Wednesday, January 23

Giveaway Winner, Book Review and Other News


And the winner of the Valentine/200th post giveaway is.....................

Well, before I tell you, let's take a look at all the names that were entered in the draw. As people posted, I wrote their names down on three-ring paper - every other line. There were a lot of you and I was so happy that so many had entered. Thank you!
Then I cut them up and at 6am this morning, I asked hubby to draw a name. First he mixed them up really well..........

Then he drew the name of the winner. And the winner is ....... drum roll, please......

Brandy at Mommy's Quiet Spot. Please drop in and congratulate Brandy for winning her first ever giveaway. Brandy, I will need your name and mailing address as soon as possible so you will receive this beautiful pink box before Valentine's Day.

Thanks to everyone who took the time to enter by commenting on my post. I always enjoy hearing from my friends and readers.

Our weather yesterday was nasty and dangerous. Highway 401 was littered with cars that had run into whiteouts while going too fast. At Woodstock, Ontario, about an hour and a half drive from Toronto, over 40 cars were in a pile up and east of Toronto at Belleville, there was another accident that involved cars and tractor trailers. Whiteout conditions were at their worst and part of the 401 was closed for hours.

Here, we couldn't see across the street. I haven't seen such bad conditions for years. The roads were covered in snow and were very slippery. Black ice was a danger to motorists. I have no statistics on injuries or fatalities, but I do know that at least one person was airlifted to hospital. Another man was trapped in his car for a half hour and many motorists were standing beside their cars in the frigid temperature.

Remember, if you're traveling in a snow storm, be alert and keep your speed down. The Ontario Provincial Police are blaming the accidents on speed and inclement weather. Arrive Alive! Reduce your speed in adverse weather conditions.



I have just finished reading Danielle Steel's Echoes. I used to be a big Danielle Steel fan, but had drifted away from her stories. Since I am taking part in the history reading challenge for 2008, I thought this one looked interesting. Though it wasn't on my list, I wanted to read it and checked it out of the library.

In the book, the guns of WWI boom in the distance for the Wittgenstein family during the summer of 1915. The oldest daughter, Beata, a Jewish beauty, travels to Geneva with her family and falls in love with a young French officer by the sparkling waters of Lake Geneva.

Beata's family is strongly against the young couple being together as her love is a French officer. Not only is he not Jewish, but he is Catholic. Beata follows her heart and leaves home to marry her love, which causes her to be banned by her family. They sit shiva for her, as to them she is essentially dead.

The young newlyweds create a life of their own and hide the fact that Beata is Jewish from everyone, including their daughters. But the guns of war loom again and Beata is frightened for her family. Even her daughter, Amadea, a Catholic nun, is in danger because of her Jewish ancestry.

As her mother, sister and friends vanish into the death camps, Amadea goes into hiding. Found by the Nazis and taken to a concentration camp, Amadea begins a horrifying journey of survival when she escapes from the camp and is found by the French Resistance.

The story of Amadea and her family is set against a vivid backdrop of history and the horrors of being Jewish in Europe during WWII. This is the harrowing story of betrayal, love and war that will keep you turning pages to find out if Amadea survives.

On a much lighter note, my friend, Tammy, let me know that today was National Pie Day. How delicious. Grandma could make the best pie in the world. She made every kind of pie - date, raisin, apple, blueberry, cherry, lemon and more. So here is Grandma's recipe for apple pie, only I will give you the recipe that I use.

Grandma made her own pie crust from scratch. For some reason I never was able to make it come out right and it was very frustrating. I don't make pie often, but once in a while for hubby. I have diabetes, so unless I use Spl*nda or some other artificial sweetner, I can't eat much of it. So this is what I do.

Grandma always used Tenderflake lard to make her pies and Tenderflake pre-made pie crusts are available at the grocery store, so I buy those. I know it's cheating but it's so much faster and I don't have to go through the frustration with the crust.

Grandma Mary's Apple Pie
1 cup of brown sugar
1/2 cup all purpose flour

Mix brown sugar and flour together. Place half of the mixture in a pie crust.

Wash, peel and slice Spy apples, or another type of baking apple until the pie plate is heaping.
When you have the apples sliced into the crust, add the remaining brown sugar/flour mixture.

Loosen the other pie crust from the tin plate and carefully place it on top of the apples.

Use a pastry wheel and a bit of warm water to seal the crusts together.

Trim.

Place in a preheated 350 degree oven and bake for 40 minutes or until the apples are tender when you insert a knife. Serve piping hot with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Mouth watering delicious.

51 comments:

  1. Welcome home! Hope you had a wonderful vacation to Florida.

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  2. Congrats to Brandy. Great book review my friend, love you.

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  3. Good Morning Mary,
    "CONGRATULATION'S" to Brandy on winning your Giveaway. I know she will be excited. I hate to hear about all those accidents up there. Some people will never learn tho. I heard on our local news that over in TN close to Knoxville, on I-40, there was a bad wreck and lots of vehicles in accidents as well. They said the Westbound of I-40 was shut down for a long time. My DH made it home around 1:00a.m. this morning but will have to leave back out around noon today. Take care my friend and have a great day. May God Bless You and Yours. You did a great review on the Danielle Steele book. I have read a couple of her books before myself.

    Love & Hugs,
    Karen H.

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  4. Hey Mary,
    I am not quite awake good yet. I meant to let you know that I finally did the Meme that you tagged me for last week. I have it posted this morning. Also, I came back and read what you had left for my comment on your post yesterday. I am freezing. It is currently 21 degrees right now. Another cold blast is coming in tonight and the high tomorrow is only suppose to be around 29 degrees. They say we may even get some freezing rain on Friday. Take care my friend and have a great day. May God Bless You and Yours.

    Love & Hugs,
    Karen H.

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  5. First of all, congratulation to Brandy as I know from personal experience what wonderful give aways you have.

    Secondly, burr it is cold here in the south but we are not having the snow or those horrible whiteouts that you speak about.

    last of all, I will not read the book as I hate to read about the horrible things done to the Jewish people during that time. Night mares are gentle next to what was done to them during that war. I am so thankful that pictures were taken because now people are trying to say "It did not happen".
    Don't you worry about those who can make such a statement?

    Peace be with you and I need to travel to Merle's to read a few jokes.

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  6. Peggy,

    Thanks for the warm welcome home. I've missed you. Glad to see you here.

    Denise,

    I'm glad you enjoyed the book review.

    Karen,

    People cause some of the accidents by speeding and not slowing down. They put others lives in danger and sometimes take their lives. I'm praying for DH, as always. I will be over to read your meme. Thanks so much for dropping by.

    Lady Di,

    I think it's dispicable that people say the Holocust didn't occur. The atrocities were unspeakable. I think we need to educate our children so they know it did indeed take place. I've sent you an email.

    Blessings and hugs to each of you. I wish you a wonderful day.
    Mary

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  7. Apple pie is one of my favorite...especially with a slice of Sharp Cheddar cheese melted on top of my slice! And...the store bought crusts are delicious as well as soooo handy! Your pie sounds so good.....
    hugs, bj

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  8. BJ,

    Nice to see you here. I hope you're feeling better. I've missed you.

    Blessings,
    Mary

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  9. Congrats to Brandy...she's one very lucky lady! You know what they say...maybe next time.

    As for the weather, we're experiencing rain all this week which is a good thing for So. California. I sure don't envy all of you who are suffering through the dreadful cold and snowy weather up north. Brrrr... At least reading a good book helps pass the time indoors.

    Stay safe and warm.

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  10. Joan,

    I'm glad you're getting some much needed rain. We got some snow, but it was the wind that was causing the problems - that and people with a lead foot. They should know better. Unfortunately, they are in a hurry and never think that they might never get where they're going if they don't slow down.

    Thanks for dropping by. It's always nice to hear from you.

    Blessings,
    Mary

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  11. Thank you so much!!! I am so excited! I can not wait to see what is in there. WOOHOO. I sent you an email with my mailing address. Please let me know if you get it. I am not sure I did it right. Sometimes its hard for me to figure out all this stuff. I am looking forward to talking to you.
    Brandy

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  12. Mary, I 've never read Steele but will this one, love history and the period in this novel. Can I post the adorable card you made on my site? Our area is expecting 6-8 inches of snoe this evening and tonite, love the snow hate the driving!! Everyone elses that is! Stay toastie! Love, Lori

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  13. Hi,
    Your pie sounds so yummy!
    Hope you have agreat day.
    Blessins',,Lib

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  14. You've gone from one extreme to the other where driving on the roads with FL and ON are concerned, huh? What a contrast!
    Congratulations to Brandy too! Thanks for having a giveaway Mary. It was very nice of you.

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  15. Congrats to the winner! I do hope she shares with us what it all contains! How fun.

    And ya, that inclement weather is so treacherous and I feel it's just way too dangerous to go out unless an emergency...drivers seem to forget to slow down as you say.

    The pie sounds delicious. Wish I would have known that before I made some quickie 'biscuit' cinnamon rolls for snacking. I'd much prefer a pie. I'm hungry for a minced meat pie [fruit actually...a long time ago I believe there was actually meat in it...but not anymore] - my grandma would make them and oh so yummy.

    Have a terrific day Mary. And I'll go send my congrats to Brandy now while I'm taking a break from cleaning.

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  16. You pie would be wonderful with a cuppa right about now. I'm so sorry to hear of the terrible weather you've been having. I pray it all clears up soon!

    Thanks for participating today!

    Here is to more pie!

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  17. This sounds like something you'd make with meatloaf and mashed potatoes! Thanks for the recipe!

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  18. Good Afternoon Mary,
    I came back to check out your recipe that you shared. I love Apple Pie. It goes real well with Vanilla Ice Cream. LOL. Oh my goodness, I'm tasting an Applie Pie now. LOL. Oh well, since I'm not a Sweet's Baker, I'll just have to keep drooling. LOL. "THANK YOU" for sharing your Grandmother's Applie Pie Recipe with us and "HAPPY NATIONAL PIE DAY". I was here a couple of times earlier, but everytime I got here, I would have to leave and tend to something else. So, I finally made it here without any interuptions this time. Take care my friend and have a great day. May God Bless You and Yours. Most of the time when my Mom Bakes, she uses the Splenda and makes Diabetic Pies for my Dad. I do think the Diabetic Pies taste better than the regular pies.

    Love & Hugs,
    Karen H.

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  19. Hi Mary,
    Congrats to Brandy!! I know she'll be thrilled! Thanks for letting me participate!

    I love the Grandma pie recipes! If Grandma made them they have to be good, right? Thanks for sharing yours. Sounds delish!

    Thanks for stopping by to visit me. I'll be back later after I finish checking out all those wonderful pie recipes.

    Hugs,
    Hope

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  20. My mouth is drowling..I want that pie LOL....Mary

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  21. Congrats to Brandy. Thanks for doing this Mary!

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  22. Here in Southern California when it rains, the roads become real dangerous. I can't imagine driving in the snow. Make sure that you drive safely!

    The Danielle Steele book sounds familiar. Unfortunately I read so many books, I can't keep track of them.

    That pie recipe sounds absolutely scrumptious! I'm ready for a piece right now:~)

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  23. Congrats Brandy!!! Mary, we are having bad snow here also by the lake shore. I want SUMMER!!!! Thanks for doing the give a way:)

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  24. Congratulations to the winner of your contest!

    I haven't read a Danielle Steele book in awhile~thanks for the review!

    Michelle

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  25. Brandy,

    You did it right. I received your email and your name and address. I will be mailing the parcel out later this week.

    Blessings and congratulations,
    Mary

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  26. Lori,

    Of course you can post the card on your site. I hope you enjoy it.

    We had no snow today, thank goodness but it was breezy. It would have been a beautiful winter day without the wind.

    I used to read Steel a lot and hadn't for a while, but this one was excellent. I hope you enjoy it.

    Blessings,
    Mary

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  27. Lib,

    I hope you try the pie and enjoy it. If you like brown sugar supplement can be used in lieu of the sugar.

    Blessings,
    Mary

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  28. Edge of Design,

    Yes, it certainly is from one extreme to the other. I think we are feeling the cold. For the most part Florida was around 70 degrees, except for those two cold days. I would love it at those temps all year long. That is my kind of weather.

    Blessings,
    Mary

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  29. Anni,

    The roads were really bad here and we went nowhere yesterday. Today I finally got to the scrapbooking store. I was keenly disappointed. I did get some supplies, but think I will head out to Michaels one day soon.

    Make the pie another day and enjoy it with your hubby. Cinnamon rolls are tasty too.

    Blessings,
    Mary

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  30. Tammy,

    I loved taking part. I'm usually happy to go along with a group who are doing this sort of thing. It's fun to read all the recipes and get some new ones. There are some delicious ones out there today.

    Blessings and thanks for doing this.
    Mary

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  31. Terri,

    Grandma's apple pie is certainly comfort food. I don't make it often, as I can't resist it.

    Thanks for stopping by.
    Blessings,
    Mary

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  32. Karen,

    This recipe can be used as a diabetic pie recipe. Just use brown sugar substitute in lieu of the sugar. It tastes great.

    Hope things are improving down your way.

    Blessings,
    Mary

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  33. Hope,

    I hope you try Grandma's pie recipe and enjoy it. Grandma was a great cook and all of her cooking and baking was done on a woodstove. She was quite a woman.

    Blessings,
    Mary

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  34. Mary Isabella,

    The pie is so easy to make. I hope you will try it and enjoy it.

    Mari,

    Thank you for entering and also for visiting me everyday. I enjoy your visits.

    Lynn,

    I read a lot too and take lots of books out of the library every time I go. Then if I've read one, I still have lots of reading material. This was a great read.

    Deb,

    Summer is too hot for me. I want spring and 70 degree F. temperatures all year long. LOL

    Michelle,

    I had stopped reading Danielle Steel, but this one looked very interesting and it was. A real page turner. I know you'd enjoy it. It's very similar to "The Ring," which she wrote many years ago.

    Blessings and thanks to Everyone who posted.

    Mary

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  35. Hi, Mary -- thought I would check in -- I've been out of the blogging loop lately. Sorry I missed your giveaway, but it looks like it was a huge success. Your apple pie recipe looks yummy.

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  36. Violet Lady,

    Whooo!!! Nice to see you back. I'm coming over for a visit.

    Blessings,
    Mary

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  37. That pie recipe sounds great. Apple Pie. Yumm-O! All these pies today are dangerous for me. I may get a wild hair and head off to the bakery and buy, buy, buy. (No sense inviting failure by attempting to cook, you know!) This one seems easy enough for me, though (talk about famous last words...).
    I can't believe I missed the giveaway. Well, actually I can. I came by here the other day but didn't enter because I knew I wouldn't win. You had SO MANY participants! Which was great, of course. This is exactly why I've never won the lottery either. Too dumb to play. lol What's that old saying? You can't win if you don't play? Okay. Lesson learned. :)
    Thanks for the visit to my blog. I'm always shocked when someone hangs in there and reads one of my SUPER LONG posts. Actually, I'm more than shocked, I'm downright GRATEFUL! Thanks! lol
    Good to "meet" you - I'll be back (yeah, me and Arnold...we understand each other so well)

    Kari

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  38. You have to make the pie for him. He will love it. Its so rich and creamy!! Let me know if you decide to try it though!!
    Brandy

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  39. Kari,

    Thanks for stopping by. I loved your post and enjoyed visiting with you.

    Blessings,
    Mary

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  40. I have got to make one of those pies........ and I find that I have a lot of time on my hands all of a sudden,,, will have to close my shop again but I know that God is up to something..not sure what but He is up to something. I will email you latter...... I may try and find that book and read.. but I have such a hard time reading or seeing anything on the Holocaust.. After reading or seeing anything concerning that I have it heavy on my heart for days..... I just cannot imagine how one human being can do that to another human being... I guess calling him human is my fist mistake........ He has met his maker........ He now knows the truth..........

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  41. I used to like Danielle, but then got really tired of her. This one sounds like it might be okay.

    I usd to make my own piecrust - then I ate too much of it - so I don't do it too often.

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  42. Denise,

    This is a lighter read and doesn't go into the actually atrocities of what happened in the holocust. Steel did a good job with it. She made it into a page turner, but spared us all the gory details. Because I'm a real history buff, I enjoyed it a lot.

    Oh no! You have to close your shop again? I will look forward to your email. You are in my prayers.

    Blessings and hugs,
    Mary

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  43. Dawn,

    Like you, I gave up on Steel for a long time, but this one looked so interesting and I wasn't disappointed.

    The Tender Flake crust tastes just like Grandma's used to. It's light and flaky. I'm not sure if it is available in the US. I don't make pie often as hubby and I both eat too much of it when it's in the house. However, we are going to indulge this weekend, I believe.


    Blessings,
    Mary

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  44. Holy Buckets~ Look at all those entries! Congrats to Becca!
    Echoes sounds good and I'm adding it to my list. I used to read a lot of Danielle Steele also but haven't for years. Time to try her again, maybe.
    Pie is my all time favorite thing to bake. Thanks for sharing your Grandma's recipe!

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  45. Congrats to Brandy and thanks for including me in the list!

    What an interesting book review - well presented!

    Wishing you a great end to your week :-)

    RennyBA's Terella

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  46. Paula,

    Grandma's recipe for apple pie is an old fashioned one that is simple, easy and tastes great. If you try it be sure to let me know how you liked it.

    For a long time I thought Steel had lost her touch. She no longer wrote about everyday people, but this one is a great read.

    Blessings,
    Mary

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  47. Renny,

    Thanks for dropping by. Wishing you a great weekend as well.

    Blessings,
    Mary

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  48. Echos sounds like a good book, Mary. Hopefully I can get around to reading it soon. I'm way behind in my reading. I use to read a novel a week. But tech doesn't allow too much time to stray from the tech books......

    Congrats to Brandy for the win!

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  49. Congrats Brandy!
    And the pie sounds so good!
    I guess that it does not help that it is almost dinner time and I am starving. But my jeans say i must wait until dinner. :)

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  50. Congratulations to Brandy!

    Your apple pie recipe sounds wonderful. And the book review was great, Mary.

    And thank you for the great information on green tea! I need to try some of that.

    Have a wonderful weekend!

    Renie

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  51. Mary,

    Congratulations to Brandy!

    I enjoyed your review of the Danielle Steele book. I've never read any of her books, but that may change. This sounds like a great read! Thank you!

    Hugs,
    Tina

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