me decorate?

i know it seems sad, but this is about as decorating-ee as i get. i pull out the wagon, cut some pine boughs off, head off and cut some berries with mom and there you go. besides my tree, this is it...i guess it isn't in my genes to do more...

-ash

pecan pie

kelsie and abby helped me make pies for thankgiving. we thought we would make a special pecan pie for our family, sort of an after thanksgiving treat. i always get nervous with crusts (especially when someone other than me will be looking at them...i demand perfection!) because working with flour can be a little tricky. it was nice to be in the kitchen with them and i know they loved helping. kelsie wanted to add chocolate, but it isn't dad's favorite, so a chocolate sauce would have to do. thanks kelsie and abby for some perfect pies!

-ash

happy thanksgiving

we were able to spend the night at dad & mom's house. we woke up bright and early, got ready for our ward's annual turkey bowl at the park. mom, abby and i got blankets, camera's and hot chocolate. we bundled up and got to the park and watched for an hour. it was great to see all the kids and adults come out to play. other than the food, this is my favorite tradition. it wasn't as cold as it was last year which was really nice.

we have so much to be thankful for...we have a wonderful family, blessed to live in this amazing country, and we have jesus christ in our lives. happy thanksgiving!

-ash

my paul...

so...paul came and picked me up from work. on the way home he told me...

1-he hit the gas line (next to our smouldering fire). he claims he knew it was there, but just got impatient, didn't call blue stakes and didn't tenderly dig. he took the trackhoe and smashed that thing. said some bad words, called 911, the police and fireman came. two hours later, everything was fixed.

2-he hit the water line too so we have no water until tomorrow (happy thanksgiving).

what am i going to do with him? and please tell me the power line is still standing!

-ash

lights on!

tonight, paul and i took mom, abby and conrad to the city center to watch the christmas tree lights turn on. it was pretty fun. we got there, brought some canned goods and blankets, watched some caroling, drank hot chocolate and waited patiently for the lights to turn on. it was really nice to be out with neighbors and friends to celebrate the beginning of christmas. the lights were so pretty and it was fun to be part of that. i will get some pictures later...

-ash

pumpkin pie

paul got me these fall cut-outs...i love them. anything with an oakleaf or an acorn i am a softy...then i found a really good pumpkin pie recipe i thought i would share. it is really easy too...enjoy!

-ash

spiced pumpkin pie

basic pie crust, rolled into pie pan, and partially baked

1/2 c. light brown sugar, firmly packed

2 large eggs

1 tsp ground cinnamon

3/4 tsp ground ginger

1/2 tsp salt

1/8 tsp cloves

1/4 tsp ground nutmeg

1 c. pumpkin*

1 1/2 c. heavy cream

in a large bowl, whisk together the brown sugar and eggs until well blended. add cinnamon, ginger, salt, cloves, and nutmeg and mix well. add the pumpkin puree and cream and whisk until smooth. pour into partially baked pie shell. bake the pie until the filling is slightly risen and firm in the middle (35-45 minutes). transfer to a wire rack and let cool. serve with whipped cream.

*if you want to cook your pumpkin, preheat oven to 300*. take the stem off and slice in half. take the seeds out and coat the meat with veggie oil. turn onto a foil lined cookie sheet with the skin on the outside and bake for 45 minutes. let cool and scoop out the pumpkin from the skin. puree and freeze in 1 cup increments. last for a year...

our home

i love our home...and i love fall...

-ash