Grandmom's Italian Easter Custard Pie

With Easter soon upon us I feel a need to give out my favorite Italian Easter Custard Pie recipe. I got this recipe from my husband's 95 year old Italian Grandmother. I learned as soon as I met my husband that all of the Italian women have their own special cake or pie they make at Easter. Some are delicious, and others, well let’s just say it makes you glad you’re not Italian. This recipe always stood out in the crowd. I went over for lunch one day just so she could dictate her recipe to me. This was a long and slow process since her English is not great and my Italian is non-existent. Trust me it was worth my time.

Grandmom’s Italian Easter Custard Pie

4 cups milk
½ cup rice
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
3 tablespoons Amaretto
1 tablespoon almond extract
6 eggs (beaten)
½ cup almond slices

Put milk in a pan and let it boil. When it starts to boil, put in the sugar, rice and vanilla. Let it boil (very low flame) for about 20 minutes. Put in a bowl and let it cool. Preheat oven at 300 degrees. Beat eggs. Mix together cooled rice mixture, eggs, Amaretto, almond extract and almonds. Grease a glass pie pan with butter and put in mixture. Put the pie in a 300 degree oven for 1 hour.

Enjoy!

Charles Schultz Philosophy

Someone emailed this to me and I just had to share.

The following is the philosophy of Charles Schultz, the creator of the "Peanuts" comic strip. You don't have to actually answer the questions. Just read the straight through, and you'll get the point.

1. Name the five wealthiest people in the world.

2. Name the last five Heisman trophy winners.

3. Name the last five winners of the Miss America pageant.

4. Name ten people who have won the Nobel or Pulitzer Prize.

5. Name the last half dozen Academy Award winners for best actor and actress.

6. Name the last decade's worth of World Series winners.

How did you do?

The point is, none of us remember the headliners of yesterday. These are no second-rate achievers. They are the best in their fields. But the applause dies. Awards tarnish. Achievements are forgotten. Accolades and certificates are buried with their owners.

Here's another quiz. See how you do on this one:

1. List a few teachers who aided your journey through school.

2. Name three friends who have helped you through a difficult time.

3. Name five people who have taught you something worthwhile.

4. Think of a few people who have made you feel appreciated and special.

5. Think of five people you enjoy spending time with .

Easier?

The lesson: The people who make a difference in your life are not the ones with the most credentials, the most money, or the most awards. They are the ones that care .

"Don't worry about the world coming to an end today. It's already tomorrow in Australia " (Charles Schultz)

My Jack-o-Lantern is better than your Jack-o-Lantern Pumpkin Carving Party

In my last entry I talked about Halloween Parties. What I haven’t talked about is Pumpkin Carving Parties.

I have a great neighborhood. Years ago, we started doing parties to make the kids holiday more fun. It has, of course, now turned into an adult competition. Since this is my blog, I’ll tell you mine is always the best. We all chose a holiday (yes, Julia you still have to do Easter, even if it means blowing out thousands of eggs) and I picked, surprise, surprise, Halloween. About a week before Halloween I have my Pumpkin Carving Party. I supply all the tools and patterns. Just an FYI, every year after Halloween, I buy all the pattern kits at 75% to 90% off. I now, after all these years, have quite a few (to say the least).

I send my invitation out a few weeks before the party.

My guests know to bring their own pumpkins to carve. I set up a large table (or two) and spread out everything they need. I’ve also learned that you need a couple of garbage can to get all the pumpkin inners. We don’t, but you could, take all the seeds and roast them. For younger children, I usually put out paint, brushes and smocks. That way they can decorate their own pumpkins.

Because this is a very casual party, I have my guest either bring appetizers or dessert. That way all I have to worry about is the entrée. I always make stew. I feel like stew symbolizes the start of Fall. Each year I search the internet for new and interesting kinds of stew. I have never served the same stew twice. I make sure I decorate the table that we eat on in a Halloween theme. Since I am a dish-aholic, I have a set just for this occasion (well two but we can discuss my dish addiction at another time).

After dinner we light the pumpkins on my porch and admire our work.

Try this party and you too will suddenly find yourself doing this fun holiday party year after year.

Elizabeth

A Screaming Good Halloween Party

Last year, for the first time, I decided that my 11 year old daughter and her friend could throw a Halloween Party. I was scared for many reason, none having to do with Halloween. She and her friend originally wanted to invite 35 of there closest friends. I vetoed that idea. I felt that 35, 6th graders, in my house, would be a disaster. So over much crying, whining and complaining (on my part), I agreed to 20 guests. In the end it turned out great, but to save you any headaches, I will share my knowledge.

As you can see I designed two different designs for Halloween Invitations (as always on my website).

The girls decided that it would be a costume party. Truly I like nothing better than to dress up for Halloween. Much to my children's chagrin. Oh well, embarrassing your children is part of a parents job.

Evidence marked Exhibit A:

The girls wanted pizza but besides the expense and trouble going and getting it, I wanted something that looked kind of gross. So I made spaghetti and put it in a big plastic cauldron. I lined the cauldron with aluminum foil just in case there was some kind of crack in it. I also made a Punch. One girls complained that it looked gross. I said "Thank you. I obviously did it correctly because it's Halloween, it's supposed to be gross". Of course that was the same girl that once she tried it, couldn't stop drinking it. Bunny, the other Mom participating in the party made fantastic gross food.

Here are just a few of her "gross" creations.

Finger Cookies

Rice Krispies Eye Ball

I had lots of fun decorations. I bought a drop down spider that was sound activated. I put it above the toilet tank. Whenever someone went to the bathroom we would all hear a scream. I don't think my 58 year old brother has gotten over it to this day. I had a motorized rat that I had run across the floor while everyone was eating dinner. I had a "Screaming Skeleton" that I put at the bottom of a flight of stairs. As soon as the kids got to the landing it light up and starting moaning. My genius moment came when I found my old fish tank. I filled it with water and some red food dye and then put in a mask (bought at the dollar store) and other body parts. It takes a minute for people to figure out what is in there but then . . .

As for party games, we had Twister and we also did a Mummy Wrap. A big hit as always.

The winner of the Mummy Wrap contest.

To end the night I let the kids roast marshmallows to make S'mores using our fireplace.

So, all in all, it was a big hit. Hope this helps you do your own Halloween party.

Elizabeth

Wine Novices have no fear, Gary from Wine Library TV is here

While surfing the web, I can across this fantastic (and slightly bizarre) blog by Gary Vaynerchuk at WineLibraryTV. For the wine novice like me, his information is invaluable. There is nothing worse than being at a liquor store before a party and not knowing what wine to buy. I start wandering the aisles looking at all the pretty labels. Perhaps I'm wrong, but I don't think you're suppose to pick a good wine by its pretty label. Anyway, hopefully this will help you (and me) to choose the right wine for your next party.

Elizabeth

The Most Perfect Lemony Lemon Cake - Ever!!

As I’ve stated previously, I don’t particularly like baking. People think I’m good at it because I have just a few really good (and easy) recipes. This is one of them. This is the most perfect Lemon Cake, ever. It is very lemony and really light (not in calories). The thing about this cake is, you really need to beat it. I know, it goes against the grain of baking philosophy. So put the mixer on and walk away and do something else. I beat usually about 5 minutes or more between adding ingredients.

2 lemons
8 tablespoons (1 stick), salted butter
¾ cup all-purpose flour
¾ cup sugar
2 large eggs, beaten
6 tablespoons milk
3 tablespoons sugar, for lemon syrup topping

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease and line an 8 inch loaf pan with parchment or wax paper.

Grate the lemon rinds and set aside. Combine the juice of 1 lemon with 3 tablespoons sugar in a bowl and set in a warm place until the sugar dissolves and forms syrup with the juice. (This makes it seem more complicated that it is. I just combine the sugar and lemon juice and put the bowl on top of the stove. The heat from the oven does the rest)

Cream the butter and the rest of the sugar together until light and fluffy. Add the beaten eggs, a little at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the grated lemon rid and flour; beat again thoroughly (the longer you beat, the softer the cake). Add the milk and beat again.

Pour into the prepared pan and bake for about 1 hour; the cake should spring back when pressed gently in the center. Immediately upon removing the cake from the oven, prick the top with a long-tined fork (I make rows of holes so the syrup really gets into the cake) and pour the lemon juice/sugar syrup all over the top until completely covered. Cool in the pan to allow the syrup to be soaked up and create a moist tangy cake.

When you are ready to serve, sprinkle powdered sugar on top. I like to decorate the top with fresh berries.

Hope it helps,

Elizabeth

Bridal Showers with a Twist

My name is Elizabeth, and I’m a “theme-aholic”. I love to theme parties. Now that that has been said, let’s move on.

Some of my friends are now thinking about getting remarried and some are older and thinking about marriage for the first time. The have everything they need and more for a new "blended" house. So why not put an interesting twist on the old Shower.

"Stock the Garage" Bridal Shower
Invitations – I think this is the perfect invitation. It clearly defines the party. As with all the invitations on my blog, they can be purchased at www.invitetheparty.com

Decorations – How about tarps as tablecloths. Paint cans can hold a flower arrangement. Or better yet, if it’s a spring or summer shower, how about plants they can put in their garden later. Buy a few boxes of nails and screws and nuts. Not only will they look great sprinkled around the table, but can be used by the couple later. You can get some paint sticks for free so why not put those on the table too as a decoration. If you don’t want to use china, how about something fun like Bob the Builder paper plates.

Food: This is a totally casual party. How about barbecue ,6 foot hoagies or even pizza.

Favors: Why not give out a variety pack of picture holders. They are inexpensive and useful. How many times have you received a favor that you just didn’t know what to do with and had to throw away. You could wrap each favor with the color of the day or if you go with the Bob the Builder plates, use Bob the Builder wrapping paper and a pretty ribbon to wrap the favors.

Something for the Couple to Remember the Party – How about having everyone sign a Home Depot or Lowes Apron. What a fun way to remember all the guests who came.

"Stock the Bar" Bridal Shower

Invitations –I designed the above invitations to capture the spirit of the party.

Decorations – This kind of party speaks for itself. Decorations would be what you usually do for a cocktail or dinner party. If you wanted something a little different, what about a “Retro” theme. Pictures of the Rat Pack, Retro decorations, lounge music.

Food – You can really go two ways. Either hors d’oeuvres and cocktails, or a full out meal. It’s up to you and your budget. It would be fun to set up different stations with different kinds of drinks. If you are going “Retro”, find recipes from the late ‘50’s and early ‘60’s.

Favors – How about a cork screw, bottle of cocktail olives, swizzle sticks.

Something for the Couple to Remember the Party - You can buy a platter that everyone can sign. There are pens that you can purchase at the craft store that are made just for this. They can use it at their next cocktail party. Or people could sign cocktail glasses. Either one would be fun to look back on.


"The Wine Enthusiasts" Bridal Shower
Invitations – I designed the above invitations to capture the spirit of the party.

Decorations – Again, this kind of party speaks for itself. Decorations would be what you usually do for a cocktail or dinner party.

Food – There are a few ways you could do this. One would be a wine tasting party. These can be set up from companies in your area. They usually supply the wine and an appetizer. You could also serve you own wine and hors d’oeuvres. Lastly a full out meal. Basically it depends on your budget and how many people.

Favors – How about wine bottles from a local vineyard with a label with the event on them. You could do a corkscrew or a wine glass filled with candy.

Something for the Couple to Remember the Party - Wine Glasses signed by all the guests. . There are pens that you can purchase at the craft store that are made just for this.

I think any of these theme would be fun, but please remember never mix the “Stock the Garage” Party and”Stock the Bar, power tools and liquor never mix. LOL.

Hope this helps,

Elizabeth