Meet Emily, she's a doll...

Hello everybody! I want to introduce you to my adorable baby girl, Emily Clare Porter. She is on the left, on the right is my sister's baby Maryn. Emily is 7 1/2 months old now.

 

To say she keeps me busy is an understatement. I do not have quite as much time as I use to. Life is getting back to normal now though, she is able to crawl around on her own. I am excited about posting about all my cooking/baking endeavors again. I have missed sharing them all with you.

Tonight, I am baking a cherry pie. Mostly so I can try out my new favorite ingredient. I bought some instant ClearJel from the Baker's Catalog. It is a type of modified corn starch and it is amazing. It does not require heat to thicken like regular cornstarch. You can freeze pies using it with no trouble, and it is the best thickener to use in pies like a fresh strawberry, where you need a thickened glaze without baking.

I used the cherry pie recipe in ATK's Family Baking Book. It has all the flavors I like in a cherry pie like cinnamon and almond. I used the ClearJel one for one in place of the cornstarch. It also comes with instructions for using jarred/canned cherries, which I need. I have never seen fresh sour cherries, and I doubt I will down here in Louisiana.

The pie turned out absolutely gorgeous! I love a lattice pie. I always feel like I should be entering it in a fair somewhere.

 

 

I have a ton of stuff to mention, but I will go into most of it later. However, I did want to tell you that one of the main reasons I started blogging today, was because I am excited about registering with French Fridays With Dorie. I received Dorie's new cookbook this week and I am trying my first recipe from it today. It is oven roasted corn that you roast in the husk, and then shuck afterward. It smells so good while it is roasting. I have lots of recipes flagged and it should be a good time to cook with a virtual group.

Comments

[Shannon Sadler]

I am so glad you are back!! You are an amazing cook!

[Karendunn147]

Blogging?! Welcome back! And that is a beautiful cherry pie.

[Beccaporter80]

I just noticed these comments. I forgot I changed email accounts, so I wasn't getting updates.

I am so glad someone is glad that I am back!! lol

The cherry pie tasted great! This ClearJel thickener is awesome. Buy some now, Karen.

[cindy]

What a sweet little baby girl! I have kept your link on my homepage in the hopes that someday you would be posting again. It is great to have you back! That is an awesome cherry pie!

[Stephanie-Oh]

So glad to see you back blogging. And am glad to meet your lovely daughter. I also kept you in my favorites in hopes that you would continue your blogging. I really enjoy your blog. Your photos are Yummy!!! Stephanie

[Jyll Richburg]

I am so glad you are blogging again! I have checked pack periodically and lo-and-behold today, here you are! I make my own laundry detergent thanks to you and you are an inspiration in the kitchen. I am even contemplating a visit to relatives in Monroe so I go to Eclipse Packinghouse! I am so thrilled you are back. Did I mention I am so happy you are blogging again...!

[Becca Porter]

Thank you girls!

Jyll, I am so ready for eclipse to open for the season. I am craving some good citrus.

I am glad to be back as well!