Thanksgiving In New Hampshire
God, I'm still so tired. I went to bed at a reasonable hour last night and woke up at 10:00 and still my eyes were dragging today. So tired of being tired.
Yesterday was just really nice. I woke up far too late but then redeemed myself by going for a hearty 4-mile walk around Medway (which is what we call the house--Medway was the name of the plantation or some such where Liz grew up). The countryside in this area of New Hampshire is so beautiful and perfect, it's just staggering. Everywhere I looked there was a beautiful rolling field bounded by stone walls, or a quaint churchyard, or horses quietly nibbling. Just mile after mile of rural New England beauty. I could never live here again--the weather is vicious in the winter--but one thing I love about New Hampshire is how authentic it is, at least in this area.
We had a lovely yummy meal with the usual side dishes. I'd made a pecan pie--my own recipe, with rum and creme de cacao and caramel--and everyone tried a piece. I've been on a pie-making binge lately--three pies in three weeks, thanks to my oven (my last apartment didn't have an oven). I've made two pecan pies and one pumpkin. When I get back, I'm going to knock out another pumpkin, and then maybe I'll try a chess pie. Chess pie is a Southern specialty; it's like pecan pie without the pecans, and it's clearer. It's damn good. Mostly I've had chocolate chess or lemon chess pie, but my grandmother would just make plain old chess pie. So, so good.
Liz has recently learned to knit, and Karine (my sister-in-law) and I are both experienced knitters, so the three of us have been getting together for knitathons. They're enjoying themselves, because they're using big needles and have these festive yarns, whereas I'm still slogging through Ryan's sweater. I can't wait 'til it's done. I feel like I'm being punished! We went to a knitting store today and I was looking longingly at these beautiful yarns and patterns. I did end up buying a sweater pattern that will look very pretty when it's done--it's an easy pattern and shouldn't take long.
We went to my favorite local restaurant today, Peter Christian's. It's this old taverny kind of place, with rough-hewn wooden tables, cozy booths and lots of mugs. The food is great here.
Yesterday was just really nice. I woke up far too late but then redeemed myself by going for a hearty 4-mile walk around Medway (which is what we call the house--Medway was the name of the plantation or some such where Liz grew up). The countryside in this area of New Hampshire is so beautiful and perfect, it's just staggering. Everywhere I looked there was a beautiful rolling field bounded by stone walls, or a quaint churchyard, or horses quietly nibbling. Just mile after mile of rural New England beauty. I could never live here again--the weather is vicious in the winter--but one thing I love about New Hampshire is how authentic it is, at least in this area.
We had a lovely yummy meal with the usual side dishes. I'd made a pecan pie--my own recipe, with rum and creme de cacao and caramel--and everyone tried a piece. I've been on a pie-making binge lately--three pies in three weeks, thanks to my oven (my last apartment didn't have an oven). I've made two pecan pies and one pumpkin. When I get back, I'm going to knock out another pumpkin, and then maybe I'll try a chess pie. Chess pie is a Southern specialty; it's like pecan pie without the pecans, and it's clearer. It's damn good. Mostly I've had chocolate chess or lemon chess pie, but my grandmother would just make plain old chess pie. So, so good.
Liz has recently learned to knit, and Karine (my sister-in-law) and I are both experienced knitters, so the three of us have been getting together for knitathons. They're enjoying themselves, because they're using big needles and have these festive yarns, whereas I'm still slogging through Ryan's sweater. I can't wait 'til it's done. I feel like I'm being punished! We went to a knitting store today and I was looking longingly at these beautiful yarns and patterns. I did end up buying a sweater pattern that will look very pretty when it's done--it's an easy pattern and shouldn't take long.
We went to my favorite local restaurant today, Peter Christian's. It's this old taverny kind of place, with rough-hewn wooden tables, cozy booths and lots of mugs. The food is great here.