Nana's Wild Blueberry Surprise

Today's my birthday, and I post this in honor of my favorite blueberry picking partner, my mom (Nana to my kids), Marilyn Lorbiecki, and my dad, the Waltz King, Rudy Lorbiecki.




Nana’s Opens-Your-Eyes,
Wild Blueberry Surprise

Text copyright 2009 by Marybeth Lorbiecki


Deep in July, when the berries turn blue
and the sun is heavy and there’s nothing to do,
we head to my Grandparents’ place on the bay
for Grampa’s birthday and a week-long stay.

I love it there, the sand and the sky,
and the tall green pines that stand nearby.
But best of all are the mysterious pies,
Nana’s Open-Your-Eyes, Wild Blueberry Surprise!

Tired from driving, we tumble from cars,
toting ten gallon coolers & Rice-Krispie bars --
Aunt Kate lugs a laptop and her long “to-do” list,
with a sackful of munchies slung over her wrist.
Uncle John heaves hard at his bundle of clubs,
Cousin Julie just sulks and pushes off hugs.

Aunt Jean carries her squares neatly clipped, [quilt pieces]
and a folder of coupons to be sorted and snipped.
Rachel and Sarah – Alex and Em
bring Game Boys and beach balls, CDs and fins.

Lawrence and Max, who've come so far
run to the beach, fleeing the car.
Aunt LeAnn and Yoshimi, chatting away
talk as they walk, unpacking to stay.

Peter and Steven, Abby and Grace
cling to their Ipods and books, just in case.
Waddling in diapers, William and Joe
Follow Claire and Sam with tackle in tow.

And I know what will excite them --
a slice of great size
of Nana’s Open-Your-Eyes, Wild Blue Berry Surprise.
“It’s magic,” says Nana “Just wait and see --
the things that happen surprise even me.”


That night I dream that Nana picks me
to go with her friends on their blueberry spree.
I wait and wait, my fingers crossed tight,
and wish on the stars that dark piney night.

Then Nana looks round on the very next day:
“Come here, my dear,” I hear her say,
I’m so happy I scarcely breathe…
We pack water and hats before we leave.

Then Nana and I stroll hand in hand
And wait for the pickers to arrive in their vans.
“The Blueberry Gals,” chat and we pick,
shooing away flies and pulling off ticks.
We haul berries back for cleaning with care
- each of the gals has her own special flair
mixing sunshine and forest with sugar and zest
making incredible goodies for their families to test.

Back at the cabin, we head to the kitchen
to get all the ingredients ready for mixin’.
Before we start, Nana says in my ear
words meant only for me to hear:
“I’ve never told anyone my secret for pies
that makes them Open-Your-Eyes, Wild Berry Surprise.

Now I’m so excited I’m afraid I will spill
or mix the dough and forget to chill.
Then Nana whispers, again near my ear,
words I want to remember all year:
“With each cup of berries, you think a good wish
for every person who will eat of this dish.
Then with measures of
wildness and spice
mixed once or twice,
the magic takes hold --
quite out of control.”

So after a feast of fresh-caught fish
corn on the cob, and noodle hotdish,
the time has come at last to try
Nana’s incredible blueberry pie.

Only Mom and Dad sit quiet aside,
not talking much or meeting our eyes.

Nana winks ‘don’t worry’ and serves up plates
while Grampa puts on his old-time tapes.
The first thing that happens, with just one bite,
the littlest kids start to scramble and fight
they escape their boosters and belted chairs
to dance to the music, clumsy as bears.
To the side goes the paperwork
it falls in a pile,
as Aunt Kate gets up and swings a child.
Great Uncle Mark eases up from his chair
And waltzes with Abby with wind in her hair.
Then moody Julie, her view now improved,
clangs two spoons with trills like the loons.
Alex jumps on the table in one big leap,
Dancing a polka to a disco beat.
Aunt Jean twirls ‘round like a fork of spaghetti
flinging coupons about like colored confetti.
John arrives, having flopped on the greens,
and is taken aback, shocked by the scene.

But with one small taste of those blueberry pies,
his spirits, too, begin to rise --
and he drops his pack of polished clubs
to twist and turn and cut up rugs.
Amidst all the ruckus
something romantic occurs --
Mom gives to Dad a shy little glance
and asks him if he’d like to dance.
He smiles, he laughs, he puts out his hands.
Then in a whirl,
they start to swirl
around and around the room.
As I watch, Nana’s hand reaches mine
and we, as the cooks, feel so fine.
A little while later, after dessert,
Grampa announces:
“That’s why I married her,
sure as I’m alive,
Her Open-Your-Eyes, Wild Berry Surprise.”
And he turns to his side to give a big kiss
to the smiling, blushing chef of this dish.
We clap and we whistle and fill our plates high
with Nana’s Open-Your-Eyes, Wild Blueberry Surprise!


Make Your Own Wild Blueberry Surprise

CRUST:
Crush a dozen gingersnap or gingerbread cookies until very small pieces – about 2 cups.
Or mix together:
2 cups of flour,
½ teaspoon salt,
3 tablespoons brown sugar,
1 tablespoon ginger,
1 teaspoon cinnamon,
¼ cup chopped pecans.

Melt I stick butter.
Mix with crushed cookies or flour mixture.
Press into pie tin.
Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes or until light brown and a little bubbly.
Let cool.

FILLING:
3 cups of wild blueberries
3 tablespoons sugar
3 tablespoons water
1 packet unflavored gelatin

Cook over stove – let bubble for five minutes.
Pour into cooled pie crusts.

TOPPING:
½ pint heavy whipping cream
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 tablespoons powdered sugar
Whip till stiff peaks. Cover pie. Decorate with sprinkles, or Heath butter brickle bits.
Make sure to add good wishes for each person who will eat this dish!