AUNTIE M'S STORY
How she started
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Auntie M had humble beginnings as a farm girl growing up in rural Illinois. She was proud to call Kankakee her home along the banks of the tranquil Kankakee River surrounded by corn fields or as the locals called it "the buckle on the corn belt."
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Lazy summers were spent fishing for catfish and bass in a rowboat on the river, detassling corn, (which indeed was as high as an elephants eye) and berry picking for wild blackberries, raspberries and gooseberries. When not tending to the many rhubarb plants or picking apples, cherries, apricots and peaches off the trees in grandma's orchard, Auntie M was helping make fresh, delicious homemade pies with ingredients straight out of the garden and off the trees. Grandma taught our Auntie M all about how to make the best fresh Rhubarb and Strawberry Rhubarb, Blueberry Ginger, and Lemon Meringue pies. There were also sweet Peach pies, a tasty Peach Cobbler and Salted Honey pies from grandpa's bees which he carefully tended from his many bee hives.
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When Fall came and it was time to reap the harvest as pumpkins and squash were gathered from the garden along with sweet potatoes and the last of the corn. Then came the canning and freezing of the last of the produce and with Thanksgiving came smell of fresh Pumpkin Pie with and the sweet, tangy Orange Marmalade, Pecan Pie, Spiced Apple with Crunchy Streusel and Apple Tart (which was actually very fancy for grandma).
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Winter came in a blustery blow, and when Auntie M wasn't out on the river skating to Hog's Island or sledding down the riverbank onto the snow-covered ice, she was once again savoring being in the kitchen helping grandma get ready for the holidays and the flurry of baking all those pies. For days before Christmas Auntie M helped grandma with her Nantucket Cranberry Pie, Winter Pear Tart with Roasted, Glazed Figs or Granddad's favorite French Silk pie. Apple, Candied Ginger and Cranberry pies were festooned with decorated crusts and were given out as gifts to neighbors and friends far and wide.
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Auntie M has a pie for every occasion and has even added Savory Quiches, Hand Pies and Pot Pies to her ever growing little kitchen. So whether traveling to grandma's "over the river and through the woods" or in a sleigh "over the white and drifted snow," or picnicking on the banks of a river or a lake or by the pool you can now bring Auntie M's lovingly made homemade pies to your table and they'll think you have grandma in the kitchen.
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Now baking out of Los Angeles in her farm kitchen Auntie M now brings her Midwest fresh homemade pies to you. Orders can be placed at AuntieMPies@gmail.com and on Facebook at www.auntiemhomemadepies.com. Pies can be delivered at a small charge or picked up for free. Please feel free to contact Auntie M with any questions. She'd love to talk to you and get her head out of the oven for awhile.