Today I googled a recipe for Apple Pie because I wanted to make a pie with apples but I wanted to try something new. I found this recipe by Grandma Ople and thought about it. I liked the idea but wanted to know that all the apples were coated with the syrup and so instead of following the recipe I did this: I made the syrup and then I tossed the apples with it – but I also added about a cup of sliced almonds to the mixture. Then I put all of that into a pie shell and baked it. When it came out of the oven it looked like this:
It didn’t take long to figure out who this pie belonged to – her name is Jan. I met her when we were both volunteers with the SMART reading program. She is smart and funny and we clicked right away. Soon after we met she asked if I would consider becoming a member of PEO, which is a philanthropic organization that raises money for women’s college scholarships. I was tickled that Jan asked me to join – and loved spending time with her – and I have been with PEO five years now.
I called Jan this morning as her pie was baking and asked if I could stop by. When I got to her house she told me that her birthday is in a few weeks but she is leaving in just a few days to visit her children in Seattle. If I’d have waited, I would have missed her. I was able to gift her with a pie just in time. How cool is that?
Pie a Day Give Away 
Now that’s a beautiful pie! As we walked around the sidewalk sales on Friday I was yet again amazed at how many people you know. And I’m beginning to understand… you give more of your time to the community than anyone I know. Thank you for all your many gifts, Karen!!
Beautiful! It looked even better when I read you added almonds!