CHRISTMAS AND DANGEROUS PIES!

December is such a frenetic time of year. My way of not getting caught up in the craziness may be a little unconventional...or maybe not. All the commercialism is offensive. None of us needs more stuff, but I do love to give gifts. My compromise is simple. Since my kids are all adults and I loathe giving gifts they don't like, I give my sons cash and they can buy what they want. The girls are fun to buy for, sometimes we go shopping together for their gifts. Of course my grand daughter, Rosalie, is fun to buy for.

Christmas is still my favorite holiday. The lights, ornaments, all the different types of trees, little surprises, sentimental cards and ecards, baking, and meals with family and friends, it's all lovely. This year I have been baking a lot, and giving it away as a 'thank you', or a Christmas gift. There is one last piece of pie, banana cream pie, in my refrigerator. It is left over from Monday, when I brought dinner to friends who had a health scare. Since I still had all the ingredients for a pie, I also brought dessert. I almost wish I hadn't.

It started with a thank you to my friend Keith who loaned me his car for a day. His favorite pie is banana cream pie. My first reaction was...but I have never made banana cream pie. Always willing to take a risk, I researched the web for the best scratch recipe. Never wanting to make a homemade pie with box pudding, or anything store bought, I read through about 20 recipes until I found the perfect one. This recipe calls for custard, milk, cornstarch, sugar, and salt. This is a very dangerous recipe. The homemade custard is divine, and I knew I was in trouble with the first bite. Hot, creamy, sweet and oh so smooth and delicate. The most delicious thing I have ever tasted. (I will try to find the recipe so I can pass on the link.)

My dilemma? This last piece of pie is calling to me, even as I write. Custard, bananas, firm yet freckled-sweet, fresh whipping cream, and homemade crust. Being good during the day is easy, it's late at night when I feel the weakest. My options are: throw it away (I have thrown away desserts many times), give it away, or tomorrow is Christmas Eve and someone will be very excited about finding it. Throwing it away is not an option, it's too yummy. Giving it away is tough when it's one single piece of pie. Leaving it in the frig is very dangerous. My brain will figure out what to do...I will let you know. (I called my neighbor friend over and we visited while she ate my pie.)

Today is busy with a few last minute things to do. Grocery shop, put clean sheets on the beds, finish cards to my kids, (I only send cards to my family) and make sure my house is ready for Christmas....and here I am sitting in my bathrobe and writing at 11 am. Well, that's me, when I feel the writer in me coming out, it's best to stop what I am doing and write. It feels superb! By the way, sending cards out after Christmas is a life-long habit, and that's alright. It's the sentiment for a wonderful Christmas and Happy and Healthy New Year that are important. Christmas Eve morning I am making delicious butter cookies for Christmas Eve service at my church.

My wish is that all of you have a wonderful December year end, with family and friends. Whether you are Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist, or no religious beliefs, I wish you a healthy, happy, and prosperous 2016! Be kind, be loving, and we can all give the gift of a smile every day. That one simple gift may save someone's life.

God bless us everyone!    With love, Aleta

"When you arise in the morning, think of what a precious privilege it is to be alive, to breathe, to think, to enjoy, to love."   Marcus Aurelius  -  Roman Emperor 100 AD