Life is so fast. Especially this time of year. I always have big plans that NEXT year I'll be more on top of things but somehow that never happens. Time really flies doesn't it? I honestly expected to share this pie for Thanksgiving but I didn't make it until after Thanksgiving Day and it is so beautiful with those red cranberries that I decided it looked more like a Christmas pie anyhow and so now it is!
This month my Progressive Eats crew is all about Holiday recipes. Some remembered fondly from years past but in my case something new and wonderful. The lovely Liz from the site That Skinny Chick Can Bake is our hostess this month; she made us do it!
I did just chuckle though...wondering why life seems to never have enough time while sharing the pie that took me hours to make because I wanted to decorate it with some adorable pie crust cutters I recently bought from Williams-Sonoma. I might be the main reason it gets crazy huh?
Still, it was fun. If you're on Instagram, there are a couple of people who make the most amazing pie crust decorations. I thought it seemed fun so I got my cutters and made my dough and I was all set to spend the time to do something while maybe not extraordinary, at least a bit out of the ordinary.
My plans were quickly modified when the boys up the street showed up. I need help getting all the boxes of Christmas decorations from the basement (no matter what else I can do...the long term affects of a broken leg always rear up when I'm trying to carry something up the stairs!); they are always such willing helpers and as a reward I promised them some pie crust cookies.
I had finished cutting out the shapes when they arrived in my kitchen and I was left just to decorate. And I love how it turned out BUT, I didn't really do my thing. I let the boys make a decision and we piled some leaves in the center and then I rushed; a failing I have when someone is around. I was telling a friend that I always do that when someone is waiting on me; whether they urge me to or not...I rush.
I'm best left to my creative ventures when I'm alone, when my perfectionism is not so clearly on display for someone else to see and I can spend as much time as I want in search of it. It's the same if someone wants to watch me shoot photos...I could easily take a hundred shots to capture three good photos but if someone is waiting...I'm done at twenty or twenty-five. I know this about myself and it is time to teach me a new trick...and not do it.
So I'll practice more making my own design some other day (expect more pies) and not call the boys until cookies are baked and it will be all good. In the meantime, I sure loved my favorite crust with this pie. Combining tart cranberries with tart apples and some orange in the perfect pie crust was nirvana.
The combination of tart and sweet was so perfect and unexpected. I admit, I love pecan pie but it needs a slice of this pie next to it to balance what can sometimes feel like tooth aching sweetness. Besides what can beat a red pie over the holidays? How perfect is that?
Welcome to Progressive Eats, our virtual version of a Progressive Dinner Party. Each recipe in our menu this month features an Old Fashioned Holiday Recipe, and our host is Liz who blogs at That Skinny Chick Can Bake.
If you're unfamiliar with the concept, a progressive dinner involves going from house to house, enjoying a different course at each location. With Progressive Eats it's a virtual party. A theme is chosen each month, members share recipes suitable for a delicious meal or party, and you can hop from blog to blog to check them out. Come along and see all of the delicious holiday dishes!
Old Fashioned Holiday Recipes
Appetizers Cocktails Main Courses Bread Side Dishes DessertsPIN 'Cranberry Apple Pie with Grand Marnier Whipped Cream'
