The Best-Worst-Sore-Loser Ever

This weekend my friend Libby invited our family and CC's family over for dinner.  I was supposed to host a Martini Partini but I was just not organized enough.  So Libby invited us over for hamburgers and sausages.  I decided to make a blueberry nectarine pie for the occasion.  I love making pie crust.  It is simple but complex.  I love the challenge of mixing a few ingredients until they are just right and then hoping everything stays put.  I phoned Libby to let her know that I was bringing over a pie.  Well she informed me that CC was also bring over a pie.  So naturally we had a Pie-Off.  As I hung up the phone I started to panic.  Did I mention that CC was making a PEACH pie?  Peach pies are pretty to look at and taste sweet and smooth.  I panicked.  Even though this was a friendly competition - I knew it would get out of hand.  Both CC and I are very competitive ladies.

When I arrived at Libby's I announced that I had to bake my pie at her house because I liked my pie hot.  Then I eyed it.  The peachy dream sitting on Libby's table.  The pie was beautiful.  It had a raised edge and the light golden colour that is envied by all pie makers.  I knew this Pie-off was over.  Yet I still hung on the hope that the blueberry pie with an ALL butter crust could win.  Libby served everyone one slice of each with ice cream.  When I took a bite of CC's pie I knew it was really over.  The pie was sweet with a flaky flavourful crust.  Very unusual for an all shortening pie.

Now I need to explain why I am the Best-Worst-Sore-Loser ever.  Usually when I lose a competition or a game I am known for throwing things and stomping away in defeat.  Very immature. I know.  My husband and I used to play Backgammon on a regular basis.  We stopped when he realized I would never be a gracious loser.  But things have changed.

When I tasted CC's pie these words came out of my mouth easily and pleasantly, "You won. Congratulations." I was actually surprised to hear it.  If I hadn't actually said those words I would not have believed it.  I became a gracious loser.  For once.  Isn't that something to be thankful for?

Here are some others:

-last minute invites
-babies who sleep
-my mother
-CC's gracious win
-vanilla ice cream with hot pie
-wasabi mustard
-super sausages
-Ikea $1 breakfasts
-gracious loses

Join Ann Voskamp as she encourages us to give thanks.