Harvest

Someone once told me that your favorite season is the one you were born in. I suspect that doesn't apply to everyone, but it holds true for me. Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas are the perfect holiday trifecta, and my birthday comes just 6 days before the start of these celebrations.
I get why people don't like it. Commercialism and colder weather collide faster than you can say, "Bah, humbug." (Are they really playing Christmas music already?!) I myself am a realist and a cynic, but something inside me loves holidays. I love the changing hues. I love the mysterious smell of burning wood wafting from an invisible chimney miles away. I love seeing pumpkins appear on perfectly stacked hay.  I love sharing an amazing feast with family. I love picking out the perfect present for the humbugs in my life.

I plan on doing two desserts for Thanksgiving this year. They are both new: a pumpkin chocolate chip bread pudding and pecan meringue cookies. The cookies came about from a somewhat failed attempt at a Tea Room recipe.

Use the "pie crust" portion of this recipe and scoop spoonfuls onto a greased plan. Place a whole pecan on top. Bake.

They came out light, crisp, and melt-in-your-mouth. The whole pecan lent a velvety texture and a nice crunch. A perfect afterthought to any Thanksgiving meal.