Halloween Thanksgiving

the girls celebrated halloween on thanksgiving day this year. their costumes were on the boat with all our stuff and didn't get here until after halloween. so they dressed up for thanksgiving in their bunny costumes. dan hid candy in the hall's back garden and they went "trick-or-treating". it also felt a bit like easter with the girls dressed like bunnies and looking for candy. they had a great time!

later in the evening we had dinner with a few of our new friends in camden and a couple of other americans living in the city. we didn't all know each other, but we had a wonderful time together. we even watched a taped baltimore ravens game so all of our english friends were able to experiance a true american thanksgiving. we ate the usual turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes, gravy, cranberry sauce along with different vegetable dishes. i made the desserts. here are the recipes...



...gingerbread cookies slightly adapted from The Martha Stewart Living Christmas Cookbook
3 1/2 cups flour, plus more for the work surface
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon ground Cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1 teaspoon ground cloves
1 teaspoon allspice
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup butter, at room temperature
3/4 cup sugar
3/4 cup packed dark brown sugar
1 large egg
2 tablespoons dark corn sryup

In a medium bowl mix together flour, baking soda, all the spices, and salt. In the bowl of an electric mixer cream the butter and sugars on medium speed until light and fluffy. Add egg and corn syrup; beat until combined.

Add half the flour mixture to the butter mixture; beat on low speed until well combined. Add remaining flour mixture and beat until well combined. Wrap dough in plastic wrap and chill until firm; at least one hour.

Preheat oven to 350 F. On a floured work surface roll out the dough to a 1/4 inch thick. Cut out shapes using cookie cutters. Place cookies on a baking sheet and bake 6-8 minutes. Meanwhile gather the scraps together and roll out the dough again. and cut out more cookies.

i used the Wilton Leaves/Acorns Cookie Cutter set

...chocolate cake recipe is here

...pumpkin pie slightly adapted from the can of Libby's Pumpkin
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
2 large eggs
1 15 ounce can pumpkin puree
6 ounces cream
6 ounces milk
1 unbaked pie shell

Mix together the sugar, salt, and spices in a small bowl. Beat eggs in a large bowl. Stir in pumpkin and sugar-spice mixture. Gradually stir in cream and milk.

Pour into pie shell.

Bake for 15 minutes at 425 F. Then reduce the temperature to 350 F and bake for 40-50 minutes or until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean.

...apple pie recipe is here

...pecan pie slightly adapted from Emeril
1 unbaked pie shell
1 3/4 cups pecans
4 eggs, beaten
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup light brown sugar
1/2 cup dark corn syrup
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
pinch of salt
1/4 cup butter, melted
1 tablespoon flour

Spread the pecans evenly in the bottom of the pie crust. In a bowl whisk the eggs, sugar, brown sugar, corn syrup, vanilla, salt, butter, and flour together. Pour the mixture over the pecans. Bake for about 1 hour at 375 F or until set.