The Weekend Lens

This past weekend was a working-weekend for me.

Liz and I met up in Portland to talk business - retreats, classes, and different ways we can encourage people to tell their stories.

We met up with Kelly Rae for a bit of work mixed with fun and ended up out in Forest Grove at McMenamin's Grand Lodge for a vintage extravaganza called Plucky Maidens Junk Fest.

Today I'm feeling extra thankful for good friends, good business banter, and the chance to hang out in person vs. on the screen.

It was just what I needed.

Now I'm getting ready for Thanksgiving. I've got a busy couple of days before the holiday - meetings, appointments, regular work-stuff, cooking, etc. I know the next three days are going to fly by.

One thing on my list is that I need to make a couple pies. Any favorite pie recipes that you'd like to share?

Simon will want a chocolate pie of course and then I'm thinking about making two more. Maybe a cranberry-pear (it's been a few years since I made that one) or an apple and a pumpkin?

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47 thoughts

  1. Nicky says…
    11/21/2011

    Welcome home, Ali! I love seeing all the preparations across various blogs for Thanksgiving (being from Australia we don't celebrate it here). It is one holiday I wish we would adopt, to officially take time out to show thanks and to reflect on what we are grateful for. I hope you have a lovely time celebrating with family and friends, enjoy!

    Reply 0 Replies
  2. Casie says…
    11/21/2011

    This caramel apple pie is hands down my family's favorite. The ladies as church loved it for the bake sale too and asked for the recipe so you know it must be good!!

    From Pioneer Woman: http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2007/12/scrumptous-and_i_do_mean_scrumptous-apple_pie/

    Reply 0 Replies
  3. Lisa W. says…
    11/21/2011

    Oh yea I'm with Simon...chocolate pie:) Glad your back safely...love hearing what you thought...what you did...what you need to do!!! Thanks for sharing!!!

    Reply 0 Replies
  4. Katrina says…
    11/21/2011

    Yay for good weekends! I'm making a bourbon pumpkin pie, and an italian cream cake (found on pinterest). Plus pumpkin cupcakes for a local restaurant that serves a meal for those in need.

    Reply 0 Replies
  5. Liz says…
    11/21/2011

    I LOVE PUMPKIN PIE BUT YES...CHOCOLATE PIE SOUNDS SUPREME IN THE WORLD OF PIES!! i am making pumpkin and apple, the traditionalist comes out in me on holidays!!

    Reply 0 Replies
  6. Eryn says…
    11/21/2011

    I really like this Pear-Cranberry Pie. I come back to it year after year.

    From Cooking Light Magazine:
    http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/pear-cranberry-pie-with-oatmeal-streusel-10000001673034/

    Reply 0 Replies
  7. Kay Gregory-Clark says…
    11/21/2011

    Ali, I'm the one who always makes the pumpkin pies for Thanksgiving dinner. My secret (and hold on-—it's a biggie!): I use the traditional Libby's pumpkin (not the mix) with recipe on the label. Then, I DOUBLE the spices. I used to not like pumpkin pie because it was so bland. So I experimented and tried increasing the spices. It is amazing what a diff it makes--and now I'm asked to bring the pies. Boy, those photos on today's post make me want to cut a slice! Enjoy your holiday....

    Reply 3 Replies
    1. {vicki} says…
      11/22/2011

      I double up too.

    2. Anita says…
      11/22/2011

      Doubling the spices on the regular Libby's recipe is the secret that my daughter taught me a few years ago. That makes fantastic pumpkin pie! Do try it.

    3. Michelle says…
      11/22/2011

      I use the same recipe as well. Makes a great pumpkin pie. Mine is all made. ;)

  8. Sue TR (Your Story 2011) says…
    11/21/2011

    Hi Ali!
    I am making everything but the pies and appetizers this year but I AM making homemade gingerbread cake and I'm going to add some pumpkin puree I made from my farm-coop sugar pumpkin that I roasted and froze. It makes the house smell sooo good and the girls have been asking for
    it. I'll email the recipe if you'd like! Happy Turkey Day!!

    Reply 0 Replies
  9. HeatherC says…
    11/21/2011

    We always have apple and a pumpkin pie at Thanksgiving. In my opinion, the best pumpkin pie recipe is on the Libby's pumpkin label -- it is light and not too spicy -- my kids love it.

    Reply 0 Replies
  10. Tina says…
    11/21/2011

    Ali,
    I love Martha Stewart's Pumpkin Chiffon Pie recipe. It has a lighter texture, but is still pumpkiny with a ginger snap crust. I make it into a big pie as opposed to individual pies. Happy Thanksgiving week! I am grateful for all that you share and inspire!

    Reply 0 Replies
  11. Stephanie says…
    11/21/2011

    I made an apple blueberry pie last year for Thanksgiving and it came out so good that I'm doing it again this year :)

    Reply 0 Replies
  12. Kendra says…
    11/21/2011

    Tollhouse pie....like a big cookie on a pie crust :)

    Reply 0 Replies
  13. Melissa Priest says…
    11/21/2011

    Care to share your chocolate pie recipe! I am making my first this week!

    Reply 0 Replies
  14. Shaela says…
    11/21/2011

    Sounds like an awesome weekend! Last year I made a caramel-pecan pumpkin pie and it was a huge hit, so I'm making it again this year. Soooo yummy!

    Reply 0 Replies
  15. Tammy says…
    11/21/2011

    For a completely different type of pie you might want to consider "Nantucket Cranberry Pie." I use half as much sugar as it calls for.
    http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2010/11/nantucket-cranberry-pie/

    Have a lovely holiday!

    Reply 0 Replies
  16. Paula G says…
    11/21/2011

    Happy Thanksgiving week! I do have a chocolate pie recipe we love!

    http://www.pillsbury.com/recipes/french-silk-chocolate-pie/5a6a0649-a480-4f58-9007-0188ded0bacd/

    (Ha - only difference is we add more whipped cream on top!!)

    Reply 0 Replies
  17. Cecilia Madden says…
    11/21/2011

    Pecan pie, all the way, and this is the recipe to use: http://www.foodandwine.com/recipes/texas-state-fair-pecan-pie

    Have a great Thanksgiving!

    Reply 0 Replies
  18. Kathy says…
    11/21/2011

    This became an instant classic at our house 2 years ago. So yummy and so easy. Sorry I don't have a link. Got it the old fashion way, through email from a friend.

    CHERRY COBBLER
    1/2 cup butter or margarine
    1 cup sugar
    1 cup flour
    1 tbs baking powder
    3/4 cup milk
    1 (1-pound) can pie filling

    Preheat over to 375 degrees. Melt butter or margarine in an 8-inch square pan. Mix sugar, flour, and baking powder. Combine dry ingredients with milk. Pour batter into pan of melted butter. Pour pie filling over the batter. Bake for 45 minutes or until crust is golden brown.

    Reply 0 Replies
  19. tracy says…
    11/21/2011

    My mom makes the best apple pie and it's easy!! Here is the recipe:

    Dutch Apple Pie

    1 nine inch frozen pie crust (do NOT pre-bake)
    8-10 Jonathan, McIntosh or your choice of apple, peeled and sliced

    Fill unbaked piecrust with apples. Mound them high because they cook down considerably.

    Mix: ½ c. sugar and 1 tsp. Ground Cinnamon and sprinkle over apples.

    Topping:
    ½ c. granulated sugar
    ¾ c. flour
    1/3-c. butter cut in chunks

    Blend together with a fork until well combined, yet it will still be lumpy. Sprinkle over apples.

    Bake at 400 degrees for 40 minutes.

    Reply 1 Reply
    1. Jana says…
      11/21/2011

      That's our favorite apple pie recipe too! It's called Apple Crumble pie out of the Better Homes red checkered cookbook. We make it every Thanksgiving - happily I pulled an already cooked one out of the freezer a couple of weeks ago - SCORE! It was from 2 years ago - dated 2009... don't remember putting it in there! Sweet surprise - it was delish! So, make a lot - they freeze well!

  20. Megan W says…
    11/21/2011

    America's Test Kitchen/Cook's Illustrated has an amazing double crust apple pie recipe. Also, if you like cheesecake, they have an even more amazing pumpkin cheesecake recipe. We're making both in our house!

    Reply 0 Replies
  21. kelly libby says…
    11/21/2011

    I make apple crisp instead of a pie. I always loved my mom's apple crisp as a child and when I came home from college I always requested her to bake a batch for me. An entire batch would disappear into our family's bellies the very same day. However, for some reason, nobody made it anymore, so a few years back I found the recipe. Now, my sister's kids and I bake it together on Thanksgiving day. A great memory in the making for all of us... Happy Thanksgiving!!!

    Reply 1 Reply
    1. Anita says…
      11/22/2011

      A SUPER EZ APPLE CRISP -
      1 cup oats
      2/3 cup brown sugar
      1/2 cup flour
      1/2 cup melted butter
      Stir all the above together. Put a 20 oz. can of apple pie filling in a pie pan (or individual ramekins) and top with the crumbled topping. Bake in a 350 oven for 20 minutes or until filling is bubbling. (This may be Jacques Pepin's fast & easy recipe.)

  22. Valerie says…
    11/21/2011

    mmmm....nothing like pie, is there? Check the Kraft website for their double-layer pumpkin pie with the ginger snap crust....beyond yummy! Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family.

    Reply 0 Replies
  23. Sarah says…
    11/21/2011

    pie recipes @ pioneerwoman.com = happiness!

    Reply 0 Replies
  24. shellyp says…
    11/21/2011

    I have a friend who makes a pumpkin dessert that she calls Pumpkin Love. It is so good! I don't think there really is a recipe for it, it's kinda a cross between a pudding and something else lol but I don't really know how to describe it other than yummy. I do know it's made with a can of pumpkin pie filling and a vanilla cake mix, and kinda not baked all the way, and sprinkled with cinnamon on top and then whipped cream...has any one had something like this? Happy Thanksgiving Ali!

    Reply 0 Replies
  25. Noell says…
    11/21/2011

    Just want to say how much I love your hair at this long length, Ali!

    Reply 0 Replies

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