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pie
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Did you know that February is Great American Pie month? Since this is the last newsletter for February, I thought we would take a closer look at pies of all kinds--fried, baked, unbaked, and the shells that they are made in--homemade, store bought, graham cracker--and the basics of pie making.

There are so many resources on the Internet about pie making that I had to choose just my favorites for this newsletter. If you want a perfect basic instruction on how to make homemade pie crusts, you need my January Digest! The very beginning is all about pie making basics.

Let's roll up our sleeves, get those rolling pins and kids ready, and learn about pie making!

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Special Announcements

Molly Makes


Save when you purchase this tasty Molly Makes Combo of Molly Makes $5 Dinners and $3 Desserts and Molly Makes $7 Slow Cooker Suppers.

Click
here to order yours today.

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Blog Highlights
Tips and Ideas From Econobusters


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Featured Website 
MomsWhoThink.com

Have you ever wanted a pie recipe that you remember from a restaurant, but could never put your hand on the exact way to make it? I found this website that has tons of pie recipes, and most of them come from restaurants we know and love!

Not only that, but there are lots of other resources on this website as well. Here is the list of pie recipes available. Be sure and look around at all the other cool stuff there.


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Freebie of the Week
Sample of Homemaking Mentor's Pie Making Lesson

Homemakers Mentor

Here is a sneak peek of a pie making lesson complete with recipes from Marmee Dear of Homemaker's Mentor. She has graciously allowed us to link to it. Simply go to the website, look down on the left-hand side, and you will find it. It looks just like the picture above.

You can also find the complete lesson in my January Digest.


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Recipe of the Week
Blackberry Pie

BlackBerry Pie


This is my blackberry pie and homemade pie crust that I made using the tutorial from the January Digest about pie crusts. It looks delicious doesn't it?

I never saw myself as being able to make homemade pies, but this pie is one that is absolutely delectable! Just be sure that when you buy blackberries for this pie, you make sure to get seedless ones otherwise when you bite into it, you will bite into a seed!

Look how wonderful this pie stays together when you cut into it!
Pie Slice


Hope you enjoy the recipe!


Pastry for Double Crust Pie
2 cups of all-purpose flour
3/4 teaspoon salt
2/3 cup shortening
6 tablespoons cold water

1. In a bowl, combine flour and salt; cut in the shortening until crumbly. Gradually add water, tossing with a fork until dough forms a ball. Divide dough in half so that one ball is slightly larger than the other. Roll out larger ball to fit in a 9-or-10 inch  pie plate. Transfer pastry to pie plate. Trim pastry even with edge.
2. Pour desired filling into crust. Roll out second ball. Position over filling; cut slits into pastry. Trim pastry to 1" beyond edge of pie plate. Fold top crust over bottom crust. Flute edges. Bake according to recipe instructions.

Blackberry Pie
1 recipe for a double crust pastry dough
4 cups of fresh blackberries
3 tablespoons of all purpose flour
1 cup white sugar
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 tablespoon butter

1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees.
2. Line a 9-inch pie pan with half of pastry. Save remaining pastry for top crust. Chill both while preparing the blackberries.
3. Combine berries, flour, sugar, and lemon juice. Spoon into pie shell and dot with butter or margarine. Cover with top crust and slash in several places.
4. Bake for 15 minutes. Reduce heat to 350 degrees. Continue baking for 35 to 40 minutes or until browned.

( I made an egg wash of 1 egg and 2 tbsp of water mixed together and brushed the top of my pie crust after the 15 minutes at 450 so that it would be shiny brown.)
 

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Weekly Tutorial
How To Make a Rustic Pie Crust

Rustic Pie

If you are not really good at crimping a pie crust, you can use this video tutorial from Better Homes and Gardens test kitchen on how to make your pie crust look rustic.

In the video, she used store bought pie crust, but you can use homemade in its place.

To watch the video, GO HERE.

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Idea Center
Tips to Help Make Fabulous Pies



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Molly's Money-Saving Digest
Living the Good Life--Frugally
 
 
Feb 2010 Molly
 
Has winter left you waning?
Does your budget need a boost?
What's for dinner, anyway?
What keeps your abode bright, beautiful, and bouncing along?

Do you agree that much of your time is spent serving others in one way or another? While it's a high calling and privilege to be sure, doing so in love day after day can sometimes be a challenge. That's our featured topic in this Digest--simple ways to share the love without running ourselves ragged or straining the budget.
 
Check out some highlights of this issue:

Learn almost everything you wanted to know about the simple but versatile potato--with 6 spud-tacular recipes!

Utilize four new printable forms to keep you organized.

Set up a "gift closet" and take the stress out of blessing those you love, while saving a bundle!

Fix your family a "love fest" of meals--another great weekly menu with recipes, tips, and a shopping list!

Take a quick glimpse at the features you'll find in the February 2010 Digest:

  • "45 Ways to Say I Love You: What's a "love language"? Need suggestions for simple, inexpensive, or free opportunities to show your loved ones just how precious they are? You got it!
  • Gift Closet Strategies: Have you spent far more on a gift than you wanted to or could afford? This could be your answer! Stock a year-round gift closet from which you can shop as needed, and you'll possibly save hundreds of dollars, hours of time, and loads of stress in a single year!
  • Eight Ways to Survive Cabin Fever With Kids: Is your home a cozy, happy place--even when you're "stranded" in uncooperative winter weather? Liven up the day when you share these fabulously fun ideas with your youngsters!

 
We Want to Hear From You!

While we're on the subject of crafting-I'm looking for submissions for my April Digest which will feature a section on homemade games and toys.

Email me if you've made a game or toy and would like to share a photo and instructions with our readers. If I use your submission you'll get the Digest FREE.  Thanks!

 
Until next week!
 

Molly Signature
MollyFebArt

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