Pie... and a project

I was talking about pie Tuesday morning.  You don't have to know me for long to discover this is one of my favorite subjects.  In fact, here I am blabbing to all of you about this not-so-big secret on, what, my third blog post?!  Anyway, where was I?  Oh yeah... pie!  So, it was the day after President's Day and for some reason I was taking about pie.  Then my dear hubby remembered that his grandmother always made cherry cobbler (which is kinda like pie, right?) on President's Day.  But, I'm thinking, President's Day was yesterday.  And then I look at the calendar and see that today (last Tuesday, actually) is Washington's Birthday, and, wait a minute, it was Mr. Washington and his famous quote about the cherry tree (true or not), that is the reason for this tasty tradition.  I know I shouldn't really have to have a reason to make pie, but it helps.  I'll just leave it at that for now.

So, I found frozen cherries at the grocery store, a filling recipe to loosely follow, and whipped up this pie.  I always use this pie crust recipe.  Because a really good pie crust makes a really good pie.  Truly.  Although the filling isn't exactly unimportant, for me, pie is all about the crust.

Finally, here's a photo to commit me to my next project.  I'm feeling like I need more practice sewing clothing from patterns.  I've had this pattern and the fabric since late last summer.  Now that spring is just around the corner (It's true!  I saw shoots emerging, alongside the snow, in my front yard today!), I think it's time for a new cheerful cotton top.  I'm making the shirt on the bottom left of the pattern envelope.  I'll let you know how it turns out. 

Gifts

The kids and I had an impromptu party last night.  After all, who doesn't have an It's-Sunday-Night-And-Tomorrow-Is-President's-Day-Which-Means-No-School-Plus-We've-Been-Stuck-Inside-All-Day-Because-It's-Cold-And-Rainy party?!  The hubby left to catch up on work at the office and, so, missed out.  (We were happy to have him home for most of the weekend, though.)

I think Ellie had the idea first -- to set up for a party in her room.  Then Henry suggested we all make presents for each other.  This is the best part of these parties.  With me helping occasionally (and working on a surprise of my own), the kids worked diligently on their presents for a good 45 minutes.  Ellie made a card for Henry and they each made artwork for me.  For my art from Ellie, Henry, in his teacherly way, drew an outline in pencil for Ellie to trace and color in, then he added some final details that she couldn't draw herself. 

For Henry's gift, I suggested a holder for his markers (after all, it's been kind of driving me crazy to find them in piles on the floor all the time!).  I cut off the bottom of an empty orange juice carton, Ellie picked out some colorful wrapping paper, then we glued the paper onto the container together.  Henry had some trouble coming up with an idea for his gift to Ellie, until she reminded him that she likes pirates... and Scooby-Doo.  Then he got to work.  He asked me to sew some felt into a pouch, but he made the rest himself.  He even added a little handle for pulling the "treasure" out of the pouch.  My surprise was two "Busy Bee" awards, made with medallion-shaped graphics cut from honey-flavored yogurt packaging (noticed while I was carrying it to the recycling pile), some colored construction paper, and safety pins.

The party itself didn't last long.  It began with a short awards ceremony.  Then there was a bit of dancing, some puzzle construction, and several games of tic-tac-toe.  Finally, we exchanged our gifts.  Henry and Ellie both LOVED the presents they received from each other.  The best gift for me was the joy on their lovely faces, watching the two of them working together, and, of course, seeing all the creative juices flowing!

The kids proudly wearing their badges.  And Henry's marker holder.



Ellie's pirate Scooby-Doo treasure and pouch.



Art for me, by the kids.

Finally, I have to share one last thing.  Henry asked me to help him make marble runs with our favorite wooden blocks this weekend.  This photo makes me smile.

Here goes...

I've been standing at the water's edge for something like 23 months... I've been thinking about how exactly to jump in.  A graceful swan dive?  A dramatic cannonball?  A calculated flip in mid-air, followed by a smooth cut through the surface of the water?  I now realize I just have to dive in.  It is less important how I do it than that I do it at all.  So, here goes.  With arms flailing and legs kicking, I'm leaping into the blogosphere!  It's time to stop thinking and get doing.

In case you're wondering, no, that's not me in the photo.  It's my much braver seven year old son.  I think he only stood there for about 30 seconds before jumping in.