Pie Heaven

“When you die, if you get a choice between going to

regular heaven or pie heaven, choose pie heaven.

It might be a trick, but if it's not, mmmmmmmm, boy.”

~ Jack Handy

A few of the tasty treats at "Mr. Tod's Pie Factory" today. 

 

          At an artists' meeting last month, the multi-talented

Penny Arrowood, served a mouth-watering lemon meringue pie that would have made her Granny proud.  Since then,

I can't seem to get "Pie" off of my mind.  I checked our local grocery stores; but their meager offerings were of the premade variety.  I contemplated baking a pie of my own;

but sadly it wasn't in the cards. 

Alas, my craving for pie went unfulfilled... until yesterday.

This week I've had the absolute pleasure of joining Jodi Ohl during her teaching engagement at the "CREATE" mixed media retreat in Somerset, New Jersey.  The experience has been amazing, and I'll share more about it after I return to North Carolina. For now,

let me tempt you with my tantalizing tale of discovery. 

On Jodi's first day of teaching, I was exploring the area when I inexplicably found myself at a small plaza on Easton Avenue. 

It was as if I had been drawn there by an unseen force that could only be described as "The Power of The Pie". 

There, in the middle of the plaza, I discovered 

"Mr. Tod's Pie Factory".  The sights and scents of freshly baked pies almost brought a tear to my eye. 

My biggest challenge from that point forward was in narrowing down my selections.  Yesterday that meant an Apple Pie for me, and a Buttermilk Coconut Pie for Jodi.  Today, we're about to immerse ourselves in Mr. Tod's World Famous Sweet Potato Pie.  (Rumor has it that Oprah loves it too!) 

As for tomorrow...Lemon Chess Pie has caught our eye. 

And the future is bright thanks to Mr. Tod's mail order department.

   

"Any time is a good time for pie."

~ Pulp Fiction

Finding Our New Normal

In our family, it seems like one thing has rolled into another at the speed of light this year.  I know that life is like that sometimes.  And while I'm not complaining, I'm astounded by how much has transpired in a relatively short amount of time.

Thanks to all of you who have reached out to us with your prayers, kind words, and support.  Your thoughtfulness means more than I can possibly say. 

And if you've been personally affected by any or all of my chaotic circumstances, I'm truly sorry, and I hope that you'll forgive me.  If there's anything that I can do to make it up to you, please let me know. 

The good news is that my family and I finally seem to be coming into a new "normal" in our lives.  Adjustments are being made, and overdue projects are being tackled.  It's all happening one day...no, make that one moment... at a time; and we appreciate your love and patience. 

Hopefully for all of us, the best is yet to come!

*These photos were taken in the last month or two.  Yes, Alan really is taller than both of us now!  And thanks to Mom's stay at the rehabitation center, she's getting stronger by the day.  We're hopeful that she'll be joining us at home again soon.  The final photo is of our beloved Fred.