Archive | February, 2012

Day 309: Amy

9 Feb

Apple Pie

Last evening while I shopped for groceries, I bought some granny smith apples.  It seems like a long time since I’ve made a fruit pie and I was happy to be doing that today.  There is something so relaxing about peeling and slicing apples; it takes a bit of concentration but you can also let your mind wander a bit.  Today as I peeled and sliced,  I began to think of Amy, the person I was making this pie for.

We met when my son and her daughter were on the Nordic ski team together at Ashland High School.  I remember we had driven to Eugene for a meet and were staying at the house of some folks associated with the Eugene team.  Isn’t that amazing?  These folks let the whole group of us (kids, parents, and coaches) camp out in their house so that we would not have to spend money on lodging.  That spirit of cooperation and camaraderie is one of the best things about being associated with the Nordic team.  Another is getting to meet people like Amy who are enthusiastic, involved, and supportive of their kids endeavors.

It had been a while since I’d seen Amy and I hoped to surprise her at work with this pie.  Unfortunately, I arrived after Amy had left early for an appointment.  Her co-worker was able to reach her by phone, and so I told Amy that I had hoped to speak with her for a moment.  We then made arrangements for her to stop by my house when she was done.

When Amy arrived I explained that I had wanted to surprise her at work with a pie… and all the while she thought I needed her help with a surprise for someone else!  That’s the kind of person Amy is… ready to jump right in and help you before you really even ask!

Tonight Amy, my husband Emile, and I sat and visited for the first time in a long time.  We caught up on the goings on of our kids, work, the ski team, and my pies.  As we chatted I thought,  if I had surprised Amy at work, we would not have had the chance to visit like this.   That’s one of the lessons of the pie journey – it’s okay to have a plan, but don’t worry if it seems to not be working.  Things will work out in the end somehow – you’ve just got to have faith.

Friendship is unnecessary, like philosophy, like art… It has no survival value; rather it is one of those things that give value to survival.
C. S. Lewis

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Day 308: Doreen

8 Feb

Asparagus, Red Pepper, and Cheddar Quiche

Coming home from a vacation is often a bit challenging.  There is the dirty laundry to wash, there’s sand in your shoes, and you might have a bit of jet lag to deal with.   However, what I felt today after returning from Barra de Navidad was challenging in a different way.  I wandered through my house seeing abundance everywhere , yet where I had been, abundance was in short supply.  As I took Sofus, my daughter’s dog, for a walk, I could not help but feel a bit overwhelmed at the injustice of it all.

All these hours later, I have yet to reconcile the disparity between the two.  However, I think at the very least it is important to recognize the abundance and beauty in our midst, for too often we take it for granted.  Perhaps we all need to spend some time living in poverty before we can really appreciate our many blessings.

My friend Leslie helped me out today by suggesting that I take time to assimilate back into my “normal” life and I really appreciated that advice.  It was important to honor the break that we had from our routine and to acknowledge how lucky we were to be able to afford that luxury.  Of course that would involve giving thanks… and the way I do that is with a pie.

Fortunately I had some key ingredients on hand to make a savory pie – fresh asparagus, cream, eggs, and roasted peppers.  As I prepared the quiche, I let my mind wander until it settled on a fitting recipient – and today that person was Doreen.  She is the Alumni Director at Southern Oregon University and has served in that position for about five years.

When Doreen came on board, she brought with her a wealth of experience and a seemingly endless supply of energy.  She works tirelessly to build lasting relationships for the university and to orchestrate fabulous events throughout the year.  At one time I thought I wanted to have her position, but I am very grateful that Doreen was the person selected.   Like a trained dancer, she makes her work seem easy, but I know better. Doreen truly deserves to be recognized for her outstanding efforts.

We can only be said to be alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasures.  ~Thornton Wilder

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Day 307: Jose of the Malecon

7 Feb

Chocolate Cream Pie

Today I made the last pie I will make in Mexico.  We leave in an hour or so to go to the airport and I am so sorry to leave the warm sunshine the hospitable folks that we have met this past 9 days.

For our last excursion we went out to the Malecon and rented an umbrella/table and had our lunch overlooking the ocean.  Of course we watched more of the pelicans, furiously diving for their fish and we had to say “no gracias” to many of the vendedores who traipse up and down the beach hoping to make a sale.

On the malecon we met Jose, the man who takes care of the umbrellas and cleans the area each day for visitors. We had seen Jose on our last visit to Barra and we had enjoyed renting from him and admired his determination to keep the area in good shape.

When I talked with Jose today, I asked him how many children he had and he told me that he had five, three girls and two boys.  Who better to receive a chocolate pie than a man with five kids?  So, that is it.  My last pie was given to Jose… and he is excited to bring it home to share it with his family… and I am grateful for the opportunity to have enjoyed the harbor wall that he oversees.

Day 306: Water Taxi Drivers

6 Feb

Chocolate Peanut Butter Pie

Today was our last full day in Mexico and we wanted to make the most of it… and for me, that means spending time on the beach.  As the weather was a bit overcast, instead of playing in the ocean, we decided to walk along the beach to Melaque.  It is a nice walk albeit a bit difficult as there is a slope to the sand and it seems that you are walking a bit lopsided most of the way.  Nonetheless, it was delightful.

When we arrived in Melaque, my husband chose to explore a bit more of the beach while I sat and watched the pelicans and the frigatebirds.  The area was chock full of them and I was mesmerized by the sight of the pelicans as they dove into the water, because it seemed that each time one bird dove, four or five others would follow right after in the same place.  It was quite the spectacle!

After a brief repast at one of the restaurants on the beach we decided to walk “home” as well.  By the time we arrived, we were hot and tired and hungry!  But before we could eat I needed to deliver a pie!  We quickly headed to the malecon (the harbor wall) and looked for the vendors that are always there.  However by the time we got there this evening, they had all gone home.

As I wondered who I might gift with a pie I saw a young woman who was busy working at the water taxi desk.  The water taxis take passengers back and forth across the lagoon between Barra de Navidad and the Isla de Navidad.  We have been on the water taxi many times this week and really appreciate the quick and convenient service they offer.

As I approached the young woman,  I could tell that she was apprehensive.  I explained that I was a baker and that I have been making pies every day for over 300 days and giving them away.  Then I asked if there were many taxi drivers still out on their boats and she said yes.  I then set the pie on her desk and asked if she would please share it with them when they came back to the dock.  Still apprehensive, she asked if I was selling the pie.  No, I explained, it is a gift… to show gratitude to God, the universe, etc.  In Spanish she said this type of thing was, “muy rara.”  Perhaps she is right… but maybe someday that will change.  Here’s hoping!

What we are is God’s gift to us. What we become is our gift to God.
 Eleanor Powell

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Day 305: Michaela

5 Feb

At Isla de Navidad

This morning we met up with David and his family near our apartment.  We walked up the street to the church dedicated to St. Anthony and I told them about the “miracle” that occurred there about 40 years ago.  Seems there was a hurricane in September of 1971 and the townspeople were in the church praying for assistance when suddenly the storm abated.  At the same time that that happened, the outstretched arms of Christ on the cross suddenly fell and hung at his side.  This was deemed a miracle and the arms have remained in that position ever since.

After we had everyone organized and all details handled, we  only had an hour or so to spend together before David and family had to head back to Guadalajara.  With so little time to spend, we decided to take  the short drive to Colamilla.  We eventually found ourselves on a beautiful beach where we took some photos, found some pretty shells,  and then we had to say our goodbyes.

After bidding farewell, my husband and I walked along the beach for hours and then walked along the beautiful, and private, golf course which is part of the Grand Bay Hotel.  Finally we found our way to Mary’s  – a restaurant along the beach on the other side of the island where we had a refreshing cerveza while we waited for the boat to take us back to Barra.

Once we were back in town, I was happy to find a local grocer selling strawberries because I wanted to use them to decorate the top of my custard pie.  This pie was made for Michaela, a woman who lives a few doors down from where we are staying in Barra, and she is very good friends with the owners of our apartment. Michaela has been friendly and helpful during our stay and we enjoy stopping by her shop.  Each morning as we pass, Michaela smiles broadly and  greets us saying,  “Buenos Dias.”  In the evening she offers a “Buenos Noches” as we head home to bed.

For her gracious hospitality and warm welcome to Barra de Navidad, tonight I gave Michaela a Vanilla Custard Pie garnished with strawberries.  A simple gift for a simply lovely lady.

Day 304: David, Rosalba,and Family

4 Feb

Rosalba and David

We met David and his family many years ago when he worked with us as a line cook.  If you know anything about working in a kitchen you’ll know what I mean when I say that one of the reasons that we loved having David on our team was because he was not easily upset.  The heat of the kitchen can do crazy things to a person but somehow David’s temperament was such that he was able to maintain an even keel no matter what happened.  That’s a rare trait in a line cook… heck, that’s a rare trait in most any profession!

David is now living outside of Guadalajara with his wife, Rosalba, and his daughter Miriam.  Since he knew we would be in Mexico, he made arrangements to visit us here in Barra de Navidad this weekend and in addition to Miriam and Rosalba he brought his older daughter, Maria, and her baby, Jasmine.

David, Rosalba, Jasmine, Miriam, Maria, Karen

This morning we went to Melaque, which is located about 5 miles south of Barra.  We sat under an umbrella at one of the restaurants on the beach and spent the day swimming in the surf and enjoying the amazingly beautiful weather.

This evening we let David select the place for us all to eat and he chose a taco stand near the jardin (central garden).  After a sumptuous meal, I asked the waiter to please bring out the Coconut Cream pie I had given him when we arrived.  It was in celebration of seeing David and his family once again – and honoring friendships that can cross cultures and and transcend language barriers.  I am very grateful for the gifts that they bring.

“Each friend represents a world in us, a world possibly not born until they arrive, and it is only by this meeting that a new world is born.” — Anais Nin

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Day 303: El Caballo

3 Feb

Pelicans along the shores

Today we awoke to a beautiful sunny morning and before we went anywhere I wanted to prepare my pie.  Today’s pie was for our friend Dale, who is known by a nickname here in Barra de Navidad.  Somewhere along the line someone mentioned that he looked a bit like the famous Mexican actor named Alberto Rojas who is affectionately referred to as “el caballo.”  Ever since then Dale became “el caballo” to his friends in Barra.

The pie that I was making for “our” el caballo was a version of a pie made in Ashland, Oregon.  It is called Dick Hay Pie in honor of Richard Hay who is the principal theater and scenic designer for the Oregon Shakespeare Festival.  Dick Hay Pie is made with three main ingredients: peanut butter, vanilla ice cream, and chocolate.  Since I had brought peanut butter and chocolate with me,  I went out to purchase some ice cream at one of the local shops.  Once I got back to the apartment I made a chocolate cookie crust and let it cool while the ice cream softened up a bit.  Then it was simply a matter of sandwiching one thin layer of peanut butter between two layers of vanilla ice cream in the crust.  It was topped with a heavy drizzle of chocolate and then the pie went back into the freezer for about 8 hours.

With the pie taken care of, we decided to take a walk along the shoreline.   We saw more of the damage from the recent hurricane.  We also saw hundreds of pelicans in the area.  Watching them fly, dive, and land on the water made me think that’s what birds must have looked like in the age of the dinosaurs.

After our walk we met up with our friends and took a boat across the water to Colamilla for lunch at one of the restaurants along the shore.  I love that these restaurants are built on the beach, the floors are the sand,  and that the ocean laps on the shore just a few feet from the tables.  It is so relaxing!  This restaurant even had a few hammocks installed should someone need to take a short nap before the boat ride back to town.

Alberto Rojas, El Caballo

This evening we all met up and had an impromptu celebration at the hotel for el caballo’s birthday.   We sang Feliz Cumpleanos and toasted his health.  As we cut up the pie we found that it was so rich that one nine-inch pie was more than enough for 14 people!   I encourage you to make one of these pies for your next special occasion… it is easy to make and so delicious… and definitely worth it!

Each day comes bearing its own gifts. Untie the ribbons. Ruth Ann Schabacker

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Day 302: Linda’s Birthday

2 Feb

Two years ago, at about this time, we arrived in Barra de Navidad during what seemed like a stormy season.  The sky was filled with clouds and rain fell for the first couple of days.  On one of those nights, Marie invited us to the Hotel Sands to celebrate her friend Linda’s birthday.

Tonight we were once again invited to celebrate Linda’s birthday but this time the celebration was being held at Lucy’s restaurant.  The event was a pot luck and so it was only fitting that I bring a pie as my contribution to the meal.

To help me put the finishing touches on the pie, I brought Marie’s grandsons, Ke’ale and Pueo, to my apartment.  They waited patiently as I whipped the cream and coated the banana slices for the top of the pie.  When it was finally done, I asked them to pose with the pie.  This is what that looked like:

Tonight’s Chocolate Banana Cream Pie recognizes friends who are like family and the tender threads that hold us all together.  And to Linda, Feliz Cumpleanos!

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Day 301: Construction Crew

1 Feb

Yesterday I mentioned how the hurricane caused damage to some of the buildings along the shoreline in Barra de Navidad.  Last night we saw some of the workers building retaining walls, pouring concrete, etc., but they were doing it without the benefit of a pump or a concrete mixing truck to facilitate the work.   Instead the men had a small machine that mixed the concrete and then they carried it by the bucketful to the backhoe which in turn put it where it was needed.  Backbreaking labor to say the least.

Last night when  I saw them working so hard I thought I surely must bring them a pie.  This morning I put together a chocolate peanut butter pie and placed it in the fridge to set.  Then we took a launch to the island across from Barra de Navidad so that we could explore the island.

Being on that island – especially on the side of the island with the Grand Bay Hotel is in a way surreal.  There is so much money invested in the hotel while a short boat ride away there is a great need for that capital infusion.   The word “opulence” only begins to describe it.  We took a few photos.

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When we got back to our apartment, I quickly added melted chocolate to the top of the pie and popped it into the freezer to set up quickly.  After a much-needed shower we took the pie to the men who were working on a hotel property by the shore.  We waited until the cement mixer stopped and then I approached them with my pie.  I told them I’d been making pies and giving them away for 300 days… and then I thanked  them for their work and told them I appreciated their efforts.   While most of the men looked on in what I assume was confusion, one of the men spoke English and thanked me.  I handed him the pie and some forks and plates and we said goodbye before they saw me crying.  How can something as simple as giving a pie feel so overwhelming?

Presenting the pie to the men working at the construction site.

Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.  ~Thomas Edison

 

 

Presenting the pie to the workers

 

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