Spring Time- pie and laundry soap

I am on Facebook a lot. Ashamedly, I would say too much. I desire my time to be used wisely (that rarely happens) and in a way that would encourage others if at all possible. So I thought once a week I would do something (so far made a key lime pie and made homemade laundry soap) and post it to Facebook in real time. Much easier then blogging and I already have followers. Unlike now, I have no followers. If you are reading this it is only because of curious clicking on your part. Back to my point. A friend encouraged my pride by commenting"you should blog because that is what you are already doing." So low and behold, today I am going to share the key lime pie "blog" post I made on my Facebook. Mistakes included, because I want you to do better.

This is where you start. Nellie and Joe's {FAMOUS} Key West Lime Juice. My husband's grandma Mousa is 88 and this is what she uses, and friends she is particular. She used to buy those tiny key limes and squeeze them for the minimal juice because she loved her family and wanted the best for them. She has since become more reasonable and practical.

There is one adjustment to be made to the recipe, per Mousa's taste. And I did it. Her Key Lime Pie was not bitter/sour but yet lime-y and cloud like.  Instead of 1/2 c. of lime juice, reduce to 1/4 c. and 1/4 c. water for the difference. You could get creative and substitute the water for a steeped green tea. I think I will try that soon.

So far, too much yakking here. I will try to control my thoughts and keep this simple.

First you want to make your crust:

I used my $40 Black and Decker food processor. I have had it for years, it has been an awesome little work horse in my kitchen. My dream would be to have a Cuisinart-8 cup capacity, make your own almond paste. Sorry, back on track.

 Pulse till crackers are crumbs (I did not have enough GRAHAM crackers so I added in some salty RITZ crackers and it was great)  Blend in sugar. Then blend in melted butter. That's where one small thing went wrong. Apparently, there is such a thing as TOO MUCH BUTTER. I thought I would add 2 tbsp of extra butter. DO NOT DO THAT, unless you would like a chewy (in a good way) graham cracker crust.

This is the best crust I have ever made with graham crackers. It patted out so nicely for me. It wasn't too thin. I like a thick crust.

So because of the "too much butter" problem, half way through baking the crust started to sag. I had to take it out of the oven and squish the sides back up the side of the dish. AND THEN SOMETHING STRANGE HAPPENED  (I don't like those titles on web videos claiming extraordinary features-yes, so 5 basset hounds came piling out of the dog house) SO anyways, my pie CRUST became a Souffle. In addition to too much butter, I baked it a little longer then I should have. I didn't realize I would be putting the crust back into the oven with the pie filling. 

While that is baking...

Three egg yolks

14 oz can sweetened condensed milk, (NOT the same as EVAPORATED MILK)

and the juices.

mix well. 

Pour into CRUST. Bake for 15 minutes at 350 degrees. By now your house will smell glorious and the kids and dog will come looking for lunch.

Honestly, I will admit and share, when I saw the boys come walking into the kitchen, for lunch, interrupting my time to clean up, I grumbled and complained in my heart. But I wore a smile on my face. I suggested the game of Monopoly to them after they ate. And I am so glad I did. I am so glad I set my desire aside for the blessings on my boys. I have been working on putting others first, as my faith teaches in the scriptures. Most times there is a reward. Here on earth, I see a smile. And sometimes, it is tough, and I have to listen to bickering and kick one of the kids out of the game because he was calling his brother stupid. But they weren't watching TV or playing the "Death-box" or Clash of Clans. And I hope the reward for those times are in Heaven.

I like to try and do the dishes as I am baking to keep the mess at a minimum. (I am lying no matter how hard I TRY to keep it at a minimum there is always a mess to clean up. I am terribly messy when cooking or baking) But it is a good idea none the less.

In my Facebook post I shared how having pretty new towels made me feel happy. I was down to one ugly suede BBQ oven mit, and stained, faded mismatched towels. I had stopped at Home Goods earlier in the week to buy some happiness for my kitchen.

While pie is baking, three of my boys and I started a game of Skylander's Monopoly. I think we played about 4 games that weekend.  I beat them in the first game. I only brag because that never happens. I call myself the "designated loser" in games. I am there so that others have a chance to win and I love the title. I will take that if it means You can win. :)

These are the only photos I have of the pie after it was baked. I believe my 10 year old son  ate the head off the poor PEEP and then placed it ever so lovingly onto his pie and added a couple raspberry "eyeballs". OH IMPORTANT NOTE>>>the pie really benefited from the flavor of the raspberries. They complemented each other very well. The sweetness of the raspberry "cut" the tartness of the lime in a beautiful way.

There you have it. I hope to post my adventure with the Laundry Soap soon.  Please come back soon, conment and share this post with your friends and take care.

Graham Cracker Crust Recipe

Key Lime Pie Recipe