Final pie week!!

My 45th birthday is coming very soon and we have one last pie trek planned to top it all off! I'm so excited! We leave on April 25th and fly to Orlando. From there we will drive to Alabama, Georgia, S. Carolina, N. Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, DC, Pennsylvania, New York, and New Jersey to find the rest of my pies. What an amazing husband I have to plan this trip with and for me. He is the absolute best! Pictures and descriptions will be updated in the next 2 weeks!!

Easter tradition continues...

It started when Jackson was just 1 years old. The Saturday night before Easter, we plant jelly beans. Overnight, they grow into lollipops! Twenty years later, the teens are still planting jelly beans and anticipating what lollipops will emerge in the morning. I love that they still enjoy it and we will continue to do it as long as they still like it. 

We added some big kids to this years planting...too bad they weren't around Sunday morning to reap the rewards! Thanks Cassie, Kyle, Kenley, and Kylie. 

Pictures of jelly beans past...

4 years ago we met...

We went back to the place where it all began!

 It's cliche to say it but "time flies"!

 I can't believe 4 years have passed since that first meeting at The Melting Pot. Four years later, my life is better than I could have dreamed. I am so grateful for this man in my life. We laugh everyday! He makes me feel like I am the most important person in his world and is even willing to give up a golf game or two to hang out with me. He gets me. He's patient with me. He loves me through all my crazy moments. He likes to kiss me and other stuff. I'm so grateful to have him in my life. There are moments that I am so overwhelmed with love that it frightens me. I can't imagine life without him. I am so very, very grateful for this man.

Seven Years...

After 7 long years, it happened! Zane has been re-baptized into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. It was an amazing night and I am so grateful for his example and testimony. Through all of his personal struggles, Zane has never wavered in his testimony of Jesus Christ and the Atonement and it is one of the things I love about him. Our journey on Earth is filled with challenges and struggles and I believe God wants to see us come closer to Him through them. He requires us to have a broken heart and contrite spirit and we can develop that through our adversities as we lean on God for strength. Zane is an amazing man and I am so grateful he is my husband and spiritual partner. I am blessed to have him. 

More Utah pie...

Pie #40-41

We needed a weekend away and Zane needed to play golf! He is a very talented golfer and I love watching him. There was a 3-man scramble tournament at Palisade Golf Course in Sanpete County. It was a reason to get out of town and enjoy our gorgeous Utah weather we are having right now. We stayed in Fairview and on the way back from Palisade, we stopped in Mt. Pleasant to have dinner. This cute diner offered homemade pie so we asked our waiter for a recommendation on the best pie. Cute Simon was a young kid from Texas working at this diner in Mt. Pleasant. Of course he is going to recommend the Pecan Pie. But I am saving the Pecan Pie until I am in Georgia and I can experience the local best option. I opted for his second recommendation which was the German Chocolate pie. Chocolate pie is my least favorite pie. Admittedly, this was really good! The cream was good, the coconut flavor was good, but, my favorite part was the crunchy layer of chocolate that is on top of the chocolate cream and underneath that whipped cream. It was a little chocolate surprise that I enjoyed. It was good pie. I would stop there again if I am down that way again. Maybe after a trip to the Manti Temple...oooh, that's a good idea!

(I didn't play. I got to drive the cart and enjoy the sunshine. It was a pretty course in a pretty area. Congrats to Zane's team...they took 2nd!)

We had breakfast in Fairview at the Home Plate Cafe. The ladies at the Skyline Mountain Resort didn't recommend the place for dinner but I figured we were safe for breakfast. Who can screw up breakfast? What a fun surprise when we saw they offered homemade pie, as well. We got the Raspberry Peach that is made from the raspberries that are grown on the owner's property. The server told us they offer a good Strawberry Rhubarb in the summer, also made from the local gardens in town. I see a summer trip in the future. It was good pie that would be worth eating if you are already in the area. 

More homemade goodness...

Pie #39.5

I don't know that this truly qualifies as a piece of pie for my list. It's really just a sample since this is all that was left after Pi Day. My good friend, Craig, loves this pie quest and when I was telling him about it we talked about what would be the best pie combo. Why hasn't this been made before? It probably has but I haven't had it. I was thrilled when Craig brought me this nibble of Banana Coconut Cream pie! Two favorite pies in one!! His co-worker, Owen, from Big Brothers, Big Sisters made it for a Pi Day celebration. Craig snatched this last little morsel away from some poor, helpless old lady so that I could enjoy it. And enjoy it, I did! Thank you, my friend!

The real reason we went to Monterey...

Pie #37-39

Here is the real reason we went to California for Jalyn's birthday... Pie Number One on the Time Out top 17 pies in the US!! When Zane and I went to LA at New Year's to have Grapefruit pie, our original plan was to then head north to San Francisco and then across Nevada to get home to SLC. However, Mother Nature changed our plans for us. Donner Pass was shut down and there was a huge snowstorm that would have been miserable to drive through. I had to have that pie, though. Jalyn was kind enough and up for the adventure of having pie with me in San Francisco. 

We flew into San Jose and drove to Daly City to seek out Devil's Teeth Baking Company. The list recommended the Sweet Potato Pecan Pie as the number 8 pie in the US. I was excited for it. We found the bakery and we were extremely disappointed to find they had NO PIE!! I asked the counter help and was informed that they don't know how they got on the list. They only make pie at Thanksgiving and it has to be special ordered. I was deflated!! I traveled all that way for no pie!

I tried to take it in stride and move on to the next pie on the list. It was actually number ONE and I was ready to be cheered up after that sad, sad disappointment. We headed into San Francisco to find Tartine Bakery. On a Saturday. In San Francisco. During a protest of President Trump's travel ban on certain countries. Ugh! We weren't getting anywhere close to that place. I gave up and headed south to Santa Cruz and Monterey. I begged Jalyn to please leave Jacqui early so we could go back to San Francisco before our flight on Tuesday. Thankfully, she agreed and it was definitely, definitely worth the drive. 

We had no problem getting to Tartine's on Tuesday. The location is not well advertised but the Google Map got us there. Look at those pies!! The number one pie on the list is the Chocolate Banana Cream pie. The location was packed so we got it to go and took it back to the car. We picked up the Lemon Curd Tart, as well, because it looked, well...look at it...it looked amazing! I'm surprised we weren't cited for indecent public activity because of the sounds of deliciousness we were making in the car. The Banana Cream pie was so, so good! I was so sad not to have a cooler to bring the pie home. Zane would have loved it! The Lemon Curd was the perfect blend of tart and sweet and creamy. Thank you Jalyn, for sharing your birthday trip with my quest for pie. It was worth it!

After my initial disappointment in San Francisco, we went on a hunt for good pie in Monterey. The Google search took us to a little bakery and cafe in the middle of an industrial area. They did their best to make it look like a cozy cafe outside but it still seemed very out of place. However, the pie was worth it! When I did my 40 pies before 40 quest, I tried an Ollalieberry pie in 

Southern California. I have asked around for it since then but it seems to be a regional thing. I understand that it is a mix between an eastern blackberry and a western dewberry. I don't know what all that means but I do know that it means a deliciously sweet/tart berry pie for me. This cute bakery did a great job. Apparently, the have amazing quiche, as well. Next time we are out there, we will have pie and quiche. 

Santa Cruz and Monterey with Jalyn and Jacqui

In January, Jalyn turned 17! I can't believe it. Time goes by so quickly. As I was trying to think of a fun gift for her, I decided I wanted to take her on a trip. The child loves critters and what could be better than a visit to the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Conveniently, my surrogate child and Jalyn's sister, Jacqui, moved from Wichita, Kansas to Monterey, CA. She also conveniently purchased a membership to the aquarium that allowed her to bring TWO friends! The Monterey Bay Aquarium is one of my favorite places to go but it has gotten quite spendy. I want to take all my kids out there but $50/per person times 8-10 people (depending on who can make it) is not worth it to me. It is worth it if you can go for FREE on your friend's membership. Jacqui is the best! 

There may have been a selfish reason for going out there, too, but that will come in the next post. 

Jalyn and I stopped in Santa Cruz on the way down to Monterey. I wanted to show her the boardwalk and the town and beach I would visit with my friends in high school. I may or may not have cut school numerous times to go sit on the beach and hang out on the boardwalk. Don't tell my parents!

For nostalgia purposes, we took a quick ride on the Big Dipper roller coaster and played some games at the arcade. It was late when we got there and everything was shutting down. We walked on the beach for a short time, listened to the waves, but then I told her we needed to leave. You know what happens there when it gets dark? The vampires come out! Lost Boys movie is the proof. If all the vampires were as cute a Kiefer Sutherland, maybe we would have stayed but I didn't want to take my chances. 

The weather was perfect in Monterey. The aquarium did not disappoint and we had a great time. Thank you, Jacqui, for having us. We will be back so I can love on that grandbaby of mine!

National Pie Day 1/23

Happy National Pie Day on January 23! It's 1/23...get it? Easy as 1,2,3...easy as PIE!

That's the Pie Day I celebrate...not Pi day! I hate math. Why would I celebrate 3/14? 

Of course I had pie. But Marie Callendar's doesn't make it on my list. We know they are good and I know I can get it anytime I am craving a pie. Those cravings usually come in February, June, and October. Those are the pie months when it's on sale. I've sadly watched the prices increase and it is now up to $8.49 per pie. Remember the days of $5.99 pie month? Me, too. I miss it. 

More pies in LA

 Pie #36-37

While in Los Angeles, we asked the Google for the top pies in the LA area. Below are two of the pies that were on that list. We stop at Cake Monkey and had the most amazing apple pie I have ever had. The cider soaked apples fill the most amazing double cheddar crust. I cannot brag about this pie enough. It was so, so very good. My preference on pie is the filling. Zane's preference on pie is the crust. We make a good team because I always get the point and he always gets the leftover crust. However, we battled over this piece of pie. The filling and crust together were a perfect match and I had to distract Zane so I could have the final bite. Thankfully, he loves me and didn't get too upset. However, we should have purchased the entire pie. It was THAT good. Go get this pie!!

Another place on the list was Pie 'N Burger in Pasadena. It has been around since 1963 and I think the pie made the list for nostalgia reasons. I didn't think it was great. It was average. The place is a little hole in the wall with a long counter and a handful of tables. It was busy since the Rose Parade just finished and people were coming in for the Rose Bowl (we picked the wrong day to be in Pasadena) so I got the pie to go. I asked the server for their best pie and she recommended the boysenberry. So we got it. It was OKAY. I wouldn't go out of my way for it again and especially not during the Rose Bowl.

New Year's in LA

Pie #35

Zane and I have a fun tradition of heading to Las Vegas over the New Year's holiday to go to the Maroon 5 concert. I am a huge fan of Adam Levine and I love spending time with my husband so it is a win-win tradition for me. 

We also found a list of the top 17 pies in the US put out by Time Out publication in 2015. One of the pies on the list is at a restaurant in Los Angeles. We decided to take a quick jaunt over to LA to try it out. The description on the website sold it for us...

"That one of L.A.’s best slices of pie comes from a breakfast spot specializing in charcuterie is besides the point. Salt’s Cure’s take on Key lime pie—swap out the limes for grapefruit—expertly walks the line between sweet and tart, with a to-die-for graham cracker crust holding it all together."

Divine!! One of my favorite pies I have tried, for sure. It was so different and original and delicious. I would definitely travel out to LA to eat it again. The lunch we had was good, too. It's worth the stop!

Southern Utah Pie

Pie #33-34

When Zane and I did our Utah pie trek back in May, we really wanted to get down to St. George and Veyo. But we were pie'd out and didn't have the time to make it down. In November, my surrogate daughter, Jacqui, was sealed to her husband, Brandon, and baby boy, Bryson. Some of us were able to drive down to attend the sealing and we took advantage of the moment and took a quick side trip to Veyo. It was just Mariah and I since the rest of the family came down later in the week. St. George has a pie place called Croshaw's, which is pretty good. However, Veyo Pies are better! At least the two we tried. They had an amazing Pumpkin pie that was heavy on the nutmeg which is what I like in a pumpkin pie. Then we also tried the signature Volcano Pie. There is a defunct volcano in Veyo and what better way to celebrate it. The pie was creamy with a layer of chocolate and butterscotch. Add the whipped cream and chocolate and caramel sauce on the top and it's a cream pie of perfection. It was definitely worth the side trip and I highly recommend it. 

Homemade Goodness!

Pie #30-32

Homemade pie is the best! I know people that have amazing pie-making skills. It is something I lack but I am really good at TASTING the homemade pies. Over the summer, I was lucky enough to try 3 different and delicious pies. 

Zane's mom has health issues and is confined to her bed in her home. She has home healthcare workers that come in and assist her with all her needs. One of her workers, Pat, brought in an amazing peach pie made with the peaches from her tree. Look at that cinnamon on the top of the crust! It was delicious and perfect with a dollop of whipped cream on top.

A pear tartlet made by one of my friends and fellow leader in the Young Women's program in my ward, Hannah. Delicious! The pears were picked from the tree that overhangs in the backyard from her neighbors. I used to live in that house and picked many pears from that tree. They were delicious and even better in a tartlet. 

The final homemade pie of the year came at our Young Women in Excellence program. Vanesa, one of our advisors, made this delicious lemon meringue pie. The lemons were tart and the meringue was perfectly toasted. It was a treat to enjoy her talents and a delicious add to my pie list. Thanks to all the amazing home bakers with pie talent! I admire you!

Girls Camp 2016

Pie #28-29

I am the Young Women's president in my ward and each year we take a few days and camp in the mountains. It is dirty and spiritual and the event of the summer. We had a great time as we always do. However, this year had a bonus for me. We made Fire Pies and were treated to a delicious, home-made Key Lime Pie from John Benson. It was epic! Who knew that two pieces of buttered bread with cherry pie filling roasted over a fire would be so delicious? Apply a layer of buttermilk frosting on top and it is pure heaven!

John's Key Lime pie is legendary in our neighborhood and this time at camp was no exception. He does a great job and we were so grateful he not only brought us pie but he cooked us up some amazing brisket, corn, and potatoes. Best night of camp, for sure!

Homemade pies from the heart!

Pie #26-27

At the end of May, I tried to quit my job. I say tried because they talked me into staying on as a temporary employee to help out and I did that until December. In December, I was hired back as a part-time employee and I am grateful. Our self-employed benefits were not working out and I am so grateful to my employer for providing quality healthcare at affordable prices. 

In May, for my going away party, one of my favorite co-workers, Gale, brought pie. Not just any pie. She made my most very favorite pie...Shoo-Fly Pie!! It was delicious. She has never made Shoo-Fly pie before but was willing to make the effort because she knows how much I love it. I work with the best people! She also made Coconut Creme pie. So good! Home-made pies come from the heart. It is a talent I don't have which is why I embark on trips to find the best pies. Through my journeys, the pies made by friends in their kitchens taste the best. It must be that extra ingredient you can only get in your own kitchen...LOVE!

Wichita, Kansas

Pie #23-25

After saying goodbye to Zane in Denver, Mariah and I headed to Wichita. It was so fun to see Jacqui, Brandon, and baby Bryson. I am grateful I was able to help out and spend time with such a sweet family. 

We did a search of best pies in Wichita and Spears restaurant came up. I have to say...not impressed. We tried the Chocolate Pudding Nut, Blackberry with vanilla ice cream, and Lemon Meringue. I would never go back to this place again. I would go to Village Inn or Marie Callendars' before this place. Skip it if you are ever out there...

I served an LDS mission from 1993-1994 and one of my favorite areas was Wichita. I got to know the Balzer family while serving there. When I left, they had 3 kids, all little. When Mariah and I went to visit 22 years later, they have twelve kids. The baby who's diapers I changed as a missionary was now a return missionary himself. It was so fun to see them. They are an awesome family!

The pie was terrible but seeing this new baby made the trip worth it. Granny DeShelle and Auntie Mariah spoiled him all week. He misses us terribly now!