Magic Coconut Pie from Nancie McDermott
After a weekend of helping with my granddaughter, Phoebe’s move to her freshmen dorm, I could not help but reflect on my same experience..could it really be 49 years ago? I look in the mirror and know it to be true.
Momma had three girls. As we were growing up, she was always saying that she wanted one of us to be a nurse. She had always aspired to be in the medical field. I know it to be so because she practiced medicine on family, neighbors, and animals. She told me that her father used axle grease from wagon wheels for any kind of infections. I was certainly glad we didn’t have a wagon. She also highly recommended enemas for whatever ailed anyone. Daddy always told the neighbors to avoid bending over in front of her. We had a chicken that was staggering around the yard one day. Momma announced the hen had a bowel problem so she promptly gave it an enema. Of course, it keeled over dead. I won’t even go into the autopsy she performed.
Since my two sisters were not medically inclined, nursing fell to me. And in the fall of 1970, I moved to the dormitory at a local, well known Catholic nursing school. I was eighteen years old. My belongings consisted of bedding, toiletries, make-up, and clothes. In my purse, was a medicine bottle filled with nickels. My sweet grandmother had saved them for me to use the payphone to make calls to the family. Every call cost a nickel. My grandmother, at that time, was only eight years older than I am now. She never learned to drive. She was housebound with Asthma and multiple health issues. She was also taking care of my grandfather who was eighteen years her senior. They would both pass away within the next four years. How I wished now I could use one of those nickels.
Grandmother made the best coconut pie. She frequently had a piece on hand for Daddy because it was his favorite. I never got her recipe but Nancie McDermott’s website has a recipe that I have made numerous times. It is a version of the impossible pie. And it is the closest to my Grandmother’s pie. I love to make them in 6-inch ramekins for parties. I have gotten so many compliments on them. Click here for the recipe and her blog. And click here if you want her amazing cookbook, Southern Pies.
My granddaughter moved into her dorm with several loaded bins. As a matter of fact, I thought they might have to tie me to the top of the car. It took a village to haul it up to her third-floor room. Ironically, I had also moved to a third-floor room with my meager belongings but that took one trip and it was just me and Momma.
During my spell of dorm life, I formed lifelong friendships, learned a wealth of life lessons, got in a few scrapes and made a few mistakes. But boy, did I have the time of my life! I also graduated and passed my nursing boards with no great difficulty. At age 21, I was ready to practice my profession. I had the tiger by the tail. Momma was so proud.
The changes from generation to generation are mind-boggling. Communication, computers, cell phones with their dozens of apps are game-changers. The constants are the struggles to balance real life and pleasurable experiences and adjust to independent living. Phoebe, like thousands of other college students before her, will have her experiences to tell. And maybe one day, she will accompany her granddaughter to her first dorm adventure. As for me, this day was for reflections…..
Though nothing can bring back the hour of splendor in the grass, glory in the flower..we will grieve not, rather find strength in what remains behind…
William Wordsworth
There’s no time to waste. Make this pie!
Love this story. Such wonderful memories and making new ones.
Thoughts of Grandma’s coconut pie makes me smile💕
Oh my goodness, what a delight and honor. You are the best. I knew I would love your recipes and I already loved your photos and styling of foid. But I had no idea what an excellent and compelling writer and storyteller you are. Grateful to follow and thrilled to be a small part of this big bountiful picture!
Huh? Wha…?! Are you talking’ about Miss Katrina? Well, it’s a good thing when we went to your house we were SITTING! Love your stories, Kathy!
Kathy, what talent You have. Really enjoyed this, and love Your recipes.
Thank you so much for taking the time to respond. I enjoy writing and glad you enjoy reading it. Kathy
Another wonderful story. I fondly remember when y’all started nursing school. Oh, my goodness.
Another great memory!!! 🙂
I enjoy your recipes and stories so much! I find myself with so many emotions, often laughing and crying at the same time! Love you!
Means the world to me. Thanks!
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Love this story! And I want to make this coconut pie!
Make that pie and send me a picture!