Blueberry pie. It’s gotta be the ultimate dessert of summer, especially during the height of blueberry season. And it’s even better un-baked because the fresh blueberries completely shine through. It essentially tastes like summer on a plate (the flowers and twisty lattices are optional).
This was my mom’s favourite pie. Which leads me to my next bit of news….my mom passed away unexpectedly last week 🙁
I started writing this post awhile ago to share my favourite blueberry pie recipe but I hadn’t finished it yet as my summer has been off to a busy start, especially with my new market. But in my original post I’d been enjoying reminiscing about how my mom loved blueberry pie, our summers together as a family at the cottage while growing up, and the amazing blueberry pies we used to always get at a bakery on the way to our cottage. But with my mom’s recent passing, this post has suddenly turned into a tribute instead.
There’s nothing like losing both of your parents to make you feel so lost and unrooted. I’ve never felt more alone in my entire life, especially while sitting in my parents’ house (aka my childhood home) going through all their belongings. I was expecting them to walk in the door any minute and catch me going through their stuff. The day after my mom’s passing it suddenly dawned on me: I’m officially an orphan now.
But I’m finding solace and comfort in knowing that I was blessed to have my parents as long as I did (some people aren’t so lucky) and I’ve got so many wonderful memories of them to treasure.
I’m still trying to make sense of it all while my brother and I are cleaning and organizing their paperwork, getting the house ready to sell, cancelling everything and planning the funeral—all whilst grieving and trying to cope with her loss. Through this process, I’m also realizing how much my mom had still been grieving my dad (who had passed away 5 years ago). She kept everything of his and nothing had changed in their house since he’s been gone– it was almost like he was still there. I know grieving takes time and everyone moves at a different pace (and I’m sure one never really gets over the loss of a spouse) but I hadn’t realized how bad it was and that my mom may have been more depressed than she’d let on. While doing some reading on grieving (for my own benefit), I learned that my mom may have been experiencing ‘Complicated Grief‘–which is a prolonged and more intense form of grief that also incorporates depression. If you know someone having trouble getting over the loss of a loved one (especially years down the road), do some research on this. There is tons of great info and resources that may help.
Last week, when my mom hadn’t returned my calls for a couple of days and a worried neighbour called me to tell me her newspapers were piling up, I knew something was very wrong. I called a good friend to come over with me and she suggested (thankfully) that I call the police to do a wellness check.
Sadly, it’s believed that my mom had suffered another stroke, judging by how she was found. She’d had a major stroke in February and wasn’t recovering well at all unfortunately. But I think it may have been more because of a broken heart because she missed my dad so very much.
It was one of the worst days of my life. I’m so grateful for my friends’ Jen and Henderson, who came with me to check on my mom. Henderson is a counselor and works with elderly so he knew what to do and handled everything while I sat there in complete shock at the news of her passing. They insisted that I stay at their place that night, especially since Billy was out of town. They are such wonderful people and such great friends, I’m truly blessed.
My guy was away at the time but as soon as he heard the news he booked the next flight to come home so that he could be with me. He’s a savior and I’m so lucky and blessed to have him in my life. I would have been lost without him.
My bestie Al, was away in Whitehorse visiting family at the time, also cut his trip short to come home to help me out. He is such a wonderful person and the bestest friend one can have. Also, I called my longtime friend Kathryn who immediately offered her help, love, support and an ear in case I needed to talk. She’s the type of friend who will be there for you in a flash if you need it. Love her so much and so appreciate our long time friendship (since grade 9!).
You always know how much you mean to people during times like this. My brother and I are totally blown away by the support, help and generosity from all of our friends, as well as extended family, neighbours, and friends of the family. So many kind people who have been helping us go through the paperwork & organizing everything, bringing us food, and anything else they can do to help us out. We’ve been feeling so inundated and overwhelmed by all of this so we SO appreciate all the love, help and support. We can’t thank everyone enough. We’re so truly grateful and blessed for you all! xo.
What a week! So much sadness and stress, but at least baking is good therapy, right? (I know my baking pals will agree). And is there a better way to distract yourself from your troubles than a nice slice of fresh blueberry pie? The next time you pick up some fresh, local blueberries, make this pie. Or a couple of them….one for you and another for a good friend, a favourite Aunt, or an elderly neighbour who needs a bit of cheer in their day. Everyone loves pie, especially when it’s blueberry.
This pie is for you, mom! Now that you’ve been reunited with dad on the other side you can enjoy a slice while laughing at Dad’s bad jokes all over again 😀
RIP to my beautiful Mama, she will be greatly missed 💕
Here’s a few pics of my mom and I over the years that I thought I would share with you all.
Christmas Eve at the Chinese Buffet Restaurant. We always had a blast! One of my favourite days of the year.
Mom and I having fun trying on hats at the Hat Shop in Universal Studios, Florida. Christmas 2010. Our only family Christmas (except my brother couldn’t travel with us) away from home
Our only mother-daughter trip! We spent an afternoon touring Stanley Park in Vancouver and then headed downtown for dinner on a patio. We’d never travelled together before, so I will always treasure the memories from this trip.
My mom in the hospital the day I was born
My mom and dad when they were teenagers
Mom and I touring Victoria, BC. We spent a lovely day on Vancouver Island. Our only mother-daughter trip💘 .
A walk around beautiful Stanley Park with my mom. Vancouver, BC 2007
I love this photo of my mom and dad together on a winery patio in the Okanagan. My parents LOVED this gorgeous area and this winery as well. It was their first time here. So glad we did this trip as they kept putting it off for so long. Kelowna, BC. Summer 2009
My mom with her two kids 😀 Summer 2008
One of the rare portraits of our family. Vancouver, BC July 2008.
Thanks for reading, everyone and I hope you’re all having a wonderful summer!
Love, Dana xo
Fresh Blueberry Pie
A delicious no-bake pie (except for the crust) chock full of fresh blueberries. Best served with vanilla ice cream and a lake view or sunset 🙂
Ingredients
1 9" blind-baked pie shell, cooled
- 5 cups fresh blueberries divided
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
- 2 1/2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 2 teaspoons lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon vanilla bean extract
- 2 tablespoons butter
Instructions
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In a medium saucepan, combine 2 cups blueberries, brown sugar, maple syrup, cornstarch, salt and cinnamon. Heat over medium heat until berries are soft and the mixture is quite thick---almost resembling a loose jam or canned pie filling. I use a potato masher to to smush the berries. Remove from heat and add vanilla extract, butter and lemon juice. Mix and allow to cool slightly.
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Fold in the remaining 3 cups of fresh blueberries and ensure the berries are coated well in the 'sauce'. Pour into the baked pie shell and refrigerate for a few hours, preferably overnight. To serve, top with a handful of fresh blueberries if desired and don't forget the whipped cream or ice cream. Enjoy!
Deb LeBlanc says
Dana, what a beautiful tribute to your Mom! Love and hugs, my friend! Xoxo
Pies & Prejudice says
thanks my friend!! It was so nice to see lots of older pics of my mom and fun to share. Thanks again for coming to my mom’s memorial, you guys are so sweet. Love ya loads! xo
SARAH GODLOVE says
OOOH DANA, I AM SO, SO SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS… THIS IS SUCH A BEAUTIFUL TRIBUTE -I LOVE ALL THE PICS AND MEMORIES SHARED! I DID A DOUBLE-TAKE ON THAT PIC OF YOUR MOM IN THE HOSPITAL ON THE DAY YOU WERE BORN – YOU ARE THE SPITTING IMAGE OF HER! I HAVE TEARS IN MY EYES THINKING OF ALL YOU’RE GOING THROUGH RIGHT NOW…I HOPE YOU FEEL SURROUNDED BY ALL THE LOVE FROM THOSE CLOSE TO YOU RIGHT THERE TO THOSE OF US ACROSS THE MILES LIKE ME! SENDING HUGS, MY DEAR FRIEND!
Pies & Prejudice says
Thanks my beautiful friend!! I’m so sorry I’m just responding now, it’s been a pretty hectic summer so far and particularly these last few weeks. My guy’s mom passed away a couple of days after my mom so we’ve been back and forth to the coast for her funeral as well as planning my moms. Poor Billy came back from visiting his mom in the hospital in New Brunswick when he’d heard my mom had passed and the next day HIS mom passed away. What are the chances? Crazy…and so sad! But I’m so thankful for all the love and support of friends and extended family helping me. Thanks for the kind words and hugs my dear, you are the sweetest! I hope you’re summer is going much better so far and you are getting a chance to see/spoil that beautiful grandbaby of yours 😀 I’ll be back in IG land soon, miss you all and sending hugs back atcha! xo
Kelsie | the itsy-bitsy kitchen says
I’m SO sorry, Dana! This is a lovely tribute to your beautiful mom. I’ve always felt that baking is therapeutic not just because the act itself is therapy, but because so many recipes are connections to family members. I know that when I bake sourdough bread, nothing makes me feel as connected to my grandma. Take care, my dear! I wish I lived closer so I could help out, but it sounds like your friends have you covered well 🙂
Pies & Prejudice says
Thanks much Kelsie! And also for your kind and thoughtful email as well, you’re such a wonderful soul and I’m so glad to have ‘met’ you on IG. I couldn’t agree more, baking is so therapeutic and it’s a perfect excuse to get our bake on 😀 Plus I love that recipes bring back memories and remind you of family and friends, too. So sweet that your sourdough reminds you of your grandma! You almost feel like she’s there with you when you make/eat it.
Thanks for the love and kind words, girl. Hope you’re having a great summer xo
Colleen - Faith, Hope, Love, & Luck says
Such a gorgeous pie…and such a lovely tribute to your mom. It sounds like you truly were blessed in the mom department…and the friend department as well. Wishing you tons of Faith, Hope, Love, & Luck over the next days, months, and years.
Pies & Prejudice says
Thanks so much Colleen! It’s definitely been a pretty rough last couple of weeks especially since my partner’s mom passed away a couple of days after mine…what are the chances? Crazy…. So we’ve been super busy travelling and planning the funerals, cleaning out houses and catching up on everything, I need a vacation haha! Thanks for your condolences and sweet words, so appreciate it :D.
Oh yes, I’ve got some great support from extended family and friends which is such a blessing since both my parents are gone now and I didn’t have a big family to begin with.
Thanks again and I hope you’re having a wonderful summer so far! xo
Kelly Lynns Sweets and Treats says
Girl…..I am sooooo sorry for your loss. I seriously can’t even imagine. Sending you hugs but wish I could be there for you to give you a hug in person. The picture of your mom when she was in the hospital after having you, looks just like you!! Thank you for sharing all the pictures of you and your mom with us. I am sure this must have been a VERY hard post to write.
Your pie looks amazing and I am sure your mom is smiling from above 🙂 XOXO
Amy (Savory Moments) says
I’m so sorry for the loss of your mother, Dana. She looks like she was a very loved person and this is a lovely tribute to her life.
Wendy Klik says
What a wonderful tribute to your mother. Thanks for sharing it with us.
Pies & Prejudice says
thank you so much Wendy!! Appreciate the kind words and thanks for stopping by! 😀