Will I ever measure up?

Well, my weekend consisted of a normal summer activity. The Clifton family reunion! Coupled with our community bake sale all on the same day. My Mom claimed that she’d bring my silent auction gift if I’d bring her covered dish. And since I live in the middle of nowhere, I took her up on the offer.

My thought was… “I’ll bake for the bake sale and the family reunion simultaneously.” Little did I know that whatever flopped I’d be buying and taking to the reunion? I used my Great Granny’s famous recipe for pineapple pie for a pineapple pie, and then substituted blackberry’s in the same recipe for another Clifton creation. I fully expected the blackberry pie to be THE flop but turns out the pineapple pie crust drooped down the edges of the pan and won the flop award.

The blackberry pie qualified for the bake sale along with cinnamon rolls and rice krispie treats. The pineapple pie was second runner-up and I bought it for the family reunion. I added a macaroni salad for Mom’s contribution. My family never knew the difference because I cut the pie quickly and the droopy part was camouflaged. The only problem was that it had to compete right next to my Great Aunt Sue’s pineapple pie. She's not only my great aunt but she makes a great pie. I later hammed it up with a taste test from the two pineapple pie experts in our family. And believe me, they gave me their honest opinions…droopy crust was NOT in the critique though. One said, “Needs less flour.” The other attested, “Needs more sugar.” So, back to the drawing board for next year.

I did bag the best silent auction item…my Great Granny’s butter mold. It goes quite nicely with items I already possess…her butter churn and rolling pin. I had much rather have the ‘something old’ than ‘something new’ any day. My heritage…bakers’, quilters’, embroiders’ and lovers’ of God. Now the question lingers in my mind...'Why save my family the flops?" Aweee...I think it's because they love me unconditionally.