Farm Snow Days

What do we do on snow days down on the dairy farm?

The same as we do on a summer day!

Feeding the calves and milking the cows are chores that we

do every day of the year regardless of the weather or the 

holiday schedule.

I will say that snow days serve to remind us to enjoy 

the beauty of nature  and remind me of how blessed

we are to live and work on the farm  and experience

God's creation everyday.

I'm not particularly fond of cold weather but snow days

do alter the schedule to  doing the absolutely necessary chores

and sometimes allow for unexpected  time together with our family.

Snow days are always good days for enjoying 

a little chocolate cream pie

 (made with real whole milk, of course),

 a cup of coffee made from this week's family  find

of an antique coffee percolator,

and a few family  stories about the good old days

 down on the dairy farm!

                               
 

Memory Making Pie

How will you begin your fall celebration? I started mine  by baking  Autumn Pumpkin Pie, a Southern Living recipe that's been in my recipe file box since 1987. The first time I baked this pie, I took it to Sunday dinner with my in-laws. I never dreamed that my mother-in-law would ask me for a recipe because she was such a wonderful cook. Obviously, the recipe made the family favorite list.  It was one of those proud daughter-in-law moments and a sweet memory for me.

 We love regular pumpkin pie but this is just a little fancier and perfect for any special occasion. Of course, you always serve it with a big scoop (or two)  of vanilla ice cream!


Autumn Pumpkin Pie

Ingredients:

2 eggs, slightly beaten
3 cups cooked,mashed pumpkin
1 (12 oz) can evaporated milk
1 cup sugar
1/4 cup all purpose flour
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 unbaked 10 inch pie shell

Topping:
1/4 cup butter,melted
1/2 cup flour
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup chopped pecans

Combine first 12 ingredients; blend well. Pour into pastry shell. Bake at 400 degrees for 10 minutes. Reduce heat to 350 degrees and bake an additional 35 minutes.

Combine butter,1/2 cup flour, and brown sugar; blend well. Stir in pecans; sprinkle mixture on pie. Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes.

Yield: One  10 inch pie

Dairy Celebrates National Pi Day

                      I know, it's not really National Pie Day, but we can celebrate the mathematical Pi Day
                                                                   with pie and ice cream.

                                                                         Count me in!

  Happy Pi Day!

February Sweethearts: I Love Pie

February started yesterday when I came home with my bag of candy conversation hearts for the candy dish. Those cute pastel hearts (Sweethearts)with the whimsical phrases remind me of my childhood days with school Valentine parties, trading valentine cards with classmates and of course, eating those candy hearts!

I do enjoy the month of February for the opportunities to share a little love with family and friends with sweet treats from the kitchen.  One of our family favorites is chocolate cream pie from my old well used Better Homes and Garden Cook Book.

Chocolate Cream Pie
1 cup sugar
3 tablespoons cornstarch
1/4 teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons cocoa plus 1 tablespoon butter
2 cups milk
3 slightly beaten egg yolks
2 tablespoons butter
1 teaspoon butter
1 teapoon vanilla
1 9-inch baked pastry shell
    Meringue(3egg whites) or Whipped Cream

In saucepan, combine sugar,cornstarch,cocoa and butter;gradually stir in milk.   Cook and stir over medium heat till bubbly. Cook and stir 2 minutes. Remove from heat.
Stir small amount hot mixture into yolks; immediately return to hot mixture; cook 2 minutes,stirring constantly.Remove from heat. Add butter and vanilla. Pour into cooled baked pastry shell. Spread meringue atop pie and bake at 350 degrees for 12-15 minutes. Cool.
 Or, omit meringue and serve with whipped cream.

Meringue
3 egg whites
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
6 tablespoons sugar
Beat egg whites,vanilla, and cream of tartar till soft peaks form. Gradually add sugar, beating until glossy peaks form and all sugar is dissolved. Spread meringue over hot filling,sealing to edge of pastry. Bake as directed above.

                                                                Happy February!!