M. Suzanne Terry

(Picture blurry because I was shaking with excitement. That’s the excuse I’m going with.)

Before every visit to the farm, we always have at least one conversation about what we will eat. It starts with, “What sounds good?” and my answer – “Anything but liver or pot pie (which is an abomination)” or “Whatever’s on sale.” Steak is often mentioned with a certain amount of glee. I typically throw some sort of dumpling talk and a general disdain for any pork besides bacon into the mix.

When a holiday is approaching, the conversation definitely includes dessert.

Growing up, holiday desserts were a big deal. Our house was the gathering place for Mom’s side of the family, and everyone had their favorites. It was the only course of the meal that had its own table.

Mom would make at least three pies. The two standards were topped with gorgeous meringues – one chocolate and one coconut. The last pie changed every year – lemon meringue, apple, peach, or some other type. Aunt Gale would usually bring cherry and/or pumpkin, and a pecan pie always managed to show up from somewhere. There were also many dozens of cookies and sometimes fresh apple cake (with pecans, but I liked it better without them. Still do.).

It’s been a few years since Mom made pies. I miss them, but with her memory issues, she has a hard time focusing on the recipe long enough to make it and that’s frustrating for her. When only the five of us are there these days, I imagine it’s also disheartening to go to all that trouble for several things that won’t get fully eaten.

Could I make a pie for our holiday meals? Yes, I could. But which one? We all have different favorites, and we’d never be able to choose. Also…I have a confession.

I don’t like meringue.

I know it’s beautiful and many people actually enjoy the taste. There’s nothing wrong with it…per se…and if I am served a piece of pie with meringue at someone’s house, I will gratefully eat it and go back for seconds. Because pie.

But it’s so…squishy? Spongey? One of my dastardly uncles called it calf slobber one time, and that was a little too close to what the texture seemed like to me for my comfort. *shudders*

Still, it doesn’t quite feel like a holiday without them, front and center, on a table full of other pies, cakes (oh gosh – Aunt Gale’s hummingbird cake), candy, quick breads with a ridiculous amount of pecans in them, fruit, etc. The table full of desserts meant ’tis the season and company’s coming.

What foods remind you of holidays?

I’m writing about foods that make me think of home this month.