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Just when the vertical, six-inch (palm to mid-forearm) bunny scratch was almost healed, my iron attacked me. Viciously and without warning. Doesn't the wound look angry, like a grimacing pair of lips?
Apparently, domestic chores are hazardous to my health...;)
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We recently discovered a gadget that you need to know about (if you don't already): Magic Sliders.
They can help you move a 2,500-pound piece of furniture with ease...EASE, I tell ya! (Even more, depending on the size of Magic Slider). I've got back issues, so moving furniture has become a risk for me; one I'm just not interested in taking.
Slip these little suckers under the feet or base of just about anything, and you can move it as if it had wheels. You'll feel like Superwoman...or like David (of Goliath fame)...or an ant carting off a grasshopper.
Empowerment is a good thing, yes? Especially when it can be bought for under $10 at your local hardware store! :)
Note: This is not a solicited product review. We discovered these by accident and were amazed by how effective they are!
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It's good to be "best" at something, and though I'll never touch Michael Phelps in the pool, he'll never touch me in the kitchen.
Some things are that certain.
I made my first apple pie of the season yesterday; after dinner with friends last night (where my friend Dawn informed me it was the SECOND best apple pie in the world...f.i.n.e.), there's just one slice-and-a-half left, testament to its finger-lickin' goodness. Headless Mom and my friend Julie asked for the recipe, and though I've posted it before, since the crust (aka the secret ingredient) is on my old site, I'm including both crust and pie recipes together for the first time.
For the record, my husband insists it's the crust that makes this pie, and I PROMISE: if you follow the directions, it's idiot proof.
Enjoy!
Foolproof Homemade Pie Crust
Pre-heat oven to 375°.
Note: The above recipe is for ONE crust, and since apple pies require two, make two separate recipes for this...DO NOT DOUBLE THE INGREDIENTS and then divide the dough. I can't be responsible for what happens if you do!
In a small bowl, mix together all the dry ingredients. Make a "well" in the center and add the oil.
Next, with a spoon or pastry knife cut in the flour with the liquid.
This is when I begin adding the ICE water; I usually start with 2 tablespoons, and then if it seems too dry, I had a third. Once it is mixed well by spoon, I fold it in with my hands (from the outside to the center). If it sticks to your hands, it is too wet, so add a bit of flour. Don't over-handle the dough. It should be smooth enough to shape it into a disc like this:
Tear two sheets of waxed paper about 18" long. Put the dough-disc on top of one sheet and cover it with the other. Now the fun part.......start your rollin' :).
Roll in opposing directions, with the obvious goal of shaping a circle (because you're limited by the width of your waxed paper, your circle will be more oblong...). I'm not sure about the thickness of your pie crust, but it's THIN...maybe 1/8". No worries, though.
Once your circle/oblong is larger than your pie plate, you'll be ready to pick it up and drape it over your dish. Here's where the secret technique comes in. Slowly lift the top layer of wax paper completely off the crust. If it sticks, go slower. If it STILL sticks, start over. Lightly replace the top sheet of wax paper.
Pick up BOTH sheets of wax paper with the crust between them and flip it over to the other side.
See that little piece of dough that crumbled out? You have permission to eat it.
Now, lift what WAS the bottom layer of paper completely off. Ball it up and see if you can score two points by tossing it into the nearest trashcan. Note: This step is not part of the secret technique but it conjures up all kinds of fun school-year memories of trashcan basketball :).
Carefully lift the crust by the wax paper underneath and drape it, centered, over your pie plate.
Now, slowly remove the wax paper; it should lift easily since you've already lifted it once before.
Add your pie filling, and if necessary, a top crust. Then bake, according to your pie's recipe.
Here's what the finished, unbaked apple pie looks like:
To avoid overcooked (or worse, burned!) edges, I used to place strips of tinfoil along the rim of my pies. Heartfelt thanks for my mother-in-law who gave me a "Piecrust Saver" years ago, saving me from this aggravating-but-helpful step.
Voila! The finished product!
Olympic Gold Apple Pie
(my new name for it inspired by the Michael Phelps reference above)
VERY complicated step: Mix the above together in a large bowl, reserving butter.
Pour the apple mixture on top of your bottom pie crust and dot with the butter; layer the second crust on top and be sure to make incisions to vent it (you're certainly welcome to criss-cross with a lattice crust if you're not lazy trying to make this harder on yourself extremely industrious. Cook it at 375, covered with tin foil or a pie saver for 20-25 minutes; remove cover and cook for an additional 20-25 minutes.
Cool slightly. Add a ginormous scoop of your favorite vanilla ice cream. Inhale. Avoid bathroom scales.
TA DA!!! You may now wear a gold medal around your neck.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Originally posted a few years ago, and with the holidays approaching andTidyMom's Pie Party, I thought it'd be a good idea to repost it now; well, that and this is one of my most frequently searched posts!! Apparently people want to find THE best apple pie in the world AND an easy recipe to make homemade pie crusts! Works for me!! ;)
** p.s. For Amber, at least my family thinks it's the best apple pie in the world!!! That's good enough for me ;).
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...and "Smart Girls Think Twice".
Jan Silvious makes me wanna be a Big, Smart Girl.
Jan joined Patsy Clairmont and Anita Renfroe during the pre-conference, "I Second That Emotion", at Atlanta's Women of Faith event. What a trio--their ability to mingle laughter with substantive, Biblically-based teaching is reason for their mass appeal. They love the Lord and they love sharing His truth with women.
The author of ten books, Jan speaks practically and with authority--she's exactly the "slightly more mature" woman I'd love to have in my life as mentor and friend; I guess from afar, she is. She's the one who'll tell you what you need to hear, not what you want to hear. Over and over again in her writing (and speaking), Jan calls women to maturity--to put your big girl panties on. Though I don't recall details (the downside of not taking notes), Jan reminded us why emotions can't govern your decisions. It's easy to sense in Jan's messages her desire for women to make intelligent choices, not to give in to futile or self-destructive choices.
Whether or not you're able to hear Jan in person, you can pick up her books. Read one and you'll be compelled to read her others (for convenience, I've listed several choices in my Amazon favorites)!
P.S. Though she hasn't gotten in the habit of updating often (yet!), Jan has thrown her hat into the blogging ring. Be sure to visit, subscribe, and when she updates, you'll be the first to know :).
Related posts from Women of Faith:
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Trite, perhaps, but in my mind's ear I hear my children singing it, about age 5...and it's the most beautiful thing I can imagine in the still of this moment. And I miss their pre-school selves...and I can't believe there's no one I have to help get ready for church...and yet I'm thankful for the very same things.
It IS a happy day :).
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Checking our mailbox has become a whole lot more fun since I started blogging; it's not full of only bills and spam catalogs anymore.
This week I received not one, but two niceties compliments of the U.S. Postal Service--
One of my Inspired Bliss contributors, Lisa @ Put It On the List, MADE this hand-beaded necklace for me! Its center-piece is a hand-blown (hand-melted?) heart-shaped glass bead, and it's more stunning in person than it is in picture. Lisa makes custom jewelry and she would love to hear from you if you'd like an original piece of your own.
The other surcie is this--do you recognize the logo?
(more on this latah...I'm waiting on a return email for the rest of my post. Cryptic, no? :) )
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Think "pink" and what is your mental default?
...or breasts?
During the month of October, I suppose many of you are like me--thinking about National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. E.V.E.R.Y.where you turn, retailers and corporate America turn shades of pink themselves, so unless you're living under a rock, you already know this.
My long-time blog friend, Kathy (aka the Swampwitch) is hosting a month-long tribute to those who've battled cancer. She's celebrating survivors and honoring those who lost the fight. If you or loved ones fall into either category, you're invited to join her. Here are the reasons I most despise cancer, and why I want to encourage you to "do something"--
My daughter and I joined a group from our school, and for the second year in a row, walked in our local Race for the Cure. If you've never participated, I wish you'd consider doing so--the affirming atmosphere will overwhelm you. Another FANTASTIC way to give to others is to click this every day! Bookmark it, then just click it! Sponsors, in turn, will donate mammograms to those in need.
Below you'll find a running list of personal weblog postings and businesses who support research for breast cancer. If you've written an applicable post or know of a company I can include in this listing, will you leave your/their URL in comments (thanks!) Wouldn't it be cool if it was a mile long???
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Recently, I had opportunity to sample several Febreze products:
Febreze Fabric Refresher ~ Does its job nicely. Easy-on-your-trigger finger, a fine mist spray that quickly dissipates into the air, and a light, lingering freshness that doesn't reek of "air freshener". I was thankful to have received the "Lavender Vanilla and Comfort" scent--based on names, I'm sure it's my favorite. I'm keeping the bottle in our kitchen, where it's close to all the places we "live". Whereas I can't see myself purchasing from the Décor Collection, I can see buying this again when ours is gone.
My kids all play sports, and though I hadn't thought about it before I received the samples, I think a good use of Febreze will be to spray inside their shoes.
How have you used it in imaginative ways? If you've never tried it, click here for coupons by snail or email* and here for a ton of P&G products.
Tiny disclaimer: I didn't click through myself to get the email coupon; it "looks" okay, but as always, be careful when giving out personal info.
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Top Ten Reasons to attend Blissdom '08
Doesn't this sound FABULOUS?! I'd love to meet you there, and if you're interested in seeing who else is registered and speaking, click here.
If you ARE going, please be sure to pick up a badge to tell your readers. You're also welcome to link to this post or pick up information if you'd like to write your own.
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