Monday, April 6, 2015

New Grandkids, Lemon Pies, Peapod and Tomato Salad


Last week, a friend of mine told me that she saw our son's marriage license on Facebook. Hmmm. Well, that's interesting, especially since I didn't know he was getting married. So the next time I saw him, I said, 'I hear you're married now.' 'Yeah,' he said, 'we got married Tuesday.'

So last week I lost two pounds and gained three grandchildren. I know. It's a long story. Sometimes it's hard to wrap your mind around the surprises of life.

 Two of the new grandkids
(Not technically, but certainly for all practical purposes)
Delightful kids.


It was a gorgeous Easter Sunday. We had a great Resurrection celebration at church, followed by dinner with some of our family at our table.


 Lemon Meringue Pies
Like my mom used to make

I decided that once every five years or so, I should make lemon meringue pie, because only homemade lemon meringue pie is like my mom's, except I probably put more lemon zest in mine and perhaps more lemon. I squeezed the juice from 7 lemons for those two 10 inch pies.  It was SUPER lemony. I loved it. I need lemon once Daylight Saving Time gets here. I don't know what it is about the longer day, the robins and redwing blackbirds returning, the snow melting, etc., but it sends me into an intense craving for lemon. Since lemon pie isn't everyone's favorite, I have a whole pie left over, but not because I didn't eat my fair share. (Remember those two pounds? I'm sure I'll see them on the scale tomorrow.)

BUT, it took me two entire episodes of Strong Poison, a Dorothy L. Sayers mystery video (my laptop on the kitchen counter), to get those two measly pies in the oven. I felt like my life was passing before my eyes and all I would have to show for it is two lemon pies. I will not make them again unless I rewrite the recipe that's in the Betty Crocker Cook Book. It would have helped if the recipe had been better organized and some portions done ahead of time.  As it is, the next lemon pie I eat will most likely be from KwikTrip. I can sacrifice a little quality for something that doesn't take 104 minutes out of my life. That doesn't count the clean up time!

SO, ranking lemon pies using the Amazon.com new and used book rating, I'd say that the Homemade Lemon Meringue Pie was NEW. Kwik Trip Lemon Meringue Pie is VERY GOOD. Lemon pie made with lemon pie filling from the store is not even ACCEPTABLE.


This was a super easy and tasty salad, although again I was its biggest fan. I'm sure that everyone would been happier with pizza instead of baked chicken, baked potatoes, and salad, but I refuse to make pizza for Easter dinner. Anyway, this simple salad is a delicious mix of Peapods, Red bell peppers, Grape tomatoes, English cucumbers, Black olives, Olive oil, fresh Lemon juice, Coarse black pepper.

 A favorite part of dinner - for some at our table. :-)
I was pretty sure they'd be a hit.


I hope you had a wonderful weekend too.  Did you get any surprises??


***

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Although I usually forget to do it, there is a chance that this post will be linked to one or more of these great linky parties:  Amaze Me Monday and Inspiration Monday and Mosaic Monday and The Barn Collective and    Treasure Box Tuesday and Vintage Bliss Tuesday and KatheWithAnE and Rubbish Tuesday and Our World Tuesday and Tuesdays at our Home and Tuesday with a Twist and  Knick of Time Tuesday (vintage)  and   Tweak it Tuesday and Vintage Inspiration Wednesday and Ivy and Elephants Wednesday and Adorned From Above  and Artsy Corner Thursday and  All Things With Purpose and Home & Garden Thursday and Good Fences on Thursdays and  Time Travel Thursday and Freedom Fridays and Vintage Inspiration Friday and Simple Saturdays Blog Hop and Saturday's Critters

62 comments:

Deb said...

Holy smokes, Judy, you had NO IDEA? I would be gobsmacked. Your dinner looks delish and that pie...oh my goodness!
We are getting together today for the big dinner. I wonder if there will be any surprises? :))) Enjoy your day to relax. Hugs, Deb

eileeninmd said...

YUM, lemon meringue pie is one of my favorites.. And your salad looks delicious too. Congrats to your son and to the two new grandkids.. I hope you had a happy Easter! Enjoy your Monday and the new week ahead!

Bethany Carson said...

Oh wow! Now that sounds like the surprise to end all surprises. Congrats on your new family!

Pamela Gordon said...

Wow. that's a really shocking way to find out you've gained a daughter and grandkids! Making a lemon pie from scratch sounds very time consuming but I bet it was delicious. I love lemon pie but haven't made one in years. The Easter nests you made are really sweet. We had a beautiful weekend of celebration for Good Friday and Easter Sunday. Awesome! We also had a mini blizzard on Saturday so have more snow on top of the rest of the snow. We're so tired of snow. And it's -18 C (0 F) here this morning!! Where is spring?? Have a blessed week! xx

Terri @ A Creative Princess said...

Wow, Judy, everything you fixed looks amazing! Next time call me, I'll eat everything up for you. Love the sunflowers!

Life is full of big surprises, isn't it? To tell you the truth, I was more surprised (jealous) that you lost 2 pounds. Greg and I have been working on losing weight. He's lost 35 pounds and I've stayed the exact same. What the...?

Have a great week!

MadSnapper said...

these look exactly like my mothers Lemon Meringue Pies and they were my favorite of her pies and also my dads. even more than the chocolate which i loved. i buy mine at publix and they are great but not hers. she put lots of lemon in hers. i am with you on the buying.. the salad looks good but i prefer the last photo. LOL...
on the finding out about the marriage. i found many things on FB that I would never know.. and a few of them upset me...

Arlene G said...

Judy, I find out a lot about my kids on Facebook and Instagram!! We had a nice Easter as well but now back to my diet!! I would have enjoyed Easter Dinner at your house!

Linda Kay said...

Judy, I guess congratulations are in order for your son, but I might have strangled him on the spot for not telling me. Hope the new DIL works out well for you. Your dinner looks so yummy, and love the little Easter baskets...so creative.

September Violets said...

You seem to be taking the surprise (shock more like) of finding out about your son's marriage in easy stride. Congratulations to him and his new wife and their beautiful children. It's nice that they all came for Easter dinner. I like to make a bit of effort for Easter too, but my family didn't get together at all, so we just made roast beef in the crock pot for my four. My mom always made lemon meringue pie too, and Dad says it's what made him stay in Canada (from England)! There wouldn't have been any left here, we all love lemon desserts :) Enjoy your week, and let's hope the next surprises are told to you properly, in person ;)
Wendy

Debby Ray said...

Wow...how did we find out things before Facebook?? Anyway, congrats on the new family members...it looks like you had a lovely Easter dinner (that salad looks so mouth watering, BTW). My mom used to make lemon meringue pies too...LOVED them! That does sound like a lot of work but I am sure they were beyond delish! I doubt I will ever make one from scratch so whenever I get a hankerin', I will buy a Marie Callender's :)

Tired Teacher said...

While learning from a friend that your son got married was less than ideal, having new grandchildren and a daughter-in-law must be exciting. Congratulations!

Lemon pie is refreshing, but I can't say I've ever made one from scratch.

podso said...

Well I thought our grands were veggie lovers but the roasted veggies did not go over with them, nor did the deviled eggs (What are these, grandma?) So my biggest surprise was that they mainly ate gold fish for Easter dinner, along with a little ham. Oh yes, and some of the candy in the eggs they found out and around the garden. I was thankful for your empty tomb photo from yesterday which I printed and placed low on the frig and the oldest was quite taken by it. And, the things we learn on FB, or our friends learn for us and tell us. Congratulations on the new family members.

21 Wits said...

Life in your world isn't just good, it's bubbly and delicious and filled with memories and happy surprises!

Butterfly 8)(8 Bungalow said...

That's quite a way to find out a family member is married; my sister did the same announcement. I found out in my face-book feed. It was good that I checked it that day. Homemade lemon pie is the best and yours look beautiful, and I can almost taste it. We had turkey, potato, and salad from the garden, because that's what my daughter likes, and neither my spouse or my daughter like ham or lamb. It's amazing that it is snowing again.

TexWisGirl said...

congratulations to you on the family expansion! love those little sunflower cups. :)

NanaDiana said...

Delightful! That is exactly what I had, Vee. I had lemon meringue pie for dessert yesterday. However, mine came as part of a buffet and I will say it is the best lemon meringue pie I have had that wasn't "homemade". Very lemony and delicious.

Congrats on a new daughter-in-law and three new grands! Life is good. Surprising sometimes, but good---I hope.

Blessings for a great new week. xo Diana

Ginny Hartzler said...

I would much rather have your dinner than pizza! Oh my! I know you must have felt really left out. But what a wonderful gift you have gained; beautiful grandchildren! I love your sunflower favors, and plan on making them myself! I will save the picture.

Stephanie said...

Wow, what a surprise! I think I would be shocked for a few days :) Anyway, congratulations on gaining a new daughter and grandchildren :)

Those pies look divine and the Easter nests are just too cute.

It's so nice to visit you, Judy. Have a lovely week! Hugs!

Mama Hen said...

Happy Easter! I love the goodies you made! The bubble pictures are beautiful! It looks like a wonderful Easter with family! That pie looks amazing! Delicious!

Happy Easter!

Mama Hen

Buttercup said...

That's a surprise! Happy wishes to all. The lemon meringues -- one of my favorite pies -- look great. I don't do pie from scratch, but so appreciate those that do. I'm sure they were delicious.

Debby@Just Breathe said...

That was some surprise!! Congratulations....
Those pies look delicious and if you ask me, the more lemon the better. That salad looks amazing and I know I would have loved it. Those are such cute party favors.

Primitive Stars said...

Congrats on the new addition, happy for you all. Oh those pies look amazing, yummy.Blessings Francine.

bj said...

Lemon Pie is one of my favorites...and there's NO CANNED PIE FILLING on the shelves of gro stores that's fit for a pie...I never use them at all.
My mama could make the BEST Lemon pies and I use her recipe. As you know, no matter how hard we try, our food NEVER taste as good as what our mamas could make.:)
What a blessing to get 2 new grands...and congrats to your son and his new wife. :)

Terri D said...

Well, that is a surprise, for sure! Hopefully you know the bride and have met the kids!(?) Your pies look wonderful. Joe loves lemon pie, but it isn't my favorite so he gets it when we are out. Looks like a good Easter!

Cheryl @ TFD said...

Your Easter dinner looks delicious! I'd want to eat the whole bowl of salad...love those. Congrats to your son. If mine did that to me, I'd have probably boxed his ears! lol! Anyway, congrats on gaining a new daughter-in-law and 3 grands!
Have a nice week.

Debbie said...

Well that was certainly a surprise wasn't it? lol goodness! But a wonderful one no doubt. Two of my 11 (almost 12!) grandkids are "technically" step grand kids, but I love them both to pieces. They have been part of our family for most of their little lives though and honestly I have to remind myself that they are such sometimes. Your pie looks SOOO good, though that was a LONG time to make, lol. There is generally no exception for home made pie in my book. I do make a pretty good pumpkin one, and a chocolate, and an apple. But I have never made a good lemon meringue. Don't know what my problem is, just can't get it right. But I seldom bake at all anymore anyway. Enjoy your day! Oh, and that salad looked WONDERFUL!

L. D. said...

That is certainly a quick and easy way to add grandchildren. The candy treats was a sweet thing for you to do for them. The pie looks wonderful and I know while watching mom and my wife that making them isn't a smooth sailing process. Your pies looked so good.

Diane said...

That IS a big surprise, but I kind of eloped many years ago so I have no right to comment! LOL! Once every five years is a little more often than I make lemon meringue pie so good for you! Sweet favors too!!

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

Oh my! That is surprising..maybe even shocking? I thought my family was the only one that did things and then told about them later. We had a quiet weekend. Probably because we don't live near family. And I sure do miss them. I'm starting to ramble....Enjoy your week! Sweet hugs, Diane

Anonymous said...

Not a surprise like yours for sure. For years we would say that we wouldn't be surprised if there was a knock at the door and our 2nd son would be there with his bride, married already. I love Dorothy Sayers! That salad would be a big hit with me. Glad you had those little cups filled with goodies that pleased many!!

Elizabeth Edwards said...

Congrats!! what fun!! i love the salad. that look delicious!! Happy Easter. ( :

Michelle said...

What a surprise! I am with you...no pizza for Easter dinner.

VioletSky said...

And I thought my family was bad at filling in life's little details!!!
I LOVE lemon meringue pie. And I love that my niece and I are the only two in our family who will happily eat a lemon, on it's own.

Nancy's Notes said...

NOt like yours! Wow, that is something else! What a scrumptious looking dinner and that pie, oh my, think I can smell the lemons from here!
Have a great week!
Nancy

Julie Nichols said...

Hi Judy
Your lemon meringue pie reminds me of my mother in-law who passed away three years ago. I remember her teaching me how to make it as if it were yesterday. It is my husbands favorite.
After reading your post you inspired me to make it again. Congrats on your new family...how wonderful!!

kitty@ Kitty's Kozy Kitchen said...

Congratulations on gaining a new DIL and three grandchildren! Your lemon meringue pie would make me very happy to have a slice, Judy, and your salad looks so colorful and healthy. It looks like you and a blessed Easter.

Anonymous said...

Sounds/looks like a wonderful Easter. The salad and the pie make me so hungry!

Lorrie said...

Wow, that's some surprise!
Your lemon pie looks delicious. I use the Betty Crocker recipe all the time. So good.
Lemon in spring tastes so good.

Lynne said...

Surprise, surprise, when we least expect . . .
Around the corner . . .
Marriage
Grandchildren
New Life
Together
Blessings . . .

Happy@Home said...

Now that definitely qualifies as a surprise!
Your lemon meringue pies look heavenly. My husband loves them. My one and only attempt at making them was a bit of a flop. I suppose I should give it another try.
The salad looks right up my alley. Love all of those ingredients.

Carla from The River said...

Hi Judy,
That is a surprise!! It looks like you had a yummy Easter dinner. I like your treat idea. Very cute.
Have a blessed week.
Carla

Red Rose Alley said...

Judy, your lemon meringue pie looks amazing! I love anything lemon, and we actually had lemon meringue pie this weekend too, but it was a store bought one, so I am drooling over your homemade pie. And some new grandkids, wow! I bet it was such a surprise to hear your son just got married.

I hope you had a wonderful Easter. I'm just cleaning up today, and was blessed to have all of my family here for Easter.

~Sheri

The Weaver of Grass said...

I have had to come over to see you after your comment on my post today when you admire my headercommenting on my dog being a German Shepherd!! She has swelled with pride at the idea - she is actually a Border Terrier but I have looked at the photograph and can see how easy it would be to mistake the breed because there is nothing around her for comparison. She is such a brave soul that I think she is a German Shepherd inside. Incidentally I would also adore that salad. What is it with men and salads?

Karen @ Beatrice Euphemie said...

Oh, lots of good food and happy faces - a good combination! I have never made a lemon meringue pie but my Mom used to bake them all the time for me and we were the only two who liked them, so we would gorge on those pies for days. You must have been so surprised about the marriage, but a happy surprise, I hope! I love the little candy baskets :)

lulu said...

I am laughing, Judy. I TOTALLY GET how a son could "Forget" to tell you he is married! BOYS & MEN! It looks like a win-win though with two additional grands coming with the package!

Lemon meringue---YUMMY!

Vintage Paint and more... said...

Oh, I love lemon meringue pie also - but am the only one here. We have had many surprises in our life - with two sons and their families it is definitely never quiet and alas the surprises keep coming as the grands enter young adulthood. I have learned to expect the unexpected and roll with the punches so to speak. You have a lovely family. Have a wonderful week. Cathy

Unknown said...

You got a pretty big surprise, I'd say! Wow.

Your pies look soooo delicious. That was my mom's favorite pie to bake, and they were always so tasty. Makes me want to get in the kitchen and bake one...cause I can just taste the lemony tang! Yum.

Donna said...

Well, I guess life is Full of surprises...Sorry about the way you heard about yours...
BUT! That pie sounds delicious!
hughugs

Debbie said...

that salad looks so yummy to me, i could have just that for dinner and be perfectly happy!!!

love the little "favors" at the end!!! that's a great idea!!!

Mrs.T said...

Do you have a recipe (or proportions) for that delicious-looking salad? It looks absolutely wonderful and I would love to try it. The pies look perfect, too. No matter how I try to seal the meringue to the crust, it always ends up pulling away. Great work!

Cynthia said...

You had an eventful Easter. Everything looked so good. Love lemon meringue pie. Homemade is the best

Cindy

This N That said...

That pie looks fabulous..I hope you and your new family are having a fun time...Handsome looking group

Judith @ Lavender Cottage said...

Congratulations on the new additions to your family Judy.
You realize we're all craving lemon meringue pie now. LOL I haven't made one in years and yet hubby and I both like it - next project for me!
Well, the 2 pound weight loss was a good thing, especially over Easter. The sunflower candy and nut cups were cute, I'll bet they were enjoyed.

Vee said...

While It may have been possible to get such a surprise, I did not. Unless falling snow counts. It has been like being in a snow globe.

Those pies look so delicious! I think lemon meringue is such a yummy pie and I have always made the unacceptable kind. Hmmm...I must have been missing something. The salad also looks delicious.

Rue said...

Wow... talk about a surprise! I'm glad you didn't faint. I hope it's happy news.

That pie looks wonderful!

STILLMAGNOLIA said...

Love anything lemon. That soap looks amazing. Great pictures...that salad looked good enough to eat....and now I am starving.

STILLMAGNOLIA said...

Love anything lemon. That soap looks amazing. Great pictures...that salad looked good enough to eat....and now I am starving.

Deb @ Frugal Little Bungalow said...

Congratulations to your son. And then...what the HECK!! on FB.

I can sympathize...I know that many a time I find these out on FB first too!

Magali@TheLittleWhiteHouse said...

I'm sure your three "new" grandchildren will feel very welcome in your family!

Anonymous said...

That was quite a surprise! Congratulations to all. The pies are beautiful. My hubby would help you eat them! LOL That is one tempting salad--sounds good, too.

Ida said...

Talk about finding it out by accident. Looks like the new grands are having fun with those bubbles. Lemon Meringue is my favorite pie, these look so yummy!

J_on_tour said...

Wow, that's a shocker for you, despite now being a reluctant user, Facebook gives me the information that people don't want to verbally tell me. I believe it also has a lot to answer for with peoples character that you can guess which I'll not mention here.
The glistening topping on that Lemon Meringue is awesome, no doubt all the real and virtual tasters enjoyed.

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