Nanny's Pecan Pie

Growing up I spent a lot of time with my maternal grandmother, whom I called "Nanny".   I enjoyed being with her as she always had something interesting going on.  Nanny was an excellent cook, gardener and seamstress.  My parents named me after her as they chose her middle name to be my middle name too! 

In 1983 she made a very special Christmas present for all the married women in the family.  A recipe book filled with all her best and most popular dishes, called Nanny's This and That.  One of those recipes was for her pecan pie. 

In recent years I have made this pie a lot.  It never fails to garner high compliments.  I think one of the reasons people like it is because it is not too sweet as some pecan pies can be.  We (my husband loves this so much he wanted to learn how to make them too) just made 4 last week for Thanksgiving.  Two to take to family get-togethers and two to keep at home.  It is Monday and they are gone, gone, gone.  But fortunately for you, today, I am going to share this recipe with you!

Nanny's Pecan Pie

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

1 1/2 cups light brown sugar packed

1 1/2 cups light or dark corn syrup (I use light corn syrup)

2 tablespoons butter or oleo softened

3 tablespoons flour (all purpose)

1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla

1 1/4 teaspoon salt

5 eggs beaten 

2 cups broken pecan pieces

2 regular 9-inch pie shells (do not use deep dish)

Combine flour and sugar.  Mix well.  Add butter.  Beat with wooden spoon to combine.

Stir in syrup and eggs.  Combine well.

Add vanilla and salt.  Add broken pecans.  Mix well.

Carefully pour into pie shells.

Bake 35 to 45 minutes.  

Cool completely before serving.

Serve plain or with vanilla ice cream.  Delicious!

We used some whole pecans to decorate the top of the pie.  

Another reason this recipe is dear to me is because of the book she made for us.  She hand wrote the recipes then my Aunt made mimeographed copies.  She also wrote a special letter to us which is in the very front of the book.

 Nanny then sewed fabric to the cover.  Look how ingenious!

 

  

As you can see in the pictures this book has seen much wear and tear.  It has been well loved and much used since 1983. Nanny is no longer with us.  She went to be with the Lord in 1988.  Thank you Nanny for giving us something very precious that we can treasure and enjoy for years to come!  

Come back tomorrow to learn who won the $25.00 give away from Vintage Townsquare! 

Thanks for stopping by!  Libby~

A Thanksgiving Table for the Evening

Hi friends~

I hope you are enjoying this day with close family and friends, eating lots of food and having a grand ole time.  I quickly wanted to post some pictures of the Thanksgiving Table I set last night.  We did not have all the family this year.  But my husband still smoked 2 turkey breasts and a pork loin.  Nothing better than a turkey sandwich on the day after Thanksgiving!!  Later today we are headed to the big family gathering.  I am to take 2 pecan pies for the occasion.  I better get cracking!!

My colors were cream and brown with touches of muted orange and green.  I used a Quaker Lace tablecloth which gives this tablescape a nice old-fashioned look, I think.  In the center of the table I used a brown linen runner.  Then added my collection of creamware pitchers.  Then filled in with ceramic pumpkins and fresh pine cones.  A couple votive candles add warmth. 

 

In the very center I placed a creamy pedestal dish filled with small pine cones and a candle. 

At the last minute I added an unusual touch.  For place cards I used the trays and tiles from a Scrabble game!!  I had been on the lookout at garage sales and thrift stores for some games to use for different craft projects.  Up until yesterday, I couldn't find any.  However, yesterday I found two at one of my regular thrift stores!  One cost .59 cents and one .79 cents, Yeah!  For the blog I just spelled out attributes like thankful, peace, hope, love, grace etc.  You of course would put real names. 

   

For greater texture, I used woven place mats at each setting.  I used creamy plates with a brown rim that I had and picked up some dark green salad plates to set on top.  I am going to enjoy having these to use in the future to add variety to our dishes.   I then used woven napkin rings and creamy linen napkins. 

Glasses were some old-fashioned goblets that my Mom gave me.  Our silverware is the Dover pattern by Oneida.  They were a wedding present over 30 years ago.  I have to say they have held up really well.  But I only use them on special occasions.  

Next, I want to add a few pictures from my harvest, Thanksgiving decor around the house.  All of this will be coming down this weekend to make way for Christmas.

Home Sweet Home it is!

View of the autumn wreath from inside the house.  I like the way this looks through the leaded glass.

Come back tomorrow to learn all about winning a $25.00 gift certificate to shop at Vintage Townsquare!  

“And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” 

- Colossians 3:17

Thanks for stopping by!!  Libby~

Linking to Tablescape Thursday at Between Naps on the Porch!