Ethan’s first pie

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Ethan must be like his mother in some ways, because yesterday right after lunch he started hungering for something sweet (I am the same way, we need our little *something* for dessert).  He decided he wanted blueberry pie.  “But, I don’t know how to make blueberry pie”, he sighed.  I reminded him that I had a whole cupboard of cookbooks that he was welcome to look through.

I was on the couch, tired of body and tired of mind.  Happy, mind you, but ……. tired.  I was not going to climb Mt. Everest or make a pie, which both sounded equally challenging at the time.  So did picking up one more toy off the floor, for that matter.

The next time I came to my senses, he was in the midst of mixing up his pie dough.  He had found the recipe he wanted to use, it was from our family cookbook and was my Mom’s recipe for Razzleberry pie.  Instead of using raspberries and blueberries, like she makes it, he would use only blueberries.

Ethan did not know that you mixed the pie dough up by hand.  The butter had to be pea-sized.  He was worried, “Does that mean I have to roll little balls of butter?”  “No, E, pea-sized, not pea-shaped.”  He got his butter just right and then I had to step in, the only time I put my hands on his pie process was to add the ice water for him.  He did all the rest himself. 

After I got his dough into a ball, I sat at the table and watched the rest of the pie baking, offering tips along the way.

My mom lives three hours away, but how wonderful, that in a way she was involved as much as I was, because it was her own recipe. 

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Butter, flour, salt and water made the crust.  Sister Gracie nibbled on the buttery leftover dough.

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Blueberries, flour, sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg made the filling, with a little pat of butter right on top.  Literally.

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The pat of butter is that bulge under the dough.

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“This is Grandpa’s favorite pie, it says so right here”, Ethan said, leaning over the cookbook.

And later on, “I hope Dad likes this pie.”

He worked quietly and calmly.  He knew he could do it and there was no hurry.

After it was safely in the oven, I went to bed and took a nap with Caleb, leaving Ethan on the couch to check the pie when the timer went off.

An hour later, we all gathered around the table so Ethan could serve us fresh blueberry pie.  It was ever so slightly underdone but very nice for a first attempt.  We all liked it, and no one forgot Dad, two pieces were saved for him.  And yes, delighted Dad liked it very much when he got to eat some after a long day of work.

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I’ve been reading “Samuel Whiskers” to my little boys over and over.  In the book, Tabitha Twitchet can’t control her mischievous kittens and mournfully says, “What a thing it is to have an unruly family!”

I can echo Mrs. Tabitha’s drama but not her complaint.  I say, “Oh what a thing it is to be so proud of your boy you could bust.”

Ethan’s first pie, and he made it himself, at 12 years old. 

And then I made him do his own cleaning up, too.

0 thoughts on “Ethan’s first pie”

  2. Great Job, E!  I’m so glad that you chose a recipe from the family cookbook…It always makes me happy to hear that the recipes are being handed down and used.  Madelynn is my baker – she loves to bake things; cookies, cakes, brownies.  But the clean up is always the hard part.  Love, Aunt Colleen

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  5. I am completely and totally IMPRESSED! I didn’t make a pie until I was well into adulthood, and didn’t attempt a pie CRUST until a few years ago. You GO, Ethan! I agree with Thia. 🙂

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  6. That is great!!  I love blueberry pie.  That one looks very good.  Crusts are difficult for even grown people to make…I’m impressed his look so good…He must have watched you somewhere along the line.  

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  8. Awww, how sweet.  I love blueberry pie, I haven’t made one in a while.  How sweet that they didn’t forget dad either.  I just love reading your posts, such a lovely family you have. 

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  11. The pie looks DELICIOUS! Good job,Ethan! The Servant Song brings back good memories. My daughter had a solo part in that song in high school.Have a Blessed week-end!

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  13. Good job, Ethan!  Keep it up.  Reminds me of my oldest son.  He like’s to eat, but then don’t we all =), and sometimes decides to take over when he’s hungry for something in particular.  A good way to learn!

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  14. good for you, ethan!!  looks yummy.
    i only have boys, so i’m lucky and happy that they, too, enjoy cooking and baking with me.  and i love your cleaning up comment.  good for you, shanda!

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  17. OH YUM! That is a great looking pie. Way to go Ethan. My mom always stressed that clean up was part of the job. I guess she knew she would have lots of bakers and not too many washers. We always weighed the entire job before starting. Do I want these cookies enough to clean up? As an adult you appreciate it.

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  29. Shanda, Did I tell that I like your new header. I love pictures of stair step children. Very cute~How fun for “E” to bake his own pie and clean up his own mess. Children do love to step up to the challenge and accomplish new and fun things. What a great Mama for letting him go for it and teaching him to clean up~We use to have dessert all the time, nightly. But then I realized that my husband, who was working nights, missed out on all of it. So we made up “ice cream night” which is every Friday. That was Papa could enjoy it too. Dessert became so much more special for us all~I could so relate to your not wanting to pick up another toy off the ground. This last pregnancy I would walk by so much that was scattered on the floor and just leave it. By the end of my pregnancy I didn’t even feel guilty about it May the Lord satisfy your soul with His love and care for you, for Sarah and for your adorable family~hugs~ Cinnamon

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