Sweet Memories

It's a rainy spring day in Vancouver, pretty common for this time of year, but a change since we arrived two weeks ago – for us it has been all about beautiful weather and plenty of sunshine.

Anyway, I enjoy being inside with the rain pouring and find myself gravitating towards the warmth of our fireplace and oven. Baking becomes very appealing on these damp cool days. I come from a long line of pie makers (200 years that I know of), and I even discovered a restaurant in Virginia with my grandmother's maiden name that specilizes in homemade pies.

my mom and dad are on the far left

In spite of all the great pies, my dinners growing up were pretty bland. We were mostly a meat and potatoes kind of family, and my mother had sworn she would never marry before she met my dad. He was much older than her, and prior to meeting him she had spent all her time pursuing her nursing career. After they got married, though, her hidden talent for cooking began to surface. Rhubarb was abundantly available in the spring time, and Mom started making rhubarb pies with the most amazing crust.

Finally in touch with her inner baker, Gracie started taking advantage of all the delicious fruit growing in our yard – peach,cherry, plum,and apple – as well as the strawberry fields near our home. Mom displayed her creativity by unique combinations like apple-rhubarb, plum-cherries, and peach-strawberry.

Its still too early for many local strawberries here, but the rhubarb is in the markets . The forecast has called for rain again tomorow so maybe I'll buy what I need to make an apple-rhubarb pie for our Victoria Day picnic ,but tonite I think we'll walk over to Aprodite's for pie and chai:

Better remember our unbrellas along with my memories of warm days filled with the sweet smells of home baking...

Grandmother's Pie Crust (slightly modified for healthier eating)

2 cups flour (unbleached & wholewheat pastry)
1/3 cup unsalted butter
1/3 cup oil (canola)
6 tbls. ice water


1) With a pastry cutter cut the butter into the flour.
2) Combine the oil and water than add to flour mixture.
3) Stir with a fork until combined, there will be lumps of butter.
4) Separate into 2 balls.
5) Roll flat between 2 sheets of wax paper
6) Cool in fridge while you make pie filling