Chocolate Chess Pie

I have been making a tons of different desserts lately.  Chess Pie is a popular southern pie and my mom recently shared this recipe from her friend Mary.  I remember my dad going on and on about this pie.  My Dad loved pie - but then again I think my dad loved all desserts!

My family loved it.  I liked it better without whipped cream but my hubby liked it better with.  Enjoy!

Chocolate Chess Pie

2 eggs

3/4 cup sugar

2 Tablespoons cocoa... I sift together with sugar and mix with eggs.. I also use a mixer to mix it well

1/2 stick butter ( melted & mixed with above)

1 can condensed milk

1 teaspoon vanilla

Mix all ingredients with mixer... put in unbaked pie shell

Bake at 350 degrees for 30-45 minutes or until set.. it shouldn't jiggle too much in center but will continue cooking a little after removed from oven... Can be served plain or with whipping cream... even ice cream.. or it's good just by itself...

Note:  Using the mixer blends it well and makes a better consistency...

Printable Version

Annie's Senior Pictures

I just can't believe our Annie is a senior.  I know all parents say that and it is so true.  We had the best time taking her senior pictures.  If you are in the Omaha, NE area and you need a photographer, you have to contact Kathy Johnson Portraits.  Kathy has an amazing studio but the best thing about Kathy is her fun personality.  She is so easy to work with and so willing to please. She is taking mainly senior pictures right now but does a fantastic job with any age and any group.  We took family picture with Kathy back in 1994 and they are still some of my favorites!

Refreshing Fruit Tea

I love this yummy fruit tea recipe.  My girls are into drinking "Arnold Palmers" which is a mix of lemonade and tea.  My oldest doesn't drink "POP" as they call it here in the midwest so I thought everyone might enjoy this tea.  I have several different fruit tea combinations - some with more orange juice, some with almond flavoring.  I thought this one was pretty simple and one the girls might enjoy.  We loved it. I have even used this tea for a baby shower and served in wine glasses - just a yummy, fun, refreshing summer tea!

Refreshing Fruit Tea

3 cups boiling water          or         **8 cups boiling water

4 regular size tea bags                       4 family size tea bags

¾ cup sugar                                       2 cups sugar

4 cups cold water                              6 cups cold water

1 cup orange juice                             3 cups orange juice

1 cup pineapple juice                        3 cups pineapple juice

1/4-1/2 cup lemon juice                    1 cup lemon juice

Pour boiling water over tea bags; cover and steep 5 min; remove and discard tea bags; stir in sugar until dissolved; stir in cold water and juices.  Serve over ice with orange or lemon wedge.  

* I like more of an orange flavor so I added more oj and less lemon juice. Feel free to adjust the flavors according to your liking!  This tea is also great if you use mint flavored tea bags!

**I bought family size tea bags and I had to make a large amount of this tea for a bridal shower.  It was hard to just double.  I came up with the version listed above - truly by just tasting and winging it. It was yummy!

Printable Version

Breckenridge

We were supposed to go back to TEXAS for our summer gathering but my mom and brother talked me out of it.  We were supposed to go to Six Flags but it was around 105 degrees so we planned a last minute vacation to Breckenridge.  We have been there in the winter but never in the summer - WE LOVED IT!  We hiked, did the Peak 8 fun park ( Meg has some nice elbow and knee strawberries from the alpine slide) and we went White Water Rafting.  The temperatures were awesome.  We also did some amazing eating - of course.  If ever in Breckenridge - we LOVED Empire Burger and the cheese fries.  We actually ate there twice.  We had great pizza a Giempietros and a great meal at the Motherloaded Tavern.  Daylight Donuts was highly recommended for breakfast but we never got up early enough.  We did however manage to stop by Mary's Mountain Cookies at least three of our nights while walking around Main Street.

Hope everyone is having a great summer.  It is still SO hot here in Omaha.  I haven't been posting quite as much but I will try to catch up soon!

Just a few pics from our hike on McCullough Gulch Trail.  I have more pics to share soon!