18 Comments
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Jason McBride's avatar

Summer is for slow! This pie looks perfect! I haven't made a pie since my first year of college, but I'm going to make this.

Amie McGraham's avatar

You are my official recipe tester, Jason!

sarah e webb's avatar

seventh-ing a pie feels akin to a magic trick ~ i love it!

Amie McGraham's avatar

This place was pure magic. Many fond memories of the gleaming wood bowling lane and resetting the pins by hand.

Norma Tucker's avatar

So well written - I read, and hear, and see, and smell - oh -- and taste (I wish).

Julie B. Hughes's avatar

I love hearing your stories Amie. Thank you. Oh that pie! Peanut butter and chocolate such a delicious combination.

Amie McGraham's avatar

Nothing vegan about it 😳

Julie B. Hughes's avatar

Nope! LOL...this would be great for my non vegan friends though.

Jillian Hess's avatar

Lovely!!

Rebecca Holden's avatar

Wholeheartedly delicious, Amie! 😊😊😊

Lillian Lake's avatar

"I have one speed. Slow" My mother used to say that, too. I love how this post takes me back to the slower days of my childhood.

Amie McGraham's avatar

It’s such a good reminder, Lillian!

Luanne Castle's avatar

What a great post. Gussie's story is wonderful, and then that personality showing up even on the menu hahaha. Thank you to Mrs. Pratt.

Judy Ellery's avatar

FABULOUS as always!!!😍

Amy Suardi's avatar

I love this story! Such a place out of time, people out of time, and your mom captured them so well -- in words and in art.

Knowing them makes me want to try and eat that pie even more!

Kathleen Cinquino's avatar

Amie, you must know that I drop everything when I see a new C&T post and especially when I see mention of the beloved "alley". Such a special place, it was truly a step back in time. Once we "discovered" it, it became a must go-to during our annual Maine vacations. It was in the Alley that I first picked up a free copy of Cook & Tell. Immediately hooked and subscribed. Just sorry I didn't find it sooner. You mention Em's blueberry pie! Is her recipe somewhere? My husband would love if that info was shared. I know it's not in the C&T cookbook. Was it ever in an issue that I missed? Help!

Ruth Stroud's avatar

Sorry I missed this delightful post—a great slice of an era and place some of us remember or wish we did. I loved the portrait of Em with the “sensible” hair and orthopedic shoes who made such an impact on your life. The recipe for peanut butter pie sounds like a total yum!

Sharon Cortelyou's avatar

Gus’s sounds like everything good in the world.