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Deliciously Organic: The Last Flight and a Chocolate Pie

Deliciously Organic

A blog devoted entirely to simple, wholesome, organic cooking.

Monday, December 14, 2009

The Last Flight and a Chocolate Pie


My husband (call sign: Shay) has flown the A-10 for the last 7 years and today was his last flight. He's moving on to fly the F-16 and other aircraft. In the Air Force they call it a "fini flight" and everyone greets him at the flight line as he lands.  He takes great pride in being a "Hawg Driver," and finds it hilarious that I'm more attached to the A-10 than he is. This plane, it isn't just any jet - let me tell you about it from my perspective...it can swoop down very low (to back-up the guys on the ground), use necessary weapons and then quickly climb back up out of the line of fire. Also, the cockpit sits in a huge "bathtub" of titanium so it's pretty much indestructable.

Six years ago I woke up in the middle of the night to send my husband off to war in his A-10. I stood there with the other wives and waved good-bye on a cold, blustery morning and I cried as I watched him until he was out of sight. Five months later, I saw the entire fleet of A-10's land together as we were united with our loved ones. Today, as I watched him fly his last flight I remembered all of the long hours, days without seeing him, and the protection it has offered for our country.



The fini flight was followed by a traditional "spray-down" with champagne.  Our daughters had fire extinguishers filled with water to help "soak Dad." Afterward, we had lunch together with friends and colleagues in the squadron lounge followed by "thanks" and "congratulations".  Lunch included these yummy chocolate cream cheese brownies:



I know it's sort of silly to get so sentimental over a plane, but it's defined our lives for many years and now we're moving on to something new.  Maybe in a few years when it's his last flight in the F-16, I'll get all teary eyed again.  On second thought...nah. 



Milk Chocolate Pie
Chocolate is my husband's favorite so I thought it only fitting to share with you a smooth, milky chocolate pie. 

1 pie crust (for the recipe click here)
2 cups milk
3 egg yolks
3/4 cup maple syrup
5 tablespoons flour
3 tablespoons cocoa
1 teaspoon instant herbal coffee (such as Dandyblend)
sprinkle of cinnamon
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 tablespoon butter
2 cups cream, whipped

Put all ingredients except vanilla and butter into a blender.  Blend until smooth.  Pour into a saucepan and cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until very thick and it coats the back of the spoon.  (I usually run my finger down the back of the spoon to make sure it's thick enough).  Take off heat and add vanilla and butter.  Cover with parchment paper and press parchment onto filling so it doesn't form a skin.  (I usually cut a round of parchment so it fits nicely on top of the filling).  Refrigerate at least 4 hours until cold or overnight.  Top with whipped cream. 

*if you want to sweeten your whipped cream, 1 tablespoon of maple syrup will work nicely.

15 Comments:

Blogger Elizabeth said...

That totally made me cry! That was actually the first time I met you -- as we stood in the dark on that runway at DM and waived goodbye to our husbands. I remember talking to you on once inside and about how much I loved your kids' names. Later, Sam told me a story about how much he admired Pete. I guess, during the deployment, Pete saw a dirty floor and just grabbed a mop to clean it, just because it needed to be done.

Best of luck in California!

December 14, 2009 at 3:20 PM  
Blogger Kelly said...

Awesome pictures!! Love them all!

December 14, 2009 at 7:40 PM  
Blogger Helene said...

Wishing you the best on your move. My dad is a General in the French Air Force (retired now) and believe it or not, I get antsy if I stay more than 2-3 years in one place. I must pack and go...even if it's to the next neighborhood!
Good luck to you and can't wait to see you in February!

December 14, 2009 at 8:46 PM  
Blogger Diana Bauman said...

Such a beautiful post and pictures!

December 15, 2009 at 6:34 AM  
Anonymous corrine @ keep your diet real said...

What a great story...and deliciously looking brownies to come home to! Beautiful photos.

December 15, 2009 at 9:10 AM  
Blogger Gail said...

Awww....that's just the sweetest thing ever. I happened upon your blog via a friend of mine. I'm an Organic enthusiast, but have slacked off for awhile. You have given me new inspiration to keep at it!

Ohh...and the pie looks amazing!

-Gail

December 15, 2009 at 9:04 PM  
Anonymous jonny said...

I remember talking to you on once inside and about how much I loved your kids' names. Later, Sam told me a story about how much he admired Pete. I guess, during the deployment, Pete saw a dirty floor and just grabbed a mop to clean it, just because it needed to be done.

December 16, 2009 at 12:19 AM  
Anonymous Montessori Moments said...

Beautiful pictures...wonderful blog!

A fellow SITSta!

December 16, 2009 at 3:44 AM  
Blogger Kristen said...

Carrie, just loved this post. Beautiful picture of you and Pete. The Lord is good.

December 17, 2009 at 8:19 PM  
Blogger Unknown said...

Visiting from SITS. That pie looks fabulous!!!

December 24, 2009 at 10:09 PM  
Blogger Karen M. Peterson said...

I'm sure I'd be all sentimental and emotional, too!

Those are beautiful photos!

I'm stopping in from SITS. Hope you had a Merry Christmas and hope things are going well with that F-16!

December 29, 2009 at 11:02 AM  
Blogger Heather said...

Carrie, I made your chocolate pie for a holiday party and it was delicious!! My friends loved it! However my pie was on the runny side. I did cook the pudding until it covered the back of a spoon but I'm wondering if maybe I should have cooked it longer. Any thoughts on how I can make it set up better next time? And keep up the good work! I really enjoy reading your blog and trying your recipes.

Thanks,
Heather

January 10, 2010 at 6:15 PM  
Blogger Deliciously Organic said...

Heather: If the filling was runny then it probably needed to be cooked a bit longer. I had that happen when I first tested the recipe so I gave it to a friend and made it again cooking it longer to make sure it was nice and thick. You could also try adding a teaspoon of arrowroot (acts just like cornstarch) to make sure it gets nice and thick. I should probably make it again and put down the exact minutes that it should cook so that someone else doesn't have the same problem. I'm glad you asked!

January 11, 2010 at 12:09 PM  
Anonymous StorageCraft said...

I remember fighting with my small sister when my father used to bring a choco pie t our home. At that time we were not so rich and therefore it was a big thing for us at that time to have it.

January 23, 2010 at 12:10 AM  
Anonymous Shawn mitchell said...

When i had the chocolate pie my sister was not able to resist it and finally had i fight with me. Since we can afford only a pie therefore we had to compromise with only half a delicious pie.

February 10, 2010 at 10:37 AM  

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