Raspberries!

The raspberries are coming. It took me almost a week to save enough to make my first baked raspberry pie. It's still pretty much every other day picking but in about a week I should be picking daily. It looks like I may have a better crop this year than last. It's a toss up between the raspberries and rhubarb as to my favorite baked treat! I'm thankful to have both growing in my yard!
I'll post my "re-vamped" Raspberry Pie recipe. Taste of Home magazine "tweaked" the one Emily sent them and I have to say, I think they even made it better! (or it could be that the first raspberry pie of the year is always the best!)

Fresh Raspberry Pie

2 cups flour
1 tablespoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup shortening
1 egg, beaten
3 tablespoons cold water
1 tablespoon white vinegar

FILLING:
1 1/3 cups sugar
2 tablespoons quick-cooking tapioca
2 tablespoons cornstarch
5 cups fresh or frozen unsweetened raspberries, thawed
1 tablespoon butter

TOPPING:
1 tablespoon milk
1 tablespoon sugar

In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar and salt, cut in shortening until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Combine the egg, water and vinegar; stir into flour mixture just until moistened. Divide dough in half so that one ball is slightly larger than the other, wrap each in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for 30 minutes until easy to handle. (I don't do this....refrigerate.)

Meanwhile, in another large bowl, combine the sugar, tapioca, conrnstarch and raspberrries; let stand for 15 minutes. (I also don't wait on this. I just combine and then dump in crust.)

Roll out larger ball of dough and put in 9-inch pie pan. Add raspberry filling and dot with butter. Roll out remaining ball of dough and place over filling. Trim, seal and flute edges. Cut slits in top and brush with milk; sprinkle with sugar. Bake at 350 degrees for 50-55 minutes or until crust is golden brown and filling is bubbly. Cool on a wire rack.

Jeanie's Haircut

Jeanie said Jennifer is waiting to see her haircut. And since she stated on the last post: MOM GOTS PICTURES OF IT THAT SHE IS GOING TO PUT ON HER BLOG VERY SOON! P.S.AT LEST I HOPE SO! I better put them on.

Back To School

First day of school! These pictures didn't come out too clear. Plus I had to crop Jeanie's as her first and last name were showing on her back pack. The middle/high school bus was 30 minutes late and the elementary bus was 5 minutes early!

Now what to do?......clean?sew?pick raspberries?exercise?wash windows?paint?........Actually after I do a few things on this computer, I think I will organize the old toy room into a sewing room and get started on a couple of aprons.

The kids were all pretty excited for school. I think even the big ones, although they probably wouldn't admit it. A couple days ago if you asked Danny if he was excited for school he would cover his ears and say, "No! It's not even in my vocabulary!" But this morning he kept saying, "I'm so excited!!!" Hopefully we're off to a good year!

Apple Pie Slices

This is my Mom's recipe. It is one of my favorite apple desserts. Served warm with ice cream.....(I refrigerate the leftovers and then "sliver" it the next day cold out of the fridge! For some reason if you eat a row of "slivers" all day, it doesn't seem like it's as many calories as if you would eat a whole row in one sitting.) I don't have measurements for some of the ingredients. I just cover the crust with the rice crispies. Then I use my Apple/Peeler/Corer/Slicer to slice the apples and layer then to the top of the pan. Then I generously sprinkle cinnamon over the apples and quite a bit of sugar. (Maybe a cup?...)

APPLE PIE SLICES

2 1/2 cups flour
1 tablespoon sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup shortening
1 egg
2/3 cup milk
rice crispies, corn flakes or wheaties
apples
cinnamon and sugar
1 cup powdered sugar
2 tablespoons water

Mix flour, sugar and salt and then cut in 1 cup shortening. Beat 1 egg yolk. (save white)
Put in cup and add enough milk to make 2/3 cup. Add to flour mixture. Divide dough in half. Roll dough to fit cookie sheet. Cover with corn flakes, rice crispies or wheaties. Put apples on top. Sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar. Put other half on top. Brush with beaten egg white. Bake 350 degrees for 1 hour. When warm, glaze with 1 cup powdered sugar and 2 tablespoons of water.

Jeanie Turns 10....NOT!

Jeanie had her 10th birthday party yesterday. She wanted to have a pool party for her 10th birthday so we had it early. My kids only get one birthday party with friends and that is for their 10th. Although, I'm not sure why, but Jeanie did have a birthday party last year with a few friends.....hmmmmm.......I guess things like that happen when you are the "baby" of the family!

Boring!!!!

Danny converstation while camping:

Danny: When I grow up I'm not going to have Down Syndrome anymore.

Me: Why not? What don't you like about it?

Danny: It's so boring!