Day In The Life Of Smalltown

Up before the sun missing a sweet cabin nestled on 40 acres in the Ozarks of Arkansas.   Sometimes God gives sweet places to your family that will touch your life Coopers Ozark Cabin is one of those times and we are praying it will touch our life again and again.  We took the pups Mag B and Sophie with us, being from a busy town they can't just walk out the front door but while we were at the cabin they walked out with freedom in their step and joy in their eyes.  We went exploring both days and got a lil' scared when Mag ran off but his lesson was learned when he was grounded to the leash the next time and once we let him go he stayed close enough so we could see black and white through the trees.   We were suppose to get storms most of the time but we prayed and the storms were held off till the last night and such beauty lingered around us and the sound was magnificent.  We ate good and cooked plenty, I will share some recipes with you shortly.  Keep your eyes open.

Day in the Life of Smalltown

Yes, yes I did it; watched two of my favorite movies in a row and I'm still up.  This is why I don't take naps ugh.  

Day In The Life of Smalltown

I must love this movie, the only one that I might know word for word.
What we are watching tonight. 

Day in the Life of Smalltown

I've spent most of the day looking at food and trying to make a menu for two weeks.  This is such a time consuming project for me but it paid off I spent around $110 hear my screams of joy.  

Day In The Life Of Smalltown

Up before the sun with the smell of Turkey in the air; which is covering my whole house with deliciousness.  A busy day, filled with food, family and friends.  The turkey has been in the oven all night, and later on the pecan pies goes in, then ending with whiskey sauce being made.  
So, recently I tried making a pecan pie a lil' bit healthier
 my philosophy has changed, somethings can't be made healthy and taste the same.
 I guess having pecan pie once a year, the good ol' way is not gonna kill me.
Don't change something that is perfect people but just in case gonna post both for you.  

Maple Pecan Pie (Healthy)

4 eggs
1/2 cup whole, unrefined cane sugar
1 cup maple syrup
2 tablespoons butter (melted)
1 tablespoon vanilla bean powder
1 1/2 cups pecan halves 

Instructions;

1.Preheat the oven to 350 F.
2. Using a standmixer, whisk flour with salt, then cut in shorting  and continue to whisk until the flour resembles corn meal. Remove the whisk attachment, and replace it with the dough hook. Slowly add the cold water and process until the dough forms a ball that cleans the sides of the bowl. 
3.  Remove the ball of dough from the mixer, and roll it our between 2 pieces of parchment paper until it is 1/8-inch thick. Place the disc of dough into a 9-inch pie pan and place in the freezer while you prepare the remaining ingredients.
4.  In a large bowl, beat eggs with cane sugar, maple syrup, melted butter and vanilla bean powder.
5.  Remove pie crust from the freezer, pour in filling and arrange pecan halves on top. Bake until the crust is golden, but the center is still wobbly - about 40 minutes. Allow to cool completely before serving.

Pecan Pie (100 Years Old)
Ingredients:

3 eggs
1 cup of white sugar
1/2 cup dark Karo syrup
1 stick of butter or margarine (softened)
1 cup pecan halves
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla

Instructions:

1.  Beat eggs until light and fluffy.
2.  Add sugar and beat again.Add syrup, butter, pecans, salt and vanilla.
3. Mix ingredients together and pour into pie crust.
4. Cook on 350 for 10 minutes; then reduce temperature to 325 for 30 minutes.
5. Temperature reduction is to keep crust from burning.
6. Ovens vary in performance and cook times should be adjusted accordingly (I had to cook mine an additional 10 minutes).
7. Pie is done when center jiggles like jello when you shake the pie.

P.S.   (The pie can look a little buttery until it is cooked completely.  Some people have reported having to cook it an additional 20 minutes)Make sure the pie cools completely before you cut it.  

Hope you enjoy and have a blessed Thanksgiving love what you have give what you can.

Day In The Life Of Smalltown

Sometimes God has to bring you into a dark place so that you might see His true value.  We all struggle and our heart can't carry ourselves, Jesus gave such a price for us that we don't have to carry this burden.  Last night as my heart filled with condemnation I cried out, "your child can't do it on her own."  After my prayer God gave me this scripture, " When Jesus came down from the mountain, large crowds followed Him.  And a leper came to Him and bowed down before Him and said, " Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean."  Jesus stretched out His hand and touched him, saying , "I am willing be cleansed."