Adding Memories this Thanksgiving with Traditions – New and Old

Thanksgiving is just around the corner, and I can hardly wait! In my opinion, it is one of the most important holidays of the year. Setting aside time to spend with loved ones and give gratitude for the many blessings the year has granted us is crucial to our well being. Whether life has been kind, or brought challenges to overcome, giving thanks for what we have is what makes living all the more worthwhile. This year, in an effort to bring together the generational gaps and add memories that will have us yearning for next years Thanksgiving – I’m making sure the holiday is filled with lots of family traditions.

White pumpkin $1, $4, $8

Some traditions have already been long established in our family, and we are holding tight to those. The breaking of the wishbone and saying something we’re grateful for along with grace before we dig in are traditions that we take part in every year. Another family favourite is our Afternoon Nature Walk. Every year, while my stepmom is tending to the important elements of putting dinner together, my dad leads the clan on a nature walk. I honestly think it started as a way to get the kids out of the kitchen (lol) but it’s something that stuck. Now we look forward to it every year. He guides us on a walk and makes sure we take note of the changing colours & smell of the leaves, we search for squirrels & bugs, and are sure to appreciate all of the life that exists around us. This walk is the most lovely way to kickstart the day!

Food is obviously the most common tradition around this holiday. Whether your family does a classic turkey dinner, or something different – a good meal is the main event. I began the tradition of Baking a Thanksgiving Pie with the kids last year and it’s one that I plan to keep up with. It’s something the three of us do together beforehand, and they are so proud to present their creation when it’s time for dessert. Also, as guests, bringing a food dish helps alleviate some of the work from the host. This year we’re making a whiskey sweet potato pie that is out of this world delicious! I’ll share the recipe if you’d like to give it a try! I'm not going to give the crust recipe, because mine's nothing to brag about, I'm still a novice! But the filling is too good not to share!

Autumn dishtowel (set of 2) - $19.99 | 12" Red Pakka Wood Spoon $14.99

Sweet potatoes - priced by weight | Egg holder $29.99 | Fall tag ornament $5.99 | Potato scrubber $12.99

• 1.5 lbs sweet potatoes (approx 2 medium/large)
• 6 TBSP unsalted butter
• 2/3 brown sugar
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1/4 cup whiskey
• 1 large egg plus 2 yolks
• 1 TBSP all purpose flour
• 1 TSP vanilla extract
• 1 TSP cinnamon
• 1/2 TSP nutmeg
• 1/2 TSP ground ginger
• 1/4 TSP ground cloves
• 1/8 TSP salt

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Make pie dough of choice. I put an egg wash on mine and let refrigerate while making the filling. 
3. Peel & quarter sweet potatoes and boil until very soft (approx 30 mins). Drain.
4. Allow sweet potatoes to mostly cool. Using a mixer, beat until smooth.
5. Add remaining ingredients and blend on high speed until smooth and combined.
6. Spread filling into pie crust and bake for approx 55 - 60 mins. Center should be slightly jiggly and toothpick should come out mostly clean.