The Gaither Kitchen: Strawberry and Rhubarb Pie

I will never claim to be a baker or an amazing cook of any sort.  So, when I make something and get rave reviews and have the husband asking for seconds, I try to make sure and take the time to post for all of you other non Betty Crocker's out there.

Last Friday, Sweet Mama (aka GiGi) and I took Miss Fiona strawberry picking for the very first time.
I knew immediately I wanted to surprise Scott with a Strawberry and Rhubarb pie.  I have heard him say so many times how he loves when his Mom makes this pie and it's always been one of his favorites.

We actually got the rhubarb from the strawberry farm.  I didn't realize that green rhubarb can tend to be less tart and more fibrous, but the sweet owner shared her tips for correcting this.  You simply pretend your rhubarb is like string cheese and peel the outside edges off prior to dicing it up for your pie.  It added maybe an extra 5 minutes at most to this recipe and was super simple to do.

Now for the recipe!

Ingredients

 2 pie crusts (I made life easy and used store bought)

2 1/2 cups rhubarb, chopped into ½ inch pieces

3-4 cups strawberries, sliced

½ teaspoon orange zest

1 ¾ cups sugar

¾ cup flour

3 tablespoons butter

 ***

Start things off by preheating your oven to 425°

 

Next you will want to prepare your rhubarb and strawberries.

Slice your strawberries in half and chop rhubarb in approximately 1/2 inch pieces. 

Then gently toss the two together and spread half of the them on your bottom pie crust.

 

Next in a separate bowl mix together your 1 3/4 cups of sugar, 3/4 cup of flour, and  

1/2 Teaspoon of orange zest. 

Toss approximately 1/2 of this mixture over the bottom layer of strawberries and rhubarb.

 Then add another layer of strawberries and rhubarb and cover with the remaining sugar, flour, and orange zest mixture.  I didn't quite use the entire amount so just kind of eyeball it to when you feel everything is covered well.

Next slice your 3 tablespoons of butter and spread over the top of your pie filling.

 

 Place the top pie crust on and seal together with a fork.

 

You will want to add 3-6 slits along the top center of your pie so the steam can be released.

I also sprinkle sugar over the top of my pie crust.

The edges of pies tend to brown up first.  So, I typically use foil to cover the edges and then during the last 10 minutes of baking remove the foil from the edges.

You can also purchase a pie shield if this seems easier. 

  

Next, let her bake for around 40-50 minutes on 425° 

Once the juices start to bubble and crust turns brown she is ready to go!

After removing from the oven I placed on a cooling rack for a little over an hour.
 I also highly recommend serving with vanilla ice cream or whip cream! :) 

And there you have it! A SUPER easy and DELICIOUS  Strawberry and Rhubarb pie!

 Enjoy!

The Must Have Bags for Spring and Summer!

I have to be honest.  I have been crushing on SO many bags this season, however I have
YET to buy one!  So, I've decided before this week ends...I'm making a decision and picking up a couple new bags for spring and summer!

Here are my top picks!

 

This blush crossbody is at the top of my list for spring! 

It comes in four colors at the low price of $34! 

 

I'm pretty sure it's safe to say we have all drooled over the Cult Gaia bamboo bag, but the Vince Camuto version I am loving for two reasons!  1. The shape 2. The price

I'm such a MOM! I see this bag and squeal because it's gorgeous and only $17, but I'm most excited about the fact I could toss diapers/wipes, goldfish, and other Miss Fi must haves in this cutie!

How fun is this bag?! It makes me immediately want to plan a trip and buy a flowy sundress!
I did just renew my passport.  Aruba, St. Lucia...I hear you calling me!

Again...the practical mom in me is all about the convenience of this Herschel Supply Co. backpack!

How perfect would this be for the beach, zoo, or um...Target runs?!  

Which bag(s) do you think I should pick?
Any recommendation on spring and summer bags?  Send them this way!

My April Wish List

You know how there are those items that you want and then those that you need...

 

Well... I NEED every single one of these and I don't believe for a second any of these are a "want"!

That's my story and I'm sticking to it!

 

 

 

 

 

April Wish List

 

First up - this Malibu Skye Straw Bucket Bag is giving me life and um...yeah it's $68

Kendra Scott just launched her candle collection and I have yet to smell however, it's KS and we know we are all going to immediately love every scent!

American Eagle is a store that I haven't shopped in like YEARS, but I have to give it to them! Lately I am finding super adorable clothes at AE and recently some crazy amazing sandals at awesome prices. I've never been a huge fan of pink, but lately I seem to be gravitating to the softer tones like these perfect for spring and summer sandals.  

 

Let's be real...Fixer Upper might have come to an end, but Jo Jo is here to stay.  I am so excited to get my hands on her new cookbook!  

Ok! Let's talk the Opal House Collection!! It screams Anthropologie, but is crazy affordable and I need pretty much the whole collection! HA! I will most likely do a completely separate post on OH to show yall all the amazing items, but let's start with two items that I would love to add in our downstairs bathroom! The teal blue soap dispenser - this color is everything! The palm leaf canvas prints are pretty much what I'm counting on to pull this space together! 

They are sold as a set for only $74!! 

Last, if you have followed me for any length of time you know that I developed melasama during pregnancy.  This pretty much meant that my carefree days of soaking up sun rays were over.  I've always used spf on my face, but now I also toss on a hat! This Madewell straw hat is just what I need for our beach trips this year! 

So I have to know...Have you shopped the Opal House Collection?

What did you purchase? What did you love?

 

 

Quote of the Week {Weekend Wrap Up}

Happy Monday!! I hope you all had a relaxing weekend!  I am so excited for this week and the warm temps that are headed our way!! 

This past weekend I was fortunate enough to have Sweet Mama and Mama Gaither swoop in to my rescue and tell me to "rest and put your feet up" while they tackled my Saturday cleaning and picked up last minute items for the big delivery day! I am beyond grateful I have not been put on bed rest! I think I would go completely stir crazy!  For us the weekend was pretty low key.  We tried to relax and soak up the calm before the storm.  

Mama Gaither brought over my first spring flowers of the season! Spring through summer fresh flowers in our home are a must!!!

 

We even managed to decorate a touch for Easter and set the table for spring. 

Yesterday, Scott and I escaped for a little joy ride in the '48 to wrap up our relaxing weekend!

As we welcome the warm days this week I leave you with these very wise words! 

Ps...make sure to stop back by tomorrow to see Baby G's completed nursery! 

Here is a sneak peek I shared on Instagram this weekend!

The Chic One Piece

With just 17 days to go until Baby G is due to arrive and 88 days until Memorial Day a girl can only think about warm beach days and EEK swimwear!!!

This year I have some concerns that a tiny little bikini might just be out of the picture!  Hello, I'm going to be "Mama" so it's time to cover up a touch, but also let's be real...I have no idea what kind of workout routine will be required to bounce back to bikini status.  

Luckily for all of the moms to be out there the one piece swimsuit market is hotter than ever!

Here are six that I totally would love to slip into for a frolic on the beach as a family of three!

 

Are you loving too?

Shop the Look!

1 Mara Hoffman

2 Victoria's Secret

3 Target

4 Free Society 

5 Tory Burch 

6 Mara Hoffman

Spring Trend Alert: Bold Stripes

We saw bold stripes on the Spring 2016 Runways!
Now it's time to prep your closet for this classic and fun trend!

 

 

(fashion week images via)

Shop the Look

 

$72

 

 $109

$441

 

$30

 

Shop the Sunshine

After the downpour yesterday and strong damaging winds all I want to see today is that big, bright, beautiful, and warm SUNSHINE!! So today let's shop all things yellow, flirty, and fun! 

Here are a few full of life must haves on my list!

Quote of the Week {Weekend Wrap Up}

Is the weekend really over already??  I swear they get shorter and shorter!  This weekend our good friends Brooke and Isaac came in from Charlotte to spend the day with us.  We had an amazing lunch at one of our favorite local spots The Root in Elon their little fella, Gavin, once again completely stole the show and melted our hearts! Is he not just precious as can be??

 

And for the first time I think ever on the blog and for that matter any social media outlet I thought I would share my "weekly" bump pic! OK, so I might not snap them weekly, but we have a fairly decent collection of the ever growing bump!  I have officially "dropped" with just 4 weeks to go!

 

Sunday I did a little more nesting! I took inventory of Baby G's library!  Let me just say, if you are expecting a little one you have to of course get the classics, but also promise me you will get "The Wonderful Things You Will Be"!  I cannot WAIT to read this one to Baby G! It's a total fave of mine! The illustrations are just presh!

 

This weekend we had warmer temps reaching almost 70° however, the clouds were still hanging around.  Clouds or not I just couldn't resist a colorful Sunday afternoon snack!  Avocado with a splash of lime juice and strawberries are one of my favorite snacks on warm spring and summer days!

Wishing you all a beautiful week! Now let's all throw a little confetti! 

 

Easter Decor

At the very moment that March 1^st arrives the Easter decorations are coming out!  During the last couple of weeks before Baby G is due to arrive I want to make sure the house is all taken care of and all I have to do is bring this sweet little baby into the world! (That should be super simple righttt...EEK)  So, the wheels are turning on how I will decorate The Gaither household.  One thing for sure that will make its reprise  will be my DIY Easter Eggs from last year.

 

 

See the step by step how to here

 Another MUST will be tulips! One thing I absolutely adore is fresh flowers in our home.

image via

 image via

I also really want to dress up the mantel with an Easter and early spring vibe!

The final look I am still debating.

What are your go to items for Easter Decor??

Comment below and spill the beans!