Cherry pecan pie

[threeplusfire]

Pie! Cherry pecan pie in the making, just before the top crust goes on top.

Today I've baked and baked a lot. First there were blueberry scones, and then it was multiberry scones full of cherry, strawberry, blueberry and cranberry. Why have just one berry, eh? Then I remembered that I promised Mike a pie. I really had a craving for a cherry pie, one that wasn't drowning in syrup. I added some of the pecans Mike's grandmother gave to us in South Carolina, to add some crunch. It looks so good.

Then I had to make the meatloaf I also promised Mike. It is stuffed full of garbanzo beans, because they are delicious. I like to think it balances out all the pork added to the loaf. Plus garbanzo beans are kind of nutty.

While we were in South Carolina, my mother in law gave me several cookbooks because she doesn't cook. Many of them are the spiral bound church and school sale variety. I am especially partial to these. Hidden within the desultory recipes of casseroles and cheeseballs are sometimes fantastic regional gems, family cakes and scalloped potatoes. Of course, you also see casserole made with canned salmon, olives and pimento. But I think I've discovered a new favorite bizzaro recipe and I determined to make it sometime soon. It calls for wrapping bacon around tater tots and frying them. So wrong, and yet so potentially delicious.