Category Archives: Being a Mom and Grandma

Old-Fashioned Blueberry Pie (Vegan)

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A while back, I made a blueberry pie because I had too many blueberries that needed to be used up and a pie seemed like the perfect solution.

The original Angel Boy said it was the best pie he had EVER eaten, which is saying a lot, because he doesn’t really care very much about desserts. The crust was crisp and flaky; even the bottom turned out golden browned, not at all soggy.

Mom and the Ferals (no longer Angel Kids) loved it too, so much that the last piece of pie had to be carefully divided between the four of them so everyone had a final taste.

After I received those glowing compliments, I decided to make it again, and hope I can replicate the delicous-ness.. I know that some people have a problem with lattice-topped pies, but it’s really quite simple, and is really the best top for a blueberry pie.

I don’t think there’s any point in posting my recipe for a crust as there are literally thousands of recipes with how-to videos on YouTube. My suggestion is to either make your own favorite recipe or buy a ready-made crust, which I’ve never actually done, but know people who have. This is the one and only time I use Crisco shortening because I hate butter crusts. I think butter flavor detracts from whatever pie filling is used, whether it’s fruit or lemon meringue or chocolate. I’ve also tried oil-based crusts but they end up way too chewy and gross, so Crisco works for me.

My filling is about five cups of fresh blueberries (these were organic), a couple tablespoons of lemon juice, 1/2 cup white sugar, and two hefty tablespoons of cornstarch, although you could use flour too. The purpose is to thicken the juicy berries and create a heavenly pie.

The lattice is beyond simple, and there are also many online directions. I’ve been doing it for so many years that it only takes a few minutes to weave the lattice over the berries.

Because pies have a tendency to bubble over and create a huge mess in the oven, a tip that I use is to place some parchment paper on a baking sheet and place the pie on that.

Ready for the 400 degree oven!

Photo by Enchanted Seashells

After baking for about 40 minutes, it needs to cool so I can have a giant slice!

Photo by Enchanted Seashells

P.S. It was DELICIOUS, not too sweet, and the crust was amazing!

“Without music, life would be a mistake.”

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“Without music, life would be a mistake” – Friedrich Nietzsche
Auf Deutsch: Ohne Musik wäre das Leben ein Irrtum.

This famous quote by Friedrich Nietzsche, found in his 1889 book Twilight of the Idols, highlights his belief that music is essential to a meaningful existence.

Music directly affects our mood. It accompanies us when we’re sad, makes us cheerful when we’re happy, increases our motivation, and calms us down.

Whether it’s Leon Russell (literally any song) or Kpop Demon Hunters, music appeals directly to emotions. It can bring people together and overcome cultural, racial, and language barriers.

This is true for animals, too. Have you seen the video of the guy who plays the piano for elephants? British concert pianist Paul Barton frequently plays classical music on an acoustic piano for rescued, blind, and elderly elephants at the Elephants World sanctuary in Thailand. His performances aim to bring comfort, emotional healing, and a calming presence to traumatized animals through soothing vibrations and melodies.

Music plays a critical role in the construction of individual and social identity. It accompanies important memories in our personal memory.

Scientific research shows that music reduces stress, strengthens memory, enhances neurological connections, and can be used for therapeutic purposes. Music therapy for brain injury uses neuroscience to retrain the brain. By targeting cognitive, sensory, and motor functions through active music-making or rhythmic listening, it stimulates neuroplasticity to help survivors regain lost speech, movement, and emotional control.

Have you heard this? “Music hath charms to soothe a savage breast” was written by English playwright William Congreve in his 1697 play The Mourning Bride.

I recall one time in the car when the Angel Kids were being obnoxious in the back seat. Because they were really getting on my nerves, I started to play Beethoven’s Fur Elise and within literal SECONDS, they both calmed down for the remainder of the drive. If it can soothe those feral creatures, I’m a believer.

I’m sure you know that I’m listening to Leon Russell right now…what are YOU listening to?

The Compleat Apple Pie…Deconstructed

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Out of the mouths of babes, literally...”Grandma says that if you think you’ve added enough cinnamon, you HAVEN’T—add more!” That’s the secret to the best ever apple pie.

Re-posting from a few years ago, one of my family faves, and now the grandkids help! Well, one of them does…the other one is just like his dad and waits until it’s baked so he can eat it.

Your apple pie tutorial. An apple pie with attitude.

If you are one of the many boys and girls (OK, adults) who’ve never made an apple pie from scratch and you don’t want to meet the Grim Reaper without having made at least one perfect apple pie, you’ve come to the right place.

I’m right here, holding your hand, gently walking you through all the steps and twists and turns to create the best apple pie you will ever eat. Guaranteed.

I know you can do it! Once you’ve mastered one pie start to finish, you will never be afraid of a little old piecrust again. Pinky swear.

The Apples
The apples you choose are of the utmost importance. They need to be firm and tart and able to stand up to the heat of a 425 degree oven without becoming mushy as the pie bakes.

I like Granny Smith or Pippin apples for pies. Normally, that would be the green ones. Depending on the size of the apple, I like to use between 6-8 apples per pie.

I enjoy making my pies the old fashioned way. I peel and slice the apples.

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Squeeze a little lemon juice over the slices for a pop of flavor and it’ll help keep the apples from turning brown. Unless I’m making apple jelly, I put the peels in the compost bin, and so should you!

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This is one time when I use white sugar and don’t feel guilty about it–about 1/2 cup or to taste. Some apples need more sweetness, some need less.

The most important ingredient is cinnamon. The right amount of cinnamon elevates the apple pie to a higher level.  I use approximately 3-4 tablespoons. The kids (and dad) do a lot of tasting, so it’s a good idea to add a little at a time and taste as you go. We love a LOT of cinnamon!

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When you feel that your apples and sugar and cinnamon have reached the zenith of blissful co-existence, sprinkle one tablespoon all-purpose flour over the apples and mix lightly.

Don’t be afraid, don’t desert me before the dessert is complete–watch and learn!

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I like my mom’s favorite cookbook for old-fashioned recipes.

It’s not that difficult. It’s like many things in life. Once you try something new and master it, you lose the fear of the unknown.

The Crust
It’s not rocket science. This is a tried and true basic recipe for a two-crust pie. I don’t like to use butter in this crust because I don’t want any other flavors to ruin the apple+cinnamon perfection. I know you can use a food processor and it cuts the time in half but sometimes the most satisfying part of baking is to be fully immersed in the process as much as the final results!

For a nine-inch pie pan:
Mix together…
2 cups all purpose flour
3/4 teaspoons salt
Cut in…
2/3 cup shortening (This is one and only recipe where I use Crisco)
Sprinkle with…
Four tablespoons water (more if necessary)

What does “cut in” mean? It means you need to distribute the shortening into the flour so that the particles become the size of peas. This is what makes pastry flaky. Use a pastry blender to cut shortening into flour. If you don’t have one, use two knives and this technique: holding a knife in each hand with blades almost touching, move knives back and forth in opposite directions in a parallel cutting motion. The side of a fork or a wire whisk works, too.

pastry-blender
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Mix only until all ingredients are worked in. If you overwork pastry dough, it’ll become tough. Sprinkle the water in a tablespoon at a time, mixing lightly with a fork until all the flour is moistened. Gather dough together and press into two balls for the upper and bottom crust.

At this point, if you have time, cover and chill for about thirty minutes or so.

Flour the board or counter and the rolling pin so the dough won’t stick. There are all kinds of fancy schmancy rolling pins–I’ve been really happy with this old wooden one. Flatten the balls with your hand. Roll each ball into a sort of circle; don’t go all crazy thinking it has to be perfect at this point. If it breaks or tears, just pinch and push it back together–about 1/8 inch thick. For an apple pie, I think the bottom crust needs to be a bit more sturdy than the top crust, and roll into a circle two inches larger than pie plate.

Pile high with the yummy apples.

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Redo the same steps with the other round for the top crust. Cut off the extra dough that hangs over–leaving enough to fold under.

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You can either crimp the edges…or use a fork. Dip fork tines in flour; press tines onto edge of dough. Poke with fork or knife all around to release steam as it bakes.apple18

I wanted to add an enchanted seashell embellishment to the final version.

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I molded leftover dough over a scallop shell, cut off the excess, and placed it on the pie.

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It will bake quicker than the pie–remember to take it out after about ten minutes and place it back on the pie before serving.

I always bake pies on a cookie sheet because they will invariably ooze and turn your oven into a burning, sticky, smoky mess that can set off a smoke alarm and that’s always annoying!

Bake at 425 degrees for about 45 minutes or so until it’s bubbly and the crust is beautifully browned, long enough so that the bottom crust is completely baked and not soggy.

The Finished Product

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Yummy!

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Most photos by Enchanted Seashells

Daddy Day Lineup, International Surfing Day, and Summer Solstice

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Surf lineup, that is!

Twenty-four hours early, but Happy Bio/Step/Deadbeat Daddy Day, whichever one applies.

Today, June 20, is International Surfing Day. This global event brings together an estimated thirty-five million surfers and ocean enthusiasts worldwide. It celebrates surf culture while driving awareness for ocean conservation, and highlights the need to protect coastlines, reduce marine pollution, and keep beaches safe and accessible.

Photo by Enchanted Seashells

Along with International Surfing Day and Father’s Day, it’s pretty cool that June 21 is also the longest day. The Summer Solstice occurs at the moment the earth’s tilt toward from the sun is at a maximum. On this day, the sun appears at its highest elevation.

Spiritually, the summer solstice is a powerful energetic turning point that symbolizes illumination, abundance, and the triumph of light over darkness.

As the longest day of the year, it represents the peak of the sun’s life-giving energy, encouraging us to awaken our inner power, celebrate our growth, and nurture our spirits.

Happy Summer Solstice , International Surfing Day, (and Father’s Day)!

Gentle Affirmations For Anxious Thoughts

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Right now, Earth is a very stressful place for children. They inhabit a world with almost normalized school shootings, active shooter drills, distracted parents, and a lack of calm, positive structure.

Their calendars are filled with sports, after school activities, and playdates — and I wonder why every child seems to have a backpack full of fidgets?

Do you know what fidgets are? Fidget toys provide tactile stimulation supposed to help improve focus, increase attention span, and reduce anxiety or stress. These tools aid in self-regulation, providing a calming effect for children and adults.

How about simplifying our lives so that children aren’t so anxious and stressed out?

In my opinion, contributing to most of the stress initiated when mainstream internet seemed to take over our lives in the mid 1990s. It happened slowly, like a dripping faucet, until we actually can’t survive without it. Do you recall the AOL dial-up sound and how it tied up the home phone? Crazy. Kids have no idea.

Listen:

We can’t even make a doctor’s appointment or pay a bill without being connected along with yet another stupid password to forget. Every single business has a website. Do you know anyone who doesn’t have the internet and a smart phone? Do you freak out when there’s an outage? Have you ever tried to go completely off grid?

Our grandchildren were born into a world that’s ruled by WiFi and social media and it’s changed childhood completely — and in my opinion, not for the better.

Children seem incredibly anxious and focus-less. They don’t really play or socialize like they used to, they’re way too sophisticated, and I think that’s a tragedy. Don’t even get me started on the dangers of video games like the highly addictive Roblox, which I believe should be banned everywhere and forever.

The internet exposes children to severe psychological dangers, including social media addiction, which can rewire the brain’s reward centers. Excessive use significantly increases risks of depression and anxiety, sleep deprivation, body dysmorphia, and exposure to cyberbullying or online predators.

We don’t even read newspapers; we get all of our information from the internet, whether it’s true or not, whether it’s been properly researched or investigated — or not, and a blog like this is just another manifestation of our dependence on fiber optics and invisible radio waves.

I don’t really have a viable solution, or one that acknowledges the benefits of the internet while limiting how much time it consumes from our daily lives, but here are some helpful affirmations for anxious kids (and for grownups, too)…

P.S. Rant over, time to disconnect from the internet and spend some time in the garden.

Pregnancy, Down Syndrome, and Reproductive Rights

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Although I usually cloak myself in a filmy, gauzy haze of positivity, sometimes the real world slips through a crack or two.

Did you hear about the YouTube influencers who documented every part of their pregnancy, up to and including their decision to end the pregnancy?

Jesse Ridgway and his wife Ashley ended their pregnancy, and in a series of posts on the YouTuber’s Instagram Stories, Jesse said that they’d recently made the “difficult decision” to end Ashley’s pregnancy after receiving a fetal Down syndrome diagnosis.

“This week, my wife and I made the very difficult decision to terminate the pregnancy due to Trisomy 21,” wrote Jesse. “The choice was not made lightly.”

Down syndrome, also known as Trisomy 21, is a genetic disorder caused by the presence of all or part of a third copy of chromosome 21.

It’s usually associated with developmental delays, mild, moderate, or severe intellectual disability, and characteristic physical features.

Since they town-cried their controversial decision, it stirred up a hornet’s nest of the most vicious attacks against them, as well as from those who support them. People are saying he posted publicly so he needs to deal with the hatred. He tried to get attention and make money off of his unborn child. (However, thousands upon thousands of others document their pregnancy too, and for the same reasons.)

“Down Syndrome isn’t a ‘blessing,’ it is objectively s—ty from a health perspective,” Jesse claimed. “I didn’t realize just how rough it is for the child, let alone the family…more often than not, they would be fully dependent on others for the rest of their life.”

After posting about the loss of their unborn child, the couple was flooded with vitriolic comments, with critics calling them “murderous” and “evil”. The Ridgways were sent a “tremendous amount of death threats” from people across various social media platforms who were outraged by their decision. The harassment became so severe that Jesse revealed he put extra security measures in place. In an interview on TMZ Live, he disclosed that the threats were taken so seriously that his wife had to leave their shared home.

From Reddit: I don’t know why people feel the need to give their input on a situation that doesn’t concern them. People need to mind their own business. The commenters are on their high horse acting as if they have such a high moral compass,

Here’s my opinion…

First of all, this is a distraction from the hell that is going on in our country on so many levels, all due to that orange POS.

Secondly...If Jesse and his wife had kept their decision to terminate PRIVATE (or their whole life private), none of this would have happened. I just don’t understand why so many people feel it’s necessary to put their lives on display for impressions, clicks, and income from YouTube and Instagram and all the other social media platforms.

Thirdly… Literally no one LIKES to have an abortion, it’s not like we women throw parties and do gender reveals, but it’s OUR body and our RIGHT to be pregnant or NOT be pregnant and everyone can stay out of my uterus.

Finally...When I was in the teaching program at university, I started out thinking I wanted to major in special education but after doing some student teaching in Special Ed classes and experiencing their special and exhausting 24/7/365 needs, it’s not something I chose to do.

It’s grueling for parents, siblings, teachers, and everyone else. I would not subject a child of mine to merely exist like that. What happens to them when their parents are gone? It’s not a pretty thought.

I don’t think there was as much comprehensive genetic testing back when I was pregnant with my son as there is now, but if my tests revealed a severe genetic abnormality or birth defect, I’d have a lot of thinking to do, mainly about their quality of life–and mine.

Final thought:
Pearl clutchers and virtue signallers and everyone else with their fake martydom can do what they want with their own bodies, but keep their hands, laws, and opinions out of mine. It’s quite literally none of your business. #reproductiverights

What Is a Mom?

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I’ve always thought that being a mom is a neverending labor of love.

After Angel Boy 2.0 was born, DIL coined the phrase, “Live to serve, serve to live”, and that became doubly true when Angel Girl 2.0 entered this world.

I think it’s sad that some mothers weren’t born with the unconditional love gene, and I wonder what their reasons were for even having children, because once you’re a mom, life ceases to be centered around SELF, and will instead be forever all about one’s children.

With all the rampant narcissism in this world, I grieve for the children who don’t experience heartgiving love.

But…Mother’s Day is all about ME, and I choose to extol my mommy-ness by agreeing with the original Angel Boy who claims the day for himself because, if not for HIM, I would have no reason to celebrate, and he’s right!

No matter how old he is, he’ll always be my very own angel boy.

And but for the original Charlotte, I wouldn’t be here, either, so Happy Mother’s Day to my very own always-missed-but-forever mom!

This is the perfect day to raise awareness about ALL mothers of all species.

We have the power to help mothers confined and abused on factory farms by adopting a kind and compassionate plant-based lifestyle. 

Did you know that the first few minutes after birth can mark the beginning of a lifelong bond between a mother cow and her calf? Cows carry their young for nine months and they nurse them for nine to twelve months, much like human mothers. Their babies don’t deserve to be stolen from their moms so humans can consume the milk that wasn’t ever meant for us.

Chicks bond so closely with their mothers that scientists call it “imprinting.” Mother hens take their chicks under their wings, providing protection and shelter, and chicks spend their first few weeks learning to scratch for food by watching the techniques of their mothers.

Pork producers confine mother sows in crates so small they can’t move without scraping against the rails.

Oh, and wolves are wonderful, caring, loving moms, too.

To paraphrase Maya Angelou, When we know better, we need to do better.

Go VEGAN.

Another Happy Solar Return For The Original Angel Boy

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…and an interesting and coincidental fact about (of course) Leon Russell.

Eleven years before there was even a hint of a thought about any baby, even one as wonderful as Angel Boy, Leon Russell released his self-titled debut solo album on March 23, 1970.

The album featured the classics: Delta Lady, Dixie Lullaby, A Song For You, Hummingbird, and Prince of Peace.

Leon played piano, guitar, bass guitar, and vocals. He was backed by an impressive list of friends, including Klaus Voormann, Mick Jagger, George Harrison, Ringo Starr, Alan Spenner, Charlie Watts, Bill Wyman, Delaney Bramlett, Eric Clapton, Jim Horn, Bonnie Bramlett, Steve Winwood, Jim Gordon, Chris Stainton, B.J. Wilson, Joe Cocker, and Merry Clayton.

What was I doing on March 23, 1970? I was in high school and I’m sure I bought that album as soon as it came out, probably at The Wherehouse or Licorice Pizza, two cool record stores that no longer exist.

But on March 23, 1981, I debuted MY one and only release of a human–the aforementioned Angel Boy–after twenty-four hours of labor and an emergency C-section. I’ve blogged a lot about the birth: https://enchantedseashells.com/2013/03/23/i-fell-down-and-a-baby-popped-out/

He’s still the same person he’s always been; a voracious reader and writer, loves to garden, is kind to animals. He’s got a wicked sense of humor, and now that he’s a dad, he skateboards with the Angel Kids and finally realizes why I worried so much about his safety.

Could he really be all grown up? Nah, he’ll always be my Angel Boy and I’ll always be the proud Boy Mom.

Photo by Enchanted Seashells

International Women’s Day 2026: “When women thrive, we all rise.”

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I say it every year, but this is more than simply a day to celebrate Angel Boy’s TENTH birthday, March 8 is International Women’s Day 2026.

“When women thrive, we all rise.” The initiative highlights that empowering women brings collective progress.

This year’s theme is “Give To Gain”, a campaign that urges collaboration and generosity to accelerate gender equality.

The theme highlights that by giving support—through funding, knowledge, or advocacy—we gain a more inclusive world. 

The campaign encourages taking concrete actions, such as investing in women, providing resources, increasing visibility, and fostering mentorship.

Of course we’ll commemorate Angel Boy’s ten years around the sun, especially since this is the year he becomes a double-digiter. No longer a baby, he enters the world of the pre-teen with my same shoe size and he’s nearly as tall as me. I predict by the end of summer, he’ll have surpassed my sixty inches. Happy Birthday, Angel Boy!

Word of The Day: Zipola

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Zipola: Slang. Nothing at all; zip; zilch.

A monster has been created.

Almost ten-year-old Angel Boy 2.0 has become a rabid Scrabble player. Zipola is a word he used to gain a triple word score.

It’s a valid word in SOME Scrabble dictionaries, but not all. However, no one was going to take that pride and joy away from him, that’s for sure.

In fact, last night he surpassed 400 points in a one-on-one game, winning against his PhD literature professor dad, and it’s one of our proudest family moments.

It’s bad enough that I could NEVER win against the original Angel Boy; I can’t imagine the future as a total loser.