Not So Easy ~ The Pie Strike

52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks: Week 30 (EASY)


This week's prompt of easy had me thinking about the discovery of famous folks in MY BRAMBLE BUSH FAMILY TREE that resulted in finding well researched family history that I could tap into. 


When I visited the Generations Cafe I saw the prompt with a picture of pie beside it, and my plans took a delicious turn.


I started thinking about the strawberry rhubarb pie my grandma made when I was young. I loved her pie, but the best part was when she would give us stalks of rhubarb and bowls of sugar to snack on while she made the pie. 

This got me to thinking about where food fits in our family history. How many family & personal memories are connected to food.


My mother gave me her handwritten recipe book from when she was first married to my father. She wanted me to have the recipe book because it had dad's granny's scone recipe in it. My paternal grandmother was born in Scotland. I believe the recipe below is her mother's recipe.

Mom's handwritten recipe book front cover, circa 1967

Mom's handwritten recipe book scone ingredients, circa 1967

Mom's handwritten recipe book scone instructions, circa 1967

As I looked through the recipe book I was flooded with memories about my mom, and the food she prepared. My mom died almost 4 1/2 years ago. I still think about her almost everyday. My mom was a fantastic cook. My parents were divorced when I was 8. One of the things my dad remembers fondly about my mom was her cooking. When dad comes for dinner I often cook the recipes my mom used to make. 


As I went through the pages of the recipe book I was surprised to find only one pie recipe which is rhubarb meringue. Mom was famous for her pies, but rhubarb meringue was never cooked by her to the best of my recollection.


Mom and my step dad lived in a small recreation community by the water. They had a large circle of friends. Mom's pies were loved by all, and she was always asked to bring pie to their gatherings. 


Every time I hear the story of the PIE STRIKE I giggle. 


They had a get together and someone besides mom brought a pie. My step dad ate a piece, and casually mentioned that it was as good as mom's. With a twinkle in her eye mom declared a pie strike. 


Dad had no idea what was about to begin. For the first few weeks he was amused by the strike. 


As the weeks went on he became less amused. Dad had a sweet tooth, and those famous strawberry rhubarb pies I mentioned earlier were made by his mom. Dad grew up on a farm in Ontario, and pie was a regular part of his childhood. Until the PIE STRIKE pie had been a regular part of his life as an adult too. 


Initially there wasn't too much of a crisis because mom always had a few unbaked pies in the freezer. Baking an already prepared pie was within dad's kitchen skills, but mom's crust was the best I have ever eaten so once those frozen pies were gone there was no more pie. 


As the weeks progressed, and mom started taking things other than pies to the local gatherings their friends started missing her pies. 


At some point an intervention was planned. 


One of the single guys (who really missed mom's pies) arranged to visit with the intent to mediate an end to the PIE STRIKE. He arrived with a 6 pack of beer, sat at the table, asked them to sit across from each other with him in the middle, and explained that everyone was tired of the PIE STRIKE so he was there to assist with negotiations. 


He first asked mom what happened explaining that dad would get his turn. Mom explained that dad had eaten the other person's pie and said it was as good as mom's. He then asked dad to explain. Dad said that what mom said was exactly right. 


The mediator looked dad in the eye and said "Man are you f**kin crazy? Why would you do that? You had all the delicious pie you could ever want, and you blew it with a single piece of pie you could never get more of. Now none of the rest of us get pie either. You gotta fix this!" 


It was clear that the mediator had chosen sides.  

The PIE STRIKE was averted.

Memories, family history and comfort food!

This is why I search - 

Cause ... 

You can pick your friends, but you can't pick your family you know!

***Any errors are my own. Please send me any updates or corrections via the comments at the bottom of this blog post***

Links:

Amy Johnson Crow, 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks Challenge
https://www.amyjohnsoncrow.com/

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