White Chocolate Lemon Pie

White Chocolate Lemon Pie

A few months ago I came across a recipe for a Chocolate Covered Cherry Pie made by Anna at Cookie Madness.  For Christmas I decided to try out her recipe but instead of using Cherry Pie Filling, I substituted Strawberry Pie Filling.  I like cherry, but a chocolate covered strawberry version sounded better to me! =)  Who doesn't like a good chocolate covered strawberry??  It turned out wonderful and got my creative juices flowing.. what about a lemon version, with white chocolate?  Lemon would be much 'lighter' for spring and summer.  I decided to experiment with the Lemon and White Chocolate combination instead and it is fabulous!! You'll have to forgive the picture above - I'll take a better one when I make it again - which I will definitely do!  The lemon flavor isn't real strong but if I would have had time to make the filling myself, I would make sure the lemon flavor stands out a little more.  If you have a good Lemon curd or lemon pie filling recipe use that instead of the canned.  I also used vanilla extract because that was what I had on hand.  The other thing I modified from her version was by adding more cream to the melted chocolate.  In the strawberry version I made, the mixture that gets spread on the top was too hard to cut after being in the refrigerator.  You can add more until you get it to a consistency you prefer.  Thank you Anna for sharing the original version of this!

White Chocolate Lemon Pie

2 cups (12 oz) white chocolate bars, chopped (2 boxes)
3/4 - 1 cup whipping cream (depending on your preference)
4 tablespoons butter, cut into pieces and room temperature
1 6 oz graham cracker pie crust ( I used the extra serving size and it was fine)
1 (21-ounce) can Lemon Pie Filling or use your own recipe
1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1/3 cup powdered sugar
1 large egg
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

Microwave chopped white chocolate and cream in a microwave-safe bowl using low heat of a microwave 1 to 2 minutes or until chocolate begins to melt. Whisk in butter until smooth. Let cool, whisking occasionally, 5 to 10 minutes or until mixture reaches spreading consistency.

Spread half of chocolate mixture into pie crust. Cover and chill remaining chocolate mixture.

Spoon lemon pie filling into chocolate-lined pie crust and set on a cookie sheet.

Beat cream cheese and powdered sugar until smooth, then add egg and vanilla extract and beat just until egg is mixed in. Pour cream cheese mixture evenly over lemon pie filling.

Bake at 350° for 30 minutes or until center is set. Remove from oven, and cool on a wire rack. Cover and chill 8 hours.

Microwave reserved chocolate mixture at MEDIUM (50% power) 1 minute. Stir and spread softened chocolate over set cream cheese mixture. Chill or serve immediately. 

Makes 6-8 servings, Store leftovers (if any exist!) in refrigerator.  

Pure innocence lost

In case you've been living under a rock, the Boston Marathon was halted yesterday by 2 bombs going off near the finish line.  It's all over the news today - 3 killed (including one 8 year old boy) and over a hundred injured.  (that number keeps changing, but the highest I've read is 171 I think).  At this time it doesn't sound like they really have a suspect either.

This goes back to what I was saying yesterday.  This is just another example of the crazy world we live in today.  Who would think that someone would target the Boston Marathon?  The president - yes, marathon runners - no way.  Where has this evil come from in our society?  The good still exists, but lately its as if all you hear about is the bad.  

Growing up, all we worried about was getting to go outside and play, or sleep over at a friends, or what sitcom we were going to watch.  We didn't  have to worry about getting shot or blown up doing something we love or supporting those we love.  Our kids don't have the luxury of not knowing what that kind of violence is.  Heck, even the cartoons these days are full of violence.  THAT kind of innocence we knew is long gone.  I think the worst thing I remember happening growing up was the Shuttle explosion and that wasn't due to any terrorists (homegrown or otherwise).  It broke our hearts because there was a teacher on board and the whole school was watching when it exploded.  Now we just turn on the news and there's another bombing, or mass shooting or crazy person hurting others.  It's not the gun that makes people kill.  It's not the over the shelf cleaning products and everyday items available that makes people create a bomb.  It's evil and hatred and plain crazy inside a person that does it.  

The good thing to come out of all these man made disasters is that the wonderful human spirit is alive and well.  In all these news stories there are numerous accounts of people running towards the scene instead of away so that they can help.   At the marathon, at the college in Houston last week, in New York on 9/11 - each incident had what you'd call everyday heroes lend a helping hand. Good does exist and outweighs the bad apples in spades.

Take a minute to say a prayer for all those affected by this tragedy or other ills of the world, hug your family and friends and be grateful for what you have.  Let's pray that our children and their children one day will  find that pure innocence again.  

Birthday Partying it up - Two down, One to go

The first weekend in April is Kimber's birthday.  This day also happens to fall on our Wedding Anniversary.  To celebrate Jason and I went that Friday to Longhorn Steakhouse and the movies.  We saw "Olympus has Fallen" with Morgan Freeman and Gerard Butler (yummy).  If you don't like the "F" word and you don't like lots of shooting and action - don't go see the movie.  If you don't mind, then definitely go see this!  We thought it was great and strangely a little scary.  The scenarios seem so real like it could happen today in the world we live in.  Really makes you think about how safe we are here and how safe our borders are (or AREN'T!!).

On Saturday Mom, Dad, Kennedy and I went to Kimber's party in College Station.  I think Kennedy had a blast playing on their swing set and trampoline.  She was one tired little girl!  Happy 2nd Birthday Kimber!

Kimber and her daddy

Kimber playing ball

Kennedy swinging

This past weekend was Kennedy's big 2nd Birthday Party day (and today is her actual birthday!).  We had the party at Mom & Dad's.  We had a good crowd of family and a few friends.  The only time Kennedy sat down for more than 2 minutes was to blow out the candles on her cake and to open presents.  Otherwise, she was running 90 miles an hour with her cousins.  All in all, we had a great turnout, good food (thank you to John Mueller for the brisket- it was excellent!) and a happy baby girl!  Happy Birthday Kennedy Marie! We love you!

 Here are a few of the decorations I put together for her Elmo themed party.  Nothing fancy since we were at home, but I think they added a cute touch! Thank you to Pinterest for the ideas (of course)!!

Present table with Number 2 ballon with her scrapbook and monthly picture book

Swirly Pops with Sesame Street stickers

Containers with Glow Sticks, Paper Straws, candy and Swirly Pops on the bar

Elmo Goody Bags

Paper Straws

Mini Swirly Pops with Sesame Street stickers (made using Avery Circle Stickers)

Elmo Birthday Cake

Sesame Street Rings and Crayons for goody bags in background

Sesame street mini cupcakes

Decisions.....decisions

Jason and I just celebrated our 11th anniversary.  It's hard to believe we've been married that long.  Then again, maybe not.  For those that don't know us - we met in kindergarten.  He likes to say I kicked him on the playground at school.  I on the other hand don't remember that part!! ; )  Seriously though, we've known each other and have grown up together in the same small town since we were 5.  He on the south side of town, me on the north side of town.  We were always best friends and didn't start dating until the night of my best friend's wedding (who we also went to school with and who was my roommate in college) in 2000.  Our first 'date' (although i didn't really know it at the time) was sitting on his tailgate in my parents driveway at 3 am in the morning after I got home from Heather and Jeremy's wedding.  We talked and joked until the sun was starting to come up and then he kissed me.  The rest as they say is history.

We've been married 11 years, bought our house in May of 2005 and welcomed our baby girl to the world in April of 2011.  The last few years have been a whirlwind of joyous and painful moments.  I ended up in the hospital 3 weeks before Kennedy was born (induced 3 weeks early) because of my blood pressure or as they called it at the time - Pregnancy induced hypertension.  I think it was more the combination of my weight, my family history and the pregnancy.  After 3 weeks in the hospital lying on my side, my blood pressure had finally started reading a little more normal two days before my Doctor had scheduled me to be induced.  She went ahead and induced and by 11:45 that day, Kennedy was here on tax day!  =)

Being in the hospital unexpectedly like that was really hard.  We didn't have the nursery finished or much of anything done yet.  Luckily our families pitched in and helped Jason get everything ready for us both to come home.

The joyous part has been watching a healthy baby girl grow up and develop her personality. Our worry now is that she hasn't really grown in the last 6 months.  We go for her 2 year check up this month so we'll see what her doctor says.

The other painful part of the last 2 years has been what Jason and his family have had to endure because of his father.  I'm not going to go into any details, but let's just say Jason hasn't talked to his dad in over 6 months and he works for him.  It will quiet down for a while and then something else happens.  I hope and pray their divorce will not continue to drag out another 2 years for the sake of all involved.  Everyone needs to be able to move on and with that hanging, it ain't going to fully happen until it does.

SO, that brings us to today.  Baby girl turns 2 on tax day, we are trying to figure out what we want to do with our house and building a new one, and wanting to have another baby.  How do we fit all these things together due to the unknowns - my weight and blood pressure before getting pregnant (i really really don't want to end up back in the hospital again), Jason's job (the unknown resulting with their divorce), our house situation (can we sell it and build at the same time), the schools here (would rather send her to one back home, not here), how are we going to pay for all this or make it work here until we can (money is always an issue)???.. etc etc etc  so many decisions and no real answers yet.

We know we have to totally tighten our checkbook first.  We have to check into land and house plans and what it would all cost along with a timeline of when it could be done if feasible.  Then work on baby number two.  The other kink in this - neither one of us are getting younger and that dreaded 40 is looming in just a few years.  We kick ourselves now for waiting so long to have Kennedy, although it might not have been the same having a baby a few years ago.  So we'll see what the future holds and what God has in his plan for us. I"m sure it will all work out one way or another.  In the meantime.. we'll take it day by day. (see Sandy - y'all aren't alone in your world!)  ; )

Easter and Bluebonnets

Easter weekend started off a BUSY April.  Easter fell on the last weekend in March this year.  Last weekend we traveled to College Station for cousin Kimber's 2nd birthday party.  This weekend is Kennedy's 2nd birthday party and then the weekend after that is Case's 1st birthday party.  My dad's side of the family is staying busy this month!

The Saturday before Easter we spent at my Mom and Dad's with Dad's side of the family.  Everyone was there and I think the kids had fun hunting Easter eggs.

Fuessel Grandkids and Great Grandkids

Fuessel Great Grandkids

 Easter Sunday after church, we stopped on the side of the road and tried to take some bluebonnet pictures with Kennedy.  I got a couple shots of her smiling, but mostly her just talking and being silly!  =)  Go figure with an almost two year old!

Family photo

Church and egg hunt with Kaden, Gmama, Kennedy and Kelsey

Smelling the bluebonnets

Mom, Dad, Kennedy and I went to College Station to Kimber's party this past Saturday.  I don't think Kennedy sat down for more than 5 minutes the whole time we were there.  Playing with bubbles and then with baby Case, on to the slide, then swing, the riding the four wheeler with Karson, then jumping on the trampoline with Karson, then climbing up there by herself when we turned away!!!  She is such a mess!

Misc mesh wreaths - 4th of july and heart/wedding

Here are a couple miscellaneous mesh wreaths I've done in the last year or two

Fourth of July

Heart made for a wedding shower at work

Baking

I LOVE to bake, can cook when I want to and absolutely love sharing all the goodies I make.  I've just added this section of my blog (and i'm trying to do better!!) to share recipes and links to other fabulous food bloggers I come across on Pinterest or the web.  There are some really great bloggers out there and I know I haven't even touched the surface!

Here are a few of my favorite Food Blogs to start you out :

Culinary Concoctions by Peabody

Baking and boys!

Bakerella (the ORIGINAL cake Pop lady!) =)

Cookie Madness

Joy the Baker

Skinnytaste

Hymnal paper and Cross wreath

In Canton a few years ago one of the booths had a wreath made out of sheet music.  I loved the wreath but didn't want to spend the $50+ bucks on it. SO I told myself, I could make that!! I mentioned it to my sister who found some old hymnals and sheet music at a thrift store in Taylor for $4 or 5 dollars.  Here is just one of the creations I made from that old music.  The cross is a $1 plain wooden cross from Michael's and a piece of burlap (also from Michael's).  With some time and a little hot glue, my hymnal cross wreath was born!  I gave the first one to my Mother in Law as a gift.  I've got one hanging in my kitchen and I donated one to my MIL's church auction.  I've still got some paper left and when I have time I plan to make a variation of this!

Diaper Cakes and Wreath

I made these diaper cakes and wreath for Sandy's baby shower last year.  The top uses cloth diapers (or burp cloths).  The bottom three are rolled diapers with various other things decorating them.  

Christmas wreaths

Here is a sampling of a few Christmas Wreaths I made in 2012.