Notes| from the Fox Den

Welcome to this week’s edition of the Fox Den!

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving and you were able to spend time with friends, family and loved ones.

As tends to happen most holidays, Mr. Fox was out of state for work. His two week rotation has him missing both Thanksgiving and Christmas at home most years, so we will celebrate later this week once he is back home.

I was fortunate enough to spend time with family and ate dinner with one of my brothers. I loved being surrounded by my nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great nephews. Being an aunt is one of my favorite things.

For almost a decade now I have been on pie duty when it comes to family events. This honor used to belong to my mother, who was one of the best cooks I have ever known. I always loved helping her in the kitchen, and feel very blessed that she was able to pass along the joys of cooking.

Unfortunately, as she got older and her eye sight wasn’t as good as it used to be, she inadvertently tried to send us all to the dentist when she added non-pitted cherries to one pie. The following year was when the cherry pie responsibility was passed on to me.

In the beginning I stuck to a very basic, lattice work crust; however, over the last several years I have started adding more intricate crusts.

I began with cookie cutters and braided edges and then began teaching myself how to do roses. Since then, at least one rose has been included in almost every design I have completed.

This year’s Thanksgiving design has become my favorite, and most detailed, one so far. This took me just under two hours to complete and I enjoyed every second of it. Especially when those eating it say it tastes as good as it looks.

I am already dreaming up ideas for the Christmas design and I am open to suggestions from my readers. You can send your idea(s) to me by email at herald@mediactr.com.
I am hoping that I will be able to pass along my love of cooking and crust designs to at least one of my nieces to ensure the tradition continues when I am gone.

Until next time, have a great week!