Covid Journal, Day 279: Pie Day

30 this morning, heavy frost. Clear, then cloudy toward evening.

The birds are feeding heavy these days. Today they were really busy, as if they knew a snowstorm is heading our way tomorrow night. 

I was in the kitchen again all day, this time making pies. How I do love to bake. I have to admit, though, i have never learned to make pretty crimped pie edges. Ah well, they all eat the same. Today was pumpkin, apple, and mincemeat and cherry tarts. Two apple pies because that's the family favorite.

I also made some brownies. I found this recipe that uses instant chocolate pudding. I rarely have instant mixes, and these have been around a while, bought for some purpose I can no longer remember. So I thought I'd try the brownie recipe. They are delicious. I made some plain, and the second batch I used cherry juice instead of vanilla, and put maraschino cherries on top, one for each brownie when cut. They came out lovely--I dusted with confectionery sugar to dress them up a bit. I doubt I'll ever make them with the pudding mix again since it's not something I usually buy, but it was an interesting change.

And then there was one more batch of cookies. These were to use up some bits and pieces left over. The recipe was for chocolate chunk cookies, on the back of the package, but I added dried cranberries, white chocolate chips, and hazelnut pieces along with the chocolate chunks. Delicious. 

Last night Larry took the neighbors' cookie plates and kahlua around, so a lot of cookies left the house, a good thing. I have plenty for my family, that's for sure. 

Tomorrow, if the weather cooperates, we will pick up our youngest son at the airport in Charleston. I am so looking forward to seeing him; it's been a long year with no visits. We are supposed to have some heavy rain, then snow Christmas Eve night and morning, so please pray that the weather cooperates long enough to get him here. I would hate for him to be stuck in some airport at Christmas. Weather this time of year is so tricky.

I listened--several times--to Bruce Cockburn's Christmas album as I cooked today. This song, Early on One Christmas Morn, is one of my favorites--perfect for baking! 

Right now there is venison stew cooking in the crockpot, to be put in the fridge for tomorrow evening. I have enjoyed getting ready for Christmas this year, because we had the time to really concentrate on it. Not even one trip to Wal-Mart for us. It's been nice to really sink into the joy of it. I hope you have had a as nice a time as we have. 

Merry Christmas Eve Eve, everyone!

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