The Apple-Cherry Pie Saga

So, when it comes to pies on Thanksgiving, we always end up with Pumpkin and Mincemeat.  I'm not a huge fan of either, so I generally make a Chocolate Dream pie if I have time.  Well, this year I decided to branch out and make an Apple-Cherry pie.  Now, you must understand...I have never made a REAL pie in my entire life.  So the events that followed were slightly traumatizing.  I had no problems with the filling.  Cut the apples, layer with the cherries and the sugar mixture.  It was the crust that was my undoing!  I used my Grandma Johnson's recipe for "Never Fail Pie Crust."  However, following any of Grandma's recipes for anything is kind of a crapshoot.  She never measured anything.  She just knew what it was supposed to look like.  I'm not kidding.  (I have tried to make her famous chocolate cake a couple of times, and it's just not the same!!!!)  Anyway, I don't think I put enough flour in, because the dough was not cooperating.  I finally managed to tame it and got it into the pie plate.  The rest was pretty easy.  I just layered everything in.  Then I had to put the top crust on.  More trauma.  It was also uncooperative, but I finally got it on the pie.  Here is the pie prior to baking:

In the oven it went!  And boy, did it smell GOOD!!!!  There's just something about apples and cinnamon baking in the oven.  Mmmmmmmm......

When I took it out of the oven, I set it on the stove.  Almost instantly, it started to bleed!  I'm serious!  It leaked cinnamony sweet juice for about 5 minutes!  All over the stove!!!  I finally got it to stop without destroying the pie, but not before it made a big mess.  (But a yummy tasting mess it was!!)  Here is the pie, all finished:

 

You can see the leaking point in that picture!!

The word on the street at Thanksgiving dinner was that the pie was good!  I definitely enjoyed my piece!  I will probably make it again, but I'm going to have to figure out an easier way to do the crust.  HAHA!!  The TV is on in the other room and a commercial just came on for Pilsbury pie crust.  I think it's a sign.

And for those interested, here's the recipe:

Swiss Apple-Cherry Pie
4 large cooking apples
6 tablespoons butter
2 1/2 cups pitted sour red pie cherries, fresh or canned
1 cup sugar
2 tablespoons flour
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon grated nutmeg

Make pastry for two-crust pie.  Pare apples, core, and slice.  Melt 2 tablespoons butter and brush on bottom of pastry shell.  Arrange a layer of apples on bottow of shell.  Mix dry ingredients and sprinkle portion over layer of apples.  Arrange layer of red cherries, then sprinkle with some dry ingredients; then layer of apples and dry ingredients; layer of cherries, dry ingredients; and end with layer of apples.  Top with dots of remaining butter,.  After top crust is added to pie, rub crust with cream or evaporated milk and sprinkle with mixture of 1/4 teaspoon sugar and 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon.  Bake at 425 degrees F. oven for 30 to 40 minutes.

Never Fail Pie Crust (from LaReta Johnson)
2 1/2 cups sifted flour
1 cup shortning
1 teaspoon salt
1 whole egg
1/2 cup water
1 tablespoon vinegar

Sift flour and salt together.  Cut in shortning until it resembles coarse meal.  Beat egg and combine with vinegar and water.  Add to flour and mix well.

Another AMAZING song!

This song is called "Lion Tamer" and it's from a show called The Magic Show by Stephen Schwartz.  I had never heard the song (or even heard of the show!) before I got Susan Egan's Live CD.  This song is so wonderful!  It now holds a very special place in my heart, because I totally identify with it!  I have the music for it, and I will eventually find somewhere to sing it!  Enjoy!

I'd like to be a lion tamer,
Sequins and tights and silk top hats.
I know I could be a lion tamer,
I've always gotten along with cats.
I'd have a whip but never use it,
I'd simply hold it in my hand.
I'd like to be a lion tamer.
If I could be a lion tamer
I would be someone grand.
I couldn't be a ballerina,
I never could stand on my toes.
I couldn't be a Spanish dancer,
I'd look ridiculous with a rose.
But ev'ryone has a special calling,
Something that only she can do.
I could be such a lion tamer.
If I could be lion tamer
I would be special too.
I could begin with baby leopards,
Move on to tiger cubs and then,
After I learned to handle lions,
Maybe I could work up to men.
I never wanted fancy mansions,
Butlers and footmen liveried.
I never wanted lots of money,
Money can't buy what you really need.
I never prayed for any favors,
But here I am on knobby knee.
Please let me be a lion tamer.
If I could be a lion tamer,
Wouldn't he have to finally notice me?

Music & Lyrics by Stephen Schwartz

Mashed Potatoes: A Tradition Worth Fighting For

A conversation that took place at my house last night:

Mom:  Do you know what you want to bring for Thanksgiving?
Me:  I haven't really thought about it yet.
Mom:  Well, it's this week.
Me:  I know.  It's usually better if you just give me an assignment.
Mom:  We're just telling everyone to bring whatever they want.
Me:  Oh, so we're going to get a lot of the same things then?
Mom:  Maybe.
Me:  Just tell me what everyone else is bringing and I'll pick something else.
Mom:  No one has said what they're bringing yet.
Me:  Well, I'd say mashed potatoes, but I'm hoping Randy will make those because his are amazing.
Mom:  We aren't having mashed potatoes this year.
>>>pause<<<
Me:  WHAT?!
Mom:  We're having a bean soup instead of mashed potatoes.
Me:  WHAT?!?!  Mom, we can't have Thanksgiving without mashed potatoes.  It's a tradition!!!
Mom:  Someone told me today that they can't get their family to break with tradition.
Me:  Mom, traditions are traditions for a reason!  That's why we call them TRADITIONS!!
Mom:  Traditions got the Lamanites in a lot of trouble.
Me:  True, but I doubt it was over mashed potatoes.
Mom:  How do you know?
Me:  I don't think that was it.  Mom, we have to have mashed potatoes.  I am bringing mashed potatoes.  Seriously, if we don't have mashed potatoes for Thanksgiving dinner, then I'm not coming.
Mom:  So you're bringing mashed potatoes.
Me:  Yes.  Mom, without our traditions, our lives would be as shaky as...as a fiddler on the roof!!

And THAT is why you should hang out at my house more.  The floor show is hilarious!  And the mashed potatoes are worth fighting for!

The Roles I was Born to Play list

I've told some people recently a role or two that I was absolutely born to play.  I thought I might put together a list.  This is kind of a dream role list, but not completely.  I have some roles on my actual list of dream roles that would be a huge challenge for me.  The roles on this list, while they would require a lot of effort, would be amazing to play:

Miss Hannigan in Annie:
It's inevitable that I will eventually be cast in this show and in this role.  She's a classic character role and so deliciously evil!

Annie Oakley in Annie Get Your Gun:
A lead that's a mezzo.  A character part that's a lead.  What more can a mezzo soprano, character actress ask for?

Madame de la Grande Bouche in Beauty and the Beast:
Opera in Musical Theatre.  Helloooooooooo!!!!

Mae Peterson in Bye Bye Birdie:
She's just all around hilarious!

Carrie Pipperidge in Carousel:
Have you heard me sing Mister Snow?  I'll sing it for you. Then you'll know.

Mrs. Tottendale in The Drowsy Chaperone
Daffy, goofy, silly...nuff said!

Adelaide in Guys and Dolls:
I love her!  Allow me to sing Adelaide's Lament for you.  It's one of my most favorite songs I've ever done.  And the last time I saw this show, I sat there thinking of all the ways I would play Adelaide different from the girl I was seeing!  A problem would be the dancing, but a creative and patient choreographer could make it work!

The Witch in Into the Woods:
Just an amazing role.  I'd love to do it!

Miss Andrews in Mary Poppins:
Have you heard the song Brimstone and Treacle?  Yeah...I could own that song.  :)

Eulalie McKecknie Shinn in The Music Man:
If you know me and have seen me perform, you are laughing right now.  I am destined for this role.  No question!

Sister Amnesia in Nunsense
Of all the nuns, she's the one I could play the best (I think!)

Winnifred in Once Upon a Mattress:
I've always wondered how Mary Rodgers could create a character based on me when I wasn't even born yet!  The first time I saw this show, I sat there in shock.  Winnifred is me.  I am Winnifred.  I could do this role, be myself on stage, and totally pull it off.  This is my #1 Dream Role!!!!

Mother Abbess in The Sound of Music:
I just want to sing Climb Ev'ry Mountain.  Is that so wrong?

Mrs. Meers in Thoroughly Modern Millie:
I knew I wanted this role from the first (and second) time I saw this show.  Classic character part, SO FUNNY!

Lizzie Curry in 110 in the Shade:
I am very painfully in tune with this character.  I'd like to NOT be.  If you don't know this show, look it up.  Or ask me about it. 

Flashback Friday

Exactly one year ago was our closing weekend of "Little Women"!

I had a BLAST playing Aunt March in this AMAZING show!

Movie Recommendation: Flash of Genius

I like movies that make me think.  Sure, I enjoy mindless comedies (like Tommy Boy), but sometimes I really like a movie I am forced to wrap my brain around (like Million Dollar Baby).  Flash of Genius is one of those movies.  I missed the very beginning, but I saw most of it.  The premise is simple (and it's based on a true story, by the way).  This guy invents the intermittant windshield wiper.  The Ford Motor Co. steals the idea.  This guy spends the next 12 years of his life suing them.  It's a fascinating movie.  Watching one man take on the giant.  It's a modern day David & Goliath, basically.  But here's what you take from it:  was it worth it?  He gave up his entire life, passed up numerous settlement agreements from Ford (one worth $30 million dollars!) just so that they would be forced to admit that they stole his invention.  He alienated his friends, he lost his wife, his kids stuck by him but they didn't have much of a family life because of his endless efforts to take on Ford.  Was it worth it?  You have to ask yourself, if you were in a similar situation...how far is too far?  When should you just let it go?  How much are you willing to sacrifice?

Great movie!  Greg Kinnear is AWESOME!!!!  Highly recommend the movie!

Quote of the Day

Remember when I used to do the Quote of the Day?  Well, don't get excited, because I'm not starting that again.  That was something to kill time (and avoid studying) in college.  But I did find this awesome quote and I have to share it:

If a cluttered desk is the sign of a cluttered mind, what is the significance of a clean desk?
  - Laurence J. Peter

BWA HA HA HA HA HA!!!!!

2 more gripes with the fashion industry

I have complained about stuff in previous blogs.  See below:

http://angelas-old-blog.blogspot.com/2008/10/finding-modest-formal-dress.html
http://angelas-old-blog.blogspot.com/2008/10/another-rant-about-clothes-shopping.html

Okay, these complaints don't actually have anything to do with modesty.

1)  SHOES - Why...WHY?...are all the cute shoes high heeled?  Seriously, I walk down aisles and aisles of adorable shoes that have high heels. While I do need all the help I can get in the height department, I very rarely wear high heels.  I find them EXTREMELY uncomfortable.  All the flats I can find don't look as cute.  What's the deal?  Do I have to be in constant pain in order to wear cute shoes?  LAME!!!!!

2)   PANTS - Did pants suddenly get longer?  I'm confused. I used to be able to buy the average length pants and they would be just a little too long.  Lately, I've tried them on and they have been 3 or 4 inches to long!  My problem is this:  I'm 5 feet 3 inches tall.  Technically I should be wearing the short length.  However, most of the time "short" also means "petite"...something I am most decidedly NOT.  I can have my mom shorten stuff for me, but she doesn't always have time to get that done for me.  And she tells me I could do it and I say "Yeah, but I'd like to be able to wear the pants in public."  I'm a horrible seamstress.  Sewing machines and I do not get along.

So, I guess I'm stuck with not-so-cute shoes and pants with ragged  hems from dragging on the ground.  Fan-freaking-tastic!

Theatre Dictionary

I just found this online.  It's too funny not to share!  I don't know who wrote it, but it wasn't me.

Theatre Dictionary
IN is down, DOWN is front
OUT is up, UP is back
OFF is out, ON is in
RIGHT is left, LEFT is right.
A DROP shouldn't and a
BLOCK AND FALL does neither.
A PROP doesn't,
And a COVE has no water.
TRIPPING is okay.
A RUNNING CREW rarely gets anywhere.
A PURCHASE LINE will buy you nothing.
A TRAP will not catch anything.
STRIKE is work (in fact, lots of work).
And a GREEN ROOM, thankfully, usually isn't
Now that you're fully versed in theatrical terms,
BREAK A LEG - but not really!

From the Angela's Crazy-Weird Dreams File...

Last night I dreamt that Michael Buble' came to my office to pay rent (why he was renting from us, I have no idea).  He paid with a stack of 20s, with a random 30 dollar bill mixed in.  I told him that I knew it was fake, because I used to be a bank teller and I can tell those kind of things.  He insisted that it was real and it was just a new currency that the government was introducing a little at a time.  I held it up to the light to see the little security strip on the inside.  It said...are you ready for this?..."Disney".

Don't even try to interpret my dreams.  They make no sense.  I think I have strange dreams because I am a strange person.

Best thing in the whole wide world

Answer:  Ringing the doorbell at my brother's house and then hearing the pitter patter of little footsteps accompanied by a chorus of "Angela!  Angela!"  Door opens.  Big hug from Emily and another "Angela!".  Rebekah, across the room standing on the piano bench calls out "Angela!"  Yes, she can say my name now!  When Emily was that age, she called me "Allah".  (Actually, now that I think about it, Emily actually calls me "Agela" now, which is what Neal called me when he was little.)  More hugs!

Question:  What is the best thing in the world?

Flashback Friday

Meeting Tom Wopat after seeing him in "Annie Get Your Gun"

Circa 2001

(Funny how my initial reaction to seeing this picture is not "Ooh!  Tom Wopat!" but actually "Oh, my GOSH!  We all look so YOUNG!!!!"

Another Soundtrack of my Life Blog

Here's the latest song that makes up the Soundtrack of my life:  I Know it's Today from Shrek the Musical

YOUNG FIONA,
(Spoken)
Settle in girls. It's story time! Isn't this fun? It's like a sleep over,
but instead of a pillow fight, there is an insane dragon who incinerates things.
Now where were we? Oh right,

(Sung)
There’s a princess
In a tower
Oh my gosh, that’s just like me
Poor Rapunzel
Needs a haircut
But the witch won’t set her free
She passes time by singing
Like someone else I know
As years go by she sits and waits…
As years go by? Uh oh
A torturous existence
I don’t remember this part!
She wishes she were dead?
Skip ahead skip ahead!
But in the end Rapunzel finds a millionaire
The prince is good at climbing and braiding golden hair!

So I know, he’ll appear
Cause there are rules and there are strictures
I believe the storybooks I read by candlelight
My white knight, and his steed
Will look just like these pictures!
It won’t be long now, I guarantee!
Day number…23.
I know its today
I know its today

TEENSAGE FIONA:
(Spoken)
Oh here's a good one! It's a classic!

(Sung)
There’s a princess
In a coma
Glad its her instead of me.
Pretty maiden
In a glass box
How I wonder does she pee?
Blah blah blah, poison apple
Boring boring evil queen
Filler filler, been there, read that!
Seven shorties on the scene.
Skip ahead, skip ahead…
But in the end the princess wakes up with a start
The prince is good at kissing
And melting Snow White’s heart!

So I know, he’ll appear
And his armor will be blinding!
As shining as his perfect teeth
And then repose
He’ll propose
On one knee
And our prenupt will be binding!
About time we set the wedding date!
Day number…958.
I know it's today.
He’ll show up today....


FIONA:
...ay...
There’s a princess
Any princess
Take your pick, they’re all like me
Not exactly, I’m still waiting
they’re living happily
Ever after better get here
I want love in seconds flat
No one needs these middle bits
(Spoken) Oops, did I do that?

Cut the villains, cut the vamping
Cut this fairytale
Cut the peril and the pitfalls
Cut the puppet and the whale
Cut the monsters, cut the curses
Keep the intro, cut the verses
And the waiting, the waiting, the waiting, the waiting
The waiting!

But I know, he’ll appear
Though I seem a bit bipolar
And I’m a vandal now as well, though he won’t mind
I’m a find, I’m a catch
And a very gifted bowler!
It won’t be long now, I guarantee!
Day number…

Are you there God?
It’s me Fiona…

ALL FIONAS:
It’s me Fiona!

Now I know, he’ll appear
Cause there are rules and there are strictures
I believe the storybooks I read by candlelight
My white knight, my knight and his steed
Will look just like these pictures!
It won’t be long now, I guarantee!

YOUNG FIONA
Day number 23

TEENAGE FIONA
Day number 958

FIONA:
Day number 4823

YOUNG FIONA
I know its today, oooo

TEENAGE FIONA
I know its today, oooo

FIONA,
I know its today, oooo

YOUNG FIONA
I know its today, oooo

TEENAGE FIONA
I know its today, oooo

FIONA,
I Know it's today

ALL FIONAS,
I know it's today!

Music by Jeanine Tesori, Lyrics by David Lindsay-Abaire


For previous Soundtrack Blogs, click these links:


http://tangents-by-angela.blogspot.com/2009/02/soundtrack-of-my-life.html
http://angelas-old-blog.blogspot.com/2008/10/another-song-that-sums-up-my-life.html
http://angelas-old-blog.blogspot.com/2008/10/im-not-that-girl.html

Jessica Cranshaw's Obituary

Jessica Barrymore Cranshaw, age 31, passed away on February 21, 1959 at Boston General Hospital, the victim of foul play.

Jessica was born March 9, 1928 to Henry & Emily Cranshaw in Tuscumbia, Alabama.  The family moved to New York City when Jessica was just 3 years old.  By the time she was 7, Jessica had already found a love of the theatre.  She saved all of her pennies to see as many shows as she could.  She was 12 when she got her first audition.  The director was stunned by her illuminating stage presence and cast her on the spot in the chorus.  Thus began an illustrious career on the stage.  She moved on to film in her early 20s.  Many directors told her that she would have been great in silent movies, but she was never quite sure what they meant by that, so she took it as a compliment.  For years Jessica told people that she has understudied Judy Garland in "The Wizard of Oz", not realizing that there are no such things as understudies in film.  Never mind the fact that she was only 10 years old when the movie was filmed.

Jessica was much loved by her cat, Mr. Jiggles, and by her many costars.  Jessica was starring in Fox & Hendricks show "Robbin' Hood" at the time of her demise.  She will be sorely missed by her associates.  Attempts were made to collect statements of mourning from her many former castmates, but none were available at press time.

A memorial service was held on Feburary 28, 1959 at St. Peter Paul & Mary's Church, but no one attended.  Jessica has been cremated and her ashes were mixed with the paint used on the stage at the Broadway theatre where "Robbin' Hood" will be performed.  Now her former castmates can walk all over her.

Jessica Cranshaw