Sunday Afternoon Pie

This post is a week (and one day) late due to our house being overtaken by a general case of "yuck". Last week, while shopping at a big box store, my husband and I came to a table of baked goods. We had just eaten, so there was no reason for us to be so tempted by the sugary, carb-loaded goodness before us...but we were. I maintained all the will-power I had when we looked at the chocolate bundt cake and brownies and then he saw it --the biggest pecan pie I had ever seen. He wanted so badly to buy it, but I said "No! If you want pecan pie I will make you one!"

You see, pecans have a special place in my heart (if a nut is allowed such a place). I have memories of picking up pecans with my Granny at my grandparents house on the family farm when I was a child. We always had pecans in the freezer. I don't ever remember my mom buying any at the grocery store. When I got married, I got my own freezer bag of cracked pecans. When Blake and I were first married, as he left for work one summer day he made a comment about me making him a pie. I don't remember exactly what he said, but I did it. I made him a homemade pecan pie and he was so surprised! He loved it and a love of baking was born.

Over the years I have made pies for Thanksgiving or just here and there throughout the year when we needed some special dessert to hit the spot. Always completely homemade, crust and all. I am a messy baker and my pies aren't always pretty, but they usually taste pretty good and are a labor of love.

So on a cold Sunday afternoon, I sat in front of the television and watched a Hallmark movie while I shelled pecans for my pie. I have to say, it might be the prettiest one I have made in a while. Pie and coffee with my boys...just perfect. A bit of hygge -- a cozy moment surrounded by people and things that I love.

Books 2 and 3

The Book Share Experiment has gotten off to a great start! I still get super nervous and hyper-critical about my Live Posts, but everyone is so kind with their comments! So far, two books have been finished and sent to the next reader. I can't wait to get word that they have been passed along! My dream is one day seeing one of the books and reading the messages written inside the covers by each of the readers. Just to see that journey sounds amazing.

Below are pictures of Books 2 and 3.  My first two books of the year were non-fiction, so I decided to go with a fiction read for Book 3.  When I announced it on Facebook, I received mixed reviews so I am excited to see what I think.