Blackberry Patchwork Top Pie With Almond Crust

Being a teacher rules because I get to indoctrinate today's youth and I get all holidays off. Today was Veterans Day. Thank you, Vets! (Side story: I was teaching the youths about some Vietnam War stuff when I asked, "What does this headline tell you about the time period?" The headline was "Vietnam Vets Protest War." One student raised his hand and said, "That the people who took care of animals in Vietnam didn't like the war." Kids say the darnedest things!) Since I had the day off, I decided to bake a pie.

I realized why I should not bake by memory: I have a bad memory! So the last time I made a pie, my crust turned out dry because I got it in my head that one stick of butter equals one cup. And I never bothered to look at the measurements on the stick of butter. Oh, kitchen follies. Needless to say, today's crust turned out much better. I also added a half cup of finely ground almonds. I still work with a lead hand, so my crust always falls apart. Instead of trying to roll the crust out perfectly, I just let the cracks be and plopped them right on top of the pie. I'm like a jazz musician, I totally improvise. Yeah, man.

Girls' Night--WOOOO!!!!

me: andrew's out of town this weekend. wanna have a shut-in girls' night?

Kim: Yes please! Which night?

either night. wanna do saturday?

Kim: Sounds good. let’s bake and shit.