Ahh, this is the way I like to start my day! I got our pancake breakfast on the table before my boys were even fully conscious. I had a list of things to do to get ready for tomorrow, and I wanted breakfast et and out of the way quickly.
One little boy was not ready to wake up this morning, and snuggled on the couch until he heard the clatter of Mommy and Daddy enjoying their pancakes.
After dishes and getting a pot of applesauce simmering on the stove, I began on my list of things to bring to our big, Holden-Scordato Feast tomorrow. Keeping in mind that I might be in labor, my assignements were light this year (in the past I have had the honor of stuffing and cooking the turkey, or helping make the traditional deep-dish lasagna we always have for our first course!). I’m contributing the cranberry sauce, the salad course, and a pumpkin pie.
I was in a good mommy mood today, and let the Boy help make the pumpkin pie. When the pastry was finished and tucked nicely into a pie crust to refrigerate for a few hours (one of the secrets of my grandmother’s awesome pastry), I started the cranberry sauce.
This is so simple, I don’t know why I haven’t always made this from scratch, instead of buying the cans! It’s so fun to watch the bright berries cook down into ruby-red sauce. The main reason I make it myself, though, is so I can use my own choice of sweetner – in this case, Xylitol.
Next, it was time to make the pumpkin pie filling. This we do from scratch, as well, using the time-proven and well-loved recipe from my Great-Grandma Grace. This is actually the first time I’ve made a pumpkin pie, that I can remember – Anja or Mom always made them at home.
Jesse enjoyed stirring…
I even let him help me fetch the crust from the fridge (yes, I was in a very benevolent, hands-on-mommy-mood this morning!)
We did not neglect to taste test when the job was complete.
Finally I made a large batch of Ceasar Salad Dressing, washed the lettuce, purr`ed the applesauce, made, ate, and cleaned up lunch, baked the pie, washed the accumulated dishes, and we were ready for our afternoon nap. An altogether fun and festive-feeeling Wednesday…
I really like orange cranberry relish – done in a blender or food processor, there’s no cooking at all and it’s amazingly good!Hope the new baby waits till you’ve had a chance to feast, and then a bit.
I’m with Traci. That makes me wish I could have stayed home and cooked all day instead of having a hectic day at work! Jesse looks like such great little helper! Hope your family has a happy Thanksgiving.
This makes me long for a day home so badly. There are extenuating circumstances with the family I work for right now so I’ve spent the last 3 days at work. Which means that not only are we driving to your neck of the woods to pick up cannolis and other Italian pastries (to surprise my mother in law with on the dessert table tomorrow) but I also have to bake 2 pies tonight/tomorrow morning. Your productive day just made me really want to be home.. but great job getting everything done!