Peach Blueberry Pie

So, as I mentioned in my last post... I am having a bit of a pie obsession. First it was pineapple pie and now it's peach-blueberry pie. Ah-amazing. I found this pin on Pinterest and it is amazing and super easy. Mine didn't turn out as beautiful, but it was really delicious. Thank you Trish!! Check out her blog post and all of her other recipes at momontimeout.com. http://www.momontimeout.com/2013/08/peach-blueberry-pie-pecan-streusel-topping/. 

Now that the weather is cooler, it's time for fall flavors!! Stay tuned.... :) 

Mmmmm Pineapples!

So we just got back from our family vacation to Hawaii and I am already missing some of the amazing food we had there. I have always loved pineapples but we had a couple of awesome treats that I wish we had here in Texas! *The Dole Whip pineapple ice cream was incredible! Sadly I can't recreate that. :(

 

I decided to try to make a pineapple pie. It will probably never be as good as Ted's Bakery at North Shore, Oahu, but I am making it my new baking mission. :) Tonight was my first attempt at making a pie, ever actually. I used pre-made pie crust dough and just cut it into a lattice pattern. Once I get the filling the way I want it, I'll attempt to make homemade dough. Baby steps! 

This time, I used a can of Dole crushed pineapple in 100% pineapple juice. Next time, I may try the crushed pineapple in heavy syrup... I'm hoping it will be a little sweeter. 

Filling Ingredients: 

1 can of crushed pineapple

3 tablespoons cornstarch

1/2 cup sugar 

Pinch of salt

Combine in a saucepan, slowly bring to a boil and stir continuously until ingredients thicken and they look more clear than cloudy.

Put pie crust into an ungreased 9 inch pie pan and smooth to fit. Put in the pie filling and then cover with second pie crust. I cut it with a pizza roller and placed strips in a lattice pattern over the top. 

Bake in a preheated oven (375*) for about 45 minutes and voila! 

Finished product! :) It was tart but had a good flavor. I'm going to attempt to make it sweeter next time.  I also really need to build up the courage to make my own dough because I would like for it to be a little more flavorful. I'll let y'all know how it goes. :) 

In the meantime, I think my next baking project will be pineapple muffins! Another product of Ted's Bakery along with some Kona coffee. Yummmm! I miss Hawaii already. 

Aloha :) 

Patriotic Pineapple Sangria

It's the 4th of July and this year we celebrated Independence Day by grilling and relaxing with a glass of sangria. :) 

Patriotic Pineapple Sangria

 

1 bottle Riesling or any white wine you prefer... Preferably sweet or citrusy

1 cup pineapple juice

1/2 ish :) cup of rum or brandy

Slice up an orange, strawberries and pineapple

Chill and serve. 

Happy Fourth, y'all! 

White Chocolate Popcorn

I am so obsessed with this stuff right now. I got the recipe from this wonderful little pin on Pinterest. 

 http://pinterest.com/pin/195273333817119401/

I did the same recipe with just a couple of tweaks. 

I used light buttered popcorn and real white chocolate chips instead of the almond vanilla bark.

Step 1: Pop two bags of popcorn and pour into a mixing bowl. Take out unpopped kernels. 

Step 2: Melt a bag of white chocolate chips in a saucepan. 

Step 3: Mix popcorn and melted chocolate in mixing bowl.

Step 4: Add a ridiculous amount of sprinkles and M&Ms and mix evenly.

Step 5: Spread out mixture on baking pan to cool. 

*Refrigerate it for a little while to make it all stick together.

Step 6: Break it up into chunks, put in a decorative tin, and eat as much as possible. 

It is so addicting and delicious! 

Enjoy! 

Present and Past Tense Verbs

We added in some more winter fun this year thanks to my creative teammate Kristin! We made present tense verb presents and past tense snowman stories. Too cute! 

Present Tense Presents! 

Ex. 

I see the colorful wrapping. 

I rip open the paper.

I am so excited to see my gift! 

Past Tense Snow Stories... (What happened before the snow melted?)

2nd Grade Snowetry

Winter is such a fun time to throw in some poetry and figurative language lessons! We spent last week and this week absorbed in reading and writing our own poetry. 

Check it out! 

Free Form Poetry Snowflakes 

Haiku Hats 

Haiku - a form of Japanese poetry with 3 lines

Line 1: 5 syllables

Line 2: 7 syllables

Line 3: 5 syllables

Simile Scarves

Simile- a comparison using like or as

Ex: My students are as bright as the sun. :) 

Alliteration Lights

Alliteration - A sentence that repeats the same beginning letter or sound in almost every word. 

Ex: Sweet, swirling, softly, swaying snowflakes falling all around. 

The kiddos also practiced and performed a poem by Calef Brown. 

Funky Snowman

Funky snowman loves to dance.

You'd think he wouldn't have much chance,

Without two legs or even pants.

Does that stop funky snowman, no! 

Turn up the music with the disco beat.

When you're in the groove,

You don't need feet! 

Crowds come out and fill the street. 

Kick it, Funky Snowman!

2nd Annual Whobilation!

It's that time of year again! Last year, Ryan and I had a holiday party based on the "Whobilation" from How the Grinch Stole Christmas. We loved it so much that we decided to make it an annual event. Thanks to everyone who came out and celebrated with us! :) 

*Apologies for the awesomely inappropriate shirts :) Happy Holidays!