Pie Night began eight years ago in Altadena when the Schwartzes decided to make good use of the pumpkins they'd grown in their garden. They whipped up some pies, invited a few neighbors and a tradition was born. Now a lot more people come, and because everyone brings a pie there are a lot more pies. The youngest Schwartz is proud to say they're the number one hit when you Google the words, "pie night."
Last night was balmy. The kids got hopped up on the sugar in the pies and ran a screaming game of tag in the dark. The adults got hopped up on sugar, too. I'll bet everyone slept well, for different reasons.
Pie Night again already? Yikes, where does it go! I love this view, Petrea. "Cherub" ~ what a delicious name!!
ReplyDeleteI guess the little girl has BIG EYES, and I guess the smell of food is very very good!:) Looks like a very nice evening!
ReplyDeleteI remember your previous Pie Nights. It makes me feel like I know you in real life, Petrea, and what you do year by year. And that is almost as sweet as pumpkin pie.
ReplyDeleteThis is my first time to see "pie night" and I will have to check the archives for the others. Your viewpoint is classic Norman Rockwell and I adore that little cherub.
ReplyDeleteWhat's your favorite?
ReplyDeleteShell, I realized I'd capitalized "cherub"! Oops! I don't know the girl's name, but that would be a good one. She was trying to keep up with the bigger kids at tag, but took a quick stop for a peek at the pies.
ReplyDeleteGunn, it's always a fun evening. The back yard was set with tables and twinkling lights.
I feel like I know you, too, Dina. It would be fun to show up at your door and take a tour of your world.
Genie, just click the link in the post for the other Pie Night shots.
Hiker, I'm partial to pecan pie and I lucked out with an amazing piece of it last night. Also some fabulously tangy cherry.
That's a very evocative photo - it reminds me of the Anderson story of The Little Match Girl, where the cold and hungry waif looks through a window and sees a happy group of people inside with lots of food and warmth. I hope they invited her in.
ReplyDeleteDid you bring enough for 8?
Great shot. I love the house and the long window... that makes it all possible (that and the pies on the long table!)..Something out of "Fanny and Alexander." Hope you saved me a piece of pumpkin!
ReplyDelete'Though not a fan of pie, I do like the stuff that comes inside the crust. Neither my friend nor I care for pumpkin pie, but we loved the custard. At a Weight Watchers meeting, I found a recipe for a crustless pumpkin pie. Meant primarily for those watching their weight and/or sugar intake, one piece equates about 50 calories, I think, which means you could just about eat the WHOLE THING! without being overwhelmed by guilt. Find it at www.healthdiscovery.net/recipes/desserts/pumpkin_pie.htm
ReplyDeleteThe "dot"htm got left off the end of the address for the recipe, so it should end as ".htm"
ReplyDeleteSigh - every year that I see your report from pie night, I think - wow, I need to start one of those with my friends. Maybe this is the year!
ReplyDeleteBellis, I promise you this little girl was anything but cold and hungry.
ReplyDeleteSteve, I did not save any pie for anyone.
Thanks for the link, Speeday, though some might say it's too little, too late.
Why not, Ben? It's a fun, autumnal kind of potluck and people love to be creative. Just be sure to credit the Altadena Schwartzes.
By the way, one of our hosts last night was the guy who took this photo.
ReplyDeleteIt's the same family who took that precarious hike who host Pie Night.
ReplyDeleteThat's such a great photo. This is the first I'm reading of Pie Night. I'll have to check the archives too.
ReplyDeleteYou'd think the heat might have stopped people from baking, but clearly that was not the case. I'm impressed with the commitment to Pie Night.
Thanks, Susan. I made two chicken pies this year. People need a sort of anchor in that ocean of sugar and the savory pies go fast.
ReplyDeleteFor anyone wanting to see Pie Night archives, either click the single link in the post or the Pie Night label at the bottom.
I Googled "pie night" and the top hit was this post.
ReplyDeleteI get the 2008 post, Greg. That was my first one.
ReplyDeleteNot a real name? Never mind ~ if I ever extend the furry family, Cherub is now shortlisted. :)
ReplyDeleteI'm not much of a pie fan, but I light the idea of Pie Night! Great photo.
ReplyDeleteIt's Pie Night time?! Darnit, last year when you posted this, I thought it would be a fun thing to copy sometime. Now, I really need to remember. :)
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like a fun, tooth-aching evening!
Cherub is a good name for a kitty, Shell.
ReplyDeleteNot even chocolate cream, Paula? There was also a "grasshopper" pie there last night. I'm not sure...
Amy, last year Pie Night was in October. If it feels like it happened too soon, maybe that's why. Go ahead! Institute your own.
Where I come from, we make pies from little cherubim. The get of well-to-do parents are the most succulent, fattened as they are on generous estates, coddled and cushioned. For flour we grind the bones of servants and mix them with the tears of orphans from the district. Rrrich! Rich! But perhaps too dry for the uninitiated palate—hence the popularity of our local drink, Wastrel Wine. I leave it to you to image what pathetic vintages our great presses give out … all our secret cuisine is legendary, when the festivals are in their fullest rage.
ReplyDeleteWhat a fabulous idea. I am sort of a pie fiend. I love to make them, eat them, think about them...
ReplyDeleteI think one of the best things about pie is that it is suitable for breakfast, lunch, and dinner,
wonderful photo! Sounds like a great night of fun.
ReplyDeletePetrea, I tried to get there in time for the picture....but I failed!!!! Sorry. I didn't get there until 9 and heard you had already left.
ReplyDeleteThe pies keep getting better and better each year!
Fee, Fi, Fo, Fum, J. Apparently it was your cottage Hansel and Gretel so narrowly escaped.
ReplyDeleteGina, before we left Susan Schwartz was telling a friend about packing pie in her daughters' upcoming school lunches. Mmmm.
Highly recommended, Ms. M.
Dave! As I said in a previous Pie Night post, it just isn't pie night without a picture of Dave Knight in bad light. We missed you!
Yalla, do drop in. If I know you're a-coming I will bake a pie.
ReplyDeleteBelieve me, Dina, if and when I do drop in, I'll warn you!
ReplyDeleteI tried to leave a comment here the other day and it fritzed. Well I want to be there for the next Pie Night. I"m all about that. Did ya'll have any peach pie??? Humm???
ReplyDeleteBTW, the little cherub with her nose pressed to the window is parfait!!!
V
There was peach. I didn't get any.
ReplyDelete