Discovering Family Roots Through Cherry Pie: A Heartwarming Visit

In a quest to connect with her family history, Janet Lagerloef visited the childhood home of her mother, located at 130 North Prairie Street in Batavia, Illinois. Accompanied by her husband, Jerry, she sought to meet the current homeowner, Deborah McGrath, and explore the gardens that Janet’s mother once cherished. The visit turned into a nostalgic journey filled with stories, memories, and delicious recipes.

Exploring a Garden of Memories

As Janet and Jerry approached the home, they were greeted by a vibrant landscape adorned with coneflowers and black-eyed Susans. The couple rang the doorbell but received no immediate response. A painter working nearby suggested they check the backyard, leading them to an enchanting garden filled with towering phlox and fragrant clematis.

Upon meeting Deborah, Janet shared a cherished photograph of her mother sitting on the front step with her brother after his return from the war. “I am so glad you came!” Deborah exclaimed, welcoming them into her peaceful garden. The women bonded over shared memories of their mothers, both of whom had a deep love for gardening.

Deborah recounted her childhood in Lombard, where she grew up with a cherry orchard in her backyard. Her responsibilities included picking and pitting cherries for her mother’s famous cherry pies. “That might be when I first fell in love with growing things,” she reflected.

A Shared History and a Classic Recipe

The conversation flowed effortlessly as they toured the home, with Deborah sharing fascinating insights about its history. Before becoming a dedicated homemaker, Deborah’s mother worked as a copywriter for the Sears Roebuck mail order catalog, a service that once reached nearly every household in the country. The catalog showcased a wide range of products, even entire homes, with twenty-two confirmed mail order Sears homes existing in Batavia alone.

Inside the house, Janet recalled her mother’s tales of her grandmother’s efforts to reupholster furniture. “Grandma spent months tearing apart a couch and chairs, only to recover them in just two days with a pneumatic staple gun,” she reminisced. Deborah playfully suggested, “Maybe she ordered them from the Sears catalog,” sparking laughter between the two.

As they concluded their tour, Janet inquired about how Deborah managed during tornado warnings, given the home’s layout. “I just run outside to the back door that leads to the basement,” Deborah replied casually. Janet was taken aback by the thought of braving stormy weather just to access shelter.

The afternoon culminated with a shared appreciation for family recipes, particularly Deborah’s cherished cherry pie. Janet was eager to replicate the dessert, which included a lovingly crafted crust and the perfect cherry filling.

Cherry Pie Recipe

Deborah shared her mother’s recipe for a classic two-crust, nine-inch cherry pie:

• Pastry for the Crust: 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, 3/4 teaspoon salt, 1/3 cup unsalted butter, 1/3 cup shortening or lard (Deborah’s mother preferred lard), and 8-10 tablespoons of ice water. Mix the ingredients and refrigerate for two hours.
• Cherry Filling: 1 1/2 cups sugar, 5 1/2 cups fresh pitted sour cherries (or use frozen tart cherries), 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 1/4 teaspoon almond extract, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, and 1/2 cup all-purpose flour or cornstarch.

To prepare, thaw the cherries and mix all ingredients in a large bowl. Roll out half of the dough for the base, place into a pie pan, and use a slotted spoon to transfer cherries on top. Cook the remaining juice over low heat until thickened, pour over cherries, and dot with butter. Cover with the top crust, brush with egg wash, sprinkle with sugar, and bake at 400°C for 20 minutes, then reduce to 375°C and bake for an additional 30 to 40 minutes until golden brown and bubbly.

As their visit drew to a close, Janet felt a renewed connection to her family history and the shared love of gardening and cooking. “Do you have a special recipe with a story to tell? I would love to write about it,” she encouraged, inviting others to share their culinary tales.

This heartwarming encounter not only celebrated family traditions but also highlighted the lasting power of food to connect generations.