Thanksgiving Part I

 We've developed a tradition in our family that involves pies and movies on Thanksgiving Eve. My husband is Master of Pie Making because he likes to make a really yummy crust and then pour in cherry pie filling. We're not typically fan of canned food (except the kind you can at home), but we get crazy around the holidays!

 Daddy had two helpers ready to go at the island. Boushka was taking it all in this year.

And my sweet Brownie (wait! I just realized she's not wearing a headband or a tiara) was offering her expertise in pie making!

 I love that we have this tradition. Pie's nice and all. It's not great for you--so you get to feel sinful. It's so delicious and there's basically no nutritional value contained within it's crusty/fruity gooeyness! But why I really love this tradition...

 has a little do to with the fact that my girls and we are making memories, but...

 once the pie goes in the oven,

 and we gather up all the left over crust stuff...

roll it out...

and make cinnamon and sugar pie crust strips for snacking (while we watch a movie--this year it was The Grinch).

And while the kids bake with daddy, I cook whatever part of the feast I signed up to make. I made an allergy-friendly (egg and milk free) and regular version of sweet potato casserole. One sweet potato I had was part white on the inside. I have never seen this before, so naturally it was photographed!

I also made a cornbread/cranberry stuffing--also allergy-friendly. My mom made her normal stuffing (sans egg) and I'll say, it's hard to part with traditional stuffing. I don't think my family is a big fan of A) trying new foods, or B) entertaining the idea of a sweet stuffing. But I thought it was good, even though I think I also prefer the regular, more savory, stuffing.

Pie crust and my favorite wine... YES, PLEASE!

She didn't have the wine! I promise she just naturally passed out on daddy so cutely!

In the midst of all the Thanksgiving cooking going on, I also made a new version of potato soup! Oh my! To die for! This is the perfect recipe. I always thought my potato soup needed to be more creamy than brothey, but this new version has me drooling when I think about making it again.

If you care to try it, just saute one onion (chopped) and a little celery (couple ribs, chopped) in some olive oil. Pour in a can of broth and add about 5-6 red, new potatoes (I didn't peel mine). Add some seasonings, about 1/2 a t to 1t each, depending on your tastes (sugar, salt, pepper, rosemary and thyme). Bring to a boil, reduce heat and cover pot. Cook about 15 minutes on low. Combine 1/3 c flour and 1/2 c milk and pour into pot. Boil again for a couple minutes. Then add cooked, chopped turkey bacon (about 8 slices), 1 cup of frozen peas and 2 more cups of milk. Stir it all up, dish it out and gobble it down. I plan on making this once a week now! *I made a version of this soup with almond milk for Bug, and she ate it just as well, if not better, than her sisters. 

Once the pies were complete (anybody missing a Dora phone?) and dinner was gone, we goofed off in the family room without tv or computer distractions.

They all huddled near daddy while I watched the goofiness happen.Tickles, ballet poses, giggling, smiling... all happened that night.

And if you're the jealous type, please ignore the pudge that is my baby's belly--that cuteness could make anybody jealous.

Silly!

Sweet!

And often, quite sassy!

We hope you'll stay tuned for Part II--coming soon!