Would You Bake A Pie For One Person?

 

I met up with my neighbor this afternoon, and we were discussing what we were baking and preparing for Thanksgiving.  She enthusiastically told me that she was making her pumpkin pie with a butter pie crust, eggs, and whipped cream.  She looked so happy and excited that it made me go home and do the same thing. 

I used to make pumpkin pie for my mom, my brother, and I, when I was growing up.  Just a few of us in the family liked it.  I would make a fruit pie for everyone else, too.  (usually apple or berry.)  My mother was always so appreciative when I made them, telling me that my homemade crust was much better that the store bought pies.  It does make a difference.  So does the freshness.  She'd have me bake the pies the  day before Thanksgiving, , then on Thanksgiving morning, we would cook all day together.  My dad always helped.  ( and he did the shopping and dishes.)  We started early, chopping onions and celery for the stuffing.

I  baked an apple crisp yesterday, but decided to go ahead and make a pumpkin pie today, too.  Why not?  I had the ingredients. I whipped together the eggs, sugar, spices, pumpkin, and canned milk.  It brought back memories of making this dessert for so many years for my family.  I rolled out the homemade crust, and placed it in a beautiful hand painted pie dish from Poland that used to belong to my mom.  

 After placing the pie dish on the rack, I carefully poured the pumpkin mixture into the shell.  Ever so slowly, I inched the wire rack back into position, closed the door,  and let the pie bake for one hour.  I wish my mom was here to have a slice.  As I carefully removed it from the oven, I told her to help herself, if she was listening.  You never know, she might be around...  "It looks so pretty," I felt like she whispered back to me.  The filling had come together, and the top was lightly browned.  When you come in the front door the cottage smells buttery and delightful.

I'll enjoy it tomorrow, after the stuffed chicken with all the trimmings.  All of the side dishes are already made.  I may give some pie to some of the kids in the neighborhood, if they want it.  I will ask a couple of the women who live on my street.  It will last in the fridge.  How is your cooking going?

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