Once Thanksgiving is past, we quickly slip into Christmas mode at our house.  The autumn decorations can't get put away fast enough before the Christmas trees and holiday decorations start appearing.  It's always such a nice surprise and happy memory to pull out favorites from years past, whether its decorations or holiday cookie recipes!  And one of the other favorites from years past are these wonderful White Chocolate & Peppermint Chocolate Sugar Cookies - always one of the first batch of cookies baked and happily devoured!

​These are the perfect holiday cookie - soft chocolate sugar cookies with a crispy edge and tender cookie center, dipped in silky white chocolate and sprinkled with crushed peppermint candy canes. 

It's hard to imagine, but there are a few folks out there that aren't crazy for traditional Thanksgiving pies...they don't want any pumpkin, or pecan, or fresh cherry pie - not even Caramel Apple Pie calls to them!  And in order to keep all of the natives happy, Mama is making some Buckeye Brownie Pie.  Chocolate and peanut butter?  Who doesn't love that?

​Even more wonderful that it looks!  Let's start with a moist and chewy dark chocolate brownie, and top it with the creamiest, swirliest Peanut Butter Buttercream ever! 

I don't always do separate posts for icings, but this one is so special that I just needed to share it with you!  Peanut Butter Buttercream Frosting - so perfect, so packed with peanut butter flavor, and the perfect consistency to hold frosting ribbons, swirls and twirls! And if the perfect flavor and texture aren't enough, the beautiful caramel color just screams "peanut butter" - YUM! 

​And it tastes even more creamy and dreamy than it looks!  I know you'll love this on cupcakes, brownies and cakes.  Perfect for chocolate, vanilla and banana cakes, or fudgy brownies.  My little ones (and even the bigger ones) will pinky-wrestle over who gets to lick off the beaters and clean out the bowl!

Of all the recipes in my cookbook and on this blog, this Crab Fettuccine Alfredo is the one that is always requested for birthdays and special events.  Tender and fresh fettucine noodles, loaded with delicate crab meat and creamy flavor, it never disappoints! 

​I've tweaked the process slightly from previous versions, and the result is so rich and creamy - and lightened up just a bit! 

As much as my family loves Fresh Cherry Pie, I didn't think there was anything I could do to improve it.  But boys and girls, today is a new day!  And we're gonna start with a new kind of Cherry Almond Pie that is going to knock.your.socks.off!

​My Fresh Cherry Pie has just the slightest hint of almond in it...and the secret ingredient in this pie takes that delicate almond flavor to a whole new level.  Not to mention crunchy almonds around the edge of a buttery and flaky pie crust.  It's simply cherry almond pie perfection!

There is nothing like a fresh apple pie baking in the oven...unless it's apple crisp! And for those times when you can't decide, this is the pie for you - Apple Crumble Pie!  And with all the craziness in our lives right now, sometimes just to sit down with your honey and share a piece of warm pie is EXACTLY what you need to relax and enjoy the moment, and count your blessings!

​Flaky and buttery crust, stuffed with tender cinnamon-sugared apple slices, and topped with all of the things we love in apple crisp - toasted pecans, oatmeal and brown sugar!  I've made this pie TWICE in the last week, and it has disappeared as fast as it cools down! 

Although I generally try to keep this site "family favorite recipe related", we had a little bit of excitement Sunday night while I was working on this blog.  A monster storm with 90-125 mph winds moved unexpectedly and very quickly through Ohio and into Pennsylvania.  Luckily I had just turned my computer off before the power went out - and before the trees fell on the house - right above my desk and where I was sitting!  To say that the earth shook is an understatement!  And while we lost four beautiful sugar maple trees in the backyard, we also had trees down and on top of the front of the house and two cars.  No power, monsoon rains, and the most incredible wind I have ever heard in my life.  Mile after mile of BIG trees down, everywhere.  Everyone has been asking for photos, so I thought I would share them with you.  No one was hurt - and that is really all that matters!  We are truly blessed!

Fooled you!  I'll bet you thought I was going to start off our official "pie month" with something sweet - but take one look at this homemade Chicken Pot Pie, and you'll know why I'm sharing it first.  And after you take one bite, you'll be in love too!

​So flaky, so savory and creamy...I've made this twice in the last week and everyone keeps asking for more!  And this really is the perfect pie for November!  Even if you LOVE tender chicken in this, it is just made for leftover Thanksgiving roast turkey as well!