I love pie, and I love baking. So naturally, I love baking pie! I only baked my first pie last Christmas, but since then, I've been hooked. Sadly, I am usually too busy to bake in my college-filled life, so I always look forward to going home during the holidays. 'Tis the season of baking and merriment!

Since I enjoy baking pie so much, I want to make the case for homemade pies. It sounds scary, "making your own pie" (even the crust!), but it's a truly fun experience! So here are five reasons why you should consider baking your own pie, as told by me and the greatest pie-maker, Ned, from the TV show "Pushing Daisies."

1. You'll learn a new skill.

Baking pie is a good skill to have. It's something that you can use in many different aspects of your life, and it's a skill that other people can appreciate, since lots of people love pie!

2. It'll taste better.

Despite what my mom says, I think that homemade baked goods taste better (when you do it right, of course). It's fresher, most likely has better-quality ingredients, and has a special signature taste that the baker, a.k.a. you, provides.

3. It's a task that can include your family, friends, or both.

Baking doesn't have to be a solitary experience. Including your parents, siblings, or friends can make it even more fun! You'll get to spend some quality time with people you love, and have a probably hilarious time learning how to bake a pie! Not only is it enjoyable, but it'll show your family how thankful you are for them.

4. Your family will have one more thing to be thankful for this thanksgiving.

Taking the time to bake a pie for Thanksgiving dinner shows your loved ones how much you care. It'll give everyone more reasons to be thankful for the food you're eating, the people around you, and all the blessings in your lives.

5. You'll feel truly accomplished.

When your pie comes out of the oven perfectly browned and smelling like heaven, you'll feel a great sense of accomplishment. There's no adequate way to describe when you take your first bite and it tastes just like you imagined, or better! Everyone deserves to have that kind of happiness and fulfillment. So go bake some pie!

To help you get started, here are my pie-making recommendations!

My favorite pie crust recipe:http://www.howdoesshe.com/pennys-perfect-pie-crust... [This pie crust recipe makes three double pies or six single-shell pies, so cut down the recipe as you see fit.]

I recommend using this pie crust recipe instead of a pre-made crust or the crust recipes within the pie recipe.

My favorite pie recipes that I've made so far:

- Grandma Ople's Famous Apple Pie: http://www.sweetlittlebluebird.com/2014/09/grandma... (Use the All-Recipes link, but all read this cooking bloggers tips on her page. They're extremely helpful and make the pie taste much better!)

- Pumpkin Pie: http://allrecipes.com/recipe/23439/perfect-pumpkin...

- Cherry Pie: http://artfulparent.com/2012/03/best-cherry-pie-re...

- Triple Berry Pie: http://www.madetobeamomma.com/2014/06/triple-berry... (I recommend using strawberries, blackberries, and blueberries.)

So go, bake, and be merry! And remember that if your pie doesn't turn out well, there's always a store-bought one waiting for you. Also consider finding a self-owned, non-corporation bakery in your city to support by buying a pie from them instead! Happy Thanksgiving to you all!