Miles and Miles of Pies: Final Trial

This weekend I went through my final practice battle... a drill, if you will, in the quest to bake a legitimate contender in that most honorable of contests: The Topsfield Fair Apple Pie contest. 
I think we've got it. Slicing the apples thinner and a touch more sugar seems to have improved the filling. The crust has been slightly improved by adding pork lard to the fat mixture... though in the showtime pie we're going with a touch less lard and a touch more vegetable shortening. 
Here was today's attempt:

Successful crust

Crust and filling

Next entry, we'll be bringing you a little play by play of action at the Topsfield Fair this Friday. Wish us luck!!!