Make A Wish

This one's not about cooking.  The Orange Pot is not just a working machine, but it's also a fine kitchen ornament.  Just sittin' pretty on this one.  Using the crock pot tonight.

I'm always in a rush.  Maybe, because I have lots to do, maybe because I have lots I want to do, or maybe I am pre-programmed to rush.  After all, I can't remember a time that I was not rushed.  I am also impatient.  Maybe, because I am always in a rush or maybe I am pre-programmed to be impatient.  Regardless, I am impatient.  Let just call it a 'work in progress.'

Unfortunately this spills over, onto my kids.  There are times that I step back and see myself and recognize the insanity and try to put the brakes on, even if for a bit.

I bring you the Chipotle incident.  Sophia and I were in St. Cloud shopping one Saturday afternoon.  We stopped at Chipotle, for a bite.  Those of you that really know me and really know Sophia, know, that this simple act was outside the lines for me.  Sophia eats really slowly, savors and daydreams with every bite.  Drives me nuts.  This day was particularly nice, so we opted to sit outside and enjoy our meal.  Another big step for me, like she needed more distraction.  What if she saw a squirrel?

We were enjoying our meal, me trying to eat slowly and Sophia being very interested in the fountain we were sitting next to.  She was asking about the money in the fountain and what that was all about.  I explained about tossing a coin and making a wish.  She seemed to be playing a scenario in her little mind, I could see the wheels turning and much to my surprise, she did not ask for a coin.  I hurried her along, to finish her meal.  It  wasn't too much longer we got up to leave.  As I stood, I reached into my purse and asked Sophia if she would like a coin to make a wish.  This was out of character for me, but I was impressed that she had not been pestering me for a coin, she had not even asked once.  Of course, she jumped at the chance.  She tossed her coin, made her wish and we were off.  

It seemed that this is where the story would end, but not so.

Weeks later, Scott and I were at conferences with Sophia.  We were meeting with her Academic Achievement teacher. The teacher was explaining different projects and learning processes they go through, to see how they solve problems and how their little minds work.  Not just the 'run of the mill' math and reading.  The teacher asked the kids a series of questions.  One of the questions was this, "what is something you can do with a penny"?  The teacher said, "Sophia's response was quite different from the other kids."  I braced for the response.   "Sophia said, you make a wish with a penny", repeated the teacher.  Suddenly, I was no longer listening to to teacher.  I was immediately taken back to our afternoon at Chipotle.  I stopped the teacher, and asked Sophia, "Was this assignment before or after our trip to Chipotle?"  She quickly replied, "After!  That's what made me think of it!"

Wow.  A huge moment for me.  Had I not stopped and took the time to let Sophia toss a coin and make a wish, how different this would have been.  I guess it's all about experiences and you can't have the experiences if your Mom is tugging you away by your arm, because you took forever to finish your burrito.  Note to self:  slow down, be patient and make a wish- or at least give my kids the opportunity to do so.

Apple Jacked

It's fall.  Apples get me all jacked up.  The idea of turning that delicious fruit into a work of art, is exciting.

I love apple pie.  Not the frozen type, that you bake.  Oh no.  Those are nasty.  Salty crust, infused with cardboard flavor.  Apples so hard, you wouldn't even know that, you did in fact, bake it.  I actually have passed on a slice of that type of pie, even knowing there was NOT another dessert option.

As much as this post is about the pie, it's about the recipe for the pie and the journey to get to the pie.  I will share, don't worry.

In our earlier years of marriage, if there was a pie to be baked, it was Scott that would do the baking.  He longed for the apple pie his Grandma would bake for him growing up.  However, this girl was not that fine woman.  I was just trying to decide if it was a good idea to add mushrooms to the Hamburger Helper, or not.

Scott called his Grandma Myrtle and requested her recipe, which he soon received in the mail.  Three recipe cards, one with the crust recipe, one with the filling and the other a personal note, about the weather and wishing him good luck on his baking.  Scott, the patient man that he is, mastered the recipe.  His pies were awesome.

As the years went by, my cooking skills were improving.  I was adding mushrooms to the Hamburger Helper, like nobody's business.  I couldn't stand that Scott could make pies and I could not.  I started to play with it, and soon it came full circle.  My pies were awesome.  Ta Dah.

So come fall, come apple pies.  I encourage you to take the challenge and learn the art of pie baking, from scratch.  You too, can be that fine woman.  Fine like Grandma Myrtle.

Never Fail Pie Crust

1 cup flour

1/4 cup cold water

1/2 cup Crisco or Spry

Pinch of salt

This makes enough for one 9" crust, double for top and bottom crust.  Use remaining dough for a crispy cinnamon/sugar treat.

Filling

6 apples

1/4 tsp. salt

3/4 cup sugar

2 Tsp. Flour

1 tsp. Cinnamon

1 Tsp. Butter

Mix all ingredients together, add to crust lined pan, dot with the butter and cover with top crust.

Bake at 375 degrees for 1 hour.