I’ve had Apple Pie on my mind all week. Yep, Apple Pie! Most times
that wouldn’t seem like such a thought provoking topic, heck, who
doesn’t love a great Apple Pie. Case closed. If you REALLY don’t
like Apple Pie, please leave a comment and tell us why. I’m so
genuinely curious what there could be not to like. (Unless, of
course, you’re allergic. Fair enough if that’s the case.)

The reason I’ve had been thinking about Apple Pie is quite different
than you might expect. Although, I’m pretty sure you’ve been thinking
about similar things as the holidays draw closer!! Are you excited
yet!?! For me, just any Apple Pie won’t do– it has to be special.
And, that’s exactly what it is to my family.

My great grandmother was an amazing chef. She was constantly in the
kitchen cooking and coming up with new dishes. Growing up in a time
when modern refrigerators didn’t exist, most everything she made for
us came from our garden and neighborhood farms. And, yes, my family
is the outdoorsy, hunting type. I don’t know if I could ever shoot
anything alive, but I deeply respect the lifestyle and values inherent
in the men and women who do.

Ok, what does THAT have anything to do with Apple Pie? Well,
everything actually. Because the Apple Pie I’ll be making for my
family this Christmas is my Big Gram’s recipe. It’s a piece of the
fabric of my family and what makes me so proud.

It was her grandmother’s recipe passed on from generation to
generation. She taught me how to make it when I was a little girl and
she had an eager sous chef– i.e. peeling the apples was the first
thing I learned. I’ll use the same pie pan she used then and will
roll the dough by hand. Everything from scratch is better because
it’s made with love! At least, that’s always my excuse if something
flops 🙂

So, Apple Pie is not as much about the delicious, warm, sweet slices
we’ll enjoy this holiday season. That’s a bonus! It’s about our
family traditions, taking time to do and make things for the ones we
love because we hope they’ll enjoy it. It’s putting aside our
day-to-day grind to appreciate what really matters and means having
family and friends who make our life worth living. The ones we always
depend on while we’re completely distracted with that new AV product,
client, project, or business deal.

We all have our special, favorite dishes and traditions we’re looking
forward to during the holiday season. Or, perhaps, one that never
seems to go away!!

Please spread YOUR Apple Pie joy in the comments! We’d love to know
and I’ll share my recipe if you share yours. May all the joy,
laughter, and happiness surround you and your loved ones during this
wonderful holiday season!!