Pie was the high point of MY thanksgiving, I don’t know about you. Remarkably interesting “incidents” and humorous family happenings afforded fascinating entertainment of considerable educational value. Did he have to take curmudgeon so literally? Why do people choose to live like this?  I can’t tell you why.

But then again, there was pie. Chocolate pecan pie: 

And sour cream pumpkin pie: 

And both were very, very good. I have a new crust recipe that involves freezing various things at various points. I was supposed to knead it inside the safe confines of a plastic freezer bag, but I decided that was taking things too far.

I like how baking is like craft and like science, and there are many, many different ways to do the same thing, and it takes a long time but not in a self-conscious way, and then the end product gets consumed. And it tastes good.

I am taking a few days to deal with the various issues I’ve been avoiding. Like that cell phone that doesn’t turn on, and my piles of junk mail, and jasper’s unfortunate new habits.

I like creating order out of chaos.

1. This is some beautiful type. 

2. I spent Thursday night at the NY Art Book Fair, Printed Matter’s yearly artist book fest. Why is it always hot no matter where they hold it or when it is? I drank some disappointing cocktails and looked at a lot of books. Drawn and Quarterly were there, happily with this lovely book by Julie Doucet.

She’s my fantasy guest artist I’d like to bring to my unnamed place of employment. Did you know this was a translation?

That means she drew the entire book in french, then re-lettered the entire damn thing in English. Does that amaze you as much as it amazes me?

3. Today, I made parsnip-carrot-sweet potato pancakes, apple-blueberry crumble pie, and roasted some squash. I have now used up the last of my CSA fall vegetable crop. I have blueberry juice all over the bottom of the oven. 

4. This place cannot be. 

5. The wall is coming along nicely, thank you. 

Six apples, Three very large random australian? apples, and three winesaps. 

Some brown sugar, some cinnamon, some granulated sugar , cornstarch and lemon juice. 

Crust is half crisco and half butter. 

Pie. I’m on a pie-baking kick, I think.