I am in the process of saying goodbye to my house – the house that Gramps and I designed and built 23 years ago. We have loved this house very much. It has been a perfect fit every day of those 23 years and leaving it is not easy. But leaving it is what we are doing.

So I am letting go and saying goodbye to special parts of this loved house. The parts that hold the most memories and bring back the most remarkable thoughts of gatherings, laughter, fun and family. Like the dining room and breakfast room, where family meals of all types and sizes have occurred. I’ll take all those memories with me. In fact, our next house must have a dining room big enough for future family gatherings and future memory making events.

One very special piece of the house I must say goodbye to is the marble square set into the kitchen countertop. It has been the best pie crust making spot I’ve ever had and one of my best ideas when building this house.

My love of pies and pie making came from my mother, who was a baker of all things wonderful and sweet. The holidays for her were just one big excuse to bake – anything, everything, for everyone. She made cakes, breads, pies, cookies – even candy! And then gave it all away! A truly remarkable woman!

However, I did not learn to make pies from Mother. I was not very interested in domestic crafts growing up and then she died at a relatively young age. So I remember her pie making but learned pie making later in life on my own. But lucky me – I inherited her pie crust recipe! So somehow, it all came full circle.

Every time I made pies, especially during the holidays, I would be rolling out the dough on the marble slab and thinking about Mother. Always – thinking about her, missing her, talking to her, catching her up on all of the family gossip. It just all went together – pie, dough, marble, Mother. Now, after 23 years, I only have to see the marble slab and I think of my mother.

The marble slab will not be going to the new house but all the warm, cozy memories will. And I certainly plan to have a special spot to make pies in my new place. It will be different but special in its own way.

I sure hope the new owners of our home enjoy the marble as much as I have. I hope they make a bunch of wonderful memories for their family and when the time comes, they have a hard time saying goodbye too.

As an added treat, I’ve included Mother’s pie crust recipe. It’s different than any I’ve seen and I think it’s terrific. Her name was Peggy and she would love the idea of sharing her recipe with all of you, my Sweeties. Enjoy!

PEGGY’S PIE DOUGH

2 cups flour                          1/2 cup cold water

1 cup shortening                 pinch salt

Combine flour and shortening until crumbly. Add water and salt until just combined. Chill for at least 1-2 hours or overnight. Then divide, roll out on floured surface and place in pie dish. Makes 3 – 9″ pie crusts or 2 – 10″ pie crusts. For prebaked pie, bake at 400 degrees for 15 minutes.

(Pie dough must be cold when used. Since this is made with shortening instead of butter, it must be chilled.)