Bena Mae’s Kitchen: Lady, where did you get that hat?

“THE WEDDING” that took place in Britain last week almost ran the risk of being upstaged by the myriad of ladies’ hats, some of them beautiful and others bordering on the grotesque.
Beyond that, there were mostly what are called “fascinators,” those swirly sparky feathery things that kind of look like frozen fireworks in the sky, leaving the viewing audience to wonder, how do they keep them on their heads? Princesses Eugenia and Beatrice, Fergie’s daughters, were the most out of this world concoctions, neither of which I thought was pretty.
Sorry, but British women run the entire range of looking frumpy to haute couture when it comes to style, the former which describes the two princesses.
But stunning is the word for the mother of the bride who outshone everyone with her stylish and understated outfit.
British ladies have  a mania for wearing hats which has a long tradition of wearing them for almost every occasion, from shopping for groceries to social or royal events. They are comfortable with them, feeling uncompleted without them. Conversely, here in the States, most women feel encumbered and uncomfortable, wearing them only when necessary. Ours is a more laid back lifestyle. We refuse to be bound by the customs of our mothers… grandmothers.
Can’t say that I’m anti-hat. I love them and wish they would come back. But except for the beautiful display we see at the Kentucky Derby, they seem to have gone the way of the dinosaur. Comfort over style, is our mantra.  
Hats aside, I enjoyed the wedding.  Watching William grow from a cherubic little boy to full grown manhood has been a passion for many of us. And Diana would have been proud of him. We also watched with a sense of pride when he and the beautiful Kate exchanged their vows, making it a real fairy tale wedding.
And who is so old and unromantic that they can’t believe in fairy tales anymore?

This is a good pie to serve on Derby Day. My family will be celebrating the day, combined with my birthday, my son’s birthday, Cinco de Mayo, and Mothers’ Day on Saturday. Big hopes for a sunny day in Louisville.

Kentucky Pie

1 unbaked pie shell
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1/4 pound unsalted butter, melted and cooled
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup flour
1 cup chocolate chips
1 cup pecans or walnuts
1 teaspoon vanilla

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
Using an electric mixer, combine eggs, butter, sugar and flour.
Stir in chocolate chips, nuts and vanilla.
Pour mixture into an unbaked pie shell.
Bake for 30 minutes.
Remove from oven and allow pie to cool.
Serve with whipped cream or ice cream.