Pie of the Month: Special Edition
George Foreman. Michael Jordan. Garth Brooks. Roger Clemens. Junior Seau. Evander Holyfield. Jay Z. Jimmy Connors. And now, Omar Phillips.
The connection? These are all people who have either officially or unofficially retired, then made a comeback.
Back in August, I took a break from the pie making. I'll be honest, I made some pretty nasty pies. That custard pie, for example, it was so bad, it was offensive. Let's say a friendly alien species came to Earth, and was like, "let us try some of your foods." If we gave them some of my custard pie, they'd kill us all. Do you understand what I'm saying? They'd kill every last one of us.
So rather than subjecting the human race to that risk, I decided to hang up my apron. (Figuratively speaking, of course, because a man with my levels of testosterone would only wear an apron at the command of Catherine Zeta Jones. And maybe Halle Berry too, but it would have to be a pretty manly apron.)
But Thanksgiving brings out the pie lover in all of us. I started doing the "Pie of the Month" series around this same time last year. Thanksgiving is to pie as Captain is to Tennille. So I had no choice but to (figuratively) lace up the apron and make a pumpkin pie.
I will go so far as to say it was the best pumpkin pie I've ever made. And if you don't tell my mom, I'll say that it may have even been one of the best I've ever tasted. Last year, the boy tried some, and seemed to enjoy it. This year, after trying a slice, he specifically asked me for it each of the next few meals. He even said please, which is usually only used when he wants scissors or something equally dangerous.
I won't claim that I'm fully out of retirement, just that I had to make a Thanksgiving comeback. Plus, if I haven't mentioned yet, that last pie I made - the custard one - it was painfully horrid. I couldn't retire on that note. But this, this is a laurel I can comfortably rest on.
Comments
Rhonda said:
I adore pumkin pie...I almost ate a whole one by myself this year. Are you planning to share your ultra-fabulous recipe? Or better yet, could you just send me one?
Radioactive Sizz said:
Let's recap: the boy asks for more of this pie the same way he asks for scissors and other "equally dangerous" things. Yet you attest the pie was good? Perhaps my confusion is understandable, and not just because I'm easily confused.
I said:
Rhonda - I pull my super-secret recipe from the back of the Libby's Pumpkin can. As for sending you pie, I just shoved some in my network jack. I told it to go to Houston and find Rhonda. So while I'm hoping it will get there shortly, I'll admit that I don't have that much faith in technology. In fact, I think I can still see some of it in the network jack right now, so I'm not sure it has even started in your direction yet...
RaJ - I understand the confusion. Let me clarify by saying that he reserves "please" for the really good/fun/dangerous items that he doesn't expect we'll give him. If he wants more milk, it's "MO MILK!" If he wants scissors, it's "Daddy, c'I have scissors please?" I should have bragged by saying it's the only food that doesn't include the word "pancake" that he asks me for AND will actually eat.
seventeen syllables said:
Dude, that is a gorgeous pie. Congratulations on your comeback. We all knew you had it in you.
demosthenes said:
The stars must be aligned. I actually ate cheesecake this Thanksgiving* and liked it. The chocolate in which I lathered it may have played a part, but it's still a first.
From now on I'm calling you Omar Lemieux. You just have to buy a professional pie-making team and appoint yourself captain while taking in and raising an up-in-coming pie prodigy.
*a feat in itself
Lia said:
I heart pumpkin pie.
I should have gotten here earlier, before RaJ stole my deep insightful notation on the goodness of pies and scissors. Whatever that means.
Lianne said:
I am delighted that you have returned to the pie making world. I have decided that my one and perhaps only resolution for next year is to learn to make pie crusts.
I will look to you for guidance and mentorship.
Syar said:
I must get myself a slice of this "pumpkin" business.
I'm in the tropics, so the best we have is McDonalds banana pie, and even that I haven't tasted.
I heart the Boy. "Daddy, c'I have scissors please?" is right up there with "Ooh, iss bright!"
cadiz12 said:
way to go, omar.
pumpkin was an acquired taste for me, but i must say, when done well, is scrumptious.
Cate said:
It is a very good-looking pumpkin pie. But I doubt it even comes close to tasting as good as my Mom's pumpkin pie, which happens to be The Best Pumpkin Pie Ever.
jazzy said:
yes, but let's hope your comeback isn't like seau's.
that arm was freaking gross!
Jon said:
Yeah, Seau’s arm was horrific. I saw it live and I think I was the first to realize that while Junior is a freak, he is not a freak because he has two elbows on the same arm. Although now that I think about it, that would be a tremendous advantage in wrapping up a runner… I’m going to stop thinking about it now because it’s just too creepy.
I see we have a Jewish ninja… I’m curious though, do any of them celebrate Festivus?
Viking said:
So the poll... Does it count if one went shopping for oneself?
elasticwaistbandlady said:
I saw the reflection in the oven of you squatting. I really wish I could have been there......to push you over.
Pumpkin pie with fancy dollops of Cool Whip all over it is my favorite! Want to know a secret? I like the taste of my pumpkin pie from a can than the fresh one. Somewhere you can hear Marie Callendar weeping....