Thankgiving Yummy Recipes

We spent thanksgiving with my dad's side of the family. Thirty-five people gathered round the table (ok, tables) for the feast. Everyone was assigned dishes to bring.

My mom and I made: salad, Sweet Potato Casserole, 2 pumpkin pies, pumpkin cheesecake, and Chocolate Chip Pie.

I was particularly pleased with the end result of the Sweet Potato Casserole - it was nothing like the monstrosity that mom typically makes - candied yams (made from canned sweet potatoes topped with marshmellows).

Judging by the amount consumed and the compliments heaped on it - the Sweet Potato Casserole was a success!

Sweet Sweet Potato Casserole

INGREDIENTS
5 large sweet potatoes, peeled and quartered
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
2/3 cup whipping cream
2.5 tablespoons butter, melted
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 1/3 cups pecans
1 cup flaked coconut
1 teaspoon cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon all-spice

DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Lightly grease a medium baking dish.
Boil the sweet potatoes in a large saucepan approximately 10 minutes, or until tender.
In a large bowl, mix together the sweet potatoes, brown sugar, cinnamon, all-spice, cream, butter, 1/2 of the pecans and flour. Transfer the mixture to the baking dish. Sprinkle with remaining pecans and coconut.
Bake 30 minutes in the preheated oven.

The other recipe that got rave reviews is the Chocolate Chip Pie - a recipe stolen from my sweet friend, Monika. I've made it several times - including entering it in the Bake-Off at my work, for which it was awarded 2nd place. It's very rich, very delicious, and very easy!

Chocolate Chip Pie

INGREDIENTS

2 eggs
1/2 cup flour
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup butter, melted
1 cup chocolate chips
1 cup walnuts, chopped
9" unbaked pie shell

DIRECTIONS

Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.

In a large bowl, beat the eggs until foamy. Add flour, sugars, and butter; beat until blended. Stir in chocolate chips and nuts.

Spoon into pie shell and bake for 1 hour.

Thanksgiving with the Family

J.T. and I alternate spending Thanksgiving with each of our families. Last Thanksgiving, we celebrated with his family out at Turkey Creek Ranch in Cross Plains.

This Thanksgiving was spent in the typical Hastie way - a mammoth feast with a gaggle of family followed by a hayride. This year was no exception!

Following are some pictures:

Here we are after dinner... cousin Lauren on far left, my dad in the background, and me on the right.

My cousins Sophia and Julia with their chic new haircuts.

Out on the hayride - my dad's sister Marilyn and baby cousin Rachael and my cousins Amanda and Shay.

My Grandaddy being silly.

The whole group on the hayride.

As usual, Cooper got lots of lovin'

Here I am with my cousin Jessica's 2 week old baby, Coulter.

My sweet uncle, David. He looks tough, but he's a teddy bear!

And finally...

"Honey, can we have one soon?"