This feels a little like a break up.
Google, who I am normally very enamored with, is shutting down Google Reader on 1 July 2013, and to jump in with both feet, on 1 November 2013 it is also discontinuing iGoogle.
These are two services that I personally use on a regular basis, and it makes me a little sad to know that soon my home page will no longer have a banner of cupcakes across the top of it, my email, the weather, my feed reader, and a little pet turtle looking back at me. (Yeah, I have a pet turtle on my home page. So?) It’s been the opening page of my browser for years, and I’m going to miss it.
Google Reader has me at a little bit more at a loss than iGoogle because it has been an invaluable tool at keeping me organized with who’s been posting what and making sure I don’t miss too many posts by blogging buddies. The community of blogging has been one of the most rewarding parts of this little project, and I feel like by reading you get a little view into people’s lives (and kitchens) that you wouldn’t otherwise get to. I don’t want to fall into a situation where I miss out on events, stories and recipes because of the loss of this tool. If you use Google Reader for the feeds you read, remember it isn’t very long before this service disappears.
There are other feed readers out there, and I’ve transitioned over to blog lovin’ which I am so far enjoying and figuring out. This may be of little or great interest to you, but if you’re sitting in the same spot I was, where you know you are going to need to find a new tool to use and aren’t sure what to do, this is the feed reader that I would suggest.
Part of me feels like I’m jumping ship, that I should stick around until they are shut down. But I think maybe in this case it’s for the best to explore other options before needing other options.
I’ll miss you Google Reader. And you too iGoogle!
Chocolate always helps with a break up, have a slice!
Chocolate Chess Pie
Not-So-Secret Pie Crust, enough to line a pie pan
1 1/2 Cups sugar
1/4 Cup cocoa
1/4 tsp salt
5 oz evaporated milk
1/4 Cup melted butter
2 eggs
1 Tbsp vanilla
Directions
- Roll out the pie crust and use it to line a pie pan, trimming off or folding over the edges.
- Set the oven to 350° F to preheat while you prepare the pie filling.
- Stir together the sugar, cocoa and salt in a mixing bowl.
- To the bowl, add the evaporated milk, melted butter, eggs and vanilla. Whisk until smooth.
- Pour the filling into the prepared pie shell, and pop in the oven to bake.
- The pie is finished baking when the filling is set but still a little wobbly in the center, and has formed a deliciously crackly layer over top.
- Let the pie cool before serving. It pairs well with ice cream if served warm, but on its own it’s at its best room temperature.
This is such a delicious, easy dessert. The best part is the crackly top that forms on the filling. Delectable, I love the texture! Much like another dessert that was featured here not too long ago, it is also assembled quite easily with a handful of ingredients that a person is likely to have hanging around in the pantry. Before this recipe I didn’t keep a can of evaporated milk in the house for just in case, but now I do. If someone stops by at random, I can make this pie without working up a sweat.
One thing I will note, though, is that this pie is pretty rich. Most pies I make I’ll cut into 8 pieces, but this one warrants getting cut into 12 for sure!
This time last year: Sundried Tomato, Snap Pea, and Gouda Skewers
And the year before: Chicken Thighs in North African Spice Paste
And the year before that: Lemon Meringue Tarts
Tags: blog lovin', butter, chess pie, chocolate, chocolate chess pie, cocoa, dessert, eggs, evaporated milk, google, google reader, iGoogle, not so secret pie crust, pie, salt, sugar, vanilla
While I really loved this idea in concept and am really happy with how well it turned out, it was a lot of work. Between making batches and batches of jams and jellies, and sometimes having to reprocess them due to lack of jelling (reprocessing tiny jars is so very frustrating), and then labeling the whole lot it took up a fair amount of time. Being really into crafty projects and preserve making, it was time I enjoyed spending, but when time got tight and deadlines got near it did get a little stressful. Being so into home made makes for a messy kitchen, and a messy dining room table too.
