Friday, April 6, 2018

A Taste of West Virginia ~ Traveling Tote Friends


The Traveling Tote Girls have teamed up
to share something tasty from our own town or region.

Most of you know my darling friend, Rita @ Panoply.
She is one of the Traveling Tote Girls 
and was my swap partner for our 
Taste of Our Town Swap.
In addition to our shared passion for MacKenzie-Childs,
Rita and I share a love of gardening, antiques, travel,
cooking, and setting a pretty table.
Rita lives in Charleston, WV, and sent 
 me some delicious treats from J. Q. Dickinson.

J.Q.Dickinson is America's oldest working salt farm
that harvests salt by hand from an ancient ocean trapped 
below the Appalachian Mountains in West Virginia.
A jar of Ramp salt gives the true flavor of Appalicia
and is much appreciated by "the chef" who does the cooking here.

A decorative egg shaped box contained a jar of 
yummy caramel sauce, of which I've treated myself
to each time I've had a little ice cream.
YUM YUM! 

Pawpaw Butter!
I'd never heard of Pawpaw Butter,
but let me tell you, it makes a perfect topping 
on my morning biscuits, tasting a bit like mango and banana.
I learned that Pawpaw fruit is native to eastern 
United States and Canada, and is a staple in West Virginia.
Look for a future post devoted to Pawpaw.

Included in my gift package
were a Junior Leage Cookbook, 
MOUNTAIN MEASURES, first published in 1974
and the February 2018 issue of Southern Living.

I spent a recent morning reading through many of the recipes,
though Rita had already earmarked a recipe from the
cookbook that was featured in the February Southern Living.
Shaker Lemon Pie

For the crust, I opened my Houston Junior League Cookbook
for my favorite go to recipe, "No Fail Pie Crust."

Shaker Lemon Pie is as easy as 1, 2, 3!
Simply take two lemons and slice them into super thin slices.
Yep, you use the entire lemon, rind and all.
Just be certain to remove the seeds!
Macerate the lemon slices in 2 cups of sugar.
I left mine macerating over night.  
Next beat 4 eggs and fold them into the lemon mixture.
Pour this into a pie crust, top it with another crust,
and bake it for 15 minutes at 450, before reducing the heat 
to 350 for an additional 30 minutes.
You can find printable recipes on the web.

 When there is food involved, this girl
isn't far from the action.

 I admit I, too, was eager for this pie to come out of the oven.
I'd never had Shaker Lemon Pie!

 To reward my efforts and to take a break from spring gardening,
I fixed a little afternoon treat to enjoy on the sun porch.

 Oh, my!  What a treat it was!
Wow!  This pie, with its sharp tangy flavor 
and chewy texture, is totally addicting!

It's like eating 
marmalade out of a jar!

 To quench my thirst, Me and the Bees Lemonade 
was the perfect beverage.
Go here to read about Mikaila Ulmer
Austin's young entrepreneur,
who has taken her lemonade idea and turned 
it into a thriving business.

 On my way back inside, I couldn't resist adding a 
petite bouquet of Summer Phlox from my garden.
The pinks are perfect with my MacKenzie-Childs ceramics.

I want to thank Rita for bringing some sunshine into our home.
The Chef and I have enjoyed and appreciated our
Taste of West Virginia!

Many thanks, dear friend!
Rita @ Panoply.
Click the links below to see the other swaps.
Patti at Pandora's Box and Emily at The French Hutch
Ricki Jill at The Sketchy Reader and Jackie at Purple Chocolat Home
Linda G at More Fun Less Laundry and Deb at Mountain Breaths
Linda P at Life and Linda and Jenna at The Painted Apron

Sarah
Sarah

The summer we married, my husband was in graduate school, and I was employed as a teacher. We took a portion of our savings that summer and purchased a sailboat. We christened our Catalina 22, “Hyacinths For The Soul” after Saadi’s poem. Our "Hyacinths" provided years of pleasure.

30 comments:

  1. Oh my goodness, Sarah! Wow, that pie looks SO good! You know I love lemon ANYthing, but I have not made that pie. Now I think I need to pull out my Mountain Measures copy and do the same. So perfect in your beautiful home setting with all the accessories! Every picture here ought to be in a magazine, Sarah, so gorgeous. MacKenzie-Childs should have you be their catalog stylist, but Southern Lady or Southern Living's got nothing on you!
    Thank you for bringing spring and sunshine to this cloudy day here in WV!

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  2. Wow... what a gorgeous gift. I never heard of Pawpaw butter, but I think I would love it! Your pie looks positively delish! Rita's right - you should be MC's stylist. I saw that little girl from the lemonade co. interviewed. Very impressive. Have a wonderful weekend, dear Sarah!

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  3. What a fun exchange for you toting gals and what a delicious pie! I’ve never heard of Shaker Lemon, I’ll have to pull out my SL and pay closer attention! I’m coveting all those Courtly Checks and I love your pretty porch tray and needlepoint pillow! Hugs to sweet Sadie~ I hope she enjoyed a treat too!

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  4. Fun gift package from Rita. Pawpaw butter is also new to me. Anything with lemon is always calling my name. Shaker pie is also something I have not heard of. Your layout photos are lovely Sarah. How special to sit down and enjoy a slice of that pie. Truly a delight for the eyes with your Mackenzie-Child's dishware. Have a lovely weekend.

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  5. Hi Sarah, what a fabulous gift from our Rita in WV. The salt is divine, I had no idea about the salt farm there. Yum, you've made me crave caramel sauce this morning. Love the old cookbook, my MIL had tons of them and I always enjoyed flipping through the pages. The lemon pie recipe you made sounds and looks delicious and happens to be one of my favorite pies. Pretty MC pics. Happy weekend Sarah..........

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  6. What a fun exchange and that pie, well, thinking it will be made here very shortly. We love all things lemon! Have a great weekend!

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  7. What a fun swap with Rita! All your gifts look amazing, Sarah, and your pie looks yummy. I have heard of Shaker Lemon Pie, but have never made it, not tasted it. All your photos are simply gorgeous, especially styled with all your pretty accessories, and Sadie, too.

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  8. Your pie pics are making my mouth water!! Sounds delish! And that adorable little MC vase - OHHH, how sweet is that? Happy you enjoyed the swap!!

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  9. Sarah, you ladies have so much fun...Rita sent so many goodies. The salt and Pawpaw butter sound wonderful. The Shaker pie would be a delicious treat with my coffee on a rainy Saturday morning!

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  10. Oh Sarah, that pie!!! I have been craving lemon recently and can't wait to make this! Junior League & church Cookbooks always have THE best recipes!! It's easy to see you had a lot of fun staging your gifts, and making pretty Spring vignettes with your MKC things...beautiful photos! I enjoyed this gift swap so much, I hope we do it again soon!
    Jenna

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  11. A pie to make my heart sing and my mouth water, I have to try this recipe soon. What a generous friend to send you so many delicious treats for the palate and the eyes to feast upon. Yum!

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  12. My, Sarah, you went all out with your post. What great vignettes with your lovely MacKenzie Childs pieces and that pie is amazing. It looks delicious. I can't help but think of the childhood poem about picking paw paws and putting them in your pocket!
    Every photo is oozing with creativity. Love the pretty daffodils and summer phlox ( I used to have some and after years it fizzed out). Sweet pic of Sadie.
    Your gift to Rita was equally nice and creative. I'm still making the rounds and it has been fun.

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  13. Serve me up a piece of that delicious looking lemon pie! Wow, that is right up there with raspberry and chocolate!
    I too have only heard of paw paws in the poem. Sounds delicious.
    What a beautiful post you created! Makes me just want to come in and pull up a chair!

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  14. Sarah, such a pretty post and that pie looks very enticing..Hope you are having a good weekend..Judy

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  15. I do love Lemon meringue pie, but have never had lemon pie. I'll have to try it! You have some marvelous photos! Thank you!

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  16. What a fun post! We all want to join in the fun...oh and the pie! Enjoy your week sweet lady! Hugs!

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  17. What a fun parcel to receive in the mail for your swap. Lemon flavoured anything tempts my tastebuds and this pie looks especially delicious!

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  18. That little vase with the Summer Phlox is adorbs! My phlox don't bloom until July :-) I just posted my swap this morning, and this has been so much fun. I can't believe how easy your Shaker Lemon Pie was to make but so delish too. Have a great week! xo

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  19. Sarah that pie looks absolutely scrumptious. May you have a wonderful week of lovely weather!

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  20. Such wonderful gifts from Rita! I saw someone profile a lemon pie like thison instagram and I thought it was so unusual, but after reading your description I want to make it!
    Thank you for your condolences. It has been a sad time but we have faith in God's promise.

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  21. Cute post w/ all your treasures..even a MC rolling Pin..oh how cute all this..and BRAVO on the pie!!!!!

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  22. Beauty for the eyes and flavor for the taste buds! Sweet!

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  23. Good Morning Sarah,
    I enjoyed this post so much and I enjoy reading the Traveling Totes adventures from each of you lovely ladies. I am a lemon lover and I know without a doubt I must give this recipe a whirl. Love all of your dishes and accent pieces too!
    Jemma

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  24. ! Such creativity to be found in your latest Traveling Tote Treasure. you must have thoroughly enjoyed each detail.
    Remember this one?
    Where oh where is dear little Sarah?
    Where oh where is dear little Sarah?
    Where oh where is dear little Sarah?
    Way down yonder in the paw paw patch
    Come on, kids, let’s go find her
    Come on, kids, let’s go find her
    Come on, kids, let’s go find her
    Way down yonder in the paw paw patch
    Pickin’ up paw paws,
    Put ‘em in your pocket
    Pickin’ up paw paws,
    Put ‘em in your pocket
    Pickin’ up paw paws,
    Put ‘em in your pocket
    Way down yonder in the paw paw patch
    Thanks for sharing with us. CherryKay

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  25. I have enjoyed the tales of your traveling tote swaps! How fun!! The pie sound fabulous!! I love all the MC pieces that made an appearance, not to be outshines by the tote!!

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  26. Well you traveling totes girls know how to show hospitality for sure--even long distance ;) What a delightful gift box from sweet Rita! Thank you for sharing at Vintage Charm!

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  27. What a neat opportunity to share and learn about where your friends live and to try new foods! Everything looks so good....that pie recipe is amazing.... who would have thought that would work! I followed the link to read about Me and The Bees and that talented young “CEO”. Great story and I can’t wait until I can add a bottle of that lemonade to my Whole Foods shopping basket (after we get home to Oregon...no WF here in Florida).

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  28. Oh that pie sounds amazing and I will have to give it a try-thanks for sharing:@)

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  29. That pie looks amazing. I love lemon anything. What a fun exchange. Thanks for sharing at Keep In Touch.

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  30. Rita is just the best, isn't she? She's so generous -- and that's one fabulous package you received. I love the idea of the swap you all shared. It's perfection.

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