Ringing in the New Year

I've been thinking about this New Year's stuff all day. Hearing all about people resolutions... or how they don't believe in having any. And I seem to feel differently every year. Last year I made a resolution to make pies. And I did it! And it was fun!

But today instead of a resolution, I had a realization. A little thing called a baby. Yeah, cuz I'll have one of those in a few months... and keeping up with anything is to unknown for me. And no one wants to fail at their resolutions. So instead I've decided to make myself a to-do list. One I'll enjoy checking off, and one that I can take my time checking off throughout the year.

A project to-do list. Here are a few things I've pinned {you can follow me on Pinterest here} that I'd like to actually make. Who's with me? Let's make things in 2013!

This darling fabric pouf. I figure by the end of 2013 it could come in handy. And will be darling in the nursery!

This, my friends, is a diaper clutch. I may have to revamp to fit the cloth diapers we'll be doing.

Cork boards. In the most literal sense. I've been saving corks for.ev.er.

Did you know some places- including Target- actually give you discounts when you bring in your own reusable bags? Win!

I'm finally starting to envision some living room decor including our wedding pics... Love this idea!

Aprons. Cute gifts, cute kitchen decoration, just cute.

So, friends, there you have it. My kind of-kind of not- New Year's resolution!

love & making things is fun AND rewarding!
e.

a mouth-watering recipe

Right before Thanksgiving I was browsing Pinterest (you can follow me here) and happened upon this pin: 30 best pie recipes.

If you remember, last New Year's I made a resolution of sorts to become a pie maker. I've always loved pie- and probably loved the thought of being really good at making them even more. But until this year, I had literally never even helped make one.

I got my mom's ama-zing pie crust recipe and went to town. Ok, kind of. I've only made 7 this whole year. But that's more than ever before!

Anyway, back to the 30 best pie recipes. I decided I was going to choose one of those recipes and make it for Thanksgiving, along with your traditional pumpkin. And boy let me tell you... THIS recipe {Easy Blackberry Pie} was SO delicious I think I could have eaten the whole pie myself! The original recipe came from a blog: Remodelaholic. And I followed it exactly.

I made this at request of my father. His boss loves blackberry pie. Hehe

Blackberry Pie 

Makes one 9″

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  Prepare your pie crust, line one 9″ pie pan, and roll out enough dough for a top. (or purchase a 2 pie crust package freezer package)

In a bowl combine:

3/4 – 1 cup sugar

3 T flour

dash salt

1 – 1lb bag frozen blackberries (or blue…)

1-2 tsp lemon juice

Fold together, gently.  The flour and sugar won’t necessarily melt, it doesn’t matter.  Pour into the prepared pie shell.

Cut 2 Tbsp of butter into small squares and distribute over the top of the berries.  Cover with a top crust, either a solid piece with a few slits or lattice, which ever you prefer.  And  bake for 40-45 minutes.

Serve hot or cold!  Both are great!

Honestly. You need to make this. Even if you don't think you like blackberries. Just do it. Cuz I said so.

love & watering mouth,
e.

Time: slow down

How is it already Tuesday? Is it just me, or are the days passing so quickly? Someone, make it stop!

This Thanksgiving I hosted for the first time ever. However, I did not make everything. We have a tiny kitchen and 2.4 other Thanksgiving dinners to attend each year- making it nearly impossible for me to make it all. So everyone pitched in- and it was delish!

I spent Saturday and Sunday with my mom and sister in Sioux Falls. We did some thrifting and eating out. We watched movies and ate junk and drank lots of egg nog. These are my favorite things during the Holidays. The easy, timeless, family-centered things. I have a lot to be thankful for.

love & be merry,
e.

Berry-licious!

Remember how I mentioned way back in January how I was going to become a pie maker as my New Year's Resolution? That was a long time ago. I made an amazing apple pie months ago (you can read about that here), and had been waiting not-so-patiently for fresh berry season to make some kind of berry pie.

Well, do you also remember that holiday that came and went so quickly I barely feel like it was ever here in the first place? Oh, you're thinking of every holiday... Let me narrow it down. It starts with a Father's and ends with a Day. Did that help?

My papa was out of town for Father's Day, but we had Matt's Dad and Linda, his brother Chris and nephew CJ over for dinner. I made pie.

And let me just tell you... It was DELISH! I made a homemade crust {for the first time ever, mind you} and I think I may enter a contest. Now, I'm not usually one to toot my own horn, but I was nervous about messing it up. So when I didn't... I made sure the whole world knew it! Ha!

I know you're wondering what kind I made... Strawberry Rhubarb. Isn't your mouth just a-watering now? Mine is. When I went back and looked through the pictures I took for this blog I told the hubster I wanted another one.

So here's to many more... Because you know... Pies the limit ;)

Johnny lent me some apples...

I finally did it. I made my first ever pie. And it was soo yummy! Remember when I decided that becoming a maker of pies was my New Year's resolution? (You can read about it here) Well, I've only made the one. So if my goal (that I may just now be setting) is to make at least one pie a month, I'm behind. But, oh well. I made a pie!

Apple, to be exact. With a cinnamon roll-like crust. A while back I found Pampered Chef's Apple Corer at a thrift store for $5. It was brand new- so a definite steal. It works amazingly- if you've never seen or used one. It peels and cores, and spirals your apple all in one step.




The crust was just a store bought, (Yes, I feel like that's cheating, but for my cinnamon roll-like crust that's what it called for) and actually tasted pretty good :)



Tuh duh! Here it is all baked.



And of course, being eaten...





Happy pie making!

Pies the Limit

I've never been big on resolutions. Maybe it's because I somehow know I will most likely fail at them, or maybe because I'm just too lazy. Well this year is going to be different. I am making a resolution. Maybe I'll make more as the year goes by, {who says you can't do that} but for now, just one.

I will make pies. Learn, create, master even. ... Ok maybe not MASTER, but you get the enthusiasm.

And I am excited about this resolution. This goal. I believe in myself! I really believe this is a resolution that I will see carried out. And... I will blog about my pies. Yes, my pies will be delicious, not-so-nutritious and pretty :)

Are you excited?? I bet you want to come eat pie with me now, uh? Well... you can. But I haven't made one yet. I'll open my window and blow the fresh-out-of-the-oven scent in your direction. I promise. It might just come in the form of a blog.

So get your fork and tuck your napkin in to your shirt- this is gonna be good!