The Steps of an Apple Pie

I got my 2 bowls and my parry knife out as I watched Sportscenter on ESPN. One for the peels and core...the other for the cut-up apples.

When that was finished, I put on a little classical music ( the soundtrack from Mr. Hollands Opus), so that at least 3 of my senses would be assaulted as I baked. Smell, hearing, sight. The nose, the ears, and the eyes. I cranked it up so I could hear it in the kitchen.

The pans were lightly sprayed...the crust was rolled out...the apples loaded...cinnamon and sugar sprinkled on...a little butter...top crust added...a few pokes with a fork...then into the oven. 350F for about 40-45 minutes.

Worst part? The cutting of the apples, and the clean-up. (Flour is everywhere.)

Best part? The smell, and (hopefully) the taste.

Apple pies always bring bad memories...both good and bad.

On the good side...Grandma Harty's fried pies, and Mom's apple dumplings. Mere words cannot describe how good both of them were.

Bad? The annual apple pie bake-off at our post office. Every year I entered...every year I lost. Answer me this. How can the guy who originated the bake-off...who started the contest...lose every stinkin year? Unthinkable. One year...we all lost to a store bought pie. Another year, a co-worker who won had his mother-in-law bake the pie. "DOESN'T ANYBODY PLAY BY THE RULES ANY MORE?"

(Now reaching a fever pitch...STAND BACK!!!) Another year someone I won't name (because she has her own Blip page) won the contest. That year...she helped me recruit the judges. Since she delivered mail to the police station...in walked the Chief of Police...in his dress uniform finery.

Believe it or not...the chief and 2 other judges ranked her pie the best...and...and...the chief walked out the door with the rest of her winning pie!!! (Stroking my chin), "Hmmm, I don't see anything suspicious there at all."

Thanks for letting me vent. I'm about half-way back to being calmed down. Perhaps I better put on another classical CD, and let one of the old masters bring me all the way down.

I baked 11 pies. 3 big, 5 medium, and 3 little guys. The finished product shown is one of the small ones.(About 5 inches across.)

P.S. In reality...I'm just a poor loser. Shelley The Blip person mentioned makes a fine pie...and she...and she...(a gentle sob) deserved to win.