My neighbor Bernie has a cherry tree in his yard that is glorious. We have enjoyed the fruit of that tree for some time now. A few years ago Bernie’s sister (who lives in London) sent me a recipe for an “Almond Cherry Pie.” It was wonderful – and so I decided to make it today because I had fresh cherries in the fridge. I’d like to share with you the recipe as Thelma wrote it.
“Hello from Bernards sister in the UK.
Ingredients: Short crust pastry. Stoned cherries.
6 oz Butter
6 oz Sugar
3 eggs
4 oz self raising flour
2 oz ground almonds Apetit
Few drops of almond essence.
Method: Line a 9 inch flan dish with pastry. Cover base with cherries. Beat together butter and sugar until well blended. Add eggs one at a time alternately with 3 tablespoons of the flour. fold in the rest of the flour together with the ground almonds and essence. Spoon this mixture over the cherries and bake in a preheated oven at 180C for 35-40 minutes or until well browned. Serve warm with ice cream, whipped cream or both! Bon Appetit and good luck.
Regards, Thelma.
I just love how Thelma marches in with the recipe – “Hello – from Bernards sister” and then begins to list the ingredients. No need for small talk – heck we may never even meet! And I love the use of the word “essence” instead of extract. It seems much more dignified. But most of all, I am so grateful for this recipe because this pie is delicious!!!
As I was baking the pie a friend’s name came into my head and I remembered that the last time I’d seen Susan, it was a few days after she’d lost her Dad. I did not get to speak with her on that occasion but certainly could sense the sadness she felt – and I was helpless to fix. And then I thought, maybe Susan would enjoy a pie like this.
When I arrived at her house, Susan seemed surprised to see me. She had just heard about my bicycle accident today and clearly did not expect to see me at her doorstep with a pie. Since the last time I’d seen her, she’s had a lot to deal with – mostly health issues regarding her family members.
And while I can’t help here with those things – I’m very glad that I was able to surprise Susan with a pie – and I hope that she is able to navigate her family’s changing circumstances with the gentle grace that she brings to all things.
Pie a Day Give Away 
Dear Karen,
Yes, I was very surprised to see you – looking healthy, holding a pie! What a dear, sweet, kind, thoughtful person you are. Thank you for thinking of me. You made me feel so special. May you be blessed all the days of your life. The pie is delicious, and big enough to share with my friends and neighbors. Much love and gratitude, Susan