C. Margery Kempe's Blog: Lady Smut, page 198

Apple Picking by Gerri Brousseau

If you are a tried and true New Englander there are a few things, traditions if you will, that you take part in each autumn.  One of those activities being apple picking.

Every autumn, I drive out to a local orchard to go picking.  As soon as I get out of the

car, the smell of the drying leaves of autumn and the tart apples assault me.  The sun shines on my face, yet the crisp, cool air makes it the perfect time of year for such an outing.

The first time I ever went picking, I was surprised to find this a fun filled family event, as children's laughter danced among the trees.  [image error]As I walked among the rows of gnarled trees, bent over and weighed down with the bounty of tart or sweet red fruits, searching for the perfect apples to put into my homemade pies and crisps, my mouth waters in anticipation.  Most farms offer a discounted rate for bags of apples that have fallen to the ground.  I find these useful in making homemade applesauce, but when picking those up, watch out for the bees.  (The applesauce puts up nicely in canning jars.)  Some farms offer baked apple treats and cups of fresh apple cider, for a price which is generally affordable.   This is a wonderful day spend with family, enjoying fresh air and sunshine, and although you are not smelling the roses, you are smelling and tasting the fresh apples.  And believe me when I tell you none taste better.

Of course, my eyes are bigger than my stomach, and when I get home I often find I have more apples than I can use.  One year I purchased a food dehydrator and made some really nice dried apple rings.  But I wonder how many things one can make with apples.  I have a delicious recipe for Apple Baked Pork Chops, a recipe for apple pie, apple cake, apple crisp, caramel apples and apple fritters, but what else can one make with the bounty of apples I'm sure to bring home?

Do you have any great recipes for apples?  Do you have any family traditions such as apple picking you would like to share with us?  I am not going to list my recipes here, but if you would like one of them, please let me know in your comment and I will be delighted to send it to you.

Filed under: romance [image error] [image error]

Autumn and Upcoming Pumpkin Festival by Jennifer Iszkiewicz

Everybody has their favorite time of the year but for me, there's simply no argument:  Nothing beats Autumn.

With Mother Nature's palette painting our hillsides, trees redolent with apples ripe for the picking, sweaters begging to be worn on a crisp fall evening and heck, all things orange, red and yellow, it's just so dang cheerful.  People bust out pumpkins and wreaths and Halloween decorations guaranteed to entertain kids of all ages.  I've got probably twenty mums scattered around my property, awash with the blooms that I have been waiting for all summer.

People have their traditions too and for me, as a-former Upstate New Yorker, visits to the local apple orchards were a rite of passage in this most glorious of seasons.  It meant that good things like apple cider, apple cake, apple sauce and caramel apples were not far behind.  There were also the trips to the Adirondacks.  My parents nurtured us to respect nature, to value the austere beauty it provided and up North, there was a good chance you'd see a deer before a person, hear a loon before an airplane.  Those were happy times, simpler times and I return there every chance I get.

However, as a New England-convert (been here 11 years), I've found plenty of things around these parts to enjoy this time of year.  Hydrangeas that have turned from purple to deep red, the migrating birds holding out for their long flight south, pumpkin patches in back yards and the churning of the Atlantic on a wet fall day, a perfect opportunity for any writer.

There is also the sense of history.  When the pilgrims stepped from the Mayflower to Plymouth's craggy shores in 1620, they named it Plymouth after the port in England, from which the Mayflower sailed.  Life was difficult in the New World and the colonists faced starvation and brutal New England weather.  Plus they also had to learn to co-habitate with the Native Indians.  Plymouth Plantation, in Plymouth, MA, does a marvelous job of transporting you back to colonists days.

My own little town here in Connecticut became a township in 1707 and an [image error]incorporated town in 1785.  1785, I can't even wrap my head around that!  On these cool fall days, I'll walk my dog around the town green, surrounded by churches, as are many in CT and we'll segue into the cemetery, where I'll marvel at medieval-looking gravestones with dates such as 1727 and 1813.  They may or may not have a name, they're likely cracking at the seams.  I'll wonder how much their lives differed from mine.  Did they look forward to the fall, just as much as I do, or was it just a precursor to another unrelenting New England winter?

If pumpkins are your thing, the Keene, NH Pumpkin Festival, to be held on Saturday, October 22 from noon 'til dark is a not-to-be-missed experience.  The quaint town of Keene is the backdrop to one of the country's largest illuminated pumpkin displays, having attained 8 world records and topping out at 29,762 in 2009.  That's almost 30,000 lit & decorated pumpkins – can you imagine how much that must weigh?  It started as a publicity stunt for the flailing little town but now draws visitors from all over the globe and offers them the chance to register a pumpkin and stuff themselves with funnel cakes, candy apples, pizza, kettle corn and any other good fair food you can think of.  There's a craft fair, pie eating contest, entertainment throughout the day and the whole thing ends with a fireworks display.  Heck, when will you ever see so many cut gourds in your life?

For lovers of Hester Prynne and large sailing vessels, you must consider a visit to Salem, MA – especially on Halloween.  Salem hosts a myriad of events throughout the month of October, so between the Salem Witch Museum and House of the Seven Gables, haunted graveyard and trolley tours and   psychic fairs, there is plenty to do.  You'll never see so many people walking around in capes in your life, promise.  Unless you live in a Tolkien novel but they probably have hairy feet.   Costume balls around Salem are guaranteed to appeal to any taste from witches to zombies to a vampire's masquerade ball.  If you're adventurous and living slightly beyond the normal realms of society, Salem is your place!

This year's Halloween plans are still undecided but I know one thing for sure: The leaves are turning and fall is here!  So whether you revisit the Headless Horseman in Sleepy Hollow, get the lights scared out of you in a spooky corn maze in your home town or stuff yourself silly on caramel corn, imbued with bits of chocolate (Reese's, thank you very much) withheld from the trick-or-treaters, while watching Michael Myers torture Lori Strode from the safety of your couch, HAPPY HALLOWEEN and HAPPY FALL, one and all!!   "Whoooo oooohhhhh ahhhhh hahaha" – Vincent Price.

–Jennifer

Filed under: Halloween festival, Halloween traditions, Jennifer Iszkiewicz [image error] [image error] [image error]

Autumn and Upcoming Pumpkin Festival by Jennifer Izkiewicsz

Everybody has their favorite time of the year but for me, there's simply no argument:  Nothing beats Autumn.

With Mother Nature's palette painting our hillsides, trees redolent with apples ripe for the picking, sweaters begging to be worn on a crisp fall evening and heck, all things orange, red and yellow, it's just so dang cheerful.  People bust out pumpkins and wreaths and Halloween decorations guaranteed to entertain kids of all ages.  I've got probably twenty mums scattered around my property, awash with the blooms that I have been waiting for all summer.

People have their traditions too and for me, as a-former Upstate New Yorker, visits to the local apple orchards were a rite of passage in this most glorious of seasons.  It meant that good things like apple cider, apple cake, apple sauce and caramel apples were not far behind.  There were also the trips to the Adirondacks.  My parents nurtured us to respect nature, to value the austere beauty it provided and up North, there was a good chance you'd see a deer before a person, hear a loon before an airplane.  Those were happy times, simpler times and I return there every chance I get.

However, as a New England-convert (been here 11 years), I've found plenty of things around these parts to enjoy this time of year.  Hydrangeas that have turned from purple to deep red, the migrating birds holding out for their long flight south, pumpkin patches in back yards and the churning of the Atlantic on a wet fall day, a perfect opportunity for any writer.

There is also the sense of history.  When the pilgrims stepped from the Mayflower to Plymouth's craggy shores in 1620, they named it Plymouth after the port in England, from which the Mayflower sailed.  Life was difficult in the New World and the colonists faced starvation and brutal New England weather.  Plus they also had to learn to co-habitate with the Native Indians.  Plymouth Plantation, in Plymouth, MA, does a marvelous job of transporting you back to colonists days.

My own little town here in Connecticut became a township in 1707 and an [image error]incorporated town in 1785.  1785, I can't even wrap my head around that!  On these cool fall days, I'll walk my dog around the town green, surrounded by churches, as are many in CT and we'll segue into the cemetery, where I'll marvel at medieval-looking gravestones with dates such as 1727 and 1813.  They may or may not have a name, they're likely cracking at the seams.  I'll wonder how much their lives differed from mine.  Did they look forward to the fall, just as much as I do, or was it just a precursor to another unrelenting New England winter?

If pumpkins are your thing, the Keene, NH Pumpkin Festival, to be held on Saturday, October 22 from noon 'til dark is a not-to-be-missed experience.  The quaint town of Keene is the backdrop to one of the country's largest illuminated pumpkin displays, having attained 8 world records and topping out at 29,762 in 2009.  That's almost 30,000 lit & decorated pumpkins – can you imagine how much that must weigh?  It started as a publicity stunt for the flailing little town but now draws visitors from all over the globe and offers them the chance to register a pumpkin and stuff themselves with funnel cakes, candy apples, pizza, kettle corn and any other good fair food you can think of.  There's a craft fair, pie eating contest, entertainment throughout the day and the whole thing ends with a fireworks display.  Heck, when will you ever see so many cut gourds in your life?

For lovers of Hester Prynne and large sailing vessels, you must consider a visit to Salem, MA – especially on Halloween.  Salem hosts a myriad of events throughout the month of October, so between the Salem Witch Museum and House of the Seven Gables, haunted graveyard and trolley tours and   psychic fairs, there is plenty to do.  You'll never see so many people walking around in capes in your life, promise.  Unless you live in a Tolkien novel but they probably have hairy feet.   Costume balls around Salem are guaranteed to appeal to any taste from witches to zombies to a vampire's masquerade ball.  If you're adventurous and living slightly beyond the normal realms of society, Salem is your place!

This year's Halloween plans are still undecided but I know one thing for sure: The leaves are turning and fall is here!  So whether you revisit the Headless Horseman in Sleepy Hollow, get the lights scared out of you in a spooky corn maze in your home town or stuff yourself silly on caramel corn, imbued with bits of chocolate (Reese's, thank you very much) withheld from the trick-or-treaters, while watching Michael Myers torture Lori Strode from the safety of your couch, HAPPY HALLOWEEN and HAPPY FALL, one and all!!   "Whoooo oooohhhhh ahhhhh hahaha" – Vincent Price.

–Jennifer

Filed under: Halloween festival, Halloween traditions, Jennifer Izkiewicsz [image error] [image error] [image error]

An Educative Article on Description

I'm excited as I'm finally in the midst of content edits for my novella, Irish Dreams, and I'm learning about description in writing. Now I've blogged about description before so I'm not going to concentrate so much on how to do it but more of when to do it. We each have our own unique voice so the "hows" of description should really come out in your individual voice. What are you seeing in the scene? How would you describe in it in your words? How do you want your readers to see it through the character's eyes? Basic thing to remember is to have fun with it.

Now onto the "whens" of description. Here are a few pointers on when you should add more description and why:

The beginning of a new sequel/scene. This is particularly important to orient the reader as to where the characters are and what is going on. What do they see? You need to be careful here as you want these descriptions to be where the pace of the story is a bit slower (basically you are not going to be talking about Persian rugs and paintings when your character is being strangled).
Introduction of the hero, heroine… maybe even the villain and friends. Depending on what your work is about and what roles your characters play, you will want to go into some kind of description with them earlier on. Try not to make the description generic (he had blue eyes and blond hair). Have fun with it butalso don't go overboard. I read a book recently that went on about the hero for near three pages. Needless to say, I put the book down. I got the picture, he's hot but come on, there has to be more to hold our interest.
POV switch or to understand feelings. At times, we will switch POVs in a scene or we go in depth about a character's feelings. This may be a good area for description as it will help the reader understand what the character is feeling and why they may feel that way. Why does a hero want to kiss a heroine at a certain moment? What does he see in her eyes? Is he watching her lips as she speaks and if so, what does he think? Make sense?
To control pacing. Description does tend to slow down or at times, speed up the pace of a scene/sequel but there are times we purposely want to do this. Perhaps we want to slow it down to build up to another climax OR perhaps we want to use the description to build the climax. That is possible too. The question to ask yourself is what you are trying to achieve and how the description would best achieve it.

That's all for today, folks. Hope this helps and happy writing!

Filed under: Characters, Toni Kelly, Writer's Life, Writing Topics [image error] [image error]

The Life Behind The Art: Mary Shelley by Debralee Mede

"The different accidents of life are not so changeable as the feelings of human nature. I had worked hard for nearly two years, for the sole purpose of infusing life into an inanimate body. For this I had deprived myself of rest and health. I had desired it with an ardor that far exceeded moderation; but now that I had finished, the beauty of the dream vanished, and breathless horror and disgust filled my heart. Unable to endure the aspect of the being I had created, I rushed out of the room."(Quote by Mary Shelley; Chapter 4; Frankenstein or The Modern Prometheus)

The quote above was written by Mary Shelley is just one example of Gothic horror literature.  Its notable features include the elements of horror and romance with an effect of terror as an extension of the pleasures of romance.  The attempt that the authors of this genre were making back in Shelley's time, and perhaps in our own, was to dig deeper into man's quest to achieve perfection even if attained through an inhuman creature with the moral struggles of a human.  It uses both devices of psychological and physical mystery with happenings in haunted houses and dark castles plagued with decay and death, madness and secrets as well as generational curses.  The characters tend to be villains, femmes fatales, vampires, werewolves, angels and fallen angels and other ghostly aspects.

The creator of Frankenstein, Mary Shelly, was an English author of Gothic horror novels and short stories and poems.  Frankenstein started out as a ghost story sparked by lively philosophical discussions she overheard between her husband Percy and Lord Byron about galvanism, the man-made creation of life from the sparking of electro-negatives and so has elements of both Gothic and science fiction.  Ultimately her conclusion seems to be that man's obsession for perfection ends in ruin. So where does Mary Shelley get the ideas for her work?  I have always been curious about the backgrounds of authors and no less so with this one.  What was her life like and does her life have to do with her art?

Shortly after her birth her mother, a well-known feminist and author, died and Mary is raised by her philosopher and open-minded father William Goodwin who later remarries.  Mary found her step-mother to be cruel and her father somewhat distant emotionally and so frequented her mother's graveside where she found some consolation.  When she was sixteen she met her future husband Percy Shelley who was still married at the time, though unhappily, and was well acquainted with her father's unconventional ideas, especially for the 18th century.  Some of Mr. Godwin's ideas included his own atheistic beliefs and teachings as well as his philosophy of free-love.  Noticing the attraction between Percy and Mary, he forbade them to see each other. Obviously her father's philosophy free- thinking and free-loving ideas did not extend to his daughter.  Still love conquers all and so they left for France to eventually elope, bringing her half-sister Claire with them. For three years they remain unmarried until Percy's wife drowns herself.

This couple was well matched in terms of wit, intellect, love of travel and they advocated social reform and vegetarianism.   Mary did not embrace the idea nor the practice of open marriage as did her husband who longed to experience its freedom and wrote about it in many of his poems.  Better to long for and write about than to practice.

This author had several miscarriages but one son, William, did live for three years traveling with them. Mary wrote Frankenstein while on one such trip to Switzerland and  was inspired by the ghost stories she and Percy told each other while on sailing excursions there.  A year after Frankenstein is published Mary suffered a nervous breakdown after the death of her son William. Later, another son, Percy is born and is the only child to survive childhood.

Three years later Percy Shelly died while sailing a schooner, the "Don Juan," near Livorno, Italy.  A sudden, unexpected storm blew in, the schooner sank, and Percy's body was washed ashore later to be cremated.   Mary, pregnant, had another miscarriage that nearly claimed her life.  Devastated by her loss she returned to England with her son Percy, is determined not to remarry, and devoted herself to writing, compiling and publishing her husband's poetry.  She continued to work on her own writings of novels, short stories, poems and reviews for magazines as well.  During this time she wrote and published The Last Man about the end of human civilization in the 21st century and Valperga, a 14th century romance.  Plagued with bouts of illnesses of all sorts and the many stresses and strains she suffered in her life Mary Shelley died at home at the age of fifty-four possibly of a brain tumor.

To me Mary Shelley is an author who lived: she lived what seemed to be a painful life at times, a happy and adventurous life at other times, but always a life full of love that was passionate and extraordinary.  She lived and loved as she wrote: with intensity, cleverness and in abundance despite her circumstances.  So did her life and art relate to each other?  Did her losses like the deaths of her mother and husband and all her miscarriages have anything to do with her writing?  Did the work Frankenstein come from her desire to reanimate lost life?  You can decide for yourself.

But why read the works of Shelley or Poe or any the work of any author who writes Gothic Horror or Science Fiction?  And why do I read and enjoy them?  Well I know that I get to experience a rush of adrenaline from the fear I get reading these works.  I find they manage to excite my curiosity and desire to explore the unknown and untouched.  They allow me to let my imagination go on an expedition of complex issues, for the discovery of my own truth about morality and mortality.  With Shelley's work I find an appreciation of beauty, of life and an uncommon understanding of their fragility, even in their absence, in her work.  Reading her stories during the time of autumnal change, and in October in anticipation of Halloween, the perfect time to pick up another of her works and enjoy that little scare.

Filed under: Debralee Mede, Fantasy with Romantic Elements, fear, Gothic, Horror Stories, romance, romantic., science fiction with romantic elements [image error]

Weekly Paranormal-Scope

While I'm not qualified in any way to read neither stars nor planet, I am intimately linked with the paranormal in the world.

The week ahead for:

Aries

Shapeshifters love change.  Embrace the changes in your life and move forward with a positive attitude.

Taurus

The minotaur is on a rampage.  Stay out of the way of angry people.

Gemini

A sea monster enjoys the depths.  Take a lesson and go deep into what interests you.

Cancer

A friend from the past howls your praises.  Bask in the glow.

Leo

Now is not the time to be a lone wolf.  Join the pack.

Virgo

Dragons roar a lot but make good friends.

Libra

Sirens call sailors to their deaths at sea.  Listen to warnings.

Scorpio

Pixie dust can make the heart soar.  Enjoy the company of friends.

Sagittarius

A tall, dark and handsome vampire will be crossing your path.  Lookout for thrills in the night.

Capricorn

A house gnome wants to make suggestions to enliven your personal environment.  Listen to this expert.

Aquarius

Fairies love your doorway.  Good luck is coming your way.

Pieces

Spiders are building a web near your home.  Be cautious of strangers.

–Susan

Susan Hanniford Crowley

Filed under: Susan Hanniford Crowley, Weekly Paranormal-Scope [image error] [image error]

Cover Artist S. L. Johnson

by C. Margery Kempe

I am so happy to have as a guest today the fabulous artist S. L. Johnson, whom I know from way too many nights drinking at the Aloha Alcohula, dancing in various dives around Connecticut, tippling with the Women's League of Ale Drinkers and all kinds of fun time hanging out together. Welcome, Stephanie! Tell me, is this your first book cover?

In a way, yes.  I do have another in the works for K. A. Laity, The Triumph of the Carpet Beetle, and I did produce a cover for the WLoADed e-Journal.

How does the process start? With an image or a concept? Aesthetics? Tone?

I'm usually inspired by a chance comment during conversation, or the person who is asking for an image may tell me a general sense of what they want, but I don't spend hours sketching away.  I like to work, at first, with the bare minimum of information. I tend to get a sudden image in my head, then I render it as best as I can. Sometimes they're exactly as they should be, sometimes not and then those need more work.  I really don't like to spend overly much time trying to get somewhere with an image- I think it gets really static.  And if I can inject humor into it, I will do so at every turn.

The aesthetics & tone of a piece really depends on who or what it is for- I do create images both with my own ideas and also the ideas of others, so there is a great variety of ways that these things can be translated.

How do you shape an image as you go along? Is it a taking away or an adding or something else altogether? I mean, writers tend to either write lots that they edit down, or write sparely on the plot then flesh out afterward. Is it like that?

Well, that is really subjective.  Some pieces come out pretty much as I envisioned, with very little change, some are too simple, some are too complex. I find with block printing that a lot more looseness, problem-solving and experimentation is used, depending on the materials. Digital work for me is usually is very pared down to begin with, so maybe more addition is needed with those images.

That's fascinating: I'm always interested in process! What kind of technological tools do you use?

Photoshop. A Bambu tablet. A wireless mouse. Not exactly hardcore artillery! For prints, I do the printing by hand.

Now, that I have to ask about because I don't know much. How do you make a block print? Can you take us through the steps)?

I start with the image I wish to create -  in either medium, I tend to work toward the end result: I already know what I want for the finished image, then I need to problem-solve my way to it. The problem-solving is figuring how many colors I will be using, and how the image is to be broken down, which determines the number of blocks I will need to cut. Then, transferring the image to the blocks, registering the image so it prints correctly, cutting the blocks, then selecting the paper, the type of ink and then actually printing the image. It's a wonderful, alchemical process. Very satisfying.

I'm so envious of people who can create with their hands. I come from a family of talented people, but I'm all thumbs! How do you know when an image is "right"? Is it ever?

Hahaha- well, you know how picky I am, so I'm never quite satisfied with what I've done. I don't think any creative person really ever is, and it's a good thing.  Keeps you challenging yourself.  In fact, it's important to me to challenge myself with each project, if at all possible, idea-wise or in a technical manner.

What are your ambitions for your art?

Well, I don't have ambitions, so to speak.  I just want the pieces I do for fundraisers or media to be successful for the client, and fun for me, and as for the others, I just want to be happy with the outcome, whether I learned something new or am just pleased with the result. The real bonus is when someone likes a piece – and even enough to want one for themselves. It never fails to surprise me!

Well, those are fine ambitions. And yes, THEY ARE ambitions. Own it! As someone who owns some of your fantastic art, I can say there are lots of people delighted to have your art hanging on their walls. You rock. Thanks for being my guest.

Filed under: C. Margery Kempe, contemporary romance, erotic romance, inspiration, Interview, Kit Marlowe, Noble Romance, problem-solving, stress, writing, journal, diary, resolve, worked, relax., Recommended Books, What inspires you?, Writer's Life [image error] [image error]

Oktoberfest by Gerri Brousseau

One of the wonderful things about living in the United States is that we get to enjoy all the different cultures, foods and festive celebrations of the many nationalities of the peoples who have migrated here and now call the United States their home.  This time of year, we tend to turn our attention and taste buds to the German people as we embrace a delightful tradition they call Oktoberfest.

According to Wikipedia, Oktoberfest is a 16-18 day beer festival (you've got to love it already) annually in Munich, Bavaria, Germany.  Contrary to popular belief, however, this fest runs from late September to the first weekend in October.  It is one of the most famous events in Germany and is the world's largest fair with over five million people attending each year.  One fact I discovered was that only the beers brewed within the city limits of Munich is served at the fest.

This festival originated when Crown Prince Ludwig married on October 12, 1810.  The citizens of Munich were invited to the festival held in front of the city gates to celebrate.

With the delicious German fare such as knockwurst, bratwurst and sauerbraten plus the rich and hearty flavor of German beer, who would not enjoy a visit to an Oktoberfest celebration?  Have you ever attended such a cultural event?  What harvest time celebrations are part of your heritage?

Filed under: Oktoberfest, romance [image error]

Helping Other Writers: Workshop with Laurie Schnebly Campbell-The Psychology of Creating Characters

I am a member of CTRWA, which is a Connecticut chapter of the Romance Writers of America.  They are particularly gifted at putting on amazing educational events for writers.  I always leave feeling smarter, inspired, and energized to write.  I will be at this workshop, and because I believe in its value, I'm passing on this information to you.

CTRWA Proudly presents…

A Day with Laurie Schnebly Campbell

About The Psychology of Creating Characters

"Here's your chance to create deep, well-rounded, flesh-and-blood characters!"

Linda Lael Miller, NYT bestselling author

What makes characters the way they are is the same thing that makes real-life people the way they are. Through years of research related to her background as a counseling therapist, Laurie has identified the four factors that determine personality. And the good news for authors is that these same factors create personality traits that automatically build the conflict that is so essential to your story.  These four things are: birth order, priorities, enneagrams and personality scales. In this exciting, hands-on workshop, Laurie will teach you how to use these powerful tools to create characters and conflict that will grab your reader and keep them turning the pages.

Bonus end-of-day session: Block-Busting: Putting The Joy Back In Writing

Registration opens at 8:00 AM and continental breakfast is served at 8:30. Registration includes a buffet lunch. Vegetarian options available.  For registration and cost, go to: https://www.formlogix.com/Manager/UserForm137433.aspx?Param=VXNlcklkPTEzNzQzMy5Gb3JtSWQ9MQ==

Saturday, November 19, 2011

8:30 AM to 5:00 PM

Holiday Inn Conference Center

201 Washington Avenue North Haven, CT 06476

Filed under: Characters, Helping Other Writers, Susan Hanniford Crowley, Writing Topics, writing workshop

Meat Pie by Gerri Brousseau

In keeping with providing comfort food recipes on Thursday's blog, I am

going to provide you with one of my families favorites.  This particular recipe is in my son's top 10, maybe even top 5, comfort foods.  I call it meat pie (get your mind's out of the gutter), but it's a version of Sheppard's Pie.  So, get ready …. here we go.

Meat Pie

1 Pillsbury pie crust (I'm cutting you some slack)

1 Small Onion diced

1 pound of Ground Beef (or ½ pound ground beef and ½ pound ground turkey) I use the beef with the lowest amount of fat.

1 15oz. can of creamed corn

3-4 potatoes in small pieces

Butter

Milk

Cheddar cheese shredded

Preparation

Preheat oven to 450.  After you have let the crust come to room temperature, unroll one and place it into the bottom of a large pie dish (I use a 10" Pyrex glass one).  Set this aside.

Peel and cut the potatoes and set to boil.

Coat the bottom of a large skillet with olive oil (approximately 2 tbs.).  Sauté the onion until it's transparent.  Add the ground meat and brown.  Set aside.

When potatoes are fork tender, drain and mash.  Add butter and milk (in other words, make mashed potatoes).

Drain the fat off the beef/onion mixture and spoon it into the bottom crust.

Open the can of creamed corn and spread it on top of the beef.

Spoon the mashed potatoes on top.  Spread it evenly over the top.  Top that with the

shredded cheese.

Place the other crust on top and flute.  Cut away any overlap.  I poke a few holes in the top crust to vent it.

Bake at 450 until the crust is golden.  Remove the pie from the oven and let it set for 5 minutes.  Cut it as if you were serving a good sized piece of pie.  I drizzle Ketchup over the individual pie slices.  I also serve with another cooked vegetable.

For a variation, add BBQ sauce to the meat and rather than creamed corn use the Mex Mix corn for a Tex/Mex Meat Pie.  It's really good and a nice supper on a cold night.

What are your favorite comfort foods?  Anything that is a family favorite?

Filed under: romance