an apple pie universe

"in order to create apple pie, you must first create the universe"

i first read that quote by carl sagan about 20 years ago and pondered the infinitesimal nature of our existence while diving headlong into a slice of rather delicious apple pie. three other influences also collided into my universe around this time, which cemented my belief in the

apple pie theory of the universe

firstly discovering hitchhikers guide to the galaxy and this quote, "space is big. really big. you just won’t believe how vastly hugely mindbogglingly big it is. i mean you may think it’s a long way down the road to the chemist’s, but that’s just peanuts to space." so, we really are tiny specks in the infinity of the universe; but just as we cannot exist without it (or pie), it too cannot exist without us.

secondly watching the movie sliding doors. there is a pinpoint, pivotal moment when the doors slide shut just as she is reaching for it, after which life changes. since that cinematic climax, the what-ifs have abounded multiplying into parallel universes which play in my head to this day. in more practical and tasty terms it also means that there are multiple universes with multiple apple pies in various stages of being demolished. 

lastly listening to deepak chopra talk about synchrodestiny and that there is no such thing as a meaningless coincidence. which quite simply put, means that me and apple pie were destined to meet and we have... many times. 

last night for the first time, i baked a french apple tart (much less complicated than a pie with only half the expectations). soft succulent tart granny smiths colluded with a dark buttery caramel and were kissed with a whisper of fleur de sel and a dusting of cinnamon. some time later, the pastry lid had turned golden brown, flaky and crisp and the apple juices had thickened and bubbled contentedly underneath. the house smelt of sugar and spice and everything nice. a (long) hour after it had cooled, i flipped it over. the rich sauce caressed the soft tangy-sweet baked apples and the knife made a pleasing 'krrrchhh' sound as it cut through the pastry.

the universe had given me a perfect tarte tatin. 

i looked at this simple creation and thought about all the complicated creations that had, had to come before it. it was indeed mind-boggling. really, in the grand scheme of things - the existence of us, parallel universes and synchrodestiny

this was a most insignificant moment. but for me, it was heavenly. 

apples for tarte tatin... and yes, i did manage to peel one apple in one long strip