Absentee

 It's not that there's nothing going on..it's just that...there's nothing going on. ;-)

From the living room, it looked as though my Rhipsalis (just found out what's it's called after posting a photo on HGTV garden forum - smart people there)...anyway, it looked as though it had a fungus. Upon closer inspection I realized that it was blooming! Either that's the first time it has ever bloomed, or I just forgot. :-D Sometimes I'm like a baby goose - wake up in a different world every day.

I just had to brag once again on my delicious cornbread from scratch AND my cast iron. I have four cornstick pans and the divided pan which I use for scones as well. 

Christmas rolled around and I didn't know what to give the four commissioners. I take phone messages for them, distribute their mail, etc. I finally hit upon the idea of giving them a coupon for a "Sweet Thing" - a cake, a pie, one batch of cookies, or one batch of candy. The lone bachelor in the group cashed his coupon in last week for a buttermilk pie.  

Because my boss is actually the judge and she's is a very good boss, I gave her four coupons. She cashed in one this week for a batch of oatmeal cookies with chocolate chips instead of raisins. 

The post with the buttermilk pie recipe also has a crust recipe. While that is a good crust, sometimes I had trouble getting it moist enough. Too much water is one of those things that toughens pie pastry. When I got my KitchenAid food processor, I did some sleuthing for a recipe. I found a delicious recipe! 

I've been doing some sewing and other sewing related stuff, but can't post until after Isabel's second birthday party on Sunday just in case her parents visit here. :)

All recipe links can be find in the right sidebar.

I Baked a Pie

I had every intention of taking a picture of it to post here. Alas, I was too late.

Buttermilk Pie

2 cups sugar
1/2 cup butter
3 rounded tablespoons flour
3 eggs, beaten
1 cup buttermilk
1 teaspoon vanilla
dash or two of nutmeg

Cream butter and sugar. Add flour and eggs. Beat well. Add buttermilk, vanilla, and nutmeg. Pour into a 9-inch unbaked pie shell. Bake at 350 degrees for 45-50 minutes.

DON'T buy frozen pie shells!!! You have a delicious filling so make a crispy crust.

Pie Pastry

2 1/4 cups flour
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup shortening, chilled
2 tablespoons butter, chilled
5-6 tablespoons cold water

(Actually, I use pure lard...1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons. AND it always takes more than the 5-6 tablespoons cold water for me. Just keep adding water until everything binds together.)

Spoon flour and salt into a bowl. Cut in shortening and butter (or lard) until particles are size of small peas. Add water a tablespoon at a time until all particles are moistened. Watch dough closely as overmixing will result in a tough crust. Chill in refrigerator for 15 minutes (or longer). Half and roll to 1/8-inch thickness. Ease into pie plate. Trip and crimp edges. Fill and bake as desired. If you are baking a fruit pie, roll second half out and cover filled crust. Crimp edges. Slit top for vents and bake as directed.

For cream pies, bake empty pie shell at 450 degrees for 8-10 minutes.