I tend to over plan for Thanksgiving breakfast. This year I completely lost my mind. My dessert list began with eight desserts and ended with thirteen. Fortunately, I had the entire week off of work and could spread out my baking. Yet somehow, someway, the day before Thanksgiving I still had three pies to assemble, cookies to bake, and cinnamon rolls to make.
I was so blessed that three of my favorite girls in the entire world offered to come over and help me. You can't tell it by looking at the below picture, but these girls are only around three feet tall, the oldest is in third grade, and the youngest is only four-years-old.
Oh wait, that was five zillion years ago when I got married and they were my flower girls.
They pretty much made my life a million times easier by being a second, third, and fourth pair of hands for me. Hannah took over the cookies, while Rebekah and Grace peeled and sliced my apples as I prepared for the blueberry, peach, and apple pies.
We ran into a bit of an issue with the apple pie. It didn't want to move easily from off the pan, so we laughed difficulty in the face and put our noggins (and four spatulas) together.
I'm pretty sure this pie would have ended up in the trash without their help.
Since we only needed one apple pie for Thanksgiving, and also since the second sort of fell apart when I tried to lift it off the pan after it baked, we enjoyed the fruits of our labors* as we waited for the cinnamon roll dough to rise.
*Bad pun. I try not to use those too frequently, but this one was just too easy not to pass up.
Five zillion years ago, when I was first married, I prepped for Thanksgiving breakfast all by myself.
Back then there were less desserts, but I also had less time to make it all. I think I like having so many helpers.
This was the year of the pies. Growing up I was never a pie person. My family only ever ate pumpkin or pecan pie and I only tolerated pumpkin pie and wrinkled my nose to pecan pie.
I know, foolish, foolish girl.
Today my favorite pie in the world is shoo fly pie* but I have willingly started to try pies which before I would profusely refuse. I tried key lime pie for the first time last year and was shocked at how delicious it was and also a little upset that I had been missing out on it for so long.
*If you are ever in Lancaster, you must buy one from Dutch Haven and ONLY from Dutch Haven. Do not be deceived by other shoo fly pies. Dutch Haven's is the best. The ONLY best.
I gave Hubby the choice of pies I would make and his decision was: Apple, Blueberry, Peach, Pumpkin with Rum, and Cherry.*
*I want everyone to note that without these pie additions, we would have been back at the original eight recipes. This, friends, is how I spell love.
P-I-E
The blueberry pie recipe I chose had a picture attached which looked almost exactly like the one above. Everyone I showed it to said the blueberries would never stay as beautifully placed as in the picture, but I proved them wrong!
You can't see it so well in this picture, but Hannah drew a turkey on my blueberry pie crust and I made the slits around it. It's all about being creative with desserts.
The peach pie was a little messier than the blueberry, but not at all soupy like some pies end up being. It was hubby's favorite.
I think thirteen desserts will have to be my limit*. My table can't seem to handle anymore.
*You'll note, there are fourteen on the table. My mom brought her awesome cheese pie which is basically home style cheesecake. Yum!
I think one day, when I live in the mansion of my dreams, I would like for Thanksgiving breakfast to be open to the public. I feel like too many of my friends are missing out on pretty much the most awesome tradition ever established.
Did I mention we wear pajamas for Thanksgiving breakfast?
I mean, seriously, can it get better than lounging in your pajamas with friends and family while watching the Macy's Day Parade with a plate full of pie and pastries?
At least in my world, the answer to that question is no.
I certainly get my promptness from my parents. They were the first guests, and as soon as the first guests arrive it is pretty much a free for all. The desserts stay out all morning and guests can come and go as they please.
I also try to remind them that there is no judgement served as well as no calories at Thanksgiving breakfast. I think this is important. That way everyone can eat to their heart's delight.
The best dressed at breakfast was certainly Jonathan the Elf. Smiling is his favorite, his favorite color is red, and his favorite pastime is singing loud for all to hear.
Do you have a most awesome family tradition that could compete with our Thanksgiving breakfast? Post it in the comments section!
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