6.06.2011

Easy as Strawberry Pie

It's been a while since I've shared a recipe out of my mother's magic recipe box, so I thought I'd share something that I've made a few times since strawberries have been in season here in Texas.  This is a simple recipe and is unbelievably delicious.   Here's the recipe:


And here's the blow by blow:

Put the 1 1/2 pints of strawberries in a pot and mash.

I've used store bought pie crust and home made.
For either one, get it in the oven now,
so it will be cool by the time you need to put the filling in.

After the strawberries are mashed up, add the sugar and the cornstarch.
Stir this over medium heat until the mixture thickens.
I've made the mistake of doing this for only 5 minutes, like my mom says
on the card, but I find I need to stir and heat for atleast 10 minutes.

This is how it should look when it is thickened enough.

Add the rest of the strawberries, the almond extract and the lemon juice and stir.
Let this mixture hang out until it is cooled to room temperature.
Your pie crust should be finished and cooled by now.

Pour the strawberries into the pie crust and put it in the
fridge for atleast 30 minutes to chill.  This is when I make
the whipped cream to top it with.  I just use whipping cream
that you find in the dairy section by the half and half and whip it
with my hand held mixer.  While I'm whipping it, I add
a little sugar to make it sweet.  I prefer this to Cool Whip
(too many mysterious chemicals) and it's so easy to make.

When you serve it, just add a big spoonful of whipped cream on top,
and there you have it!

You might end up licking the plate clean.
I hope you love this pie as much as I do.  Let me know how it turns out, okay?

6.01.2011

Hello..... Remember Me?

I’ve been sooooo busy that I haven’t put any time into my blog.  So to catch you up to date, here’s what’s happened over the past, um, few months.

Since my last entry I have taken a weekend trip to Oklahoma City to see my dear friend, Lynne.  She took me to the OKC library book sale, where I snagged so many great books I filled a giant suitcase (thank goodness it has wheels!). 
My favorite find.

Too cute!
I’ve painted a mural in my niece’s new "big girl" room in anticipation of her becoming a big sister. 
iPhone Pic

iPhone Pic
I became an auntie again. 
Herbie III
 I’ve painted a huge mural with my husband, Scott, and was reminded why I love working with him so much.
 


 




 I’ve visited the CTC Auto Ranch with my girlfriends (yes, I hang with the kind of girls who love old rusty cars, too). 

I’ve taken a photography class and have finally moved the dial on my camera from fully automatic to M (woo hoo!).
I learned about panning!

My Favorite Image
I’ve taken engagement photos for a friend.  
My favorite shot.
I’ve seen Arcade Fire in concert and still cannot get their magical music out of my brain (and the crowd was the best crowd I’ve ever seen a concert with). 
Perfect night.
I went to a wonderful Estate Sale in the Arlington Heights section of Fort Worth and found some beautiful children’s books. 






 I’ve started taking Spinning classes at the YMCA and have fallen in love with cycling again.   Reunited with some of my favorite people in the whole world, who started the Carrollton Music Hall of Fame.


 I’ve purchased a new lens (Canon EF 50mm f1.4) and flash (Canon Speedlite 430EX II) and learned how to use them. 
I shot my first wedding, with the generous help of my photography instructor, Clay Crowell 
Such a beautiful couple!

This will probably be used for an ad for my photography.

They did this instead of lighting the unity candle.  It was so beautiful!

OH, and I was published!



I promise I won't wait so long to post on my blog.  I'm really good about updates on my facebook page (www.facebook.com/annadykemaphotography), though.  Go ahead and "like" me.  All my FB friends get a discount in my shop!