Thankful Thursday: Thanksgiving 2014 Edition

 Happy Thanksgiving! 

Thanksgiving is becoming my most favorite holiday of the year.  Food!  Family!  I love it all!  My post aboutThanksgiving and how food is so much more than food was published on HuffingtonPost (which I am totally thankful to be published there)!  I would be so grateful if you clicked on over and shared your thoughts on food!

Making my traditional coconut cream pie.  Why am I making coconut cream pie?
Click on the link to my new Huff Po piece that explains
how coconut cream pie = love and acceptance

Here is a recap of my November’s Thankful Thursday posts:

I started the month out with a family adventure to Detroit for some culture, which led us to going to the Polish Village in Hamtramck. 

I talked about how running outside has changed me.  I alsotalk about how I am not sure who I am anymore since 10 years ago, I would havenever believed that I would like nature and running.

I ended the month withan easy DIY Thanksgiving craft where I experiment with chalkboard paint and ModPodge.  I also talk about how craftingwith the sole purpose of having fun is helping me embrace a more adventurousattitude toward life.

Hope you have a very happy Thanksgiving!

     

Best of Pinterest: Thanksgiving Edition

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving!  I know it seems passé to talk about “that other holiday” right now since Target has had their Christmas decorations up since mid-October.  Before Thanksgiving becomes a memory clouded by the flurry of Christmas cheer, I wanted to share another Best of Pinterest post with you, a mash up of photo tips and recipes. (Pinterest, I love you more and more each day)! (Also, please feel free to follow me on Pinterest since that is where I spend 75% of my time).

 Last week, Iwrote a post at Detroit New MichMoms about the meaning of the non-traditional dessertsI make at Thanksgiving.  Here are some glamour shots of the food.  (Or where I pretend that I am a food blogger).

This is my gluten-free creation inspired creation.  I took this recipe created by Living Wright atHome that I found on Pinterest, but instead of using cookies (which contain evil gluten), I made some cinnamon roasted pecans for the crunch.  Dee-lish!

I think my gluten-free aunt looks happy.
 And that makes me happy.  Win for everyone!

These chocolate chip cookies are the most moist, delicious cookies I have ever made. I used this recipe by Apple a Day.  These are my new go-to cookie recipe.

This is my favorite Thanksgiving dessert of all time.  Coconut cream pie: it is tradition.  Thanksgiving would not be Thanksgiving without it.

How did I make all these photos look good enough to eat?  I read this super helpful post byHello, Lidy about photographing food.  Very helpful, yet easy for a Photoshop novice, such as myself.

Have you found anything awesome on Pinterest lately?  I would love to hear all about it!

What Do You Think Thursdays with The Skinny Scoop: The Tale of the Coconut Cream Pie and Thanksgiving

I’ve been busy this week. Here’s my links to my Macomb Patch and Whole Living posts. Let me know what you think.



One week until Thanksgiving. I love Thanksgiving. There is awesome food, yet without all the pressure of Christmas. Win!



To be truthful, I have never hosted Thanksgiving. I am seriously considering it since I have been working on my aversion to raw poultry. Even though I have yet to host Thanksgiving, I like to think that I pull my weight in the contributions that I make to the meal.



My specialty (by default) is desserts. I like to focus on the classics: I make an incredible pumpkin pie courtesy of the recipe found on the Libby pumpkin can, and I make the most luscious coconut cream pie you have ever tasted. (My secret is the Jell-O Cook N’ Serve pudding).



What? Coconut cream pie isn’t considered a Thanksgiving classic in your home? Seriously?



Well, it wasn’t until recently that I even liked pumpkin pie. And apple pie? I just don’t think I’ll ever like apple pie. The texture is just gross.



In the spirit of recognizing and accepting my individuality, my mom made me coconut cream pies for Thanksgiving. How awesome is that? I wasn’t to be left out of the festivities because I didn’t like The Official Desserts of Thanksgiving. I wasn’t criticized for not fitting into the apple pie box or pumpkin pie box.



Coconut cream pie symbolizes that I was heard.



And seriously? What is there not to like about coconut cream pie? Its sweetened coconut swirled together with creamy vanilla pudding is heavenly. The toasted coconut on top of a mound of whip cream is simply divine.



Except that Thomas and Marie don’t like it. I think it has something to do with the texture . . . which I totally understand because I repulsed by apple pie.



To continue the legacy of recognizing and accepting individuality, I am honoring Marie’s request to make chocolate chip cookies.



They may not seem like the obvious choice for Thanksgiving, but I’m sure that neither did coconut cream pie. But after thirty some years later, coconut cream pie is synonymous with Thanksgiving.



And now I’m sure that chocolate chip cookies will be, too.



So let me ask you this:

View this question on Skinnyscoop

Have a great weekend!