This year, the holidays started out slow. Left a bowl of candy on the step and went to a bar on Halloween, and saw the parade on Veteran's Day. But, as we all know, things are picking up speed! Next week is Thanksgiving. We moved our traditional pre- Thanksgiving potluck to a post-Thanksgiving leftovers feast! Much better, in my opinion. Today is Sunday, and it is the calm before the storm. I am gearing up for the holidays and for finals. The balancing act begins!
Next Wednesday is Baking Day. My mother recently had corrective carpal-tunnel surgery, so this year all baking will be done by me! As well as some of her chores. She will not sit still, and wanted to go to kickboxing the day after surgery! Silly mom.
So, let me break it down for you; Four pies. Four different crusts. Four fillings, and a meringue. Normally, this work is split between three women, and we make five desserts: three pies, a cake, and a mousse. This year, my spring/summer specialty blueberry pie will be making an appearance at the Thanksgiving table, thanks to a promise from mom. I will also be making the three traditional pies as well: apple, pumpkin, and lemon meringue.
We have a birthday that sometimes coincides with the holiday, and at times we may bring a four layer triple chocolate cake. Last year, we brought a pumpkin angel food cake. Sometimes, we break tradition and bring a pecan pie. One year, we brought a trifle.
Our special tradition is to bring a chocolate mousse. This year, I'm not sure I see that happening, because I just do not have the skill to create a meringue and a mousse on the same day. I will not be bringing two-day old desserts to my aunt's house. No sir! Not happening. My aunt lives in New Hampshire, so there is no time to bake in the morning, and she has a standard kitchen with one oven, so there wouldn't be space to bake there anyway. My sister's flight is coming in at 10:30 pm on Wednesday, and if she has her friends bring her home, she probably will get in the door at 1:30 or 2:00 am. This leaves me with one baker, myself, on baking day. So sadly, the mousse may fall by the wayside.
