Penelope’s Pie Shop (With a Side of Pecan Pie)
Wait!
Did you win an award, read all about pie week or have a cookie? Well what are you waiting for!
Now you can continue with the first day of Pie week, the story of Penelope’s Pie Shop (with a bonus recipe at the bottom!)
Meg’s feet hurt and her head ached. Clutching her purse to her side, she limped down the sidewalk. People shied away from her as she hobbled across the hot cement, lowering their eyes after one glance at her face. She knew she looked terrible. It was the middle of February and the temperatures were all ready back in the mid-80s. Her makeup was sweating off of her skin and her curly hair dangled around her cheeks in ragged ringlets. Her cotton dress was wrinkled and dotted with perspiration and her cheap purse cracked in the heat.
When you took in to account her boyfriend had dumped her last night for the voluptuous blond in 2 C and her boss had fired her so his loser son could have a job, she could have looked a lot worse.
Clutching the newspaper in her hand, she glanced again at the address. 405 Sugartree Lane. She’d gone long past the central part of downtown and the parking garage she’d forked over $7 at. The museums and art galleries had been twelve blocks ago, the charming restaurants with exotic sandwiches seven. Now she was in the middle of historic houses that had been transformed into shops and non-profit groups, just on the edge of old money but close enough to the university to be hip.
Glancing up, she found herself standing in front of a charming pale yellow college. A swing swayed on the porch and a bright hand painted sign cheerfully announced, “Penelope’s Pie Shop.”
“Here goes nothing,” she murmured. Plastering a wide smile on her face, she stepped inside. The smell of warm crust and cinnamon washed over her. Without realizing it, she sighed.
“Coconut.” A amused voice called from up front. “Cherries, maybe?”
Wrinkling her forehead, Megan stepped closer. The shop featured a wide wooden counter decorated to look like a windowsill in the center of the room. Wooden tables covered in white eyelet lace tablecloths were sprinkled around the room topped with vases of cheerful daises. The walls were covered in illustrations of pies, with a menu of the day’s specials on a large chalkboard in front. To the side, glass cases lined an entire wall. The pies were the most beautiful creations Megan had ever seen. She couldn’t help but gasp as she studied the top of a french apple pie.
“Banana creme. Chocolate?”
Megan whirled around. A petite woman wearing a bright red dress and sparkling red heels smiled up at her. Her green eyes crinkled mischievously and her hair had been braided into to plaits that had been randomly bobby pinned to her head. She wore a frilly white apron sprinkled with cherries and her cheeks were smeared with flour.
“Excuse me,” Megan said, shaking herself. It wasn’t polite to stare. “I was looking for Penelope.” She held up the newspaper. “I saw you were in need of some help. I wanted to apply.”
“Blueberry,” the girl said, her eyes focusing on Megan’s straggly brown hair. “Or pecan, perhaps.”
“Listen,” Megan said, lowering her voice. “I know I don’t know you, but I’d love if you could put in a good word for me with Penelope. I’ve had a bit of hard luck lately, and I really need a job. I got a degree from the university but I’m studying for my master’s since the job market is so terrible”–
“What kind of bad luck?” The girl wiped her forehead with a flour caked hand. She looked at Megan expectantly.
Megan took a deep breath. She hated to whine, but she really needed a job. “Well, my boyfriend and I broke up”–
“Why?” the girl asked.
“He liked another girl,” Megan replied. “A blond with big boobs and a big TV. Anyway, then my boss decided to give my job to his son–his son has problems, you see–alcohol and all that”–
The girl nodded, pursing her bright red lips. Whirling around on her shimmering heels, she scurried into the kitchen. Megan heard clanking and clicking. A moment later, the girl returned holding a plate with a piece of pecan pie and a glass of milk. Setting it down at the table, she plopped down and propped her elbows on the surface.
“I’m Penelope,” she replied. “I own the shop. And you can have the job. You just have to make me a pie first.”
To be continued…
Penelope’s Pecan Pie (It’s really from Dear Abby, but we won’t tell her we know.)
- 1 9-inch unbaked pie crust
- 1 cup light corn syrup
- 1 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar
- 3 eggs, slightly beaen
- 1/3 cup butter, melted
- 1/2 t. salt
- 1 t. vanilla
- 1 heaping cup pecan halves
Heat oven to 350 degrees. In a large bowl, combine corn syrup, sugar, eggs, butter, salt and vanilla; mix well. Pour filling into unbaked pie crust; sprinkle with pecan halves. Bake for 45 to 50 mins or until center is set. (Toothpick inserted in center will come out clean when pie is done.) If crust or pie appears to be getting brown, cover with foil for the remaining baking time. Remove from oven and cool.
Stay tuned for the second day of Pie Week! Tomorrow, Ode to Pies of the Pond and how I love thee…
February 23rd, 2009 at 3:17 am
I hope she knows how to bake pies!
February 23rd, 2009 at 3:43 am
OMG! I have been gone, and didn’t even know you had this knew spot all set up! WAY CUTE!!! I really like it!
)
And I am hoping this pregnancy goes well too. Maybe with all the sweet thoughts from all my bloggy friends like you, it will!!! I hope!
Anyways, I hope you are having a good Monday!
February 23rd, 2009 at 3:47 am
Ooooo I lovve your new home! So pretty.. Great story… makes me want some pie!
February 23rd, 2009 at 3:47 am
You are such an awesome writer. You always amaze me!
Yum…pecan pie. Oh wait, I hate pie.
February 23rd, 2009 at 4:03 am
pecan pie, oh-my
February 23rd, 2009 at 4:08 am
I don’t like pecan pie very much but I do like the story…wonder if she can actually bake a decent pie. ~Mary
February 23rd, 2009 at 4:32 am
This is so charmingly cute. Glad I found you..
February 23rd, 2009 at 5:07 am
Your writing is fabulous! Did I tell you that the last time I stopped by? Hmmm…well I am telling you now! Love meeting fellow writers. Thanks for stopping by my blog…hope we stay in touch!
February 23rd, 2009 at 5:18 am
I had to stop by and say hi, thanks for visiting and I too am
“married to my best friend, Texas native and I take frequent dance breaks wherever I am.” I also two Chihuahua and 3 other dogs, 3 cats and 2 guinea pigs. Your just blond and beautiful and I am dyed red and silly!
I love the pie story—but I like egg pie, quiche. What kind do you think she can make????? Hummm, quick and easy yet yummy too?
February 23rd, 2009 at 5:24 am
I love this story so far!!!!
February 23rd, 2009 at 5:29 am
Great story…can’t wait to see what happens!
February 23rd, 2009 at 5:53 am
I love pie. Almost all pie.
February 23rd, 2009 at 6:10 am
A red dress and red shoes – Penny is my kinda gal (this is exactly what I wore today, except that my shoes weren’t sparkly red).
I have an award for you to pcik up here when you get a chance:
http://kitchenlaw.blogspot.com/2009/02/ethiopian-experience-doro-wot-chicken.html
February 23rd, 2009 at 6:25 am
wow I was just searching for a pecan pie recipe
great story 
February 23rd, 2009 at 6:25 am
Another story I’m enthralled with. I’m loving pie week!
February 23rd, 2009 at 6:38 am
[...] best recipes for you placed an interesting blog post on Penelopeâ [...]
February 23rd, 2009 at 6:59 am
I love it, and the pie too, Pecan is my favorite.
February 23rd, 2009 at 7:29 am
I love me some good pecan pie, as all southerners do! My grandma used 1/2 light and 1/2 dark corn syrup, and I swear it makes a world of difference!
Loving the look of the new site!
February 23rd, 2009 at 8:03 am
I love pecan pie! I didn’t ever really try it until a couple of years ago, and I adore it now.
February 23rd, 2009 at 8:13 am
mmmmm. that pie looks good! hope megan can bake
February 23rd, 2009 at 8:20 am
Mmm….pie week! I’ll be back tomorrow!
February 23rd, 2009 at 8:21 am
Yay, a new story!
~ingrid
February 23rd, 2009 at 8:29 am
Cute story (I especially love that you call her Meg – that’s my daughter’s name). I’ve never had pecan pie but I know I would love it.
February 23rd, 2009 at 8:38 am
OMG, this will make my kitchen smell like thanksgiving. Delicious.
Cheers,
Elra
February 23rd, 2009 at 8:52 am
Love the story. I am so ready to bake a pie.
Cynthia
February 23rd, 2009 at 8:56 am
I am loving this one!! YUM!! Pecan Pie, my fave! I love Pie Week!!
February 23rd, 2009 at 9:18 am
I LOVE Pie Week!!! I can’t wait to see what kind of pie she makes!
February 23rd, 2009 at 9:34 am
mmm I love me some pecan pie!
I’m thinkng it would be quite nice to work in a pie shop!
February 23rd, 2009 at 9:42 am
The pie looks wonderful!! Pie week rules:)
February 23rd, 2009 at 10:10 am
love pecan pie… gotta try to make this
February 23rd, 2009 at 10:39 am
OMG!!!!! Loving the new site! LOVING it! You go girl!
February 23rd, 2009 at 10:40 am
Love the new look around here! Great story and ohhhh thay pie looks yummy!
February 23rd, 2009 at 11:19 am
My oh My how I love a good pie!
February 23rd, 2009 at 11:42 am
That pie is heavenly. Thanks for supporting me on my Big Bloggy Joggy Day! You’re the best!
February 23rd, 2009 at 11:47 am
Great story, and oh, how I love pecan pie! (second only to chocolate pecan, but right up there!)
xo, Amanda @ http://www.kiddio.org / http://www.housemade.org
February 23rd, 2009 at 12:10 pm
Yummy that pie looks way too good!!
February 23rd, 2009 at 12:36 pm
Oh dang I know I’m going to like this story!!! I love that you’re giving recipes at the same time!!! You get better and better, I swear. Love it! Thanks for stopping by to see how I was doing. I’m finally over this stupid thing and I swear I probably cracked or injured a rib from coughing so much. Ugh.
February 23rd, 2009 at 1:29 pm
Okay, I hope that if I ever apply for a job, I’ll be able to skip the interview and bake him/her a pie instead. I love pecan pie, and it is my dad’s favorite pie. I personally like to peel off the top bits of nuts and eat them. Then savor the gooey insides and bottom crust. Man, now I want pie!
February 23rd, 2009 at 1:34 pm
Oh yeah. Pie stories!!! I’ve been craving pie all day. Now I want more.
I would always eat pie at a place called Penelope’s Pie Shop. Penelope is the name of my adorable niece.
February 23rd, 2009 at 1:45 pm
Can’t wait to read the rest and hear what kind of pie she makes.
February 23rd, 2009 at 1:58 pm
Some day I will learn to make pecan pie. I know I will. Tonight, however, I will perfect apple pie ice cream, and post the recipe tomorrow morning. I promise. Deadly fattening. Decadently wonderful.
February 23rd, 2009 at 2:01 pm
Pecan pie has to be one of my all time favorites! We don’t usually buy corn syrup, so I found a pecan-honey pie that my family loves too. Oh no, you’re going to make me want to make pies for a month now…
February 23rd, 2009 at 2:10 pm
My first boyfriend in highschool actually baked me a pecan pie on our first date! I was very impressed!
February 23rd, 2009 at 4:02 pm
Thank you so much for your comment! Right now, the move is an option and considering I’m coming up on my senior year, I’d just be there over breaks etc.
February 23rd, 2009 at 4:11 pm
I just had pecan pie this past weekend and it was delicious! How serendipitous to see a recipe here.
Love the new story BTW. When I was little I used to draw cake and pie shop windows
February 23rd, 2009 at 4:23 pm
My family loooves pecan pie
I always make them pecan pie bars.
February 23rd, 2009 at 5:04 pm
One of my favourite pies!
February 23rd, 2009 at 5:15 pm
That pie looks delectable…
February 23rd, 2009 at 6:06 pm
Drooling…pecan pie! I love pie week!
February 23rd, 2009 at 7:20 pm
Cool story! And I love the pie element going on!
February 23rd, 2009 at 8:43 pm
I just know there’s going to be a twist. My oh my what could it be…Does the pecan pie have anything to do with it I wonder? I’m hooked…
February 23rd, 2009 at 8:56 pm
Hi Duckie! What a wonderful story! I wish I could find a shop like Penelope’s. I can smell the pie!
And what a wonderful recipe. Ohhhhh pie week!!!!
XXOOXOXOXOXO
Jen
PS – I have an award for you over on my blog.
February 24th, 2009 at 12:11 am
Oh yummy recipe and great story as always!!
February 24th, 2009 at 1:42 am
This pie looks so yummy – Will she be baking this pie?? Love the story and can’t wait to hear the rest!
February 24th, 2009 at 6:43 am
Love, Love Pecan Pie!!
(feeling better & Chloe is just a pleasure)
February 24th, 2009 at 8:04 pm
love it i’ve never made pecan pie – i need to try it.
February 25th, 2009 at 12:22 am
Loving this story Duckie. Pie makes everything better, especially pecan pie. It’s one of my favs!