Mikey's Peanut Butter Pie: Celebrating Those We Love

I've never met Mike Perillo, but I do know that we share a love of peanut butter desserts. I find myself at a loss for words, because I can't tell the story of a man I didn't know nor discuss what his family is going through. I'll leave it to Shauna, who knew them, and her beautiful post on love and life cut too short. I was at Big Summer Potluck with Mike's wife, Jennie, but I didn't have the opportunity to say hello. So all I can offer are big, big 8-second hugs and my thoughts and best wishes to her and her daughters.

When I heard, I felt deep sorrow. And then I gave Dan a big hug, took Bear on an extra long walk, and called my folks. Dan made this pie, actually, and I photographed it on a faux tabletop he just built.

The peanut butter pie is for Mikey. For celebrating the ones you love.

As I watch the outpouring of love for a family, I also see the words from Jennie and many others to give hugs, love, and a lot of appreciation to those in your life. So, I also want to dedicate this pie to the partners, families, and friends of the food blogging community.

Thanks for holding the reflector as we're barking, "The light is almost gone!!"

Thanks for building faux tabletops/lightboxes/chicken coops.

Thanks for letting us take a ton of photos before you can eat in peace.

Thanks for the taste-testing, the patience, and the support.

Thanks for watching the kids/dogs/cats while we go to yet another conference.

Thanks for holding your tongue when you see yet another new cookbook or camera lens.

Thanks for everything.

The peanut butter pie recipe can be found on Jennie's blog, In Jennie's Kitchen. Take a look at the posts from around the interweb by following the Twitter hashtag #apieformikey.