The Pie Letters: Thoughts and Reflections on Pie and Life

Shortly after starting a "Pie of the Month Club," Coletta Kewitt's business grew to eighty pies a month. Using a commercial kitchen about thirty miles from her home, she would head into town after a day of baking with a car filled with warm pie. Along the way, she prayed for no sudden stops. When her dear friend died, she wrote her first "pie letter" which she taped to the top of the pie boxes. Customers urged her to write more letters, and thus began her monthly essays on pie and life. Many times, she would see customers sitting in their cars reading their pie letters before taking off for home. Readers will learn the benefits of P.I.E. -- "patience in everything," which is one of the greatest blessings God can bestow on us.

Coletta Kewitt was born to be a baker and carry on the tradition of at least three generations. She spent her childhood working alongside her parents and two siblings in her family's bakery in Mount Vernon, Washington. While there, Coletta felt a calling to serve....to fill bellies and lift spirits.

In 1991 Coletta and her husband Michael Maier moved to Cody, Wyoming and started Open Box M, a business making handcrafted pochade boxes (portable easels) for artist. After Mike's death, Coletta expanded the company with "Pie in the Sky Artist Workshops" led by some of America's leading Plein Air (outdoor) painters. It was a holistic approach to creativity and inspiration, combining learning, challenges and delicious food.

The joys of baking inspired Coletta to formally study and earn her certificate in pastry at Bellingham Technical College in 2008. She returned to Wyoming excited to share her gifts and knowledge. She made pies for friends. She gave pies to fundraisers. She sold pies to caterers. Her pies made people smile. They made people cry. They awakened memories. They would tell Coletta stories about pie. So she started a "pie of the month club".

Coletta works as a personal chef in Cody, Wyoming. When not at the oven, her time is spent with her husband, sharing their love of art and painting together outdoors, and treasured time with their grown children and grandchildren.

Through the joys and challenges of this life Coletta has been blessed with a beautiful family and many friends to accompany her on her journey.

She is aware of God's love and guidance every day.