moonfrye

Remembering our troops with love and gratitude...past and present, at home and abroad, today and every day.

Thank you for all that you do for our country. We are forever grateful.

Happy Memorial Day, everyone!

love,

The Moonfrye Team

Here is a super easy recipe for homemade mini Patriotic Pies!

I make mine using one of my favorite kitchen appliances, the Breville mini pie maker, but you can easily adapt the recipe for a standard pie plate and bake them in the oven. We recommend baking at 350 degrees for 45-50 minutes, checking frequently toward the end. Your crust should be golden brown and a knife slipped into the center of the filling should go in and out easily.

Baker's tip: if your crust is browning before the filling is done, cover the top of your pie loosely with aluminum foil to protect it from the heat.



Things you need:



Breville (or similar brand) mini pie maker

2 pie dough rounds (I use Pillsbury ready made pie dough from Target-- super easy. All you have to do is roll it out!)

4 fresh strawberries

1/2 cup rasberries, rinsed and patted dry

1/2 cup blueberries, rinsed and patted dry

3 tablespoons firmly packed brown sugar

2 teaspoons corn starch

1 teaspoon of fresh lemon juice

Whipped Cream (You can use store bought whipped cream or make your own using heavy whipping cream.



I love using heavy whipping cream with a few teaspoons of sugar and a touch of vanilla)

Instructions:

To make the filling, stem and…

Heading out of town for Memorial Day weekend?  Here are a few road trip tips to ensure that your getaway gets off to a good start!

1. Pack wipes – and lots of ‘em!  Any time we spend more than an hour in the car, someone is bound to barf.  Those wipes are good for more than just diaper changes.  They work wonders when the projectile vomit hits the back of the front seat and do double duty cleaning car seats and kids too.  Stockpile them before you hit the road – you’ll be glad you did.
2. Bring plenty of Purell.  We keep a full-size bottle in the door pocket in the front of the car.  Why?  See Tip #1!  We like to a hand-sanitizer handy at all times… especially since the kids seem to transition seamlessly from puke-time to snack-time.  Gross, but true.  TGFP! (Thank Goodness for Purell!)
3. Don’t forget the sunblock.  We keep it in the front door pocket of our “Swagger Wagon” – right next to the Purell. With our fair-skinned clan, an open window or stop for lunch is an opportunity for sunburn… and really, it would be a shame to burn the kids before you even hit the beach, wouldn’t it?
4. Time your trip well.  Take into account rush hour and the witching hour.  Consider meal times, nap times and bedtime.  Then determine the best time for you and your family to hit the road.  Do your kids hate to be strapped down for hours on end?  Maybe a post-dinner departure is best for you; just pop the kids in pajamas and tuck them into their car seats…

Change is in the air.

We all feel it coming.

Some days, the change seems good. 

It fills big sister with positive energy.  Confidence oozes out of her as she considers the exciting things she will learn, the possibility of being in a class with her best friend, and walking, finally walking, to school.

But some days, she feels little.  The thought of change scares her and leaves her feeling small.

She cries in my arms.

But I will miss you so much.  Every day is too much for me.

She shadows baby brother.

I hurt my knee too.  I need that attention too.

She worries.

I’m not used to it.  What if I won’t have a friend?

I remain calm and strong on the outside, because I have to.  I am her anchor, after all.

I hold her when she needs me.

It’s ok to feel small.  It’s ok to feel scared.  I know just how you feel.

I channel every ounce of patience.

I’m glad your knee is ok, but I know that you feel little right now.  Let’s help baby brother together, and then we’ll have a snuggle.

I reassure her.

It will be different at first, but I know you will love being so close to home.  Mommy can volunteer there a lot.  And your best friend will be there with you at lunch and recess, even if…