when pie sales reached 2000 …

01 Friday Mar 2013

Posted by home, garden, life in Best Key Lime Pie on the Planet, celebration with food, life, pie

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"Best Key Lime Pie on the Planet", Charlottesville, Citizen Burger Bar Charlottesville, food, home renovation, key lime pie, one woman operation, restaurants, Virginia

I quit counting. Yes! At last annual count, two-thousand of the best key lime pies on the planet have left my inspected kitchen, made by moi, a one-woman operation since 2000— the pie was introduced in 2005!

Now mind you, I never planned this occupation. However a love of memorable food is what I exploited — in order to manage contractors during a long, and often painful 6.5 year home renovation — and delivered me to this point in life. Presently, a growing, discerning following quietly blooms in my hometown, while these pies have traveled as far north as Maine and as far south as Georgia, lovingly tucked into coolers by guardians of my KLPie.

named by locals--the best Key Lime Pie on the Planet...

named by locals as The Best Key Lime Pie on the Planet…made one at a time, every time.

It seems to be the crust that hooks them first, then customers order repeatedly, and then tell their friends. Then their friends become customers.
As a humble one-woman operation, I do not advertise, yet I am the first hit on Google when key lime pie Charlottesville — is searched. Ahem, awesome!

Last July one local restaurant (Citizen Burger Bar) began carrying these pies, and they continue to be the only dessert on their menu. As of last week, weekly orders increased, taunting me with the fantasy that perhaps I can stash enough pie money to 1) take a real vacation, or 2) replace my 13 YO MPV, or 3) really retire, or 4) hire garden help.

This same restaurateur plans to open a sister eatery in Clarendon (Arlington) in 2014, and already inquired if I could keep up with demand. YES! Until my final breath.

So folks, if you are reading this for the first time, and crave some of the best key lime pie on the planet, you are close. Stop by the restaurant in Charlottesville, or contact me (info on Facebook page) and order your very own. My inspected kitchen is open year round and folks come from all over the state with coolers to fill.

the crusts hook them

Those of you who follow my blog might like to see photos of the completed kitchen countertop renewal. Nice huh?

completed countertop restoration

oh so sleek and baby bottom smooth

my reward for all my effort, grilled Irish cheddar cheese with Irish butter. Yum!
Where is the Guinness???

Life in the foothills of central Virginia is blissfully peaceful, allowing creativity to flow.
My mission is sustainable, my food goal memorable.

rainy day woman

26 Tuesday Feb 2013

Posted by home, garden, life in blessings, home keeping, Lifestyle, Past Loves, renewal, winter

≈ 5 Comments

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"Best Key Lime Pie on the Planet", Annie Get Your Gun, Broadway Musicals, butcherblock, Camelot, Classical musical recordings, home projects, Julie Andrews, key lime pies, King and I, LP's, musical tunes, Oklahoma, richard burton, rogers and hammerstein

rainy day

Following two days of grueling garden projects, I am happy to report much-needed rain. I will soon see if the new berms, mulch, and rock placement deter further erosion on the property.
Key Lime pies are cooling in the fridge awaiting their restaurant delivery later today, yet, in the meantime, I must continue winter project momentum—as well I know, spring will be here too soon and my energies will be forced outdoors.
For reasons unknown recently, classic musical tunes from my mother’s LP collection surfaced to my consciousness, prompting me to find the reproduction turntable and her actual record collection.
As a captive indoors—with butcher block counter-top refurbishing looming—I clicked on the dial of the turntable and began a sing-along with the likes of Al Goodman, Irving Berlin, Richard Burton, Julie Andrews, and Rogers and Hammerstein. Blimey, what genius heralds from the days of High Fidelity!
Mother always took great care of her vinyl collections and these disks remain virtually pristine—the sound incredible—only superseded by the engaging lyrics! While growing, I often sang in the family room cedar closet in order to hear my voice. Hmm, a closet singer? Who knew! And what back up I had!
Furthermore, I dare any man to top Richard Burton’s rendition of How to Handle a Woman. This is romance personified folks!

fine lyrics from the past

LP’s are a fine way to visit former musical giants

Therefore, with a song in my heart and a tune on my lips— despite rain and chore—I flew through my assignment and filled the house with lively chorus.

sing and sand

tools for the task

gleaming restoration

I got the sun in the morning and the moon at night...and now I must get off my sing-song horse, fire up the van, and transport KL PIES to the hungry mortals who await yet another slice of The Best Key Lime Pie on the Planet.

Do you have favorite tunes from your childhood? How often do you sing them? I strongly recommend this. I cannot remember being so uplifted as I trudged through deep puddles and navigated busy afternoon traffic.

Post Script: Still singing when I arrived to town, I quickly found out that neither the chef nor bank teller knew what an LP was. Oh, what that generation is missing!

the thing about pie

16 Thursday Feb 2012

Posted by home, garden, life in pie

≈ 2 Comments

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"Best Key Lime Pie on the Planet", Charlottesville, Citizen Burger Bar, key lime pie, Virginia

Back in 2005 I began making key lime pies for the local farmer’s market. Oodles of bakers make fruit pies, yet no one created key lime pie. This dessert is a favorite for many, yet memorable ones are hard to find, even in Florida. My pie stands up to all competition and was quickly named “the Best Key Lime Pie from Maine to Florida”. Two years later it was renamed “the Best Key Lime Pie on the Planet”. 2011 end-of-year accounting revealed that fourteen-hundred-forty KLPies left my kitchen since 2005, each one made personally. I recently learned if one Googles key lime pie Charlottesville, I am the first hit. WoW! Good things do happen to those who rely on word of mouth (and taste buds!)

So for those of you who crave the real deal, and live in the area, a mere phone call will set you adrift in Key Lime Pie heaven. (434.964.0816) or email me at dianelasauce@centurylink.net for special orders. My State inspected kitchen is open year-round. I may soon begin another blog relating to my food journey, or perhaps I shall simply rename this blog home, garden, life, food.

Below is a recent KLP photo. Too bad they cannot ship. Come visit Charlottesville and have a pie to remember!

News Flash: As of June 2012, my Key Lime Pie may be purchased by the slice at Citizen Burger Bar on the downtown mall, Charlottesville, Virginia. Only dessert on their menu. Check it out!