I’m not much of a pie person at Christmastime. You will find me squarely in the cookie camp. I’ve never met a Christmas cookie I didn’t like… except those peanut butter ones with the Hershey’s Kisses in them. We have a huge debate in my house right now about those because I don’t understand why […]

My boys are wondering why I am still practicing pumpkin pie. They are of the opinion that there must be a ceiling here – a moment when it’s perfect and I no longer have to get out my notebook, review my notes from past years and reach out for advice. It’s quite possible that they […]

Let’s face it.  Traditional pumpkin pie is in the “if it’s not broke, don’t fix it” category. Every Thanksgiving I embark on yet another futile effort to find THE pumpkin pie.  You know where it is?  On the back on the Libby’s pumpkin can.  Sure, go ahead and roast your own pumpkin or get all […]

The Privilege of Helping My name is Emily and I am a chronic helper. Anyone who has been the recipient of my gestures can attest – I am well intentioned, but I am an eager, enthusiastic helper who though genuine, can run the risk of over-helping. Back in grade school, it was a minor holiday […]

These cookies are hearty and spicy and make you think of gingerbread houses and small German villages.  I’m obsessed with them and have added them to the mandatory rotation of family Christmas cookies.  Like all recipes, I followed Eva’s notes and then made some of my own adjustments like adding some salt and vanilla and […]

I’m being forced to get a manicure. Nail care is not my forte – it never has been. Other than trimming my nails on a regular basis, I rarely, if ever, think about them. My friend has embarked on a personal mission to drag me to a nail salon by espousing promises of wine and […]

It’s 2012 and the best thing to do for a new year is to come clean and start fresh. Don’t get excited – there’s nothing juicy here like sordid affairs, slipping my kids Benadryl so they will sleep, or a problem with shop lifting. My confessions are rather mundane, but they are mine and blogging […]

According to me, you get total pie street credit if you’re from the South. If you have an accent and hail from any of the states below Ohio, I automatically assume that you are harboring your Great Grandma’s family pie recipe and that you know some worldly secrets about great pie making. After all, don’t […]

I don’t have a lot of enthusiasm in my heart for the other big “P” of the Thanksgiving table. Pecan pie. I’ve always put it into the category of Stuff My Dad Eats: Pickled beets, spinach with vinegar, chicken livers, cole slaw… food that I’m convinced takes a heavy dose of testosterone to palate. I […]

There is a distinct rank and file to my Thanksgiving table: 1. Pumpkin Pie 2. Pumpkin Pie 3. Oyster dressing 4. Turkey Nothing upstages pumpkin pie in my book. About three weeks before Thanksgiving, I find myself drawn to every magazine at the grocery store. “Your best Thanksgiving Ever!” (Yes!) “A Pumpkin Pie to Wow […]

* Update – I made these hand pies again and used a 2 1/2 inch diameter glass to make them a little smaller. This allowed me to get a dozen from 1 recipe of dough and the serving is a little smaller (which means less calories!). Fall has me feeling like pie (shock, so did […]