Pies, Treats, and Jam, Oh MY!

It's been a busy few weeks,

which is why it's been a little quiet here in my blog.

Life has been filled with baking,

volunteering, celebrating Thanksgiving, 

class with the Murphy boy, and, of course,

my actual job, teaching.

Whew, it's been busy, but a good busy.

It's crazy to me that December is going to quickly!

I can't believe that it's the 9th.

It just snuck up on me, and the other day it hit me

that I hadn't even thought or put out my holiday menu for Christmas!

Eek!

So, here it is and there are some delicious new additions.

Holiday Time!

This Happy Girl is baking up a storm for the holidays. 

Phase one of baking starts this week! 

Let me know if you need a treat for your celebrations. 💖

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What is on the Holiday Menu?

Here it is!

HOLIDAY PIES: Classic, Vegan, or Gluten-Free

Apple Pie- The Classic ($20) V or GF

Apple Spice Cider Pie ($20) V or GF

Apple Maple Bourbon Pie ($20) V

Dutch Apple ($20) V or GF

Sour Cream Blueberry Pie ($18)

Strawberry-Rhubarb Pie ($20)V or GF

Triple Berry Pie ($20) V or GF

Dutch Berry ($20) V or GF

Bourbon Pecan Pie ($20)

Chocolate Cream Pie ($18)

Coconut Pie ($18) GF

Funky Monkey Pie ($18)

Spiked Key Lime Pie ($18) GF

Cookies and Breads

Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies- Large Order ($15)

Molasses-Ginger Cookies-Large Order ($15)

Chocolate Crinkle- Large Order ($15)

Peanut Butter Chip- Large Order ($15))

Baklava- Large Order ($15)

Cranberry-Orange Bread, glazed ($10)

Coconut Rum Bread, glazed ($10)

Homemade Jam:   $3 each

Strawberry               Apple Butter 

Boysenberry             Pear Butter

Marionberry             Blueberry-Lime

Raspberry                 Triple Berry

What is Funky Monkey Pie?
Well, it's mostly just delicious!
It's my classic pie crust, layered with cookie butter, sliced bananas, and caramel.
As if that's not enough,
then it's topped with melted dark chocolate and fresh whipped cream.
See....YUM!

What is Spiked Key Lime Pie?

It's a classic Key Lime Pie spiked with tequila. 

I was going to call it Margarita Pie, 

but thought that I'd keep it simple.

All treats will be available for pick-up on either Monday, December 22, 2014 

after 2pm at my house or meet me at Kraxberger Middle School at noon.

(If you need treats sooner, please let me know! I'm baking for the next couple weeks.)

Payment: Cash, checks, or credit card through iSquare.

Please make all checks payable to Fences For Fido.

                 

Must Have Pie, Must Spread Love

Some people love Thanksgiving for the turkey and gravy,

fresh cranberry sauce, sweet potatoes, and all the trimmings

Others love it for the time with family and friends...

All of those things are great, 

but for me,

it's all about making and enjoying homemade pies.

I don't think that I'm alone in this feeling at all.

A holiday just isn't the same without pie.

Do you need a little pie for your feast?

I have practiced for many years and learned the perfect way to cram 

as much love and joy into every morsel and crumb.

People often say, 

"Why does this taste so good?"

And I think it's because of the love.

For each pie you order, 

the money goes straight to help animals in local shelters.

I can't think of a better way to celebrate a holiday of giving than to give to others.

Can you?

Maybe you should order a pie and taste the difference love in the tummy and heart feels.

Believe me, nothing is sweeter than helping others.

I'm still taking orders for pies until Friday, November 21st.

All money from this sale goes to PAWS Animal Shelter in West Linn, Oregon.

It's a little, but mighty shelter that takes in abandoned and homeless animals.

Recently sweet Henry Travers was just that, abandoned and homeless.

He had a UPS driver that couldn't walk away and leave this dog...

got to love those guys with hearts like my dad.

Henry was saved through a series of caring people from certain death, 

brought into PAWS, and the loving hands of a foster family.  

Though these pictures are difficult to see, 

he is on the road to recovery and a life worth barking about.

Want more information about PAWS Animal Shelter and follow Henry's road to recovery?

Like PAWS' Facebook page at

https://www.facebook.com/PAWSOregon
Above pictures are from PAWS Facebook page.  Isn't he the cutest?

Need help with holiday baking?

Sure you do!

Well, maybe you do,

and if that's the case then I can help you out.

Thanksgiving Pies

To show how thankful I am to the animals in my life,

I'm going to make holiday pies and limited treats

and sell them to raise money for a local charity.

This year I've decided to select a little,

yet super big hearted charity in my little town of West Linn.

PAWS Animal Shelter
They are little, but mighty and this year I want to send a little love their way.
So who is this group?
Here the description from their Facebook page;

PAWS Animal Shelter is a non-profit pet adoption center in West Linn, Oregon.
We specialize in ORPHANED animals. ( an animal who is too young to survive without a mother)

Description

...specialize in caring for ORPHANED (newborn) Animals ~big or small~ as well as providing Tender Loving Care for homeless, unwanted, or abandoned animals.
~ Education is important to us. Pet ownership is a responsibility, not to be taken lightly. With any responsibility comes challenges along with joy.
We work with people to get through the difficulties in order to keep their pets....and are firm believers that doing the right thing is not usually the easy way out...But it is the right way to live.

It's that time of year again...pie time!
Of course, I like to think that pies can happen at any time of the year.  But my flavor choices get a little smaller at this time of the year since I only use products that are in-season and fresh.  I think that is what makes my pies so delicious.  Well, that and all of the love that I squish into every nook and cranny.

If you are new to my blog and my bake sales,
then you should know a couple things.

• First, I am not a commercial bakery, all items are made in my home. I make baked goods because I LOVE to bake.
• Second, I also ADORE dogs so all of the profits from the pies and treats are donated to Fences for Fido. 
• Thirdly, if there is something that you don't see on this list, it's because I have a modified menu of treats for Thanksgiving.  I just want to make sure everyone has pie for the holiday. But that doesn't mean that you can't ask...special orders can always be made.  :)  

Holiday Pies: Classic, Vegan Classic, or Gluten-Free Classic

• Classic Pies are made with real butter and are Chambers family favorites.  All of the pies listed are classic pies.
• Vegan Classic are made with quality vegan substitutes that I have perfected and had taste tested and approved by several vegan connoisseurs.  They are made to mimic my classic pies, and it's so close that your family won't know that it's vegan. Vegan Pies options are labeled with V.
• Gluten-Free Classic are available this year in a couple different pies.  A big thank you to Bob's Red Mill for making the best baking flour in the world! Whoop! Whoop! Gluten-Free options are labeled with a GF.

Classic Pie Flavors:

• Apple Pie ($18.00) V or GF
• Pumpkin Pie ($15.00) GF
• Bourbon Pumpkin Pie ($15.00) GF
• Coconut Pie ($15.00)
• Strawberry-Rhubarb Pie ($18.00)V or GF
• Blackberry Pie ($18.00) V or GF
• Mixed Berry Pie ($18.00) V or GF
• Dutch Apple Pie ($18.00) V or GF
• Dutch Berry ($18.00) V or GF
• Pecan Pie ($18.00)
• Chocolate Cream Pie ($15.00) Graham Cracker or Pecan Crust

Notes to tempt:

       - 9 inch pie -this is the standard pie size, excellent for sharing :)
       - 6 pies are available by request only
       - Berries were picked in the Oregon sun 

TREATS, NOT PIE
Baklava- Large Order ($15.00)
Cinnamon Rolls- Dozen ($18.00)
Pumpkin Bread, glazed with or without pecans ($10.00)
Banana Bread, glazed with or without pecans ($10.00)
Cranberry-Orange Bread, glazed ($10.00)
Zucchini Bread, glazed ($10.00)


HOMEMADE JAMS
8oz jar = $3.50

Flavors:

Strawberry
Boysenberry
Marionberry
Raspberry
Triple Berry
Blueberry-Lime
Apple Butter
Pear Butter

All treats will be available for pick-up on either 

Wednesday, November 26, 2014 after 1pm

or

meet me at Kraxberger Middle School at noon.

Want to place a holiday order while supporting an amazing charity?
Email me your order at:
                 happygirlbaking@gmail.com

Payment: Cash, checks, or credit card through iSquare.

                            Please make all checks payable to PAWS Animal Shelter.

Celebrate Independence with PIE

Dutch Apple

Berry (whatever is in season)

German Chocolate

Ah, the 4th of July.
A day filled with family, friends, celebrating, BBQ, and in my family, PIE.
Of course in my house it's not just any pie.
It's a beautiful, slightly sweet and slightly tart apple pie,
crafted by my mom.






I was fortunate to grow up in a family that believed in pie as art.
Yes, I said pie as art...lovely, edible art.




Any self-respecting pie artist knows this to be true.
As I roll out the dough, lay it in the plate, prepared and pour the fruit,
there is beauty overflowing.
It's the type of beauty that should be admired and eaten.
Don't you think?

Lemon

Strawberry Rhubarb

Would you like to enjoy some edible art too?
I'll be making pies for the 4th of July to benefit the independence of pups. :)

Lemon ($12.00)

Mom's Apple Pie

Coconut ($15.00)
Chocolate Cream ($15.00)
Chocolate Strawberry Cream ($15.00)
Mom's Apple ($18.00)
Dutch Apple ($18.00)
Dutch Berry ($18.00)
German Chocolate ($18.00)
Strawberry Rhubarb  ($18.00)
Berry-whatever is in season ($18.00)
Pecan ($18.00)

Gluten-Free Options:
-Lemon Cream
-Chocolate Cream
-Chocolate Strawberry Cream
-Dutch Berry
If you need a pie, just let me know!
I'll have them ready on July 3rd.

Need Pies for Thanksgiving?

It's that time of year again...pie time!
Of course, I like to think that pies can happen at any time of the year.  But my flavor choices get a little smaller at this time of the year since I only use products that are in-season and fresh.  I think that is what makes my pies so delicious.  Well, that and all of the love that I squish into every nook and cranny.

If you are new to my blog and my bake sales,
then you should know a couple things.

• First, I am not a commercial bakery, all items are made in my home. I make baked goods because I LOVE to bake.
• Second, I also ADORE dogs so all of the profits from the pies and treats are donated to Fences for Fido. 
• Thirdly, if there is something that you don't see on this list, it's because I have a modified menu of treats for Thanksgiving.  I just want to make sure everyone has pie for the holiday. But that doesn't mean that you can't ask...special orders can always be made.  :)  

Holiday Pies
Classic Pies are made with real butter
                   and are Chambers family favorites.
Classic Pie Flavors:

• Apple Pie
• Pumpkin Pie
• Bourbon Pumpkin Pie
• Mixed Berry Pie
• Dutch Apple Pie
• Apple Crisp
• Pecan Pie
• Chocolate Cream Pie

       PRICES:
       - 9 inch pie $12.00- this is the standard pie size, excellent for sharing :)
       - 6 pie $6.00- this is an excellent size for a 2-3 people.

Vegan Pies are made to mimic my classic pies...it's so close that your family won't know that it's vegan.
Vegan Pie Flavors:

• Apple Pie
• Pumpkin Pie
• Mixed Berry
• Dutch Apple Pie
• Apple Crisp (This can be made Gluten-Free as well!)
• Pecan Pie

       PRICES: Slightly higher than the Classic Pies due to vegan ingredients having a higher price point.

       - 9 inch pie $15.00- this is the standard pie size, excellent for sharing :)
       - 6 pie $7.50- this is an excellent size for a 2-3 people.

Not really wanting pie? 

Well, I will be offering a couple cookie options as well. 

Cookies:
-Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies with icing
-Pumpkin Snickerdoodles (Regular or Vegan)
-Ginger-Molasses (Regular or Vegan)
-Classic Chocolate Chip Cookie (Regular or Vegan)
-Espresso Chocolate Chip Cookie (Regular or Vegan)

** Cookies can be ordered by

                         - Full Containers will be $12.00
                                  (16-20ish cookies depending on cookie size)

                         - Half Containers will be $6.00
                                  (8-10ish cookies, depending on cookie size)

HOMEMADE JAMS
8oz jar = $3.50

Flavors:

Strawberry
Marionberry
Silvan (Marionberry Hybrid)
Cherry
Raspberry
Plum
Plum-Pear
Spiced Plum-Pear
Blueberry
Blueberry-Plum

All treats will be available for pick-up on either 

Tuesday, November 26, 2013 

or 

Wednesday, November 27, 2013

I will be delivering pies to Kraxberger Middle School on Tuesday, November 26,2013 at noon. 

Want to place a holiday order while supporting an amazing charity?
Email me your order at:
                        livesimplywithsparkle@gmail.com

Payment: Cash, checks, or credit card through iSquare.

                            Please make all checks payable to Fences for Fido.

Thank you for supporting this amazing cause! -Lori

Marionberry Pie = Heaven

Ah Marionberries! How I have missed you!
Oregon's own beautiful berry that makes all other berries seem sub par.
Well, at least that's what my family believes.
Marionberries are our favorite berry,
and as soon as the berry becomes ripe,
I immediately head out into the berry fields to pick as many as I can fit into my bucket.
Then, as soon as that bucket is used, I head out again. 
Somehow there never seems to be enough marionberries in jars of jam, freezer bags, or in the stomach of family and friends to make it through another year.
I hope that with my fierce berry picking and preserving them for the winter, I'll be able to satisfy every ones marionberry needs.

But first things first...a pie for Dad.

Marionberry Pie
Recipe modified from Joy of Baking

Short Crust Pastry:

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon salt

2 tablespoon granulated white sugar

1 cup unsalted butter, chilled, and cut into 1 tbl. pieces

1/4 to 1/2 cup ice water

Berry Filling:

6 cups marionberries

2/3 cup granulated white sugar

3 tablespoons cornstarch

1 tablespoons lemon juice

1 tablespoon cold unsalted butter, cut in small pieces

Directions modified from Joy of Baking:

Short Crust Pastry:
1. In a food processor, place the flour, salt, and sugar and process until combined.
2. Add the butter and process until the mixture resembles coarse meal (about 15 seconds).
3. Pour 1/4 cup water in a slow stream. If necessary, add more water. Do not process more than 30 seconds.
4. Turn the dough onto your work surface and gather into a ball.

5. Divide the dough in half, flattening each half into a disk, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for about one hour before using.

6. After the dough has chilled, remove one portion of the dough from the fridge and place it on a lightly floured surface. Roll the pastry into a 12 inch circle.

7. Fold the dough in half and gently transfer to a 9 inch pie pan.

Make the Berry Filling:

1. In a small bowl mix together the sugar, cornstarch, and lemon juice.

2. Place the berries in a large bowl. Add the sugar mixture to the berries and gently toss to combine.

3. Pour the mixture into the prepared pie shell and dot with the 1 tablespoon of butter.

Put Pie Together:

1. Remove the second round of pastry from the fridge and roll it into a 13 inch circle.

2. Fold the dough in half and gently transfer to the top of the 9 inch pie pan.

3. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F and place the oven rack in the lower third of the oven. Put a baking sheet on the oven rack. (The pie plate will be placed on the hot baking sheet to catch any spills.)

4. Bake the pie for about 20 minutes and then reduce the oven temperature to 350 degrees F. Continue to bake the pie for about 35 - 45 minutes or until the crust is a deep golden brown color and the juices are bubbling and thick. If the edges of the pie are browning too much during baking, cover with a foil ring or aluminum foil.

One of the things that I LOVE about this recipe is that the crust is so easy to handle. Though I love my family recipe, it is quite temperamental which has caused be great distress in the past. I will still be making the beloved crust, but this is a nice change.

 

And, the review is in:

"Great crust and just the right amount of sweetness and tartness!"

from my Dad, and my Mom agrees.

 

So I say that this pie received a 5 star rating...if I do say so myself, and I do.

Happy Baking,

Lori

**My mom added the bunny,

because everything is better with a bunny.