Peach Potpie

Good Tuesday morning!

The Showcase Pic is of the cake Katie made for Grandmother's birthday (celebrated each and every 4th of July... although her actual birthday is July 1). As you can tell, our family is very influenced by Cake Boss AND Family Fun Magazine!

The Gallery Pics are from our 4th of July celebration. I've extended the Weekend Review, so I'll describe our festivities in more detail below!

I'm going to be sharing parts and pieces of some "old" posts today, Wednesday and Thursday of this week. My brain isn't what it used to be in the "Come Up With Something New" Department, so if you've read it before, feel free to skip ahead!

It's Not An Option

I know I talk a good bit about calling people when they come to your mind, or encouraging others or complimenting people when they cross your path. I really, really believe it's one of the "little" things we could/should do as Christians to try to live a Christ-centered life. (I really, really do.) You just never know what pain someone might be going through, and a kind word or thoughtful comment would mean the world.

That being said, I will be the first to admit I fail miserably time and time again. It's not an automatic or necessarily easy thing to do sometimes. There's always the thought in the back of my mind, "What if I say the wrong thing?" In that sentence alone lies the problem. The word "I." When that thought goes through my head, it means I'm thinking more of myself than the person I'm supposed to speak with. I've decided you can never go wrong with the following: "I love you." "I'm praying for you." "I'm so sorry." Those three statements could not be taken the wrong way.

I met a two year-old boy a couple of weeks ago. He was everything a two year-old boy should be... sturdy legs, big eyes, ready smile. I'm a sucker for two year-old little boys. "Now what is your name?" I asked as I bent down to smile at this beautiful little guy.

Before his mom could tell me his name, he looked me in the eyes, ran up to me and wrapped his two fat little arms around my knees. "I love you," he said.

Overwhelmed, I replied, "I love you, too."

Several of the things "on my mind" that Sunday morning melted away, and I walked to my Sunday School Department smiling to myself. I doubt if my words have the same impact on people when I speak them, but you never know, do you?

I think one of the reasons this "topic" is ALWAYS in the back of my mind is because it isn't really an option. It's an obligation. An obligation that being too busy or too self-conscious or too "anything" doesn't really apply. If we truly believe that "life is but a vapor," and all we have is this one precious day because our future is unknown, what are we waiting for? What am I waiting for?

Call someone today... and then if we are given the precious gift of tomorrow, I think we should probably call someone then, too. It's that important!

Weekend Review

After we left Ronald McDonald House Saturday afternoon, it was the perfect time to stop by The Dollar Tree and purchase items for our Troop Box. I told everyone coming to the house for the 4th of July to bring two items, and I gave them a list of items to choose from. I also told them to buy things they would enjoy using themselves. The only other rule... it had to be a "name" brand. ("Energizer" batteries, "Twizzler" candy, "Eclipse" gum, etc.) I didn't want to send something overseas we had never used or eaten before just in case it wasn't up to my unbelievable high standards!

When everyone arrived, we had our picture taken with all the loot, everyone signed a card, and today I will be going to the Post Office to pick up my "Troop Box." Roxie and I will pack the box this afternoon and mail it first thing tomorrow. It's very exciting, I tell you! And since everyone contributed, it only cost $2 per person for 24 items. It is a very "doable" activity.

We had hamburgers, hot dogs, baked beans, etc. We ate birthday cake BEFORE we left to go to the pool. (Code for THE ADULTS WERE STUFFED AND WE FOUND COMFORTABLE CHAIRS UNDER THE PAVILION AND WATCHED THE KIDS SWIM.) It was a remarkably non-humid day in Alabama, and I didn't even break a sweat. Unheard of on the 4th!

After the pool, we returned to the house for our second summer Bunco party. It was even more fun the second time around because from where I was sitting, I was definitely a contender for the First Place Prize. Imagine my massive disappointment when once again I lost. And correct me if I'm wrong, but don't you think it's VERY odd Grandmother beat me by ONE game at her birthday party? Do you recall Beverly was the winner at her birthday party? Coincidence. I THINK NOT!

If we play at my birthday party, and I DON'T win... Well, let's just say it won't be pretty!

The day ended with big bowls of homemade ice cream (the vanilla kind), and the Faulkner Five watching National Treasure after everyone went home. Actually, Roxie and I crashed, but we were there physically (if not mentally).

Again, nothing earth shattering... but a good day nonetheless.

Peach Potpie

July will be filled with recipes of food I actually cooked in June. However, since June was homemade ice cream month, I couldn't very well put Peach Potpie, Chicken Spaghetti and Blue Cheese Rolls in the Tuesday Recipe section, could I? It just would not have been the right thing to do. But now it is July, and I am backtracking!

I made this for Mikie's birthday dessert, and it came straight from Martha herself!

You will need the following:

8 ripe peaches, sliced into 1/2" wedges
3 tablespoons plus 1 1/2 teaspoons cornstarch
1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon lemon juice
Coarse salt
2/3 cup packed light-brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
Butter
Pie shells (thawed)
1 egg (lightly beaten)

NOTE - The original recipe calls for 1/2 teaspoon vanilla bean, split and scraped. I sustituted the vanilla. I also did NOT make my crust from scratch, so I didn't add that to the recipe.

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

2. Combine peaches, cornstarch, lemon juice and 3/4 teaspoon salt in large bowl.

3. Mix together brown sugar and vanilla. Stir into peach mixture and pour into a 2-quart shallow baking dish. Dot with butter.

4. I removed a thawed pie shell from the aluminum pie plate, and placed it on top of the peach mixture. Cut five 3" vents in the top of the pie crust. Brush top with egg and sprinkle with sugar.

5. Bake until juices are bubbling through vents and top is golden brown (about 1 hour).

Since I went the pre-fab route with the piecrust, this was a very easy and fast dessert to make. It was a little tart the first time I made it, so the second time around, I sprinkled a thin layer of sugar on top of the peach mixture before adding the pie crust. The second Potpie was a good combination of sweet AND tart.

If you like/love peaches, I think you might want to try this recipe pretty soon!

Have a fun-filled Tuesday. Wednesday will be filled with wisdom, traditions, pictures and a blast from the past... which simply means I'm using part of an "old" post tomorrow. It's gonna be great!

Take care, and I'll talk to you tomorrow.

Sincerely,

The Enchanting Belinda