Pie Stories

Tom's Cheery Cherry Cherry Berry Pie

My brother-in-law, Tom was one of those people who you instinctively loved and respected. I think initially you loved him because he had a mile-wide smile that he
used sincerely and often. After you got to know Tom, you respected him for his passions, his work ethic, his commitments, his loyalty, his strength, and his love for
all living things. As our brother, neighbor, and friend his good deeds to our family are too numerous to mention, but a particular passion of his is indeed especially dear to me, his love for all things pie! Every week or so, we have the family over for “movie night” which includes a homemade dinner and a movie. Tom’s beloved wife, Linda and I do potluck and the rest of the family indulges in a feast, with of course, plenty
of pie for dessert! The next morning without fail, Tom would track me down to give me a quick message, as Hundt men, by nature, are men of few words. His thoughts were simple, yet powerful, “Linda, the cherry pie you made last night was absolutely outstanding.” I could see his smile, his conviction and his kindness over the phone lines. I would thank him profusely and go on with my day with that much more confidence, that much more zeal, and that much more inspiration. Tom Hundt understood the most significant creeds to live by, and by example, he continues to inspire others to be outstanding in everything they do.  Eat Pie and Inspire Others.

Aunt Ella's Cherry Pie

My great Aunt Ella called Northern Michigan her home for nearly ninety years. As an unmarried schoolteacher, she spent her summers as a baker at the local “Grand View of the Lake Inn.” The inn was located on the shores of beautiful Lake Michigan and across the road from a cherry orchard; a perfect combination for breathtaking views and fresh, homemade cherry pies. Tourists would line up for hours to take in dinner, a golden sunset and a piece of my aunt’s heavenly pie. My aunt loved her life, inspiring both students in the classroom and pie lovers at the inn, year after year. Unfortunately, time does not stand still, for the inn and my sweet aunt are long gone. Thankfully, Aunt Ella’s cherished pie recipe was passed down to me for us all to enjoy. Aunt Ella’s passionate, yet simple life was rich and full and successful by the true meaning of success – inspiring others.  Eat pie and live passionately.

Johnny's Coconut Cream Pie

One of my most memorable dates with my husband was a picnic in the park. I wanted to display my cooking talents to my new beau, so I planned to make everything myself. I had decided on fried chicken, cole slaw, baked beans and coconut cream pie for the menu. I had helped my mom in the kitchen my whole life so none of this was daunting for me except the illusive piecrust. I spent hours trying to roll out the pie dough, but had failed miserably each and every time. I was ready to quit altogether when my mother walked into the kitchen after a long day at work. She saw my despair and patiently taught me the art of pie baking. Alas, the pie was delicious, the picnic a success and we were engaged a few years later. However, to this day, my husband claims he was ready to ask me to marry him at that picnic because I made such a delicious pie. Oh, the power of pie. Eat pie and never stop trying.

Aunt Margie's Raspberry & Cream Pie

Faye’s Sweetie Potato Pie

My dear friend Faye grew up in a small town in Texas back in the fifties and sixties.  She has wonderful memories of her loving family and neighbors getting together often for dancing, Motown and delicious southern comfort food. Clearly, food, fun and folly were a constant in Wichita Falls. Faye’s mother was known for her sweet potato pies in particular because no one could make a better one. Her pie was creamy and made with Texas sweet potatoes with just the right amount of cinnamon and butter. So, as it was, people started ordering her legendary pies from her at Thanksgiving for she was generous enough to make them for all who asked, at no charge. As the years went by, more people heard about her sweet potato pies until her entire first floor transformed to a sea of pies every Thanksgiving eve. This lovely tradition went on for years, as she never could turn anyone down from one of her pie masterpieces, right up until the day she died. My friend Faye has such beautiful memories of her beloved mother; her sense of humor, her love for all things and especially her generosity. She understood the beauty of using ones’ gifts, giving back and loving people and passed the legacy on to all who knew and loved her.  Eat pie, be generous.

Granny's Apple Pie

Aunt Margie's Banana Cream Pie

My Brothers Caramel Cashew Toffee Pie

While growing up, I remember my three older brothers, Mark, Paul and David were constantly eating. When all five of us kids came home from school, it was definitely everyman for himself as we charged into the kitchen. Bread, peanut butter, cereal and any food without a note on it from mom telling us not to eat it, was fair game. With three teenage boys, there often were arguments about who ate the last cookie or who ate all the corn flakes etc. I remember one day, my father was a given a big can of cashews from a parent or teacher, as he was an elementary school principal. He brought it home and we all went crazy with excitement for we were a family that loved nuts, but seldom got cashews because of their expense. My father was particularly fond of nuts and was very excited about the gift as well. It was a given to my twin sister and I that the cashews were clearly off the menu as an after-school snack; after all, they were daddy’s cashews! Yet, the next day my brothers somehow couldn’t resist them. They ate every single cashew, crumb and piece of salt from the large, empty can. Daddy was not at all pleased when he got home from work. He had plans for my mommy to make a nut pie for the family with the precious cashews. My brothers were appropriately punished as kids were in the seventies and they never ate anything that was off limits again. This pie is a takeoff of what my wonderful pie baker mother would have made that day some 35 years ago for the family. My brothers today, of course, have a special fondness for this pie!  Eat pie, resist temptation.

Mommy's Blackberry Raspberry Pie

While growing up, my family would spend a week camping in northern Michigan overlooking Lake Michigan.  The big lake was breathtakingly beautiful, but routinely ice cold. As kids, we didn’t care and frolicked in the waves from dawn until dusk. One of the highlights of our week was going to Leland, a charming little village on the harbor.  We would browse the unique shops and take home fresh smoked whitefish, bread and cheese.  We also would stop at a local farm-stand to pick up home-grown sweet corn, tomatoes and sweet blackberries. My brothers, sister and I were very excited about the day excursion to Leland, but couldn’t wait to get back to the campsite, for we knew we were in store for a treat!  For you see, my mother was a master at outdoor cooking and she made the most delicious blackberry cobbler in her dutch oven that we had ever had!  No meal was more anticipated.  We ate smoked whitefish, fresh tomatoes and sweet corn and the most delicious blackberry cobbler ever while watching Lake Michigan’s beautiful sunset. Perfect memory.  Eat pie and delight in your perfect memories.

Grandma Rosella's Blueberry Pie

Linda Ruth's Key Lime Pie

I remember the mixed emotions in the house back in the seventies, when my father announced that he and Mom were attending a convention in Miami, Florida. My mother was especially excited, for Miami was becoming quite the hot-spot for vacationers. Of course, all five of us kids were excluded from this mini vacation: hence, we were extremely disappointed. For just days before I had read in a cookbook about key lime pie and how popular it was in Florida and most importantly, how delicious an authentic one was. I asked my parents to bring me back a slice, so I too, could enjoy a bit of the sunshine state. The week lingered for I couldn’t wait for them to get home, mostly because I was so hoping they would return with my yummy slice of pie. The day they were to return, I received a postcard addressed only to me from my parents. On the front of the postcard was a beautiful picture of a key lime pie and the card read, Wish you were here, we will make one when we get home…Love Mom and Dad. Though they did not come home with pie and as much as I wanted the real thing, I was delighted they remembered me with my own postcard. A few weeks later we made our own key lime pie and I loved it. It is still one of my favorite pies. Eat pie and appreciate good intentions.

Grandma Rosella's Lemon Pie

My father grew up during the depression on a small farm in Michigan. Like most folks during that troubled time, they did not have much money. Fruit that didn’t grow in your own backyard was considered special and hard to come by. When my grandmother made lemon meringue pie, it was for special occasions only, such as Easter or company dinners. One summer Sunday in 1937, Reverend Frye was scheduled to come to dinner at my father’s farm. My grandmother awoke at dawn to make the special lemon pie and placed it in the dining room window to cool while they were off to church. Unfortunately, Zip the beagle found the pie too much to resist and found a way to reach Grandma’s masterpiece. Upon their return, nothing was left of the beautiful pie, but an empty pie pan and a contented dog sleeping with meringue stuck to his nose. Zip was sent to the barn from that day forward and poor Reverend Fry never got to enjoy my Grandma’s pie that summer day so long ago. Fortunately for you, you can.  Eat pie and embrace the unexpected.

Daddy’s Mince Pie

 My daddy grew up in a farm in Michigan during the Great Depression. Though he was an only child, his extended family was large and like most families back then, lived close by on nearby farms. Sunday and holiday dinners were much anticipated and memorable, especially Thanksgiving and Christmas. Grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins flooded my great-grandfather’s large, self-built farmhouse for a lovely, festive dinner. There were plenty of traditional Midwestern foods that the family contributed straight from the fruit cellar, such as; self-canned vegetables, cranberry relish and pickles, various potato dishes, stuffing, turkey, ham and many homemade pies! Of course, for a young boy, pies were my father’s favorite, as they are to this day! My daddy especially loved his grandmother’s mincemeat pie made with meat and mixed with apples, raisins and nuts. I remember every Christmas my mommy made my daddy a mincemeat pie, just like he enjoyed growing up, minus the meat. However, he was the only one who ate it, despite his pleas for us all to have a slice. He raved about its goodness, yet all five of us kids refused it, as we were terrified that somehow it had meat in it, given its name. So, until I decided to make up my own version (minus the meat,) I didn’t know a mince pie could be so amazing. The apples, raisins, cranberries, walnuts, cider, brandy and butter make for a delicious filling and with our award winning, flaky crust, it is nearly perfect. As it was, I ended up missing out of yummy pie for decades by not listening to my father. Clearly, fathers do know best. Eat pie, listen to your elders.

Grandma Ferrell's Sweetie Pie

Linda's Chocolate Cream Pie

While growing up, my family would occasionally stop after church for lunch at a neighborhood diner. When my daddy pulled into the parking lot, all of us kids went crazy with excitement because back then, eating out was a special treat and it didn’t happen often. Of course there were restrictions, my parents limited all five of us kids to choose just one item for lunch with water to drink. The choices were usually a cheeseburger or a piece of pie, but never both. For my siblings, this was always a difficult decision, but not for me. Desserts were then and continue to be, a major love of my life. I always chose pie, chocolate cream pie precisely. I loved its flaky crust, creamy filling and the homemade whipped cream topping. It was always delicious and I never once regretted my decision.  Eat pie and make good decisions.

Mommy's Rhubarb Custard Pie

Aunt Grace's Peach Pie

Mrs. Cochran's Pecan Pie

While growing up in Michigan, our family lived in an older, quaint neighborhood with mature trees and well manicured lawns. Throughout the years, neighbors would come and go, but there was one couple that lived next door that made a lasting impression on all of us. The Cochrans were a worldly, middle-aged couple with no children of their own. In retrospect, I am certain that our lively family of seven probably seemed hectic to the reserved pair, although I think they enjoyed our chaos. All of us children loved the Cochrans and relished any opportunity to be invited into their serene home to listen to travel stories and eat cinnamon candy! I remember one special day when Mrs. Cochran asked my sister and me into her sun-filled kitchen for a piece of pie. She served the creamy pie on delicate bone china with beautiful lace napkins, both family heirlooms. I remember feeling so loved and special while eating her delicious pecan pie.  Eat pie and love your neighbors.

Melinda's Rhubarb Pie

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 crust are a perfect combination for this early summer pie. There is nothing better then to see her with a glorious pie in her arms and a smile on her face. Melinda is indeed a woman we should all emulate. She lives her life simply and beautifully – giving to others her time, her laughter and her love. Eat pie and give to others your loving time.

Mommy's Pumpkin Pie

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 was not familiar with her temporary kitchen, she burned the ham black while our mashed potatoes were lumpy and the cranberries were frozen. Our only salvation through this disastrous dinner was the anticipation of Mom’s pumpkin pies. We were not disappointed. The pie never tasted better, the buttery crust and creamy filling was perfect. They truly made the meal complete. I think my whole family realized at that point, not only how grateful we were to be all together, alive and healthy, but also how much we appreciate good pie.  Eat pie and be grateful.

Aunt Ruby's Butterscotch Praline Pie

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 dessert and her creamy butterscotch pie! The flaky crust, creamy filling and crunchy pecans made for a perfect pie. My Aunt Ruby worked hard all of her sweet life and was very proud of all that she accomplished. Her work ethic and passion for life are true tenets to live by.  Eat pie and work hard at all you do.

Grandma Rosellla's Vanilla Bean Cream Pie

Grandma Ferrell's Strawberry & Cream Pie