Day 13: Something I'm Proud Of

I'm a good cook! I really enjoy cooking, and especially baking. My specialty is pie. And who doesn't like pie?

I got my start at pie baking alongside my Mom at holidays starting in my teens. Christmas, Thanksgiving, and the Fourth of July were big pie-baking holidays in my family; I quickly gained a reputation for making great pies. I even invented a version of peanut butter pie for my Dad, hoping to recreate one we ate when I was little.

I take great pride in the crusts I make from scratch. I've used Crisco, butter, and a combination of the two. I've used lard (and once tried to render my own--big mistake) and vegan shortenings. They all work, and I'm proud to be able to turn out something worth celebrating nearly every time.

I'm sad to say that I don't bake nearly as much as I used to or as much as I'd like to. But I always make sure to bake several pies during the holidays, and I hope to be perfecting my technique for many years to come!