Grateful Prayer | Thankful Heart

Grandmom Elsie’s Graham Cracker Pie

By Lorraine

Foods from childhood can evoke wonderful memories not just because we love the taste but also because it is associated with special people or events.  Do you have a favorite dessert from your childhood?

My husband remembers his grandmom Elsie making Graham Cracker Pie for nearly every backyard cookout.  It is really a humble pie of creamy vanilla pudding poured into a pre-baked graham cracker crust.  Often times the pie is topped with meringue so the unused egg whites aren’t wasted. Grandmon preferred lightly sweetened whipped cream sprinkled with additional graham cracker crumbs.
Elsie Rebekah 
I imagine Grandmom Elsie baked lots of pies in her day as she and her husband raised eight children.
John (on right with baby on his shoulders), his brother on left with Grandmom Elsie and Grandpop.
Here she is holding my twin babies (her great-grandchildren) as she told me of her own twin sons born many years prior.
Grandmom Elsie’s
Graham Cracker Pie
GRAHAM CRACKER CRUST
1 1/2 cup graham cracker crumbs 
1/4 cup sugar 
1/3 cup butter, melted
In a bowl, mix crumbs, sugar and butter together.  If desired, reserve 2 to 3 tablespoons crumb mixture for topping. Using the back of a fork or the bottom of a measuring cup, press remaining mixture firmly and evenly against the bottom and side of pie pan. Bake at 350° for 10 minutes. Cool

VANILLA CREAM FILLING 
2/3 cup sugar 
1/4 cup cornstarch 
1/2 teaspoon salt 
3 cups milk 
4 egg yolks, slightly beaten 
2 tablespoons butter, softened 
1 tablespoon +1 teaspoon vanilla
whipped cream for topping finished pie
Stir together, sugar, cornstarch and salt in sauce pan. Blend milk and egg yolks; gradually stir into sugar mixture. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture thickens and boils.  Boil and stir one minute. Remove from heat; blend in butter and vanilla. Immediately pour into baked pie shell; press plastic wrap on to filling. Chill pie thoroughly, at least two hours.
When pie is completely cool, top with whipped cream. Sprinkle with remaining graham cracker crumbs. Refrigerate any unused portion.

when brother is sick

By Lorraine

baby Jet has been sick for a bit unable to shake a fever, croupy, bronchial virus illness that sent him to the hospital for a couple of days.  He is home now with meds and should start to feel better soon.
 
Four of his siblings came to my house so Jets mom and dad could take care of him.
I should be running around, cleaning up and getting ready for our three up-state New York grandchildren coming down on Friday to spend the week. Instead, I am sharing some glimpses and moments of our time together…
 
Sick little brother
hospital stay
siblings at Mom-Moms
ready for play
 
trip to the playground
slip down the slide
twirling and dancing
places to hide
 
snooze with the pup
splash in the sink  
swishing those bubbles
drawing with pink
 
buckled in car seats
noodles to eat
bedtime stories
Incredibly sweet
 
library visit
more books to read
pieces in puzzles
tummies to feed
 
climb in the playhouse
French fries to munch
peeking from high spots
all during lunch
 
toys scattered about
sink full of mess
washer still running
house in distress
 
tickles and smooches
diapers to change
fingers need wiping
smells that are strange
 
snuggles at bedtime
piggies and toes
bath time all finished
soon they will doze
 
sleeping so sweetly
my eyes behold
blessings from heaven
 
worth more than gold
copyright 2014 by Lorraine @With a Grateful Prayer and a Thankful Heart
 
 

Racing to Catch Up! ( or should I say, hobbling)

By Lorraine

Have you ever fallen a little behind…

                           then further
                                           and further
                                                          and further behind…

That’s what has happened here on my blog.
 
So many activities and happenings there is barely time to think sometimes.  I tried to keep snapping pics as days went by but had little time to even take a look at them. This is some of the highlights of our past couple months.
 
If you aren’t a family member you will be terribly bored and may just want to come back another day when I share a short and sweet recipe.
 
But for the brave…

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Homemade Fruit Roll-Ups (Dehydrator + Oven Method)

By Lorraine

Make homemade fruit roll-ups with just fruit, lemon juice, & honey. Use a dehydrator or low oven for these chewy, naturally sweet treats.

Homemade Fruit Roll-Ups

Sweet, chewy, and naturally flavored, these homemade strawberry fruit roll-ups are a fun and simple way to make a wholesome snack right in your own kitchen. While a dehydrator is the traditional tool for perfectly dried fruit leather, you can also use your oven on its lowest setting for a similar result. With just blended fruit and a bit of honey, this recipe is free from preservatives and full of flavor, a delicious treat for both kids and grown-ups.Continue Reading

Jethro’s Turn…

By Lorraine

…to have his photo taken in PopPop’s christening outfit

I have photos of all but two grandchildren in this vintage romper as well as our youngest daughter, Abbey who is now 22 years old.  Somehow, I missed grandchildren, Keri and Noah and never thought of it when our older girls were babies. That makes me a little sad since it has now become a tradition.

 

Infant Crochet Leg Warmers & Baby Beanie

By Lorraine

 
Crochet pattern infant baby boy leg warmers with matching beanie hat. Baby blanket with matching crochet edging.
Our daughter is expecting a baby boy the end of this month and she asked me to make a pair of crochet leg warmers for him to wear home from the hospital. I gave some thought to the length of a infant newborn leg, the diameter of the thigh and ankle and came up with a tiny, cuffed pair to keep those little legs warm. Of course, there needs to be a matching beanie for his little noggin and a super soft blanket to swaddle him in.

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Pigs in a Blanket

By Lorraine

An ever popular and easy appetizer, Pigs in a Blanket is a great after school snack especially for high school boys!
No one really needs a recipe for pigs in a blanket.  A tube of crescent rolls and either hot-dogs or cocktail sausages, a few minutes in the oven and you have a tasty snack or appetizer.  Serve with some plain or fancy mustard for dipping and you’re set! Sprinkle with poppy or sesame seeds before baking, if desired.Continue Reading

when you take a boy fishing…

By Lorraine

he concentrates on everything his PopPop says to catch his first fish
 then littlest sister picks up a pole, casts the line and in an instant, gleefully catches her first fish
 before you know it, another sister takes a turn and catches her first fish
 then somehow, a friendly competition begins as his mom and dad try to out-fish each other
{but mom has the advantage of fishing this same lake a gazillion times when her dad brought her as a kid} 
 someone (Aunt Abbey) determines to get that BIG one everyone sees swimming near the water edge
(but settles for a small sunnie)
there are lots of laughs over yucky worms and  hearing dad moan as he untangles lines
and messy moments pulling the hook out of the fish before tossing him back
(not to mention the expression of someone when a flipping fish splatters, splashes and slaps about their face)
when you take a boy fishing
everyone has a good time

Sharing: Seasonal Sundays @The Tablescaper

a day in the city

By Lorraine

Wondering how we got back across the river?
We could have turned and headed right back over the bridge the way we came, but we had more plans.
 We walked from the base of the bridge through Old City to a sweet cafe located at Welcome Park where we enjoyed General Tso’s Chicken and finally rested.  We planned to do most of our walking prior to lunch keeping the end of our adventure a little easier.

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