Ah Memorial Day weekend, that sweet unofficial start of summer.

I've taken notice of a few other unofficial summer starters, too. Yesterday I saw various neighborhood kids running around with their beach towels and flip flops. Last night showcased its first lightening bugs of the season, lighting up the sky for a brief moment so that we could pinpoint their location. And on top of all those sure-fire signs of summer, a new pie has been made (and mostly devoured).

The first pie of the Second Annual Summer Pie Challenge has met its demise.

PB&J Pie. From the beginning, it didn't really stand a fighting chance.

I began with the strawberries. Big, red, juicy. Oh, were they delicious! I bought an extra quart at the farmer's market just so I could snack. I love strawberry season.

Anyway, many people don't bake with strawberries because they believe the strawberries will get too mushy. But, so do practically all the other pie fruits (blueberries = mushy, cherries = mushy, peaches = mushy). What these people need to learn is that strawberries want to be baked. I know this because they told me last year.

Strawberry 1: "Chrissy put us in a pie."
Chrissy: "Like, with the jello?"
Strawberry 2: "No, no. Bake us."
Chrissy: "Ok..."

But last year I realized one thing: strawberry pie with peanut butter would ROCK!



And it did. The strawberries tasted like jam, with chunks of the fruit remaining. And the peanut butter...Well, anyone who has ever had peanut butter pie knows how wonderful that is. Their powers combined create Captain Planet! Or, at least, Captain Awesome Pie. Which served as a delicious cool treat on a warm (almost) summer's night.

1 down/15 to go. Come enjoy a slice!

Well, it has officially come and gone. No, no, I'm not talking about the Rapture. I meant the Summer Pie Challenge voting. Though - I'm pretty sure God would be cool with the suggestions you all gave. I just get this feeling he loves pie. Maybe not the apple though. That whole Eve thing...

Anyway, yes, the votes are in and the pies have been chosen. I need to thank everyone who voted for this summer's Challenge. Sadly, I couldn't take every suggestion: Sorry to Debbie for not choosing her Snicker's Pie idea (I've done it before, and it was darn good!) and to Craig for not going with the Mrs. Lovette Meat Pie idea (I said legal, Craig. Legal!).

As for the other suggestions, many will be utilized. I've made some minor adjustments here and there. Turned 'chocolate cream' to 'chocolate fudge,' added fruit where needed (and where not needed).

I feel bad altering the suggestions, but summertime offers us such a fantastic variety of fresh flavors that I couldn't not add blueberries in there somewhere. Oh, and no one suggested anything with apples! I mean, is this still America? Did I move?

Sorry, I digress... Would you like to see your winners? Yeah? Ok, read on to see which 16 pies were chosen and the names of the voters who suggested them.

1. PBJ Pie - Me, myself, and I
2. Rhubarb Crisp Pie - Erin Persaud
3. Chocolate Almond Coconut Cream Pie - Momma McP
4. Cherry Chocolate Stout - Daddio
5. Kiwi Pie with a strawberry whipped cream topping - Tina Ringwold
6. Whoopie Pie Mini-Pies - Jane "Gigi" Mertz
7. Blackberry Margarita Pie - StaceFace Kruml
8. Habanero, Peach, Mango Pie with a pineapple streusel topping - Craig Martin
9. Blueberry Chocolate Fudge Pie with a peanut butter drizzle - Nate Butler
10. Raspberry Espresso Mousse Pie - Another one from StaceFace
11. Plum & Peach Custard - Sue Sumner
12. Banana Split Pie - Sumo and my old office, Dr. Schneider's Dentist office
13. Fried Pickle Pie - Lisa Golfieri
14. Rum Raisin Peach Pie - Dave Hahn
15. Bavarian Cream Pear Pie with Mocha drizzle - Darla (sorry, Darla, I forget your last name)
16. Bailey’s Apple Custard - Once again, My Pops (man he's got some good ideas)

Well, if it sounds good, or even interesting, stay tuned to see what happens. From now through September one of these pies will be made each week. This means that I will have a lot of pie to eat. If you, or anyone you know, are interested in trying one of the aforementioned delicacies, you know how to reach me.

Until then, stop eating. 'Cause there's only room for pie.