In today’s episode of Hand Me Down Recipes, I’m joined by John Browning, a kindred spirit I met at a local pie auction here in Montana. John shares the tender story of his family’s pie crust recipe — a tradition shaped by the hands of his mother and grandmother, perfected through summer berry picking, and lovingly upgraded with local ingredients and personal touches.

We talk about the quiet joy of being in the kitchen, how food connects generations, and why the simple act of baking a pie can hold so much memory and meaning.

Whether you’ve made hundreds of pies or are still unsure about rolling out dough, this episode invites you to slow down and savor the beauty of passed-down recipes and seasonal living.

Mentioned in this episode:

• The Land to Hand Pie Auction
• Tips for upgrading your pie crust with local ingredients
• How leaf lard makes all the difference
• Why pie crust freezes beautifully
• The power of baking as an act of love and memory

Let this episode remind you that some of the sweetest traditions come wrapped in a bit of flour and a whole lot of love.

Get the full recipes & links: https://handmedownrecipes.com/podcast-episode-23/

Amy Casey joins me to share the story of her family's treasured pound cake recipe — a cake that's always on the pedestal, always ready to welcome guests.

We talk about handwritten cookbooks, the magic of simple ingredients (yes, even Imperial margarine!), and why recipes passed down through generations hold a special kind of love.

It’s a sweet reminder that simple food and family stories go hand in hand.

For links & full show notes: https://handmedownrecipes.com/podcast-episode-20/

In this solo episode of Hand Me Down Recipes, I’m doing something a little different. Instead of sharing someone else’s family recipe, I’m sharing a rhythm I’ve been leaning into this winter—what I’m calling my season of soup.

Soup has long been a comforting staple in my home: simple, frugal, adaptable, and always nourishing. It's the kind of food that doesn’t demand a recipe—just what’s in the pantry and a bit of time. This winter, I’ve committed to making one pot of soup each week and sharing it gently on social media, as a way to slow down, stay grounded, and feed ourselves well without fuss.

In this episode, I talk about:

• Why soup feels just right for winter
• My approach to seasonal, no-stress cooking
• How soup can be a quiet act of rebellion against perfectionism
• Inviting others to join in this weekly rhythm—no pressure, no perfection, just soup

If you’ve got a hand-me-down soup recipe or a story to share, I’d love to hear it. These are the kinds of traditions that warm more than just our bellies—they connect us to who we are and where we come from.

Let’s make this a season of nourishment, one simmering pot at a time.

Follow me on Instagram for the Monday soup recipes: https://www.instagram.com/handmedownrecipes/

Join us on Substack: https://handmedownrecipespodcast.substack.com/