Feast for Two

We ended up celebrating Thanksgiving by ourselves this year. And although we missed family, it was nice to do something of our own. You know, figure out our own traditions while still including some Zenk and Moon traditions as well.

My grandma Zenk used to have several flavors of pies—so many that they couldn't be kept in the fridge. Because it is cold this time of year in Utah, she used to keep them in the garage on the hood of the car. So if you ever wanted an extra slice of pie, or someone went missing....we knew to check the garage. In keeping with that tradition, we had FOUR pies on the menu. I prepared all the crusts last week and baked the pies a day before Thanksgiving. Below, I am slicing the apples for the English Apple pie. (Thanks Mom Moon for the slicer, I love it!)

Can't let any of it go to waste!

Below and ALL from scratch: Pumpkin Cheesecake with cornmeal crust. English Apple which is a crustless pie but includes a delicious dumpling topping. Coconut Cream with shortbread crust. And Cherry Pie with flaky pastry crust.

We couldn't wait to try at least one of them when Thanksgiving rolled around. So we had the English Apple pie first thing for breakfast with cream poured over the top. Holy yum.

And finally the dinner!!! Between the two of us there was no way we were going to try to devour a turkey (the pies were enough.) So I prepared a lemon garlic herb paste and rubbed it into and all over two Cornish hens—which turned out delicious and the perfect size.

THE MENU •Cornish Hen. •Sweet potato mashed potatoes—so good. We will NEVER go back to tasteless white. •Fresh green beans in butter and garlic salt. •Stuffing (next year I will be making my grandma Clawson's stuffing—I remember it because it had celery in it, which I thought was weird when I was little.) •Rolls from scratch. I made the dough last week and froze them, so I could just let them rise and pop them in the oven when Thanksgiving rolled around. They will be the death of us, they are like candy. • Lime jello with pears and a mayo drizzle with cheese on top. A weird, "Mormon" jello recipe but good. Although, I think next year we will be doing Mom Moon's strawberry jello. • Sparkling cranberry cider of course.

These past couple of weeks as I have been thinking about family and friends and the things I am grateful for, I have been feeling particularly thankful for all the gifts we were given at our wedding. I look around and there are SO MANY things in our home that came from all of you. And those things continue to bless our lives EVERY DAY. I am DEEPLY grateful. I want you to know that. Adam wants you to know that. We will always be appreciative for what you have given and done for us. Happy Thanksgiving!

Searching FOREVER

We've looked at over 30 houses. Put an offer on two. Lost out on both. Spent all our weekends driving around neighborhoods, counting how many houses have bars on them...crossing off those neighborhoods. Tromped through homes that should be demolished instead of fixed up. Left deflated. We just might end up homeless. That's how it feels. But we are still optimistic.

And that's what we've been up to. Sorry no pics. Can't take a photo of something that doesn't exist...