TEXAS - Pie #43 of 50 - The Lone Star State - Bryce Tillman Phillips

State Pie: Pecan Pie

State Fruit: Texas Red Grapefruit

State Pepper: Jalapeños 

I have been to Texas.

Texas comes from the Hasinai Indian word meaning friends or allies. Texas is full of some of my most loveliest friends.

Texas is the only state to enter the United States by treaty instead of territorial annexation and was independent from 1836  to 1845. It is home to the Alamo the cradle of Texas Liberty and the state’s most popular historic site.

The state pie may be pecan but I went a little outside the box with a Texas red grapefruit custard pie in a corn meal crust topped with candied jalapeños. I got to bake this pie in the state at the Phillips family’s Circle Star Ranch! A small pie packed with big flavor for a state with the prettiest open skies and that I love with my whole heart.

This pie is for one of my best friends Bryce Tillman Phillips. Bryce and I went to SCAD but didn’t meet each other till we both moved to NY and the rest is history.

Bryce took me on my first ever camping/backpacking trip when we hiked 50 miles of in the AT. Prior to that I had never been camping. A real go big or go home moment. He thought me everything I know about the outdoors and continues to inspire me everyday with his climbing adventures. Our next bucket list trip is Patagonia.

Bryce’s family’s ranch in Wolfe City, TX is one of my top then most favorite places in the world. It is beautiful, sprawling, has the most leather couches I have ever seen in one place and is full of love. 

My friendship with Bryce is one of my most cherished things. Nothing makes me happier than driving around in a car with him probably on our way to Phil’s coffee shooting the shit. Thank you for always watching out for me on our camping trips even when Haley and I are being reckless on the mountain and for always having my back.

Texas also goes out to the entire Phillips/Fulin Family (Phil, Patty, Haley, Royal, Megan, Trent, Jake), the Kerr Family (Ron, Holly, Hannah and Alice), Lauren Corey, Miranda, Celby, Karis thank you all for loving me so well. 

I messed with Texas and I turned around and fell in love.

43 down 7 to go 🇺🇸🏼🇺🇸