Every year, just before Labor Day weekend about 2,000 cyclists pass through DeWitt as part of the DALMAC bike tour (headed up to the Mackinaw Island bridge). Each year we bake lots of extra goodies because each year lots of riders stop at the shop for breakfast or a "goody" for the road. This year was no exception. Check out the DALMAC photos posts on our Facebook page!

I delight in a special birthday memory many years ago when my girls were quite young. As it is, we are a pie loving family and have celebrated birthdays with pies instead of traditional birthday cakes for generations. One year for my birthday, my husband decided to surprise me and make me my favorite key lime pie instead of me making it myself. He enlisted our daughters, Ellie and Betsie’s “help” and swore the girls to secrecy on this most special pie mission. The day before my birthday I set out grocery shopping for pie supplies, not knowing a...

When my daughter, Ellie, was a baby, my parents would babysit her a few days a week, which was indeed a highlight for all involved.   Because Ellie was their first grandchild, they lived for their “grandpa-ma days” and spoiled her rotten, of course. As it is, my mother has always baked pies and usually has a fresh baked pie ready and waiting to share with all who may stop by. So, at Grandma’s house, when most babies were eating baby food, my Ellie was eating pies. My mother would make special pie filling for her when sh...

My Grandpa Ferrell was a coal miner in West Virginia for many years before and after the depression. Coal miners worked long, dark hours and often the only bright spot of their day was lunchtime. It was usually one half hour and above ground giving them a chance to rest their legs and back and breathe some clean mountain air. At that time, lunches were packed in covered tin buckets with the top part of the container designated for dessert mostly slices of pie. As it was, the miners always looked forward in seeing what, if an...

My mother grew up in rural West Virginia and every year their little town hosted a very popular Strawberry Festival. The festival attracted people from around the state - perfect for my Grandmother Ferrell who owned an old boarding house with a small but adorable restaurant on the back porch. In the early summer when strawberries were in season and the festival was in full swing, Grandma's house was bustling with guests. People loved to stay there because not only was she a warm and loving hostess, but she happened to make the best Strawberry &...

There was nothing our family enjoyed more than our summers at Grandma Ferrell’s farm in West Virginia. The homestead sat on the top of a picturesque mountain with a creek running next to it. The farm itself was a bit rundown, but beautiful to me, with plenty of flower and vegetable gardens and dozens of chickens running about. There was always plenty of fine storytelling, bluegrass music and delicious, homegrown food to share at the farm. I loved to watch my grandmother work magic in the kitchen; her biscuits and gravy were legendary ...

My hard working Aunt Ruby lived at the bottom of a hill in beautiful West Virginia She had magnificent gardens and orchards and canned everything from tangy watermelon pickles to sweet molasses. When my family came to call we would visit while admiring her gardens, quilts and canning cellar. However, the highlight of the day was clearly Aunt Ruby’s homemade dinner. The spread was magnificent- pickles of every sort, green beans and corn, biscuits with homemade apple butter and delicious chicken and dumplings. Of course, my favorite was...

Back during the bleak Depression, my Daddy’s cousin, Janette came to live with his family for a few special years. Janette’s father had had seven children when his wife suffered a nervous breakdown and was sent away for treatment. He worked long hours at Ford Motor Company and was unable to care for his children alone. Hence, all seven children were sent separately to live with relatives until the family could get back on its feet. As hard as this was for Janette, she found great peace and love in my Daddy’s home that...

Watch the "Mommy's Pumpkin Cheesecake Praline" VIDEO - click here   Several years ago my parents had a fire in the home they have shared for over forty years. Fortunately, no one was injured; however, being out of their home during renovation through the holiday season was difficult. I assured my parents that Christmas would be as special as always and that I would host the dinner. My mother insisted on preparing the holiday ham and pumpkin pies and my sister and I agreed to make the rest of the trimmings. However, because my mother...

My dear, dear sister-in-law, Melinda is one endearing woman. She is full of fun and has a smile that lights up a room and warms your heart. She always is doing lovely things for other people – taking older relatives to church and doctor appointments and making delicious meals and desserts for the down-hearted and lonely. She simply loves to make someone’s average day a wonderful one. Melinda’s  homemade Rhubarb Pie is loved by all who receive one, especially by her adoring family. The pink sweet-tart filling and flaky c...