Key Lime Pie

In honor of Job interview in Florida

SNEAKYKITCHEN There is only one real authentic recipe for Key Lime Pie, a long-time staple in Key West, although there's many yummy variations. "Conchs", as Key West residents are known, have made this pie since long before refrigeration. There were no cows in Key West, so canned milk was the only dairy product available, originally brought in by ship, later by Flagler's train, and finally by highway.

Authentic Key Lime pie uses tiny yellow Key limes, which are bursting with juice, have more acid and a stronger lime flavor than large limes. Most Key lime trees have wicked thorns, but thornless ones are available. We had a thornless one for many years, but the Florida Department of Agriculture's Canker eradication just cut ours down, so we will have to make do with Persian limes from the grocery from now on. As for the pie, here's the real thing, and it's yellow like Key limes, never green. It's a very rich pie and a little goes a long way. Use a Graham Cracker Crust for low calories and fat, or a Stir and Roll Pie Crust. Or use My Cheating Pie Crust. For more information, go to A Complete Guide to Key Lime Pie with video instructions. Variations on the theme of Key Lime Pie follow.

Authentic Key Lime Pie

1 14-ounce can sweetened condensed milk
3 egg yolks
1/2 cup Key Lime Juice
1 9-inch baked pie shell

Whisk the egg yolks into the condensed milk. Add the lime juice little by little, stirring until mixture starts to thicken. Scrape into the pie shell and let it chill and set up.

Some people make meringue with the remaining whites and dress the top of the pie. Some people prefer it with whipped cream or whipped topping, definitely a later invention.

Be aware that non-pasteurized eggs, served raw as is the case with this pie, could carry dangerous salmonella germs.

Fairy Godmother for Prom

Twin Cities non-profit plays fairy godmother

by Marianne Combs, Minnesota Public Radio

May 4, 2007

Listen to feature audio

Saturday night is prom night for Richfield Senior High School students. Among the young women attending the party will be several who wear dresses they got for free. A local charity is working to take the financial stress out of a teenage rite of passage.

Ever After Gowns is a Minnesota based 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation dedicated to supporting Twin Cities-area young women by providing them with new and gently used formal gowns, shoes, and accessories to be worn to their high school prom. Our clients receive all the attire and accessories
free of charge.

New Year's Eve

Faded ribbons hold tight to brittle wreaths.

The wind whips bitter cold emptiness

throughout the vast spray of headstones.

Stark granite catches the last glow of light

as day slips into night.

A dusting of snow refuses to settle down amongst the markers,

Skittering lightly across the frozen surface.

It spins a torrent twist toward the blackened sky

before battering into the polished rock

and dropping.

Shadows deepen,

Night darkens to black.

Names blur upon the rigid stone.

Frozen in time.

Forgotten by life.

City lights glisten through snow draped pines.

Laughter floats in upon the brisk ice wind.

The old year fades to new,

Time leaps forward everywhere

but here.

Old and New

My computer is back online. The past few days have been filled with many thoughts I have wanted to write down in this blog with no means to do so. Now, while I sort through the murky haze, I will leave this post. I am sure it will change as my thoughts clear and my fingers once again become accustomed to the keyboard. Meanwhile, I hope you are enjoying the Holiday season. Christmas Eve is just ten days away.

Just breathe by Mary

I know I mentioned a while back that I would return after the 21st of November. Currently I am buried knee deep in wrapping paper, Christmas ornaments and chaos. This, however, is not the reason for my delayed return. Somehow in a few weeks my world has made 180 degree turn, and I am still trying to regain my balance. (Dizzy humor for those aware I am in physical therapy to keep from falling over. All of you, now!)

The past couple of years it has felt like we were living in amongst gigantic domino tiles crashing around us, and they continue to do so. Though I am not quite ready to share our latest set back with the world, I will say the family is still doing well. In the mean time, I will take my advice from the Dove chocolate wrapper and 'Just breathe'.

I plaque sits beside my desk:
Hope ~~ sometimes all we have.

Hope Floats

Beginnings are scary, endings are usually sad,
but it's the middle that counts the most.
Try to remember that when you find
yourself at a new beginning.
Just give hope a chance to float up.

And it will, too...

Rewind~~First Day of School~~2010

This is always my least favorite day of the year. The kids go back to school and all the crazy schedules start up again. The only other day of the year, that even comes close to this day, is the day after Christmas vacation, because then you have the death of the holiday in addition to the end of vacation. I have a small list of songs on Itunes guaranteed to increase my already down mood.

The Circle Game by Joni Mitchell

Bridge Over Troubled Water by Simon and Garfunkel

A Little Green by Joni Mitchell

Fire and Rain by James Taylor

Slipping Through My Fingers on the Mamma Mia Soundtrack