The Pioneer Woman Review & Next Month's Book

Welcome back to SBC! I hope you had a chance to read The Pioneer Woman: Black Heels to Tractor Wheels—A Love Story by Ree Drummond. It's a good one.

Before I start in with my review, I'd just like to say that I pretty much love The Pioneer Woman. She’s just so down-to-earth and funny and spunky. (see this post where she uses Cheez Whiz. I can’t say that I enjoy Cheez Whiz, but I like that she does and she owns it.) She is unapologetically herself with just the right amount of humor.

Now, for the book. It is a sweet love story with a healthy dose of reality (the funny, the embarrassing, and the tragic) added in.

I love the way the author describes her Marlboro Man. "He was a man who had a thought and acted on it immediately....He spent no time at all calculating moves; he had better things to do with his time." Even though he's a cowboy, "He wasn't a country bumpkin. He was poised, gentlemanly, intelligent. And he was no mere man—at least no man the likes of whom I'd ever known. He was different. Strikingly different....He'd taught me that when you love someone, you say it—and that when it comes to matters of the heart, games are for pimply sixteen-year-olds."

Descriptions like these make it easy to see why Ree fell in love.

When she writes about her parents' separation, the heart wrenching reality of it tore at me: "Tears of pain and confusion dampened my pillow as everything I'd ever understood about stability and commitment melted away. And for the first time in weeks—for the first time since Marlboro Man and I shared our first beautiful kiss—love was suddenly the last thing I wanted."

One thing I didn't really love was the constant references to "passion." It was in every other sentence for a while there. Of course, there are also subtle reassurances that Ree and her Marlboro Man maintained their chastity. I just didn't care for it. This is my personal bias coming into play. I think that passion/chemistry/whatever-you-want-to-call-it is important to a relationship, but it's secondary to all the rest: caring, selflessness, conflict resolution, moral character, etc. Citing passion as the foundation for a relationship cheapens the parts that are real and meaningful. But again, that is my opinion.

In her defense, I suppose, she does mention that in times of disappointment and confusion, the passion is what got her through.

I enjoy the way the author writes about how her life changed after meeting and dating Marlboro Man. "He held my heart entirely in his hands, this cowboy, and for the first time in my life, despite everything I'd ever believed about independence and feminism and emotional autonomy, I knew I'd be utterly incomplete without him. Talk about a terrifying moment."

I know my own life has gone drastically away from my chosen plan. That’s a big part of why I relate to Ree, the “accidental country girl.” There are some situations that I never dreamed I would face, and I reacted differently than I ever thought I would. But here's the best part: Somehow, it's okay. It's better than it would have been, in fact. That's what I get from The Pioneer Woman. I'm not going to say this book is on the same literary level as others I've read, but the author writes things that are true for her, and some of those things resonate with me.

And now that you’ve delved into my soulful self, I give you my pick for December:

A Christmas Carol
by Charles Dickens

I thought that A Christmas Carol would be appropriate for the holiday season. I have heard retellings of this story since I was a child, the first being Mickey's Christmas Carol. I love it every time.

But I have a confession. I have never read the real thing: the original book by Charles Dickens. I intend to remedy that this year. I hope you join me!

From Goodreads: Cruel miser Ebeneezer Scrooge has never met a shilling he doesn’t like...and hardly a man he does. And he hates Christmas most of all. When Scrooge is visited by his old partner, Jacob Marley, and the ghosts of Christmas Past, Christmas Present, and Christmas Yet to Come, he learns eternal lessons of charity, kindness, and goodwill. Experience a true Victorian Christmas!

From Amazon: Charles Dickens’ masterfully crafted Christmas fable tells the story of Ebenezer Scrooge, a man with wealth to match the coldness of his heart. On a mystical Christmas Eve, a visitation with spirits forces Scrooge to make a choice: change, or perish.

This Christmas classic gets an average rating of 3.97 stars on Goodreads, 4.7 stars on Amazon, and 4.5 stars at Barnes & Noble.

Get in the Christmas spirit by reading A Christmas Carol with me.

See you next month!

No-Fail Pie Crust

'Tis the season for pies! If you usually buy pre-made pie crusts or pie crust dough, you are missing out. While the convenience can't be beat, homemade pie crust is so much more delicious than anything I've ever tried from a store. Pie crust dough can be hard to work with, especially if you aren't experienced. This recipe is easier than most--I dare you to give it a try. It's not as difficult as you think.

One of my roommates in college shared this recipe with me. Most pie crust recipes don't call for the use of an egg. And with reason! Eggs are typically used as a binding agent. Since pie crusts are meant to be fall-apart-flaky, using an egg seems counterproductive. However, in this particular recipe, the egg will help bind the dough long enough for you to work with it--it's easier to roll out and doesn't crumble. But adding vinegar is the key to getting a flaky crust. The vinegar breaks down the protein in the egg, and it ceases to act as a binder. This gives you the best of both worlds! Dough that is easy to work with, crust that is tender and flaky when baked.

This recipe makes quite a bit, so you only have to make one batch for several pies. Alternatively, you can use part of the dough and freeze the rest for your next pie-making adventure.

The dough starts off a bit crumbly.

But that's okay as long as you can press it into a ball. (It's okay to add a bit more water if you need to)

Roll it out on a floured surface, such as a clean kitchen counter or Roul'Pat.

To transport the rolled-out dough to a pie pan, I like to fold it in half or in quarters.

Put the folded dough in your pan and unfold.

Make sure your dough isn't stretched. You want room for filling, after all!
Next, trim the edges. You can do this with a sharp knife or kitchen scissors.

Save those scraps!

Once the edges are trimmed, you can flute them (pinch them to make a pretty border).

If you are making a double crust pie (one with a bottom crust and a top crust that covers the filling), wait to flute the edges until you assemble the top crust.

Make sure to cut vents in the top crust, and you're ready for the oven.

No-Fail Pie Crust
Recipe by Sara (stuff-by-sara.blogspot.com), lightly adapted from her college roommate

3 cups sifted flour
1 tsp salt
1 Tbsp sugar
1 ½ cups shortening or butter or some combination of the two (I prefer all butter)
1 egg, beaten
5 ½ Tbsp cold water
1 tsp vinegar

Combine flour, salt, and sugar. Cut in shortening and/or butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Add water, vinegar, and egg. Toss together until moistened.

Refrigerate dough for 10 minutes or until you are ready to use it (no worries if you leave it in the fridge overnight).

Flour your counter top or other surface for rolling out your crust. Use a rolling pin to flatten dough to about ¼ inch thickness. If you need to re-roll your dough, be sure to stack or fold it, rather than just gathering it into a ball. This will help give your pie crust flaky layers.

Line pie plate with crust. Flute the edges.* Fill and bake according to recipe directions.

Makes 2 double pastry crusts.

flaky, buttery pie crust

*If you are pre-baking your crust (as for a refrigerated pie, like this one), prick the bottom and sides of your crust with a fork (this will prevent giant air bubbles from forming). Bake at 400º for 10-12 minutes. Let cool, then add filling.

Grandma's Pumpkin Pie

I always get a little nostalgic around the holidays. I think about the traditions I loved as a kid. One thing that really brings back memories is the taste of pumpkin pie. Without pumpkin pie, it just doesn't feel like Thanksgiving.

In my mom's recipe file, there is a handwritten recipe for pumpkin pie--a recipe created by my mother's mother, my grandmother. It is my favorite recipe. I love the thick, custardy texture of the baked pie and the spicy, sweet flavor. This is one recipe that will live on year after year.

Luckily we transcribed Grandma's recipe (with her edits) before it looked like this.

Grandma's Pumpkin Pie 
Recipe by Sara's Grandma (stuff-by-sara.blogspot.com)

Small batch
1 small can pumpkin
1 small can warm milk
2/3 cup sugar
3 eggs
¼ tsp salt
1 ½ tsp cinnamon
¾ tsp ginger
1 ½ tsp pumpkin pie spice

Large batch 
1 large can pumpkin
1 large can warm milk
1 cup sugar
6 eggs
½ tsp salt
2 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp ginger
2 tsp pumpkin pie spice

Mix spices, salt, and sugar; add to warm milk and beaten eggs. Blend in pumpkin. Mix well. Pour into prepared pie crusts. Cook 15 minutes at 400º, then 45 minutes at 350º. Makes 2-4 pies.

Let cool. Serve with whipped cream, if desired.

Pumpkin pie is one of my holiday favorites, and I hope you enjoy it too!

Books Worth Reading (according to me)

If you haven’t been impressed with my picks thus far, you might not want my opinion anymore at all. But if you have a little extra time around the holidays and you need a few recommendations, you've come to the right place.

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Little House series (featuring the famous Little House on the Prairie) by Laura Ingalls Wilder
This series will keep you busy for a while. If you are like me, that is, and can’t stop after the first book. I started reading this series when I was in the fourth grade, and I have re-read them many times. I am a total sucker for the romance between Almanzo and Laura that concludes the series. Added bonus: these books are based on the author’s life. I think real-life stories are neat.

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To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
Most people probably had to read this in their high school English class. I’m betting that a large portion of those people either A) didn’t read it or B) didn’t appreciate it. I know I didn’t appreciate every book I came across in high school, and my English teacher usually had good enough review sessions that I didn’t actually have to read the book to pass the test. If you didn't read this one in high school, it's worth your time.

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Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls
This is another kiddie book, but I love it. My fifth grade teacher recommend that I read with a box of tissues, and she was right. Of course, I am a tender-hearted sap. I love Rawls’s writing style. He writes about the desires of a young boy, and the hard work and heartache he goes through to achieve his dreams.

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Divergent series by Veronica Roth
Have you noticed that dystopian novels are having a moment in the limelight? Well, this is right in line with that trend. I have read books 1 and 2 (book 3 is a new release--I haven't gotten my hands on it yet!), and I enjoyed them both. Neat storyline, great characters, intriguing plot. Plus, they’re making it into a movie! Yay!

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Blackmoore by Julianne Donaldson
This is another romance from the best-selling author of Edenbrooke. I haven’t had a chance to read it yet, since everyone in my library system seems to have requested it before me, but I anxiously anticipate reading this one. I have heard nothing but good reviews. If you like Regency-era, Jane Austen-type romances, this is one for you. The language makes it more accessible to the modern reader, but the text is studded with terms like "pianoforte."

Happy Reading!

Better Than Love Cake (with Strawberries & Cream)

First edition, baby. They don't make 'em like this anymore.
Seriously. The cover art is completely different now.

If you've never picked up a copy of 101 Things to Do with A Cake Mix (now with updated cover art), you are missing out. Fun fact: This book was written by my former babysitter. Whoa.

While not every recipe is a winner for me, there are more hits than misses. I love the ease of using a cake mix but coming out with a result that is more appealing than regular old cake. The author describes her recipes as "foolproof ways of faking homemade by using cake mix and on-hand ingredients." The recipe below is a prime example.

Rather than the traditional Better Than You-Know-What Cake that usually features chocolate and caramel, this version uses strawberries and cream. Yum.

Before I go on, I should point out that I love strawberries. Love, love them. I might even like strawberries more than chocolate. Don't tell my chocoholic mother, though. She might disown me.

This time of year, strawberries can be hard to come by. Prime strawberry months are in the late spring and early summer. Luckily, this recipe calls for frozen strawberries, which are easy to find in any season (good thing, or I might start going through withdrawal).

If you like strawberries, this is the cake for you. Maybe this won't replace your trusted Better Than Whatever Cake, but it might find its own place in your dessert repertoire. This version is light and fresh and oh so good. Give it a try!

Better Than Love Cake
Recipe lightly adapted from 101 Things to Do with A Cake Mix by Stephanie Ashcraft
Brought to you by Sara (stuff-by-sara.blogspot.com)

1 box French vanilla or white cake mix, and ingredients specified on box
2 10-ounce packages frozen sliced strawberries (sweetened), thawed
1 box French vanilla, cheesecake, or white chocolate instant pudding mix,
     and ingredients specified on box
8 ounces whipped topping, thawed

Follow cake mix directions for a 9x13 inch cake. After the cake has baked, let it cool.

Using the handle of a wooden spoon, liberally poke holes in the cake. Pour thawed strawberries and juice evenly over the cake and into the holes.

Prepare pudding mix according to the directions on the box. Spread over strawberries on cake, sealing them.

Frost the cake with whipped topping and serve. Keep refrigerated.

Enjoy!