Family are relations by blood but sometimes if you are very lucky, family are relations by bond.
People who adopt you into their fold, who become your brothers, sisters and Nannie's. The most unlikely of people who at the most unlikely of times invite you into their lives and engulf you in their warmth.
These are your tribe.
It was the summer Mr. Hubby & I had just purchased our first home and it was a mess. It was a 1950's brick colonial but a real dog of a house - a true fixer upper. The spinster who lived there before us had many cats, the exact number of which is unknown but from the sheer quantity of fur balls behind each radiator, in each kitchen cabinet & the rancid smell that emanated from everything I'd say it was a herd (or is it litter?).
It was also the time I had learned we were to have our first child. We didn't know this when we first purchased the home. It was a surprise gift. Mr. Hubby, our dear friend Michael & I worked relentlessly finishing the hardwood floors, staining them, painting the walls and getting rid of layers & layers of ugly gray carpet which graced every inch of the home, right down to the bathroom. The kitchen & bathrooms would have to wait a good 3 years for a renovation.
Then, we began working on the yard. We had more weeds than grass and more brush than bushes. Every weekend we'd spend hours on end trying to turn the front yard into something presentable. It was then that a 92 year old woman who looked more 70 than 90 shouted out at us from the home next door. " You're putting me to shame "she said. "I feel like I should be working in the yard with you rather than sipping lemonade".
She was warm & friendly & so very kind offering us cool drinks every time she'd see us working in the yard. The next day, she bought us green beans, tomatoes & fresh corn that she picked up from the farmer's shed down the road. Fresh & succulent.
From that day on, every time I went to the shed, it was with her. People always looked at us funny when we were together. I guess they thought what an odd pair we were.
I'd get back home from work and the first think I'd do is run across the 10 ft of grass to her back door and shout out to her to come over for tea. The walls around our house dissolved & it was as though the two homes became one. My dear friend Beth who is her grand daughter cared for her and lived with her. A person, like her grandmother, true as gold. I am so grateful for her continued friendship.
One day Nannie came over with this - Million dollar Pie.
It has since been my husband's favorite & is now the favorite of my sons. Every occasion, holiday or sometimes on no particular occasion, she'd treat us with her pie. So wonderful, light & refreshing.
Some days, we'd sit on the porch & shuck 4 lbs of green beans at a time and she'd share stories of her life - growing up in North Carolina on the farm, and how she met her husband & fell in love & they'd go fishing together on the lake.
The last few months as I was as big as a cow & waddling around near term, Nannie would say to me "I hope I can meet your son" and I'd immediately retort" Of course you will, why would you say that?"
It was a few days before our son was due that Nannie Davis passed away & I felt the walls of our house around us for the first time. She never did meet our son.
A few days after the funeral Beth gifted me this recipe -
It was Nannie Davis' Million Dollar Pie recipe in her own hand. I am so grateful that Beth in addition to my memories of her grandmother left me with a little something of her.
And so it is that I give you Nannie Davis' Million Dollar Pie.
The only changes I've made to the recipe is increasing the amount of cool whip used & using a larger can of Mandarin oranges just because they taste so good.
The main ingredients are -
20 oz can crushed pineapple, 15 oz can mandarin oranges in juice, 2 graham cracker crust (ready-made), 1 can sweet condensed milk (eagle brand), 1 lemon & 1 large tub cool whip.
Remove the crusts from their packaging. Drain away the juices from the canned fruit in a sieve.
Freshly squeeze the lemon juice in a bowl.
In a large bowl -
Measure out 3/4 quantity of the large tub of cool whip, add drained fruits, condensed milk & lemon juice.
Keep turning the bowl & folding the ingredients over & over again with the spatula till completely blended.
Spoon the filling equally into the pie shells. Chill in the refrigerator for at least 6 hours & serve cold.
Plate each slice & garnish with orange slices & mint.
I remember Nannie every time I bite into her lip smacking, delicious, light & refreshing pie.
And with each bite I always imagine her on the lake, in a little boat fishing with her beloved husband. Here's to one of the youngest 92 year old ladies I've had the real honor to know!
Recipe for
Nannie Davis' Million Dollar Pie
Each pie serves 4-6
Preparation time - 15 minutes
Cooling time - 6 hours
Shopping list -
20 oz can crushed pineapple
15 oz can mandarin oranges in juice (or smaller can if desired)
2 graham cracker crusts (ready-made)
1 can sweet condensed milk (eagle brand)
1 lemon
1 large tub cool whip
Preparation -
Remove
the crusts from their packaging.
Drain away the juices from the canned
fruit in a sieve.
Freshly squeeze the lemon juice in a bowl.
The filling -
In a
large bowl, measure
out 3/4 quantity of the large tub of cool whip, add drained fruits,
condensed milk & lemon juice.
Keep turning the bowl & folding the ingredients over & over again with the spatula till completely blended.
Spoon the filling equally into the pie shells. Chill in the refrigerator for at least 6 hours.
Plate each slice & garnish with orange slices & mint.
Serve chilled.
Enjoy!
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