Thanksgiving 2016

Now that Thanksgiving 2016 is in the books, it's time to move on to Christmas shopping and decorating.  It is pretty mild here in Wisconsin again this year, and it doesn't really feel like the Christmas season.  For all of us born and bred Wisconsinites, we really need a nice snowfall to get into the spirit.  Until that happens, we are buttoning up the fall season.  The wildlife love squash and pumpkin as much as us humans.  We have been putting out pumpkin snacks for a couple weeks, but yesterday all those used for decoration were dumped in the woods.  In a week or so nothing will be left except a few pumpkin shells.

Speaking of pumpkin, a Thanksgiving meal would not be complete without something made with pumpkin.  It is usually pumpkin pie in our house.  This year I did something different.  My youngest daughter has taken over hosting our Thanksgiving Day meal.  I usually make the pies, but they aren't that easy to transport.  I decided to make my pies in 9 x 13 pans.  Then I could put a cover on them and not worry.  I also made the Cranberry Cake in a 9 x 13 instead of a bundt pan.  http://www.thecabincountess.com/2014/11/cranberry-cake-with-butter-sauce.html

Apple pie

Pumpkin pie with pecans on top.

Cranberry cake and dinner rolls http://www.thecabincountess.com/2015/12/dairy-free-hamburger-buns.html

My oldest daughter and her family were traveling this year.  She needs gluten free options but I was able to make a regular crust this year.   I tried a new method.  I have posted different crust recipes on this blog before but this new recipe is great.  It is a recipe I saw Christopher Kimball make on the Rachel Ray show.  It doesn't use ice water.  Instead you cook some water and corn starch in the microwave for 30 seconds.  It makes a gel which is put in the freezer for 10 minutes.  When the butter and flour are blended, just toss in the gel.  A few more pulses in the food processor and like magic a beautiful pie dough forms.  I made two batches which was ample for a 9 x 13 pan.  http://www.rachaelrayshow.com/recipes/23894_chris_kimball_s_american_apple_pie/ 

I hope everyone took the day to be grateful for all of the blessings we have.  No matter how bad some days seem, there is always someone who has it worse.  My oldest daughter was only three years old, and I was bustling around trying to get things done.  She told me to Stop and Smell the Roses.  I think she heard that from an old Mac Davis song, but I will never forget.  It is something we all should remember to do.  

*I was reminded that I write about feeding the squirrels and deer almost every year.  I guess I do.
http://www.thecabincountess.com/2014/11/feeding-pumpkins-to-animals.html 
http://www.thecabincountess.com/2013/11/recycling-pumpkins.html