I have a history of baking pies since Tom and I were first married.

We lived in a rented retirement condo in Bradenton, FL, 3 miles from the Gulf of Mexico. I loved our one bedroom apartment with the canary yellow carpet. The downside was Tom worked so many hours in a week, so I was lonely most days.

The property manager and his wife were the only people I knew. She was an experienced baker and offered to teach me the basics—pie crust and bread dough. I jumped at the opportunity to learn and to have something to do.

Now 45 years later, I am still baking for the love of my life.

What began as a diversion from loneliness has now become a staple of memories shared by our kids and grandkids. In fact, birthday pies are requested over the traditional birthday cake.

Today I’m not able to bake a pie due to a busy schedule. So I’ll do the next best thing—share photos of pies I’ve made.

Happy Pi Day