Thanks For Visiting, Here Is A Treat For You...

Thank you for stopping by and hanging out for a bit during this 2nd Annual Fall Beads-of-Clay Bloggers Open Studio Event. Please leave any comments about how to improve this for next year and we'll see if we can work the suggestions into our layout.

I would like to share with you some of our annual fall traditions…

I have a friend Natalie that has a small farm down the road from us. For the last three years we have gone there to get our pumpkins for Halloween along with some small gourds & pumpkins, corn stalks, mums, and veggies…

Here are some pics of our trip last weekend:

Riley's first glimpse at the pumpkins in the field… Think he likes it?

Riley teething on the pumpkin stem & Chloe wondering if she needs to tell him not to do that.. you know - like all big sisters should...

Hanging out with friends is fun - especially with Lincoln the dog!

The family picture in the pumpkin field...

Chloe pretending to drive the gator. Riley - hold on buddy!

Chloe and Natalie (my favorite picture!)

Watch out Dad… Riley is going to get that old tractor into gear!

Chloe lined up the gourds when we got home… She likes organization too! Notice I used this as my banner???


And now for the Sweet Treat:
A dessert recipe that Dave's Grandmom used to make and now he and Chloe enjoy making it. I help out with beating the egg whites to a peak...

Grandmom Zambino was an amazing Italian Grandmom…
And she always had her eyes out for dessert recipes to try out (a woman after my own heart) so this probably appeared on the back of a box somewhere…

Graham Cracker Pie (makes 4 pies - Hey, we're Italian… gotta feed everyone!)

Pie Crust:

4 cups of crushed graham cracker (comes in a box now)

4 tsp ground cinnamon

3 tsp cornstarch

2 cups butter softened

4 tsp brown sugar (white sugar can be used as well)

Bottom of Pie Filling:

8 tbs corn starch

1 cup white sugar

1 tsp salt

8 cups of scalded milk (do not burn)

12 egg yolks beaten

4 tsp vanilla extract

Top of Pie Filling (meringue):

12 egg whites

1 cup white sugar

Directions:

1. Make pie crust first: mix ingredients in a large bowl, then press into pie plates. Make sure to leave some extra for putting on top of the pie (see picture below - we like a lot of extra for on top ;)

2. Bottom of Pie Filling: Mix thoroughtly the corn starch, sugar and salt.  Slowly add to hot milk stirring contantly until mixture thickens (Best to use a double boiler - or pots rigged up as a double boiler since it will be 4 pies worth).  When you think it is thick enough, blend a little (approx 1/2 c ) of this mixture with the egg yolks.  Mix and put back in pan, stir & cool until eggs get set (about 2 minutes). Add vanilla and pour into cracker crust. Bake 20 minutes at 350 degrees.

3. Meringue (Top of Pie Filling): Make meringue from the egg whites. Beat egg whites (make sure there is no yellow yolk or else it will not beat up.  Beat til stiff and slowly add the sugar. Layer this on top of pie filling already in pan, then sprinkle with extra pie crust crumbles. Then place back in oven for about 5 mins or until you can see it browning around the edges.

…When done promptly call all of your siblings, friends, neighbors or extended family and tell them that you made four three Graham Cracker Pies and whoever gets there first gets to have some…

THANK YOU so very much for stopping by this Beads of Clay Bloggers Open Studio Event and for making such great comments.

Without a community like this to be a part of, something would seem like it was missing in life… (for me I know this to be true - I treasure the friends I've made here online!)

I hope that we continue to have interest in this event and maybe pick up doing it maybe again in the spring and then next fall…

We may also throw around the idea to have a stagnant listing of inlinkz for those members of BOC that can't be here live and another for those of us that can.

Life is crazy, things come up - And don't we all know it!

Please remember to stop by the BOC blog and make your comment on the main blog post for a chance at winning more beads - until midnight tonight…

Also, support the artists by purchasing items from their Etsy shops and by telling your friends and family about Beads-of-Clay…

My 30% off sale is going on until Midnight on Monday, October 25…

MarshaNealStudio.Etsy.com

MarshaNealStudio.com

THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT OF MY WORK!!!
I will be uploading more work to my Etsy shop tonight after the kids go to bed and tomorrow during the day… So check back often!