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The first November weekend in Tahoe is ritualist.

The “Pray for Snow” party is a ceremonial celebration.

The get together brings food, drinks, and family. While meandering inside and out, we bundle and huddle close around a fire.

Then upon hearing the clanking of the (decades past) ski pole pass, pause.

Here comes the “Dump Master.” After introductory chants, he hovers above and aglow from fire flames. He shares snow thoughts and stories, then a prayer to the Gods for the release of an abundance of pure and precious powder. The handcrafted wood mountain bike is burned as sacrifice to the snow Gods.

Last year’s wooden man and a video of the burning.

If a year of abundance, all praise to the “Dump Master.”

If lackluster, it’s a long year.

After the prayer, the choosing of a new “Dump Master” for next year. The responsibilities: host and plan the party (including the purchase of a keg), prepare and deliver meaningful and heartfelt snow words, craft a sacrificial wooden object from bare hands, clairvoyantly choose a “Dump Master,” who will yield a year of white fortune but whatever the outcome, will take our winter season in positive stride.

Tell me we aren’t the only who gather to Pray for Snow? Please say you make warm soups, appetizers, or desserts for these snow-casions? A new word!

Our dessert for the party: Spiced Pear Crumb Bars

Spiced Pear Crumb Q&A

Q: Does every fall dessert on Avi Pie include spice?

A: Relevant question. If October was an indication of November, I’ll say, the spice is high.

Q: If that’s the case, your recipes include a boatload of bottles. Can I use pumpkin pie or all spice?

A: Agree, so many jars and bottles! I have issues and one of them is wanting to sink my teeth into a recipe that tastes different from the one before. I hear you though, so many bottles so little time. By all means, add teaspoon amounts and use your spices.

Q: Are these like your Apple Shortbread Poppy Seed Squares?

A: They’re similar like that of siblings or fraternal twins. Catch me? Related, but with unique and distinct qualities making them worth baking, taking, sitting and letting the world fall so you can savor every crumb. This recipe happens to be the more efficient easier twin too.

Q: Other than what the recipe says, is there anything I should know before making these fine looking crumb topped bars.

A: Why yes. If you pick two winner pears for this recipe, then slice and one isn’t perfect firm/soft, no worries. Slice thinner than normal and keep with the recipe. When reserving the crust recipe for the crumb top, how much do you prefer? A lighter crumb top with 3/4 (shown in the picture) or more with 1 cup?

Q: What knife is best for cutting these bars?

A: By squeezing clumps, I sprinkle the unbaked crumb so each bite gets smaller and larger pieces. Because of varying sized crumb, a long serrated bread knife in a slight sawing motion works best (and when the bars are chilled). If a larger piece falls in my cut, I move it to the side rather than knife through.

 

Q: Do you normally talk to yourself during question and answer?

A: Sometimes, but I usually bounce all ideas off Rainey first. She’s smart, insightful, listens well, allows for contemplation, and beautiful too. She’s the best.

Q: How was the Pray for Snow party?

A: I opted out this year. When Dave warned the party was all outside, my toes said no way. I heard the garage open at 9:30 and thought, “what the?” Because of the fire ban, there wasn’t a flame in sight, so the party fizzled.

Come to think of it, with no official sacrifice, what about our winter? I think the Gods understand and with our love of Mother Nature, will let the snow fall <3