Tag Archives: apple pie

Day 38: Jan

15 May

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?

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Day 30: Thanks for a job well done

7 May

Today, I baked an apple pie to thank someone that I don’t even know. We see her each day as we take our morning walk. It is my guess that she is an owner in DeVore Construction, the company that is doing the installation of sidewalks in our neighborhood. This project has been going on for only a short time and it has been amazing to see the work that is accomplished each day.

Have you ever noticed how sometimes the area surrounding a construction site is strewn with debris from the building process, or with coffee cups or other trash from the workers? That is not the case with this crew. In fact, often you will see the owner sweeping gravel from the roadway and at the end of the workday, the entire area is straightened up. It is really impressive. She seems to understand that this space is part of our home, and she is respecting that space.

Now, I know that this woman is getting paid for her work – but you can’t pay someone to care. That comes from within. What I want to acknowledge is her conscientiousness and her attention to detail. She is going above and beyond and we appreciate it.

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Day 20: Jonathon

27 Apr

It’s funny that I have known Jon longer than I have known my husband… and we met at the same place, the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, NY.  It was my first time living away from home and I was a little shy.  Jon was friendly and funny and helped me feel welcome.  We were both part of a “block” of seventy six students.  It was a great group of people and we spent a lot of time together even when we weren’t in school.

After our first year of classes, I left school due to lack of funds.  After a few years I did return to finish my degree but  I didn’t think I’d ever see my former classmates again.  In the next few years, I met and married my husband and in 1986 we moved to Ashland to attend Southern Oregon State College.  One night, while I was working at a restaurant, I brought two men to their table.  One of them looked at me and said, “I think you were in my class.”  Oh boy, I thought. Was this a line?  I said, “You may be right” thinking that perhaps we were in the same computer lab.  And then I really looked at them… and there was Jon… with Tom, another classmate from the CIA.  How could that be?  We were three thousand miles from NY and it had been 7 years since I’d seen either of them!

We still live in the same town and even though I don’t see Jon often, we have remained close.  Though he is always busy, he is the kind of person who really listens when you tell them something.  He is also an amazing Dad to three boys.  And I know that he would argue if he heard me tell you this, but Jon is one of the most generous people I have ever met.

Today a Dutch Apple Pie was delivered to Jon’s house.  I wanted him to know that I am proud to call him my friend.

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Day 12: Roxanne – a force of nature.

17 Apr

Today, the recipient of my pie is my friend and neighbor Roxanne.  We were co-presidents of the PTA  at Helman School a number of years ago.  She was the “voice” of the PTA – running the meetings, etc.  I was very happy for that – and willingly did what ever else needed to be done.   I would never have taken on the  role of president alone, and was very grateful to have someone who was”fearless” to work with.

You may have met Roxanne around town.  She is a true force of nature!   She teaches classes like kick boxing – with the energy and encouragement necessary to keep you going.   She can make you laugh – but also makes time to listen if you need to talk.  She is real in the best sense of the word and we are lucky to have her in our community.   Won’t she be surprised when she comes home tonight to be greeted by a warm apple pie?

This “pie a day giveaway” project began as a way to bring a bit of happiness into someone’s life.   So far, I think it is going well.   Everyone has been genuinely pleased to receive a pie.  In fact, most folks have been quite surprised.  How fun is that?   Amazing that I can have such impact with such a small effort.  What that tells me is that we don’t “go out-of-the-way” for each other as often as we might.   I hope that someone out there is inspired to follow my example and make something for someone who has made a difference in their lives.

On a completely different note, check out commedienne Jeanne Robertson.  In this video she talks about her husband, LB (left-brain).  It’s a hoot.

Thanks for visiting.

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