A New Coat of Paint!

My friend and I attended a Pottery Barn class about paint and colors.  A Benjamin Moore representative conducted the class and gave a coupon for a free can of BM paint afterwards. 

We've been talking about adding a little more color in our living room by painting an accent wall.  This was the perfect opportunity.  I'm happy with the outcome.  It helped us come up with a few new wall decorations and a new furniture arrangement for the room also.

BEFORE


AFTER


We also added a wall transfer in the room, which I've been wanting to do for some time.  I'm very pleased with how it turned out.  Helps complete the room, and I love having the verse in the room as a reminder for our family to keep our eyes on Christ.

Shaker Lemon Pie

I recently tried a new recipe from America's Test Kitchen.  They test all kinds of variations of the same recipe and share what they believe is the best on the show.  This episode was about two pies. 

I decided to try the Shaker Lemon Pie first since lemon desserts are my husband and dad's favorite.  I look forward to trying the Strawberry Icebox pie in the future. ... if you're reading this, you'll have to let me know if strawberry desserts are your favorite to come taste test it with us! :)








p.s. This is very lemony and great with a scoop of Vanilla Bean ice cream!

Shaker Lemon Pie


From the episode: Two Perfect Pies
You will need 6 tablespoons of lemon juice for this recipe. Have an extra lemon on hand in case the 3 sliced lemons do not yield enough juice.
Serves 8.

Ingredients
1 double-crust pie dough (I use Pillsbury crust from the refrigerated section of the grocer.)
3 large lemons , sliced thin and seeded (see note)
1 3/4 cups sugar
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon cornstarch
4 large eggs
1 tablespoon heavy cream

Instructions
1. Adjust oven rack to lowest position and heat oven to 425 degrees. Line a 9-inch pie plate with 1 dough round and refrigerate for 30 minutes.

2. Squeeze lemon slices in fine-mesh strainer set over bowl; reserve juice (you should have 6 tablespoons). Bring drained slices and 2 cups water to boil in saucepan, then reduce heat to medium-low and simmer until slices are softened, about 5 minutes. Drain well and discard liquid. Combine softened lemon slices, sugar, salt, and 1/4 cup reserved lemon juice in bowl; stir until sugar dissolves.

3. Whisk cornstarch and remaining lemon juice in large bowl. Whisk eggs into cornstarch mixture, then slowly stir in lemon slice mixture, then slowly stir in lemon slice mixture until combined. Pour into chilled pie shell. Brush edges of dough with 1 teaspoon cream and top with remaining dough round. Seal, crimp edges, and brush top of dough with remaining cream. Using paring knife, cut 4 vents in top of dough.

4. Bake until light golden, about 20 minutes, then decrease oven temperature to 375 degrees and continue to bake until golden brown, 20 to 25 minutes. Cool on wire rack for at least 1 hour. Serve. (Pie can be apped in plastic and refrigerated for 2 days.)

Friends

It's been great catching up with friends in recent weeks.  A girl can never get enough girl talk... and I love hanging out and making new memories.


  Rachel, Megan, Jamie and I with Santa. ...celebrating my and JP's bdays. But the highlight of the day was definitely Megan's baby news!!  So excited for her and Zach and their families.
 


Amy, Mary and I have gotten to enjoy some quality time together. Mary's daughter is so precious too! She has big, dark eyes that are adorable.  It's been great to pick up right were we left last time Mary was in town. ...dear friends.

Stephanie strutting her stuff.

Mary showing her delightful cupcake.

Aunt Amy clapping with Stephanie.




Sadly, I didn't get a picture of the girls, but this is a stained glass I especially liked at Midland Arts and Antiques.  The Mayes girl cousins get together occassionally and always have a good time together.  This time, we visited a huge warehouse full of junk and treasures.  We spent three hours going through booths full of any and everything.  It was a great time out, and I hope to visit the other antique shops Janna told us about soon too!



  I made Paula's Dean's recipe for peanut butter chocolate swirl cookies for the bake sale at a fundraiser for the Brockman's family.  At this event, we saw new friends and old. It was so good to catch up with people who I had known from church years ago.  I even saw girls that I had babysat when they were younger. 

The event was a huge success and so well organized.  There was a chili cook off, bake sale, corn hole contest, silent auction and raffle.... all raising over $6,000 for the Brockman family. 

Amanda Brockman is a few years younger than I, and we went to church together (and went on a movie date to see Monster's Inc. together!).  She and her husband are expecting their second child any day now.  And the fundraiser was for their two-year-old named Elias who is fighting cancer.  Such a brave boy and we're all praying for his recovery and God's strength for all of them during this time.

Yuletide

My family got together this year to enjoy the Yuletide Celebration at the ISO downtown.  I was especially excited because Sandi Patty was back this year as part of the entertainment.  If you've never seen her live, you've missed out.  She's such a great emcee, but when she sings, it's heavenly. 

It was especially fun too because we were all together.  Afterwards, we walked over to the South Bend Chocolate Company.  This is a tradition that goes back to when I worked Downtown.  Anytime someone would visit, we would have to walk down South Bend for a cup of hot chocolate in the colder months.  It's like drinking pure melted chocolate.  (but make sure you get it with the works! which includes whipped cream, chocolate drizzled on top and sprinkles.)

Spencer and Chase petting the reindeer outside ISO.  Chase pet the animal with his sleeve so he wouldn't get germs. :)

Mom and Cary before the show. Two lovely ladies!


Dad and Mom ...aren't they cute?


The tap dancing Santas. ...pretty much in the show every year.  I love this part of the show.


  This was near the end of the show. Sandi Patty standing in center.  At the end of the show, they reminded us that in a time when most shows have recorded music to save costs, this show was completely live... including every sound, bell and ring.  All of it was amazing... the orchestra, singing, dancing, magic act, organ playing and more.


  the fam!


  Josh and I in front of the "Christmas Tree" on the Circle.


  We actually got to sit in the Indiana Room at South Bend Chocolate Company. I was pretty excited that we all got a seat since the place was so crowded after the show.


  Cary, Shane and the boys.  Not sure if the thumbs up was for the show or the hot chocolate, but I say it was a two thumbs up night!