This is going to be a culmination post ... covering the long weekend which isn't really over, because we get Monday, too -- but that will be for another day's post.
Wednesday was pie and prep day. I love pie and prep day! This year's was particularly good because I found the *best* pecan pie recipe. Pecan Pie is Todd's favorite, and for years I've struggled to find a recipe that felt no-fail and tasted delicious.
This year, thanks to Genius Kitchen and PCrocker, my search is over. I admit that I made a few changes right off the bat ... because I've never met a recipe that I couldn't tweak ... but I don't feel they were terribly significant. The recipe calls for 3/4 cups each of light and dark corn syrup. I had light only, so I used 1-1/2 cups of it and instead did 1/2 cup each of white and brown sugar, instead of the 1 cup of white sugar. I upped the 1-1/2 teaspoons of vanilla to a solid 2 teaspoons (I mean, c'mon) and used pecan halves instead of coarsely broken pecans. And it was stellar. Five stars from Todd!
Thanksgiving day was beautiful here in North Alabama! Sunny and the afternoon temps were in the low 60s, which was great, since we were eating al fresco!
Todd had a lovely fire going in the fireplace, and we had tarps up on both sides of the pavilion to keep the breeze at bay. I cook the turkey at the oven in the pavilion ... because turkeys do not fit in the RV oven! It means a lot of back and forth for basting, but I do believe it was worth the effort . . .
Oh yeah! He was pretty spectacular! We had a lovely spread and something about mid-way down the buffet must have caught Ellie's eye--I'm pretty sure it was apple pie!
I love that we share the day with family! We missed our California crew very much, but got to spend some FaceTime with them. ♥
Friday was Turkey Soup day. This is a time-honored tradition that dates back to at least my childhood and it's one of my favorite Thanksgiving foods!
I had a bit of a mishap with the process, which I won't go into here, but we recovered nicely and had soup to share. (Along with homemade bread and semi-homemade eggnog!)
Saturday was a play-in-the-Nook day and Iron Bowl day! Roll Tide! Mary of Needled Mom had shared a photo of a Twisted Pole runner she'd made. I found the pattern source at Vicki's Fabric Creations. Vicki is incredibly talented; she had created the pattern and very sweetly emailed it to me. I plugged it into EQ (see comment above regarding tweaking recipes) and then resized it for a window valance. And then again for a mug rug. I'll be all Christmas matchy-matchy!
 |
| Runner - 36" X 16" |
 |
| Valance - 37" X 11" |
 |
| MugRug - 8.5" X 5.5" |
I started the process yesterday and got all 48 of my 2-1/2" HSTs cut for the first valance; now to trim them to size!
It is a process. But making them was really easy -- I used the 'eight-at-a-time' method (as described on Blueprint). So stitching them up was quick.
By 2:30 it was time to come in for the Iron Bowl! Roll Tide! I admit that I struggled a little bit to stay with it in the first half. I was a little anxious! But the second half was a little more relaxed. Enough that I was able to work on whipping up some hexi flowers.
I've made a LOT of progress this week--all things considered--and only have seven more flowers to go!
Whoohoo!! I'd love to finish those up today -- perfect slow Sunday stitching, no?? In no time I'll be connecting flowers!
Enough from me . . . linking up to Kathy's Quilts this morning . . . be sure to stop by and see what others are working on this lovely Sunday!
:)
15 expressed . . .:
I'm always tweaking recipes too looks like you had a good thanksgiving and had a crowd. that is a lot of hexies ready for a project
That turkey looks perfect! My mom always did turkey soup the day after Christmas and I don't know why I've never done the same. Maybe that will be my goal this year!
It looks like a wonderful week. I was curious about your pecan pie. I’ve only ever made it for two, and mine was sweetened with maple syrup and honey, I think...no corn syrup. Yours looks absolutely delicious.
You are making me hungry with all those delicious food photos!
Enjoy your hexies and some rest today!
The pavillion is such a great place for a Thanksgiving gathering and glad the weather was good for your celebration. I love turkey soup more so than the big meal. Pecan pie is too much sugar for me, but love that taste. Your hexies are so perfect! This pattern intriques me - would love to know the source; maybe the next project.
Oh, my goodness, Denise, that is the exact same recipe I use for my pecan pie!! "Utterly Deadly Southern Pecan Pie"! I recognized the PCrocker name. LOL
That is hubby's favorite pie, too, and I tried for years to make one. Even got a recipe from my friend's Mom, who still retains her southern lady accent after decades in Utah. Didn't turn out. My sister makes a great pie, too, and her recipe doesn't work for me.
I write on my recipes, and I have noted that I first made this for Thanksgiving in 2014. It was a winner then, and every year since!
Good to see the weather cooperated with your camp Thanksgiving celebration, and that you got some quality Nook time. Squaring up tons of HSTs is a mind numbing job, isn't it? :)
Looks like a fun thanksgiving gathering! I made turkey soup after our thanksgiving dinner in October. It disappears quickly and tastes so good. Keep going on those hexies!
Thanks for sharing your holiday preparation. Looks like a lovely time for all. Enjoy your hexies. Such a nice way to wind down again.
Boy, that pie sure looks yummy! What a great spread of food and the soup looks yummy. I think I need to make some bread to go with mine for dinner tonight. Thanks for the idea.
Looks like you had a wonderful holiday weekend - family, food, and stitching!
It looks like a wonderful celebration. That pecan pie sounds yummy. Like you, I am always trying to find the perfect recipe for pecan pie. I tried a new one this year that was fabulous too.
I love your variation on the runner. That will look so festive. I can't wait to see pictures.
Those hexies are coming together nicely.
We celebrated our Thanksgiving last evening so I am looking forward to the leftovers in the next few days.
Denise, sounds like you had a lovely celebration. Our weather was beautiful here in central Alabama too!! We don't cook "big" anymore on Thanksgiving because our daughter's family always have lunch with my son-in-love's family (we get them Christmas!!), so we went home to Clanton and had a wonderful lunch with my cousins. Then Thursday night our traditional cookout with the grands while mom and dad went shopping!! Smore's and more!! Fun, fun!
I love your tweaking and may have to give that pecan pie recipe a try! Sounds yummy! White corn syrup is hard to beat!! And it was a great idea to add the brown sugar - a win-win combination!! Thanks for sharing that!
I love the tweaking you did on your valance and mug rug! Don't you just love EQ?!
Yes, we struggled a bit during the first half of that game but we finally got our "roll" on!! And it turned out splendidly! On to Atlanta on Saturday. I think this one will be a little more tough than last Saturday!
Have a great week!
Looks like you had a very happy Thanksgiving, not only with the family, but in getting in some really nice stitching time. Love your new valence and mug rug combination.
The fireplace looks awesome. Love big older style fireplaces. Your pecan pie is making me hungry. Glad everything went so well.
Sandy's Space
Denise, I have never seen anyone that could quilt like you girl! WOW! Wish I had your creativity. So glad you had a wonderful Thanksgiving. We did too. Denise I sent you an email last week I think it was and tried to send another one but I have totally having problems with EMAILS. Just making sure you got it. creationsbycindy@nefcom.net
Hugs and blessings, Cindy
Post a Comment