Happy Pi Day 3.14

Doesn't that look good? I hope you enjoy some pie today in honor of Pi Day. My sister-in-law, Melanie, pointed out the mathematical significance of the date today and why not come up with any excuse to eat pie? After all it is one of the best foods in the world. Another favorite food of mine is strawberries so what could be better than combining them? Strawberries have been outrageously expensive this winter so I was thrilled to see them on sale this week just in time for our celebration last night.

I love to bake when I have time. I don't mean making meals every day. That gets a little monotonous. But baking yummy treats like pies is something I enjoy. I think one of the things that interests me about pie making is the challenge. Anybody can make cookies look good but pies are tricky. I'm a purest when it comes to pies. Everything is made from scratch. I don't use any ready made crusts, pie filling, or pudding. Getting them to look pretty is as important as how they taste. I've been practicing for years and my pies still don't look nearly as good as my Grandpa Brown's did. I did win a "most decorative pie" award at a pie contest once though so maybe there is hope. I made two pies yesterday. The banana cream one was delicious but not fantastic in the looks category since the crust collapsed while it was baking. My strawberry pie wasn't perfect but it was close. No, that's not a picture of it and that's what this post is really all about. I put the almost perfect pie in the van and was trying to find a place to set it where it wouldn't slide around. I finally put it in the basket on the floor between the two front seats. Jared got in the van first and decided it was funny to lock all the doors. He carefully stepped over the pie and then got back in his seat. When Kaitlyn got in she decided she had to climb in the front to unlock the doors and I watched in horror as she stepped right in the middle of the strawberry pie! I wish I could say that I laughed. Unfortunately along with my love for pie making I also inherited a not so good trait from the Browns-my temper. Yes, I yelled and I had to go cry it out in my bedroom for a few minutes before composing myself enough to go to the party. After all, that pie was a ton of work. In the end, we ate the pie anyway since it was covered with plastic wrap. It turns out that pies that don't look pretty taste just as good. Happy Pi Day!