Baking can soothe the soul

With a *hurt* heart (as my girls used to say when they were sad) I write this post. My father died (I hate the term passed away, I don't why) on June 13, 2013. It did not come as a surprise as he had heart problems, but it still gave me a deeply hurt heart. I will always remember the summer days when he would get my sister and me up at 6 am in the morning to go to Coney Island beach. We would have it all to ourselves at that time. He would walk looking for *treasure* in the sand and my sister and I would sit by the edge and wet our feet. By noon time we were heading back home as the beach was getting crowded. To this day I remember the quiet and the calm and the delight of feeling we were on our own private beach. To this day that is the way I like to go to the beach; get there early and leave by 11 or 12 noon, have lunch then take a nap. Thank you daddy for giving me (and now my girls) this love of the ocean with all its wonder and always making us wear sunscreen.

---------------------------------------------------------- I went shopping and founds some organic , fresh dark cherries. I'm not a big cherry pie fan having only had the kind made with canned cherry filling. My son in law loves pie, especially cherry so I decided to make a pie. Big difference!! It was very tasty, slightly tart and oh so delicious. Ten minutes there was only one slice left which I shouted, "Save it for Sym!" (My other son in law). I have to work on my lattice, but this is about taste, not looks....for now. Next pie will be BANANA CREAM!

So it's been a while!

It's almost been a year since I posted. My other daughter just got married last month. I've been slowly recovering from an illness. The worst! So much drama in my life in the past few months. My oldest was breaking out in a severe rash and in pain. Many tests later we discover she has Celiac disease! It's very rare that one of the symptoms is a rash, but yes she is the rare one! (Next time listen to mommy who told you for months to lay off gluten) So now I am making gluten free items. Fast forward a few months: not only do I have a dairy allergy but now a gluten allergy as well. Don't get me wrong that doesn't stop me from sampling any new recipes we come up with (like our new flavor Marco's Mango Tango) and I allow myself a cupcake now and then. So with all that how do I chilax? Is that the correct spelling? lol I BAKE!!! Right now I'm heavily into making pies. I'm committed to making one a week. I'll post a picture later of the Chocolate Cream Pie I'm making today. Yes, it has a gluten free crust. My allergy is not as bad as my daughter's or other people I know who even touching it can have a severe reaction. So I count my blessings. Timer's going off! Until next time! Happy Baking PS: so here is the pic of the pie. The picture is dark..sorry! Did not have enough whipping cream to make whip cream to cover the whole pie. The household is rushing me because they want to eat it!