Virtual Reunion April 2009

1. Grandma Ida Berger-Fameree & Grandpa Joe
2. Rita Fameree-Heraly

3. Dad & Russell Vlies

4.Monica Koch- & Amy Pierre-Brownson

5.Janelle Fameree, Danielle(Fameree) & Zeke Mata

their kids Zyell & Deziah.

Jeff & Nicole(Fameree) Gall & their son Kalix

Kalix & Deziah celebrate Birthdays this month!

April 2009
Hello Dear Family

I’m hoping everyone remembered to acknowledge
Jean Babtiste Day on April 1st
He and his wife Claire who came over from Belgium in 1856 are responsible for ALL the Fameree’s in Wisconsin.
*****Jean Babtiste Fameree****April 1st 1810****
Claire Stuter Fameree April 7th 1815
It is Jean Babtiste & his Wife Claire Anne Joseph Stuter-Fameree both Born in April, who are indirectly responsible for ALL Fameree's in the Wisconsin area!!! WOW... So, Going Forward we will have our own little self declared Belgian Family Holiday, every April 1st we will celebrate... John Babtiste Day.


This month I will share the Belgian Pie Dough & Filling recipes given by Mary Ann Pierre-Johnson, the recipe was handed down to her from her Grandmother Mary Fameree-Pierre. And as most of you will recall, I was fortunate enough to spend a day with Mary Ann & her immediate family in learning how it is done.



Belgian Pies
When making pies it is helpful to have several or all of the fillings below made ahead. The dough should be made after fillings. The cheese topping can be made while dough is rising or before you start the dough and then refrigerate it. The cream for topping some pies should be made just before serving.


(Flemish Yeast Dough)
This was my grandmother’s recipe for “Belgian pie” dough. She made it by hand, of course. I have adapted it for the food processor. It makes dough to fill about 13 pie plates of various sizes. “The less you handle the dough, patting it gently in the pan, the softer it will stay”, she always warned me. I love making this recipe and sharing the family traditions with the next generation of cooks who want to keep the traditions alive. I have learned that this recipe and custom of making these “tarts”, as they are called in Flemish Belgium, dates back to the middle ages. The dough is a soft yeast crust, not at all like traditional pie crust. I am so grateful I learned from my grandmother’s hand. Each time I make it, memories of her flood back to me… Being in her warm kitchen, where the smell of yeast, cinnamon, sugar—mingled with good coffee, was always a comfort, drawing me back again and again.

For food processor or large kitchen aid with dough hook.
Put 1 cup of butter and 1 cup of heavy cream or ½ & ½ on stove to melt butter and warm milk. Do not boil. (If it does reach boiling, cool so as not to destroy yeast when added to mixture).
In a separate measuring cup place 3 packets of quick rise active dry yeast, ¼ cup warm water (about 100 degrees) and 1 TSBP granulated sugar. Mix and let stand 5 minutes until foaming.
Crack 6 eggs in a glass bowl and whisk slightly.
Measure out 4 additional cups of flour in large measuring bowl.
While waiting for yeast place plastic dough blade or dough hook in appropriate machine.
Add 2 cups of flour,
1 tsp salt
½ cup sugar
Pulse or mix slightly. When yeast is foamy, add yeast to flour mixture, and then add the additional flour, alternating with warm milk/butter mix and eggs, until all are added. Ball will form in food processor and knead until well mixed. Keep flour to a minimum. Add more flour only if dough is too sticky to handle. The stickier the dough the softer it will be. Remove dough from processor and place in oiled bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise in warm place until doubles. Punch dough down and divide in small balls to place in bottoms of oiled pie plates. Gently pat dough to fill bottom of plate and make a small rim about a ½ inch up the side of plate. It does not come up the pie plate far, just enough to hold a layer fruit filling.


Cottage Cheese Topping for fruit pies
In food processor add metal blade. Put in…
I container dry curd cottage cheese (16 oz) Can substitute ricotta if can’t find dry curd. Deans makes a dry curd and it can be obtained at Woodman’s in Appleton as of this writing (2/08).
1/4 cup regular cottage cheese
3 egg yolks
3/4 c. sugar
3/4 tsp salt
½ tsp vanilla
Pulse until blended. This should be spreadable consistency for the top of the fruit. If too thin it will run, if too thick it will not spread well on top of fruit fillings. Chill until ready to top pies.


Fillings for Pies
RICE custard Filling
Cook 1 cup of white long grain rice in two cups of water and ½ tsp salt until rice is tender. Or according to pkg directions. I use white thai jasmine rice, but any long grain white will do. Do not overcook. In a heavy kettle or double boiler place
1 ½ cups of half and half
2 egg yolks
2/3 c sugar
Cook until thickened. Add 1 tsp vanilla and cooked rice. Cool slightly and place in pie plate on top of dough. Bake at 350 degrees until dough is lightly browned. Rice pies have traditionally been topped with sweetened whipped cream.

Prune Filling
1 pkg prunes (16-18 oz)
¾ cup water
½ cup sugar
Place in 1 qt sauce pan and simmer for 35-45 minutes, covered, until prunes are soft. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. Add additional water if necessary. Place prunes in food processor w/ metal blade and puree. Add 1 TBPS dark rum or cognac if desired or vanilla. I tbsp butter also. Put in bowl and set aside for dough to be raised. Put in pie plate on top of dough. Bake at 350 degrees until dough is lightly browned. Prune pies have traditionally been topped with sweetened whipped cream, or they can have the cheese topping too.


Apple Filing
Peel about 8 baking apples (corts or macs) and chop in small pieces. Place in pan with water and cook until some sauce and some chunk consistency. Sweeten with sugar and cinnamon. Set aside until dough is ready for pie. Place in plate on top of dough. Bake at 350 degrees until dough is lightly browned. Apple pies have traditionally been topped with cottage cheese.


Raisin Filling
Cook 1 pound of raisins w/ water until soft and plump. Add ½ cream, ½ c sugar and 1 TBSP corn starch. Cook until thickened. Place in pie and top with cottage cheese topping. Bake @ 350 degrees until lightly browned crust. 10 – 15 minutes.


Poppy Seed Filling
¼ pound poppy seeds (ground finely in coffee grinder)
4 – 5 soda crackers ground finely
½ cup cream or half and half
½ cup white sugar
2 TBSP butter
Cook in 1 quart saucepan on low heat until slightly thickened. It doesn’t take too long-four or 5 minutes. Stir constantly. This makes two large pies or 3-4 smaller ones. Spread thinly in plate on top of patted out dough. Bake at 350 degrees until dough is lightly browned. Poppy seed pies have traditionally been topped with cottage cheese topping.

Cherry or Raspberry Filling
Mash enough raspberries or cherries to measure 1 cup. In a saucepan, stir together 1 cup of sugar, 3 TBSP cornstarch, add ½ cup water, and crushed berries. Cook over medium heat until thickens and boils.

Boil and stir one minute. Cool. Fold in six cups of frozen thawed raspberries or cherries. Place in plate on top of dough. Bake at 350 degrees until dough is lightly browned. Can top with sweetened whipped cream after baking or cheese topping before baking. Yield is filling for four or five pies. Can cut recipe in half for two pies.

**********************************************

I would like to pay tribute to our relative, Peter Naze.
Who passed away on April 1st.
Peter is the son Of Ben & Ellen LeCaptain Naze.
Ellen is the Daughter of Joe & Odile (Fameree) LeCaptain.
Odile was the Daughter of Honore & Mary Fameree.
I would like to extend heartfelt condolences to
Ellen, Judy, Andy, Amy & the whole Naze Family.

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you.
John 14:27

April Birthdays (in date order)

Special Birthdays 1st Jean Babtiste & Ida Berger-Fameree(My Grandmother),4th Rita Heraly,7th Kalix Gall,13th Andy Naze,14th Robert Fameree & Monica Koch, 15th Amy Pierre-Brownson, 18th Russell Vlies, 29th Gale Fameree,30th Deziah Mata

1
Jean Babtiste 1810
Ida Berger/My Grandmother 1892
Michelle Nixon 1955
Anthony John Bauer 1956
Nathan Jones 1983
Rylee Fameree 2004
2
Janice Marie Jandrin 1947
Robert Krause 1952
Lori Lamal 1959
Kelli Lynn Swinick 1980
Jacqueline Bader 1982
Susan Kay Pierre 1987
Caygan Dawn Delos Santos 1997
3
Rose Marie Lemens 1954
David Vandermeuse 1954
Lisa Catherine Fameree 1968
Cole Randall Klosterman 1982
Samantha Ann Gengler 1996
4
Helen Ann Schlies 1928
Rita Mae Hattie Fameree 1930
Ryan Batterham 1986
5
Andrew Edward Nowak 1954
Meggan Elizabeth Pierre 1972
Nickolas Ervin Villers 1983
Nicole Marie Villers 1983
Jeffery Glenn Custer 1986
Meline Steenberghen 1996
Lily Shaw 2001
6
William D. Steede 1936
Sharon Ann (Sherri) Jandrin 1948
Steven Arthur Vlies 1957
Peter Alan Kitchen 1967
Heather Marie Jandrin 1977
7
Claire Anne JosephStuter 1815
Benjamin John Naze 1918
William Samuel Vlies 1925
James Melvin Fameree 1949
Patricia Ann Battista 1960
Lisa Mae Jandrin 1978
Brandon Clarence Peterson 1985
Stacie Lynn Fameree 1987
Korey Edward Stephanek 1992
Aaron Joseph Evraets 2004
Kalix Gall 2006
8
Sandra Beeks 1948
Jean Sippel 1955
Leon Schmidt 1958
Sue Mary Fameree 1964
Denise Wautlet 1981
Alana Christine Reince 1985
Tyler Scott Derenne 1992
Grace Pierre 1994
Austin James Kriehn 2002
9
Lawrence Julius Joseph Jandrin 1937
Leslie John Kitchen 1954
Dawn Michele De Grave 1966
Jamie Lee Vlies 1981
James Michael Ledvina 1983
10
Gary Mckenzie Vlies 1940
Byron Scott Heuer 1958
Kim Lisa Heuer 1964
Steve Arthur Collin 1964
Daniel James Kloiber 1975
Girl ? Jandrin 1995
11
Elizabeth Ann Jones 1981
Rachel Lee Jones 1981
Cory Michael Kazck 1984
12
Susan Adelia Stuebs 1944
Mary Ann Veronica Derenne 1948
Cheryl Collin 1980
Christopher James Fameree 1981
Scott Mitchell Donnan 1986
Brett Anthony Heraly 1988
Kari Ann Delahaut 1990
Jenna Renne Gengler 1997
Peyton Cynthia Kriehn 2004
13
William Julius Jr. Jandrin 1945
Andrew Peter Naze 1973
Rebecca Rose Skaletski 1976
Troy Wilbert Miller Derenne 1988
14
Robert Lee Fameree 1937
Craig Joseph Van Pay 1971
Renee Wotachek 1978
Craig Michael DeVillers 1978
Michaël Pijnaert 1978
Matthew Coenen 1983
Alexander Michael Dhuey 1984
Monica Lynn Koch 1985
Bradley Robert Jandrin 1993
15
Amy Theresa Pierre 1961
Leroy Charles Van Pay 1970
Jordan John Nowak 1982
Alexander Michael Hokenson 1986
Ashley Ann Lemens 1986
Nicole Kristin Routhieaux 1990
Sarah Michelle Vlies 1992
Allen Jeffrey Kempke 1994
16
Evelyn Caroline Fameree 1913
William Gary Peshek 1943
Joseph Antone Kuckuk 1977
Olivia Hafeman 2006
17
Barry Eric Nelson 1950
Peter James Corsten 1952
Dennis Edward Arendt 1968
Carina Beth Van Pay 1976
Shannon Mary Fameree 1979
Matthew Ropson 1980
18
Carl Nirvil Collin 1935
Alex Crandon 1948
Susan Lynn Le Captain 1951
Russell Lee Vlies 1961
Marilyn Susan Derenne 1961
Benjamin Harold Hafeman 1974
Chellsea Vandermoss 1987
Jeremy Alexander Pierre 1993
Aiden Joseph Clement 2005
19
Maxwell Arthur Salkilld 1931
Stacy Ann LaLuzerne 1979
Eric Michael Heraly 1981
Jared Paul Guzman 1983
Jon Hugh Webster 1984
John Hugh Webster 1984
20
Françoise Rigot 1958
Nancy Marie Wittlin 1970
Jeremy Delvaux 1981
21
Timothy John Metzler 1961
Heather Louise Cochart (Wendricks) 1976
Abraham Martin Liebsch 1980
Brent Ropson 1992
Halle Marie Fameree 2003
Leaha LeAnn Heraly 2007
22
Milton Gislain LaLuzerne 1928
Tyler John Havel 1993
23
Francis Henry Theys 1944
Bruce Allen Hafeman 1955
Christopher John Thiry 1962
Emily Brownson 1989
Justin Matthew Fameree 1992
24
Raymond Alvin Vlies 1927
Gilberte Hortencia Peiremans 1940
Brian Allen Heraly 1955
Steve James Webster 1978
Joseph Fernandez 1998
25
Victoria (Charles) Gierke 1906
Debbie Lynn Collin 1962
Karl Mckenzie Vlies 1963
Gabriel Pierre Murphy 2002
26
William George Vlies 1944
Monty David Shaw 1967
Richard James Platt 1995
27
Randall John Laluzerne 1962
David John Collin 1978
Keith Delvaux 1983
Eva Fernandez 2001
Theodore Joshua Samson 2005
28
Steven James Webster 1978
Lori Beth Jandrin 1979
Adam Jason Nowak 1980
Colleen Cathy Vlies 1993
Kara Fameree 1993
29
Gale Joseph Fameree 1934
Janice Mary Vincent 1941
Steven Paul VandeWalle 1960
Kevin Joseph Vlies 1964
Kenneth Joseph Arendt 1973
Bradley Joseph Fameree 1981
30
Harold Norris Collin 1932
Judith Pearl Collin 1938
John Lawrence Vlies 1960
Rebecca M Steffek 1980
Rupert Velasco 1980
Deziah Mata 2006

Happy Birthday / Bon Anniversaire to all

Richard's Thoughts

24.12.08
Fiat lux

In each beginning we create heaven and earth. Now the earth appears unformed and void as darkness upon the face of the deep. And first light says, Let there be life. And there is life. And we live, for it is good; and those who do not believe in life live and act in darkness as if they can not be seen. And the light is called Day, and the darkness Night; but there is always light upon the earth and in heaven. And in the night we dream; and a dream is a parable of light. And we are, as each morning is, the first day.
Richard & Rachel have been very busy with their performances, teaching & raising little Miss Sunshine.
They were just on Vacation in Hawaii. Soaking up the sun & enjoying life!
Richard would like all our Family to please visit the myspace link below to experience a great treat!!!
http://www.myspace.com/famereetree

PLEASE SEND PHOTOS TO EITHER RICHARD OR MYSELF SO WE CAN ATTACH THEM
Blessings to all our dear family, Adele, Rachel, Richard
http://fammeree.blogspot.com/
Please visit Richards blogsite as well as ours, the only difference being the double M's


"The Responders"
I received a few emails this past month, I will share…
The first is from Terry Fameree
Hi Jean

Although it was wonderful meeting you again after many years I am sorry it had to be under the circumstances of your fathers passing. When I was a child I visited his home many times with my parents. In later years it was always a pleasure to visit with him when the opportunity arose. Sadly many times it was under similar circumstances.
My brother Randy has asked me to give you his info so he can be added to your mailings. Again, condolences to you and your sisters. Terry

I Replied

Hi Terry & Randy,

Thank you for your kind words & for paying your respects for my Dad!
It meant alot for my Sisters & I that you both came. I know my Dad really liked & respected your Dad & always made time for him when he visited...
I apologize that I couldn't spend more time with the two of you, but I'm hoping some day we can visit more. My Sisters & I are considering auctioning most of My Dad's inventory from the Garage so I will probably be spending many weekends in WI. Also Terry you may have read this in past blog updates We are considering rehabbing the old log structure on the Family Land so maybe in the near future I can arrange a kind of Habitat for humanity type thing & any of our Family interested in the project would be welcome... Eventually it will be kind of a historical Family Museum (of sorts) we intend to have pictures, tools the family deed & any other artifacts that can be collected.
Randy, Welcome to our Virtual Family Reunion - A living Tree.
Please see the links below & just click on the link & you will be connected to the Family Blog site.
If you scroll down you will see the most recent on down & then for the older updates you can click on the dates on the left of the screen, it's allot to read at once but if you go back to the original update it will be Feb 2008 (I believe) you can see really what we are aiming at, basically just connecting family.
It's all pretty interesting & if you get a chance give me some feed back & let me know what you think. Take good care. Sincerely, Jeanne

Next is from Kathy Ducat

Hi Jeanne,
Hope this finds you and your family doing well.
Thank you for updating the family site.
Sounds like the Belgian Pie making day was a fun one.
If you wouldn’t mind, I’d be interested in copies of the recipes. We have Grandma Libbie’s recipe, but it is more vague than I can manage. My kitchen science lab would produce some crazy things with “add some flour” types of instructions. Here’s hoping you find warmth in smiles as spring approaches.
Cheers, Kathy

Then after I emailed Mary Ann Pierre-Johnson asking for her recipes for Belgian Pies, I receive this email from Mary Ann
JeanneHere is the recipe. Hope it comes through OK. If not tell me and Iwill try again from home email account. Have a great day. We allenjoyed meeting you and making pies. I hope we can get together againin the not too distant future. I would like to meet Dan. Perhaps acoordinated trip to Door County. Let me know when you will be up inMay or June. Last weekend in June is Emily's graduation party,
other than that we don't have anything on the calendar YET!Here is to sunshine and warmth. Peace, MaryAnn
Happy Easter Everyone!!!