day twelve

tomorrow will be the first time in 22 years that i will not eat thanksgiving dinner with the family that is my mother, father, sister, dog and grandmother ... sometimes we have friends come, too.  some diners will only eat with their true love, others with extended family, sitting around a large table.  either way, i look at my restaurant as my home...a home with 58 tables. 

we are in the hospitality business for a reason. we like to provide and serve others.  when you come in to dine, i hope that we can share a laugh or two, because for that night, you will be my family.  i hope that if you are dining out tomorrow, you will extend thanks and warm wishes to the people serving around you.

family isn't just your brother, sister, mom, dad, uncle, or even dog. i will celebrate this thanksgiving with my tables and my family at the restaurant, a clan that is so tight knit you would think we could accomplish anything together.  like a family, we are a team ... we might not help with the laundry but we sure do help in other ways to help make service more efficient and effective.  i am so thankful and blessed to work with an amazing staff, i wouldn't want anyone else as my second family to spend holidays, laughter, good & bad tips, and yes, sometimes tears with.

i am thankful for the gifts that God has blessed me in my daily life -- health, happiness, friendships, a job, and safety.  chances are, if you are reading this, you are an integral part of my life, and i thank you for sharing it with me.

i love love love these thanksgiving give thanks cards.  you can even make some homemade and get the conversation rolling.

i also wanted to share a pecan recipe from Garden & Gun magazine.  this version uses bourbon, and i used blanton's. i did use a little more than the recipe called for because it might as well be a nightcap, too.

i made it before thanksgiving, just to test drive, and i made it again last night, to share with my restaurant family.  I used my own crust recipe but the filling is to-die, (and so easy) so i'll share that with you.

pre-heat oven to 350.

3/4 cup granulated sugar

1 1/2 cups dark corn syrup (i used an entire bottle)

1/2 tsp salt

1 1/2 tsp. all purpose flour

3 large eggs

1 1/2 tsp vanilla

2 tbsp. bourbon

1 1/2 tbsp. melted butter

1 3/4 cup pecans

using hand mixer, combine sugar, syrup, salt, flour and eggs, mixing well. stir in bourbon, melted butter, pecans. bake in preheated oven for 1 hour and 15 minutes (a toothpick should come out clean when inserted in center).  allow pie to rest for 2-3 hours to set. 

enjoy your thanksgiving holiday i hope you and your family make it an extra special occasion, this year.

the very best, always,

alexandra