Monthly Archives

December 2017

Food & Drinks

Southern Sweet Potato Pie

December 13, 2017

Sweet potato pie is a Southern tart that will make you hum with every bite. This wonderful pie was developed by African-American slaves but, historically, it appears to go as far back to the early colonial days.

I learned this recipe from my Carolina grandmother, Ma’ma Cockrell. The one thing that I can’t even replicate is her homemade crust. Thank goodness for Pillsbury pie crust, because I would be lost without it.  Without further ado, here is the recipe for this delicious, subtly spiced treat.

Ingredients

1 (1 pound ) Sweet Potato                                           ½ teaspoon Nutmeg

½ cup Butter (softened)                                             ½ teaspoon Cinnamon

1 cup White Sugar                                                        1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract

½ cup Whole Milk                                                       1 (9 inch) unbaked pie crust

2 Eggs

Directions:

  1. Preheat the oven to 350˚
  2. Bake your sweet potato at 350˚ for 20 to 30 minutes until done. Peel the skin off the potato in preparation to mix with all the other ingredients.
  3. Blend your cooked, skinless sweet potato with all the other ingredients.
  4. Prep your baking dish or glass with your uncooked 9 inch pie crust. Pillsbury pie crust is a wonderful crust that has worked for me every time without an issue.
  5. Pour your blended ingredients into the pie shell and place in the oven.
  6. Your pie should cook for about 55 to 60 minutes until the knife comes clean from the center.
  7.  Let it cool for about 5 to 10 minutes to settle; slice and serve.

I look forward to hearing how your sweet potato pie turned out.  Now, get to cooking!

 

Lifestyle

A Mother’s Christmas Wish

December 7, 2017

Christmas is right around the corner. It’s such a wonderful time filled with traditions and family, but not for everyone – every year. See, Christmas and other holidays are hard for many people including myself. My son lives far away and this, along with many other things, have caused a disconnection.

Each year, I try working through the sadness by being a Secret Santa for a family in need, gift buying for my Chihuahuas and something small for my husband. My true wish is to have the one thing that isn’t in the cards right now; my son home for Christmas. I would love to hear his voice and reminisce about all the skateboarding, playing video games and good times that we had with each other.

For now, my wish is peace on earth, peace for others and hopefully, for me, peace within. As the song says, “Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me.”  For this Christmas and for each day after, I wish for peace within your mind, body and spirit but, most importantly, within your heart.

My Christmas Wish For You

My Christmas wish for you, my friend
Is not a simple one
For I wish you hope and joy and peace
Days filled with warmth and sun

 I wish you love and friendship too
Throughout the coming year
Lots of laughter and happiness
To fill your world with cheer

 May you count your blessings, one by one
And when totaled by the lot
May you find all you’ve been given
To be more than what you sought

 May your journeys be short, your burdens light
May your spirit never grow old
May all your clouds have silver linings
And your rainbows pots of gold

 I wish this all and so much more
May all your dreams come true
May you have a Merry Christmas friend
And a happy New Year, too.

-author unknown

 

Merry Christmas!