Saturday Afternoon and Banana Cream Pie

Most families have nicknames for their family members. Growing up, my siblings had nicknames. Brother Dear, named after our father, was never calling Little or Junior. He was Jimbo. It’s the name my mother gave him, and it’s what all the adults knew him as. As for us kids, he was Jimmy. Even as an adult, he never outgrew the name.

My sister, Linda, was called Dita. Our middle sister couldn’t say “Linda”, she said Dita instead. And so that’s what we all called her for the longest time. Anna, the middle girl, was called Anna Banana. It wasn’t until we were adults that I realized not only did she resent Anna Banana, but she preferred Anne over Anna. As for me, I never had a family nickname. People called me Rose. That is except for my parents, who always called me by my full name Rosemarie. And then there was family from Texas who insisted my name was Rosemary. It didn’t matter how many times I corrected them, to this day they call me Rosemary. Now among my high school peers, I was simply known as Shorty or Soda Pop. But that’s a whole other story for a different day, if ever.

So what do nicknames have to do with today? Well, today is Banana Cream Pie Day. Every time I hear Banana, I cannot help but think of my sister and smile. She’s recently joined our mother and Brother Dear, in sleep until the Lord calls them to heaven. For me, National Banana Cream Pie Day has taken on a whole new, very special meaning.

Taste of Home Old-Fashion Banana Cream Pie
1 cup cold Milk
1 (3.4 oz) package Instant Banana Pudding
1/2 teaspoon Vanilla
12 oz Cool Whip, thawed
1 (9-inch) Graham Cracker Crust
3 firm Bananas

In a large mixing bowl, whisk milk with instant pudding mix and vanilla. Continue to whisk vigorously for 2 minutes, until the mixture is very thick. Fold in 3 cups of Cool Whip

Spread 1-1/3 cups of the pudding mixture into the pie crust. Slice 2 of the bananas, arrange sliced bananas in a layer over the pudding mixture. Spread remaining pudding over the banana layer. Finish with the remaining Cool Whip. Refrigerate until serving.

Just before serving, slice remaining banana into rounds. Arrange on top of the pie. Slice, serve and enjoy this creamy, tropical delight.

Original Recipe Taste of Home

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He pardons all your iniquities,
He heals all your ills.
He redeems your life from destruction,
He crowns you with kindness and compassion
Psalms 103:3-4