My early Easter Pie, "Lemon Merangue" to die for.... I'm eating it today!

I'm sure everyone gets a craving and the other day, mine was "Lemon Merangue Pie"

  The need never went away so this morning about 6am I went to the kitchen, made my coffee and started pulling out all the ingredients to make myself one.

 First I want to tell you about my glass cutting board.  I love this thing!  It was something I  picked up at a yard sale about 6 years ago for all of $1.00.  It's been a counter saver and the perfect spot to roll out pie crust.  A few months ago I thought of getting another one in the stores and could not believe the price for one this size.. it was $39.00.  So now I'm on the look out at all yard sales I go to.. so far nothing.

 1 stick of  sweet butter (cold) and 1 1/2 c of flower, 1/4 tsp salt,  three tablespoons icy water into the mixer, on low and pie crust emerges.  Transfer the sticky pie crust mixture to my glass cutting board that has been dusted with flour and roll out, put in pie pan then prick with a fork and bake in a  hot oven (425') for about 12 minutes.   Done! 
You will see I made two small tart crusts, because I know I made much too much of the  lemon mixture.  My neighbor next door will love these little guys.

 Ok, I cheated a bit.  Used Jello-Lemon flavored pudding mix, but I did add 2 tsp fresh lemon juice to give the pudding a bit more tartness.

What do you want?  It's 6am!

 The Jello mix called for 1 c of sugar per box, I used two boxes, but I only added 1/2 cup per.  I could taste the tartness...

 Time to mix the egg whites into smooth Merangue.  

4 egg whites 1/4 c sugar and turn it on high and walk away for about 5 minutes.

 "Tick Tock... Tick Tock"

I have a really bad problem with burning food. 

 Really!  

Anything that needs high heat and only minutes to brown usually ends up burnt so I sat in front of the oven door (literally sat on the floor) while the merangue browned.  I timed it, 4 minutes at 425'f. I know what would have happened if I walked away.  Just ask my family what happens when I try to make toast or garlic bread.

Perfect!

Look at the luschiousness of this pie.  
I took a piece to two of my neighbors.  They are up in the years and just love it when I surprise them with something special.

Besides, if I give most of it away
"I won't eat it it all"

 I did say in my header, "This is my Easter Pie" so I guess that means I can't make another for that special day. But then I'm sure after the Mr. gets his hands on it today I may need to.... maybe?

"Happy Easter"

I'm linking up to
Friday Food Frenzy 
Show off your Stuff 

It's Spring 2013 (In Florida) ... or is it?

It's Spring!  

That's what everyone is telling me and all I read and see on the news is the north is still suffering the wrath of winter. 

 Snow?  

 What snow?  

We in South Florida are having chilly weather but the sun is glorious.   The past two days I've been cleaning and doing damage control out in the yard.  This year our winter was odd indeed... It's been colder than normal and most of my plantings have suffered.
Yesterday our Home Depot had a great sale on "Red Bark Mulch" and I  bought 20 bags.. they were $1.00 a bag. 

 Then the unthinkable happened.  

I threw out my back,  yep, I really hurt myself and had to give up when I had so much more to do. 

Today was spent up in my room,  laying down filled with muscle relaxers trying to baby my poor aching back.  My hands were busy as usual finishing up a new crochet table cloth I've been working on for several weeks.

 I looked out from my bedroom balcony into the beautiful sunshine and wanted to cry because I could not finish, but I feel so good about how much I did get done.  The weeds took over this past winter and I made some large piles for the lawn guys to take on Thursday. (Our regular day for them to spruce up the lawn.  I love those guys)

As much as I love my yard, it's so much work to keep it up.

One good thing about being stuck indoors today I was able to have a good gab with my sister in Saudi on Face Time.  Then a two hour phone chat with the new mommy, my daughter.  Her  baby is 2 weeks today and had his check up with the Dr.  He and his brothers are all doing great.  

Well, it's 5 in the afternoon and 55' out.  Freeze warning tonight they say, wonder if I need to get out and put some sheets on my new plantings?  No, I think I'll take my chances and let mother nature take over.

 

 "Happy Spring"

I'm linking up to

Outdoor Wednesday
Alphabet Thursday
Be Inspired
Fertilizer Friday