This was one seriously cantankerous, crumbly crust. It was belligerent. Rude. Unyielding. Disobedient. You get the picture. It was a two-year old and a 17-year old with a criminal record, all rolled up into one. Well, minus the rolling-up part, because that just really wasn't happening.
I was lured in today by the claim that theirs was "hands down" the best crust Evah. Plus, I just so happened to have 4 sticks of butter burning a hole in my pocket.
I followed directions. I did not overwork. I prayed and pleaded.
In the end, the crust tastes just fine. I'll be honest - I've never been a crusty girl. I'm far more concerned with what rests between - something juicy and sweet with plenty of goop. And if we could make it peach or raspberry, that'd be fantastic.
The moral of the story is this: I officially prefer shortening to butta. When it comes to crust. I will not be slathering a biscuit with Crisco, so all is still mostly right in the world. But as for pies? Transfat me up, baby.
Now, for the good news of the week:
I'm learning that there's more to life than pink and purple flowers.Diversity is the cat's pajamas.
Butterflies are vain. They spot a camera and get all Tyra Banks on you.
We found sunglasses for $2 at the Dented Can.Ruby's have already broken, but they were good while they lasted.
(Again, with the Barbie arms!)
Our lunches have taken on a decidedly European flair.
And you can keep your bowl. As it turns out, life is a whole tree of cherries.
I love the Barbie arms! And the new banner!
ReplyDeleteBarbie arms- So funny!
ReplyDeleteI am sorry about the pie crust, but I do admire your ambition because I am so intimitated by pie crust.
All of your pictures are beautiful and your kids are so Cute!!!
Enjoy your week!
Joyce
u r the best blogger evah! I love yur kids, I love that u love Jesus and u r mi favorite!
ReplyDeleteYour Barbie arm comments are hilarious! And the way I see it, no matter how good a recipe is, if I have to beg and plead with it..it ain't work it!
ReplyDeleteShh...my yard doesn't know there are anything but pink and purple flowers!
ReplyDeleteSweet pictures!! Loving the Barbie arms! lol
ReplyDeleteNow I want to go bake a pie.
Tell Ruby a big purse really helps camo the barbie arms! I have used it for years. Those kids are too cute!!
ReplyDeleteThe Barbie arms are hysterical! I love the poses that little girls come up with. The thing you said about butterflies is so true--too funny!!
ReplyDeleteokay, the butterfly/Tyra Banks comment made me laugh out loud...as did the Barbie arms. Thanks for the morning chuckle.
ReplyDeleteSo that's a European lunch? Dang, who knew that we've been chic all this time...that's how Dalton has eaten his lunch for years! :)
ReplyDeleteI never have any luck with pie crust - unless it comes from the freezer section of the grocery store.
ReplyDeleteOh you are in a sassy mood this morning. I love it! Too funny...Ruby with her Barbie arms...HA!
ReplyDeleteI love crust. I'm not an expert on how to make it and I'm not fussy on how it tastes. I love pretty much any ole crust. I always just buy the roll out kind. Shame on me.
Have a beautiful day with all your Tyra Banks butterflies;)
My friend taught me how to make a homemade crust once, about 10 years ago, and I've never tried it by myself again. Too hard. I'm with you. I want the "inbetween goodness" to be the star of the pie. Sweet, gooey goodness.
ReplyDeleteLove the Barbie arms. That's going to be a great memory when she's 16!
Just discovered your blog - love it! I think I'll start with the adoption posts and then work my way around! :)
ReplyDeleteMaybe storing the butter in your pocket was the problem with the pie crusts. ;)
ReplyDeleteAs far as I'm concerned, you get a medal for even trying. I'd much prefer to blow a buck on a store-bought crust and save myself the 17 hours of uncharacteristic cursing and frustration for the pie's innards.
Hope it's been a lovely weekend. <3
I agree, shortening definitely has it's place in this world course I am more of a cobbler or graham cracker crust girl myself.
ReplyDeleteShannen...do you laugh at your posts as much as we do? I thought the lunch photo was hilarious, as well as the barbie arms...
ReplyDeleteI am a pie crust girl...raised on homemade crust, make homemade crust, get badgered by friends for making homemade crust...etc...the crust recipe in Better Homes and Gardens Cookbook (the ol fashioned red and white one) is perfect and very simple and CRISCO all the way. You are totally right, in crust, Crisco is the better choice. I sometimes do a combo of Crisco/butter but an all butter crust is way too crumbly.
Thank you 1000 times for all the laughs and deep thoughts...keep them coming-hold nothing back-you brighten my day!
Your photos are always amazing my daughter would like to know what brand of Camera you use? Your kids are always a joy to see.~Cheers Kim
ReplyDeleteHave you tried an oil crust? Easy-peasy and rolls like a dream....
ReplyDeleteNice to meet you! You are so funny and entertaining!
ReplyDeleteLove your posts!!
Photos are gorgeous too!!
Beautiful little family!!!
Deborah :)
You can make the most wonderful and easy to manage pastry using lard. Cute kiddos as usual!
ReplyDeleteAw darn about that pie crust!
ReplyDeleteI make mine real simple, with butter. And gosh, it's good. Especially if I overdose it a bit on the butta.
;)
Oh goodness, I love your European lunches! That's pretty cute:) And it looks quite yummy.
You are too funny! I love reading your posts...it seems like your sense of humor and mine are very much alike! And I can't get over your adorable kids...barbie arms and all! Have a wonderful week :)
ReplyDelete~Kiri
I wholeheartedly agree with you on the crust. I prefer shortening all the way. And I also believe that once you've found your own "no fail piecrust" there is not much of a reason to try others. LOL :)
ReplyDeleteI love the Barbie arms!!!! :D
ReplyDeleteAnd just like had never roasted a chicken, I have never tried a pie crust!!!
Barbie arms lol.
ReplyDeleteThe cool shades are super cute. I know that those three keep you humble, sane and smiling all of the time.
you crack me up with your descriptions of the "barbie arms" or your long arms. There is this ad in my current Donna hay mag that says "do you have long arm syndrome?" and I wanted to scan it and email it to you.
ReplyDeletemy pie crust has crisco in it too. Don't tell ANYONE!
I once strayed from Betty's shortening crust recipe - I had a fling with Martha's butter laden pate brisee. We all know what happens when you go looking for love where you ought not. Disaster ensued, and I've been faithful to Betty ever since.
ReplyDeleteLesson learned.
Beautiful photos as always. Well, I don't make my own pie crust. I buy the refrigerator pie crust. I know...*gasp* hehe. I always love to see pics of your cute little kidlets. The Barbie arms comment made me laugh out loud!
ReplyDeleteOoh I am a recent convert from shortening to butter! I have always used shortening until this epic crust crossed my lips (over and over in an embarrassingly short amount of time and then again for breakfast) a few weeks ago. But you're right, the meaty middle is where the heart is...shortening does make a mean crust!
ReplyDeleteFirst ~ I need to know how you like the REST of the Farm Chicks cookbook?? I almost bought it this week ~ just ran out of errand time ~ didn't make it back to the bookstore where I have a coupon!! =)
ReplyDeleteand now ~ now ~ I have to make a pie with that oil crust that Jami shared above!! he he! I hate pie crust ~ it makes me want to swear! I usually use half butter half lard!~ IF I am even in the mood to make it ~ otherwise the box is lovely! ha ha!
I love pumpkin pie... is it wrong to make pumpkin pie in June!?! even if it is raining? ;)
The barbie arms are good, and the yellow flowers are great. Sorry about the pie crust.
ReplyDeletehaha I get so frustrated when I try to make something and it doesn't turn out the way I hoped! Go figure!
ReplyDeleteI've never had any luck with pie crust. I've resigned myself to buying ready made for the rest of my life. It's really not so bad.
ReplyDeleteLunch looks terrific.
-FringeGirl
The only crust I've ever had success with was PW's pie crust. It's been terrific every time I've tried it. Love the sunglasses.
ReplyDeleteMy crust from their cookbook turned out great but the coconut cake was a complete bomb!!! Nice sunglasses:-)
ReplyDeleteSo, so funny! Love the tapas lunch by the way. When I throw together those sorts of lunches it's usually because I'm too lazy to make sandwiches, what with the knife and the hard work of spreading and all...but thinking of it as European, well, that's just lovely!
ReplyDeletelove those sunglasses...they are so cute...and that sounds exactly like me cooking new recipies or trying things out...doesn't work so like you I stick with what know works in the kitchen:) Love the butterfly picture too:)
ReplyDeleteYa sure, you betcha, crust must be made of shortening. Flaky and oh so much better than the store bought version. A Chicken Pot Pie just doesn't taste right with a sweetish crust!
ReplyDeleteDon't want to miss a thing around here...now I'm a faithful follower! :)
I love the Farm Chicks, too. Did you know you happened to post this on the first day of this year's show? I'll try not to rub in the fact that I live in the same city and was there for five glorious hours... :)
ReplyDeleteI've never posted on your blog before, but I've been following for a while. I love your heart and your sense of humor and your sense of style and your writing. It's a happy place to visit.
I would have been very sad to lose a whole pound of butter to the crust experiment. That's just almost criminal. Love your lovely euro style lunch. Was it eaten under a canopy of leaves on that wonderful picnic table that I am still waiting for the link too? Speaking of cherries, you are the reason Emma started eating them and I happen to have a rather large container in my fridge right now.
ReplyDeleteI LOVE your photos! and that european lunch is looking pretty good too :)
ReplyDelete