This is the best cream pie I've ever tasted.  Though it's something of a sacrilege, you can use a store bought pie shell if you want.  Pillsbury "ready crusts" are actually quite good, but, of course, there's nothing quite like mom's.

Ingredients:

1 cup sugar
6 tablespoons cornstarch
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 and 1/2 cups milk, scalded
2 slightly beaten eggs
3 tablespoons butter
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 9-inch baked pie shell
1 pint strawberries, sliced
1 cup heavy cream, whipped

Directions:

Mix sugar, cornstarch, and salt.  Gradually add milk and cook in double boiler until thick.  Add small amount of hot mixture to eggs; stir into remaining hot mixture.  Cook until thick, stirring constantly.  Remove from heat, add butter and vanilla.  Cool, then pour into baked pie shell.  Cover with strawberries.  Chill.  Spread with sweetened whipped cream just before serving.  Garnish with halved berries