A plus in being an Empty Nester these days is catching up on reading and having my teatime! I've learned through the years that I need to take time for myself, otherwise I'm no good to my family. In my travels to the UK and India, I'm reminded that our culture here in America, we don't take time for Tea Time. Why is that anyway? Who told us that we have to work so much ? That's not really living ! To be so rushed in our day and checking that list of to do things off !
My latest read, I'm sure you've seen all the promos on The Help? It's such a warm, loving, funny but inspirational movie. You go through all of your emotions: laugh, cry, anger, frustration at what our world was and still is unfortunately. It's on the verge of a chick flick but my hubby said it was a good one. Frankly, I think he was thinking... Oh great she's dragging me to see another chick flick! See what he has to say about The Help. Guess that's the perils of being a man Empty Nester!
Well, this movie is very insightful for all of us to look inside ourselves and to think before we talk, kind of the old saying, if you don't have anything nice to say you shouldn't say it rule. And that all people are valued. My hubby is now going around the house quoting Aibileen as she nurtures a child , “You is kind. You is smart. You is important.” We all need that as a reminder these days. Sadly in this movie, some of the women are not what I call Mothers. They are the kind of mothers by name only, just because you have given birth doesn't make you a Mother ! A Mom is there for you no matter what, through thick and thin, Good times and the bad times. She's your first friend, cheerleader, counselor all wrapped up in one precious speciman of a human being that God gave you. No one should be without a Mom ! I'm thankful I have a Mom like that ! Thanks Mom !
Remember the book All I Really Need To Know I Learned In Kindergarten ? It explains how the world would be improved if adults adhered to the same basic rules as children, i.e. sharing, being kind to one another, cleaning up after themselves, and living "a balanced life" of work, play, and learning. It just URK'S me when I see parents not doing their job or when abuse situations happen to children or anyone! Everyone needs an Aibileen in their life.
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| The Help Tea Blog |
So as I am having my Tea Time, I'm thinking I must get The Help Tea by one of my favorite tea sources. In The Help, Minny, Aibileen's best friend, can cook like nobody's business. The tea is inspired by her famous caramel cakes, this blend of traditional black tea has the flavor of homemade caramel. Refreshing served over a tall glass of ice or hot with or without a splash of milk.Yum! Click link under The Help Tea Blog pic for to order and read more...
This movie inspired me to dig out one of my oldies but goodies of a Chocolate Pie! Ba Ha ha ha ! If you've seen the movie or read the book, you know what I'm talking about! But I is kind. We all are smart. All is important. Especially my hubby! So, I'm surprising him with Chocolate Pie. I was thinking ...
" WE INTERRUPT AT THIS TIME DUE TO A POWER OUTAGE IN OUR AREA " !
As I'm writing this post our electricity just went out for some weird reason ... a lil' sympathetic pains for our friends who are battling Irene on the East coast. I bet your wondering how I'm blogging with the electricity out huh? Well, Again thankful to my iPhone & for Blogger that I can do writing via cell .
"Now we bring you back to your local station for the continuing story". Our power has been restored! Amazing how we are so dependent on our electricity these days... praying for our East Coasters that are still having power outages and residuals of Irene during this time.
Since The Help inspired me to make a Chocolate Pie, I decided to pull out my Grandma Lucky's Chocolate Pie recipe.
But as you can see the recipe doesn't have any instructions.
So pulling out my Great Aunt Peggy's Betty Crocker 1950 First Edition (Second printing) to see what Cream Pie instructions.
I thought this was humorous...
Being in The Help era cooking mode, I pulled out my Grandma Lucky's Graham Cracker Crust recipe.
Oh, this takes me back to her 1950's decor kitchen ! The smell of the Graham crackers ,mixed with the heavenly butter and sugar... Oh, I just want to bottled it up , for when I needed that comforting hug, that she always had for me as soon as I came into her doorway. Of course, She'd roll out the red carpet for me, which surrounded me by the entrancing bouquet of her baking or cooking. We need an APP for that!
I've tried many recipes, this is still the best & don't bother buying the pre-made. It's so worth the awesome buttery graham cracker aroma that lingers to make your heart sing "Oh, Grandma ! Thank You!"
When making this, I saw Grandma Lucky's note: rolled fine. Wait a minute! I have a Food Processor !
If you follow me on Twitter, You'll see, my Tweet "I wish I invented the Food Processor! It's my friend today!"
Oh, how I wish they had smellavision for you right now !
Love my Food Processor!
Surprised my hubby with this!
Chocolaty goodness, next time thicker Graham Cracker Crust is a MUST !
It's just one of those lil Help moments we all need.
ENJOY !
Pin ItHere's The Recipes! Enjoy ! We sure did!
Grandma Lucky's Graham Cracker Pie Crust Recipe
15 Graham Crackers (rolled fine or do like I did, used my Food Processor crumbling them & for mixing all up!)
1/2 cups Sugar1/2 cups Melted Butter4 Tablespoons Flour
Combine and press into pie pan or use ramekins like I did for individual servings.
Grandma Lucky's Chocolate Pie Recipe
Velvety smooth filling, Flavor Perfect ( quoted from Betty Crocker Cookbook pg.318)
2 cups Milk
1/3 cup Flour
1/8 teaspoon Salt
3 Egg Yolks
1 Tablespoon Butter
1 teaspoon Vanilla
3 Tablespoons or 2 Squares of Chocolate
Mix in saucepan sugar, salt, and flour. Stir in gradually...Milk, cook over moderate heat, stirring constantly, until mixture thickens and boils. Boil 1 minute. Remove from heat. Stir a little of the mixture into egg yolks, slightly beaten. Then blend into hot mixture in saucepan. Boil 1 minute more stirring constantly. Remove from heat. Blend in butter and vanilla. Cool...stirring occasionally. Pour into Graham Cracker Pie Crust. Chill thoroughly (2 hr.). If desired, top with sweetened whipped cream. Or sprinkle with shaved nuts, toasted coconut, fresh berries, or do like I did, I used Mini Chocolate Chips and leftover Graham Cracker Crumbs. Take chilled pie out of refrigerator 20 minutes, before serving.
Sharon McAndrews Burkey
As a child I absolutely adored my Aunt Betty's Chocolate Pie...but after reading The Help I don't know that I could ever take another bite without laughing!!
ReplyDeleteAlida, thanks for commenting ;) l too , will never look at a Chocolate Pie the same without smiling (but inside laughing) too! Enjoy many Chocolate Pies! Ba ha ha ha!
ReplyDelete