~ N O V E M B E R 2016 ~

     So, I am hoping you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving!
Again, forming homemaking skills was not attempted as much as I would have liked this month, but I did get some things done!!

B A K I N G:

So, I was able to donate cookies to a couple different events, but I will talk about that in the December post. 

          But I also got to make two pumpkin pies; something I had never done before! I don't like pumpkin pie very much, but my family wanted me to make them. 

I made two different pies; one was just pumpkin (above)...

...and praline pumpkin pie (that is why it is all crackely on top).

PRALINE PUMPKIN PIE:

(Taste of Home)

Ingredients

• 1/3 cup finely chopped pecans
• 1/3 cup packed brown sugar
• 3 tablespoons butter, softened
• 1 unbaked pastry shell (10 inches)
• FILLING:
• 3 eggs, lightly beaten
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1 can (15 ounces) solid-pack pumpkin
• 1-1/2 cups half-and-half cream
• Additional chopped pecans, optional 

Directions

1. In a small bowl, combine the pecans, sugar and butter; press onto the bottom of pie shell. Prick sides of pastry with a fork. Bake at 450° for 10 minutes. Cool on a wire rack for 5 minutes. Reduce heat to 350°.
2. For filling, combine the eggs, sugar, flour and spices in a large bowl; stir in pumpkin. Gradually add cream. Pour into pastry shell. If desired, sprinkle chopped pecans on top. Bake at 350° for 45-50 minutes or until a knife inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool on a wire rack for 1 hour. 
3. Refrigerate for at least 3 hours before serving. Refrigerate leftovers.

C r a f t i n g:

          

          So, the Catholic school in town always has an annual craft fair in the fall; this year, three of my friends and I split the cost of a booth and sold our various kinds of crafts there. I made crocheted wash-cloths, drink coasters, and hot-pads. 

I tagged them....

My craft "business name" (if you could call it one yet) is Apple Tree Crafts.

This was my stuff

         And that is our table. Slightly crowded, but not bad. I didn't make much money (just enough to cover my cost of the booth), but it was a great experience, and lots of fun.

H o m e y   h o u s e:

          So my friend's mom hosted a caramel apple party. It was a blast!!! It was small, simple, and really fun. Old traditions should never be forgotten, because sometimes fun is forgotten with them.

           

         Thanksgiving was at our house, then my Aunt's house, them my Uncle's house! But this is our house; a quiet thanksgiving lunch for 5. 

And even though most everything is dead this time of year, it is still very beautiful on cloudy days.

          Well, I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving and November. I am very exited as I am slowly gaining more time to spend at home doing the things I really love.

God bless,

Claire R.

       " May the God of peace be with you all. "

              Romans 15:33a