I'm on a Pink Cloud!

 I'm up early and have one apple pie out of the oven, two pumpkins pies baking and a pie crust ready for delicious pecans.  I texted my baby this morning at 5:30 a.m. Washington time to make sure he is on the road and an hour later I got a text back that they were 1 hour out of Phx. I guess they are flying out of Mesa, which Gene said is 4 hours from Flagstaff. Yikes, they're going to be tired.

So, yesterday I was a little worried that I wouldn't make good pies but I've discovered that baking is kind of like riding a bike. Once you learn how, you never forget.  

I bought this really awesome pastry cutter at the antique show in Walla Walla a month or two ago. This is the first time I've used it and I can't help but remember what the woman said who sold it to me. She said, "you're pie crusts are going to be amazing!"  I've never heard of "Formay" shortening but I can tell you that this pastry cutter is truly awesome and I thought about all the hands that have held it before me. I hope I do those pie makers proud.  

 

 So, I've got the pies under control. I have the eggs boiled for deviled eggs.  Gene went to the store last night and bought some mayonnaise for my eggs. We never use mayo for anything but I'm craving deviled eggs. I was surprised to learn there are no milk products in mayo. This is good news because Amanda will be able to eat the eggs, if she likes them.   

Thankfully, there are people willing to work at the store today so if I find I'm missing something, and I'm quite sure I am, I can send Gene to the store again.

In the meantime, I am walking on a pink cloud today.  I have saved my excitement until today because it's just torture when you are looking forward to a day to arrive. Every day in between the 'knowing' and the 'actual' day gets longer and longer.  I've learned to live one day at a time and not wish my days away.  But, I gotta say I am almost tearful at the thought of hugging my son today.  I miss him terribly and I'm going to catch up on the hugs.

I'm also really giddy about having Amanda in my kitchen, helping me with whatever she'd like to help with.  Some of my most precious memories are about spending time in the kitchen with my mother-in-law, Adelle. She was the most fabulous cook. She taught me a lot of things over 20 years of being part of her family and most of all she gave me confidence to try new things.  I was thinking of her this morning.  I was also thinking of my Grandma Walker, who taught me the trick to excellent pie crust is to use ice cold water.

Happy T-Day everybody!   More to come ....

love, Susan