Thanksgiving Pies

Today was pie making day. I always make them the day before Thanksgiving so I can take my time. I like to cook the pumpkin fresh and make crusts from scratch. This year I was lucky enough to find some local lard so I was excited to try it out.

Lard makes such a lovely crust to work with! Now cooling on the counter are a chocolate pecan and a pumpkin pie,

And headed for the freezer a large bowl of pumpkin!