Thursday, August 2, 2012

Beth Howard The Pie Evangelist

I am super excited to introduce you (if you aren't already familiar with her) to Beth Howard.

(Unless noted, all pix belong to Beth)

We met two years ago when she wandered into my Retro Revival booth at the Great American Pie Festival.  I learned that she is a pie baker, blogger of The World Needs More Pie, and was in town as a pie judge.


Because my booth was teeming with apron buyers we didn't have much time to speak but after our brief encounter I kept thinking about Beth and her story, at least what I knew of it.  She was so sweet and charming that I wondered if we'd ever cross paths again.

After the Festival I rushed home to check out her blog and realized, well, it's much more than a blog!  Beth has such an interesting story...

She's a small town gal from Iowa.  She moved west, became a mega public relations executive, outdoor adventurer and journalist, and pie baker to Hollywood stars (Barbra Streisand, Robert Downy, Jr., etc.).  And now she travels the country (and world at times) working as a pie evangelist, teaching pie baking classes, making appearances on TV and most recently, is a published book author.  She also has a TV series in the works.

(Beth's wearing her Retro Revival "What's Cookin'?" apron)

It wasn't until I read all the way back through her blog (I rarely do this when I discover a new blog but her writing is riveting and I just couldn't stop!) that I really began to understand her fascinating journey.  Some of it is very sad but she writes with wit, humor and a sass that's had me both laughing out loud and on more than one occasion, trying to work a big ole' lump out of my throat.

Oh, and get this!  She lives in the historic, famous American Gothic House!  You know, the one famous for the farm couple out front posing with a pitchfork?  Yep, that one.  During the warm months (it's in Iowa) she sells pie from her "Pitchfork Pie Stand."


So now that I'm a regular follower of Beth's blog and the goings-on of her website, I was thrilled when I saw her again at this year's Great American Pie Festival.  When she bopped into my booth this time she had really big news ~ she'd written a book!  Of course I bought an autographed copy.  And snapped her picture in front of my "aprons in mason jars with pie recipes attached" display:


For my August blog giveaway, I'm gifting a copy of Beth's book to one lucky follower of this blog.  I absolutely loved this book and tore through it faster than I can devour my strawberry pie (made another one yesterday ~ that's it in the background).


It's a love story, a story of hope, chronicling the love of her life, his unexpected death, and pie.  Beautifully written, with juicy bits of hilarity and brutal honesty, it really is like a homemade pie ~ sweet and never perfect but always wonderful!

Here's how I'm doing this giveaway...
  • For one chance, go to Beth's Facebook page and become a fan.
  • For a second entry, go to Beth's blog and become a follower.
  • Be sure to leave a comment on one of my August blog posts telling me you're now a fan of her Facebook page and/or a follower of her blog.
I'll draw a winner on August 31st ~ good luck!

If you want to buy Beth's book now, here's a link.  By the way, her book includes her famous pie crust recipe and a few yummy good pie recipes!

(I just spell checked this post before posting and I misspelled recipe every time.  Spelled it recipie.  Pie on the brain!)

Now...I'm off to eat a piece of my strawberry pie for breakfast.  Don't judge me.  In my mind it's almost as healthy as yogurt!  But tastes a lot better.

30 comments:

Missy Shay said...

I follow her on FB! missysaprons@gmail.com

Missy Shay said...

I now follow her blog too!

Donna said...

Pie for breakfast? I thought that's all you can have for breakfast :) I am off to visit Beth'w blog now.
Hugs,
Donna

Betty Lou said...

Pie for breakfast-------I love it. Will check out Beth's blog.

Ric Rac and Polka Dots said...

I liked her on facebook! She's so cute!!!
Julie

Ric Rac and Polka Dots said...

I am following her blog too! Pie is one of my favorite things, tied with homemade devils food cake!! Thanks for sharing this with us Cindy, really fun!!!
Hugs,
Julie

Anonymous said...

Pie for breakfast is ok if it's a fruit pie. My grandmother said so.

Thanks for sharing Beth's blog info. I must have read an article about her because she sounds familiar. I'm going to go check out her blog!

Shari

Paula Parrish said...

Beth sounds like a super interesting lady, off to check out her blog and “Like” her Facebook page. ;o)

Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson said...

Oh you are my kind of girl. Leftover pie is my favorite breakfast meal. How awesome is Beth to have the renowned claim of making pies for the Stars? She sounds like shes as luscious as her pies. Thanks for introducing us to her.
Hugs,
Jann
p.s. hopping over to follow her blog.

The Summer Kitchen Girls said...

What fun adventures she has!! We've got to get a hand on those recipes....mom LOVES new recipes....and of course we love taste-testing them ~ lol!!

JolieAnne said...

I love this idea that she is passionate about pie, making pies, and selling pies! I am sorry she has had to go through so much grief...but thanks for sharing this on your blog. I am new to your blog-will keep reading as I am enjoying it!

JolieAnne said...

I love this idea that she is passionate about pie, making pies, and selling pies! I am sorry she has had to go through so much grief...but thanks for sharing this on your blog. I am new to your blog-will keep reading as I am enjoying it!

Ric Rac and Polka Dots said...

Cindy,
Now that I am rereading your post I am thinking I have to go back and read more about her. I hope it won't be sad. If you have a lump in your throat it must be!
Anyhow, thanks for visiting and commenting on my county fair post. I am working my fanny off trying to finish things up and once again asking myself why, oh why, do I wait till the last minute?
Oh well, I guess that's just the way I roll!
Hugs,
Julie

Little Susie Home Maker said...

Yummy, pie for breakfast. That sounds great! I just had pancakes with freshly made strawberry syrup! Pretty yummy too! This is a wonderful telling post. I am going to go check out her blog and facebook, and join. Just because she sounds so interesting! I would love to win her book, too. It is so nice that you two got to cross paths again. She looks so adorable in your apron that you made. I love the picture with the pitch fork. How fun!! I think I want to be a pie judge, sounds like a great job!!!
Blessings,
Susie

Little Susie Home Maker said...

My goodness, Cindy, I checked out her blog and fb. I watched the CBS news spot they did on her. She really sounds like an amazing woman. So glad you did this post on her!
Blessings,
Susie

Tammy's in Love said...

It is amazing when we read the stories of people's lives. "If all of our troubles were hung on the line, you'd take yours and I'd take mine." I read that when I was going thru trauma at the Mayo Clinic. A positive outcome from such a sad event.

Anonymous said...

I'm off to visit her FB and blog.....

Thanks for sharing.

Ciao Bella
Creative Carmelina

Donnie said...

Love your blog too but I'm also following her on FaceBook.

Donnie said...

I need a great pie crust recipe and this book looks so yummy. I'm following her blog and yours too. Thanks.

Chenille Cottage said...

What a fun post, Cindy! It looks like Beth has her name in lights with her Evangelical Pie Making prowess. Her cook book looks wonderful...May the best blogger win!
Smiles,
Carolynn xo

Chenille Cottage said...

It's me again...I follow Beth on her blog..and posted your giveaway on my blog. :)
Carolynn

Unknown said...

What a fun post and the blog is so full of life! I am bopping over to follow her and I am your newest follower also!

Michelle said...

Im following her blog now. Thanks for sharing about the book. I will be checking it out even if I dont win. I just lost my husband in Dec 2011. Thanks for the chance to win.
Michelle

Lynn M said...

I liked her on fb.

Lynn M said...

I liked her on fb

Lynn M said...

I subscribed to her blog.

Donna said...

Strawberry pie for breakfast sounds like heaven! I'm following Beth's blog now, and I liked her on FB. Thanks for a chance to win her book, which looks fabulous!

Mary Beth said...

I found Beth on Facebook!

Mary Beth said...

I'm following Beth's fun and inspiring blog!

Heather Grow said...

I couldn't figure out how to follow Beth's RSS feed so I had to settle for Twitter. I think I need to get a copy of her book for my friend whose birthday is Pi Day.