Finally It Happened to Me: A Journey in Pie Making

I know everyone is probably sick of me talking about my failures at making pie...but I can't help but share the stories of the pies that led me to where I am today...

Beginning with Luke's birthday 2 years ago when he told me all he wanted was for me to make him a pie...so I did.  I found the easiest recipe for Key Lime Pie and it looked beautiful.  I even took the time to cut up fresh limes and decorate it and everything.  You guys know the story, I used evaporated milk instead of condensed milk (who knew they weren't the same?) and ended up with a beautiful, but disgusting and sour pie.

This year I tried again for Valentine's Day.  The pie looked like snot and the meringue was thin as hell, BUT it tasted pretty good, even if it was not in true pie form.

Then, Luke tried to show me up by making a banana cream pie a few weeks later...I had one bite and gagged.  NASTY.  Not even edible.  

Then we decided it was time to call grandma and get some expert advice during Spring Break.  Even her careful instructions and love could not break my curse.  We made one of the prettiest pies you have ever seen, but you needed a straw to drink it.

And then my friends...let me take you back to Friday, May 18 2012.  My grandparents were coming in town and I had the afternoon off.  At first I was just going to give up on the challenge I had given myself--to make the perfect pie by the time they came to visit--but at last minute I decided to give it one more chance. 

It did not start out well.  I got two crusts (OK so the crust was not home made, maybe next time) and one crumbled within minutes of me taking it out of the package.  I was loosing steam quick.  After trying to use the second one and putting some pieces back together, I successfully go the chocolate in the crust and it appeared to be normal.  

Then it was time for the meringue.  Everything was fine until I dropped my spoon while the mixer was going at its highest speed.  The spoon spitted out and got meringue ALL OVER me and my clean kitchen.  I don't have pics because my fingers and entire body were too sticky.  After a quick change of clothes, it was time to put the pie in the oven.

OK, so far so good, although the meringue was not quite as high as I would have liked, but I can't be picky at this point!  I put it in the fridge and waited for my grandparents to come.  We went to an excellent dinner (a post on their trip to come!) and turned down their famous creme brulee for what we hoped would be a great pie awaiting us at home.  The pressure was on.

I cut into it...and it was not a milkshake...but an actual pie!  A pie that actually tasted good...and by good I mean delicious.

Even Grandpa was excited to get back on Saturday to have another piece.  Grandma told me that most girls my age don't know how to make a pie like that.  Luke was proud and I finally feel like I can contribute something to family holiday dinners without lying about whether I made it or not.  Ladies and gents...come over and have some pie!  My next challenge is to try a Key Lime again...wish me luck!

Lisa's Bachelorette Party

 It was honestly a perfect weekend for this beautiful bride to be and all her fun girlfriends!  Picture this:  beautiful home in Charlottesville, ideal weather, yummy wine, fun night out on the downtown mall, and just laughs!  I had a great time celebrating Lisa's "last fling" before she gets married to Brandon (or as I call him, B-deck) in June.  Remember there cute engagement story?  Check it out here.

 Look that cute bride!

We started out the weekend playing cornhole and catching up in the back yard.  Macfie and I won after a very long round...but I must say she carried the team! 

 Spirit Fingers!  By the way, these pics are from Lindsey Goggin who is one of Lisa's sorority sisters and a great photographer.  

After eating a great meal we got in our PJs and watched Bridesmaids.  It was the third time I have seen it and it just gets better and better...

The next morning we had Chickfila...yes!  And then headed out for the vineyards.  We rented an excursion...which Katie, Lisa's 5 foot sister, drove.

Our first stop was Veritas Vineyard.  It was a beautiful location and we had a great tour.  Because I was driving I did not get to taste much of the wine, so I definitely have it on my list to go back to in the future. 

We packed a picnic and hung out for awhile.  It was so fun to catch up with everyone and get to know a few of Lisa's friends who I had heard so much about, but had not had the chance to spend a lot of time with them.

 The MOH was tired from all the planning!

 OK not the best pic of us, but it was the only one I had so I had to post it!

After Vertias, we headed a few minutes down the road and went to Pippin Hill, a new vineyard in the area.  The views, picnic areas, and tasting rooms were some of the prettiest I have seen.  Again, I did not taste a lot of the wine, but the glass of chardonnay I had was fabulous.  I need to come back here soon!

 The whole group form left to right, back to front:  Lisa (AST sister), Lauren (friend from home), Liz (JMU), Macfie (AST), Jenna (AST), Amanda (JMU), Leslie (JMU), Lindsay (AST), Bride, Me, Katie (sister)

 the bridesmaids + the bride

After the vineyard we had a great SURPRISE lingerie shower back at the house.  It was so fun, as always...then we got ready to head out on the town.  We ate dinner at a great restaurant on the downtown mall, followed by a couple fun bars.  

 

 Of course we made her do ridiculous things like ask a guy for his sock...

 And hula dance (not be confused with hula hooping, haha Lisa) with a guy with a Hawaiian shirt on.  Pic is blurry, but memory was great!

And then we actually found someone with a hula hoop out on the mall...how fun!  Its never every day you see a bride do the hula hoop as well as Lisa.  She is a pro!

 I was sad the weekend was over.  We had a great time and it made me even more excited about the fun ahead in June.  Lisa is such a special friend to me and I am so glad she and Brandon are tying the knot.  Its funny...Lisa and I always talk about how we feel like we have known each other for 10 years...but it has only been 4.  What a special friendship!

Allergies...

Allergies in the Logan household are going crazy...

this is Luke's solution.

innovative.

My Job through Pictures

My job is kind of hard to describe to people, so I am going to do my best to do that and add some fun pictures to go along with it.  My job title is Graduate Assistant for the First Year Involvement (FYI) Resource Center, which is through the Office of Residence Life (ORL).  The best things about my job:

• Every day is different, but a few things stay the same (thats me:  love for changing things but also having structure)
• I have an office.  This may seem weird to most people, but in my last job I carried my office with me most of the day.
• My job has the perfect balance of administrative things (planning, emails, meetings) and student/staff interaction and development.
• I get to plan campus-wide events like the Clothesline Project (JMU CLP), Alcohol Awareness Week, and Recognition Celebration (end of year celebration for ORL).  Planning these events means that I get to pull out my beanie babies ( a collection over 100) for a 90's theme rec cel:

• I get to work with very creative students!  The 8 women I supervise are program advisers (PAs) meaning that they assist ORL staff with all of their programming needs:  advertising, plans, ideas, bulletin boards, consultation, etc.  They also help me plan the campus events I mentioned and add so much more to them that I could on my own.

• I get to have fun!  I work with great people and they know me very well.  Hence my superlative:

• Speaking of fun and creative...some days I get to just work on posters....and glitter, glue, etc.  I never leave the office without a little bit of glitter on me :)

• Did I mention how creative and talented they are?

• Each week I spend a lot of my time in one on one meetings with the PAs.  I meet with each of them twice a month and it is by far my favorite part of the job!  Yes, we talk about FYI but we also talk about life!  I also run weekly staff meetings and even though we need to get work done, we still have a good time doing it.

Maddie (left) and Ansley

Carly

Keely

Kelsey (left) and Claire (right)

Katie

Rec Cel Coordinators:  Alexa (left) and Claire (right)

All the PAs + my supervisor and me!

• I laugh every day because of things like this..

• My supervisor and other GA (Cody) are also pretty great.  Kristin teaches me a lot about healthy eating, working out, and just life in general.  Cody teaches me about funny youtube videos, things that I should have learned as a freshman in college like how to register for classes on time, and good recipes.  I will miss working next to him as he is taking a different assistantship next year.

My supervisor, Kristin

• I get to do all the selection and training of the PAs each year.  Next year we have 4 people returning and 4 new folks!  It is hard to imagine a team better than what we have had this year, but I know they will be amazing in a completely different way.

This summer I will continue working in FYI, mainly planning our month long training for August.  Along with that I will be doing a practicum in the Study Abroad Office through the Department of International Programs.  In that job I will be working on an assessment project as well as planning International Week and the Study Abroad Fair.  Anyway, I am so blessed by the Lord for the unique opportunities he has provided me and the passion I have for my job and these amazing students.