Nanny's Caramel Pie

My dad's mom, Nanny, was one of the most awesome cooks I have ever known. She loved to cook, and we loved to make her happy by eating and eating and eating. Whatever came out of her kitchen was delicious and we always knew that when we visited her, she would be cooking our favorites (which usually included fried chicken, cream gravy, cream peas, and biscuits from scratch!!)

Nanny was also known for her pies and anytime the family got together, she made everyone's favorites. Chocolate, coconut, pecan, and caramel were just a few of the pies we knew would always be present. Now, Nanny never measured anything when she cooked and of course, never wrote anything down. So before Nanny passed on, my mom made it her quest to write down as many of Nanny's recipes as possible. And Mom did a great job getting many of her favorites down on paper. But one eluded us......the caramel pie.

Mom has been gone for 6 years and I had decided to finish her quest by finding a recipe that was similar to Nanny's caramel pie. I have looked and looked. I finally found this one....baked it....took it to my dad for him to be the judge. Viola! We have a winner! So, here is the recipe for an Old-fashioned Burnt Sugar Caramel Pie......or now it's called, "Nanny's Caramel Pie".

Ingredients
1 1/2 cups sugar (divided into half)
4 tablespoons flour
3 eggs, separated
1 can evaporated milk PLUS add enough milk to make 2 cups all together
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 pat of butter
1 - 9 inch pie crust, baked

Caramelize 3/4 cup of sugar, stirring until it is melted and a nice caramel color. Set aside

Combine remaining 3/4 cup of sugar, flour, egg yolks, and whisk in milk gradually until mixture is smooth. Cook over a medium heat, stirring constantly until mixture thickens.

Add the caramelized sugar, and STIR, BABY, STIR!!!! It will lump up at first, but it WILL melt and the mixture will be smooth again.

Continue to cook and stir until smooth and very thick.

Add vanilla, and a pat of butter. Pour into baked 9 inch pie crust.

Make meringue by using the 3 egg whites, 1 teaspoon of cream of tartar, and a pinch of salt. Beat mixture and add 3/4 cups of sugar a tablespoon at a time. Beat on high until soft peaks form. Put meringue on pie and bake at 350 until light brown color.

1/11/11

Today's date: January 11, 2011 or 1/11/11. So today must be a day of firsts, right? Yes, it is.

Austin and Shawna have been fostering 2 little chocolate boys, ages 2 and 1, for the past 6 months. Precious little boys! I would love to mention their names and put up pictures, but because they are in the foster care system, it is best that I don't. These little men went back to their mama's for Christmas and Austin and Shawna got the official word today that they would not be returning. A court date had been made and the boys were staying at their mama's.

I had conflicting emotions concerning this. We had known for awhile that the boys would probably go back to their mama, so it was good to get the official word......closure. However, we all knew that these little guys weren't going back to a great home life. This bothered me and even as I write it stirs up all those emotions again. Fortunately, I know that God knows exactly where these little guys are.....He knows how many hairs are on their heads.....He cares. This didn't turn out the way I thought it would, BUT I chose to trust.

However, as quickly as they got the word that the boys were not coming back, they get another call.....twin chocolates.....7 months....1 boy, 1 girl. Really? Already? These two only weigh about 8 pounds. They were preemies, they are in good health, they just weren't in a good situation and now the primary goal is for them to gain weight.

Ashlynn is estatic! She has 2 babies coming to her house....a boy AND a girl! Austin and Shawna, I think are a little shell-shocked. These babies eat every 2 hours......there are 2 of them!! Not sure how all of this is going to work, but knowing Austin and Shawna, it will work and it'll work quickly.

I am so amazed at my son and his wife. So proud of them for meeting the need of children needing a place to grow and thrive. It's so difficult to juggle life as it is and yet, they throw in little ones who need a temporary mama and daddy into their lives and do it with so much grace. I'm not sure I could do this but I am so proud of them and so thankful they have allowed me to share in this experience.

So, it has been a day of firsts. It's the first time I've lost 2 of my grandkids. It's the first time I've ever had twins in my family. But, I started my day with 1 vanilla (who just happens to be the most beautiful little girl in the world) and now I'm back to 1 vanilla and 2 chocolates. What a way to start the new year! I love my life.

The Year of Limbo

As you can see, it has been quite awhile since I've blogged. As I look back on 2010, it has been such a strange year.....of course, there have been many, many blessings......God is so very good. But, it just seemed that as 2010 ended, the Neelys had a lot of loose ends. I hate loose ends. I like them all tied up nice and neat. Like my ducks all in a row exactly how I want them. As my family sat around the table at Christmas time, Austin made this observation. "It seems like that 2010 was the year of limbo for the Neelys". YES!!!! That's it exactly!

Have you ever had God tell you something very specific that He wanted you to do? And you went after that with all your heart? Searching and trying to obey Him with everything you've got....knowing that if you'll be obedient, something awesome is just around the corner?

Well, my family has had a lot of those these past few months. Things we were really seeking God about.....believing that He was guiding us in a specific direction.....doing everything we felt like He was asking us to do. And.......?

We're waiting. We're at a standstill. We've done all we know to do and yet, we don't see God moving yet. Can I just tell you, that just drives me nuts! We've got some big decisions we need to hear Him on and it's kinda quiet. Really?????? We've done everything You want us to do...now we wait? We've been waiting a long time.

And yet, in all my frustration for God not moving as quickly or in the manner I think He should, I hear Him say, "Do you trust Me?" My heart falls a little.....I so want to.....You've never let me down before.....You've always provided in the most awesome ways....but I don't see any movement, God. He says, "I know, but will you still trust me that I know what I'm doing?"

So, today, I lay down my heart......yeah, God, I really do trust you. I do get frustrated when things aren't moving like I think they should.....but yes, I will trust you. You make all things work together for my good because You love me and because I am Your daughter - the daughter of the Most High King. I don't understand...but You do....so I will trust.

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and don't lean on your own understanding. In all your ways, acknowledge Him, and He will make you path straight." Proverbs 3:4-5

If Children's Pastors Ruled......

• The church water fountain would dispense Dr. Pepper.
• Hymns would have motions.
• The adult service would have a flashing light signaling that kids' church was out so the pastor could dismiss the adults.
• The senior pastor would have to put up with YOUR kid.
• Nursery duty would be mandatory for all choir members.
• Ushers would pass out animal crackers and crayons.
• People being baptized would be allowed to splash.
• Greeters would wear full body costumes and make balloon animals.
• Every Sunday you could poke your head into the adult service and bark out, "Keep It Quiet!" and they would obey.
• Church staff meetings would be held at Incredible Pizza.
• It would be considered harmless fun to wear cowboy gear and blast holes into the church's grand piano while hollering "yee-haw!".
• Adults would raise their hands during the sermon and ask the senior pastor if they can go to the restroom.
• Church finance boards can only say only one phrase, "Go ahead! We don't care how much it costs!"
• The senior pastor would have to get permission from the children's pastor before adding any new services or scheduling any new events.
• The church tithes would go to the children's ministry first. Any left over money would be distributed in small increments to the general fund.
• When people got saved in the adult service, the senior pastor would fire off a confetti cannon.
• The adult service would have to use the old sound system with the high pitched hum and the crappy projector.
• Children's workers that did not show up would be fined. At the end of the year, you could use the money to go to the Bahamas while they ran VBS for you.

Ahhhhh, thank you Roger Fields. I like they way you think. All I can say is, "Yes and Amen!"

Kids Minister in Big Church

Our theme at camp? "Learn by Doing". We talked about the only way we would learn to hear God better is to practice doing it - over and over. How do you learn to feel more comfortable praying for people - by doing it over and over. So, we did a lot of it at camp.

Then the following Sunday, our campers had the opportunity to pray over the adults in "Big Church" during the ministry time. Yes, they were VERY nervous....but God was so faithful. Those kids just started praying for the adults and you could just watch God pump them "fuller and fuller" with confidence! I am so very proud of them! We're already hearing stories of how God answered their prayers.

I am so thankful to have a pastor who sees the importance of allowing kids to minister. Our kids are begging to do it again we're planning to make it happen.

Kids' Camp

Every year, the 3rd - 6th graders head to Riverbend Retreat Center for camp. This year, it was August 13 -15 and I think it was the hottest camp I have ever been to! With temperatures running over 100 degrees every day, it was a challenge to keep everyone hydrated and lathered in sunscreen. But, despite that, we had a wonderful time! I love camp...love being with the kids..it's just such a special time. Thought I would share some pics.

She's just so dang cute!

So, the other day, Wes and I had the whole family at the house for lunch. Yep, it was kinda a zoo with Dad, Brendon, Austin, Shawna, Ashlynn, and their two ADORABLE little foster boys -lots of noise and so much fun! Just trying to get everyone situated at the table can be a real challenge with 3 little ones 3 years old or younger.

We had just settled at the table to eat when Ashlynn proudly announced that Granddaddy and Juju lived too far away from her and needed to find a new house. She and her mama and daddy were going to find us a new house much closer. (We have been looking to build or buy a home closer to her, but Ashlynn had not been aware of the process until one day they were driving around in a neighborhood looking at houses for us.)

Ashlynn is fine with us moving, BUT she made it quite clear that when I do move I need to take "my toys" and "my pool" (it's a little one for her to play in) when I move. Hope she allows me to bring more of my stuff besides my toys and pool, or I'm gonna have a really empty place to live.

I love that little girl! She just makes me smile!