Real Chocolate Pudding

My brother, Tommy and I were thick as thieves growing up. I imitated just about everything he did. You see, I was the baby sister in the family and he was the only boy. Having a big brother was so cool. He taught me all kinds of things.....like how to ride a bike, build a scooter, roller skate, play all kinds of the street games and my favorite....how to scrape out the chocolate pudding pot when Mom made "Chocolate Pudding Pie". We'd flip a coin to see who got to go first. We would take turns stirring the pudding while it was cooking and then whipping the cream. Mom would then let us "clean" the chocolate pudding pot and the whipped cream bowl with a spoon. So good! My brother, Tommy, made just about everything we did so much fun.

Okay, let's get back to the chocolate pudding. Why do we buy pudding cups or instant pudding mix? When did we get so lazy? Does anyone out there know what real chocolate pudding tastes like? (Especially, when it's still warm) You know, guys, they still sell it. You just have to cook it for a few minutes.

Mom used to crush her own graham crackers to make a crust. Now, you can cheat and buy one already made and in a pan. I would suggest that you try making a Chocolate Pudding Pie, the old fashioned way, at least once. It really doesn't take that long.

Mom's Chocolate Pudding Pie

• Prepare chocolate pudding (cooked variety) following the directions on the box. (for pie filling)
• Whip 1 pint of heavy cream, adding 1 tbs powdered sugar and 1 tsp vanilla until fluffy. Chill.
• Pour cooked pudding into the graham cracker pie shell and chill in the fridge.
• Top with whipped cream when ready to serve.