Sunday, November 30, 2014

Our Day Of Thanks

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Our Thanksgiving was sweet and very special and we are so grateful for the blessings in our life.  A few chairs were unoccupied this year and we miss our loved ones who would fill those chairs and also fill the room with laughter and chit chat. This year’s sides were all new recipes that I found in the November 2014 Country Living Magazine.  Even though I love the simplicity of recipes tried and true, venturing out and trying new recipes is fun and challenging at the same time.   I have to be honest, I am intimidated and lacking in confidence when it comes to making pies.  Costco is an easy pie fix – they make the best pumpkin pie.   For this Thanksgiving I chose to make an attempt at some homemade pumpkin pies and a chocolate cream pie with homemade pie crust.  My Nanny Hazel made the very best chocolate pie from scratch.  There was always the promise of one of her decadent chocolate pies – or even two – on the holiday dessert table.  I grew up loving and anticipating her wonderful dessert and after my boys experienced their first taste, they were enamored as well.  I wish I had HER recipe, but I don’t.  I went through my mother’s recipe book thinking she may have it written down somewhere.  No luck there, however I did find my Grandma Katy’s homemade pie crust recipe.  On it she had written “fool proof”.  Well, okie dokie!  If she says so and she was a great cook as well.  Hers called for half butter and half shortening and a teaspoon of vinegar.  I also found a recipe for a chocolate cream meringue pie in a Hershey’s chocolate cookbook.  I see why “instant pudding” is a go to for those who like a quick pudding.  Pudding from scratch takes so long, but it is so worth the time and effort.  Just stir, stir, stir!  I think my favorite side that I made was the cornmeal Jalapeno Green Chili Cornbread which was an alternative for a stuffing.  My son informed me that he always looks forward to the stuffing….so I guess I will have to make him a special batch now.  

My favorite moment was when I asked my family to stand over by the cow so I could snap a picture.  My son’s girlfriend, Miss M, was standing over there and she had a good laugh implying that they should go stand by her.  (She is by no means a cow!)  See the cow on the wall?  I am thankful I captured the moment with my camera.  They bring me such joy and crack me up!


Mr. Duhgall kept me company in the kitchen for most of the day.  He was hoping for a crumb of something to fall to the ground...


Other sides I made from Country Living Magazine were:
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And the pies were delicious!  Not quite the same chocolate that I remember Nanny’s being like, but it still conjured up precious memories. 




5 comments:

Stacey said...

Hey girl! I think it's neat that you chose new recipes this year. The cornbread sounds wonderful and I'm sure my husband would love it. Going to check it out.

Pies are my favorite too. I do make them from scratch but I confess to using Pillsbury crust. I have my husband's grandmother's homemade chocolate pie (which is basically made with homemade pudding) recipe and we love it. It doesn't turn out the same every single time though, which frustrates me. Might be the fault of the cook. :)

Always happy to see your posts!

Simply Shelley said...

Yum, yum......looks mighty good and festive too. Blessings

Sandy said...

Your Thanksgiving celebration looks delicious and so fun with your loved ones!

You should try the recipe listed on Libby's Pumpkin Pie can. It's so easy and delicious! I cheat and use the Pillsbury Ready Crust with the pumpkin. I always add lots more cinnamon and spices then the recipe calls for because that's the way we like it.

However, I didn't make my family's favorite dessert - Chocolate Pie this Thanksgiving. It's my paternal Grandmother's recipe and you cook the chocolate filling on the stove. I try to make it at Christmas time though. It has a slight different texture than a chocolate cream pie. As with your family we grew up with it so we love it.

Thanks for sharing your Thanksgiving feast with us.

Elsie said...

Hey Becky, I'm catching up, you went all out making new recipes. I tried a new pumpkin cheesecake pie recipe, but it was a dud, more like yuck. I'm glad yours turned out good, glad to see you had a good Thanksgiving. So good to see you post again.

janice15 said...

That cornbread looks great and the pie as well I know thanksgiving is over but I'd like to have them both now.. seems it comes and goes fast you barely get to taste anything specially if your cooking.. but it looks like you all had a lovely time.. with love Janice