i've been inspired

pie sleuth, i salute you.

after a week of drooling on my computer and only getting to sample 1 of the delicious treats, it was time to embark on my own journey. today was the day (just in time for thanksgiving) and i must say that even though i didn't make my own crust (i'm not quite ready for that yet), use an ice bath, or make meringue, i'm pretty proud of my little pie. (it doesn't take much)

real simple chocolate fudge pie

1 piecrust, store bought or homemade (i went with store bought) fitted into a 9-inch pie pan

6 ounces semisweet chocolate

1/2 cup unsalted butter

3 large eggs

1/8 tsp kosher salt

1/2 cup plus 3 tbsp granulated sugar

1.5 cups heavy cream

heat the oven to 375, prick crust with fork and line with foil, fill with pie weights, and bake until firm, 20-25 minutes. remove the foil and weights and bake until golden, 8-10 minutes.

reduce temp to 325, create a double boiler to melt the chocolate and butter.

with an electric mixer, beat the eggs, salt, and 1/2 cup of sugar until light and fluffy, 4-5 minutes. then fold the egg and chocolate mixtures together.

pour the combined mixture into the crust and bake until puffed and beginning to crack, 20-25 minutes. cool for 1 hour.

cooling

see the cracks?

beat the remaining sugar with the cream until soft peaks form and spread over the pie. store in the refrigerator.

mmm...

it was delicious! thank you pie sleuth for giving me the confidence i needed to begin my personal journey with pie. i think it will be a sweet journey ;)

what a weekend!

my favorite brother in law got hitched this weekend, and what a show it was. it was definitely the biggest wedding i've ever been to! it went by so fast, but we had a a really good time.

the trip began with a 7 hour drive to tulsa, where ryan and i stopped at the original "whatta-burger" in russellville, ar (apparently not related to the chain) and listened to dan brown's newest book, the lost symbol (really good s0 far but we still haven't finished it because it is 16 hours long).

the real whatta-burger

happy husband getting the food

when we arrived in tulsa, we just had enough time to get ready for the rehearsal dinner and go. it was at the church, and the food was wonderful! everyone wore alabama attire, except for me. then they rehearsed and i went and hung out with ryan's sweet/fun aunts in their hotel room.

the stephens

happy husband loves rehearsing

i know this picture is very high school, but i like it

donald patrick

aunts cynthia, sue, and connie (i'm the lump at the foot of the bed)

the next morning there was a brunch at megan's neighbor's house, and it was great. once again the food was what i paid the most attention to, and it was amazing!

the wedding was at 5 saturday evening, but we had to get there at 2 to take pictures. since i was an honorary bridesmaid i didn't have to be in many pictures, so i hung out with the groomsmen, and we played beatles rockband in the youth wing of the church...hilarious.

dear prudence

ryan took this photo and i really like it

the wedding went smoothly as planned and then off to the reception at the tulsa marriott, complete with alabama grooms cake, a sit down steak dinner, a toast by my husband, and people watching on the dance floor. it was great!

happy husband and me

the happy couples

trolley ride to the reception

Y-M-C-A

i have always loved midtown/downtown memphis, and as long as i live here i hope to be able to live in that area of the city.

for christmas from the hubs, i wanted a membership to the Y downtown and i went ahead and got it on monday. this week of workouts has been extremely intense, seeing as though i haven't actually "worked out" in months. basically i thought i was going to need a paramedic at some point during all 3 classes i have attended this week. the craziest part...i got up at 5:30 am yesterday and today to go to my favorite classes...who am i?

something about social exercising makes me thrive, and all the people at the fogelman Y are so friendly, i just love it. i may even play on their volleyball team, hahaha. besides the people, the next best thing about this place is the view from the building...if you are a member, you can come up on their roof when there are redbirds games and watch them for free. i think that is pretty awesome.

at least when i am getting my butt kicked in a 6 am spin class by people twice my age i can have this view to look at.

squashbuckled

i must give credit to leslie, who let me have some old martha stewart magazines. that is where i found this jewel of a recipe.

corn and squash chowder:

2 tbsp olive oil

2 lbs frozen squash, thawed

1 medium onion, chopped

1 box (10 oz) frozen corn, thawed

1 tsp curry powder

1 tsp salt and ground pepper

2 cans (14.5 oz) vegetable broth

1/2 cup heavy cream

in a large heavy pot, heat oil over medium-high; add squash and onion. cook until onion is soft, about 6 minutes. add corn and curry powder; cook until curry is fragrant, about 2 minutes. season with salt and pepper. add broth and simmer until squash is tender, about 25 minutes. turn off burner; with an immersion blender, blend half the soup until smooth. stir in cream (do not boil). enjoy!

it was SO good and incredibly easy because i have an immersion blender, so i didn't have to pour the soup back and forth between the pot and blender. i will make this soup so many more times!

it's even a pretty color

ryan's empty bowl after 2 helpings

excuse the weirdly spaced letters, i don't know what is going on and i can't fix it.

it's time to start making christmas presents...

i have already started making christmas gifts. i am also selling these things on etsy, if anyone is interested.

i already posted about the birthday banner that i made for my friend ali, but i have made some new and improved christmas banners that are a little neater looking than the first one i made.

i printed letters on card stock and used them as stencils to trace the letters on to the fabric. i still painted the letters, but it looks much neater now.

i am also working on some aprons. i finished one today that i am particularly proud of because it is double sided. it's just such a good feeling to finish something that is actually usable.

excuse the awkward model :)