preparing for the feast, part 2

Shh,

don't tell anyone.

But I haven't made a pie crust in years.

This is what happens

when you train your children.

#1 daughter learns,

oh , around 1992,

and takes over until she gets married ( 2000)

Then , wanting dessert again

we tell daughter #2,

time to get to it!

She has taken this very seriously,

and

has become the family chef and pastry baker.

After much study and experimentation,

during which time we were obliged to do taste tests,

she has found this recipe from Cook's Illust. to be her favorite so far.

Basic Pie Dough

(makes 1 double crust 9-in.)

2 1/2 c. flour

1 tsp salt

2 T. sugar

1/2 c. chilled shortening

12 T. cold unsalted butter, cut into 1/4" pieces

6-8 T ice water

1. Process flour , salt, sugar in food processor until combined. Add shortening & process until mixture has the texture of coarse sand, about 10 sec. Scatter butter pieces over flour mixture; cut into flour until mixture is pale yellow & resembles coarse crumbs, with butter bits no larger than peas, about 10 1 sec. pulses. Turn mixture into a med. bowl.

2. Sprinkle 6 T. of water over mixture. With rubber spatula, use a folding motion to mix. Press down on dough with the broad side of spatula until dough sticks together, adding up to 2 T. more water if the dough will not come together. Divide the dough into 2 balls and flatten each into a 4-in. disk. Wrap each in plastic and refrigerate at least 1 hour, or up to 2 days, before rolling.

As you can see

I'm currently working with daughter #3She made the filling.

I like the good ole' Libby's recipe the best.

Just use 3 cups of fresh pumpkin.

And top with freshly whipped cream.

Yummy!



On a lighter note

but still very dear to my heart
are these


Thanksgiving decorations

that I just pulled out of the drawer
to put in their special place of honor.




I bought these years ago.

They were always the centerpiece during Novemeber

As you can see, one night,

I suppose dinner was taking a little too long ,
with 5 hungry children (2 of them being boys),

they were de-nosed!

I'm sure I was quite put out at the time

and the *talk* given.

You know the *respect other people's property*
and *you think you're hungry* talk .


But now I look at them and smile.

They remind me of a special time,
a time when the table was full,
and laughter abounded ,
a time when my boys were here to tease me,
and a time of many lessons to be learned.

A time to be thankful for.

Have a very blessed day giving Thanks,

love to all,

Rene'