Saturday, December 31, 2011
Monday, December 5, 2011
18 more pies, Thanksgiving & Artistic Freedom
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| Last night's Pie, #196 Peppermint Brownie Pie |
Remember me?!? The pie lady is still baking over here.
I've only been procrastinating the writing. Since my last entry I have baked another 18 pies(for him) and upwards 58 more for Kate's Piehole Records. I had a wonderfully productive first Thanksgiving, baking & delivering over 40 pies. WHEW!!!
I also quit my day job, well, I quit full time employment. This has allowed me more time in the afternoons for delivering my pies.
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| Pumpkin Pecan Pie |
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| Thanksgiving Day deliveries |
Thanksgiving ..or as I now like to call it the
Thanks- for- the-Pie Holiday, has gave me a chance to showcase one of my original pies ..The Pumpkin Pecan.
Of course I made a few of those Classic Pumpkin Pies, with the God awful crack running through out 'em. I guess that's how they are expected to turn out ?!? It's funny...the biggest seller was Apple, go figure. Thought it would have been those lovey Pumpkin Pies. lol
While the pies I've baked for Stuart, have been a little less attended to
He still loves 'em.
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| #179 Pumpkin |
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| #180 Pumpkin Pecan |
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| #18-185 Mini Pepper Jack Quiches |
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| #186 Classic Apple |
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| #187 Pumpkin Pecan |
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| #188 Ham Broc. Red Pepper Quiche |
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| #189 Burnt Apple Walnut |
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| #190 Peanut Butter Pie w/Oreo crust |
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| #191 French Silk |
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| #192 French Silk,again. |
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| #193 Mini Apple Walnut |
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| #194 our Thanksgiving Pumpkin Pie |
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| #195 Apple Pie sliced too soon |
The change in my work schedule has also allowed me more time for our local Occupy Movement.
Yes, the Pie Lady is a radical.
Our city never became "occupied" in the true sense but we have held protest rallies every Saturday. Usually in front of all the large banks in our town, the ones who took bail out money, I have yet to hear of anybody who's been able to get a loan.
I have met a lot of wonderful like minded individuals who believe and support the OWS protesters like I do.
Don't believe the media, folks we do have a message..
"We stand in solidarity with Occupy Wall Street & other Occupy movements worldwide, to end corporate domination, and to stop the destruction of democracy by those wilding economic power."
I am a very very small business owner, I will never be wealth by any stretch of the imagination, yet I believe every business should have a moral obligation to do whatever it takes to give back to their communities and make the world a better place to live in.
I'm lucky, I supply the ultimate in comfort food, it goes without saying I can nurture the soul and comfort one's well being.It will be easier for me to create my place as a comfort zone , but I want to do more. I want my shop to allow for artist expression, free speech, a haven for those who think outside of the box.
Someday when I get my storefront I will make that my mission .
Monday, October 24, 2011
#178 Burnt Ham & Cheese Quiche
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| #178 Burnt Ham & Cheese Quiche |
Monday, October 10, 2011
October 2nd 2011
I've been moved by the kids Occupying Wall Street. I spent the whole morning creating this video montage of pictures from New York. Preoccupied with Occupy thus burning pie #178 Ham & Veggie Quiche.
Saturday, October 8, 2011
# 176 & 177~ Apple Cream Cheese pies
Peel and slice 6 large apple, Granny Smith Apples are the best.. I like to use a variety of two or three apples. - Preheat oven to 350º
- Melt 1 stick of butter in a large skillet . Add sliced apples and lightly mix together. In a small bowl combine sugar, cinnamon, and flour. Stir well and pour mixture over apples. Toss apples until thoroughly coated.
- Pour apples into pastry-lined pie pan. Pour cream cheese mixture over the apples. Place second pastry on top. Seal edges and cut steam vents in top crust.
- Bake in preheated oven for 45 to 55 minutes, until crust is golden brown.
Lemon cream cheese Filling
5 ounces cream cheese, room temperature.1/2 cup granulated white sugar
1/2 cup fresh lemon juice (approximately two large lemons)
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste
1 tablespoon grated lemon zestTIPS: Always remove the zest first before halving and squeezing the lemon.
1 tablespoon grated lemon zest In a food processor or electric mixer, place the cream cheese and process until smooth. Add sugar and process until incorporated. Add the eggs and vanilla process until thoroughly combined. Add the lemon juice and zest and process until well blended and smooth. .
Pour over the apples and top with another pastry and bake at 350 º for 50 minutes.
I made another one the following week. This time I created a deep dish version.
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| Deep Dish Apple Cream Cheese |
Baked on the first full day I published my assumed name ~
No record store yet, but I am baking pies for delivery.
I Haven't heard back yet from my customer if she liked it or not...hmmmm.
Sunday, September 25, 2011
#175 Banana Cream Pie
Today I stopped counting every pie I bake.
They are not all part of the Pie Quest anymore.
It really has been unfair of me to include the pies I bake for Kate's Piehole Pie's
as the same as the pies I bake for him.
The realization is .... I've been fudging the bet ..A LOT.
All those mini pies shouldn't have been counted.
Heck... a lot of those pies he hadn't even seen, let alone eat.
If it weren't for him I wouldn't have started baking in the first place, and for that I am truly grateful .
I enjoy baking, and I want to keep working on this budding business .
Whats this all means to the Pie Quest?
Well, for one thing, I am unfortunately going to be writing this blog a lot longer than I had planned on.
I'd rather be married and running my pie shop.
I cannot make him eat a pie a day, or a pie a week.
Least we forget he is diabetic.
So Today.. as I baked my orders for Monday, I included one more pie..
for him.
I baked him a Banana Cream Pie.
No,
it's not on The American Diabetes Association's approved list but.... it's our farewell to the overflow of butter and sugar that's been in our kitchen.
Tomorrow we dine on beans & veggies without the butter and we take a break on all that pastry.
Maybe its time I re- investigate those Stevia whole wheat pies again?
Yuck.
They are not all part of the Pie Quest anymore.
It really has been unfair of me to include the pies I bake for Kate's Piehole Pie's
as the same as the pies I bake for him.
The realization is .... I've been fudging the bet ..A LOT.
All those mini pies shouldn't have been counted.
Heck... a lot of those pies he hadn't even seen, let alone eat.
If it weren't for him I wouldn't have started baking in the first place, and for that I am truly grateful .
I enjoy baking, and I want to keep working on this budding business .
Whats this all means to the Pie Quest?
Well, for one thing, I am unfortunately going to be writing this blog a lot longer than I had planned on.
I'd rather be married and running my pie shop.
I cannot make him eat a pie a day, or a pie a week.
Least we forget he is diabetic.
So Today.. as I baked my orders for Monday, I included one more pie..
for him.
I baked him a Banana Cream Pie.
No,it's not on The American Diabetes Association's approved list but.... it's our farewell to the overflow of butter and sugar that's been in our kitchen.
Tomorrow we dine on beans & veggies without the butter and we take a break on all that pastry.
Maybe its time I re- investigate those Stevia whole wheat pies again?
Yuck.
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Sunday, September 18, 2011
What's Love got to Do With It
Funny how challenges can change how we think .
When I first started baking I had several thoughts going through my mind.
The chief ones of course being... I'll get bored with this & I might not even stay with this guy.
Seriously.
I am a procrastinator by nature, and I get bored very quickly.
When I first started baking I had several thoughts going through my mind.
The chief ones of course being... I'll get bored with this & I might not even stay with this guy.
Seriously.
I am a procrastinator by nature, and I get bored very quickly.
Was I being honest with myself?
I mean, OK Ha Ha.. I baked a couple of pie to win the love of a guy, but 365?!?
Why would I commit myself to such an arduous task?
Yeah well.. I know why.
I fell in love .
I announced it right away; impulsive as always.
He's the love of my life. I might not have realized what I was saying at first but, yes I truly felt it in my heart.
Yeah well.. I know why.
I fell in love .
I announced it right away; impulsive as always.
He's the love of my life. I might not have realized what I was saying at first but, yes I truly felt it in my heart.
Hey.. maybe I might finish a project?
Anyway....
He dared me, bet me, made a joke..whatever you call it..it was a good bet.
Even if I never marry him after this journey, at least I can say I was willing to follow through.
I don't know why but all this seemed like a pretty good idea at the time.
So my guy bet against me. (knowing me like he does)
Anyway....
He dared me, bet me, made a joke..whatever you call it..it was a good bet.
Even if I never marry him after this journey, at least I can say I was willing to follow through.
I don't know why but all this seemed like a pretty good idea at the time.
So my guy bet against me. (knowing me like he does)
BTW He has known me for years.
I imagined he thought..
"She'll get bored & give up, and never even get close to 365, maybe drop all this silliness."
But I have made 174.
Through thick and thin we are who we are.
Pie is just pie.
Real commitment takes time and hard work and sometimes a little meanness.
I think we make a great couple.
We can get kinda mean and sarcastic, along with all that mushy lovey dovey crap.
We don't talk much about marriage these days,
We are living together. Maybe that's good enough..
for now.
Through thick and thin we are who we are.
Pie is just pie.
Real commitment takes time and hard work and sometimes a little meanness.
I think we make a great couple.
We can get kinda mean and sarcastic, along with all that mushy lovey dovey crap.
We don't talk much about marriage these days,
We are living together. Maybe that's good enough..
for now.
Monday, September 5, 2011
Thursday, September 1, 2011
On the Waterfront
It is now the end of Summer and in my little ol' town that can only mean only one of two things; either the Apples are in season
or it's The Waterfront Festival.
The Waterfront Festival is Our city's 3 day long music extravaganza.The hugest outdoor festival ( outside of Chicago) in the state of Illinois. Situated right in the heart of Rockford along the mighty Rock River.It covers the whole downtown & every Labor day weekend our town actually becomes exciting.
Which usually is not the case.
When this festival first started I lived & worked in the downtown area. There wasn't a lot going on around here back then. I was 24 and bartending a very cool underground bar. A great hangout for all of us outcast punks, artist's and other hip cats. Nobody messed with us. . Nobody was around.
This was not a place for the polo shirted Huey Lewis wanna Be's who hung out up on the East side. Most of those cats were afraid to come downtown.
Until one fateful Summer's end when our city leaders decided to stage a festival. all was welcome.. One of the stages was right outside our front door, I didn't need to buy a ticket ... our hangout became part of the festival.. and I had front row seats. Cool.
We all loved it, at first.
Massive amounts of partying and music and crazy people everywhere.
At least we were going to show those other Rockfordian's how we rock down here.
Three full days of music, food, & people watching In our usually culturally deprived little town...this is awesome!
The first couple of years it was awesome.
But after awhile it started to suck. A lot of the same old State Fair rejects.. and last year's metal bands. You know that whole "stuck in the 70's & 80's hair band" still reigns supreme in our Midwest town.
This is the first year since the beginning that I am back living in the downtown area. I am within walking distance to three stages.
Ahhhh... memories.
But instead of hanging out by the stages I am going to set up a booth in my own front yard and sell bottled water and mini pies. Why not? Make a buck. Besides I can hear all that music for free again, too bad it's not anything I really want to hear, but hey it's a party and all is welcome.
or it's The Waterfront Festival.
The Waterfront Festival is Our city's 3 day long music extravaganza.The hugest outdoor festival ( outside of Chicago) in the state of Illinois. Situated right in the heart of Rockford along the mighty Rock River.It covers the whole downtown & every Labor day weekend our town actually becomes exciting.
Which usually is not the case.
When this festival first started I lived & worked in the downtown area. There wasn't a lot going on around here back then. I was 24 and bartending a very cool underground bar. A great hangout for all of us outcast punks, artist's and other hip cats. Nobody messed with us. . Nobody was around.
This was not a place for the polo shirted Huey Lewis wanna Be's who hung out up on the East side. Most of those cats were afraid to come downtown.
Until one fateful Summer's end when our city leaders decided to stage a festival. all was welcome.. One of the stages was right outside our front door, I didn't need to buy a ticket ... our hangout became part of the festival.. and I had front row seats. Cool.
We all loved it, at first.
Massive amounts of partying and music and crazy people everywhere.
At least we were going to show those other Rockfordian's how we rock down here.
Three full days of music, food, & people watching In our usually culturally deprived little town...this is awesome!
The first couple of years it was awesome.
But after awhile it started to suck. A lot of the same old State Fair rejects.. and last year's metal bands. You know that whole "stuck in the 70's & 80's hair band" still reigns supreme in our Midwest town.
This is the first year since the beginning that I am back living in the downtown area. I am within walking distance to three stages.
Ahhhh... memories.
But instead of hanging out by the stages I am going to set up a booth in my own front yard and sell bottled water and mini pies. Why not? Make a buck. Besides I can hear all that music for free again, too bad it's not anything I really want to hear, but hey it's a party and all is welcome.
Sunday, August 28, 2011
Enough with the tarts BRING BACK THE PIE
I've spent the last month baking nothing but tarts and I am happy to have done so. Great practice, lots of chances to work with different fillings ... Strawberry & Cherry, Blueberry and Cream Cheese.
Today.. Apple Apricot.
They are wonderful. Easy to bake and I love the tart pans. They make those little gems perfect around the edges.
I've been getting plenty of compliments too... yet,
I feel sorta like I've been cheating.
The quest was for pie. (and well, yeah the ring)
Ideally a 9" golden crust ~perfect circle , serving 6 glorious slices.. double crust or lattice top , dripping with berry juices or Coconut Cream....mmmmmm.
I haven't baked a pie.
Today while shopping for my usual "bake 'em on Sunday and sell 'em on Monday-tarts"
I felt a deep and sudden awakening.
While holding those Delicious looking Granny Smith's ..I knew what I should do.
I had a calling. "Who are you baking these for????"
Do you see the light? ...on those shiny apples.. "I hear ya.... can I get an amen!!
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| #152 Classic Apple Pie |
But Still need to travel this path. baking tarts every Sunday.
I baked 12 tarts to sell this Monday at my day job. The job I wish I could quit.
A girl's gotta think of her future too, ya know. and well.... I'll deal with my guy when he tells me all these tarts don't count.... later.
Sunday, August 14, 2011
Lovely
That is the word for the day lovely,
and I am happy.
Saturday, August 13, 2011
Fruity not tarty
It's a stormy Saturday afternoon and I can't get into my garden. I planned on baking all day Sunday, but it looks like today would be better. I decided on making Strawberry Cream Cheese & Cherry Cream Cheese Tarts.
My co works were less than enthusiastic about the Lemon and Lime Tarts I made last week.
So, I listened to my customer base and I am reciprocating with THESE this week.
Hopefully that will please.
More Fruit instead of the tart is what I hear.
Last Monday night I made pie#123.
Strawberry Cream Cheese Pie. Now, I know it's a tired old song and dance I sing, but .. when oh when am I going to learn to follow directions?
This pie was rushed every step of the way. I didn't chill the dough the full 3 hours before trying to roll its' sticky self out. I poured the cream cheese in before the shell was cooled after baking, and the next topping melted right into the first.
But it was delicious.
I do make a much prettier tart.
Hmmm...that doesn't sound right.
Hee Heee
My co works were less than enthusiastic about the Lemon and Lime Tarts I made last week.
So, I listened to my customer base and I am reciprocating with THESE this week.
Hopefully that will please.
More Fruit instead of the tart is what I hear.
Strawberry Cream Cheese Pie. Now, I know it's a tired old song and dance I sing, but .. when oh when am I going to learn to follow directions?
This pie was rushed every step of the way. I didn't chill the dough the full 3 hours before trying to roll its' sticky self out. I poured the cream cheese in before the shell was cooled after baking, and the next topping melted right into the first.
But it was delicious.
I do make a much prettier tart.
Hmmm...that doesn't sound right.
Hee Heee
Sunday, July 31, 2011
Guinea Pigs
I've been baking all day.
Lemon and Key Lime Tarts. Hopefully they'll enjoy it but I really don't give a hoot if they like 'em or not.
I'm still practicing.
They are just Guinea Pigs to me.
Luckily tarts are the easiest to make because you just press the dough right into the pan. they always come out perfect.
well.. sometimes perfection isn't what it seems.
They taste good! That's really all the matters.
I'm trying really hard to stay focused here.
Be nice, bake the best possible pies, and tarts.
I 'm working towards a set of goals here....
#1. Bake 365 pie's &/or Tart's.
#2. Open my own shop.
#3. Well, I'm not even going to go there....(hint, the boyfriend issue)
First and foremost...
The customer is king. So I'd better start catering to them.
Of course I do care if they like my pies.
Honest.
I'm just being my usual defensive over critical self again.
I know when I hit the magic # they will be oh-so-beautiful!!! (gush gush)
Onward I bake.
My guy still is the inspiration behind every pie I bake (so Donna Reed of me).
I've baked 101 pies for him.
Yes...
The count goes on.
Even though these are not for his consumption
(he ate one)
Now I'll add in 20..er, 19
he ate one.
That's free.
So today right now 121 pies! YEAH
Friday, July 8, 2011
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Ode to Dough
Today I am baking 2 quiches.
Perfect pie to bake when I haven't a clue what to bake.
This brings my pie count to 84 and #85.
85 pies in 6 months.
That's not a pie a day.. not even a pie every Sunday as I had prematurely assumed I would do.
Not that I didn't want to be baking every Sunday, but as they say..
time kinda slips away.
My day job gets in the way.
Things have quieted down now and I am ready to resume baking & writing .
The "story" left off in early December of 2010.
I had just switched over to yet another dough recipe.
I had tried three or four different recipes till I found the one. I could tweak this to make it my own. And this is crucial ~ I have got to have my own recipe!
I thank-you Hilda Mars, Alan Carter and Mom ~ but I think I got this one now. There isn't much one can do to tweak a dough recipe, but I'll keep my secret just the same.
Any baker will tell you its all in perfecting your dough. It must be first and foremost . It is nothing if it's not flaky & buttery. It must lend itself to manipulation; be able to twist and hold it's shape and above all pass the test...will he eat it?
He loves 'em.
I also decided it was time to get serious with the Christmas hints.. I needed better equipment.
I asked Santa for more cookbooks.
Christmas morning arrived with a whole lot of goodies. My Sister from Texas sent me a wonderful Southern Pies cookbook along with Texas Pecans. Yummy!
My mother bought me a beautiful HEAVY Marble slab along with a perfect exactly- what- I dreamed- of black marble rolling pin. Now I realized why she was so tired and hunched over for the past week. Mom carried these two items...
(my 81 year old mother ) from the store through the mall to her car and home.. I can barley lift this slab from my cabinet to my counter. WOW and she never laid a guilt trip on me. But, she'll tell the tale forever.
Anyway.....
I baked pie #30 Chewy Pecan Pie with the Texas Pecans. Chewy and flat like a pancake because it dripped out of the pan and smoked up the kitchen something awful!
My pie shrunk to within a 1/2 inch thick. Oh well, learned another lesson.
and so on... Pecan Pies for the rest of the month till I got it right.
Perfect pie to bake when I haven't a clue what to bake.
This brings my pie count to 84 and #85.
85 pies in 6 months.
That's not a pie a day.. not even a pie every Sunday as I had prematurely assumed I would do.
Not that I didn't want to be baking every Sunday, but as they say..
time kinda slips away.
My day job gets in the way.
Things have quieted down now and I am ready to resume baking & writing .
The "story" left off in early December of 2010.
I had just switched over to yet another dough recipe.
I had tried three or four different recipes till I found the one. I could tweak this to make it my own. And this is crucial ~ I have got to have my own recipe!
I thank-you Hilda Mars, Alan Carter and Mom ~ but I think I got this one now. There isn't much one can do to tweak a dough recipe, but I'll keep my secret just the same.
Any baker will tell you its all in perfecting your dough. It must be first and foremost . It is nothing if it's not flaky & buttery. It must lend itself to manipulation; be able to twist and hold it's shape and above all pass the test...will he eat it?He loves 'em.
I also decided it was time to get serious with the Christmas hints.. I needed better equipment.
I asked Santa for more cookbooks.
Christmas morning arrived with a whole lot of goodies. My Sister from Texas sent me a wonderful Southern Pies cookbook along with Texas Pecans. Yummy! My mother bought me a beautiful HEAVY Marble slab along with a perfect exactly- what- I dreamed- of black marble rolling pin. Now I realized why she was so tired and hunched over for the past week. Mom carried these two items...
(my 81 year old mother ) from the store through the mall to her car and home.. I can barley lift this slab from my cabinet to my counter. WOW and she never laid a guilt trip on me. But, she'll tell the tale forever.
Anyway.....
My pie shrunk to within a 1/2 inch thick. Oh well, learned another lesson.
and so on... Pecan Pies for the rest of the month till I got it right.
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
The plan
April & May are killer months when you work in a garden center.
Very very busy time of the year.
So much to do and too many people to help.. I can barely keep up with the stocking watering and designing..I really love how crazy it all is.
And it is so nice to see so many people rediscovering the joys of creating their own gardens.
I love seeing all my regulars too and to hear their plans for this years garden.
But I am getting a little burn out and need to take a day off.. it's also 98 degrees today. So I watered my own garden and baskets turned the AC's on turned off my phone & locked my door.
Sorry folks but the plant lady needs a rest.
Soon this whole phase of my life will be over and I'll start my own business.
Yes.. the record store dream.
My guy and I have been planning this one for sometime now.
Kate's Piehole Records. coming soon (2014)
promote and nurture the love of vinyl records, live music, & warm pie .
Our goal is to create a space for our patron’s and employees to engage one another through the shared love of live music & cool vinyl.
It is our most earnest wish to enhance Rockford’s Downtown River District with a music centric environment while comforting its soul with delicious pie.
AT Kate's Piehole Records,
Our Atmosphere will be unique.
We will offer the ultimate in comfort foods,
while resurrecting a most beloved and missed institution...the record store.
We will sell vinyl ..... Specializing in punk, from the 70’s, 80’s and 90‘s, vintage country, blues,
rockabilly, and soul.
We will be a fully stocked record store! Of course we will still sell CD’s along with the usual record store items: T-shirts, posters, & other punk memorabilia.
We will sell pie..... Freshly baked classic meat and dessert pies only. Baked from scratch using only the purest of available ingredients.
We will offer a super quick lunch service for the downtown community in a comfortable rock atmosphere.
We will promote community..... On site wifi will be available, Each table will be equipped with it’s own charge port.
we will encourage an active involvement with our real & virtual community.
We will Promote thru. Katespiehole.com
local media, FaceBook,& Twitter.
Oh and I am on pie #82 as of yesterday.
Very very busy time of the year.
So much to do and too many people to help.. I can barely keep up with the stocking watering and designing..I really love how crazy it all is.
And it is so nice to see so many people rediscovering the joys of creating their own gardens.
I love seeing all my regulars too and to hear their plans for this years garden.
But I am getting a little burn out and need to take a day off.. it's also 98 degrees today. So I watered my own garden and baskets turned the AC's on turned off my phone & locked my door.
Sorry folks but the plant lady needs a rest.
Soon this whole phase of my life will be over and I'll start my own business.
Yes.. the record store dream.
My guy and I have been planning this one for sometime now.
Kate's Piehole Records. coming soon (2014)
promote and nurture the love of vinyl records, live music, & warm pie .
Our goal is to create a space for our patron’s and employees to engage one another through the shared love of live music & cool vinyl.
It is our most earnest wish to enhance Rockford’s Downtown River District with a music centric environment while comforting its soul with delicious pie.
AT Kate's Piehole Records,
Our Atmosphere will be unique.
We will offer the ultimate in comfort foods,
while resurrecting a most beloved and missed institution...the record store.
We will sell vinyl ..... Specializing in punk, from the 70’s, 80’s and 90‘s, vintage country, blues,
rockabilly, and soul.
We will be a fully stocked record store! Of course we will still sell CD’s along with the usual record store items: T-shirts, posters, & other punk memorabilia.
We will sell pie..... Freshly baked classic meat and dessert pies only. Baked from scratch using only the purest of available ingredients.
We will offer a super quick lunch service for the downtown community in a comfortable rock atmosphere.
We will promote community..... On site wifi will be available, Each table will be equipped with it’s own charge port.
we will encourage an active involvement with our real & virtual community.
We will Promote thru. Katespiehole.com
local media, FaceBook,& Twitter.
Oh and I am on pie #82 as of yesterday.
Saturday, May 14, 2011
Rip Van Winkle
HEY HI THERE.....
Have I been asleep or have I done the usual thing and procrastinated my blog?
Yes I am lazy/busy call it what you like... I think I've discussed THIS before.
Anyway, I have another problem. I need to write about something.
I have three stories simultaneously being discussed here.
Do I resume or start anew?
My pie baking is behind schedule,
My record store is pushed into the future,
My story is stuck in November of 2010.
I think I'll have another glass of wine and write about it later.
Have I been asleep or have I done the usual thing and procrastinated my blog?
Yes I am lazy/busy call it what you like... I think I've discussed THIS before.
Anyway, I have another problem. I need to write about something.
I have three stories simultaneously being discussed here.
Do I resume or start anew?
My pie baking is behind schedule,
My record store is pushed into the future,
My story is stuck in November of 2010.
I think I'll have another glass of wine and write about it later.
Thursday, March 31, 2011
The fresh news
Hello, this is Kate and I am writing this from TODAY.. kinda breaking away from my story I've been telling to get ya a little caught up to the fresh story... ya see my guy and I are moving in together!
Next Saturday. hurrah!!!
Sans ring but I am still very happy.
I have been trying to keep up with the Sunday baking, but very busy packing.
These are some Cherry Tarts I made Last week-end
I have gotten pretty damn good haven't I ? But before I start fantasying about opening a Pie Shop/ Record Store, I've got to finish this move.
So folks... I need another two weeks ,I'll reorganize and be back to the story.
With more to show and so much more to tell. I've gotten some really good recipes I want to start sharing too. These Tarts are just the start of what I hope will be a huge hit with all my friends and family.
See ya
Next Saturday. hurrah!!!
 |
| Pie's# 65-70 Cherry Bombs |
I have been trying to keep up with the Sunday baking, but very busy packing.
These are some Cherry Tarts I made Last week-end
I have gotten pretty damn good haven't I ? But before I start fantasying about opening a Pie Shop/ Record Store, I've got to finish this move.
So folks... I need another two weeks ,I'll reorganize and be back to the story.
With more to show and so much more to tell. I've gotten some really good recipes I want to start sharing too. These Tarts are just the start of what I hope will be a huge hit with all my friends and family.
See ya
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Every pie tells a story
As of today I have baked 70 pies.
Not all of them good ~ but all of them have been valuable.
Valuable lessons that I could not have gotten any other way.
I have taught myself (more or less) the art of baking.
And it is an art.
I look at rolling dough like an artist would look at clay.
Sometimes my dough tasted like clay.
Like most things in life we learn best from our mistakes and fortunately for me the worst my pies turn out... the better the lesson.
SO... as I retell the tale of woe bear in mind
that I actually have learned a thing or two about pies
and I have become an accomplished baker.
Our story left off Just after Thanksgiving .
We were in the middle of holiday gluttony. Every day another excuse to have over the top delightfully rich comfort food.
My guy and I made some lame attempts to changing our diets but who can at this time of year ?? Too many left overs, can't just throw them out, how wasteful!
With all that turkey tempting us,
I thought
why not try my hand at a dinner pie?
I was totally thinking of his health
and the brownie points I would earn
when I masterminded this disastrous pie.
OK... so when baking with whole wheat one should not use just whole wheat but rather cut it
half and half with white flour.
Did not know this.
What a waste of an excellent bird.
I felt the need to redeem myself by making Chicken pot pies. Safe and effective.
Yes this was the ticket, diced chicken Cream of Mushroom soup, and a little sprinkling of peas and carrots.
Perfect.
Easy.
I also baked another pecan Pie that night and the edges were just about perfect.
BTW my date stamp is usually way off.
Like my old VCR which was perpetually blinking 12:00...
I cannot set any of my digital equipment.
I know I baked this pie after Thanksgiving.
But..
the main point I want to stress here...look at those edges!!!
I did it, finally!
( not perfect but pretty damn close)
OMG how can such a simple little thing like that elude me for so long?
And why oh why has this become my white whale???
Cabin fever?
Nah, its not even Christmas yet.
I haven't even reached Pie #30 yet. cheese us..
I had to get out of that kitchen.
"I would love a road trip into Chicago" I thought to myself
Rock N' Roll road trip.
Yeah. I've earn it.
Not all of them good ~ but all of them have been valuable.
Valuable lessons that I could not have gotten any other way.
And it is an art.
I look at rolling dough like an artist would look at clay.
Sometimes my dough tasted like clay.
Like most things in life we learn best from our mistakes and fortunately for me the worst my pies turn out... the better the lesson.
SO... as I retell the tale of woe bear in mind
that I actually have learned a thing or two about pies
and I have become an accomplished baker.
Our story left off Just after Thanksgiving .
We were in the middle of holiday gluttony. Every day another excuse to have over the top delightfully rich comfort food.
My guy and I made some lame attempts to changing our diets but who can at this time of year ?? Too many left overs, can't just throw them out, how wasteful!
With all that turkey tempting us,
I thought
why not try my hand at a dinner pie?
 |
| #24 Whole Wheat Turkey pie |
and the brownie points I would earn
when I masterminded this disastrous pie.
OK... so when baking with whole wheat one should not use just whole wheat but rather cut it
half and half with white flour.
Did not know this.
What a waste of an excellent bird.
 |
| #25-#28 Chicken Pot Pies |
I felt the need to redeem myself by making Chicken pot pies. Safe and effective.
Yes this was the ticket, diced chicken Cream of Mushroom soup, and a little sprinkling of peas and carrots.
Perfect.
Easy.
I also baked another pecan Pie that night and the edges were just about perfect.
BTW my date stamp is usually way off.
Like my old VCR which was perpetually blinking 12:00...
I cannot set any of my digital equipment.
 |
| #29 Pecan Pie |
But..
the main point I want to stress here...look at those edges!!!
I did it, finally!
( not perfect but pretty damn close)
OMG how can such a simple little thing like that elude me for so long?
And why oh why has this become my white whale???
Cabin fever?
Nah, its not even Christmas yet.
I haven't even reached Pie #30 yet. cheese us..
I had to get out of that kitchen.
"I would love a road trip into Chicago" I thought to myself
Rock N' Roll road trip.
Yeah. I've earn it.
Sunday, March 6, 2011
The primal urge to bake
NOW what do I do?
Do I continue on making as many pies as I can till I hit my goal number?
Or do I stop now... and change my guy's diet?
I mean.. what good will it do to reach the number; I might be placing that last pie on his grave!
The project had quickly taken a different direction. Sure I started this as a joke but I was falling in love with baking.
I enjoy the whole the creative process.
Its not just for him anymore. This satisfies something deep and primal within me. I know it sounds crazy, but I think I found something I can do really well.
I love him, its true..
if we were meant to marry.. we'll marry.. regardless of the number of pies I make him, right?
I want to keep making pies.
I could learn how to modify.. use less sugar, cut down on the carb.'s a little pie now and then won't kill him, I reasoned.
So onward I bake.
Ti's the season for home baked comfort food.
Thanksgiving week was coming up and I committed myself to 3 pies for the family feast.
Like most large families we all chip in for the dinner.
We each have our own distinct specialties.
Mine had been the floral arrangements, but not this year.
This year I'll join the "kitchen people" and create some comfort of my own.
Mother of course was in charge of the main course.
My second eldest brother (who is a professional chef) makes the homemade bread and usually an elaborate side dish. So on blah blah blah..
I planned on taking over the dessert menu from one of my sisters .
Well, as the dinner approached everyone was finding the whole project I was working on quite humorous.
They truly believed I was incapable of serving an edible pie.
I hadn't given them any reason to believe otherwise. So now was my moment to shine, I hoped.
I impressed the family.. and no one complained.
My first lattice top.
Since I couldn't for the life of me do a simple pinch
I use a knife to do a decorative edge.
this was the crowd favorite. I made this the night before and kept it in the freezer.
but the dough barely made it to the edge.
So Thanksgiving came and went. They meet the guy and ate my pies and no drama. Wow, I think this is going to be the start of a beautiful relationship. Pie , Guy and I.
Do I continue on making as many pies as I can till I hit my goal number?
Or do I stop now... and change my guy's diet?
I mean.. what good will it do to reach the number; I might be placing that last pie on his grave!
The project had quickly taken a different direction. Sure I started this as a joke but I was falling in love with baking.
I enjoy the whole the creative process.
Its not just for him anymore. This satisfies something deep and primal within me. I know it sounds crazy, but I think I found something I can do really well.
I love him, its true..
if we were meant to marry.. we'll marry.. regardless of the number of pies I make him, right?
I want to keep making pies.
I could learn how to modify.. use less sugar, cut down on the carb.'s a little pie now and then won't kill him, I reasoned.
So onward I bake.
Ti's the season for home baked comfort food.
Thanksgiving week was coming up and I committed myself to 3 pies for the family feast.
Like most large families we all chip in for the dinner.
We each have our own distinct specialties.
Mine had been the floral arrangements, but not this year.
This year I'll join the "kitchen people" and create some comfort of my own.
Mother of course was in charge of the main course.
My second eldest brother (who is a professional chef) makes the homemade bread and usually an elaborate side dish. So on blah blah blah..
I planned on taking over the dessert menu from one of my sisters .
Well, as the dinner approached everyone was finding the whole project I was working on quite humorous.
They truly believed I was incapable of serving an edible pie.
I hadn't given them any reason to believe otherwise. So now was my moment to shine, I hoped.
 |
| #21 Pear Pie with a lattice top. |
Since I couldn't for the life of me do a simple pinch
I use a knife to do a decorative edge.
 |
| #22 Pumpkin Chiffon |
 | |||
| #23 Frozen Cranberry Cream |
but the dough barely made it to the edge.
So Thanksgiving came and went. They meet the guy and ate my pies and no drama. Wow, I think this is going to be the start of a beautiful relationship. Pie , Guy and I.
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