"Give a Piece a Chance." — Books. Blog. Pie Classes. And a Pinch of Activism.
Between the pie baking during these hot summer afternoons and the subsequent body-cooling trips to Terlingua Creek, I’ve realized is that I’m living in the world’s biggest outdoor spa, surrounded by natural treatments — and all for free. Here’s the list so far. 1. Sauna: Bake pies in your kitchen during the height of the … Read more
Betty, my landlady, knocked on my door yesterday and said, “Jim Carrico called.” Jim is a long-time and well-loved resident of Terlingua. He served as the Superintendent for Big Bend National Park for many years, and later invested in a successful adventure outfitter, Desert Sports. My first reaction to her news was that he had … Read more
You know you’re living too far from a grocery store when you start seeing apples growing on the cactus…and wondering if they would do for a pie.
It seems I’ve grow a bit cocky when it comes to bringing my homemade pies to dinner parties. Upon arrival, my pies – and, subsequently me – tend to become the center of attention – culinary and otherwise – robbing the limelight from the party host. Exclamations like “Wow, you made that?!” from fellow guests … Read more
I have two apple crumble pies in my (propane-powered) oven. I am finally making good on my promise to Mimi that I would come back to Terlingua and bake pies for her espresso bar. She is expecting a full house at La Posada Milagro for the 4th of July holiday weekend. Yesterday, she drove to … Read more
I just returned to Terlingua after ten days in Los Angeles. Ten very loud, traffic-filled, stress-inducing days. How did I ever love that city so much? How did I ever tolerate the extreme density of population, housing and cars? How did I ever manage to stay calm and kind in the midst of such aggressive … Read more
This past weekend was my parents’ 50th wedding anniversary. I had planned to bake a banana cream pie for the family celebration – as banana cream is the pie my mom made that prompted my dad to propose to her 50 years ago – but I was too tired to bake. I had just driven … Read more
Yesterday was my birthday so I gathered up a few new friends here in Terlingua and threw a little party. Instead of cake I made pie. And instead of champagne, my dad (who was brave enough to come visit in spite of my tarantula pictures) made his famous martinis. Pie and martinis. What a combo. … Read more
If THIS isn’t a sign that I am meant to stay right where I am, I don’t know what is. Could it also be a message indicating the future location of the Pot ‘O Gold Pie Shop?!Or, wait. Am I in such a state of Texas-inspired nirvana the prism of light is actually radiating out … Read more
Driving back from the swimming hole on Sunday – where I had spent the afternoon with some new friends seeking refuge from the 108 degree day – we stopped at a small ranch to drop off a borrowed water jug. I had noticed the ranch before, a tidy hillside homestead with a nicely painted sign … Read more