Congratulations to Lenore from Costa Rica.  Her entry in the “Merry Month of May” pie recipe contest is a winner.  You can find the easy recipe here.

Sour oranges pair up with cream for a taste that’s reminiscent of the “Dreamsicles” of old.  Set in a buttery crust, it’s really hard to resist.

I’m going to try it as a tart next time.  The crust seems more tart-like (tart-esque?) to me.  I’ll take pictures and post them and let you know how the pie vs. tart versions compare.  Meantime, enjoy!

Patriotic Pie Contest

4^th of July Pie

Our national birthday is coming up, so let’s get ready to celebrate!  What’s your version of a 4^th of July Pie? 

What characteristics of America would you want to celebrate?  Our commitment to democracy?  Our 3 branches of government?  Our willingness – in the end – to embrace diversity and inclusiveness?  Our vision of freedom and liberty for all?  A particular part of America that’s special to you?  I can see a “Yellowstone Park Pie” or a “Purple Waves of Grain Pie.”  Or maybe a “Southern Summer Pie.”

Pick a theme and go for it!  Send your recipe in by June 30^th and we’ll pick one to post on the 1^st of July (so there will be time to make it for the 4^th).

Maybe you already have a favorite 4^th of July Pie – great!  Or maybe you want to make up a new one.  Either is welcome.

Criteria:

• ü  Name your pie according to the American value or place you want to celebrate
• Originality counts!
• Get it here by end of day June 30^th

For inspiration, here’s a photo from the American Pie Championship held this April.  It has 3 sections with different fruits in red, white and blue colors -- cherries, apples and blueberries – with a twist of crust separating each.  How did the baker keep the sections separate?  I don’t know but I was impressed with the design!

I think I’ll dream up a “Liberty Pie” or maybe an “Equal Rights” pie.  How about you?!?  Enter now!

It’s been a time of transitions.  My partner’s mother passed away.  My niece got engaged.  I’m between contracts for work.  We’re visiting family in another state.  The flow continues.

It’s time to be quiet, perhaps drifting on a raft down a wide river, letting the eddies take us into their swirls, releasing us gently back into the largesse of the river.

What does this have to pie?  Temporarily, nothing.  Temporarily, it’s good to be at rest, to breathe the smell of the summer, of the water we’re upon, to listen to the gurgles of the water and the calls of the birds.  To listen to our hearts.

Then we’ll celebrate the new places we find ourselves:  down river, further along in our lives.  We’ll get grounded again and celebrate with summer pies:  fresh fruit spilling out, bubbling through the lattice and cascading over the sides of the crust onto the baking pan.  Ummm, the best, those little puddles of sweetness.

What will your pie celebrate?  And what kind will you make?  I’ll be making peach, fresh peach, with peaches from a friend’s tree or the grower’s market.  With just a touch of almond and a lattice crust.  And I’ll be celebrating another summer of love, work, family, friends and life.  You?

Our Pie Pals Seamstress:  Duka’s Story

(in Duka’s own words)

I am Duka Subedi.  I was born in Bhutan, the country between India and China. I was evicted from my country when I was seven years old.  I lived in a Bhutanese refugee camp in eastern Nepal from 1992 to 2008 with my parents, two brothers and a sister.

Refugee life is very hard life.  Many times we did not have enough food to eat, no good water to drink, not enough clothes, no proper medical care; problems in all sectors. It was scary place to live for women and young girls. I studied in the refugee camp and then went to college in Nepal.

In May, 2007 I married Hari Subedi. He is a nice person and has helped me in all of my steps of my life. I love him so much. We came to USA in August, 2008, through IOM (International Organization for Migration) and started living in Albuquerque, New Mexico. At the beginning life was very difficult and very challenging.  We faced many problems but we are working hard and try to improve our life.

In May 2009, my son, Aarpan, was born. He is very nice and is the source of thinking I have to work hard for my baby and make his better life.

I have learned to make different things like aprons, cushions, tote-bags, beading, etc. I learned at the New Mexico Women's Foundation, Sew Rights and other community work places.

Now I started making some money and helping my husband to run my family. I still have lot of problems like languages.  I want to go back to school and learn some things but I don't have another source of income. I am hopeful and hard working, thinking that one day I will reach my goal.

Thank you for supporting my efforts by buying an apron.  I hope you enjoy it.

Duka Subedi