The Perfect Pie Crust

It's true.  I think I've finally found it.  You can read more about my pie crust struggles over the years  here.

I found this recipe online (I had just copied it down by hand, sorry I can't remember the original source) and tried it for the first time on Thanksgiving.

My sister-in-law was so excited about my apple pie she took a picture of it. :)

 

It bakes up buttery, flaky and tender.  It has worked well with sweet fruit pies and savory chicken pot pie.  This recipe also makes a generous size that fills my deep dish pie pan with plenty of room to work with.

It's perfect and I'm so excited because making pie crust was one of those annoying challenges in my homemaking that I just couldn't conquer.

I realize this isn't the healthiest recipe, but if you aren't eating the whole pie by yourself...it should be forgivable.


The Perfect Pie Crust
(makes a top and bottom crust)

2 1/2 cups flour
1/2 tsp. salt
1 cup stick butter, chilled and diced
1/2 cup ice water

Combine flour and salt in a large bowl.  Cut in the butter, using a pastry blender or by criss-crossing two butter knives, until mixture is crumbly.
Stir in water gradually until dough forms into a ball.  Wrap up dough tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 4 hours or overnight.

Tips:
*Use a large bowl.  You really need room to work with and it will save a lot of mess from flying flour.

*To gradually add the water I use a sippy cup without the stopper.  I fill it up and add a few ice cubes (it really does help) and you can pour in just the right amount of water while stirring the dough.

*Keep the dough cold.  I usually divide it into two pieces before chilling so I can roll out the bottom crust and keep the rest in the fridge until I am ready.  It makes it much easier to work with.

*I roll my pie crust out between two sheets of lightly floured parchment paper.  I've found that they release much easier than with using wax paper.  The sheets are larger so you have more room and it keeps your counter clean.

*Before baking the pie, I brush the top crust gently with egg yolk.  It helps it bake up golden brown.

Preparing for Baby

With only 3 weeks until my due date...I just started crocheting a baby blanket.  My hospital bag isn't packed.  There is no bedding on the crib.  The baby clothes need to be washed and tucked into their drawers.

Maybe it's because this is my 6th baby and I've learned that babies really don't need as much as we are told.  They come whether we are ready or not and so many things can just fall into place in time.

What I have felt the most urgency about during this time is not just preparing our home, but preparing my heart.

The reality is setting in that this baby is going to come out.  Having done this 5 times before is bringing little comfort.  Each labor and delivery was so different, I really don't know what to expect this time around.  I am very aware of the risks involved in giving birth for the sixth time.

My fears are bringing me to tears nearly every day.

How do I prepare myself for what is ahead?

During my last labor, I had contractions through the night.  I laid in that hospital bed and watched the sun rise through the window.  As the daylight unveiled the city, in the distance I saw a church steeple peeking out above the rooftops.  At the top of that steeple was a cross.

I focused on that cross many times as the hours of labor went on.  As I prayed and cried out to God to give me strength, He gently reminded me of what Jesus had endured...for me.

The night before Jesus was to be crucified he found a quiet place and cried out to God.  He prayed to his Father.

I am using the next few weeks to fill my heart with scriptures and songs that I can cling to in my most broken moment.

I'm not praying for an easy labor, but praying for a peaceful heart.

Life Goes On...

It has been a hard week for our family.  A lot of hard memories have been stirred up.  A lot of questions that may never have answers.  I felt led to share this song with you.  This is not easy for me, and maybe it is only meant for me...but I do hope it brings a blessing of hope to someone else who might be feeling the same way right now. 

I wrote this song 3 years ago.  It was the first Christmas since my brother's death and our new baby was born 2 weeks early.  Christmas morning my father held my newborn and while holding back tears he said, "This baby is helping us see that life goes on...".  God had perfect timing.  He knew we needed that reminder just in time for Christmas.

There are some days where I still need that reminder...

Life Goes On

Springtime flowers only bloom after the rain

Winter's grey skies always make room for the sun to shine

Life goes on, and life goes on

When it feels like I can't get off this floor

Still life goes on

Sweet new baby, comes through labor pains

Happy endings come when you've lived through a story to tell

Life goes on, and life goes on

When it feels like I can't get off this floor

Still life goes on

You gave us a hope

Death could not take away

You gave us hope

When you made a way

So now, my life goes on

and life goes on

When it feels like I can't get off this floor

Still life goes on...and on

Springtime flowers always bloom after the rain...

The Seasons Always Change...

This week my parents took our 3 oldest children out to make gingerbread houses.  I was home with just my 1 and 2 year olds.  When we sat down to dinner that night, my husband remarked at how quiet our house was.  It was too quiet.  It felt empty.

But then we remembered...this was our life just a few years ago.  We had two small children and were expecting our third and life felt like it couldn't be busier.  Our house seemed loud and chaotic, and we were always chasing after one of them.

But now, having just the two littlest ones home, it felt completely different.  Our house felt peaceful.

So what changed?  Our 1 and 2 year olds are just as full of energy as their brother and sister.  Is it because we are older?  Do we have more patience now?  Maybe it's a little of both.  I think it's all about perspective.

Sometimes in the moment, we are so overwhelmed by life we can't see beyond our circumstances.

But life goes on.  The seasons always change and these moments don't last forever.

I was thinking about all those cold winters in my life.  All those moments when we wondered how we would make it through.  We held onto our faith.  We held onto God's promise that He will never leave us.  And spring always came around again.

Sometimes it takes years for us to be able to look back and be thankful for those moments.  But as hard as they were, now I can say that I am a better person because of them.

I want to encourage you today, in whatever season you are in.  Through loss and grief, job changes and financial struggles...through pain and sickness, disappointments and rejection, through all the things in your day that overwhelm you...God will never leave you.  Never.

It's hard to see Him there in the moment.  It's hard to feel Him when our hearts are hurting, but we can't see the big picture.

It's like all those dry, dead looking bulbs hidden under the snow,the winter passes, the sun shines again, and their true beauty can bloom.