Razzleberry Pie

I have fond memories of razzleberry pie. It's the first pie I ever made by myself (at age 10). My mother supervised, it turned out great. I remember coming home from school the next day and picking at the crust, nibbling on the crumbs, certain that no one would ever know. The fruit and the salty crust make for a fantastic combination. A little splash of lemon juice and a dash of cinnamon add a depth of flavor that simple sugar can't attain. Those flavors really make the berries pop. It's just...good. Real good. And for reasons I can't figure out I haven't made this pie since my first attempt so many years ago. Yesterday I decided that it was high time for some pie! Mom by my side, we again conquered the razzleberry pie.

*Before making filling, make 1 recipe of pie dough for a double crust 9'' pie. When dough comes together separate into two equal balls and set aside. Cover with a clean, wet kitchen towel to keep from drying out.

Step 1: Filling 

Ingredients:  

1 cup fresh strawberries, halved

2 cups raspberries

1 1/2 cups fresh blueberries

2/3 cup white sugar (Plus 1 t. for sprinkling)

1 tespooon cinnamon 

1/4 cup cornstarch (Plus 1/2 t. for sprinkling)

1 teaspoon lemon juice

1 Tablespoon butter

1 egg

1 Tablespoon water

1 recipe for a 9 inch double crust pie

In a large bowl combine all berries. Mix sugar, cinnamon, and cornstarch in small bowl till completely incorporated. Sprinkle mixture over berries and toss gently to cover. Allow berries to macerate, soften and release their juices. Add lemon juice to berries. Set aside. 

Step 2: Bottom Crust

While the berries are resting roll out bottom crust piece to fit in a 9'' pie plate. Press dough in plate and sprinkle with 1/2 t. cornstarch and 1 t. sugar to keep bottom crust from getting soggy. Pour berries and all juices into prepared pie plate. Cut tablespoon of butter in to smaller pieces and sprinkle over the top of the berries.

Step 3: Top Crust

Roll out top crust, make vents and place on top of pie. Or cut strips and make a lattice crust by weaving each strip of dough over and under other strips. Pinch edges and create desired pattern. Whisk together egg, and water using a pastry brush or fingers brush on top crust, to help with browning. Sprinkle crust with sugar, if desired. 

 Step 4: Bake

Bake in 375 degree oven for 20 minutes until top is brown. Cover edges with pieces of foil and continue baking 30-40 more minutes until berries are bubbling and crust is brown.  Remove from oven and allow to cool on a cooling rack for at least 3 hours.

 Step 5: Eat

 Serve with whipped cream, ice cream, no cream. However you please. You'll enjoy it, I'm sure!

Hey remember that one time we drove for 35 hours...twice

I was just looking through photos on my phone and felt a tinge of stress when I saw the following photos. I was immediately swept back to a flat stretch of land somewhere in Nebraska. Hundreds of miles away from anything familiar. It was fun the first time. The second time not so much. We drove to and from Washington DC and Utah. We listened to our iPods, and then a couple of mix CDs, we then hit up the FM radio (when we could get it) but I think what I enjoyed most was when we resorted to AM radio. That was...fun. My heart sunk when we had driven 400 miles and then the GPS told us we still had more than 500 to go. Woof. Obviously our faces show what I cannot describe here in words. But after all of the hours in the car, all of the miles behind us we were rewarded at home with hugs from family, chicken noodle soup on the stove and a beautiful welcome home sign.

 

A week at home and we're still in the process of recovering. 

It's a process. 

We'll get there.

Year two

Two years can seem like a long time when life is dull and uninteresting, or in my case if I wasn't married to my husband. Today we've been married two years. And time has flown. We've continued to learn life lessons, and have grown to love each other more and more everyday. Today I am more in love with him than I ever have been. Our motto  has continued to remain the most important, and most helpful piece of advice we've ever received. Marriage is an adventure and in year three that won't change. We'll continue to try new things, and fall in love.

Happy Anniversary to us.

My Husband

 Sometimes I wonder how I got so lucky to be married to Adam. He is funny, and intelligent, and handsome, and is now a college graduate. I don't think I could be more proud. He has worked so hard. So many late nights. So many papers. So many classes and professors. So many pep talks. And finally he's reached the end of his BYU undergraduate education. The end of another chapter in his life. On the brink an exciting new path.

 

I am so proud of you Adam, and am really looking forward to what is in store for us in the future. 

 

Saying Goodbye

  Change has always been something I could embrace. Not to say that changes aren't hard for me but in most cases I am able to see the good in every big life change I have been faced with. Our lives are about to change again. As we leave Washington DC we look forward to new adventures in store for us back home in Utah, and we reflect on all of the opportunists and experiences we've had while living in DC. We've had our high and low points. Coping with the woe's of public transportation (running to the bus) would be an example of a low point. Adam being able to work with the judiciary staff in Senator Lee's office would be a high, baby Hannah, Founding Farmers, etc all high points. We have loved living here, we've met amazing people, learned even more about each other and our marriage, and grown a lot as individuals. We go home with excitement for the next stage in our lives and know that Washington DC will always have a special place in our hearts.

Our bags are packed, our cleaning check passed all that's left now is 2,000 miles in the car and we're home.  

Lately

A "two scoop" kind of day, saying goodbye, last meal at my favorite place, broke out the spring polish colors, bought a trendy new accessory, German pancakes when there's nothing else to eat, the most perfect purple tulip, and the happiest blue pansies

My Favorite People

Last week momma came to visit me and Adam. It was so nice having her here and I miss her already. We did so much while she was in town and had a blast. We visited Adam at work. I embarrassed him and made him smile for a couple photos! (Sorry honey) He was so official in his office, it was fun to watch him in action. Can I just brag for a minute? He is so talented and so wonderful and I am so proud of him. That's all. Quick and painless. I love him.

Adam has had the chance to give lots of Capitol Tours to Utahns that come into Senator Lee's office.  My mom and I took advantage of his responsibilities and asked for a tour. It was awesome. I think my favorite part was riding on the underground trolly to the Capitol. 

 These photos were taken while we were on the tour. The statue in the top left photo is the Statue of Freedom, the the same statue that is on to of the Capitol, it's 19 feet tall! It was huge. The middle photo is of me standing in the very center point in Washington DC in the Crypt of the Capitol. And the last photo is of the Capitol dome. Adam told us that the Statue of Liberty could fit inside this room - it's 180 feet from the ceiling to the floor. 

 This is Adam tour-guiding it up. He was so cute. Obviously, just look at my face. 

The next day we hit Eastern Market, hard. While waiting in line for crepes I bought a bag of fresh doughnuts, my mom bought a pretzel, Adam contemplated buying a pickle and my mom found some fresh apple chips. All while we were waiting to get more food. We ate a lot. I feel good about it. 

 I loved all of the fresh produce that is sold at the market, I was especially loving the seasonal bright green asparagus and yummy strawberries. They were so sweet you could smell them a booth away. 

After the market, we tried the much raved-about "We the Pizza" restaurant (as if we hadn't eaten enough already). I got one slice and shared with mom and Adam. We tried the Buffalo Mozzarella Roasted Tomato pizza. I totally get all of the raving reviews, it was fabulous.

 Once we were realllly stuffed full my mom and I took a walk around the Capitol and snapped some cute photos. She's so beautiful, I'm so glad to call her mine.

We visited the botanical garden to see the Orchid festival. It was so amazing. I have never seen so many different types of orchid. They were lovely.   

 

We did so much eating and walking and site seeing. I loved every moment of it. Adam and my mom are truly two of my favorite people in the whole world they bring out every good quality in me. That's how you know a person is really good, when they make you better by just spending time together. Thanks for coming to visit mom, it was so fun sharing everything we have learned and experienced here in Washington. 

Easter

This year Easter was a bit unconventional. We're actually postponing it 2 weeks until we're home and can celebrate with the whole family. That, however didn't stop me from sporting my yellow Easter dress and eating a little extra chocolate. I loved going to church to listen to the story of Jesus life, death and resurrection. It fills me with hope and gratitude for Him and His sacrifice for me.
I hope you had a great Easter Sunday!

Lately

White cheddar mac 'n cheese (all day long), Adam's rouge lips (thanks mr. popsicle), frozen obsession, spring in a photo, Abe Lincoln makes an appearance, a dozen firehook cookies, an ice cream cone companion, tickets to a movie that let me down, and a cookie as big as my face (there were 12 on Friday now there are 2...oops.)

Kite Festival

On Saturday Adam and I experienced the joy that is the annual DC Kite Festival, in conjunction with the Cherry Blossom Festival.  Ever since I was a little girl I had an obsession interest in kite flying. Growing up my dad took my sisters and I across the street to the field behind our elementary school on Sunday afternoons and we would fly a kite. Something about the frustration of not being able to get the kite to take flight, running back and forth throwing the kite into the sky with hopes that it would stay there. Thinking that the dumb kite will never get higher than as far as your arm can reach, almost losing hope, when suddenly a gust of wind catches the wings and off it goes into the sky with the birds, your kite. It's sort of magical. I loved the Kite Festival.

There were so many people out flying kites, kids, adults, professionals, student clubs. All types. There was actually several competitions going on throughout the day followed by a Japanese style kite battle. It was all pretty intense.  

 

I wanted to end with this photo of our favorite kite of the day: the whale. It was something like 20 feet long and weighs a ton - it was so cool. It was swimming through the air. Pretty amazing.