Starting to Miss The Sea

I can not wait to get back to my beloved East Coast for a visit. I miss her and her salty air...her humid days, and tons of traffic (Oh. My. Gosh...did I just say I missed the traffic?) I miss my special people there. I miss pulled pork barbecue with Carolina sauce...I miss steamed shrimp with Old Bay and Beers on the deck next to the Chesapeake Bay.

My love and I will get to remedy this longing very soon. We are both very excited about a small trip back. The arms of loved ones we left are excited to have us back, even if for a short time.

Before Russia and I left the Virginia coast, we spent a day lulling around in the many antique shops and art galleries that sit strategically located along the banks of the Elizabeth River in Olde Towne, Portsmouth, Virginia. One of our favorites is Skip Jack's Nautical Wares. The owner of this shop, Mr. Joe Elder is such a well educated and friendly proprietor. He happens to write this blog where he showcases nautical styling and decorating. When you are visiting his shop and art gallery, you instantly feel like you are spending time with old friends. He and his knowledgeable staff will answer any questions that you may have. If you are lucky, Joe will share some of his own sailing adventures with you.

When I begin to feel bangs of homesickness and long for my home coast, I look back to these images I caught on that wonderful day this past spring and I rejoice. I become giddy and I relish in the love that was shared that day. I hear the echoes of the laughter or the funny faces that were made. I can feel the hugs and taste the wonderful meal that concluded a fun adventure. I can close my eyes and be teleported back to a place that in ingrained in my heart.

I miss you so, my sweet Virginia. We will be seeing you soon.

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This is Home Girl and I'm out. (BTW~ Blogger...you need to fix your issues. Thank You.)

Strawberry Pie Makes Summer Less Hot

I am feeling so badly for my East Coast family and friends suffering through this severely oppressive heat wave where record highs are being broken daily. It amazes me that it is 113 degrees today. I feel guilty for sitting here comfortable in the low 80's as our high. It's not fair, I know. I pray that a cool front comes through soon. I just hope that this weather is not indicative of any potentially harmful tropical cyclones that may try to make the Atlantic Seaboard it's target in the coming months...with warmer than usual water temps the likelihood of such storms (dare I say hurricane) is more prolific. Hopefully, you all are tucked inside with the benefit of air conditioning, fans, and ice cold beverages.

As a consolation gift, I am sharing with you a berry special treat today...but it might require a trip to the store and thus dealing with the heat. My friend, Tsannie knows how I feel about pie and when I recently discussed a comparison test I was performing on Strawberry Pie, she more than happily sent me her mother's beloved recipe. Since I feel so badly about your heat situation and I want to help, I am going to share this recipe with you all (with Miss Tsannie's permission, of course). It will cool you down and even if it doesn't, it will instantly make you not care so much about the heat. So without further ado...I present...

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Miss Tsannie's Mum Bum's Strawbaby Pie (makes 1 pie)

Need:

1 quart strawberries

1 baked pie shell

Cornstarch

Sugar

Whipped Cream Topping (I prefer real or canned, but tub is fine, as well.)

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Strawberry Glaze:

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1 cup water added slowly to:

2 tablespoons cornstarch

1 cup sugar

1/4 cup strawberries, chopped fine

several drops red food coloring, if desired.

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Put all the ingredients in a pot and simmer until the mixture thickens (approximately 5 minutes or more). Add a touch of food coloring. Let the glaze cool (not cold) and carefully spoon over remaining (whole or sliced) berries that have been placed in the baked pie shell. Be sure to cover all the berries. Place in the refrigerator until ready to serve.

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This pie is now my "goto" berry pie recipe. I swear on my "Pie Loving Life"...it is absolutely divine. It competed against the red goopy crap you can buy next to the strawberries in the grocery store...(you know what I'm talking about...well, hopefully you do and if not, DO NOT WASTE YOUR TIME TRYING IT) and it lost...hands down..no comparison. The home-made version is very much worth the time and effort.

Tsannie's Mum Bum's Strawbaby Pie is luscious and reminded me of a Strawberry Daiquiri...even the addition of 1 teaspoon of rum flavoring could not make this pie any better than it already is.

I can not reiterate enough how wonderful it is. It immediately took me to my beloved Virginia and I had visions of being at the annual Pungo Strawberry festival. Try it and please go visit Miss Tsannie and let her now how much you love it. She loves it too. I love a lady who is willing to share pie recipes with me. Seriously, that is a great sign of friendship.

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I am blowing cooler weather ya'lls way. Stay safe and be hydrated.

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This is Home Girl and me and this pie are OUT!

Where Do I Begin?

Enjoying a restful, peaceful day collecting my thoughts and my "where with all" which will include lounging by the pool and a few soaks in the jacuzzi, I am sure, but I will leave you with many blessings (for which I have many).

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This is Home Girl....and I'm OUT.