Fresh Strawberry Pie

This pie is a sweet wonderful dessert that allows the sweetness of fresh strawberries to be enhanced by the glaze.

Pre-bake the pie shell at 400 degrees for 12 minutes until the pie is fully baked.

To make the glaze, you mix 1 c of sugar with 2 tablespoons of corn starch. Add 1 cup of boiling water. Cook in a small saucepan over medium heat until the glaze thickens. Remove from heat. Add 3 oz. of strawberry gelatin. Stir until smooth. Let cool to room temperature.

Place strawberries in baked pie shells; position berries with points facing up.

Pour cooled gel mixture over strawberries.

Refrigerate until set. Serve with whipped cream, if desired.

Absolutely delicious and so easy.

 

Fresh Strawberry Pie

Ingredients

• 2 (8 inch) pie shells, baked
• 2 1/2 quarts fresh strawberries
• 1 cup white sugar
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1 cup boiling water
• 1 (3 ounce) package strawberry flavored gelatin

Planting Wisteria

In 2007, we completely transformed our backyard and pool area.

The area is now a lovely shaded area to entertain, which we do often. 

In the process, I wanted this pergola built but knew the beating sun would not make eating out there a pleasant experience. So along the base of the pergola, I planted this small $25 wisteria. As you can see it is pretty small. 

The next year, it climbed up the side of the pergola and just barely topped the roof.

In 2009, it needed some serious pruning to keep it in the boundaries of the roof and the wisteria loves to tangle up on itself. My lovely daughter kindly did the honors. It provided much needed shade over the dining table.

Last year, the wisteria was lovely and you can see covers almost half of the 28 foot long pergola. We had the most wonderful shade for the summer and look how sweet the shade was for the bridal shower we had outside. 

This year, the wisteria bloomed for the very first time with the sweetest prettiest flowers.

 They looked like grapes, with the most delicate smell. 

I wish it was purple but the delicate white flowers are so sweet and how can I complain about the bounty of flowers?  I am excited to have the pergola covered and the lovely shade we will have for the entire summer. 

Gardening is sometimes slow process but the rewards are so sweet that I think it is worth the effort. 

Monthly Home Maintenance

How do you maintain your home? Do you have a schedule or do you call when something breaks? Do you let things go or are you proactive?

Well, I am a proactive kind of gal. I am always looking at what needs to be done and fitting it into a busy schedule. 

So how do we properly maintain a home? 

Since the home is clean, we have time to focus on the rest of the chores. I set monthly and yearly schedules to accomplish all the home’s dreary maintenance. I find the easiest and least stressful way is to set a schedule of items that need to be done and not think about it.

Monthly:

• All the filters in the home need to be changed.
• Vacuum bags need to be replaced
• Vacuuming behind fridge and freezer.
• Freezer and pantry get a quick organization and wipe down.
• They also get a once over to see what needs replenishment.
• Trash cans need to be washed out.
• Coupons are checked for expiration date.
• All the flower beds get a once over to make sure there are no weeds.
• Garage is swept and straightened.
• Dog Food is purchased and dog’s get their medication.
•  I like to change the front door every month!! Do you? 

 

 

 

The list may be a little longer but I generally keep to this list. It makes my life easier, if I know to check off all the items every month that my home is in great working order.

What is on your monthly list?