Lard is animal fat. Crisco/shortenings are vegetable-based fats. Don't hear too much about lard now -- unhealthy. My grandmother certainly made the best pie crusts with it, though! Of course, we know now that shortening isn't very good for our arteries either. Just have to take it all in moderation, I guess!
This sounds like a good recipe. I'd be tempted to add some orange zest to the batter.