Custard Peach Pie... and Creations

Wow - it has been too long since I have gotten back into this blog thing! Truth be told - teaching this year has been INSANELY difficult. I've been tempted to quit multiple times throughout this first semester. And now... I've done it.

It's official.

I have sent in my letter of resignation and I will stop teaching high school photography and yearbook after January 15th, 2021. CRAZY.

I've been teaching for 6 years now. I started teaching classes like computer technology, web design, advertising, marketing, freshmen success (my least favorite) and eventually worked my way up to only teaching two subjects: photography and yearbook. I was getting REAL close to where I wanted to be as a teacher... and then... I got MARRIED! And my (now) husband and I will be moving to France in March of 2021.

I've been wanting to take a break from teaching for a while now. It is SO hard. The kids don't give a shit about anything. ESPECIALLY this year, during COVID. I can honestly say more than 50% of my students (between both in person and online) are failing my class. Even my yearbook staff has been struggling significantly this year.

The students who do show up to class are sitting their on their phones the majority of the class period, and I just haven't had the energy or motivation to get them to actually pay attention to me. It's exhausting and makes me feel like a failure: an incompetent teacher. I know this is NOT true. And I know I could be a better teacher but, really? I do not want to teach right now. I need a break. I want to move on to other things!

A big reason I became a teacher is because I love to LEARN! I loved that part of being a teacher includes forever continuing your education. If I had the money, I would go back to college and get a second major in graphic design. Or photography. Or animation. Or all of the above. But now that I understand how to teach myself... I can't logically convince myself to pay so much money on continuing my education when I haven't even paid off my student loans from my first go around.

ANYWHO... My husband (whoa!) accepted a post doc job in Nice, France, and I will be moving over there with him. The question everyone asks as soon as they learn I'm moving to France with him: what am I going to do while I'm there?

Basically the answer to that question ^^^ "no idea" (cue Snape voice).

JK. Actually - I have a lot of ideas - too many ideas. I figured one way to start is by working on this blog and teaching myself a lot of the things I've felt like I just haven't had the time to do. And of course - I want to learn how to speak French!

Alright alright alright..... BACK to the peach custard pie, the intended purpose of this post in the first place.

Part of the reason I've been delaying posting and "releasing" my blog to the public, is because I can't decide on a final purpose. Yes, the web site is called "Twitterbee BAKERY" but is that all I want to do? Just bake and bake and bake? Meh - not really. Like I said - I want to continue my education and learn more about graphic design, photography, web design, etc. For whatever reason, I have this passion for creativity in the digital world, the same way I have a passion for baking. I want to challenge myself by not only baking, but by learning more about graphic design in the process. This peach custard pie was my first attempt of this process.

Attempt number 1 - digital art!

While this is not the best, I am improving! I have never taken an art class as an adult, so drawing/painting is not something that feels natural to me. After practicing a bit with my iPad and Apple Pencil, I can honestly say I've been getting a bit better! This was just one short lived attempt from a few months ago.

The idea is this: not only do I do the baking, but I can also create personalized greeting cards or art to be delivered with the treat.

This time, I baked a peach custard pie. I was already feeling relatively down (thanks, COVID and teaching) and I thought of that sarcastic response people say to "how are you doing?"

"I'm just peachy."

I thought they were cute! So my plan was to bake the pie, cut slices and deliver them to my friends. Unfortunately, pie is not the easiest to transport and I didn't have enough tupperware to give away, so my roommates got to taste the pie and no one but my boyfriend got to see the greeting card ideas.

On another note - the pie was delicious and so easy!

Not my best pictures, to be honest. It's annoying - I have taught photography for years, and I just want to master taking photos of the treats I bake. The fact that I live in a basement and don't get a ton of natural light makes it difficult - I have to time my baking perfectly, or split it into sections to get the pictures that I want to get.

To make the pie, make the pie crust ahead of time so it is ready to bake with the pie.

Blanch, peel and slice five or six fresh peaches and set them aside. You can also use canned peaches if they are not in season, but make sure to drain the syrup. Roll out your pie dough and carefully place it in a 9 inch pie pan. Layer your sliced peaches in the pie pan and set aside.

Make a traditional vanilla custard and pour the custard over the peaches.

Next, mix some softened butter, oats, light brown sugar and granulated sugar in a bowl. (I just used my hands for this part!) sprinkle the oat mixture on top of the prepared pie.

Cover the pie crust with aluminum foil. Bake the pie in a preheated oven (I believe the temperature was 375 degrees?) for about 30 minutes removing the aluminum foil for the last 10 minutes.

Use a blender to create homemade whipped cream with heavy whipping cream, vanilla and sugar. Slice the pie, top with whipped cream, and serve! 😊 This pie is tasty hot OR cold.

If I could figure out where I got the recipe and share it, I would! But I made this a while ago and I don't know where the recipe came from. I don't feel like searching for it again.

Well - if you made it this far in reading, congratulations! You've made it through my last trial post on the blog! 😂🤣 I have MANY updates and announcements that I will be telling you about in my next post. I am so excited!! 😄 Also - I got a new laptop and just found out I can use emojis very easily while I'm typing. Awesome!

Talk to ya'll soon! 😉