Pear tree lane Farmhouse

~Welcome home~

This blog is dedicated to my dear family who live many miles away, and to you dear ladies , who have a heart for keeping the home fires burning. You, who love and cherish your family, and have a desire to create a home that says "Welcome, you are loved and cared for."

My desire is that when you leave that you will be encouraged and know that you too are loved.

Sue~

~Something for you and for friends~

Written by Sue, Monday, July 27, 2015                     Partly sunny with evening showers temps.90's


I have been making my own vanilla extract for quite a while! Just two basic ingredients, alcohol and vanilla beans!

Split the beans with a sharp knife, opening up the fragrant seeds, place in a jar, add a type of alcohol, I used vodka, gently shake, store in a cool dark place for at least a month.
  Mine had been brewing for several months in my pantry! I would stop by to say "hi" and give it a gentle shake every week or so, just to let it know I had not forgotten it!~smile~

Today, I decided it had brewed long enough, it was now ready to be poured in a clean bottle. I found this little bottle at TJ Max, very reasonable. Using a small funnel, I poured it in the bottle.

 This bottle had two things I liked, a twist off cap, and chalkboard to label!

This extract is so amazing, so fragrant, it can be used in cooking, baking, anything calling for vanilla,
I also split a new half vanilla bean and added it to the bottled extract! I might even dab a few drops behind my ears!~grin~
 I took the remaining vanilla extract, added more vanilla beans, (split), and vodka, placed the jar in the pantry to brew, probably a few months, just in time for Christmas gift giving, ~wink~ I bought these cute bottles at TJ Max also, very reasonable too!


I hope you are inspired to make your own natural vanilla extract! You can also make other natural extracts, lemon, orange, almond, (which are next on my list!) All great for Christmas gift baskets, along with other goodies,so let's get those extract brewing!

That's all from the farmhouse for now, have a blessed week!
Love,
Sue
I am linking with Stephanie at Roses of Inspiration, thank you for hosting Stephanie,




Blueberry hand pies, as promised~

Written by Sue, Monday, July 20, 2015                  Hot~ Hot~ Hot~ temps. 100's 

Assemble your pastry ingredients,
2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
2 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon salt
pulse together in food processor add
2 sticks of butter cut up
1 teaspoon, vanilla extract
1/2 cup Greek yogurt or sour cream
2 tablespoons of ice water, if needed add more


 pulse until a ball begins to form, remove and roll in a ball....
 wrap in plastic,place in refrigerator while getting the berries ready. This is one of the best pie pastry recipes I have ever tasted, and worked with! Meanwhile.......
Mix 4 cups berries, 1 tsp. lemon zest, 1/4 cup of lemon juice, and 1/4 cup sugar, I add cinnamon to taste.Blueberries love lemon and cinnamon.
 Cut dough ball in half, place one in refrigerator while you roll the other. I take a saucer, and cut out a circle
.
Place 1/4 cup of berry mixture, fold in half
pinch the half together,crimp edges with fork.
prick top with fork, use an egg wash,.. whip 1 Tablespoon water to 1 egg, brush on hand pie,sprinkle a little sugar on top!
place on parchment paper in preheated oven at 350 or 375 degree, for 30 mins. or until done and brown.

What is missing in the above photo?, Ice cream of course, Mr P loved his hand pie anyhow, need I say more.



The recipe makes 8 hand pies, I  made two batches today,froze them on a tray, for a couple of hours.


Next, I placed them in food-saver bags,
in the freezer they went.


These keep so well in the Food-Saver bags much longer than regular freezer bags. A Food-Saver is one of the best kitchen gadgets you can invest in!

Here are a few advantages of making and freezing hand pies....

1~ So convenient, some times you need a dessert in a hurry that looks and taste like you worked for hours for unexpected company,
2~ Children come home from school hungry, makes a great snack!
3~Time saver!

Thats about all from the farmhouse for today,  I plan to make other hand pies as fruit is available, and have some great recipes to share. I apologize for so many photos, but this is what happens with a tutorial!~smile~

I hope you are having a most blessed day.
Love, 
Sue

I am linking with Stephanie at Roses of Inspiration, thank you for hosting Stephanie,