While growing up, I absolutely loved watching Martha Dixon's Copper Kettle Show with my sister and mother in Lansing, Michigan. She was our area's local, Julia Child, and her show was a must-see each week for every homemaker and future homemaker in the area.
My mommy owned Martha’s cookbook, and I remember as a child, staring at it wanting to eat all the beautiful food pictured on the cover, especially the desserts. My mommy was honored to be on Martha’s show as she demonstrated cookie baking, and still talks about the experience with proud fondness. Martha Dixon's sweet disposition, easy expertise in the kitchen, and her lovely smile made her a dear mentor to me and many others. In retrospect, I think given her cooking and media talents, I am sure she would have been a contender for a national show today; a well deserved feat for such an admirable woman.
I have been eager to honor Martha at the shop for some time, and am elated to do so this Tuesday, February 7, 2012. The response we have received has been so sweetly positive, as people have shared their memories and how much her recipe traditions have meant to them and their families. Their testimonies; again, confirm how indeed, the heritage of good food makes our lives richer and so much sweeter!
I would have loved to have Martha join us on her day, but she is no longer with us on this earth. However, her love for flair and food remains in our minds, and remains in her cherished cookbook for everyone to enjoy. I am delighted and honored to celebrate the passionate and flavorful life of Martha Dixon and I invite everyone to come share memories of her and her legacy with us on this most special day!
Eat pie, live a flavorful life!
After writing that title, I realized that that those five little words probably aren’t put together in that fashion very often. But, gosh, do I love writing them in exactly that order. Our cute, little pie shop, Sweetie-licious, has always needed a new floor, yet not just any floor would do. I decided long ago that a shiny pink one would be practically perfect for our happy shop.
However, many factors prevented us from getting one. First of all, we didn’t own the building. Secondly, we had no money. Thirdly, I couldn’t find the perfect pink floor.
It is a lovely wonder what patience, hard work, love and simple blessings can do to make dreams come true. You see, another dream came true in late April when I won the Crisco National Pie Championships and the Grand prize of $5000.00! And as it turned out, we were able to buy our building last summer enabling us to truly own our cute, little pie shop! Then, I happened upon a local floor shop that had just gotten in some new bright, bright pink flooring.
So, in just a few short months, I owned our darling shop, I had money to buy a new floor and I had the perfect pink floor to buy! There was obviously only one thing to do. Hence, my beautiful dream floor was installed and waxed to perfection last Sunday.
I know I talk much about dreams, but I love dreaming. I love big dreams and little dreams. I love to see my little dream of having a pink floor at my cute, little pie shop (another dream) come true.
So, for those who can, come in and be marveled at our new, shiny, pink floor. Then eat a yummy piece of our $5000.00, Tom’s Cherry Cherry Berry pie. My only request is that you don’t get any pie on the floor!
Keep dreaming.
Eat Pie, Love Life,
Xoxo Linda
I have to thank everyone for being so, so wonderful to me with regards to my national debut on the Food Network Amazing Pie Challenge. Clearly, winning Best of Show was a real dream come true for me and especially sweet because I won with my beloved Tom Hundt’s Cheery Cherry Cherry Berry Pie who passed away right before the competition. He certainly believed in me. What an incredible life experience it was and continues to be. Thanks to all the fellow pie bakers and Food Network crew, Crisco, Sears and especially the American Pie Council for helping me realize my big dream. Every time I see it, I get teary eyed, emotional, but mostly very, very grateful. I now whole-heartedly believe that I truly do have the best pie in America!
I am immensely grateful for my wonderful family and friends, for all the sweet, hard-working folks at the shop and for all of my lovely customer/friends who believed in my dream of having the cutest, little bakery café in the whole, wide world. And for all who believed that we had the best food and pie in the whole wide world.
Most importantly, I am forever grateful for every single person in my life of 46 years who believed in me.
Thank you.
I implore all of us to start believing in each other, for I am a true example of what a difference it can make in someone’s life.
I implore all of us to start believing in ourselves. Again, I am a real example of what a difference it can make in someone’s life –your own.
Believe and Eat Pie, Love Life –Linda xo