Those are the pies I made today. One for August's class and one for their family. You can't just make one chocolate pecan pie, can you? I found out what the pie deal is. His class is going on a field trip tomorrow and so his teacher came up with the idea to have a pie tasting and judging party event after the field trip because as we all know, trying to teach a room full of third-graders after a field trip is a fool's errand. Jessie made a key lime pie so August will be well represented with pies.
I delivered the pies in the short window when the boys were home after school but before they had to leave for gymnastics. And of course they had to have a piece.
Just a tiny piece. They gave the pie a very positive review.
It occurred to me last night how much Granny Matthews would have loved these little boys. I have no idea how many times I've written about Granny Matthews on this blog but if you're interested in who she was, do a little search up there and you'll find plenty of posts I wrote about her and that involved her. But she did love little guys and loved to spoil them and cook for them and I know she would have been so pleased to know that MY grandchildren love the same chocolate pecan pie she used to make for her grandchildren and that is a sort of history that is not so much verbally passed down, generation after generation, but is as much a true part of it as any story could be. Tangible reminder and proof of love being handed down.
I had to go to Publix AGAIN after I left Jessie's house because some of the kids wanted me to make the cranberry orange relish I always make and so I needed cranberries and oranges. Glen and I will enjoy a little bit of it when we eat our little Thanksgiving supper. It's so funny, isn't it, how families all have their own cranberry traditions at Thanksgiving? I know that for many people, it would not be Thanksgiving without that sloosh of cranberries being slid out of the can onto a pretty plate. And as with all traditions, whatever your family's are, they are the right ones for you.
Or not, depending on what sort of family you come from.
Or not, depending on what sort of family you come from.
I also bought the little chicken I plan to stuff and roast for us. It's mostly frozen so I put it in the refrigerator where it will be nicely thawed by next Thursday. And I bought French's Fried Onions because one MUST have green bean casserole for Thanksgiving. Right?
But I had the most beautiful experience in Publix. I saw a friend whom I know from Hank, of course, and I go back a long way with her. This woman is known around these parts as the Very Best Hugger. She could probably support herself AND her wife with the selling of hugs. And each one of them would be as sincere and loving as a hug from your mother if your mother really loved you and was a great hugger. So when I spied her walking my way I thought, Oh, great! I'm going to get a Joanna hug and I mean, I was ready. I had not one molecule of that feeling you sometimes get when you run into someone you know at the grocery store and you sort of groan inside because honestly, you'd just rather not. Nope. I was happy to see her. And we did hug and it was great and we talked for a few moments. I'm not sure how we got around to it but I guess she spent a Thanksgiving or two at our house a long time ago and she said, "You've always taken us in." And she said a few more nice things and then she said this, "You are the mama of the queers!"
I could not have felt more honored. And I teared up and I hugged HER and there we were, right by the apples and somehow those words made me feel as if my life has not been entirely in vain and that is a very good feeling.
Thank you, Joanna. I love you so much. And as always, thank you, Hank for bringing so many beautiful people into my life that I never would have known if not for you.
Thank you, Joanna. I love you so much. And as always, thank you, Hank for bringing so many beautiful people into my life that I never would have known if not for you.
So that was my day. Baking some pies and hugging Joanna and forcing August and Levon to give me a kiss (sorry about those personal boundaries, guys) and trying to figure out what the hell to have for supper. I just do not feel inspired but I think it will involve some leftover grouper and spinach and ricotta ravioli. Going to get chilly, chilly tonight and not that warm tomorrow and then into the upper thirties for a few nights.
Winter is coming! The duck is on the bed.
Winter is coming! The duck is on the bed.
Stay as cozy as possible. Consider making a pot of soup. If you want to. And if you don't- Publix has Campbell's soup on BOGO. Just so you know.
Love...Ms. Moon
Thats a lovely thing to be known as !
ReplyDeleteI can't think of anything I'd like better to be known as.
DeleteThere you have it, you are and have been a mama to more kids than you can count. You were meant to spread love. I made a pot of ham and great northern beans today and a little pan of cornbread, comfort food for sure.
ReplyDeleteI have tried. Especially to kids whose parents didn't or couldn't support them the way they needed. Hank brought so many folks like that home. So did May, actually. I have such a tender spot in my heart for them all.
DeleteMy mother made her own cranberry-orange relish for the holidays every year. I don't think I had the stuff out of a can until I was in college. God, hers was good! Wish I still had the recipe.
ReplyDeletethat is what I make every year too. It is super easy and delish!
DeleteI'm fixing to post a picture of the recipe.
DeleteYour chocolate pecan pie sounds really, really good. Plain old pecan pie is too sweet for my taste.
ReplyDeleteIt is cool and damp with rain today and as you suggested, I made soup. Chicken, vegetable and rice soup.
If you think regular pecan pie is too sweet- this one would kill you. I can't even eat it.
DeleteThat sounds like really good soup.
That was a great compliment! And that teacher is inventive, who doesn't like checking a lot of pies..
ReplyDeleteAnd maybe she wanted some help in deciding what sort of pie to make at her house for Thanksgiving!
DeleteCan I please ask a question. I am a recent visitor to your blog and love it. You seem like a beautiful person. By your friend saying “You are the mama of the queers”, is that literal or is it that you are very embracing of every beautiful person that you meet. Marie, Melbourne, Australia
ReplyDeleteHey, Marie! Thank you so much for visiting. You are welcome here anytime. I loved your question. The answer, in fact, is both. I am the mama of some queer folks and I have taken a lot of kids in who needed more support than they were getting at home. Mostly not to live with us, but there were a few of those. My son Hank brought home a lot of people who were not getting what they so sorely needed at home. Plus, he knew I'd feed them which is always good.
DeleteThe wonderful thing about traditions is that every family gets to make their own...and it sounds like your family has them in spades. Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family.
ReplyDeleteIt is snowing here. Our first snow. If you're waiting for me to say how lovely it looks, or how excited I am about it, well...that's NOT tradition, so you might be waiting awhile. I'll get to that point, I suppose, but I'm not there yet.
Exactly. I have thought a lot about how when two people marry or partner up, they have to deal with another family's traditions. It can be hard! I like the idea of making new ones that fit us.
DeleteSnow? Stay warm.
Miss Hill'ys pie comes to mind when chocolate is involved in a pie. I am sure the boys would love to watch that clip...
ReplyDeleteThey will NOT be watching that clip. Not if I have anything to do with it. You are so mean, Linda Sue. (Not really. You're an angel.)
DeleteJust once I would like to see someone in a supermarket that I'm willing to stop and talk to, mostly I spot people before they see me so I can hurry down another aisle instead.
ReplyDeleteThose pies look delicious. We can get cranberry jelly in small jars here, my turkey loving children tell me it's great in a sandwich with leftover cold turkey. I've tried it with chicken and it's pretty good there too.
It is damn rare that I run into anyone that I want to talk to. I do the same duck and run maneuver that you do, generally, but NO ONE is going to turn down an opportunity to hug Joanna. Well, maybe people who hate hugs. They definitely would.
DeleteI've always like canned cranberry sauce fine but I've always made my own anyway. TRADITION!
OMG! Those chocolate pecan pies look heavenly. I could OD on them! Your food always looks so good, Mary Moon! Mine is so drab and I'm pretty restricted and am a lousy cook....so that all adds up to some pretty blah meals. Being a vegetarian puts the brakes on, too. But that's my choice. I guess if I had the gumption and a creative streak, meals could be a little more appealing. I live vicariously through this blog!!
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful to be the Mama to the Queers. What an honor. Sure wish i had had one of those. I hope your pie wins an award at the boy's school/contest.
Paranormal John
One has to be very creative to make food interesting and tasty with a lot of dietary restrictions. I've done it and I know. It's easy as hell to make food taste good when you can put cheese in things and eat bacon and don't worry about sugar.
DeleteI wish you'd had a mama of the queers too. I could still adopt you, John. You know that, right?
Well, I'm available for adoption, Mary. Albeit long distance. Your blog brings me a lot of peace, happiness, laughs and a sense of belonging somewhere. Thank you.
DeleteParanormal John
You can't go wrong with a hug from Jo.
ReplyDeleteAmen, baby. I did not lie.
DeleteI knew who you saw at Publix based on the description alone. And you are definitely mama to the queers. Every Thanksgiving since I have left Florida, I've amazed the Midwesterners who are freezing inside about having Thanksgiving dinner in the back yard in Lloyd.
ReplyDeleteAnna! You commented! Thank you! Of course you knew who I was talking about.
DeleteYou know what? I miss you at Thanksgiving, sitting there, drinking coffee, talking to me. Our family loves you so much. I guess actually, you are a part of our family. I like to think so.
You're welcome! And thanks for taking me into your family. I miss you at Thanksgiving too - did you know that I spent my 30th birthday at your house for Thanksgiving? And next week I'll be...45. Yikes!
DeleteYou are the mama of a lot of things. The love you bring! I’d give you an enormous hug, too!
ReplyDeleteOh, Mitchell! I would love that so much! I would hug you right back.
DeleteMy family is a slid the cranberry out of the can kind of eaters. I detest it. Your pies look fabulous!!!!
ReplyDeleteHaha! Great description of your family.
DeleteSo...where does one find the search button to find one's posts on Granny Matthews? One would like to do so..
ReplyDeletePatricia (a/k/a one of the ones mentioned above.)
At the top left hand corner there's a search box. However, it does not show up on phones.
DeleteThe mama of the queers! I love that. And sister, too, I'd say. :)
ReplyDeleteYour pies look amazing!
Sister, daughter, mother, aunt, whatever.
DeleteI wish I could send you a pie, Steve. It would probably be way too sweet for you though.
What a lovely compliment from Joanna.
ReplyDeleteI've got my folder of Thanksgiving recipes out so I can make my list for the grocery store. Time to get ready...
Isn't that a great compliment? I feel SO honored.
DeleteYou have a folder of Thanksgiving recipes? Oh my goodness. You are organized!
had to check the previous post since I usually miss reading blogs on Thursdays. I suppose it doesn't matter which meal you get together for on Thanksgiving. it's still sharing food with family on a particular day set aside for that. I've never made a chocolate pecan pie. maybe I'll give it a try this year.
ReplyDeleteIt's a pretty easy recipe. The secret is- use more chocolate than is called for. Of course.
DeleteMama of the queers is the best possible compliment a mama could get ;) I have been thinking about signing up to be stand in family at gay weddings - while they're still allowed.
ReplyDelete