Tag Archives: church

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 290: Carrie and Brian

21 Jan

Apple Crumb Pie

About fifteen years ago I met Brian and Carrie at church.  They were welcoming and funny and I felt a kinship with them almost immediately.  We both had two children and there were times when we would commiserate about the challenges of parenting, while at other times we would laugh about our kids antics.

One Sunday I brought my kids to church and found Brian was in charge of the younger kids during Sunday School.  Since Brian is a wonderful photographer, he used his camera to entertain the kids and hold their interest.  He said he’d asked the kids to each do one serious pose, and then he told them they could each do a silly pose.  Later he gave me a few photos that he’d taken of my son, Coco.  They are still among my favorites of him!



Coco age 3

Tonight when I delivered their pie to them they were as warm and welcoming as ever even though they were all a bit under the weather. They sat me down and asked all about my children (whom they haven’t seen in a while) and introduced me to their little dog, Zippy.  We talked about books and movies and, of course, pies.   After a while I realized I’d probably been talking way too much and gave a Brian and Carrie air hugs (at their request) and gave Gracie a real one and bid them all farewell.  If I stayed too long, I guess it was because I felt so at home with them.  And I hope they know how much I appreciate that feeling.

Coco at age 18

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Day 249: Barbara and Bob

11 Dec


This morning I was planning for a busy day but I also knew that I wanted to attend church to see the children’s Christmas Pageant. As I was planning my day, I thought the best way to give my “pie of the day” would be to bring it to church with me. There are so many really lovely people in our church family that I have considered as pie recipients that I knew one of them would be in church today.

Once I was seated in my pew, I began to look around at the people in attendance when my eyes focused on one couple and I knew that they were “the ones” today. It’s funny, because I know so little about these folks. I came on the scene late in their lives so I don’t know what they were like when they were “in their prime.” I know from the Rotary directory that Bob’s field was Nuclear Science but I don’t know anything about what he did in his career… and I don’t know what Barbara did at all. On their part, Bob knows me from Rotary and Barbara knows me because of my part on the Parish Life committee.

A few years ago, Bob reminded me that his birthday was in January and since I was making the Rotary birthday cake I asked him what kind of cake I should make. He told me to make a chocolate cake and said something about putting m&m’s on top of it. When the time came, I did make a chocolate cake for the birthday table, but instead of putting m&m’s on the cake, I put a bag of m&m’s at Bob’s place at the table. And he was surprised that I would do such a thing! But really, I love knowing how to make someone happy…. because then it is so easy to do!

After church today, I ran to my car to get the still warm apple pie and then I brought it to Barbara. She told me that she’d heard of my pie journey and then she said that she and Bob both liked pies. I mentioned that she should consider it her pie and if Bob was good, she might share it with him. It was a joke of course, because I think that Bob is always as good as he can be… and I am just tickled to be able to bring them a simple gift that they both enjoy for it makes me feel so blessed.

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