Today, I should be celebrating my dear mother's birthday. Instead, I'm enjoying her favorite pie and having sweet memories of her.

Cancer took her from us suddenly three years ago. We were unaware that she had cancer and it happened to fast to even worry. By the time we found out, it was spread too far for treatment. We had two short weeks to spend with her. I flew down from Germany and visited her daily in the hospital until she died.

I don't want to focus on the last days with her but, the wonderful years I had with her. There are so many wonderful memories of my mother. She was a single mother of two girls, but she never let that stop her from being a great mom.

I remember singing and laughing together.

I remember the many vacations.

I remember always getting lost on those vacations. Momma called it "exploring". She never wanted to admit we were lost.

I remember the teenage drama. I gave a lot of that.

I remember her buying my first pair of heels when I was around thirteen years old. (I've always loved heels)

I remember her comforting me when my heart got broken for the first time.

I remember her being at my side when I gave birth to my first baby.

I remember our trip to Paris. That was unforgettable!

I remember her being in the kitchen always baking.

Momma loved to bake. One thing that was a big tradition around the holidays was sweet potato pie. That was something we always had for Thanksgiving and Christmas. It's a favorite in our family.

My grandmother gave mom the recipe. Mom gave it to me and today I'm going to share the recipe with you.

Sweet Potato Pie

One homemade pie crust baked (or you could use a store bought one)

2 sticks of butter

5 lbs sweet potatoes, boiled and pealed

1 1/2 cups of sugar

2 tsp vanilla

1/4 tsp cinnamon

1 egg yolk

3 Tbsp evaporated milk

1. Boil sweet potatoes until soft. Allow potatoes to cool. Skin will peal right off.

2. Bake your pie crust according to your directions.

3. Mix all ingredients together with a mixer. It will resemble mashed potatoes....no lumps.

4. Put filling into pie crust.

5. Bake at 350 until brown (about 10-15 min)

Now go bake a sweet potato pie and enjoy it with those you love the most.

Sharon McCown

1949-2009

~Happy Birthday Momma. We will always miss you and we will never forget the many wonderful memories we have with you.~

It's a week till Christmas. This is my favorite time of the year. It makes me feel so good to get things for the kids and see their excited little faces as they stare and wonder what's in those packages under the tree.

Don't you just love giving to others?

I know I do. There's nothing nothing better around Christmas than the spirit of giving. So I'm going to give you something.......My grandmother's Chocolate Pie recipe. Yes....my grandmothers. I've held it close to my heart for years.

She would have given it to anyone, yet I've kept it in the family. I'm a bit Selfish. Well it's time to get into that giving spirit. Grandmother would have wanted it that way.

This is the best Chocolate pie recipe I've ever had. I apologize that I don't have a picture of a pie slice so you can see the beautifulness of it, but it went in minutes and these piranhas of mine wouldn't wait for me to take a picture. In their defense, it takes quite a while to get that perfect shot.

Grandma's Chocolate Pie

1 Cup Granulated Sugar

2 1/2 Tbsp Cocoa

2 Tbsp corn starch

3 egg yolks (save whites for meringue)

1/4 tsp salt

1 1/2 cup milk

1 tsp pure vanilla

1 Tbsp butter

1) Mix all liquid ingredients in a pot and bring to a boil. Lower to a simmer then sift in dry ingredients.

2) mix well

3) Cook until thick.....stirring constantly to prevent scorching.

4) After filling is thick pour into a beautiful handmade crust......or if you're pressed for time like I was use a store bought one. Bake the crust according to the package directions before adding the filling.

5)Beat 3 egg whites in your stand mixer on high until stiff. Add 6 Tbsp sugar (2Tbsp per egg). Mix again to incorporate sugar.

6) put Meringue on pie and bake at 350˚ until top is golden brown. (about 15 min)

Baking in Heels