January 23 is National Pie Day [LIST]

My Dad used to make this pie with lemons from the luscious lemon trees he pampered in our backyard. Mom made the meringue, though! And it has to be meringue for me, whipped cream just doesn't cut it. My sister-in-law also made a most delicious lemon meringue- another of my favorites. Dad and Diane are gone now, but my niece makes them now.

Living in Lousiana, where pecans (pronounced puh-kawnz, for our Northern friends) are so plentiful and fresh, everybody who can bake can make a pecan pie. I haven't met one yet that I haven't liked, but my niece's is among the best!

Somehow, I've managed to find myself at O'Charley's on Free Pie Wedensday. Coincidence? Maybe not. Ha! They offer an assortment of selections, including pecan and peach, but apple is my pick. They serve it with a dollop of whipped cream.

"Diet" Chocolate Pie Tart
My mother-in-law makes little pie tarts with sugar-free jello, skim milk and lite Cool Whip. I don't feel as guilty eating one of these. Or two. Three definitely make me feel guilty, though.

King Cake Cheesecake
This is available only during Carnival season at Copeland's. The bottom is king cake and the top is cheesecake. It's topped with purple, greed and gold sugar and finished with whipped cream. Plus every slice gets a baby!

Crawfish tails, butter and a crust. Who wouldn't love that? I tried to make one once and, despite the fact that it turned out a little runny, it was delicious!