Pumpkin Pie

My friend, Kim, is probably the most amazing baker I know.  Now, I can cook - but I can't bake.  You see to bake, you are required to follow the directions to a tee!  Kim even weighs her flour.  However, she was kind enough to share this recipe with me last year and it really is pretty easy and delicious.  She says it is the absolute best pumpkin pie you ever had!


For the pie:


10 inch baked pie shell
3 egg yolks
3 egg whites
1 c. sugar divided
1 1/4 cup of canned pumpkin
1/2 c. milk
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp ginger
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1 TBSP unflavored gelatin
1/4 c. water


Beat 1/2 c sugar and 3 egg whites until stiff and set aside.


Beat 1/2 sugar and egg yolks until thick.  Add pumpkin, milk, salt and spices.  Cook in a double boiler until thick.  Add gelatin to water and stir and then add to mixture after removing from the heat.  Let cook and fold in egg white mixture. Pour in a baked shell and chill thoroughly.


Praline Topping
3 TBSP whipped cream
6 TBSP brown sugar
6 TBSP butter
3/4 c chopped pecans



Measure cream in a sauce pan, add sugar and butter. Heat to a boil and cook one minute.  Remove and stir in pecans.  Cool and then spread onto cool pie.


I hope you enjoy.  Kim is always a fantastic dessert queen!

Brunch

There is just something that has a festive ring to the word "brunch".  It is a social gathering of fine food in a beautiful setting among friends and family.  Brunch has to be on of my favorite occasions.  It is not a meal we eat daily like breakfast, dinner, or supper.  It is a special meal designed for a gathering on a special occasion. We celebrate many festive meals such as Easter Lunch, Thanksgiving Dinner or Christmas Eve Supper.  These are celebrated at specific times on certain days annually.  But Brunch.........you can do that anytime you want to celebrate.

The meal itself is perfect.  Whether you like breakfast food or lunch food, there is something for everyone.  It's not early but not late, and can be long or short depending on the company.  It can be for any reason or no reason at all.  Today is one of my favorites with clients and friends.  Happy Sunday...........I'm off to Brunch!

Friendship from Afar

I have many many friends from all walks of life and scattered the world over.  I am thankful for Facebook, email and other social media that allows me to keep in contact with them and keep up with the important things in their life.  I have friends that mean so much to me but because of the distances in our homes, obligations in our lives with family and demands in the work place that we rarely get to spend any quality time together.

Last night I got to spend some time with one of my dearest friends that I only get to see about once or twice a year.  I am so thankful for the time we had to catch up and share what is going on in our lives with our kids, spouses and families.  We think so much alike because we love deeply, appreciate our southern roots and traditions, and both have such positive attitudes.  We laughed and giggled, talked seriously and plotted and schemed.  

Friendship comes in many different sizes and shapes.  Don't let distance keep you from connecting. Money is necessary, stuff is great, and time is fleeting. Relationships are the true blessings in life.  Make each and everyone of them count.

Thinking of Daddy

Today I have been thinking about my Daddy.  It has been a little more than 18 months since he went home to be with Jesus.  Certainly not a day goes by that I do not miss him terribly, but I have seen God's hand in his death with the timing, the blessings, and faith that I have had to have to deal with this loss.

I drove by the farm not too long ago and looked to see if his pickup was there.  Of course it was not but I still looked out of habit.  I begin to think about that last time he drove out to the farm.  Did he realize when he left the house that he would never see my mother or any of us again?  Did he take in the sights on the drive out there? Did he realize as he pulled into the farm and unlocked the gate that he would never drive out?  Those thoughts made me realize that we don't know when we will draw our last breath.  

So after that day I decided to enjoy life a little more.  I decided to talk to Jesus a little more every day and thank him for all the blessings I have in my life.  I decided to use my crystal and my china because every day is special.  I decided to go ahead and order enough Christmas china so everyone can have a plate at Christmas.  These may seem like simple decisions but there were more.  My message is just to enjoy life for every day is a new day and a blessing. Because we don't know when it will be our last, enjoy your life.

Flashbacks

This has been a fun and amazing weekend for me.  There have been moments of joy, sadness, euphoria, and stress.  I spent the weekend with two of my dearest childhood girlfriends.  We laughed, remembered, and made new memories.   We loved, giggled, and made plans for the future.  We celebrated, shared, and made sure that we are always there for each other.  We told funny stories about ourselves, our children, our grandchildren, and our mates.  We took a chance on a slot machine or two, enjoyed an adult beverage, and did a lot of people watching. 

We had lunch on Saturday at Posada's in South Shreveport where we planned to do a little shopping. I remembered the last time I ate at that restaurant.  It was for my nephew's graduation party.  It was the last time I ever ate at a restaurant with my father.  It was a great flashback and reminded me of all that I have to be grateful for this Thanksgiving season.  It reminded me that no matter what - your family (that you are born with and that you choose as family) are really all you can count in on in life.   Money can't buy happiness.  But family that you love and friends you can count on are worth more than any bank balance you will ever amass.

In remembering this weekend - I will always remember how blessed I am!