help us. I hope this touches your hear like it did mine.
Butterflies and Puppies…
As I walked around Joplin today and attended the Moment of Silence, outside of St. John’s Hospital, I had the opportunity to talk with a few of the local people that lived in the neighborhood.. They were all very hopeful and extremely friendly. As I looked around at the devastation, my heart sank into my stomach. The only thing I kept thinking is “why God” – “why”. I felt so extremely sad for everyone that lost their family, friends, their home. Read more…
To The Point
A pencil-maker told the pencil five important lessons before putting it in the box:
1.) Everything you do will always leave a mark.
