Best-Ever Strawberry Rhubarb Pie

 

Pastry:
2 1/4 c. all-purpose flour
1/4 c. sugar
1/4 t. salt
1/2 c. shortening
1/4 c. cold butter, cut into small cubes
6-7 T. ice cold water
Filling:
2 1/2 T. quick cooking tapioca (or all-purpose flour)
1/4 t. salt
3-4 c. fresh or frozen rhubarb, cut into 1/2″ pieces
3-4 c. fresh sliced strawberries
1 c. sugar

1. For the pastry, in a medium bowl, stir together flour, sugar, and salt. Using a pastry blender or two forks, cut in the shortening and butter until the mixture contains no larger than pea-sized crumbs. Sprinkle the water over the flour mixture until moist. Gather the dough into a ball, using your hands to combine it.
2. Shape the dough into a large log and divide it into two pieces, one with 1/3 of the dough and one with 2/3 of the dough. Shape the smaller into a 5×1 1/2″ log, and the larger into a 7×2″ log. Wrap both with plastic wrap and place in the freezer for at least two hours.
3. For the filling, in a large bowl, stir together the sugar, tapioca or flour, and salt. Add rhubarb and strawberries and toss until evenly coated. Let the rhubarb mixture stand for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally (If you are using frozen rhubarb, let the mixture stand for 45 minutes).
4. Preheat the oven to 375-degrees. Using a sharp knife, cut the 7″ chilled dough log into about 28 thin slices. Place 16 slices around the edge of a 9″pie plate. Place the remaining slices in the bottom of the pie plate. Using your fingers, quickly press the pieces of pastry together to fill the gaps. Shape edges as desired.
5. Stir the fruit mixture before pouring it into the bottom crust in the pie plate. Slice the remaining pastry into 15-18 slices. Arrange the slices on top of the fruit.
6. Place the pie on a foil-lined rimmed baking sheet. Bake for 60 minutes. Cover outer crust with foil if it is getting too dark. Bake for another 15-20 minutes or until the filling is bubbly and the crust is golden. Cool.

Amazing Blog Post on Maria Shriver's Website

I was absolutely shocked and refreshed to read this post.

We are not at war with men. And for once, someone in the mainstream is noticing that the genders need to act in concert and build each other up instead of fight over the differences.

"That every time I stole a man’s power, 

it was because I didn’t know my own."

Classic No Bake Cookies

I made these all the time as a kid. Here's to keeping those fun traditions alive.

Chocolate Oatmeal No Bake Cookies
1/2 C Butter
2 C Sugar
1/2 C Milk
4 Tbsp Cocoa
1/2 C Peanut Butter
3 1/2 C Quick cooking Oats
2 tsp. Vanilla
Add the first 4 ingredients in a saucepan. Bring to a rolling boil, and boil for 1 minute. Stir in the next 3 ingredients and drop onto wax/foil paper. Let cool until set.

The Fitness Goal of 2013

I haven't shared it, because I am still wondering if I can do it.

I think I can. The goal is to do a half marathon every quarter.

That may seem like a lot. But since one of my goals is to run consistently three times a week, doing a half every three months is easily supported by the weekly goals.

What I do want to see happen is the halfs become easier. I want to stay away from the dark thoughts I have at about mile 11 that make me want to quit oh so badly.....

There will be some tweaking of the training but for the most part, this is very doable.

So far, I did the "Hip Hop Half" in March. The next ones I am looking at are:
Helvetia Half on 6/8
Guardian Project in September
Potentially the Holiday Half, which I did last year. There are some other holiday themed ones I have my eye on so I haven't made a final decision on those yet.

So, the question is......have I run today?

Can I Help You?

Standing in my workplace just looking at me accomplishes nothing.