Easy Pecan Pie

Good Tuesday morning!

Monday went pretty well. Josh was a little under the weather... there's a lot of "stuff" going around, but he was able to go to school today.

If anyone was interested in yesterday's Backward Party Night and the conversation starters, read the comments. Jennifer, did you buy the Conversation Jar? Did it come with starters, or do you make them up and put them in yourself? I'm going to try that, but give me a few more details. Thanks.

Also, if you get a chance, go to my Blog List and click onto Nitty Gritty and read yesterday's post. Read to the bottom because Jody re-wrote the journaling that shows up on the picture. If you have good eyes (which I do not have any longer), you may be able to read it on the picture... but I was extremely thankful she re-wrote it for all of us over-40 types. What she says is so very true, and I loved how she expressed herself.

I wanted to share a little something from one of my favorite writers today before we start baking pies. I love Becky Freeman. She has written several books (Chocolate Chili Pepper Love, Real Magnolias, Peanut Butter Kisses & Mud Pie Hugs, etc.). She is extremely funny, and I love the way she writes about her life, and how she lives it with her husband and four children. She writes essays, but here are just a few snippets she puts in between her chapters from her book Peanut Butter Kisses & Mud Pie Hugs.

Important Things I've Learned from Kids

If you're gonna draw on the wall, do it behind the couch.

Ask "Why?" until you understand.

Even if you've been fishing for three hours and haven't gotten anything except poison ivy and a sunburn, you're still better off than the worm.

It doesn't matter who started it.

Ask for sprinkles.

If the horse you're drawing looks more like a dog, make it a dog.

If you want a kitten, start out asking for a horse.

Just keep banging until someone opens the door. (Even if it's unlocked. I, Belinda, added that part. One my many pet peeves... Hey, here's a thought. I need to write a week's worth of pet peeves!)

Pint-Sized Psychology

No matter how hard you try, you can't baptize cats.

When your mom is mad at your dad, don't let her brush your hair.

If your sister hits you, don't hit her back. They always catch the second person.

Never ask your three year-old brother to hold a tomato.

You can't trust dogs to watch your food.

A pencil without an eraser may as well just be a pen.

Never hold a dustbuster and a cat at the same time.

And one of my favorites... Real Mothers

Real Mothers don't eat quiche; they don't have time to make it.

Real Mothers know that their kitchen utensils are probably in the sandbox.

Real Mothers often have sticky floors, filthy ovens, and happy kids.

Real Mothers don't want to know what the vacuum just sucked up.

Real Mothers sometimes ask "Why me?" and get their answer when a little voice says, "Because I love you best."

Real Mothers know that a child's growth is not measured by height or years or grade. It's marked by the progression from "Mama" to "Mommy" to "Mother."

I know it's not Friday (Book Day), but if you ever get a chance to pick up one of her books at the library or book store, I highly recommend doing so. You'll find yourself smiling and sometimes laughing out loud while you read about her and her family.

Now, let's get baking!

Easy Pecan Pie

You will need the following:

2 regular frozen pie crusts (not deep dish)
3 large eggs
1 cup sugar
3/4 cup light corn syrup
2 tablespoons butter or margarine, melted
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups pecan halves

1. Using a fork, make several holes in the bottom of each pie crust.

2. Stir together eggs and next five ingredients.

3. Stir in pecans.

4. Pour filling into pie crusts. Bake at 350 degrees for 55 minutes or until set.

5. Serve warm or cold with vanilla ice cream.

NOTE: After 30 minutes in the oven, pull the pies out and cover the edges of the crust with foil to prevent burning.

This pie is easy and takes only a few minutes to put together... and it just seems like a "fall" or "winter" pie to me. Enjoy.

That's all for today. I'll be getting ready for Chit Chat and Chocolate the rest of the day. No one knows exactly what to expect number-wise per class, but we do know that 1300 tickets have been sold. That means "Sold Out." I'll let you know how everything goes tomorrow. I'll also have one more January Seasonal Tradition. And then it's on to Valentine's Day. Tons and tons of stuff for the month of February!

Until then, have a great Tuesday.