My mother makes the best lemon meringue pies.  These are lemon pies of legend, not in any way resembling the overly sweet variety in the frozen food section of the grocery store or typically in a diner's cooler.  It wasn't until recently that I compared her long-beloved recipe to Marjorie Standish's recipe found it was almost exactly the same.

So today I present Mom's, er, Marjorie's recipe for Lemon Meringue Pie.

First, grate the rind from three lemons. I love my Microplane, but you can use a zester or even a box grater.  Marjorie calls for one lemon's worth, but Mom recommends using all three lemons.

Next squeeze a half cup of lemon juice from the freshly grated lemons. (Between one and two lemons, depending on their juiciness.)

Cornstarch and sugar into the pan.  Heat it up to boiling, stirring constantly with a whisk, so the bottom doesn't clump or burn.

Boil and stir for one minute, until it is super thick.  Add the juice, butter, and lemon rind.  (Tip: I don't use egg yolks, and I've never noticed a difference in flavor or consistency.)

A few drops of yellow color.  Again, not necessary, but I like the effect.

Into a prepared pie crust.

And now the meringue.  People stress out about meringues, but it's a pretty easy concept.  Don't use a plastic dish and if you can, use a cold bowl.  I figure if people were making meringues well before the advent of electric mixers, how complicated could it really be?  Egg whites into a dish and find the electric mixer.

Beat the egg whites, cream of tartar (just a pinch instead of baking powder--another substitution from Mom), and sugar until stiff peaks form.  What are stiff peaks?  See below.  When the eggs whites form little peaks as you pull up the mixer.

Plop onto the lemon pie and bake!

I would show a slice of the pie, but it is being packed up for delivery as part of my Dad's birthday celebration tonight. But trust me, it is the perfect lemon pie--tart and refreshing.  Go ahead, try making it!  It's easy!

Challenge:  Like baking a meringue or Kinky Friedman's assessment of governing Texas ("How hard could it be?), what is one thing in your life that people perceive as more difficult than it really is?

It has come to my attention that Show Me Good Land is getting some terrific play in Vermont.  I know there's value in splashy national awards, but I can say that having a savvy indie book seller pick my novel as one of her two picks for 2011 is a million times better. 

Many, many thanks!

Here is a link to the Vermont Edition: Annual Winter Reading Show page.

(The program is absolutely fantastic and informative, but if you want, skip ahead to 28:37.  That's when she says good, kind things about my book. 

Welcome to the busy season!  This weekend marks the start of my epic holiday baking.  Between now and Christmas, I will be tackling  Marjorie's molasses cookies, pumpkin bread, blueberry muffins, cathedral cookies, all manner of brownies, lemon meringue pie, and apple pie.

Lately though, my attention has been less on baking and more on holiday shopping.  While I vastly prefer symbolic gifts and gifts of experiences (think a nice bar of chocolate from a good friend who knows my sweet tooth and reminds me of an evening on a summer downtown stoop, watching the people walk by--or the gift of a language class), there are also some fantastic, tangible ideas out there.

So in true Oprah style, here is a list of Shonna's favorite things to give or receive this holiday season.

From WineRacks.com, a set of recycled wine bottles, turned into tumblers.  Seriously, tumblers made from old wine bottles.  I LOVE this.  $22.50.

Do you know about Demeter Fragrance Library?  If not, you should.  Every fragrance you can think of, from Christmas in New York to Redhead in Bed, starting at just $6.  My husband's favorite is Whiskey Tobacco, and it is yum-yum-yummy!

As much as I loathe Amazon's predatory, sleazy business practices and strongly encourage you to always, always try for a local alternative, they have the best price and photos for this Melissa and Doug easel.  My niece is receiving it from me at Christmas, and I am so excited!  It's wooden, sturdy, and terrific for all manner of art projects.  $50.64.

Atelier Cologne, specifically Orange Sanguine. This feels like a splurge, but a little goes a very long way.  It's citrusy, but not overwhelmingly so. $50.

Mario Badescu Summer Shine Body Lotion. $15.  I have been wearing this lotion for years, ever since I sort of outgrew the Victoria's Secret pear lotion that I wore for years before that.  It's got a light apricot-almond scent, and there is a slight shimmer to the product.  It's all natural with no bad stuff or bad packaging, too.  People often ask about my skin, and all I can do is credit the Mario Badescu skin products I use.  I love them.  If you answer their skin survey questions, they will send you a bag of free samples.  Do it, it's fun!

Immersion Blenders from Cuisinart!  In rainbow colors for $29.95 at Sur La Table. 

Wool Blend Pea Coat from Land's End.  My husband's new favorite piece of clothing.  Add the special 40% off any single item, and this warm winter coat is now just $66.

For the book lover?  Any one of the seven selections from Maine Women Write. What is Maine Women Write?  It's a collective of authors joining forces to promote our books.  Since there is strength in numbers, we are battling the hazards of the mid-list together.  

To include, ahem, Show Me Good Land.  If you'd like, I will send you a signed book plate for the cost of postage. Just let me know!

Love chocolate?  Want something a little bit different?  Chuao Chocolatier blends chocolate, chili, sea salt, and Pop Rocks for an unusually pleasant sensation.  $18.

Shelbylyn and Rob Subia of Port City Photography in Portland took this author photo that I am absolutely, positively in love with.  For real, I am the least photogenic person in the universe, but after 168-some patient takes (and hilarious outtakes), and there was magic.  Book them for your family portraits, author photos, engagement and wedding, team sports--any time you need a photographer team that is fun, relaxed, and professional. 

And finally, one of my favorite local shops, Abacus Gallery.  They offer gift ideas for every personality, from Cordy Roy pig ($26) 

to earrings, note cards, art, furniture, sculpture, and all manner of fun stuff.  Now, with online shopping!  


So, these are some of my favorite gift ideas this holiday season. What are yours?

Challenge:  Write a list of your manuscript characters. What would they like to give or receive for a gift?