Best Coconut Cream Pie Ever!

Hubby had a job interview a little over a week ago for a job we REALLY want.  It would be teaching chemistry/physics/science at a small high school in a little tiny town that we've heard a lot of great things about.  It seems like the kind of place where we could move and live forever and be happy.  Even though we didn't know the outcome of the interview, I wanted to celebrate that he had it and have something nice for him after the two hour drive back home, so the kiddos and I made this:

Like our nerdy Pi plate?

I've never been a huge fan of cream pie, but my mother-in-law made this for us last time we were visiting.  It's fantastic!!  And it only calls for ingrediants that we usually have on hand anyway.

My notebook-cookbook, the one where I keep recipes collected from various friends or other sources, is full of recipes like Sharon Gilbert's Nachos, Nana's Scotch Meat Pie, Mom's 8th Grade Pie Crust, and Nancy Goddard's Sugar Cookies, etc.  I don't even know who Nancy Goddard is.  I don't know who Grace Gamble is either...but she makes great cream pie!  So from an old Preston Ward Cookbook owned by Hubby's mom, I present to you:

Grace Gamble's Cream Pie aka The Best Coconut Creme Pie Ever!
1/4 cup cornstarch

2/3 cup sugar
1/4 tsp. salt
2 cups milk
2 Tbs. butter
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
2 eggs
1 9-inch pastry shell

Mix cornstarch, sugar, and salt. Gradually add milk. Cook in double boiler until thick, about 10 minutes, stirring constantly. Slowly add small amount of hot mixture to eggs, stir in remaining hot mixture. Cook 5 minutes. Take off stove, cool. Add butter and vanilla. Pour into baked pastry shell. top with whipped cream, dream whip or lucky whip and serve.

Variations of Cream Pie:
Banana: Slice 2 or 3 bananas in shell and add filling.  (I've had this at my in-laws before and it's good too!)
Coconut: Add 1 cup moist, shredded coconut to filling.
Pineapple: Add 1/2 cup thoroughly drained, crushed pineapple to filling.

NOTE:  If you don't have a double boiler...neither do I.  I use a metal mixing bowl over the top of one of my regular pots.  It works great! 

And for those wondering how Hubby's job interview went...We thought we would know earlier this week.  Then the vice-principal was out sick, so they couldn't discuss the decision.  Then they had parent-teacher conferences.  Then they made a decision...but the superintendent has to confirm it...and she's out for an emergency for WEEK!  So maybe we'll know in a week!  We just keep praying and keeping our fingers crossed, because we REALLY want this one!  It's not just a job...it's a job in a place we think we'll LOVE!