Pi Day – Chapter 2 – Pie Making
The children were very excited when they woke up Sunday morning. At 7 AM Kate climbed into bed with Jane and Maura. She climbed in on Maura's side of the bed and snuggled up with her and gave her a kiss on the cheek. She then climbed over her so she could give Jane a kiss on the cheek and said 'good morning.'
"Five more minutes, Maur." Jane said sleepily.
"Not more, mama, is Kate." Kate said as she kissed her mama.
Jane half opened one eye and asked, "What time is it little one?"
"Time to eat." Kate said as she snuggled up with Jane.
"That's fine sweetie but what time does the clock say." Jane asked still very sleepy and still with only one eye opened.
"Clock not talk, mama." Kate said as she held a hand to each side of Jane's face.
Jane smiled at her youngest daughter and said, "What are the digits? I can't focus to read them."
"Seven, zero, zero, is tat early?" Kate asked a sleepy Jane. Maura stirred when she heard voices and turned into Jane and snuggled up with both Jane and Kate. She didn't make a sound. She just kissed Jane on the lips and then Kate on the cheek.
Jane wasn't even sure if Maura realized that Kate was in the bed with them. Just because she kissed her doesn't mean she realized Kate was there. A few minutes later Jane woke Maura up as they both climbed on top of her and started kissing her. Maura gave them a huge smile when she opened her eyes and saw Jane and Kate.
By 7:20 AM they were all downstairs preparing breakfast. They knew the children needed to eat before they started making their pies. Jane and Maura made bunny pancakes as that is what the kids loved to eat on the weekends when their mommies were home with them. During the week they normally ate oatmeal with fresh fruit. Jane couldn't believe their children didn't like cereal. She still had a box in the cupboard and snuck in a bowl every so often.
Angela, Constance and Arthur arrived a few minutes before nine. Arthur had planned to observe the activity and take some pictures as he knew how important pictures were to Jane and Maura. One of them was often missing from the pictures as someone needed to take the picture.
At 9 AM after eating some pancakes each kid picked up their ingredient list and read it over. Maura had laid all the ingredients in the center of the kitchen island. There were four children and four adults so it worked out great that each child would have an adult working with them. They let Kate pick who she wanted to work with and she selected her mommy. Kate said, "Mommy because we both make lemon mermaid pies."
The grandparents all held their hands over their mouths so as not to laugh at what Kate said. They knew it might upset her, but it was funny. They had never heard someone refer to Lemon Meringue pie as lemon mermaid pie.
Lilly selected Constance, AJ picked Angela and MJ picked Jane. MJ wanted to work with his mama, so it worked out great. MJ knew his mama could bake pies because she had helped Maura several times over the years, including last year.
The first item on everybody's list was the pie shell. Maura had selected a very simple recipe that the children would be able to make. Angela and Constance had both brought over their measuring spoons and cups knowing that all four children would be making their pies at the same time. Maura and Jane each had a set of measuring spoons and bowls when they got married just over ten years ago, so there were two sets in the house already.
Maura was very thankful that their kitchen island was huge as it provided enough room for each of the four groups to work without bumping into each other. The children had fun rolling out the dough. AJ managed to get flour all over himself and Angela. It was quite the sight.
With Frost's help Maura had set up video cameras to film the whole event so she knew she would be able to get a picture off of the video camera later. Arthur had gone outside for a few minutes and had missed the flour fiasco. Jane, Arthur, Angela and Constance along with the children had no idea Maura had set up two video cameras to film the event. Maura knew someone would end up with flour all over them, she just thought it would be Jane.
Each of the adults helped the children with their filling. MJ needed to cut up apples, AJ bananas and Lilly pecans. They read their instructions carefully and over the next two hours all of the fillings were made and place in their pie tins. MJ and Lilly's pies needed to cook.
AJ's crust needed to be blind cooked. While they were making the filling. Angela put the crust in the oven. Once the pie crust cooled, they could put the filling in and then chill the pie for 3-4 hours.
Lilly's pie crust needed to be frozen before she added her filling so once she finished lining her pie tin Constance placed it in the freezer for her. Pecan pies are better when you start with a shell that has been frozen first so that the fat in the shell will settle and help maintain the composition of the finished pie.
Kate's pie crust also needed to be blind cooked for twenty minutes. There was a great deal of commotion going on in the kitchen and Jane and Maura were so thankful that their mother's wanted to help. It made it nice that each child had an adult working with them. The recipes all called for a nine-inch pie tin so they used two five-inch tins for each child.
Kate wanted to mix the meringue and Maura let her help her do it. She didn't want to tell Kate no as it was Kate's pie. Kate was interested in learning and Maura wanted to teach her. She wanted the children to have fun and learn to cook. Her mother never showed her how to cook and she cherished her times when she cooked with Angela. She knew Jane didn't want to learn to cook from her mother when she was growing up but Jane could cook and loved to cook with her.
The children were laughing and having a great time. They enjoyed times like this with their mothers. Once the children finished their pies and began to clean up Jane asked Maura if she could be excused to work on her pie. Maura wondered what pie Jane would be making. Jane was adamant that she would have to wait until later in the day to find out just like everybody else.
After helping the children make their pies, Jane and Arthur retreated to the guest house to make Jane's pie. She was trusting her father-in-law not to spill the beans as to what her pie was. She wanted to surprise everyone. Arthur was so thrilled when he saw the recipe of what kind of pie they were making. He thought it sounded delicious. He couldn't wait until he was able to sample it later that evening.
Arthur gave Maura the digital camera before he went to the guest house with Jane. Maura looked over the pictures that Arthur had taken. She displayed them on the television so that everyone could look at them with her. She loved that her father took pictures for her. She wanted pictures for the children's photo albums that she was putting together. She loved the photo album that her mother had put together for her. She didn't have too many times like this in her childhood but the ones she did have her parents managed to capture in pictures and she was so thankful for that.
Years earlier, before the children were born Maura had shared her photo album with Jane. Jane had twice as many pictures from her childhood and that is what Maura wanted to provide for their children.
Arthur was cutting up strawberries while Jane made the crust and prepared her nine-inch pie tin. The crust would need to freeze for about 30 minutes before they could fill it. They were both excited about this pie. The pie would take a couple of hours but Jane was so looking forward to it. She thought this pie was a great representation of her and her personality. The pie didn't take long to make, it just needed to chill for a few hours after it was put together.
Once the pie was in the refrigerator Jane and Arthur rejoined the rest of the family. The children were wondering when they could eat their pies. "How about we have a piece of our pies after dinner?" Jane told them and that answer seemed to be agreeable to all of the children.
The children went to play in the living room but Kate walked up to Jane and asked, "Mama, what pie you make?"
"It is a surprise sweetheart, you will find out after dinner when we all have a piece of our pie, okay?" Jane replied.
"No, not okay, mama." Kate said with a pout.
Jane picked her up and snuggled with her. "Little one, mommy doesn't even know what kind of pie I made. She has to wait also. Can you be a good girl and wait like mommy?"
"Not want to wait, mama." Kate said and gave her best puppy dog eyes for Jane. Jane was a sucker for Kate's puppy dog eyes.
"Okay, I will take you over and show you but you cannot tell anyone, okay?" Jane asked her.
"Yes, mama." Kate replied enthusiastically.
Jane picked up Kate and they walked out to the guest house. Maura looked concerned. Jane mouthed 'it's okay I have it under control.' Maura smiled back at her. Jane shifted Kate and blew Maura a kiss.
When they went inside the guest house, Jane put Kate down and they walked over to the refrigerator. Jane showed Kate the pie. "It beutifull mama." Kate told Jane as she admired the beautiful pie.
"Isn't it? I can't wait to taste it. Do you want a small piece when I cut it up tonight?"
"Yes, mama, peas!" Kate stated.
"Of course, little one, right after I give mommy a piece." Jane replied.
"Mommy always first, right?" Kate asked.
"Yes, I have to keep mommy happy with me. There is a saying 'happy wife, happy life.' I want to continue to be happy, don't you?"
Kate said, "I is happy mama. You mommy me happy."
"Yes, we are all happy. Let's go see mommy. I miss her." Jane said as she put her hand on top of Kate's head. Kate looked up at her mama and brushed her hand away as she frowned at her.
"I miss too." Kate replied.
Jane picked Kate up and then went back to the main house. Jane walked right over to Maura and hugged her. Kate gave Maura a kiss on the cheek and said, "miss mommy." Kate could walk but Jane wanted to get back to Maura and she had longer legs. She could get back to her quicker if she picked up Kate. Plus, she thought it wouldn't be too much longer and Kate wouldn't want to be held, so she was taking advantage of the time.
"Oh, sweetie, I missed you too. Did mama show you her pie?"
"Yes, secret, no tell you." Kate told her mommy.
"It is alright sweetheart, she will show it to me later when we all bring our pies out." Maura said as she was still embraced in Jane's hug. It seemed like torture waiting until after dinner to eat a slice of their pies. Jane wasn't sure if the children would make it. They were getting impatient.
Jane pulled Maura aside and asked, "Babe, do you think we can have dessert before dinner tonight? I know the children really want to have a slice of their pies. They have been really good all day."
"Are you sure it is the children or is it you, love?" Maura said as she smirked at Jane. Maura was getting really good at smirking at Jane. Jane has been smirking at her for years and some of Jane's traits were passing off to Maura as some of Maura's were passing off to Jane.
Jane just smiled and said, "Both."
"Well at least you're honest. Okay let's have dessert first." Maura said as Jane hugged her and gave her a kiss as she dipped her down so quickly Maura thought that Jane might drop her.
Jane clapped her hands to get everyone's attention. "Tonight, we are going to do something special. We're having dessert first. So, if everybody can come take your seat at the table, we will serve up our pies." Angela, Constance and Arthur all looked at Jane with confusion. "It's okay, the children all are tired of waiting for their pies and they have been good so we decided to treat them."
They all looked to Maura for confirmation. Maura nodded her head and all the adults came over to the refrigerator to help pass out the pies. Some needed cool whip and such on top. Jane placed a little mermaid decoration on top of Kate's pie. Kate's face lit up when she saw the little mermaid decoration.
Once everybody had a slice of their pies, Jane said, "Okay, I am going to go out to the guest house and get my pie." When Jane passed Maura her lemon meringue pie she said, "I Only Have Pies For You." Jane knew it was corny but she caouldn't help herself sometimes. "Now I am going to cut you a small slice of my pie." Maura teared up a little. She loved Jane and knew Jane could be corny sometimes but it was so cute. She knew she had someone special when she met Jane.
"What is the name of this beautiful pie, Jane?" Maura asked.
"It is called a 'Chocolate Strawberry Oasis Pie' and it looks like it tastes wonderful. I can't wait to have a piece. I promised Kate she could have a piece after I gave a piece to you." She looked at everyone else at the table and asked, "Would anyone else like to try a small slice of this beautiful pie?" Everybody shook their head 'yes' so Jane cut the pie into thin slices and dished up the pie. "Now remember everyone, tomorrow is Pi Day we are just having a small slice tonight and then tomorrow night we will have some more, okay?"
Everybody had pie in their mouths and just nodded. Maura looked at Jane and said, "That pie might look delicious but it so loaded with chocolate and is probably very high in calories."
"It might be, but it is the type of pie I wanted and you said we could make whatever type of pie we wanted." Jane said as she wigged her eyebrows at Maura. Maura just smiled at Jane. Jane came over and gave Maura a bone crushing hug and whispered in her ear, "I love you very much, you know that right?" Maura looked Jane in the eyes and said, "Yes, love and I love you very much now eat your pie." Jane replied, "Yes ma'am, so bossy." She took a bite of her pie and had a huge smile on her face, it was so delicious.
Maura asked, "Would anybody be interested in making a different type of pie tomorrow night for dinner?"
MJ asked, "Mom, are you talking about what I think you are talking about?"
Maura thought for a minute and then responded, "I believe I am. Early Italian immigrants in New York referred to pizza as pies because of the similarities. Throughout generations the name has stuck and spread throughout the United States. So, I would like for us to make personal pan pizzas for dinner tomorrow night in celebration of Pi Day. What do you think? Mama and I can make the dough, you children can roll it out and then add your toppings and then we can bake it and eat it. After our pizza we can then have more of our pies that we made today."
"I love the idea mommy." MJ stated.
"Me too." AJ, Lilly and Kate all said at the same time.
Angela asked, "Can I come over and have pizza and pie with you?"
"Of course, Angela. Mother, Father would you like to come over also?"
Constance and Arthur looked at each other, nodded and Constance said, "Of course, darling."
Jane said, "Sounds like we are having pizza and pie for dinner tomorrow night. Or should I say pie and pie?" Everyone laughed. The children all started talking at once about what type of toppings they wanted on their pizza tomorrow night. They all had fun making their pies and were looking forward to making their pizza (pies) tomorrow night and having another slice of their delicious pies.