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| Seriously. This stuff. Twenty minutes, maybe half an hour of conversation Although, I do get to eat the topic of discussion, so it maybe breaks even. |
But lately, I'm coming to realize that having the chance to catch up with all of the teachers and former educators in my family is one of the most interesting and valuable parts of these gatherings. Before I'd looked into teaching as a career, they had always had a certain teacherly air, and occasional stories about a class or a student or the profession, but now, my ears are open. When they start talking about teaching, I lean forward and start to pull out the valuable stuff, the need-to-know's and the if-they-woulda-told-me's. I try and tattoo that sort of thing onto the inside of my brain, in one of those gray lobe-y folds where it won't get erased by some mental janitor who stumbles over neurons. Even more fun than listening, I get involved. Established teachers can't be the only ones who get to hold the floor here, I just had to listen to these people talk about the ratio of butter and shortening in pie crusts for crying out loud, and really, it's more holding the table than the floor anyway.
Butter makes a much better crust than Crisco. Seriously. I am a convert. I used to swear by Crisco pie crusts but now that I am a butter-lover I can detect the unnatural taste of Crisco. Perhaps a mix would be good as butter doesn't allow for the right flaky consistency of a crust that holds together...hmm.
ReplyDeleteDo you hate me for adding to the pie crust conversation? I am sorry. I do enjoy your posts!
That pie crust looks delicious, although I have no recommendations about the best way to prepare it. I leave that to my grandma and mom.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, like you, a lot of my extended family members are educators. I love hearing their stories and try to soak in the advice that comes with such discussions. It always amazes me how teachers can carry on conversations about their classrooms. I could listen to it for hours. I think it's great that you can have those moments with your family!
The bottom crust of a pie is my favorite part - it's so moist and sugary! A trick of the trade I learned from my mom is to spread some strawberry or raspberry jam in the base of the crust before you put the filling in.
ReplyDeleteBut on a more serious note, I know what you mean. I feel like whenever I come into contact with educators, former or present, I need to pick their brains for stories and advice.
Lard is hands down the best for pie crusts. Don't buy into this saturated fat is bad nonsense! It's a PIE, it isn't supposed to be healthy!
ReplyDeleteAnyway, I love this post Mike, you are an excellent writer, even these blogs are full of tasty tidbits (like the janitor stumbling over neurons...and the pie). I love the bit about not only experienced educators get to hold the floor, and when we teach, sometimes we need to give the floor over to our students, because we really can learn as much from them as they do from us, and sometimes a great deal more.
To set the crust record straight, I think the general consensus was that butter adds flavor and Crisco gives you the flaky texture, so usually a combination is ideal, but there's also a rumor that you can add some extra water and only use butter and that helps the texture (there was even a mad scientist mention of a recipe using vodka since the alcohol burns off). But I think butter generally adds all the best things. And no I don't hate you. JP, I've heard good things about non-hydrogenated shortening. That's what my mom used this year.
ReplyDeleteI like your detail in this blog. Your Thanksgivings seem lively and fun, and I must say I also enjoy all the pictures you put in your blogs. They add a touch of pizazz to your writing. Too bad we can't add pictures in our college papers.
ReplyDeletei love love this post and the gathering comment is one I really appreciate and agree with. The first part though, the description is amazing and I am so jealous in the graceful way you describe/explain things.
ReplyDeleteI had a similar experience at one of my Thanksgiving dinners as well. My future sister-in-law is student teaching next semester and my grandma was a special ed teacher, so this early in my career endeavor, it was really helpful and interesting to discuss issues in the profession.
ReplyDeleteMy family is also full of teachers and it was great listening in on their conversation, but also, having them ask me questions about things I'd never thought about before. My aunt kept asking me about Special Ed students (her specialty) and I didn't know the answers yet. Hopefully Foundations of Special Ed is a good class because there were questions that left me completely stumped.
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