I remember waking up early (I always was an early riser) to the wonderful combined smell of bacon, biscuits, and coffee at my grandparent's farm in West Virginia For me, the only other delightful aromas that rival this lovely trio, would be an apple pie, and a roasting turkey. Yum!
As a little girl, one of my favorite things to do was to watch my grandpa make his legendary biscuits. The old coal miner baked a batch of golden biscuits almost every day of his adult life. That is a heap load of biscuits! He probably could have made them blindfolded. I remember Grandpa's tired and freckled hands tenderly working the precious biscuit dough, doing everything exactly the same as he had done for decades. Obviously, his practice paid off, for they were always flaky, tender, and family pleasing!
Looking back, I believe one of his secrets was bacon grease. He would grease a hot cast iron skillet with it, and put a tiny bit of bacon grease on top of each biscuit before putting them in the hot oven. The grease gave the biscuits a smoky and salty crusty top and bottom. Mmmm. Smothered with butter and honey, those biscuits were a sweet and salty masterpiece! I never tired of eating them, and still don't. :)
As a vegetarian, I usually don't have bacon grease hanging around like my grandpa did. However; sometimes, when I feel nostalgic, before I put the biscuits in the oven, I brush them with melted butter and sprinkle them with a little sea salt. And as soon as they are cool enough to handle, I spoon some honey with honeycomb on them, smile big, and think of my sweet and simple grandpa with every tender bite! -- xoxolinda
How charming is a leprechaun! I have always found them to be darling; from the happy little one on the Lucky Charms cereal box to the funny little sprite in the Disney movie, "Darby O'Gill and the Little People"
Truly, what is not to like in a leprechaun? Yes, they are rather short and stubborn and their wardrobe is limited in color and style, and some most likely have serious drinking issues. Yes, leprechauns indeed have some strong personality traits, but many of their traits are true tenets to live by. I find the following “leprechaunesque” qualities quite worthy to emulate.
Magical – Let’s be magical and make each day as enchanting as possible.
Mischievous – Let’s be silly and ready for mischief and fun.
Happy – Let’s be giddy about even the littlest things.
Life of the Party – Let’s be the one everyone gravitates to to make life delightful.
Loyal – Let’s be the one everyone can count on.
Eat pie and let’s love the leprechaun in us all! Linda xoxoxx
I just woke up from my afternoon nap, and I am happy and ready to finish my day full of joy and energy.
I am sure everyone knows that bakers work early hours. I always think of us as little pixies in the dark, getting up in the middle of the night while the rest of the world slumbers, as we travel to our little bakeries and make magic in the kitchen. It really does feel like that to me.
As obvious as it is, I truly love the whole cooking and baking for a living thing so much. I love my customers and all the people I work with loads and loads. I never feel that it is work really, it is so much fun and so natural for me to do, it is like smiling. 
However, there is the one issue. As much as I never tire of my job; baking pies, loving my customers etc…I do physically get tired.
I have always loved naps, I remember in kindergarten when most children hated naptime, I thoroughly enjoyed it. I guess I have always used my naptime as my dreamtime as well as my sleepytime.
Some of my best recipes have come to me during naptime.
Some of best dreams have as well.
Some of my best prayers and closeness to God have happened during naptime.
Some of my best deepest sleeps have come during my afternoon naps.
For me, naps rejuvenate and allow my brain to rest and meditate.
Naps complete me.
I feel lovely after my naps and am truly ready to change the world one pie at a time…
Eat Pie, Love Life – Linda Hundt xoxo
Nobody wants to be sick as a child, and I was no exception. Being sick meant no play whatsoever; which was horrid because “playing” is all we knew. We played indoor board games, outdoor team games, make believe, Easybake, Barbies, and babies – we rode our bikes everywhere, we ran through the sprinkler, we went sledding and skating up the road… we played hard! There were no video games, DVDs, DVRs, cable television, or cell phones. The only electronic item we played with was our record player and the T.V. antenna. When you were sick as a kid back then, there was only one thing good about it, actually great about it - the good eats!
I remember my mommy revamping our bedroom for the sick stay; fluffing pillows with rose scented pillowcases and Grandma’s flower garden quilt for our bed, setting up the classic Vicks vaporizer in the corner and a T.V. tray next to our bed. But what she put on the tray was my favorite part of the convalescence period…
I always loved that my dear mommy made us special food when we were under-the-weather so we felt special too. I remember her bringing me a vintage tray with sassafras tea made with cream and sugar and a small glass of Vernors ginger ale. She also made soft-boiled eggs with crumbled buttered toast or raisin toast triangles with honey cinnamon butter. But what I remember most fondly were her puddings; creamy rice, brown sugar butterscotch, vanilla with her homemade raspberry jam, and my cherished chocolate pudding made with Hershey’s cocoa, milk, and butter. They were warm and creamy and perfect.
I also remember when I was older and under-the-weather that my sweet daddy would bring me home a cheeseburger and chocolate milkshake from a local drugstore soda fountain. I am not sure how great it was for an upset tummy, but it was my daddy’s way to make me feel comforted and I still love him for it. :)
Our elderly bed-ridden neighbors across the road used to get teary eyed when I would bring them homemade meatloaf, mashed potatoes, pies, and such. Although they were sick, the special, homemade food made their faces light up with delight. I love thinking about how much my food made them feel loved during their last years.
It always amazes me how yummy, comforting food makes us feel content and happy. To this day, I love spoiling my family and friends with special under-the-weather treats, so they too, feel special, comforted, and loved.