March 2010 Archives

One downside to living in the north east is the unavailability of good, fresh fruit. During my last pie session, a recipe from Carroll's "Pie, pie, pie" book caught my eye. It called for a half dozen ripe Bosc pears. This is a nonstarter for any impulse cooking, as the supermarket pears around here are good for shipping, not good for eating. But you buy 'em and put them away for a week or more and hope to remember them before they go rotten.

Last Saturday was my day to remember the Boscs I had put up on a shelf. Again, out of character, I put the dough for the crust together in the morning and made the pie late in the evening. Late enough that I didn't even cut into the pie until Sunday when Jen and Josie were visiting. The two tablespoons of rum were a bit pronounced. Either less or a lighter rum is called for next time. And there will be a next time.

Here is another photo from Sunday. Josie made pine cone bird feeders from genuine pine cones from our actual backyard. The cautious child raising advice says to leave nuts (tree nut and peanut) out of your newborn's diet for a couple of years, so the binder was soy nut butter, which I am told is a faint substitute for the good stuff.

We goo'ed the sticky stuff onto four pine cones and rolled this all in bird seed. We attached string and headed outside to scope out likely branches and other places to dangle our offerings.

No birds swooped down for an immediate snack and no one was around today to check on any consumption. Maybe the squirrels had a sampling? A full report will be forthcoming.

It is starting to feel like spring around here. The trees and bushes are still pretty bare and brown, but we've had some sunny, nice days. Of course, spring fever punishes my modest procrastination getting to our tax returns, which was yesterday afternoon's activity.

Today Jen & Josie visited and we had fun out in the backyard assembling a new play gym. Jen and I wrestled the components together while Karen entertained Josie. Josie did take a few turns on the freshly unboxed pieces, and a few in the boxes it came in themselves, boxes always being a strong competitor in fun to the toy itself.

After going inside for a snack and some books, Josie and Karen returned to the completed structure. Josie had no hesitation, she climbed right on up and checked out all the ladders and tunnels and slides. Looks like a winner (even compared to a rock).

Jen arranged reservations to the maple sugaring and pancake breakfast at Drumlin Farm this Saturday. Conditions were not at all ideal. Jen came down with a stomach bug that kept her at home. And the rain-filled weather forecast proved accurate. Still, Jordi, Josie, Karen, and I walked the grounds to see the animals: a couple of foxes (see the red fox below), a rabbit, a few mice, a horse, sheep, goats, a chicken, and a trio of cows.

The chill air makes the eventual late pancake breakfast all that more appreciated. And we weren't alone. Lots of folks of all ages came out for this event and all seemed in good, if damp, spirits.

It has been quiet on the blog, perhaps a reflection of the dreary February weather we have endured. Not that we should complain, the snowfall was skimpy here compared to much of the Washington to New York megalopolis. Last night we had the Perquackey folks over for dinner and a roll of the cubes. Karen made pasta and meatballs while I put together a couple of pies. Gracious guests provided appetizers and salads and beverages.

The first pie was an apple pie, again made with the apple brandy crust. I am ready to give up on this technique. Working with the dough is not very satisfying, it falls apart with little provocation. But the results on the dish are quite acceptable, or so I am told.

With a big meal, I went with but one slice of pie for dessert. And that was a slice from the Shaker Lemon pie from a recipe from a new pie cookbook "Pie Pie Pie: Easy Homemade Favorites" received from Jeff and Sue at the holidays. Sue and Jeff, if you are reading, I promise you a pie when (if?) you visit. This lemon pie's filling has slices from the whole lemon, rind and all. Jen was askance, but the reviews were generally good, and I enjoyed it.

Oh, and no surprise. Bert was the evening's Perquackey winner.