Art of the Pie®

Making the World a Better Place One Pie at a Time

  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Service
  • Welcome
    • About
    • Kate McDermott Press Mentions
  • Books
    • Bibliography
    • Erratum
  • Learn
  • Recipes
  • Videos
  • Contact
    • Media Inquiries
You are here: Home / Thoughts / My Days Are Full

My Days Are Full

03/25/2020 By Kate McDermott-Art of the Pie 43 Comments

My Days Are Full

Right now I think a lot about how I might reinvent myself to restart a cash flow once we get to the other side of the virus. But it doesn’t stop me as there is lots to do. My days are full of cooking, baking, weeding and planting. It’s a rhythm I know well–one remembered from my thirties and forties when I was deep in my dream of being as self-sufficient as possible. I learned back then that a self-sufficient kind of life is a lot of work, and an expensive life style to keep if you don’t have a trust fund, which I didn’t have. I did as much as I could during those years to eat food from farms in my area and also from my garden which was 25 feet from my kitchen. I worked as a piano teacher to bring in the cash needed to pay utilities, taxes, and insurance. It was a good life. What I learned then is serving me now.

I’ve worked hard investing in family and land and continue to do so, and saved, saved, saved, tucking away little bits here and there, when I could, for a rainy day which apparently is now here. My son lives next door with his girlfriend Olivia. There is enough land here to grow food, not to feed us completely, but definitely enough to supplement what goes on the table. I sprouted peas for stir-fries and planted them tonight on the north fence line of the garden. Olivia transplanted a young Comice pear tree to be in front of their house, carefully sighting it so it will keep the stellar view of Hurricane Ridge from being blocked when it is mature. I hope I’m around to harvest some of its sweet fruit as it grows.

A few months back, I ordered up a new stainless steel sink to replace the one that had been here for about 35 years…so old that the drain catch had rusted through so it was just one big open hole to the drain pipe that I had covered with a mesh basket. My son installed the new sink for me yesterday. I love it. I feel so uptown and stylish washing my hands and dishes. This afternoon he started work to replace all the rotted out posts  and boards of the old garage at their house, using supplies he has traded and bartered for. No question in my mind where he learned to do that. The sun has now set and they’ll be heading over for cornbread and black bean soup soon. 

A friend gave me some of his sour dough starter today. He got it in Alaska and has cared for and fed it for 35 years. It was about 90 years old when he received it. That makes it about 125 years old by my count. I’ve got sourdough bread started and even though I can’t eat it when it’s baked, because of my intolerance to gluten, my son and his sweetie can. Gifts from my heart and hands. That’s my love language.

This is my day in this little corner of the northwest. I am grateful to be alive and look forward to another.

Love to you all,
Kate

Filed Under: Thoughts Tagged With: Pie Cottage

43 Thoughts on My Days Are Full
    Shirley
    25 Mar 2020
     9:42pm

    Thank you for your post, so happy you have family helping. I am also so grateful that I have family helping me as well. Wish everyone was as fortunate. Take care and be safe.

    Reply
      Kate McDermott-Art of the Pie
      25 Mar 2020
       9:44pm

      So true Shirley. Thank you for the very important reminder that there are many out there who are alone, and less fortunate. May we find ways to help everyone.

      Reply
    Doug
    25 Mar 2020
     10:18pm

    Your words convey so much warmth. Thank you.

    Reply
      Kate McDermott-Art of the Pie
      25 Mar 2020
       10:19pm

      Thank you dear friend. Stay well and be safe.

      Reply
    Claudia
    25 Mar 2020
     10:30pm

    So what dough do you. Ale for you to be able to eat your delicious recipes!

    Reply
      Kate McDermott-Art of the Pie
      25 Mar 2020
       10:33pm

      I do make many things gluten free. For pies, I have a number of GF recipes here and an entire free video series on how to make a GF pie from start to finish. Many of my recipes were created before I learned that I was not able to eat gluten. Now, I create my recipes GF and then turn them into gluten-full recipes after.

      Reply
    DC
    26 Mar 2020
     1:11am

    Being self-sufficient is a worthy but exhausting goal. I’m very proud if you + your family for doing all that you do, to accomplish that goal.
    Your post made me pause as I am not, nor ever had been self-sufficient. I’ve never had much & could never find a way to be more than I am. So I definitely understand your post – it’s true value.
    I am so glad that you have a new sink- & your son is diligently working to restore his property. Kudos!!
    Always enjoy your 0osts, your podcasts and your books! Much love

    Reply
      Kate McDermott-Art of the Pie
      26 Mar 2020
       7:26am

      Thank you so much DC! xo

      Reply
    Gloria
    26 Mar 2020
     1:50am

    Love your new blog. I really enjoy be at home. .of course Im worry.
    Send you hugs and love dear Kate.

    Reply
      Kate McDermott-Art of the Pie
      26 Mar 2020
       7:27am

      Home is where my heart is. Thanks for checking in, Gloria. xo

      Reply
    Cynthia
    26 Mar 2020
     4:05am

    I shared this on my FB page
    https://www.kingarthurflour.com/blog/2020/02/17/gluten-free-yeast-baking

    I look forward to your short check ins during the day…If i can remember the time difference!

    I have no lack of imagination when it comes to isolation. My knitting, baking and internet entertain me.

    Reply
      Kate McDermott-Art of the Pie
      26 Mar 2020
       7:32am

      An excellent resource and I’m glad you are keeping busy. I’ll be doing a check in today.

      Reply
    Betty Young
    26 Mar 2020
     4:05am

    Kate, I appreciate your posts – I attended your pie class a few years ago and can see in my minds eye the charming pie cottage, beautiful views and outside greenery. This was before you bought the house next door. What a blessing to have Duncan and Olivia nearby. Stay well and thank you for allowing us into your life and home.

    Reply
      Kate McDermott-Art of the Pie
      26 Mar 2020
       7:37am

      I remember and here you are! Pie Campers! When this is over, I hope you will come and visit again.

      Reply
    Betty Young
    26 Mar 2020
     4:07am

    Kate, I appreciate your posts – I attended your pie class a few years ago and can see in my minds eye the charming pie cottage, beautiful views and outside greenery. This was before you bought the house next door. What a blessing to have Duncan and Olivia nearby. Stay well and thank you for allowing us into your life and home

    Reply
    Jess W
    26 Mar 2020
     5:00am

    I follow Vanessa Kimbell for sourdough and she studies how many of those with gluten and wheat allergies can actually consume sourdough because it’s gone through a long fermentation period. She runs the Sourdough School site 🙂

    Reply
      Kate McDermott-Art of the Pie
      26 Mar 2020
       7:40am

      I’ve done some long rise fermentation before, but I’m always open to re-trying to see if it works for me. Thank you for the recommendation of Vanessa.

      Reply
    Saskia
    26 Mar 2020
     5:27am

    What a beautiful, positive approach to life! In the heat of day to day live many of us often forget that there is little we actually need.

    Reply
      Kate McDermott-Art of the Pie
      26 Mar 2020
       7:42am

      Thanks for checking in, Saskia! The words “And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make” are so true. Maybe we should amend that to say “…the love you bake…” 😉

      Reply
    cynthia
    26 Mar 2020
     5:46am

    Thank you for sharing. It’s very inspiring.
    Stay healthy
    Xo

    Reply
      Kate McDermott-Art of the Pie
      26 Mar 2020
       7:43am

      You are so welcome, Cynthia! Be safe and stay healthy!

      Reply
    Gretchen
    26 Mar 2020
     5:50am

    Be safe!

    Reply
      Kate McDermott-Art of the Pie
      26 Mar 2020
       7:43am

      And you and yours, too, Gretchen.

      Reply
    bonnie robb
    26 Mar 2020
     6:34am

    LOVE YOU!!!

    Reply
      Kate McDermott-Art of the Pie
      26 Mar 2020
       7:43am

      And I love you too, dearest Bonnie!

      Reply
    judy
    26 Mar 2020
     6:55am

    Thank you for your loving and positive words and image.
    Caring for one another is the best way to fight COVID-19 and to live our lives in general.
    God bless and be with you and yours!

    Reply
      Kate McDermott-Art of the Pie
      26 Mar 2020
       7:44am

      Oh Judy, thank you so much for your kind words. Blessings to you and yours, too.

      Reply
    Margery Whites
    26 Mar 2020
     10:50am

    Thank you for your posting on what you are doing. I am doing much the same with innumerable “to do” items on my list. I remember so many stories that my grandparents and parents told of being self-sufficient on their farms in the midwest during the Great Depression. They spent all their time at home with rare visits to town. So, I figure if they could do it, so can I.

    Reply
      Kate McDermott-Art of the Pie
      26 Mar 2020
       10:51am

      Yes we can!

      Reply
    Stevie Cooley
    26 Mar 2020
     11:27am

    As we self-isolate in SoCal, the photo of Greta Pie at the gate reminds us that our animal friends can be great companions during this time. My calico cat, Scout, has hardly left my side for days, and right now sits curled up on my desk in-between me and my computer as I write this. I send stay safe wishes to you, Kate, your family and all your readers!

    Reply
      Kate McDermott-Art of the Pie
      26 Mar 2020
       12:28pm

      Thank you so much Stevie. Much love to both you and Scout!

      Reply
    Jan
    26 Mar 2020
     11:45am

    Would love a photo of the sink! 😊
    Beautiful shepherd!

    Hope to take a pie class with my husband one of these days!

    Stay well.

    Reply
      Kate McDermott-Art of the Pie
      26 Mar 2020
       12:37pm

      Here’s my new sink. I love it!
      My New Sink

      Reply
        Jan Hopfenbeck
        26 Mar 2020
         12:48pm

        Oooh, nice, how fun!

        Didnt realize Greta pie was a shepherd until Steve commented.

        Made your blueberry pie two days ago and enjoying it immensely. Thank you!

        Reply
          Kate McDermott-Art of the Pie
          26 Mar 2020
           1:12pm

          Pie On, Jan!

          Reply
    Wendy
    26 Mar 2020
     2:50pm

    I’m from RI, but just now am on West Coast time, as I’m visiting my son, my DIL and my granddaughter in CA. As I drifted off to sleep last night, I saw a photograph of Pie Cottage and clicked on your recipe for scones. The combination of them brought sweet dreams and I jumped up this morning and made the yummiest scones we’ve ever had! Many thanks and best of health to you and all your nears and dears.

    Reply
      Kate McDermott-Art of the Pie
      26 Mar 2020
       2:52pm

      Hi Wendy! Those scones were featured in Home Cooking, my second book, and I just love them. I’m glad that you do, too!

      Reply
    Monica
    27 Mar 2020
     11:30am

    Always enjoy reading your posts. Your words are calming like the rhythm in the garden these days. Sunshine peeks out from the clouds and I dash outside to scatter some flower seeds I found while cleaning out a cabinet yesterday. I’m thinking of what to bake next as I procrastinate. I’m grateful for a few writing assignments that I still have (I’m a freelance writer) but tell myself there is plenty of time to write while something delicious is baking in the oven!
    I have this quote written on a board in my kitchen and want to share it all with you:
    “We must have pie. Stress cannot exist in the presence of pie!”
    Stay safe and healthy.

    Reply
      Kate McDermott-Art of the Pie
      27 Mar 2020
       1:55pm

      Such true words, Monica. I think what we are doing to get ourselves though this is comfort baking, therapy baking, and my fav…procrastibaking! Keep enjoying that sun. Are some of your pieces online for us to read?

      Reply
    Monica
    27 Mar 2020
     2:18pm

    Procrastibaking!! Love it. I’m going to use that.
    Some of my stories are online via the Bay Area News Group. I write for its real estate section about multi-million dollar homes for sale throughout the Bay Area. (That’s just about every home! ) I also write marketing brochures etc for several local realtors. BUT I also work at our local farmers market each weekend selling fresh bread and pastries baked by Starter Bakery in Berkeley. I enjoy seeing our regular customers, being around baked goods, local farmers and organic dairies. My friend and I may even do our own pop-up (pies, cookies, breads, etc). Of course, we now have to wait for the world to get back to some form of normal.
    BTW…love your sink. It’s beautiful. I just got a new pulldown faucet after almost 30 years. No amount of crazy glue was going to keep it together. Hope you’re having a few sunny days as well.

    Reply
      Kate McDermott-Art of the Pie
      27 Mar 2020
       2:21pm

      Someday…pull down faucet.
      P.S. I didn’t originate the term procrastibaking…it’s been around for a while. 😉

      Reply
    Peg Wepner
    28 Mar 2020
     7:21am

    Hi Kate,
    Just a moment to say thank you for the post and reaching out to all of us. I live in WI in Door County which is a peninsula. We are surrounded by the Bay of Green Bay on one side and Lake Michigan on the other. We are in the “Shelter in Place” mode in the state and doing well. Hope all is well in your beautiful part of the country, someday I plan to visit your state.

    Our son’s dairy farm is keeping my husband busy. We are still a good month or more away from spring planting. Spring is a wonderful time or renewal and rebirth on the farm.

    Wishing you and your family happiness and good health in the days ahead.

    Reply
      Kate McDermott-Art of the Pie
      28 Mar 2020
       8:05am

      Dear Peg, Thank you so much for checking in! Thank you for your good wishes and thoughts. Stay busy, keep well.

      Reply

Leave A Comment Cancel Reply

Recipe Rating




  • Sign up to receive my weekly newsletter!

Yes that’s me at three! Everyone needs a clown suit.

Bake with Kate

In Person Art of the Pie Day Camps

  • In Person Art of the Pie Day Camps at Pie Cottage for June through September 2022 are Sold Out.

 

Virtual Workshops Broadcast Live from Pie Cottage

  • Key Lime Pie on July 10.
  • Baking Summer Berries with Kate McDermott, a 3-part series in July presented by 92Y in NYC.

Click on the Cover

Art of the Pie (the Book)
Pie Camp Book Cover

Pie Camp: The Skills You Need to Make Any Pie You Want

Home Cooking with Kate McDermott

 

© 2022 · Art of the Pie® · All Rights Reserved