My mom and I both owe our baking abilities to her mom, my Grammy. She was an absolute master in the kitchen who never seemed to need a cookbook or recipe. When I was a little girl, I remember standing on a chair next to her in the kitchen carefully adding ingredients; sometimes holding the mixer and always getting a taste test! I also had my very own apron that she made for me. My favorite thing she baked was her lemon meringue pie. The crust was perfect and buttery, the filling was smooth and lemony and the meringue was thick and perfectly browned. My mom makes an amazing ricotta pie and also red velvet cake. My favorite baking memory is all the crazy preparation the week leading up to hosting family and friends for Christmas Eve. She and I would work ourselves into a frenzy preparing all the food and baking cakes, cookies, pies and candies. It was exhausting but always worth it to see our loved ones enjoying plate after plate. I haven't mastered the ricotta pie yet, but I do have a knack for scones and bread..thanks to the KAF Baker's Companion my mom bought me a few years ago. Thanks Mom!

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