We're not done yet!

Don't give up on us, we're not done yet!!

Our next planned post is September 11-12 for the Pie Festival in Pie Town, New Mexico, but if we find another worthy story in the meantime, we will definitely post it.

Just a word about our posts: If we visit an establishment and are not excited about the quality of the pie, we simply don't post anything. We will not reveal the names of places we did not like, following the adage "If you can't say something good...."

If you have establishments to nominate, please let us know. Our blog is mostly about the story of the people who make the pie and not the pie itself, so if you know of a unique pie maker...

Waiting to hear from you!

The Blackbird Bakery in Bristol, Virginia

This bakery has been in business just over a year and is already developing a reputation as the best place around to buy donuts and pies. There was a steady stream of customers on a Thursday morning.

Ratha Shabeldeen bakes all of the pies and pastries. When she immigrated from Lebanon over 40 years ago, she didn't know how to read. She started to learn by reading pastry recipes, working at a restaurant for 33 years and with the school district for 11.

She said she could give us the recipe for her flaky crusts, but with crust making, technique is what really matters. "Don't knead the dough," she advises, because it only makes it tough and chewy.

We had the pecan and peach pies, served in individual tins. Other specialties of the house were chocolate, coconut cream, apple, cherry and butterscotch.

Mrs. Hardesty's Tea Room in Harrisonburg, Virginia

Mary, the owner of the Tea Room, is a retired kindergarten teacher. She has been in business for about four years and makes all of the desserts served. The raspberry custard pie we had was a new item and a big hit! We had to speak up before the end of our meal to get the last piece. It came as no surprise that this establishment had recently been featured in the travel section of the Washington Post.

We also tried Mary's scones, which are incredibly light and flaky. Of course, Mary won't give out her recipe, but she did give us a hint: They contain no butter or eggs!

One of the special events at the Tea Room during the past year was historic 1850's Court Days. Mary served old fashioned chicken pot pie, Virginia Brunswick Stew and gunpowder green tea. the most popular tea of the time. This tea is made up of leaves hand-rolled into tiny pellets, therefore the name. Click here to view Hardesty's web site.