Day 366: Leap Year!

6 Apr

Deb and Armo (Steve) and Pie 366!

What a year this has been!  So many wonderful stories to share; so many people who I have met.  And so many pies!  If I had to guess, I would say that almost a third of the pies that I made this year contained apples.  I love apple pies… and since apples are available all yearlong that made it easy to make apple pies frequently.  Other favorite pies included Strawberry-Rhubarb, Marionberry, Chocolate Cream Pie, and all kinds of Quiche.

Today I made a Lemon Meringue pie for the second time this year.  I love lemon curd… but I do not like working with meringues.  Fortunately this pie was not traveling far; it only had to go the house next door.

Deb and Steve have been our neighbors for seventeen years.  Last year when I told them about my pie a day “idea”, Steve was thrilled.  He wanted to do something to support my project from the start and initially suggested ordering boxes to deliver my pies in.   It took a week or so before we finally decided that he would create labels for my pies instead (less waste to deal with and less costly!)  And for the past year almost every pie that was delivered had a sticker that had my Pie a Day logo, this website address, and the day of the Pie year handwritten on it.

So many people have told me that they have kept their “pie labels” as mementos.  I am honored that they feel this way… and very thankful to Steve for supplying them to me for the past year.  It has given this “pie” gifting experience an extra special touch… and I really appreciate that.

Tonight I extend my sincerest thanks to everyone that followed this year of pies and sent comments or just made reading my blog a part of your routine.  I am not ready to say goodbye forever… it seems that there are still so many stories to tell.  But for a few days I might just sleep in a little.  And if I could draw, I would create a picture of my oven exclaiming “Whew!” while wiping her brow.  This has been a busy year for that old gal and she deserves a rest.

One thing I would love to ask… and that is, if you have any comments that you would be willing to share (and haven’t yet) please do so.  Also, if you have been inspired to do something out of gratitude, please share that as well.  I’d love to keep the lines of communication open…  if that is possible.

Lastly, I send my thanks to everyone who welcomed me and my pies.  Thank you for being open to receiving that gift…  and thank you for sharing your stories with me.  I have been so blessed to be a part of this wonderful adventure.

Don’t be dismayed at good-byes. A farewell is necessary before you can meet again.  And meeting again, after moments or lifetimes, is certain for those who are friends.  Richard Bach

 

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Day 365: A Year of Pies

5 Apr

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When I started this journey, one year ago, I had no idea where it might take me.  I really didn’t even think about how I would find 365 people to bring pies to!  I just woke up with this idea… and had a friend (Thank you Debbie) who encouraged me to pursue it.  And once the idea was set in motion, I never really thought of stopping.  Certainly there were times when I wondered if this was the path that I should be on, but I never even considered ending the journey early.

 

There are so many people who I met this year that I would never have met otherwise.  Often, because I was willing to make a pie for someone in need, I became part of a greater story.  I can’t help but think that each and every time we are willing to give of ourselves… or step outside of our comfort zones… that we have an opportunity to meet people who can show us a part of the world (or ourselves) that until then has remained hidden.

This blog is called “Pie a Day Giveaway”, but I feel that I have been given an extraordinary gift time and time again.  I wish that everyone could know the feeling that comes when you are able to make someone else feel better.  It is overwhelming and wonderful all at once… and I think if you could bottle this feeling, you’d make a fortune.  Instead, the treasures that you gather are unseen, but bring a sense of satisfaction just the same.

Today I wanted to recognize the Ashland Rotary Club for their outstanding service to the community.  I knew I could not give each of them a pie, and so I brought enough pie for all ninety of them to have one piece.  When the president of the club, David, called upon me I explained this to the membership and read from one of the thank you notes that I received this past year.  Here is an excerpt:

“What a way to make someone feel on top of the world!  A simple yet totally generous thing to do…. I continue to feel completely overwhelmed at the honor.  … Thank you from the bottom of my heart.”

Honestly, I’d have made a pie everyday just to get that one note.  It really meant that much to me.

Finally, tonight I bid you all sweet dreams… but not farewell… for this is a leap year after all!

“As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.”
John F. Kennedy

PS I was honored to be featured in the local paper today.  You can see that article here.

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Day 364: A Perfect Pie Recipient

4 Apr

Apple Blueberry Pie

A few years ago, I took a class called “Emotional Intelligence” at Southern Oregon University.  One week our assignment was to notice things that were happening around us and this is what I noticed, albeit a bit too late.  I had taken my son, Coco, shopping with me and we had pushed our cart to the checkout line but there was a person ahead of us with a full cart and so I knew we had a bit of a wait.  As I stood there my mind was racing and I realized I’d forgotten a few things.  I told my son to stay in line and hurried off to get the last few items.  It was only when I was back and it was nearly my turn to checkout when I “noticed” the woman in front of me.

She was a young mother, her baby was crying, and there was some kind of trouble.  Finally she became upset, said “Forget it”, picked up the baby, and left the store, leaving her groceries behind.  I asked my son, “What just happened?” and he told me that the young mother had not had enough money to pay her bill.  She wasn’t short much money, and she’d been dealing with a screaming baby, and maybe she was just a bit frustrated.  And if I had been “present” I might have been able to help her.  Instead, I was scurrying around being efficient.  The memory of that moment still haunts me.

Tonight I wanted to bring a pie to someone who needed a lift… and I had someone in mind, but I was unable to connect with them.  So, as I have done before, I put the pie in the car with me and drove to the store (Shop n’ Kart) hoping to run into someone I could give a pie to.  As I walked through the store I tried to be aware of who might need help.   However, even though I searched, I did not find anyone and so I approached the register to pay for my groceries.  Just then I felt a tap on my shoulder.  There behind me was Adam, our new Associate Pastor.

About six months ago I gave Adam and his wife Sarah a pie when they came to First Presbyterian.  Since he knew about my project, I asked him if he knew of anyone who might appreciate a pie.  He considered a few possible recipients and then mentioned a neighbor of his, a single parent,  that was going through a challenging time.  Perfect!  I asked him if he would please deliver the pie to his neighbor with my good wishes and he agreed.  Tonight he sent me an email saying that the parent looked so tired when they answered the door but was thrilled to receive the pie… and the children thought it was delicious.  Adam finished his email this way, ” …glad I ran into you, I think it was the perfect family to be the recipient of one of your pies.”  I think so too.  Thank you Adam for your help in finding the perfect home for my pie.

 “Once you make a decision, the universe conspires to make it happen.”
― Ralph Waldo Emerson

 

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Day 363: Mark

3 Apr

 

Chocolate Peanut Butter Pie

This year of pies is winding down fast!  As I thought about that the other day, a person came to mind who I had not yet acknowledged for giving me some good advice about gifting a pie.  That person probably didn’t even think much about the advice he gave at the time, but it has proven to be valuable on several occasions.

One of those moments occurred last year when I baked a pie for a man named Dave who was recovering from a stroke and staying in an assisted living facility.  Before I brought Dave the pie, I had an appointment to see Mark.  During our preliminary chat I told Mark that I had made Dave a pie and then I told him that I was concerned about bringing Dave a pie as his diet might be regulated due to his condition.  That’s when Mark told me, “Go with your intuition – you made Dave the pie, now just bring it to him.  Don’t over analyze it!  If Dave can’t eat it, he will give it away.”  Simple words with a great message.

After my appointment, I did bring Dave the pie.  He was thrilled by the visit and the pie – which he did eat a little of before sharing it with the staff.   Over the course of the year when my mind was fixed on a pie recipient, and then somehow I began to second guess my decision, I would think back to Mark’s advice and “just bring them the pie.”  I was never disappointed with the outcome.

Tonight I would like to thank Mark for helping me see the simplicity in the process of giving away pies.  I would also like to recognize Mark for being such a good friend and mentor to my son, Coco.  We are all so very grateful for his friendship and support.

You cannot do a kindness too soon, for you never know how soon it will be too late.
 Ralph Waldo Emerson

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Day 362: Mary-Curtis Gramley

2 Apr

Last week, my friend Ginny asked me if I would consider bringing a pie to the woman who was the director of the Family Nurturing Center.  Well, if Ginny recommended her, I knew I did not have to “consider” anything… it was a given: Mary-Curtis was going to get a pie!

The Family Nurturing Center helps families that are below the poverty level (and who are facing myriad other challenges) to stay together.  You can see Mary-Curtis here explaining how her agency helps those families in need.

When I called Mary last week to explain my project and ask when I could bring her a pie, she told me that since it was spring break there would only be two people working – and she wanted to share this gift with her full staff.  She asked would I mind waiting til Monday to bring her a pie?  No, not at all.  And then I asked Mary what kind of pie would she like and she said that she liked all kinds of pies…

I had detected a lovely southern accent and asked Mary if she liked Pecan pies and she said that she did.  And so today I made Mary-Curtis Gramley a Chocolate Pecan Pie… and I brought along a little whipped cream to serve with it. The work that she and her staff does is so very important… and I am grateful to her and her staff for all that they do to help families succeed.

“In family life, love is the oil that eases friction, the cement that binds closer together, and the music that brings harmony.”

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Day 361: The Schneider Museum

1 Apr

Dutch Apple Pie for the Schneider Museum Bridge and Brunch

Today a fundraiser was held at the Schneider Museum of Art located on the campus of Southern Oregon University.  Several months ago, I was asked to cater this event with a simple brunch menu of Asparagus Quiche, Fresh Fruit, Spinach Salad, and Date Nut Bread.   At the time I was also was asked if I would donate a pie for one of the prizes at this event.

Since I could not have known who the pie recipient would be, I chose to make a very simple apple pie.   I chose to use the method of making the syrup first and pouring it over the apples before it baked, thus ensuring that the sugar, butter, and flour mixture were completely dissolved.  It takes a few extra minutes, but I think the results are worth it.

Pie “syrup”

Later at the brunch, I was asked to pick a ticket from a bowl to select the pie recipient.  Within moments, the name was called and the pie was given away.  Afterwards, the woman who had won the pie came up  to me and said that she wanted to gift the pie to someone special but she didn’t know yet who that might be.   With the wisdom gained from giving away nearly a year of pies I told her, “Give yourself some time.  The name will come… and then you will know.”  It’s really as simple as that.

Schneider Museum

“I am enough of an artist to draw freely upon my imagination. Imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited. Imagination encircles the world.” Albert Einstein

 

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Day 360: Bob and Juli

31 Mar

Lemon Curd and Whipped Cream Pie

This morning I woke up early because I had a nightmare of sorts.  In my “dream” I was at a place where I was to cater a brunch and deliver the food at 10:30 AM.  However, when I saw the clock (in my dream) it was 12:00 noon… and none of the breakfast breads had been baked yet.  Talk about a wake-up call!  The only other food nightmare I’ve had involved a  guest at a wedding that I was making the cake for… but I had forgotten all about it… and I had less than two hours to make a wedding cake for 100.  Yikes.

Let’s just say I was happy to get out of bed after that!  I was supposed to go for a walk with a friend at 8AM, but the rain was coming down too hard for me… and so that was cancelled.  This afternoon I was scheduled to help at the Rotary Garden, but that too was cancelled due to the weather.  So, instead I caught up on my chores and made my pie of the day.  Last year I made a lemon chiffon cake for this couple… and that is why today I decided to make them a lemon curd pie.

Years ago, Bob worked with my son Coco and his friend Dylan to help them record their first songs on a CD.  Coco  had told me that they were working together… but I was still surprised when he brought home the CD and put it on to play.  As we listened to the music I asked Coco, “Who is that singing?”  “Mom”, he said, “it’s me.”  “No, really Coco… who is it?”  And that is only because I had never heard Coco sing before!  Here was this lovely voice emanating from the speakers… and it had come from the boy who lived in my house… unbelievable!

Juli has been the Superintendent for the Ashland School District for nearly twelve years.  She has had the unenviable task of doing all that she can to make sure that the Ashland School District is one of the top schools in the state, and possibly in the country.  To achieve this, it means that Juli is always preparing for and attending meetings with people all over the state.  She is relentless when it comes to the quality of education that the students in Ashland receive.

To Bob and Juli, I offer my deepest thanks for their commitment and dedication to the students of Ashland.  I am so very thankful for their tireless efforts on behalf of our children.

“The teacher who is indeed wise does not bid you to enter the house of his wisdom but rather leads you to the threshold of your mind.” Kahlil Gibran

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Day 359: Aaron

30 Mar

Apple Blueberry Pie

Today I chose to make a pie without knowing where it might end up.  I was present for the making of the pie.. and worked carefully to make a lovely pie… but still I was not sure where it would be delivered.  After it was baked I asked my daughter to go for a walk with me so that I might have a chance to think of a pie recipient… and as we exited our house I saw Leslie.

For those of you who have been following my blog, you will recall that Leslie is a woman who I met when she was having a garage sale…  and at that sale our sons became friends.  That was the beginning of our friendship and it has been almost 16 years since that first meeting!

Tonight it was Leslie that suggested I bring a pie to Aaron, for he was the person who had coached her son Dylan when he was training to become a black belt in karate.  She told me that Aaron worked with men who were incarcerated and he helped them with rites of passage ceremonies.   These men may never again be on the outside, but Aaron works to help them move forward somehow.

Tonight I want to recognize Aaron, and others like him, who work with the people in our prison systems.  They do this work without judgement… and most of the time without pay… and it is such a valuable service that they offer.  I extend my heartfelt thanks to them for the gifts that they give to the people that they serve.

“It is said that no one truly knows a nation until one has been inside its jails. A nation should not be judged by how it treats its highest citizens, but its lowest ones.”
― Nelson Mandela

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Day 358: Happy Birthday Janet!

29 Mar

Cherry Cheesecake Pie (and Gluten-Free too!)

Janet and I met a few years back because a mutual friend of ours asked us both to join her book club.  For me it was a chance to meet some new people, share some food and wine, and read books that I probably wouldn’t have read.  My time in the book club lasted only a few years, but fortunately the friendships formed there have continued… and for that I am grateful.

Janet and I have quite a few things in common.  We both work part-time, like to dote on our children, and have been broad because of our children.  We both also
volunteer at our respective churches, and this should come as no surprise, we spend a lot of time in the kitchens there.

For all of the laughter and tears that we have shared, and for all of the times that she has come to my aid in one way or another, I would like to offer Janet my heartfelt thanks.  I am lucky to count her among my friends.

“A friend is one that knows you as you are, understands where you have been, accepts what you have become, and still, gently allows you to grow.”
― William Shakespeare

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Day 357: The Maslow Project

28 Mar

Marionberry and Blueberry Pie

One of the things that was running through my mind today as I prepared my pie, was part of the sermon that Pastor Connie shared at First Presbyterian Church this last Sunday.  It was from a story by Hemingway called “The Capital of the World.”  Perhaps I am the only person who had not yet heard it, but here is the opening “joke.”  The lead character, “Paco”, has left home after a fight with his father.  The father searches for his son all over the country and finally makes it to the capital city of Madrid.  For his one last attempt to find his son, he places an ad in the paper which reads, “PACO MEET ME AT HOTEL MONTANA NOON TUESDAY, ALL IS FORGIVEN, PAPA.”   The “punch line” of this joke is that when the father arrives at the Hotel Montana on Tuesday he sees police trying to disperse the crowd of eight hundred “Pacos” that have shown up to meet their father.

Deep down, I think we all want to be accepted and loved by our parents.  Unfortunately, that is not how the world works and for reasons that I cannot begin to list,  young people leave home and become homeless.  And the lucky ones find the Maslow Project.  Maslow Project was founded by Mary Ferrell. A graduate of Southern Oregon University, Mary had been working with homeless children and families through the Medford School District.  She soon realized the need for kids to access basic needs and supportive services all in one location.  Ferrell took the name from Abraham Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs concept, which states that unless our primary needs are met, we cannot move on to other, more advanced needs

Maslow Project has received international recognition for its program model serving  youth and has been featured in such places as The New York Times, 20/20, and MTV.   With their small staff of dedicated professionals, they work hard to help homeless youth find the support that they need.

The slogan on the Maslow Project brochure is “Looking for a hand up not just a handout?”  Clearly they work to help the young people they serve find a way off the streets and empower them to become healthy, productive members of society.

When I called the number for the Maslow Project this afternoon, I spoke with Talia.  I explained that I wanted to bring a pie to the staff to thank them for their work with our valley’s homeless youth.  I am very grateful for all that they do to make a difference in their lives.

Please visit the Maslow Project website, or call 541-608-6868, and learn of the many ways that you can help with their mission.  The need is great and they are doing amazing work.

When a poor person dies of hunger, it has not happened because God did not take care of him or her. It has happened because neither you nor I wanted to give that person what he or she needed.
~Mother Teresa

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