November and Pies

Pies.

In November our hearts and minds turn to pies.  Pumpkin pies, in fact.
I used to have to bake a round dozen of pies during November. (and repeat, but with less pies in December)  But nowadays, being retired and a widow, there are less pies necessary.

What did I used to have to bake?
Two pies for my husband to take to work for their early Thanksgiving party.
Two pies for my husband's birthday on November 15 - because he hates cake.
Two pies for November story time at my library for my Pumpkin Pie, Oh My! storytime.
Four pies for Thanksgiving.
And two more pies because my granddaughter's birthday is at the beginning of December.
A dozen pies.

It got so I stopped making homemade crust and bought ready made ones at the grocery store.
(have you tried Marie Calendar's piecrust?  It's the best.)

Actually, this is not my recipe.  I don't use the condensed milk one.  I use an old Fanny Farmer cookbook recipe with real milk and four eggs.  The whipped cream is vital for serving, but for family I usually whip the heavy cream, adding vanilla and sugar.
I just thought the expression on the pumpkin was funny.

This year I'm only making four pies in November.
Two last week when my nephew, Chad, came to town and we had a family dinner. (at a Mexican restaurant)
And two this week for Thanksgiving.
YUM!

And the Doctor has the last word.
There is no argument against pie.  November is pie month.

Time to bake the Pies.

Not that pie!

Yes, it's time to bake pumpkin pies.
First you gather the ingredients.  (yes the whipped cream is very important. If you can't whip your own, the canned whipped cream is a satisfactory substitute.)

Readers of my blog will remember the years when I baked lots and lots and lots of pies.
For the workplace.
For home.
For my husband's birthday. (he hated cake)
For Thanksgiving. With enough for relatives to take home with them.
For after Thanksgiving because the pies are gone and we want to eat more PIE!

Well this year, we did it again.
Baked pumpkin pie in memory of my husband's birthday.
And now I just took the Thanksgiving pies out of the oven.
And later - more pies. Because we want to eat more pie - and the teen wants to give one to her boyfriend.

Time to make the pumpkin pie ---

It's Time to Bake the Pies

First you gather the ingredients:

Then you make the pies:

Oh dear, Someone's already tasted it.
Probably me. My family likes it cold, but I'll eat it warm or cold.

This year I won't make as many pies as in years past, which I talked about here, and here.

Do you always make pumpkin pie in November?
If not, then what is your favorite fall pie?
wo

In the mail

Mailed two more manuscripts out.
Crossing fingers and toes.

Do you remember last year's discussion of the number of pumpkin pies I have to make in November?
Well, that is now a picture book and I've been mailing it out. Someday it might even land on that certain wonderful editor's desk who loves pies and might even like the story.
Crossing fingers and toes.
wo

12 Pumpkin Pies

November is Pumpkin Pie month.
No, it's not a nationally recognized thing -- it's just at my house.

How many pies?
Let's see --

The first week of November I made two pumpkin pies. One for my husband to take into work for their early Thanksgiving celebration, and one for the family to eat.

Last weekend was my husband's birthday. He doesn't like cake. He only likes -- pumpkin pie. Therefore two more pies, one decorated with candles. The second for the family to have, because one is never enough.

This week end I have to make more pies, because I'm having a Pumpkin Pie, Oh My! storytime at my library and, of course, I have to bring pumpkin pie -- enough for the program and for the staff too. And another (or two) for my family to eat.

And -- the Wednesday after that program is the day before Thanksgiving. Pie baking day. I always have to bake four pumpkin pies for Thanksgiving. One for Thanksgiving Day. One for my brother-in-law to take home. And two more to eat later. (not to mention apple pies, etc.)

The final week in November? More pies, of course. It's the 9-year-old's birthday.
-wendieO