This was our first Thanksgiving not in the Detroit area. Although we missed having multiple turkey dinners with our parents and family back in Michigan, we were able to celebrate Thanksgiving with Kelly and Andy and Andy's side of the family. We haven't celebrated Thanksgiving with them since they moved out to MD!
Kelly made a perfectly browned and juicy turkey, gravy to go with it, and soft, buttery pumpkin rolls. Other relatives brought tasty dishes to share and some desserts too. Mmm everything was really good. I contributed by making 2 or actually 3 pies/tarts. I found these recipes in the Food Network magazine. Both recipes were like a twist off of the tradition apple pie and pecan pie. I made an apple-walnut galette and a chocolate-toffee pecan tart. Yes, those are two pies but I ended up making 3 because I burned the chocolate crust on the pecan tart! I followed the exact steps on the recipe but the bake time was just too long! If anyone tries the recipe, I advise you to bake the crust in 1/2 the time that it says and cook the tart with the filling in the tart tin. Also line the edge of the crust with foil. It saves those thin edges from burning!
The apple galette was good, not too sweet, which I like. The pecan tart was a little more rich. In addition to shortening the bake time on the crust, I also put in 1/4 cup of granulated white sugar + 1/4 cup confectioners sugar instead of 1/2 cup of confectioners sugar. This pecan tart was definitely a hit. Andy's dad said it was his favorite and brought some home with him (the good tart and the burnt tart too)! Here are the recipes if anyone cares to check them out or try them sometime:
Apple-walnut galette
Chocolate-toffee pecan tart
This year, Kelly and I did a turkey craft with the kids. We cut out feathers from construction paper and the kids each had to tell us 6 things they were thankful for. Here were Lilly's 6 things she's thankful for:
1. Mommy, Daddy, and Mia
2. All my ... friends in Michigan and Maryland
3. Mama Tio (I love her so much and God loves you!)
4. My bed with hearts on it.
5. God
6. God has given us himself! AND raspberries, blueberries, flowers, milk, and toys.
We have so much to be thankful this year. Thank God for his faithfulness to us in providing for all of our needs and so much more! We have a warm house to live in (thank you Kelly and Andy!) and a church we can learn and grow with. Our hearts are full of thankfulness for our girls and our little family. Thank you God for your kindness to us. We are so blessed!
