Croft State Park, Spartanburg, South Carolina
Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe. ~ Hebrews 12:28
O-H! . . . . .
Shopping in Spartanburg today. It started with the realization the other day that laundry needed doing. This Park has no laundry facilities. Neither does the next one, and we’ll be there for ten days. Plus, the closest laundromat there is, is an hour drive. No thank you! So we planned a day in town to get some things done that’ve needed doing – in addition to laundry.
Well now, because we happened to mention our plans for the day at Thanksgiving, we were able to skip the laundry today! Donna graciously offered her machine when it was decided that we would return for one last visit before we head out. Thanks, Donna!
And the trip to town was all for me! Well, except for the grocery store. But I suppose even that is for me, since I live to eat. 😊 I needed a Kohl’s to pick up some jeans that would actually fit, and visited Hobby Lobby to get a few supplies for the Christmas ornaments I’m making this year.
Blaine now has a new appreciation for the amount of time it takes to shop. Not sure I’ll be able to drag him out again any time soon – except for groceries. He was getting really anxious, but hiding it well, because we had a deadline. The Ohio State/Michigan game was starting at noon, and he had no way to record it because we currently have no satellite. He mistakenly thought stopping at two stores with a fairly short list wouldn’t take very long at all. You girls all know better, don’t you. 😊
We arrived at home with all our bags and groceries and Little Caesar’s pizza in hand at 11:58. Whew!!
And for over four hours I listened to, and watched Blaine watch the game. Those of you who get involved with your football teams, or live with someone who does, will understand. 😊
Of course he looks happy!
OSU is winning!
And can someone please explain to me why four fifteen-minute quarters take four times as long to play?
Meanwhile, I made dessert to take to Bruce and Donna’s tomorrow, and started on Christmas ornaments.
My dessert-making wasn’t without problems. First of all, the aluminum pie pan I’ve used for years, had black marks on it from things rubbing it as we bump down the road. Not a big deal. Or so I thought! When I put my homemade pie crust in it, all this black stuff came off on my hands and in the dough! I had to pitch it all, scrub the pan and start again. When I put it away again, it will be encased in a cloth of some kind!
Then, I got the bright idea to make the sauce for Bananas Foster (minus the bananas) to pour over the top if someone wanted it. I forgot that my multi-measure teaspoon broke a while back and hadn’t been replaced. Blaine has a tablespoon one he uses when he makes breakfast, but I don’t currently own anything that measures smaller than a half teaspoon. Fortunately, that’s the size I needed for the rum extract. Well, what should have been easy, wasn’t. His spoon leaks back under the divider and I ended up with more extract that I was supposed to use. It’s pretty strong now! Don’t know if anyone will like it . . . . better have them taste it first. Sigh . . . .
At least my ornaments turned out well! But even that wasn’t without issues, as the string holding it all together broke and I had to start over. Sigh . . . .
Oh the trials and tribulations of retired life!
But the Kentucky Derby Pie will be scrumptious! It always is, and sooooo easy to make! And Ohio State trounced Michigan – 62 to 39! And just as an FYI – the rivalry began all the way back in 1897.
KENTUCKY DERBY PIE
1 C. sugar
½ C. flour
2 eggs, beaten
1 C. walnuts
1C. chocolate chips
1 t. vanilla extract
½ C. melted butter
1 homemade pie crust (ONLY use homemade! See below)
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Mix together the flour and sugar. Add eggs, then butter. Add nuts, chocolate chips and vanilla. Mix thoroughly and pour into unbaked pie shell.
Bake for 35-45 minutes. Test doneness with a toothpick. Pie should be chewy but not runny. Bake longer if necessary.
HINT: This is so easy, and soooooo yummy! Tastes like a gooey chocolate chip cookie.
PIE CRUST:
1 ½ C. flour
1 t. salt (use this)
½ C. oil
2 T. milk
1 ½ T. sugar
In a medium bowl, combine all of the ingredients until the mixture holds together when pressed under your fingers.
BANANA’S FOSTER
¼ C. butter
¾ C. brown sugar
¼ t. cinnamon
1/8 t. nutmeg
Dash of ground cloves
¼ C. heavy whipping cream
3 medium firm bananas, sliced
¼ t. rum extract
Vanilla ice cream
In a large skillet, melt butter. Stir in the brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves. Cook and stir until sugar is dissolved. Stir in the cream. Add extract. Gently stir in bananas. Serve over ice cream.