Kids and Pie, Oh My!

Yesterday it rained on and off almost all day. Other than basketball camp we had no plans I heard those dreaded words that you here almost right away when school is out for summer. "Mom, I'm bored" These were heard from my DS. My DH decided to ground him from his favorite things electronic games, computers and TV. Yeah me!!! Anyway, it was for his behavior the day before on our shopping trip. He doesn't like to go places at all especially shopping and he was having one of his moments. I pulled out the flip flops you color to do after their school work was done. They enjoyed that for about 20 minutes. I decided after reading an article from Aunt Ruthie's Farmhouse that I would try a list of chores again. I had done this before but we called it a chore chart, I thought Happy To-Do list sounded much better. I told my DH that I think we focus on being more positive with them. Parenting is the hardest job in the world isn't it?? So I gave this to them after basketball yesterday and they were excited. I told them that if they got less than 3 not checked off we would have a special outing or do a treasure hunt. Hopefully, we will have smooth summer. I think I have kids who crave structure, they love to do imaginative play but it only lasts so long and they start fighting.

Later on in the day I decided I would attempt a rhubarb pie. My son really enjoyed helping me too. I've made them before but I'm trying to work on my inner Vintage housewife and get it down pat. Well, let me tell you crusts aren't easy. I think I know what I did wrong at least. I used Aunt Ruthie's crust. My family enjoyed it and it was very good. The pie recipe came from a general store under the Arch in St. Louis. I have a whole bunch of pie recipes in my Amish cookbook collection and some of them are the similiar to the ones in this book. I thought this was great because they're all together. The title is Old Fashioned Pie Recipes by Bear Wallow Books. They have a website if you're interested http://www.bearwallowbooks.com/

Rachel's Rhubarb Pie p. 14

1 9 inch unbaked double crust, one cut into lattice strips

4 cups of rhubarb

1 2/3 cup sugar

1 Tbsp quick cooking tapioca

1 tsp lemon juice

grated rind of 1/2 lemon

1/4 tsp salt

1 Tbsp. butter

dash of nutmeg

Scrape and wash rhubarb and pat dry. Cut into half inch pieces. In mixing bowl combine ingredients except last two. Pour into pie shell and dot with flecks of butter and dash with nutmeg. Arrange the latticework of dough strips over filling. Bake in preheated oven at 350 degrees for 50-60 minutes.

Let me tell you it was pure heaven and sugary goodness, I think the lemon made all the difference.

Have a wonderful day ladies!

Carey