a bit of our thanksgiving

 

I didn't get too many photos from thanksgiving this year. my sister and niece came into town and we celebrated thanksgiving with some family friends. so much good food and company - turkey, ham, all the yummy sides, and pies! I just love thanksgiving! I really try and be thankful and practice contentment everyday, but I love a whole day to remind myself of all the goodness in my life. for all the people in my life. my little ones, my husband + partner in this life, our families, and all the friends who love us so well. the older I get, the more thankful I am for the very simple things. the things money can never buy or replace. the intangible goodies that the father gives.

during the month of November, we have a thankful tree at the center of the table. and over dinner we each share something we are thankful for and write in on leaves + hang them on the tree. it can be anything, there are no rules to being thankful. this tradition started a few years ago and honestly is something we have kept up most evenings throughout the year - either at dinnertime or bedtime. but during November I like to be super intentional about having the tree and being able to visually see everything that causes us to give thanks. coffee. babies. warm beds. pie. community. all kinds of things make the list. and sparrow's are some of my favorite. through the eyes of little ones, if we are slow enough to listen and watch - we will see so much truth. to be like my children is my prayer. wherever and whoever you were with, I hope you had a lovely thanksgiving.

maple pecan pie!

you guys! this is seriously the best pecan pie I have ever eaten, and you know what? totally easy. admittedly, I always avoided making a pecan pie - they always looked so beautiful + elegant + so I assumed they would be hard and tedious. not so!

I made this pie last year for thanksgiving, it was such a big hit - it's become a staple, and it's here to stay. and even better, it was born out of my hatred for corn syrup, so instead has maple syrup.

filling:
1 1/2 c dark brown sugar
1/2 c maple syrup
1/4 c melted butter
4 eggs
2 tsp vanilla
1 1/2 tbs of bourbon (optional, but trust me just adds a bit of magic to your pie)
1/4 tsp cinnamon
a dash of nutmeg
1/2 tsp salt (I like using sea salt)
2 cups pecan halves

this is the recipe I use for my pie crust and it doesn't specify, but I recommend using pastry flour. you can also use a pre-made crust if your in a pinch!

preheat your oven to 350. place your pie shell into a pie dish and refrigerate until filling is ready.
In a medium sized bowl mix together dark brown sugar, maple syrup, butter, eggs, vanilla, bourbon, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt - until well combined. then gently stir in the pecans.
pour filling into your pie shell and bake for 40-45 min. let cool 2-4 hours before serving.

Enjoy!