🥧 Clear Skies and Creamy Pie: A Key Lime Tribute to Johnny Nash

A Sweet, Tangy Bake Paired with the Sunny Reggae Soul of Johnny Nash

Sunshine, Porch Dogs, and the Promise of Spring

The weather is finally warming up here in Charlotte, and the hopes of spring are on the horizon. It’s time to shake off winter’s grip and get into the sunny rhythms of a world coming back to life.

Birds are out in full force, grass is waking up, and pants are being banished to drawers as we bare our legs to the sun. I’ve even switched out my Crocs for flops, as is tradition. It’s a balmy 75 degrees right now, and I'd have my porch door open if it weren’t for my dog’s obsession with greeting every passerby — his way of celebrating this weather with reckless, joyful abandon.

This winter has been long and harsh. Now, it’s time to take charge and make the most of the warmth. And what better way to celebrate than by putting on some smooth, mellow island music and digging into one of my all-time favorite desserts: a semi-tropical, no-nonsense key lime pie.

A Pie Worth the Sweat (Even Without Meringue)

So, what exactly makes a key lime pie key? Honestly, I’m not sure I’ve ever had one made from actual Key limes. Maybe it’s the lore — the crusty Jimmy Buffett types soaking in margaritas and sunshine, somehow infusing the limes with their sandy wisdom and boozy exuberance. A theory, at the very least.

My family used to buy key lime pies from Publix on occasion. They came topped with whipped cream and shaved almonds and were decadent beyond compare. The pie I made, as seen in the very real, very phone-quality photos, had none of that garnish. I had planned to pipe on a Swiss meringue. It sounded simple: egg whites, sugar, vanilla. A piping bag and a little flair.

But I should’ve read the recipe first.

Turns out, Swiss meringue is... particular. You need a food thermometer. You need a double boiler setup. You need patience. I had none of those. I tried to improvise with a sandwich bag and good intentions, but ultimately, I ditched the meringue. And you know what? The pie was still great.

A graham cracker crust (still refining my smashing technique) and a creamy, tangy filling were more than enough to make this a success.

The Album That Brings the Sun: Johnny Nash – I Can See Clearly Now

Now let’s talk music.

To match this bright, feel-good dessert, I picked a record that radiates warmth: Johnny Nash’s 1972 album I Can See Clearly Now. I found it in a used record bin during a time when I needed a little clarity — and it’s been on rotation ever since.

His voice is strong and melodic, but soft around the edges. The album blends classic reggae with touches of Motown soul, and it feels like a hug you didn’t know you needed. Songs like “Ooh Baby You’ve Been Good to Me” feel like they could’ve come from The Temptations if it weren’t for that iconic reggae rhythm bubbling underneath.

Side A brings a mix of genres, while Side B leans full island mode. It kicks off with a smooth cover of Bob Marley’s “Stir It Up”, dips into “That’s the Way We Get By”, and builds toward the triumphant title track. “I Can See Clearly Now” begins simple — a pulse, a rhythm — then expands with spacey synths and pure joy.

There’s “Comma Comma”, there’s “Cream Puff” (a little too on the nose for my meringue failure), and there’s a persistent, radiant optimism across every track. This album will be on repeat as the weather continues to warm and there are more reasons to be under the sun.

A Bake and a Beat for Brighter Days

Key lime pie is about balance — sweet, tart, creamy, a little crumbly. And Johnny Nash’s I Can See Clearly Now is exactly the same. It’s music for hammocks and citrus and all the joy that comes when winter finally lets go.

I may not have nailed the meringue, but I nailed the vibe. And maybe that’s the real triumph here.

🎧 Bite + Beat Pairing

🥧 Bake: Key Lime Pie (No Meringue, No Problem)
🎶 Record: Johnny Nash – I Can See Clearly Now (1972)
Vibe Match: Citrus-bright, smooth, groovy optimism with a soft soul center
Best Track While Baking: I Can See Clearly Now
Why It Works: The pie is sunshine in dessert form, and the record is its perfect soundtrack — mellow, sweet, and totally healing.