Back in October when I was in the thick of uni assignments and exams that I thought were never going to end, an unexpected gift dropped into my comments box.
A simple message accompanied the gift.
“I have a mulberry tree in the backyard and decided to cook a pie. I found this recipe and it’s now a family favourite. I made a short movie about enjoying the process from start to eating. Thanks, Josh”
As always, I am so very appreciative when one of my readers takes the time to write to me or leave a comment. Even if just one of you is genuinely moved by the stories I weave on the pages here then that is truly the biggest compliment of all. However, to have someone actually make a video homage to the recipe that is closest to my heart on this blog, my Grandma’s mulberry pie, it just takes my breath away.
When I emailed Josh to thank him for the beautiful video, he told me he found me one day while he was on a hunt to find a recipe replicating the stewed mulberries his own grandma used to make for him when he was little.
My recipe was the first one that came up and he enjoyed the story so much that he had to make the pie. Unfortunately Josh’s Grandma died without passing the recipe on but now I’m so very pleased for Josh that it’s my own grandma’s recipe that is carrying on the family tradition.
Luckily for Josh, he is blessed with neighbours who own a large mulberry tree, with branches that generously hang over his back fence. My Grandma’s tree has a short season which never falls on my visits home for me however, she has stored some for me this year and we’ll bake a pie together at Christmas – I can’t wait. Depending on where you live in Australia, mulberries have either just finished or if you’re further north hopefully the branches are still laden with these sweet little parcels of joy.
As I watched Josh’s stunning heart-felt movie capture the essence of my Grandma’s mulberry pie, words can hardly describe how incredibly touched I was. Josh honoured the memory of the mulberries as if my words and memories were lifted straight off the page and were baked into the pie.
Incredibly, it turns out that this videoing thing is a side hobby for Josh (he is a primary school teacher on the Central Coast, Australia, by trade) however, you can check out his portfolio of beautiful wedding, baby & travel videos on his vimeo site here and if you like what you see, he is available for hire.
After I received the video, my parents took the iPad to Grandma’s for her to watch and she was rather bemused that her humble mulberry pie now had its very own movie and was making the rounds across the internet. She thought it was wonderful.This was my Grandad’s favourite dish and I’m sure he would’ve been most pleased with this gorgeous pie.
Thanks Josh and thanks Grandma for mulberry pie – each bite is a taste of my childhood. xx
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How lovely:) That must be such a crazy thing for your grandma to see too.
That pie looks delicious. We used to have heaps of mulberry trees growing in the playground at school but I haven’t seen them in years.
What a beautiful story, that he found your story. The video is beautiful. I wish we had a mulberry tree near by.
Gill, this is so beautiful. I love it: the video, the post – everything!
Thanks ladyface 🙂
Beautiful video! I was so excited to find this as I love exciting foraged fruits like mulberries… and I also make little videos about my exploits! This mulberry pie video is beautifully made, I’m glad that your grandma liked it so much 🙂 I made a silly little video about making a foraged fruit Charlotte https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2UgmdsTiXNI&w=500&h=300
Lovely blog! Charlie x
Thanks so much Charlie and thanks for dropping by – you have a lovely blog too – Merry Xmas x
Just lovely! Lovely article, a fantastic reader, great video, happy memories. I do live further north and, I know where there’s a mulberry tree so I’m off to take a look. cheers!
Aww Thanks Fiona – lucky you! Hope you enjoy the pie once you get your hands on some 🙂