The Best of TPL

Rachel Farmer's Pecan Pies

by Blayne Art on Oct 11, 2024

I feel like ever since I had Oliver I've become much more sentimental. For example, I'm sitting here trying to write an intro to tell you guys what makes Rachel Farmer so special, and I'm crying. Honestly, I've never met anyone like Rachel, and it was such a blessing when she decided to join Beacham & Company. She's really taught me so much about the kind of wife, mother, daughter and friend I want to be. I feel lucky to know Rachel and watch the way she lives her life. She is such a blessing!

Earlier this Fall, I wanted to start a softball team, Rachel was quick to volunteer her husband Bryan (a former minor league pitcher) as coach and herself as team mom. She and her husband have a wonderful relationship. These two people LOVE being around each other. I had the pleasure of going to several dinners with them after practice, and they are so much fun to be around. They are fun, funny, and they love to have a good time. It was through the softball experience that I realized Rachel really is the ultimate "Team Mom."

Rachel's son Kyle played baseball at UGA and now plays for the LA Dodgers minor league team (I hope that's right!). Since I've known Rachel she's been Kyle's biggest cheerleader... figuratively and literally. When UGA played Georgia Tech at Turner Field a few years ago we all went to watch Kyle. Rachel was by far the loudest person in the stands. I'm not exaggerating. I know a lot about having your mom as the loudest person in the stands (Glennis), but Rachel surpassed her!

Rachel and her daughter Nicole are very close. Nicole is currently a student at Ole Miss, which is where Rachel and Bryan went. The family has so much fun going over there and cheering on the Rebs. They also visit Rachel's mom, Granny.

I had the pleasure of having lunch with Granny when she was in town not long ago, and Granny is a piece of work! Rachel and Granny email and talk on the phone constantly about politics and what's going on with the family. They are best friends in just the most perfect way.

Bryan threw Rachel a 50th birthday party, and people came from around the country to be there for her. She has touched so many lives, and people love her like she's part of their family.

That's because she makes you feel like you are part of her family. She genuinely cares about what's going on with you, and if you are her friend she'd do anything in the world for you. Which is why, when I called her and asked her if I could send my uncle Rod over there to create a photo essay of her holiday pecan pie operation, she agreed immediately.

Every year Rachel makes pies for her friends and clients for Thanksgiving.

She gives one to our family every year, and it's become one of my favorite Thanksgiving traditions because its so thoughtful.

The pies are delicious, and I wanted to know more about what went into making them.

I asked Rod to go over because Rod and Rachel are good friends. Believe it or not, it's hard to convince people to let you take pictures of them, so I had to send in Rod because I knew he would get the job done :)

Here they are at Rachel's birthday :) It's a good thing I did send Rod over there. As they were photographing Rachel told Rod her sink was broken, and he fixed it for her. Apparently it's not a great idea to put 50 eggs down the garbage disposal ;) Who knew?

After the sink was fixed, Rachel started cooking.

Here is the recipe for Rachel's delicious pie!

1 cup sugar

¾ cup Light Karo Corn Syrup

½ stick butter

1 teaspoon of salt

1 tablespoon of Vanilla

3 eggs

Heaping cup of chopped pecans

9-inch deep dish pie shell

Mix Karo, sugar and butter over medium heat. Stir consistently until it gets to a rolling boil. Once it comes to a rolling boil stir for a minute. Add mixture to eggs (beaten), salt and vanilla. Add chopped pecans. Pour in to 9-inch pie shell and bake at 350 for 45 minutes – depending on your oven temperature. Could be less. Check it after 30 minutes.

Freezes well or serve warm with vanilla ice cream!!