Quick and easy pie...told by a puppet

Pino the puppet gets all the glory, and sometimes Olive Oil needs some air time. She requested help to wish a friend - a pie loving friend- a happy birthday.

But I personally think what I've discovered is she has a hidden talent- a cooking show in her future? Perhaps.

Pie Love: How to prepare fruit for baking

Visit the apple tree you plan to harvest and let it know you will be making an apple pie soon. This allows the apple tree to prepare itself for the harvesting of its fruit. Wait at least one day and return to the apple tree.

Speak kindly; do not rush yourself, or the tree. The tree will show you which apples you should pick. Trees are forgiving, so if you make a mistake, they will not hold it against you. Thank the apple tree with more kind words — or embrace it, but ask first, for trees are like people, they don't all feel comfortable with hugging.

Return to your kitchen with your apples, stopping to chat with any birds, leaves, cats, dogs, or bugs that you come upon. Do not rush with your chatter, and when you finally get to your kitchen, lovingly say good-bye to the apples. This is not a sad time for the apples, nor should it be for you. The tree mother has well prepared them for this day, and they know all their energy has gone into being the apple they now are. They are confidant and brave, and feel no pain after leaving the mother tree. Before slicing the apples, hum or sing to them. It doesn't matter what song you choose. The slices will appreciate this kind gesture as they go to sleep. Then place them in a bowl of sugar for fifteen minutes before putting your pie together.

Excerpt from "Donkey Dream" { A Love Story of Pie and Farm} an illustrated memoir by Katherine Dunn of Apifera Farm. Please consider pledgin/pre ordering a copy at the current Kickstarter project. I  only receive the money if we make the funding goal. Ends 3/23/14.

Pie Love: How to prepare a 'raggedy' crust

If you've been reading this blog for awhile you have heard the word raggedy often. Raggedy is the way my braids look mixed with snippets of hay, raggedy is how The Dirt Farmer dresses, raggedy is a Apifera love in motion. Many have asked me for specific directions on how to make my infamous raggedy crusts. It's an intuitive process and difficlt to capture in a step-by-step recipe, so I crafted this wording for you.

Before you begin the crust, go outside and run, skip, or walk as fast as you can. Don't wear a hat or hold your hair back by braids or bands.

Don't worry if it is raining or snowing.

Return to your house and look in the mirror. Relish in the sight of your hairs all randomly arranged. Do not brush your hair. If you have long hair you can braid it, but do it fast with your eyes closed.

Prepare your pie crust and fruit filling as usual, leaving dough for the top. Roll out dough for the lattice. Close your eyes, think of your hair and how it felt in the wind. Slice a long 10" piece of dough. Do not partake in internal banter such as, "Oh dear, it is not straight." Cut many pieces like this, quickly, with passion.

Place one strand of dough on top of the filling. Twirl yourself around twice and place the next piece on the pie. Repeat until all the dough strands are on the pie. If you feel dizzy, for heaven's sake, sit down and rest.

Do not weave the strands together, just let the strands be themselves.

Excerpt from "Raggedy Love" an illustrated memoir by Katherine Dunn of Apifera Farm. Interested publishers may contact Katherine for a complete manuscript and art samples or to discuss this project in detail.