Sunday, November 8, 2009

Pecans, Pie and Pony


A gray, gusty, golden-leafed afternoon. When lunch was done, I drove the short drive to family land on O'Farrell Road. I was on a mission. I had pie on my mind.

Surely I've mentioned it before - how I love picking up pecans, coming home to roll out pie crust, drizzling warm chocolate and a bit of cream over my fresh-from-the-oven pecan pie. Only I'm running out of pecans from my Freeman House stash. Time to hunt for more.

Pecan picking isn't as easy as it sounds. For one, pecans are clever. They wear these tan-and-brown jackets that perfectly camouflage them among the damp earth and crunchy leaves. But look carefully enough and you'll find them. You'll go cross-eyed several times in the process, but you'll find them.

I started my hunt near the property fence under a canopy of pecan and cedar trees. Traces of my Great Grandfather remain stamped here at his old homestead. A barbed wire-scarred tree tells of a long-gone fence. The shed in the background reminds me of garden and farm implements, fishing lures, seedlings. I started here, among my memories, and began filling my cotton bag with pecans. Within an hour I was done. Seems the squirrels and worms had first hunt.

As did Pecan. He's one of the miniature ponies now living on Henry and Belle's farm. He plodded alongside me as I picked. He caught me up on the goings-on at the farm. It was a good talk.

I'm off to make pie now. Time to narrow down this year's Thanksgiving pie offerings. Besides the stand-bys (Bourbon Pecan, Chocolate Creme, and Pumpkin), I'm considering two others: Joy's Buttermilk Pie and Lisa's (Sweet) Pinto Bean Pie.

Glad I still have a week or two to think on it....

12 comments:

Unknown said...

The nice thing about memories is they are always there when you need them. What a nice day you had, that pony is adorable! I'm curious about the pinto bean pie?

Catherine Anne said...

Great post and yes what a cute little pony!

Tara said...

I grew up in O'Farrell/Piney Grove area. Lots of pecan trees and ponies. My dad broke horses for people while I was growing up. Lots of good memories!
Now I'm hungry though. Love pie...

Lili said...

You have such a wonderful writing style. And now I'm craving one of those pies drizzled with warm chocolate too.

Anonymous said...

Oh, yes, EVERYONE needs to try the pinto bean pie -- and I do mean everyone! Just to say you've tried it. Come on!

Southern Blooms said...

Hi Brin, I've been reading you for awhile now. I've commented a few times. I think I even emailed you a long time ago about your camera. Anyway, I just wanted to say that was such a beautiful post. I know the land my grandparents had is so sacred to me, I know how you feel. The pony is adorable!
(((huggs)))

Sarah said...

Pecan is so cute!

Sissy said...

Oh, I know what you mean about going cross-eyed looking at the ground. On Saturday I was blowing leaves, and our sour gum trees drop all these spiky seed gum balls and they stick in the ground, and blend in! I missed many, many of them, I know. Sigh.

BostonGirl said...

I wish I could come and put my head on Pecan's shoulder. So beautiful! What a neat post!

Kimberly said...

Yes! I would love it if you came to see my dream the next time around. You are always welcome. Birthday sisters unite! We are planning to adopt two little girls from Ethiopia and praying fervently as to what human steps I am to take to allow the financial resources to flood our bank account so we can make this journey. So right now my dreams are in Africa......

Charm and Grace said...

Pecans... the stuff dreams are made of. I grew up with a giant pecan tree on either side of my house. We never had to buy pecans... ever. So in my current life in the 'big city', with no pecan tree even remotely close, it pains me to pay for these jewels. Yet, pay I must because I have had a love affair with that particular nut for as long as I can remember. My hubby loves buttermilk pie (with pecans on top, of course). Not my favorite as it has a spongy texture. But good old plain southern pecan pie... that's my favorite!

Blessings,
Christi

Stickhorsecowgirls said...

Ponies are the best company! Until recently (long, sad story), I had two sister ponies. When I would walk through the pasture, they'd trail along with me, looking at what I stopped to look at, begging for behind-the-ear scratching and sometimes tugging on me gently with their teeth. I miss them! C