Sunday 7 October 2018

Thanksgiving 2018

It is Thanksgiving weekend here in Canada. Not quite the big shindig that it is in the States, and not as late in the fall, either. This year it is a very small gathering at our home. Our daughter is about 14 hours away, up north, with her boyfriend's extended family. Our son is working. So tomorrow, Thanksgiving Monday which is a holiday for Canadians, we will get my husband's mother from her retirement digs and bring her over for a subdued turkey dinner. We'll be eating leftovers for the week, which makes life easy for me in the long run.

As usual I will be making a pre-stuffed, cook-from-frozen turkey which in my opinion is the best thing out there. Far less hassle than defrosting way ahead of time, making stuffing, and stuffing it myself. I knew I was going to have pumpkin pie, a favourite. I purchased pre-made frozen pie crusts. I like to take them out of the chintzy tin foil pie plates and transfer them to a nicer, sturdier pie pan. When I tried to transfer this one, it cracked and split and generally fell apart into a big mess. There was no amount of piecing together that was going to save that pie crust, so I smushed it altogether into a ball and rolled it out again. I think it will be fine. But then I thought, you know, I should just make my own pastry. I had all the ingredients, so I did. It felt very "harvesty" and now I have extra pie crusts that I will freeze and use some other time.


I even cut little leaves out of the extra pastry and will put those on top of the pie as it bakes. How very Martha Stewart of me!
I like to use pure pumpkin to make pies, rather than pumpkin pie filling. There is something gritty and a little "bitey" tasting about pumpkin pie filling that I don't like. Does anyone else use the recipe on the back of this label?




It never fails.

As the pie was doing its thing in the oven, I thought I'd be predictable and take some autumnal shots of the birds. I am down to three laying hens and three developing roosters. Sigh.

This is Bruce, thanking the Poultry God that he's not a turkey.

This is Nugget, the youngest rooster.

This is one of the laying hens, up close and personal, wondering why I didn't bring something to eat.

In terms of Autumn colour, we aren't yet seeing the full splendour, but it is beginning. The Autumn Joy Sedum is certainly showing the season.


Another sign that the seasons are changing, is that Scooter, the cat with no tail, spends longer periods of time in the house these days. I have no idea what he does during the day when I'm at work, but on the weekends, he will curl up on a kitchen chair and have a snooze for a couple of hours. When he does go out, he comes back with a new bunch of burs and various other "sticky" vegetation in his fur, which is, of course, another sign that it is definitely Fall.

I've not been blogging as regularly. I'm worn out with work and I do not wish to get involved in any political rants, so I find I have less to contribute to the world of blogging. I'm not dropping out of it, just not as frequent as I used to be, and I am enjoying reading blogs, especially those people who took some time off over the summer and are now back!

Happy Thanksgiving to my fellow Canadians!

47 comments:

  1. I love pumpkin pie when made by real Americans.

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    1. I meant Canadians, of course...

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    2. Oh fuck it - you both make good pumpkin pie, but Quebec maple syrup is the best.

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    3. You made me laugh! Should I ask how "our" pumpkin pie differs from British pumpkin pie, or do you even make pumpkin pie?

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    4. Actually, Ohio maple syrup is as good as Quebec's. From real maple trees.

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    5. Now look what I have started. I've never eaten Canadian pumpkin pie and I've never had Ohio maple syrup.

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    6. I was actually going to chime in and say that Ontario maple syrup is also excellent (the trick is temperature and hard Maple trees), but I didn't want to stir things up!

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    7. Hi all, just had to add that New England maple syrup is pretty darn good too!

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  2. I make my pumpkin pies using the recipe on the canned pumpkin label, but I use pumpkin puree from my own pumpkins. (Did that make any sense?)

    Even though your kiddies weren't in attendance and your table was small, it sounds as though you had a lovely Thanksgiving Day. I do so wish our Thanksgiving here in the States was the same date as yours. Ours falls just a sparse month from Christmas and that makes it seem like the two holidays are too close together. Does to me anyway.

    Your chickens look so very healthy. What do you plan to do with your "extra" roosters?

    Good to have a post from you, but I know what you mean about not having much to say. (But you did!) I think I'm just tired from a busy summer and my brain cells are giving out on me. :o/

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    1. Yes I understand what you are talking about with your own pumpkin puree. Our gathering is actually tomorrow. I agree that the American Thanksgiving is awfully close to Christmas. That would feel like a lot to me.
      Funny you say the chickens look healthy. Those are the only survivors. The others died from a respiratory disease!! (shoulder shrug). -Jenn

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  3. Very handsome roosters! Grandson made pumpkin mousse for our Thanksgiving dinner today (there was pie too). It was delicious but I didn't think to ask what kind of canned pumpkin he used. It was very smooth.

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  4. I think your pie crusts are a lovely as your sedum, and that's a compliment for both. Happy Thanksgiving. And thank you for including your mother-in-law in your festivities; you make me smile, and her too, I'm sure.

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  5. Your pie crusts look yum. And great shots of the hens!

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  6. Your hen's portrait is a bit spooky with all the detail going on - you can see their dinosaur forebears lurking under the surface! Pumpkin pie doesn't exist in this neck of the woods and I have never even tried it on any of my visits to America. Pumpkin is essentially treated as a savoury veg here.

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    1. Yes, they are tiny raptors indeed! Pumpkin pie is a favourite for Thanksgiving because pumpkins has ripened by now, but it is also served at Christmas in some homes, or just as an Autumn / winter dessert.

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  7. I have never made a pumpkin pie (or eaten one) but I do spend hours getting burrs out of Rick's coat.

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  8. You can pay yourself on the back for those wonderful looking pie crusts! What other pies do you make? Presume 'pies' are sweet not savoury.
    Chooks look very healthy and happy. Not destined for a chicken pie either lol

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    1. Pumpkin pies are sweet and are flavoured with cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger. Essentially, it's a custard type of pie because the pureed pumpkin is mixed with egg and condensed milk, then baked.
      I actually enjoy making pies - strawberry / rhubarb (because they both grow in my garden), apple, pecan, and sometimes lemon meringue.

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  9. I'll have to try the recipe! Perhaps Canadian Thanksgiving is earlier due to the expected Weather?

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    1. Our harvest time is well before many of the States. I prefer the timing of our Thanksgiving. I think the American Thanksgiving is really close to when you are running around trying to get ready for Christmas.

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  10. Happy Thanksgiving Jenn. We are having our Tg dinner today (Monday) rather than our usual Sunday, timing with guests & all. I think Thanksgiving is a favourite holiday; all the food choices, decorations & no gift giving pressure. Your pie crusts look perfect. I make a pecan, ginger cookie base for my pumpkin cheesecake, with maple cookie leafs for a festive flare & I also use pumpkin not pie filling. This year I'm trying to make my own. I read that chickens like pumpkins. ...Mary-Lou =^..^=

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    1. Ohhh, that pie crust sounds fancy, and delicious!! I've made my own pureed pumpkin in the past, when I have grown my own pumpkins, but I've reduced my garden so much that I wouldn't have the space to grow them now. I'll let E.D. Smith do the cooking and pureeing for me! Have a lovely day, today! -Jenn

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  11. Wow, great looking pie crusts! I have never perfected the art of rolling them out and getting them into the pan without tears and lots of patch work!

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    1. I figured you were a perfect pie crust girl! Ha ha, don't be fooled, there were a couple of repairs in those crusts!

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  12. Happy Thanksgiving Jenn.
    Despite saying that I will every year I still have never made nor tried pumpkin pie. I am worried that I like the idea of it so much that I won't like it when I try it...lol.
    Hugs-x-

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    1. You never know 'til you try! Do you like the flavours of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger? There really isn't an over whelming pumpkin flavour. It's more about the way it is seasoned.

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  13. Happy Thanksgiving Jenn
    No pumpkin pie on the menu here this thanksgiving. I did (digusting) cherry pie instead. I used the same brand that you show and will never buy it again. I love turkey. Today it will turkey sandwiches, oh YUM!!!! Be still my gluten intolerant belly and just deal with it.
    We made soup out of our roosters. They may be tough and lean as an old boot for a roaster, but they are still edible if you do it right.

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    1. Karen, I will likely give away one or two of the roosters. I just can't kill my own birds (or any other living thing for that matter!). Besides, they have names... I'm not big on cherry pie. I think I had too many, what I call, "Church lady cherry cheesecake" experiences as a child.

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    2. I can't kill my critters either - and I was a farmer! We sold our animals live in the end. Oh yeah, you had to remind me of the Church lady cherry cheesecake didn't you. Pardon me while I go find someplace to gag...

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  14. Happy Thanksgiving.
    We had our celebration yesterday with our children and grandchildren. It is easier for them to travel to us here at the cottage when it is not a school or heavy traffic night. The days of 30 odd family guests are gone: now it is just the 9 of us. Still as noisy.
    As I write, the turkey bones are simmering on the stove. I am looking forward to leftover dinner, turkey and vegetables moistened with gravy, folded into a puff pastry crust and served with cranberry sauce and salad. We traditionally have pecan and apple pies, each the favourite of a son. This year it was bakery bought pumpkin, surprisingly good. And a glass of wine or two.

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    1. Oh my, that sounds divine. (the puff pastry dish). Pecan pie is so delicious, maybe I'll make that at Christmas.

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  15. Happy Thanksgiving to you, your hens and roosters and your cat. I'll not get into the pumpkin pie debate or the maple syrup flux.....it's all good as long as someone else makes it and I can eat it.

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  16. Mmmmmmm pumpkin pie....enjoy thanksgiving ...love from me Ria x 🧡

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  17. Happy Thanksgiving! It was a quiet one for us, too. Christmas will be much busier. Your pie crusts are amazing. I haven't made a homemade one in...forever. I should give it a go again. Love the photos of the birds. It's fun to see them!

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  18. I love pumpkin pie. It is one of the things I look forward to in the fall.
    the Ol'Buzzard

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  19. Belated Thanksgiving to you, Jenn. Pumpkin pie is a favorite of ours and I do use the canned pumpkin and then add all the spices and other ingredients. I also use the frozen and non-frozen pie crusts. Our thanksgiving will be celebrated at a restaurant so no cooking for anyone, but sadly no leftovers either.

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  20. Happy Thanksgiving. I made pumpkin pie about 40 years ago. I remember it being very good!

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  21. Wouldn't it be great to get all of you pumpkin pie novices together so you could taste it, and to have a sampling of all the "finest" maple syrups out there, so we could have a vote!!
    Thank you for all the additional comments!

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  22. Political rants? More like political brags for you Canadians with that darling Justin Trudeau. I used to have a crush on his father too. Love your Autumn shots. Do you think that Scooter may be the James Bond of the Cat world? Have a great week, Jenn.

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  23. Turkey, stuffing, and pumpkin pie--the major food groups. I haven't made a T-giving meal in years, altho I am assigned to make the pumpkin pie. My matriarchs were pie masters, and I am trying to carry the tradition on.

    Canned pumpkin is the best. I have used fresh pumpkin, but it more work than it is worth.

    I love your site. I came over from Cup on the Bus.

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  24. I like the term retirement digs! It gives me a vision of lots of sprightly elderly people. I have never made pumpkin pie!

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  25. Looks like you had a swell day...
    Cheers1
    Linda :o)

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