Mon.-Freeman and Alli lost power early this morning. He came over and had some breakfast and coffee. Later, she came over and helped me make lunch. She completed a knit hat while we watched two movies with Susan and Lucy. It was a cold, rainy, icy day. Naomi called this morning and told me that her two oldest-twins, want to drive her and I to Nantucket next October. Naomi said, "It's time we were doing those things on our Bucket List."
Tues.-Today's highlight-spent afternoon and eve. with Janelle and Micah. Picked them up and went to Miller's and Walmart to do some grocery shopping. Micah spent his hard earned 'minimum wage job' money on gifts for the cousins he stays with during the day. Then to Judy's to drop off something and to the P.O. and then to the theatre to watch "Frozen" and eat two big containers of buttered popcorn between us. Micah brought his stuffed animals along to watch the movie with us. Then we dropped him off at karate and Janelle and I went to Hong Kong to eat some Chicken Cashew for old times sake but it tasted nothing like the chicken cashew in Thailand that we would buy for 35 cents from street vendors. We talked about work and investments, etc. Enjoyable. Then we picked him up and headed for home. Susan didn't get home until after midnight. Basketball game in Richmond. She helped keep the stats for the guys. Philip went to Chi Alpha and shared his hot pepper venison bologna. Phil had a board meeting and got home in good time. I am enjoying Miss Marple Mysteries loaned to me by my neighbor, Jeanne. The other day, I picked up another book she loaned me-'Everyday Divine' by Mary DeTurris Poust, and as I read a few pages, I came across several paragraphs written about Jeanne, who was sharing how she keeps her focus on Christ by singing hymns during the mundane projects of life, such as washing the floor. It was exhilarating to read about her in the book she had loaned me. I don't think she had told me that she was in it.
Wed.-Did a lot today. Washed, helped Susan make vegetable bean soup, made applesauce, wrote some Christmas cards, wrapped some gifts, walked at O'Briens and got fresh greens, vacuumed and washed the floors. It was a sunny day and the dogs were outside and I could walk around without banging into Davi. She wants to be right in front of me. Michael studied down at the river by a fire for quite some time. Philip and Susan went off to youth early to play some basketball. I'm popping a turkey in the dutch oven to cook all night. Philip and Tommy were working on the garage all day. They both had their shirts off. It really wasn't that warm but they were working up a sweat.
Thurs.-Went out to Cornerstone Christian Academy today and watched Lessons and Carols for the first time free of responsibility. Susan and I enjoyed talking with the teachers and students. Later in the afternoon, I went out to see Mac at Great Escapes. He took 1 1/2 inches off my hair. He said, "It's all about your silhouette." Susan had basketball practice at Worsham and I spent that time with Judy and Josh had me taste his chili and we added a secret ingredient. I ate too much. Yum.
Fri.-Phil and I went to Peter and Ivona's for a party around 1 today. He had bought a pig earlier in the week from Philip and borrowed our roaster. It was delicious. They served it with sauerkraut and a doughy potato type side dish with caramelized onions on top. So incredible. I made my new favorite dessert-French silk pie. Met some new folks from Jamersons and CLLewis. Nice down to earth people. In the eve. Phil and I went to see the musical at church again. Sat in the balcony behind Dave and Shirley and some friends of theirs. Pastor Frank and Lisa were there and it was really good to see them. Susan had basketball practice and stayed and talked with Jenny L. for awhile. She came home and cleaned her room and did wash. Michael went to see Sarah and Philip was hunting, I think.
Sat.-Phil and Susan left early in the morning to go hunting in Suffolk. Jordan was here overnight and was planning to help Michael cut firewood. After a great breakfast made by Michael they got started but were frozen out with pinging rain. Rained most of the day. Philip went hunting but the woods were quiet. I had the house to myself and did laundry, vacuumed, washed floors, washed Lucy's pen-still smells like skunk-, made chili, vegetable soup, watched half of the first Hunger Games with Philip, and went to two parties with Phil after he got back with Susan. First party was the annual Guild/Jones party at the Guilds. It was nice to visit with Jeff and Chris and the McGregor's and others. We came back to the Grunerts for their annual party. Ate some more there and sat around the table and talked. Wonderful time with wonderful friends, family, and neighbors. Janelle and Micah, Tom and Helen and Abby and Serena were there. I think Michelle and Karl were there earlier and then they went to the musical. Peter and Ivona and Karen and George and Eny were there as well. They have the same friends over every year and we've gotten to know each other through the years. Shadow-John and Jeanne's rescued German Shepherd, endeared himself to us by the way he endured the wearing of the red hat. We helped Jeanne clean up and we sang Christmas carols in her kitchen while we washed dishes and put away food. Definitely a favorite Christmas moment.
Sun.-Another Christmas moment took place this morning when I confessed to Linda, a greeter, that every year, I pick up baby Jesus from a manger scene and hold him. This year, baby Jesus came from Jordan, and is about 2 inches long. I told her I thought we should celebrate Christmas by passing around a real live baby and consider how God Almighty came to earth as a baby, totally at the mercy of those he came to save. I was sobbing while saying this and she hugged me and began to sing beautifully, " I want to sit at your feet, drink from the cup in your hand, lean back against you and breathe, feel your heart beat..." The presence of God surrounded us as it always does whenever I am with her and it was sweet and I could hardly leave to go inside. But He was in the sanctuary too and we worshipped and learned about hope. Having hope while we wait on the promises of God. And my friend, whose sister in law only has 2 weeks left on this earth, had said before the service, that she feels she is to be Hope to the people in that situation. Then the songs were about Hope and the Word was about Hope and I sure need Hope. What a gift Hope is. Hope has so much to do with the words we hear and say. Sometimes, our presence can give Hope, but often, it is our words. I would faint if I didn't have the hope that I would see the goodness of God in the land I now live in.
Phil left church to go to NC to see his cousin Dennis. Susan and Philip went to see The Hobbit. Michael spent some time down at the river and with Sarah and then planned to go to a later showing of The Hobbit. I made some popcorn and tea and read some Agathe Christi and plan to write up some of 'The Courtship of Truman and Virginia Hertzler.'
Wednesday, December 11, 2013
Tuesday, December 3, 2013
French Silk Pie and how I make it.
This Thanksgiving, I made three desserts. It was during the consumption of these desserts that I realized that I had gotten all of the recipes from my mother. I looked into her green index card box earlier in the week and pulled out several recipes. One was a newspaper clipping-probably from the Lanc. Farming-for French Silk Pie. She had glued it onto an index card. I don't know if she ever made it but my family knows who to thank for this velvety luxury.
This is the original recipe and then I will follow it with my own tweaking advice.
French Silk Pie
1/2 cup butter
3/4 cup sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
2 eggs, unbeaten
1 square unsweetened chocolate, melted
1/2 pint whipping cream
1 baked 8-inch pie shell
Cream butter and sugar. Add melted chocolate and vanilla.
Add eggs one at a time and beat 5 min. after each egg.
Pour into cooled pie shell and chill at least 3 hours. (I couldn't wait that long.)
Top with whipped cream and garnish with chopped nuts.
Recipe credits to Mrs. M.H.Hand~
Make sure the butter has been out and is softened before you try to cream it.
I cracked the eggs into a mug and added one at a time from there.
I doubled the recipe the first time and tripled it the second and it works fine.
I did not beat each egg addition exactly 5 min. because I had so many eggs it would have taken from 20-30 min. to beat them and my machine was getting hot.
Melt the chocolate in a metal bowl over hot water on the stove.
Never get water in chocolate.
I am quite sure that I doubled the chocolate which means I quadrupled it the first time
and sextupled it the second time.
Wow. I can't believe that none of those words came up on spell check.
I kept scraping the sides of the bowl with a spatula
and with my finger, if the truth must be told.
I baked a bought frozen crust the first time.
After it was baked and cooled,
I piled in the chocolatey goodness.
I forgot to chill it for 3 hours and it would have worked better if I had
but I made so much whipped cream it didn't really matter
and it sat nicely on top of the chocolate
and then they chilled out together.
Eat and make happy noises.
The second time I made it, which was today,
I made a different crust.
I adapted it from the dessert-BTS cake.
Take 1 1/4 cups flour
Take 1 1/4 stick butter-softened
Take 1 1/4 cups of chopped pecans or walnuts-(I mixed walnuts, pecans, and slivered almonds)
Mix or cut together and press in bottom of a 13x9 inch pan.
Bake at 350 for 20 min.
Cool.
Add chocolate.
Cool.
To make whipped cream,
take a cup to a pint of cold whipping cream and place in a cold mixing bowl and beat at medium speed until it thickens a little. Add several tablespoons of 10x sugar while it is mixing. Increase speed and whip until it is cool whip consistency. If you walk away and do something else, you will have sweetened butter before you know it. So pay attention. ;)
Spread whipped cream on top of chocolate and chill
unless you are in a hurry like I was and need to taste test it right away.
You could sprinkle chopped nuts on top if you want to or peel some chocolate off a bar and have some curly cues. But it really isn't necessary.
Have fun!
This is the original recipe and then I will follow it with my own tweaking advice.
French Silk Pie
1/2 cup butter
3/4 cup sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
2 eggs, unbeaten
1 square unsweetened chocolate, melted
1/2 pint whipping cream
1 baked 8-inch pie shell
Cream butter and sugar. Add melted chocolate and vanilla.
Add eggs one at a time and beat 5 min. after each egg.
Pour into cooled pie shell and chill at least 3 hours. (I couldn't wait that long.)
Top with whipped cream and garnish with chopped nuts.
Recipe credits to Mrs. M.H.Hand~
Make sure the butter has been out and is softened before you try to cream it.
I cracked the eggs into a mug and added one at a time from there.
I doubled the recipe the first time and tripled it the second and it works fine.
I did not beat each egg addition exactly 5 min. because I had so many eggs it would have taken from 20-30 min. to beat them and my machine was getting hot.
Melt the chocolate in a metal bowl over hot water on the stove.
Never get water in chocolate.
I am quite sure that I doubled the chocolate which means I quadrupled it the first time
and sextupled it the second time.
Wow. I can't believe that none of those words came up on spell check.
I kept scraping the sides of the bowl with a spatula
and with my finger, if the truth must be told.
I baked a bought frozen crust the first time.
After it was baked and cooled,
I piled in the chocolatey goodness.
I forgot to chill it for 3 hours and it would have worked better if I had
but I made so much whipped cream it didn't really matter
and it sat nicely on top of the chocolate
and then they chilled out together.
Eat and make happy noises.
The second time I made it, which was today,
I made a different crust.
I adapted it from the dessert-BTS cake.
Take 1 1/4 cups flour
Take 1 1/4 stick butter-softened
Take 1 1/4 cups of chopped pecans or walnuts-(I mixed walnuts, pecans, and slivered almonds)
Mix or cut together and press in bottom of a 13x9 inch pan.
Bake at 350 for 20 min.
Cool.
Add chocolate.
Cool.
To make whipped cream,
take a cup to a pint of cold whipping cream and place in a cold mixing bowl and beat at medium speed until it thickens a little. Add several tablespoons of 10x sugar while it is mixing. Increase speed and whip until it is cool whip consistency. If you walk away and do something else, you will have sweetened butter before you know it. So pay attention. ;)
Spread whipped cream on top of chocolate and chill
unless you are in a hurry like I was and need to taste test it right away.
You could sprinkle chopped nuts on top if you want to or peel some chocolate off a bar and have some curly cues. But it really isn't necessary.
Have fun!
Monday, December 2, 2013
Hertzler Doings~Dec. 2-8, 2013
Mon.-Went over to O'Brien's to get some greens and decorated the table with greens, holly, and candles. Went to town to meet Catherine and Jenny at Merk's to discuss Gram's and More. Went to Walmart. Came home. Spent the eve. with Phil. Philip is still hunting in Pa. Michael was back at school and Susan is at a basketball game in Richmond. They won.
Tues.-Caught up with wash, Dr. F., some orders, housework. Made some French Silk Pies for tomorrow night and for our own eating pleasure. Typed minutes for Grams and More. Didn't sleep much last night so will hit the sack early. Susan's at basketball practice at the Warren's since the church gym is occupied with musical activity. Philip is on his way home from Pa. Didn't get a buck. Michael is studying late. I passed my insurance bloodwork, etc. Now I need to stop celebrating that and Thanksgiving.
Wed.-A day of cooking, processing anxious thoughts, meeting with godly women.
Thurs.-Day in Richmond. Dentist. Krogers. Whole Food. Trader Joes. Kindness everywhere. Whole Foods forgot to charge me for ice and the manager said, "You need ice? I'll get you ice whether she charged you or not." And he packed up a bag of ice for my cooler and gave it to me with a smile. At Trader Joe's, a worker came up to me and asked, "Are you okay, today, ma'am?" I hadn't slept the night before. I thanked him for asking. At the check-out, the young man clerk asked me how my week was. I was too tired to lie. "It was a rough week, actually." "Oh, I'm sorry," he said. "How was your week?" I asked back. "I had a rough week, too," he said, "but we are all safe now." "I'm sorry. I hope you have better days ahead." "Thank you so much," he said. "I appreciate that." On the way home, I talked with several people. I had a two hour drive and was fighting sleep. Judy talked with me until company stopped by her house. Catherine kept me awake on the final leg of the journey. Found out today that I had believed the worst about a situation and that that anxiety had cost me a night of sleep, and it was unfounded and unnecessary. It was worry. I had fought it all night and in the morning, I fell asleep, and when I woke up, I was singing Sunday's worship song, "Bless the Lord oh my soul...oh my soul...Bless His holy name..." Some day, I will learn to praise Him better. Until then, I will wrestle, and worry, and pray, and wake up with a song.
Fri.-So what I worried about wasn't nearly as bad as I thought it was. And again, I wish I had trusted Him more. This week was so hard for so many people. A young man was shot, another electrocuted, another had a tree fall on him and has neck and other injuries. A young mother to be lost her baby in her womb and delivered it full term a few days later. Another friend is facing the holidays without her son for the first time. Life is really hard. We are either in a crisis, headed out of one, or headed into one. We must find our peace in God who is with us in our circumstances of unpeace. He holds all things together, including us.
Today was so busy. Grand Central Station. Beautifully warm. Mid afternoon, Susan and I were sitting outside talking on my mother's wicker chairs. The little tufted titmouse birds don't mind eating from the feeder just a few feet away. Susan took lots of pictures. Suddenly there was a gust of wind and the temperature dropped a good ten degrees. Alli and Freeman lost electricity about the same time. They came over later to use the facilities to get ready for the musical. Susan went to basketball practice. Phil and I picked up Peter and Ivona. Michael and Philip drove together and we all went to New Life to see the new Christmas musical. Julie joined us there. Can I say that I'm just so proud of my son. We had no idea he had such a major role. Alli played his pregnant wife-owner or manager of a café. Freeman was Officer Klondike-an egotistical police officer with a soft heart. He sang several songs and spoke in a voice I never heard before. He said that voice never came up until he got this part. His facial expressions were in keeping with his character the whole way through. It was a story about forgiveness in keeping with The Prodigal Son. Excellent. I want to see it again. Funny. Serious. Entertaining. And Freeman and Alli were amazing. Came home and Susan brought Lucy into the house before she realized that she had been sprayed by a skunk. I hope our clothes don't smell like it.
Sat.-I left Lucy out of her cage on the front porch and later, put her in her pen. Came back into the house and it smells like skunk. Do I open the windows to let the skunk smell out or will the skunk smell come back inside? Phil went to Lowes to pick up some things for Freeman's house. Philip went hunting. I woke up early and read. Lots to do before the storm hits us. Browned some ground beef and added salsa and beans for tortillas. Also made apple crisp with blueberries and cherries added. Made gluten free pancakes for supper. Added bananas and mini chocolate chips in some of them. Michael studied down at the river and hunted squirrels. Philip went hunting and then went out in the eve. to a party at Sammy Yoder's where lots of youth were gathering. Phil did paperwork. I cleaned the house and took a nap and Susan took a nap also. She and I both took a nap. Dianna called earlier in the day to ask a chili question. She broke her little toe. Poor thing. That hurts and it hurts to wear shoes. But she'll keep going. Susan and I watched some movies tonight. Just a hint. If they put ten movies on a DVD and charge you 5 bucks for them, there may be a reason. We fast forwarded the really awful parts and critiqued the acting and lack of realism in the movies. Oh well. Freeman stopped by to pick up his toothbrush after the musical. I hope he had an extra one at home. Michael went to be with Sarah for the evening. It's supposed to start with some icy weather around 3 tomorrow morning. I doubt if we'll have church. I hope it's obvious and not wishy washy weather.
Sun.-Woke up to freezing rain. Church cancelled. I made potato latkes and apple fritters for breakfast. We had home church. Sang Christmas songs and Michael preached on evangelism. Susan shared a testimony of a friend's miraculous healing and I shared a devotional. We sat around and sang some more. Michael studied and Susan and I watched Monk and made popcorn, fudge, and milk shakes. The guys watched with us off and on. Lucy still smells like skunk but we had to let her out once and awhile. It was a lazy cozy day.
Tues.-Caught up with wash, Dr. F., some orders, housework. Made some French Silk Pies for tomorrow night and for our own eating pleasure. Typed minutes for Grams and More. Didn't sleep much last night so will hit the sack early. Susan's at basketball practice at the Warren's since the church gym is occupied with musical activity. Philip is on his way home from Pa. Didn't get a buck. Michael is studying late. I passed my insurance bloodwork, etc. Now I need to stop celebrating that and Thanksgiving.
Wed.-A day of cooking, processing anxious thoughts, meeting with godly women.
Thurs.-Day in Richmond. Dentist. Krogers. Whole Food. Trader Joes. Kindness everywhere. Whole Foods forgot to charge me for ice and the manager said, "You need ice? I'll get you ice whether she charged you or not." And he packed up a bag of ice for my cooler and gave it to me with a smile. At Trader Joe's, a worker came up to me and asked, "Are you okay, today, ma'am?" I hadn't slept the night before. I thanked him for asking. At the check-out, the young man clerk asked me how my week was. I was too tired to lie. "It was a rough week, actually." "Oh, I'm sorry," he said. "How was your week?" I asked back. "I had a rough week, too," he said, "but we are all safe now." "I'm sorry. I hope you have better days ahead." "Thank you so much," he said. "I appreciate that." On the way home, I talked with several people. I had a two hour drive and was fighting sleep. Judy talked with me until company stopped by her house. Catherine kept me awake on the final leg of the journey. Found out today that I had believed the worst about a situation and that that anxiety had cost me a night of sleep, and it was unfounded and unnecessary. It was worry. I had fought it all night and in the morning, I fell asleep, and when I woke up, I was singing Sunday's worship song, "Bless the Lord oh my soul...oh my soul...Bless His holy name..." Some day, I will learn to praise Him better. Until then, I will wrestle, and worry, and pray, and wake up with a song.
Fri.-So what I worried about wasn't nearly as bad as I thought it was. And again, I wish I had trusted Him more. This week was so hard for so many people. A young man was shot, another electrocuted, another had a tree fall on him and has neck and other injuries. A young mother to be lost her baby in her womb and delivered it full term a few days later. Another friend is facing the holidays without her son for the first time. Life is really hard. We are either in a crisis, headed out of one, or headed into one. We must find our peace in God who is with us in our circumstances of unpeace. He holds all things together, including us.
Today was so busy. Grand Central Station. Beautifully warm. Mid afternoon, Susan and I were sitting outside talking on my mother's wicker chairs. The little tufted titmouse birds don't mind eating from the feeder just a few feet away. Susan took lots of pictures. Suddenly there was a gust of wind and the temperature dropped a good ten degrees. Alli and Freeman lost electricity about the same time. They came over later to use the facilities to get ready for the musical. Susan went to basketball practice. Phil and I picked up Peter and Ivona. Michael and Philip drove together and we all went to New Life to see the new Christmas musical. Julie joined us there. Can I say that I'm just so proud of my son. We had no idea he had such a major role. Alli played his pregnant wife-owner or manager of a café. Freeman was Officer Klondike-an egotistical police officer with a soft heart. He sang several songs and spoke in a voice I never heard before. He said that voice never came up until he got this part. His facial expressions were in keeping with his character the whole way through. It was a story about forgiveness in keeping with The Prodigal Son. Excellent. I want to see it again. Funny. Serious. Entertaining. And Freeman and Alli were amazing. Came home and Susan brought Lucy into the house before she realized that she had been sprayed by a skunk. I hope our clothes don't smell like it.
Sat.-I left Lucy out of her cage on the front porch and later, put her in her pen. Came back into the house and it smells like skunk. Do I open the windows to let the skunk smell out or will the skunk smell come back inside? Phil went to Lowes to pick up some things for Freeman's house. Philip went hunting. I woke up early and read. Lots to do before the storm hits us. Browned some ground beef and added salsa and beans for tortillas. Also made apple crisp with blueberries and cherries added. Made gluten free pancakes for supper. Added bananas and mini chocolate chips in some of them. Michael studied down at the river and hunted squirrels. Philip went hunting and then went out in the eve. to a party at Sammy Yoder's where lots of youth were gathering. Phil did paperwork. I cleaned the house and took a nap and Susan took a nap also. She and I both took a nap. Dianna called earlier in the day to ask a chili question. She broke her little toe. Poor thing. That hurts and it hurts to wear shoes. But she'll keep going. Susan and I watched some movies tonight. Just a hint. If they put ten movies on a DVD and charge you 5 bucks for them, there may be a reason. We fast forwarded the really awful parts and critiqued the acting and lack of realism in the movies. Oh well. Freeman stopped by to pick up his toothbrush after the musical. I hope he had an extra one at home. Michael went to be with Sarah for the evening. It's supposed to start with some icy weather around 3 tomorrow morning. I doubt if we'll have church. I hope it's obvious and not wishy washy weather.
Sun.-Woke up to freezing rain. Church cancelled. I made potato latkes and apple fritters for breakfast. We had home church. Sang Christmas songs and Michael preached on evangelism. Susan shared a testimony of a friend's miraculous healing and I shared a devotional. We sat around and sang some more. Michael studied and Susan and I watched Monk and made popcorn, fudge, and milk shakes. The guys watched with us off and on. Lucy still smells like skunk but we had to let her out once and awhile. It was a lazy cozy day.
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