Chocolate Pumpkin Pie with Hazelnut Crumble

Is it still appropriate to make and eat pumpkin pies?  I think so.  I believe pumpkin is a winter vegetable.  I'm a big fan of pumpkin anyway, and I think it should be eaten more regularly.

I made this yummy pie with my sister.  It was her idea to use hazelnuts instead of pecans.  Impressively, my parents had both types of nuts.  After we made this pie, my sister pained Christmas trees and candy canes on my toe nails.   She's an artist!

Cranberry Upside-Down Coffee Cake

In the past few years, I have become a chocolate snob.  I would occasionally buy Snickers bar or package of peanut butter M & Ms when I was younger.  

 

I now find myself buying artisanal, small batch chocolate like I'm a high roller.  I'm current eating a maple and coconut dark chocolate.  The beans were grown in Belize.   That may sound ridiculous, but  the chocolate is delicious.

Creamy Turkey and Sweet Potato Soup

During the holidays, I always eat poorly.  I eat mountains of food and gobs of sweets.  By the end of the season, my body craves healthy food.  

Poor food choices notwithstanding, I have had a wonderful Christmas.  I have seen all of my siblings, nieces, and nephews.  I have seen many uncles, aunts, and cousins too.

Turkey Chili

I'm writing this from Utah.  I am home for two weeks.  I haven't visited for such an extended period in years. 

After Thanksgiving, my grocery store was selling cheap turkey.  I bought a small bird.  It was my first time cooking turkey.  I was pleased with the results.

Cranberry Walnut Bread

I hope you had a fabulous Thanksgiving.  I ate falafel and banana pudding for Thanksgiving.  I saw the Macy's Day Parade, so I had a festive Thanksgiving regardless of what I ate.

Cranberries are a low shrub or vine.  They have thin, wiry branches and evergreen leaves.  The fruit is initially white, but it turns red when it ripens.  In the United States and Canada, cranberry sauce is eaten as an accompaniment to turkey at Thanksgiving, but in the United Kingdom, turkey and cranberry sauce is traditionally eaten at Christmas.

Yams and Apples

My grandmother would make this dish for Thanksgiving.  She passed away a few years ago, but my family continues to make it for Thanksgiving.

My grandmother would arrange the yams and apples to make a beautiful presentation.  She was a wonderful women who loved beautiful things.

Mashed Sweet Potatoes with Shallots

I went to the dentist today.  Many people don't like going to the dentist, but I don't mind it.  Going to a doctor stresses me out more.  Even if I have a cavity, it's a painless experience thanks to local anesthetic.

As always, I was told to floss more.  I was more frightened by the warning this visit.

Ham and Cranberry Sauce Quesadilla

It appears I will be going to Tennessee over Thanksgiving.  We are going to go to the Great Smokey Mountain National Park.  The idea is to camp, but that might not happen given the weather predictions.  I like camping, but I don't like being cold.  

 We are leaving DC the Wednesday night before Thanksgiving, thus traffic will be terrible.  The weather forecast says it might rain or snow Wednesday night.  It could be a slow trip that night, but every once in a while I enjoy a long road trip.  

Turkey and Cranberry Sauce Sandwich

I have two major complaints about winter:  my toes are perpetually cold and my skin is dry regardless of how much lotion I use.

My hands are often cold, but cold hands don't bother me as much as cold feet.  I'm sure as the winter progresses, my list of complaints will get longer and longer.