{how delicious} Key Lime Pie

Has anyone else noticed that the only recipes I ever post anymore are for dessert? I should probably examine this, perhaps even try to remedy it. Later, though. I need to finish the cupcake I'm currently eating.

Priorities, people. PRIORITIES.

This particular recipe is one I got from Pioneer Woman, but I added a little Talia twist to it. I know it's quite delicious simply doing it her way (after all, when is anything she makes not delicious?), but, in my humble opinion, it is the twist that makes it absolutely divine.

Pioneer Woman's Key Lime Pie... with a teensy Talia twist


CRUST:
■18 whole Graham Crackers (the 4-section Large Pieces)
■⅓ cups Sugar
■⅓ cups Butter, Melted

FILLING:
■1 Tablespoon (heaping) Lime Zest
■½ cups Lime Juice
■2 whole Egg Yolks
■1 can (14 Oz) Sweetened Condensed Milk
Preheat oven to 350 degrees

For the crust:
Crush crackers in a food processor or Ziploc bag. Pour them into a bowl and stir in sugar and melted butter. Press into a pie pan and bake for 5 minutes or until golden and set. Remove from oven and set aside to cool slightly.

For the filling:
Mix lime zest, lime juice, and egg yolks in a mixing bowl. Add in condensed milk and mix on high until smooth and thick. Pour mixture into crust and bake for 15 minutes.

Remove from oven, allow to cool, then refrigerate for at least 1 hour—more if possible.

 Note from me: This recipe is for one pie, but I found that her recipe for graham cracker crust easily made two pies. So I doubled the filling and made two... which was a good thing, because they were BOTH promptly devoured.

Since I have no pictures to go with this post, here's the link to her original post, complete with her beautiful pictures.

And now that Pioneer Woman has supplied us with the delicious pie... it's my turn to contribute something.: whipped cream with booze in it.

How can you go wrong with that? ;)

This is THE topping for this pie. It complimented the lime so well and was just... perfection.

Vanilla Rum Whipped Cream

2 cups heavy whipping cream
1/3 cup pwd sugar
2 tsp vanilla
2 tsp rum

In a mixing bowl, beat cream on high until soft peaks form. Add sugar, vanilla, and rum, beating on low until mixed in. Return mixer to high and continue to beat until stiff enough (what's the proper term for "whipped cream consistency? I have no idea... but you know what whipped cream is supposed to be like, and I know you'll get it right. You're smart!) I will say that these amounts are all approximate, since I just kind of added until it tasted right. Use more or less of the sugar, vanilla, or rum, depending upon how you like it.
Place a dollop, or several, on top of a slice of pie. Refrigerate any leftovers, to be eaten with a spoon if you feel like it (I've done it, I'm not going to lie).

This was something I made for a night when all the band guys were over, a little treat for them after their practice. It's so much fun to bake for all of them, and I always feel so appreciated when they ever-so-graciously exclaim over it and eat as much as they can... sometimes even waxing eloquent. hehe. I love seeing the people I love enjoying the food I made for them. So rewarding.

Go now and make this for the ones you love... they'll love you right back for it, I promise. :)

There's a band in our garage...

... and they rock.





They rock HARD.
I like to say that they are the bestest band ever.
However, I might, perhaps, be slightly biased.


This is Ryan. He plays the piano and sings. I could listen to him play all day long... he's amazing. (He's also Emma's piano teacher, and does a marvelous job at that too)


This is Luke... he plays the rhythm guitar and is one of the newer members of the band. He's also our brother-in-law! I was thrilled when he joined the band, because it meant Jessica (his wife, Jeremy's sister, my best friend) and I get to be "band wives" together.


This is Zack, or Zachary, as I like to call him. He plays lead guitar, and sounds like Jason Mraz when he sings. Sometimes he sits on our couch and just plays and sings, and I love it.


This is Jake. He plays the bass guitar, which came about when the band needed a bassist, and they asked him if he wanted to do it, since he was already here hanging out every week anyway. He said yes, even though he didn't really know how, and learned how to play it in no time at all. Quite impressive. He's also dating my sister, which makes me very happy. Hooray. *big smile*


This is Jeremy, whom you all know as My Husband. I also like to refer to him as A Major Hottie...especially when he plays those drums. He's so good at it, so passionate about it, and I love to watch him play.


One day while they were practicing, I went out and took some random photos of them. I'm certainly no photographer, but I really had fun snapping away while I listened to them play.





guitars are so pretty!


so are piano keys.


"TOO MUCH METAL FOR ONE HAND!"





Oh, these guys.

They're not just a talented group of musicians who happen to make music in our garage.

They're men who have a passion for the Lord, who love to praise Him, who use their gifts for Him. They've become friends with whom we love to spend our time...laughing (a lot) and talking, encouraging each other, and sharing in each other's lives. I refer to them fondly as "my boys". I'm not actually sure if they even know that, but it's how I've come to think of them as time goes on.


They're family.
And I'm so glad they're here each week to jam in our garage, fill our house with music, eat my cookies, make us laugh, and just be a part of our lives.

Rock on, guys. Rock on. :)

(you can find them online here, if you're curious and you'd like to know a little more about them as a band. Or, you can like The Damascus Project on facebook!)