S'mores Pie!

My first Thanksgiving pie that I didn't make while following the recipe off the back of the pumpkin can!! This recipe was featured on Epicurious in their popular Thanksgiving segment. I was a little anxious about it since part of the prep work involved me buying a candy thermometer and pie shield, and dusting off the stand mixer...but I really wanted a challenge in the kitchen.

The graham cracker crust- baked and cooled.

Chopped up blocks of fine chocolate and then melted it with boiling heavy cream.

Chocolate filling- baked and cooled....again.

Marshmallow topping- boiled til 240 degrees and then whipped the shit out of it! Like, 8min. on high.

Spooning the marshmallow into center of pie...it then spread to make a gorgeous topping!

Ahh...I'm in love with this pie! I kept opening up the fridge door just to admire it. Yes, it's cooling AGAIN!

Broil the top while watching it like a hawk!

The result? Toasted marshmallow and chocolate s'mores pie!! Sounds good doesn't it?! IT WAS!!!

Thanksgiving Dinner 2009

Last night was our first Thanksgiving dinner in Casa de Schmidt. It was just the two of us, as it always is these days, but it was still a GREAT day for me. It is one of my favorite days of the year and I start my menu planning early and I even LOVE my grocery shopping preparations! I started cooking at around 7am and dinner was on the table at 5:30 pm....a Schmidt family RECORD!!!

Schmidt Dining Room Menu

Turkey-stuffed with Apples, Shallots, Rosemary and White Wine
Savory Mushroom Bread Pudding
Horseradish Mashed Potatoes w. Caramelized Onions
Roasted Root Vegetables
Mache Salad w. Creole Vinaigrette
Cranberry Sauce
S'mores Pie (that pie deserves it's own post!)


I've made a family stuffing recipe for YEARS before I decided to try something new last year and LOVED it. Bryan did finally admit last night that this one is a little egg-y for him, so I think I'll try different one next year.

We both love this mashed potatoes recipe. Yummy creamy horseradish and sweet caramelized onions? You CAN'T go wrong!

I kinda winged it with this dish. I knew I wanted roasted root veggies, but I couldn't find a recipe that had the veggies I wanted, so I just bought what I needed myself and loosely followed some guidelines. I chose sweet potatoes, turnips, parsnips, shallots and whole garlic cloves. Geezus- it was delicious!!

My beloved cranberry sauce! I made it for one this year, since Bryan doesn't care for it. But I DON'T CARE!! I love this stuff!!

Yay for Turkey Day! Gobble, gobble, gobble...

A drive through West Virginia

My Thanksgiving vacation began with a drive home from my client's farm in West Virginia on Monday. I happen to really love road trips, so that morning I woke up with a smile on my face. All I had to do that day was sit in a car and drive through beautiful countryside? Bliss!!!

First things first- I sipped my morning coffee outside with this gorgeous view.

As far as the eye could see...

There were deer grazing down by the creek when we woke up that morning.

Their property was in a pretty rural area and the most impressive thing about the drive was that it seemed as if I was the only person around for miles!

I stopped my car in the road to take this shot. No other cars in sight!

Hello-o-o-o-o...

Super curvy roads going through some mountains. I thought of Bryan and the bike...

The drive was a total of 5hrs. I was slowed down a bit once I got back into DC to drop off the client car and transfer stuff into mine. But still, it was perfect timing for meeting Bryan for dinner. A perfect way to start a week off!

Baby takes Manhattan

I love NYC in the fall. Better yet, I love it with a baby even more. It's true. You see, the number of times I've maneuvered that city with a baby strapped in a stroller FAR outnumber the times I've been there alone. After all, it's certainly no secret that I worked my twenties away. I do what I love and it's easy for time to just slip away. Anyway, this 2 day trip with my client was a short and sweet one. We were on a United shuttle early on Thursday and back again on Friday night.

Lunch with a view.

I met my cousin Carlos for lunch on the corner of 5th and 49th. It was so perfect that we did it both days.

I met the best street vendor I've ever encountered in NYC, ever. He was selling his daughter's artwork outside of MOMA! Frame-ready prints and a self-published picture book that is quite lovely.

Bedros Zerdelian - Awesome father

Resting our tired feet.

Our second day was supposed to be our busy shopping day.....until the rain came.