Saturday, November 10, 2007

Apples & Thyme

Love one pie at a time.


My mother has always been the woman in my family that I am the closest to. She was taught to cook by my great grandmother Martha Rose a stout swedish farm wife. She then taught me, and someday I hope to spend as much fun times in the kitchen with my daughters and sons as I did with my mom teaching them. We were always poor and never had much for fresh ingredients but no matter what we had my mom used her creative flair to come up with something delicious. The reason I chose pumpkin pie for my apples and thyme entry is because when I think of my mom and cooking the story of the first time she made pumpkin pie for us always comes to mind.

It was when I was quite young. We lived in the ghetto on the slightly better side of the street in a cramped little apartment that it wasn't too rare to see a roach or too. Sometimes there were break ins or we could hear gun shots down the streets. She worked two full time jobs as a single mother raising two girls and a brand new baby boy. Some of my fondest and happiest memories come from that pit hole. One weekend she decided she was going to make us a real pumpkin pie from a fresh pumpkin. None of that canned pumpkin mix. Me and my sister were really excited waiting all day and the house smelled so good with the spices and pumpkin scent.
When My mom brought it out of the oven the thing that smelled like heaven looked like the most disgusting thing I'd ever seen. The pie for some reason came out a weird gray color. It had no orange in it at all. It looks a bit gelatinous. My mom both laughing and a bit disappointed was teasing us that we should try it. Although looked ready to throw it out. Me and my younger sister discussed and decided because I'm the oldest I would be the one to brave the pie so that moms work didn't go for nothing. There I was ready to try and grin and tell my mom her disgusting pie was really great. Pinched my nose (as a kid didn't realize that would probably be rude) and bottoms up took a huge bite. Much to my complete surprise it was the tastiest pie I'd ever had at the time. Once my sister saw how much I liked it we all dug in. There was no left overs for that pie. It was one of those lessons of don't judge a book by its cover. Since then My mom has grown and learned to make awesome pumpkin pies (that aren't gray) as well as many other things that we adore. So this my very first pumpkin pie made by myself I dedicate to you. It's not gray nor as tasty as yours that time, but it was great fun making it. I love you.

Check out Apples & Thyme

11 comments:

african vanielje said...

Angel, I am writing this with a smile on my face and tears in my eyes. That's the great thing about this event, it really gets us where it counts (in the heart). Thank you for joining in Apples & Thyme.

The Passionate Palate said...

Angel - you have a lot to proud of in a mom like that - full of fortitude, beauty and a sense of humor. Great photos.
Thanks for participating in our event,
Jeni

T’s Treats said...

OMG!! That was such a great post sweety. Your mom is so very Beautiful, I wished I had pics to post, I loved it!! You are soo wonderful and I see that so is she =)

Angel said...

Vanielje thankyou this event was great to participate in.

Passionate palate, My mom is fantastic I'm very blessed to have her in my life.

Thanks Tina, I would love to see a picture of you with your mom.

Fireskin said...

Thank you honey. Yeah, that grey pie was certainly memorable. Kind of like our lives. Not so pretty on the outside but wonderful on the inside where we live them.

I love you by the way. HUGE TONS!

Angel said...

Thanks mom. I love you.

Laurie Constantino said...

Really a great story, but the pictures are incredible. You will be grateful to have them for the rest of your life. Thank you for a wonderful post, with a very true moral for us all.

Angel said...

Thankyou Laurie,
The pictures are fantastic. They were taken by a good friend of mine when my mom came to visit me. They were a wonderful gift from a talented and treasured friend.

Julie said...

You were a brave kid! Good for you for your willingness to take one for the team! I'm glad it worked out. =) You, your mom, and your pie are all lovely!

Amanda at Little Foodies said...

I loved this post Angel! It brought tears to my eyes. What a lovely tribute to your Mom and great pics too.

Anonymous said...

That's a heartwarming story, Angel. While my mom is not a cook, I have some fond memories of her cooking for us.