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Pecan Pie Day August 20th

Pecan Pie, Clarkston Cleaning Services

Pecan Pie Day August 20th

Sugar pies were extremely popular in medieval Europe, and as Europeans started to immigrate to America, many sugar pie recipes were reimagined using local ingredients.  Pecan Pie is believed to be a variant of chess pie which also has a butter and sugar custard center.  While pecan pies were likely being eaten before the 1800s, the first official published recipe was in an issue of “Harper’s Bazaar” magazine in 1886.

 

Pecan Pie without Corn Syrup

“Filling only”

 

2 cups pecans

¾ cup packed light brown sugar

¾ cup maple syrup

6 tablespoons unsalted butter

½ teaspoon salt

2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

2 large eggs

 

Preheat oven to 375 degrees

 

Spread the pecans on a baking sheet and bake on the center rack until toasted, 10 to 12 minutes.  Cool completely.  Reserve 15 pecans, then roughly chop the rest of the pecans.

Bake the pie shell as directed (I use premade pie shell for a 9-inch pie)

While the crust is baking, combine the brown sugar, maple syrup, butter, and salt in a medium saucepan.  Bring to a boil over medium heat and, stirring constantly, continue to boil for 1 full minute.  Remove from the heat and stir in chopped pecans and vanilla.  Set aside to cool slightly, about 5 minutes.  Whisk the eggs into the filling until smooth, then pour the filling into a warm crust.  Top with the reserved pecans.

Bake on the lower rack until the filling is set around the edges but still slightly loose in the center, 40 to 45 minutes.  (If the edges of the crust begin to get too dark, cover the edge loosely with foil).  Cool on a wire rack completely before serving.

Spread the pecans on a baking sheet and bake on the center rack until toasted, 10 to 12 minutes.  Cool completely.  Reserve 15 pecans, then roughly chop the rest of the pecans.

n a wire rack completely before serving.

 

 

 

 

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Practical ways to prepare for college

Practical Ways to Prepare for Your Freshman Year of College, Clarkston Cleaning Services, blogs, young woman sitting on steps studying on laptop, residential house cleaning service, Maid service, move in, move out, deep clean, spring clean, gift cards

Practical ways to prepare for college

Practical ways to prepare for college. It’s a big world out there! We’re sure you have big dreams for your future and are ready to go get ‘em! Now that you’re leaving home, we have a few suggestions on practical ways to prepare for your freshman year of college!

Adulting is harder than it seems. A lot harder. As you learn to balance all the things in your life; work, fun, relationships, there will be falls and mistakes. Don’t take them personally and try to learn from them. You probably didn’t get the balance thing on a bike the first time, right? Neither will you as a grown-up. But you will.

Things to Keep in Mind

Preparation is never a waste of time and while you can’t possibly anticipate everything, talking with your parents or other trusted adults is a good start. Do you know someone already in college? Do you know someone who is at your college? Pick their brains on some of their experiences in their first year. Some questions to ask might be:

The “Not College” Stuff

Not only are you heading to school, but you are also leaving the comforts of home with your parents. You will be surprised at how much they do for you. Sometimes experience is the only way to learn. For example, there are reasons your mom hounded you about the dirty dishes or laundry in your room. Or that you have to buy things like toilet paper, ketchup, forks, knives, and spoons. Or that nobody will pile you out of bed for your classes anymore. Old habits die hard, and you’re bound to have to break more than one.

  • If you’re lucky enough to have your parents’ help, you’re very lucky. If not, and your financial skills are either lacking or non-existent, get busy with a course or two on budgeting and the reality of living in the world. Even if you have help, eventually you will need to be self-sustaining. You may need to get work and it’s important to know how much you need from that job to pay your way.
  • If you will be living in a dorm, you may have a food allowance that is included with your tuition. You may not. Either way, you gotta eat, right? Living on ramen and red licorice whips will get old, fast. A poor diet will drag down your ability to sleep, study, and pay attention in class. A balanced diet is not equal parts junk food and good food, just…FYI. Eat good food…greens, grains, and fruit.
  • Health. Of course, your overall health needs to be…overall. Often young people push past signals from their minds and bodies because of peer pressure and freshman college life is notorious for bullying and mob mentality. Your comfort zones will be challenged often. It’s ok to say “no”.

The college experience can be so exciting! You may change your mind on your major several times. You may decide to go in a completely different direction. Remember, nothing is set in stone. Allow yourself to make mistakes! You are learning not only about your career fields; you are learning to be an adult…it takes some time.

 

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National Sisters Day

National Sisters Day, clarkston cleaning services

 

National Sisters Day

National Sisters Day. According to Time and Date dot com, August 1st is this year. An unofficial holiday, it’s set for the first Sunday in August every year, so no paid days off or bank closures. Rats, right?

Whether amicable or contentious, it’s still a good day to remember the relationships we have with our female siblings. No sisters? No problem! Celebrate all the women and girls in your life who feel like a sister! Get with your besties, cousins, coworkers, and neighbors.

Girls Just Wanna Have Fun

So, how do we honor our sisters? There are obvious ways like going to lunch or coffee but how about taking a “left turn at Albuquerque”, as Bugs Bunny used to say. We found a few unique ideas you can do with your sis.

  • Genealogy Search. Have you ever wondered about the origins of your family? Especially if your “sister” is biologically from a different parent? Wouldn’t it be fun to compare notes? It doesn’t necessarily have to cost any money to start looking for your roots.
  • Dig Out the Pictures. Whether your photos are digital or paper, it can be fun to reminisce over things you did growing up together. Sort, laugh, make scrapbooks!
  • Revisit a Childhood Haunt. Where did you hang out as kids? Was there a particular playground or ice cream shop you loved as children? Walk the routes you took to school. Find the house your crush lived in. Are they still around?
  • Road Trip! Especially if you live far apart, go for a weekend or longer for a long dreamed about get-together!

Mending Fences

Some of the fiercest rivalries are between siblings. If it’s been a few days or many years, being the first to throw up the white flag can be scary. Many would contend that DNA does not a family make, but if you feel a need to reconnect, National Sisters Day could be a good segue. Ways to start could be:

  • Send a Card or Letter. Maybe you made some bad moves in the past and want to make things right. Or perhaps you want to open the door to them if the rift was theirs.
  • Enlist Another Family Member or Friend. Because we call them “family”, it usually means there are mutual relationships. Is there someone who could help “feel” them out before you make contact?
  • Make a Donation in Their Name. Sometimes they’re not ready, so you have to nudge them in other ways. Often the problem boiled down to broken trust. Try rebuilding without direct contact. Donate to their favorite charity. Make sure they get a notice that you made the gift for them.

Sisterhood can be glorious or complicated. Divine or divided. Let those sisters you love know you love them! Even if it means swallowing a little humble pie!

National Sisters Day, National Sisters Day

 

 

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