Key Lime

This is the most popular pie in my family.
My mom makes it.
My sis-in-law makes it.
I make it.
Often.

It may seem more like a spring/summer recipe.
But we don't care.
We'll eat it whenever.

It's super easy.
It sounds fancy.
And a little exotic, even.
But it only takes minutes to make.
Really.

Ingredients:

A graham cracker crust.
I always make my own.
It's easy, cheap and tastes better.
(In my humble opinion.)
I also bake it before I put the filling in.
Even though the pie gets baked
for a little with the filling.

 Egg yolks.

Sweetened condensed milk.
And lime juice.

That's it.

Oh, and a drop or two of green food coloring,

if you want.

Key Lime Pie

1-9 inch prepared graham cracker crust
4 egg yolks
1-14oz. can sweetened condensed milk
3 oz. lime juice

Combine egg yolks and sweetened condensed milk and blend well. Add lime juice gradually and beat until filling is smooth and creamy. If desired, add one to two drops green food coloring and mix. Pour into graham cracker crust and bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes. Chill. Serve with whipped cream.

While my crust is baking,
I prepare the pie filling.
I typically use my little electric hand mixer for this.
And I just mix it all in a 4 cup glass Pyrex measuring cup.
Then it's super easy to pour into the pie crust.

One time I used real key limes.
Never again.
Those things are tiny.
It took a whole bag of 20 some limes to get 3 oz.
Not fun.
On top of all that.
I didn't even notice a difference in the taste.
Not. Worth. It.
It typically only takes 2-3 regular limes to get 3 oz.
So much simpler.

And I always whip the cream for the topping myself.
With some sugar and vanilla.
Yummy.

Then I enjoy the last piece for breakfast.
While all the kiddos are at school.
Hehe!

I'm Old Now

That is, according to my daughter.
As of Monday.

(birthday cake. thanks to my mom)

Sunday.
I was not old.
I was 39.

(birthday smoothie, thanks to me)

Monday.
I was old.
I turned 40.

(birthday flowers, thanks to my man)

So, overnight.
I became old.

(birthday bling, thanks to my man)

Odd.
I didn't feel older.
I didn't think I looked older.
(Don't get me wrong.
I know I look older than even 5 years ago.
The wrinkles are definitely there.
And there's other things
that seem to have a desire to head south.
You old gals like me know what I mean.
I'm just saying, not overnight.)

30.
Now 30 was a different story.

30.
Felt old.
That same month.
I had a miscarriage.
And my dad had triple bypass surgery.
My body was falling apart.
And so was my dad's.

30.
No fun.

But God is good.
Always.

Ten years later.
I have 2 additional boys.
My dad is healthy.
We moved into a house I love.
My kids can all pee on their own.
(Even though they still seem to think I can't.
You know, every time I visit the restroom,
you can count on one of them hollering:
Mooom!
That's why I try to squeeze in 
as much restroom time as I can 
while they are at school.
Ha!)
I've made some wonderful friendships.
I've gained two super sisters-in-law.
And 4 nephews.
(Still waiting for a niece on that side...
but another baby is coming in February
so I might get one yet.)
I'm so thankful for my mom-and-dad-in-law.
My mom is still my best friend.
I am having so much fun watching my kids grow-up.
(Even though it's hard and sad sometimes.)
I cherish the relationships I have with each of them.
I love my husband more.
And I love Jesus more.

Seems like a pretty good way
to start out the 40's to me.

So I'm not sad.
Or depressed.
After that list,
I'm actually excited to see what the 40's bring.
(Although I'm fairly certain 
they won't bring 2 more boys into my  house
or 2 girls 
or any combination thereof.
Just saying...
Although...
I guess in 10 years
there is the possibility that we could have 
a son-in-law or daughter-in-law.
Oh, my!)

Now I'm scaring myself.
No more thinking about the next ten years.

Choose to Find the Pretty

My emotions are whacked.
I have cried more in the last couple of months
than in my entire life, I think.

Too many changes and decisions.
My kids growing up.
Friends moving away.
Church difficulties.

It's all seemed to come at once.
And I don't like it.

But...
I know God's timing is perfect.

And...
I know He is in control.

That's what I'm holding on to.

I tell my kids all the time that their behavior,
or how they respond to something or someone,
is a choice.
THEIR choice.

So I'm trying to choose joy, peace.
I'm trying not to let all of these yucky things
make me yucky to others.

It's hard.
But when I'm intentional about it
and seek the Lord's guidance,
I feel so much better.
And hopefully I'm a nicer person to be around.

So, yah, that's where I'm at right now.
Life is just hard sometimes.

I'm choosing to find the pretty in things.

New Colors

It's a cool, rainy day here.
Beautiful, really.
Since we've had many hot, dry days.

I went outside in the drizzle.
And got a few pictures of the house.
Finally.

I love it.
So warm and inviting.
I hope anyway.

Here's a couple before.

I know I have others.
I'm too lazy to look for them.
Or link them here.
I know there's others on the blog.
If you've been reading my drivel for awhile,
you've seen them.

Oh, and there's kind of one at the very bottom of the blog.
An old one.
I really should make some changes here.
I'm bad about updating things.
Someday I'll work on that.

Ok, enough drivel.
Time for the reveal.

Ta-da!

Does it look cozy?
Come on over.
We'll chat over coffee and pie.

Labor Day and a 4 Wheeler

Labor Day weekend.
One of the most relaxing weekends.
In a long time.

We ate meals together.
All 6 of us.
At home.
That is difficult to accomplish these days.
(Last week we packed a cooler.
And ate supper on the run.
3 nights in a row.
The first night we did lunch meat sandwiches.
But I can only handle that every so often.
So night 2 I made pizza bierocks.
And night 3 chicken salad on crescent rolls.)

On Monday Grandpa surprised the kids.
He brought the 4 wheeler to town.

The yelling that went on in our house
when they saw him pull up.

Brookie had to spend a little time
 learning how to drive it.
It made her mad
that Jakie was better than her at first.
Sibling rivalry is alive and well at our house.

But she learned quickly.
And was zipping all over in no time.

Grandpa, the hero.

Woohoo!

And this is the closest pic you will get of me driving.

The others show a little too much leg cellulite.
Oh, my!
De. Pressing...
Shorts should clearly not be a part of my wardrobe.

Also,
I guess it's not cool
for the guy to
put his arms
around the girl.

Whatever.