About Me

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IN, United States
I love the Lord and my big crazy family. My husband and I have been together for 44 years. I am a mother of two grown children and a grandmother to four biological grandchildren and 5 others. Many sites have been sold or did upgrades which messed up back links, if you find a broken link let me know and I will fix it.I have written online articles for Bubblews, Seekyt, TopicSpotter and Triond. You may still find some of my articles on Ehow/Demand Studio.

Friday, November 28, 2014

Homemade Made from Scratch Pumpkin Pie


The homemade pie from 2009
Many people have never made a pumpkin pie from scratch as buying them is so much easier. I myself have made pumpkin pies and started with canned pumpkin however, after growing my own, which are near organic, I love the test the pumpkin gives your pumpkin breads and pies. Therefore, this year, if you need to start making one with canned pumpkin it is just fine, however, you may want to consider cooking down a fresh pumpkin soon.
In 2009, my daughter learned to make a pumpkin pie from scratch and by doing this; we kept a family learning tradition and experience alive. 

Ingredients needed to make a Pumpkin Pie:


  • 2 Cups Homegrown Pumpkin
  • 3 Teaspoon Pumpkin Pie Spice
  • 2 Eggs
  • 2/3   Cup brown sugar firmly packed
  • 1 ½  Vitamin D Milk
  • 1 pre-made crust or better yet make that too

Instructions to make a Pumpkin Pie:


  1. First thing to do is pick your organic pumpkin and wash it.
  2.  Cut your pumpkin in half and remove the seeds. Save them to roast. 
  3. Get a large stockpot and put enough water in it to cover the pumpkin. Quarter each half and put them in the water. Put the pot on the stove and heat it to boiling. Let your pumpkin cook until soft. 
  4. Remove the cooked pumpkin from the water. Let the pumpkin drain to keep it from being too watery. Scoop the pumpkin meat out and put in a big mixing bowl or blender.
  5. Using the hand mixer or blender; blend until you have smooth pumpkin puree`. 
  6. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.  Now you are ready to make your pie just as you would if you would have opened a can, thus allowing the experience of making a homemade pumpkin pie from scratch a reality. 
  7. Using a large mixing bowl beat the eggs using a little to brush the rim of your crust. 
  8. Put brown sugar, spices and pumpkin in with the eggs and mix well on medium speed. Gradually add in your milk. 
  9. Pour your pumpkin mixture into the crust.  Place in your heated oven and bake for 45-60 minutes or until the middle of pumpkin pie looks set up.  If your pumpkin is watery, it will alter the baking time.
  10. Let the pumpkin pie cool and serve. If you choose, you can add whipped topping made from scratch pumpkin pie.
***Update: After learning to cook pumpkin the hard way; over the years I have learned to do things quicker and smarter. Cut the pumpkin in 1/2, remove the seeds and place in a 375 Degree (F) oven and bake 1-1 1/2 or until soft. 

    Tuesday, November 25, 2014

    I Have been Busy

    Since being home from my Grandparents Day Kentucky trip, I have been playing catch up on many things. I had neglected writing for Bubblews so definitely had to get caught up. Saturday much of the day was multi-tasking doing a bit of everything in-between cooking down my largest pumpkin.

    After church on Sunday, I did some Christmas shopping and think I am nearly done, well except minor purchases and wrapping everything. Of course, with my husband being home alone for a week, I had dishes, laundry and a house to clean. I also have my clients that awaiting their turn.

    Yesterday Indiana was windy and cold which was perfect timing for baking the pumpkin bread I am taking to church for the Thanksgiving meal for the community and share with our own family in Thanksgiving celebrations.

    Tonight is pumpkin soup night, the big pumpkin I cooked down provided me with 30-cups of processed pumpkin puree`.  Friday or Saturday I will make Gluten-free pumpkin bread for my sis.

    Have a blessed Thanksgiving everyone.

    Friday, November 21, 2014

    Safely Home from Kentucky

    Z acting like the Statue of Liberty
    I was in Kentucky east of Louisville this last week for our granddaughter’s grandparent’s day for kindergarten. School was closed on Monday as they had a band of wet heavy snow go through, however, nothing compared to the lake effect snow Buffalo saw.
     

    We here in Northern Indiana get the same lake effect snow, however, our area was missed this go round which made me very happy since I had to travel north. I cannot imagine getting that much snow so early and all at once.

    Praise Jesus, I made it in record time and home safely on a chilly and extremely windy, however, sunny day. The bummer of it all is, I thought my hip pain was getting better with the Diclofena the doctor prescribed as well as the MSM I took all week. I do not know if it is the cooler temperatures, lack of exercise, diet or setting on my butt for hours on end, or old age, but my first rest stop was quick and painful and has not eased up yet.

    Z ready for school in her new coat
    Therefore, I am home, attempted to resume my normal schedule this morning by hitting the gym, and only made 3 miles on the Elliptical. It is a start after being off schedule for a week. Prayerfully next week, I will be as good as new.

    For now, I am thankful to have made a round trip to Kentucky to see my girls safe.




    Wednesday, November 19, 2014

    My Birthday and Grandparents Day

    Thanks Mrs. Woods for taking our picture
    As it worked out my 59th birthday was the same day our granddaughter's kindergarten class was celebrating Grandparents day or Grand friend day for those children that did not have a grandparent to go to school with them.



    Unfortunately, many were there alone. I understand the feeling the parents had to be experiencing, as when our children were in school, taking off to go the school in the middle of the day really was not an option for me as I worked in a factory. As I recall, my parents and my in laws attended lunch several years to be with our children.


    As long as it is possible, I hope to make the trip south to be with her as well as go to the local school to see our grandsons in their Grandparents or VIP program.



    My birthday was a very special day, not only did I spend a few days here, but also our son and grandsons called to wish me a happy birthday. This has been a birthday to remember.


    Monday, November 17, 2014

    My Granddaughter Happy and Sad


    Monday is supposed to be a school day, our granddaughter had a new outfit to wear and we woke up to snow. She was unaware of mom sneaking in and turning off the alarm and the fact she had slept in or that snow had indeed fallen overnight as the weatherman had predicted.


    She leaned over the bed with a big smile and said I love you grandma. I had a rough night of sleep; therefore, I was trying to sleep in while I could.


    I got up and pulled back the certain to show her the snow. She was happy for the moment in the fact she did not have to hurry to move, but then said, oh, I hope they don’t cancel grandparent’s day tomorrow. I hope not too as I drove over 5 hours south just to be here for the day.



    If they would have it Wednesday instead of Tuesday, I would still be OK as Thursday a.m. I have to head back north and work Friday.


    It has been a day of games with happy and sad moments all mixed together.









    Sunday, November 16, 2014

    Time with my Girls



    I arrived on Friday November 14th around 2:30. I actually made record time in my travels therefore, I had time to stop to refuel and get a well-needed cup of coffee to re-energize before our grand daughter got home from school.



    I stopped at the church where our daughter and cleans and got the key to their home and unpack my truck. I thought I would pull in the garage and hide my truck from our granddaughter to see her reaction when getting off the bus, funny thing as our daughter pulled in, I got the same reaction from her. She wondered if I had gotten lost, stopped along the way etc….



    On Saturday, we shopped until I dropped. We did daily shopping needs as well as purchased Christmas gifts. We did stop at Culver’s Restaurant for a bite to eat around 4:30, it was a slightly later than planned lunch but all was good as after we ate we hit 4 more stores.



    I think the find of the day was at the peddlers mall where our 6-year old granddaughter found something she has been longing for. She found an old cash register so at our last stop we purchased play money to go in it. She has set up a store where she gives us the money and then we purchase things from her store.



    Today mommy had to go to work for a couple of hours as on Friday they were doing something special making her change her plans. Baby girl and I watched the new VHS movie Mulan and then I washed the dishes to try to help a little and she will be home soon therefore I need to make some lunch.



    I am enjoying my time with my girls.

    Because of Love

    Our Grand Daughters 6th Birthday 



    Wednesday, November 12, 2014

    Baking Breads and Aw the Smell

    Cutie flower girl for Big Brothers Wedding
    As I am planning my trip to Kentucky to see my girls for a week, I am making meals for the hubby that he can simply reheat. I have turkey vegetable soup going for tonight. 

    I am also baking breads to share with others as well as for the hubby's sandwiches. If it is not easy he will tend to skip meals and that is not good to maintain strength.

    I just finished baking pumpkin bread to take on my trip to snack on and take to church tonight to Bible Study for the church ladies.

    Homemade Pumpkin Bread Recipe

    The next batch of bread to hit the oven is the herb wheat bread that goes with everything, however, makes wonderful sandwiches. With this bread, one will go with me, one stay here and some are going to one of my clients for a family member in need. I love to bake so it simply made sense I would donate some for the cause.

    Herb Wheat Bread Recipe

    So how are you spending your time on this chilly November day?