Who Is Anastasia?

My photo
New Castle, Indiana Zone 5, United States
When I was 55, I decided to embrace the things I love and hold precious and dear, regardless of anyone else's thoughts and opinion. I am a visual folk artist who loves flowers - my own flowers, grown and/or painted by me. I love good, hearty, exotic foods, and I love to prepare them myself. I love the secret garden situated in my backyard, regardless of how overgrown and wild it gets. No longer able to afford a vacation, this will have to be it for the time being. In the winter months, I still enjoy it. Anyway, here I am sharing my art, favorite recipes, cocktails, gardening tips, and just my usual vents and bantering. After all, I'm old enough to say whatever the heck I want to now ...

JEWELS OF MY SOUL

JEWELS OF MY SOUL
My Book Available on AMAZON

August 19, 2009

Easy Summer Pies

These are my favorite (easy) SUMMER PIES!

Topless Blueberry/Blackberry Pie
3/4 cup white sugar
3 tablespoons cornstarch
1 pinch salt
1 cup water
2 cups fresh blueberries
2 cups fresh blackberries
1 tablespoon butter
1 (9 inch) pie crust, baked

In a saucepan, combine sugar, cornstarch and salt. Stir in water and 1 cup of mixed berries. Cook and stir over medium heat, until thick, approximately 8 to 10 minutes.
Add butter and let cool about 5 minutes. Stir in remaining berries.
Pour into baked pie shell and cool in the refrigerator for 2 to 4 hours.

Easy Limeade Pie
1 (6 ounce) can frozen limeade concentrate
1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
1 (8 ounce) frozen container nondairy whipped topping (Cool Whip, etc.), thawed
1 graham cracker crust

Mix limeade (may substitute lemonade concentrate) and sweetened condensed (not evaporated) milk in a large bowl. Fold in whipped topping. Pour filling into graham cracker crust. Place in freezer 2 to 3 hours
This is a really cool pie for hot summer months; not the same as a Key Lime pie, but so refreshing!

The Backyard --Today's Vacation Spot

The Backyard --Today's Vacation Spot
A simple garden meal in the shade. No, it's not my backyard, but it looks identical to the one I grew up with at our home in Queens. Looking for an original pic of it to post soon!

Old Fashioned Tips