Are you sick of turkey and pie? We had a really nice Thanksgiving. I hope you did too.
A few weeks ago we took the pie class at my friend
Laura's. (she has recipes posted BTW) We used Laura's pie crust recipe and method. It worked perfectly, except that
Shelbie ripped open her thumb on the food processor blade. But that aside, the pies were great. I told you I've never made great pie crust. Well I hope that is all in the past. My father-in-law always makes pumpkin pie for us. His is great. But I finally made really good pumpkin pie. I tried a trick I want to pass on. Use your favorite pumpkin pie recipe. Before putting the ingredients together, cook your canned or fresh pumpkin in a sauce pan for 10 minutes. That will make sure your pie sets up in the center with no mushy texture. I still baked the pie for nearly 40 minutes and it turned out wonderfully and cut into a perfect slice.
We got our Christmas decorations up, too. It was really a productive weekend. I love having Christmas in my entry way. Here is (again) my Christmas Cottage exchange block quilt. It is really special to me.
I have my favorite Christmas things set out on the side board. New this year is the gold dear from
Barbara's etsy. You can't beat
Oodles and Oodles for a great vintage Christmas.
I have my vintage ornaments in a glass bowl under my beehive cake keeper and in a pretty glass jar.
I set out things I made and gifts from friends in my favorite holiday collection. I put some foil covered chocolate balls in the beehive pot. Now if I could keep Allison from getting everyone to unwrap a chocolate ball for her!
Of course I hung my
kitchy Christmas wreath I made last year. I wish it was twice as big. But it makes me smile every time I see it.
Mason went by himself and picked out the most beautiful (real) tree and got it at a great price. It is about 9' tall and smells fantastic. He always helps me trim the tree. It feels so good to have this all completed before busy December starts.
-nanette