UPDATE: Read more about our Pie Off at my friend Mr. Tim’s blog
Happy Sunday, Darlings. Saturday was so wonderful. Just a perfect day. I got up early to make my sweet potato pie for the neighborhood pie off. Eric got up very soon after (on a Saturday!) There was a park dedication across the street from our house with a cookout and live music, as well as the pie off at Tim and Becky’s house. The pie off is well loved by our neighborhood and this was the second annual. Becky made everything look so beautiful and the pies were so spectacular that every photo was fab. Let’s share:
BBQ on the park
Waiting for the contest to start
(there I am in the green sweater and pink scarf)<
Pies awaiting judgement
The categories were sweet and savory
Miss Becky’s Incredible Key Lime Pie
My darling boys, Taruan & Chioke, enjoying pie<
Our bestie, Jeff, who would kill me if he knew I put his photo up – Shhh.
Kids love pie
This is still such a new contest that all the rules and regulations are still being set. When I first brought my pie to Tim and Becky’s house, I was told to write the type of pie on a card so no one would know who made it. Then it was decided to have a “Parade of Pies” for all the contestants. Um….wouldn’t everyone know who we were if were parading with our pies? Lol. I love our little small town neighborhood that lives under the guise of being “big city.” Today we were all Mayberry.
Contestants awaiting voting results
(Isn’t Becky adorable in her polka dot hostessing apron?)
And now, let me introduce to you, your Pie Off Queen for 2009 – Miss Crystal!
Hooray for Crystal! And hooray for all of us getting to eat pie! It was a blast.
But there was a costume at home waiting to be built. Eric and I headed home (it’s so great to have a neighborhood where we can walk to all our friend’s homes), saying hello here and there to various neighbors all enjoying the day.
Eric and I spent a good part of the early evening cutting patterns and sewing this beast of a costume. It was so much fun to have a quiet evening with just the two of us puttering around, making a furry mess of the house. When it came time for dinner, we both knew we were making onion soup and just couldn’t wait.
The onions prepped, butter and oil melted in the pan – the phone rings. I had been waiting to hear from friend and neighbor Tracy to call me so I could help her into her Elvira costume for a party she was attending. Eric was so great to watch over the soup so I could run across the street to play dress up for a minute. Here’s a pic of Tracy. Doesn’t she look amazing?
Tracy as Elvira at the party
With Tracy all tucked into her dress, wig and shoes, my work here was done. Home to Eric, two cuddly dogs and onion soup. I didn’t realize I had been gone an hour (girl talk!) and my darling had tenderly watched over our dinner. The house smelled delectable! And my sweetheart was so sweet to take pictures of the process – he’s so wonderful! Some foodie photos for you:
Starting the onions
Yummy, Carmelized Veggies
Action Shot! Stirring in the beef stock
Simmering for three hours
Time to Eat!
Holy Toledo, it was good. We used Julia Child’s recipe and couldn’t understand why she didn’t include more herbs and spices. How could we have tried to second guess Julia? She’s always right. This soup, with its croutons of Tuscan bread and shredded gruyere was perfection. My darling served up the soup and we ate while watching my Gators beat Mississippi State. Eric even cleaned the kitchen as I finished watching the game. That, my darlings, is the perfect husband.
And the end to a perfect day.
Warm yourselves up with some soup and some pie. You will have a huge smile on your face. And I love it when you smile.
xoox, Patti