Exotic Flowers in Boston

It's that time of year where we just can't wait to get the boxes of ornaments and tinsel down from the attic eaves and decorate the star of Christmas-our tree!  Many might believe that selecting any old variety will do and that there really isn’t much of a difference with the acceptation of cost but I can assure you that this is simply not true.  Trees come in a large selection of breeds and with a versatile array of characteristics including size, smell, shape and branch dispersion.  So if you want to be an educated arbor buyer this season, learn more about the choices you have and pick a tree that is perfect for you and your family.  Keep in mind that not all trees are grown in the New England region, so it is important to know as much as you can beforehand. 

Balsam Fir

The balsam fir is not only a New England tradition, but the best selling Christmas Tree at Exotic Flowers in Boston. Most Balsam firs sold in the Boston area come from Nova Scotia. The balsam fir has strong branches and beautiful scent. This fragrant Christmas tree evokes all types of wonderful Christmas memories.

                                                   photo credit: blog.honestabe.com

Douglas Fir

The Douglas Fir is one of the more higher in demand Christmas trees on lots because of its desirable pyramid shape and full body display.  The coloring of the tree is blue and green with a grey trunk that adapts as it ages, a feature that I believe exacerbates the beauty of holiday lights and brightly decorated ornaments.  An interesting fact about the Douglas Fir is that it remains the most frequently requested tree variety for shipment to exotic places such as Guam, Maui and countries within Asia.  This tree also holds the characteristic of longevity so if you are the type who loves to put up their Christmas decorations right after Thanksgiving and keep it up for weeks past; this is the right tree for you! 

Fraser Fir

This species is native to New England and enjoys being grown in colder climates, which makes this tree a solid choice for the frigid temperatures of Boston.   Since the Douglas Fir is commonly grows in nearby and comparative regions, it is usually well priced and affordable for our Christmas budgets since there is a natural abundance of them.  Other desirable traits include a strong pine perfume and needles that change from green to white as the needles grow from top to bottom.  Another alluring factor is that the trees are sometimes cut at shorter heights making them perfect for smaller rooms or apartments.  The Fraser Fir makes my top three list because it was my first Christmas tree, in my first apartment, on my first Christmas-a holiday that I fondly remember.  The fraser fir is always the hoice at the White House.

                                                            photo cedit:shorpy.com

Noble Fir

I love this breed and can attest that it is aptly named since its appearance is completely reflective in the description, “noble”.  Native to the woods and mountains of Oregon and California, you will want to make sure that the trunk is freshly cut since this variety has been trucked from the other side of the country for our special holiday season.  Consisting of pretty blue and green needles, the Noble Fir is idyllic for hanging ornaments since the branches curl up with an upward congruent to a cupped hand. The branches are often adequately separated to showcase several baubles and the tree usually has a body that is filled robustly with aromatic pine needles providing a lovely yuletide fragrance for your home. The Noble Fir is my husband's favorite tree.

Suzie Canale, Westwood Public Library, October 2014.

Suzie puts her Christmas tree up every year on December 11th, her son Lance's birthday.

We all know there are a million things to get done during the month of December in order to prepare for one of the biggest holidays of the year, Christmas!  Our lists are long and we sometimes find ourselves overwhelmed with trying to accomplish an impossible tally of tasks, at the end feeling apprehensive, uneasy and exhausted.  Well, that’s not the way the holiday season should be at all!  Christmas is about being together and enjoying the special spirit the yuletide season summons in all of us.  So how do we fix the Christmas frenzy of anxiety?  We get organized with a simple calendar that will help us get all of our undertakings accomplished while still having fun and enjoying Christmas for all of the magic that it brings.  Here is a schedule that works for me but design yours to suit your specific needs and agenda.

December 1^st    Break out the Christmas Advent for the Kids. Lego offers a really cute one with a new mini set daily. 

December 2^nd   Begin preparing the house for decorations by storing excess clutter

                            and knickknacks. 

 December 3^rd   Lights go up outside - white lights are my favorite!

 December 4^th  My husband's birthday. The Christmas Wreath is hung on the door and the Christmas cards are addressed. The Jimmy Fund offers beautiful holiday cards that Exotic Flowers send to its top clients.

 December 5^th   Make a complete list of gifts for family and friends.  It’s better to plan

                          ahead to defer from going over the budget. 

 December 6^th   Bake a cranberry pie and put in freezer to be stored until Christmas

                          for last minute hostess dessert needs.   

 December 7^th   String the rest of the cranberries for garland.  They are beautiful on

                          The tree!

 December 8^th   Gingerbread House Project Day!  One of the kid’s favorite activities!

 December 9^th    Make sure the kids have made their last and final version of their

                           Christmas lists.  You don’t want any new wish list surprises popping

                           up any later…

 December 10^th  The tree arrives!  Put in stand with water to allow the branches to

                             relax overnight.

 December 11^th  My son Lance's birthday. We have a tradition of putting up ours today. The tree is ready to                         be decorated with lights, tinsel, popcorn strands and ornaments!

 December 12^th   Buy Christmas pajamas for everyone!  Decorate the hearth with

                            candles and balsam garland. 

 December 13^th     Christmas bonuses for the mailman and paperboy. 

 December 14^th    Buy the wine for the holiday table.

                                                  photo credit: honeyandjam.com

December 15^th    Bake sugar cookies for the neighbors and package those that are to

                             be given as small gifts.

 December 16^th    Donate items to the local soup kitchen for their holiday feasts. 

                            make sure to include some children’s books for the kids.           

 December 17^th    Finish up any last minute Christmas present shopping and be

                             officially DONE!

 December 18^th    Plan your menu for Christmas dinner including everything

                             from the main course to the dessert.  Don’t forget the rolls!

 December 19^th     Finish wrapping all of the presents and hide them in the attic. 

December 20^th     Pick up the floral centerpiece from Exotic Flowers in Boston 

December 21^st     Brace yourself-its grocery store shopping day for your holiday

                              food!   

 December 22^nd    Grab stocking stuffers at CVS- make sure you don’t forget the

                              candy canes.

 December 23^rd     Prepare the side dishes that can be refrigerated.  Get as much of

                               the cooking done as early as possible!

 December 24^th    Christmas stockings are hung by the fire and cookies and milk are

                              left by the fireplace for Santa Claus. 

 December 25^th    Christmas Day-Enjoy the holiday with friends and family!

 Suzie Canale at Fenway Park with her boys May 2014.

Suzie will be celebrating this Christmas with her familly at her home in Westwood, MA.

What kid doesn’t love a great holiday TV special?  I myself have fond memories of staying up a little extra late to catch some of my favorites.  Reruns were always the best where you could memorize the script and look forward to seeing the part that you couldn’t wait to watch over and over again.  Christmas stories are especially popular, adding to the child’s anticipation of Santa Claus to whoosh down the chimney with gifts.  It is an enchanting time of year when magic is everywhere, particularly in the movies and shows that we view both in the cinemas and in our own homes.  Although there’s no denying the hundreds of great children’s specials played during the last two months of the year, I have my top six that I just have to see to get me into the yuletide spirit. 

Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer (1964)

A reindeer is out casted for having a bright red nose but finds a path straight to Santa when he is chosen to lead the sleigh on Christmas Eve.   Saving the day by lighting the way, this story tells a wonderful moral that sometimes the parts of us that are different are the ones that truly outshine us from the rest. The postal service this year commemorates this great flick with holiday stamps celebrating the movie. Exotic Flowers will be using these stamps on all their holiday mail.

Frosty the Snowman (1969)

A snowman comes to life when a magician loses his hat and finds itself on Frosty the Snowman’s head.  Trouble appears when Frosty’s companion gets sick from the cold and he must get her to a warmer climate other than the chilly outdoors.  Although the beloved snowman melts, Santa Claus promises to have Frosty return every winter to play with the children once again. 

How The Grinch Stole Christmas (1966)

All of Whoville is bursting with holiday cheer but little do they know that a terrible Grinch is plotting their ruin by planning to take their Christmas away.  After stealing the decorations, cards, presents and feasts, he is stunned to find that the village still joins together to celebrate learning the true meaning of Christmas spirit can never be broken.

A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965)

The Peanuts gang joins together again when Charlie Brown searches for a deeper understanding of what Christmas is all about.  Keeping in theme with the anti-commercialism aspect of the holiday, kids will love Snoopy’s rendition of stringing lights on top of his doghouse and Charlie’s sweet adoration for a small sapling tree. 

A Christmas Carol (1984)

“Bah Humbug” are the famous words guffawed by Ebenezer Scrooge as three ghosts visit him with visions of his past, present and future.  The miser soon learns that he is destined for doom if he does not change his stingy ways and open up his heart to the beauty of Christmas.

A Christmas Story (1983)

This is a fabulous story telling the tale of a typical family celebrating Christmas with one another.  Filled with funny bits including feasting on their holiday meal at a Chinese restaurant, the father’s awful taste in leg lamps, bunny rabbit pajamas, getting tongues stuck to icy telephone poles and the famous scene when Ralphie shoots his eye out with a Beebe gun-you will love this movie as it reminds us of the bloopers that commonly occur during the Christmas season. 

 If you want to just tune in, check out ABC Family's 25 Days of Christmas.

 Suzie Canale

Fenway Park, 2014

Suzie lives in Westwood, MA and will be watching these shows with her two boys; creating lifetime memories.

Holiday movies and TV show ratings accrue some of the highest viewership in the media industry.  Often filled with scenes of delicious foods, gorgeous flowers,  glamorous clothing and most importantly, hilarious family dysfunction, Thanksgiving Day themed scripts are beloved by millions because we often see much of our own family dynamics being played out on the screen and can relate to many of the common mishaps that this time of year is notorious for.  Perhaps it’s the great aunt who wraps up empty packages or the mom’s turkey that was overcooked by four hours or maybe it’s the in-laws who just can't stand their daughter’s husband, but one things for sure, we connect to these stories.  The reason lies in the fact that they are a reminder of own holiday get-togethers and we find both comfort and comedic relief when viewing these similarities on screen.  For many, this niche of entertainment is what allows us to survive the holidays, understanding that the stresses and anxiety traditionally interwoven throughout this season is quite common for most. This entertainment is as much a part of our tradition as the flowers on the table. Although there are several great picks, here is my go-to movie and TV sitcom that keep me rolling with laughter all throughout the Thanksgiving Day season.

“Home for the Holidays”

My all time favorite Thanksgiving Day flick is hands down “Home For The Holidays” starring Robert Downey Jr., Holly Hunter and Ann Bancroft (just to name a few).  This film will leave you in stitches as the main character, Claudia, returns to her childhood home after losing her job in a museum and allowing her sixteen year old daughter to stay back in the city with her sex starved boyfriend.  Bancroft portrays her neurotic mother who just can’t seem to stop worrying about her three children while her husband, played by Charles Durning, just wants to be left alone in peace with his massive turkey.  Filled with sibling rivalry, seductive romances and twisted perceptions of what the life that they are all living really is, this movie promises a whole lot of belly shaking laughter that is all to common for many of us who go “Home for the Holidays”.

Roseanne

The hilarious sitcom, “Roseanne” has several unforgettable Thanksgiving Day episodes, which all contain both make believe humor and realistic drama that many extended families experience during this holiday encompassing giving thanks, food and football.  The modest means and a-typical chemistry of this normal Illinois family makes this show beloved long after its final season airing on May 20, 1997.  During the 1991 season 4, show 10, all are in disbelief as Roseanne’s mother, Beverly, refuses to take action against her cheating husband.  Or how about 1994’s season 6, show 10, when anger erupts after Becky takes over cooking the dinner and a fist fight boils over between her father, Dan, and her husband, Mark.  With highlights from dynamic characters such as Nana Mary, grandmother and free spirited soul, and Ed Connor, Dan’s irresponsible father, each scene twists you from smiles to tears as the plates are passed up and down the table.

 Suzie will be celebrating Thanksgiving at her home in Westwood, MA with her husband, two sons, mother and aunt.

Suzie Canale

Westwood, MA 

Hollywood starlets are already planning their Thanksgiving meals, some with the help of California’s top chefs who have found delicious new ways to make their mouths water.  You won’t see the typical mashed potatoes, yellow squash and gravy on these tables, no way!  Instead of traditional dishes, recipes are being concocted to alter basic holiday fare into wild and fresh foods fit for the icons of the silver screen.  While some celebrate this family holiday dining out in Hollywood’s hottest restaurants, others choose to stay home with their loved ones.   Either way, these stars no exactly how to celebrate this years special day in style. 

Aniston played a florist in the movie Love Happens.

Jennifer Aniston has long been a lover of the sun and has resided in the area of Malibu, California for decades.  While the beauty loves to celebrate the holiday festivities with zest, rumor has it that Ms. Aniston is a local patron to many of the local restaurants located within the posh, beach friendly area.  Hot spots such as Seasons 52 (which also has a location on route 9 in Chestnut Hill) feature a lovely menu created by Chef Timothy Kast, which advertises sensational meals all under 475 calories, something that definitely attracts the forty something yoga loving actress.  Another possibility as to where you might find her dining might be at Tres by Jose Andres, set in downtown Hollywood.  This restaurant is known for their contemporary style and generous pour of fine wine while offering a warm décor and elite dining experience.  This may very well be Jen’s go to for Thanksgiving since one of their famous dishes is their gnocchi with lobster, a long time favorite delicacy of Aniston’s. And of course, given her experience as a florist actress, you know that flowers will be on the table. 

Jolie is apparently a flower fan as well. Here she is picking up some calla lilies and thistle from a London flower shop.

When you think about Jenn, you can’t help but think of what her famous ex, Brad Pitt, will be up to with his new wife, Angelina Jolie and brood of six children.  Well, interesting enough, the magazine cover family often chooses to stay closer to home when celebrating this November holiday.  Whether habituating inside their French estate, Chateau Miraval, in the south of France or within their mansion nestled in Los Feliz, California, the Jolie-Pitts most likely will be dining on family favorites of spaghetti and meatballs and hotdogs, while the adults finish off a homemade rosemary infused turkey cooked by, you’ll never guess…themselves!  Often this power couple opts out of hiring expensive chefs and rolls up their own sleeves when it comes to Thanksgiving Day dinner, (a refreshing change of pace from most movie headliners).  While Angelina has admitted that neither her nor Brad are always sure of how to prepare the meal, they admit that the experience is always fun as long as the family is together.  After all, that is what Thanksgiving is all about!  

Suzie Canale

Westwood, MA 

 Suzie Canale lives in Westwood, Massachusetts with her family. She is an accomplished writer and chef. For Thanksgiving, she will be serving a traditional turkey dinner with all the trimmings. Of course, fresh flowers will be on the table.

Thanksgiving Day centerpieces can sometimes be a source of worry when planning holiday gatherings.   What we choose to put in the middle of our turkey tables enhances the festivities for guests because, for one thing, the color extenuates the other aspects of the meal including linens, candlelight and most importantly the food.  Flowers are also wonderful for contributing to the fantastic sense of smell that we all know is essential for a successful Thanksgiving meal.  Many people become overwhelmed with the tasks necessary to host a victorious dinner, often feeling anxious as to how they will get everything done and select their floral arrangements for the special day.   The tasks of heavy cleaning and exorbitant cooking almost always take the front seat on hosting agendas and many ask, “Who has the time for flowers?”  The issue of cost can also be another negative and many times leads to omitting them altogether.  Well, you don’t have to.  Hear a few easy and inexpensive ways to decorate your table without fret. 

The trees in Boston are too beautiful not to utilize within your holiday décor.  Reds, yellows and greens are hanging everywhere holding a natural beauty, which makes New England famous for their autumn season.  From lovely bushes to towering maples, there are stunning possibilities all around us so keep your eyes open and your clippers close.  Effective eye popping arrangements can be as simple as a few maple branches placed strategically in a glass oval vase.  This look not only compliments the seasonal aspects traditional to this time of year but also gives your table an interesting architectural dimension of height.  Remember, less is more with this design so be careful not to overcrowd your floral vessels!

Some become fixated with the idea that bigger is always better, particularly when talking about holiday events.  Trust me, its not.  Stunning table arrangements can be as simple as a few cuttings of multi colored coleus from your garden or miniature pumpkins placed at each setting for your guests.  Other arrangements can be a straight line of baby green gourds positioned straight down the table creating a sophisticated and uncluttered appeal.  Black millet is another idea, which makes a dramatic impact on your table while still carrying the November scheme of design.  If these choices don’t seem to strike your fancy, it’s as easy as looking around you and seeing what does excite your green thumb.  Visit local farm stands or take a peek in your own backyard.  You’ll be surprised as to what New England’s natural beauty may provide you with for this Thanksgiving’s holiday centerpiece!

Suzie Canale

Westwood, MA 

all photos in this post can be attributed to Flower Factor and About Flowers.

 Suzie Canale is a writer, chef, gardener, philanthropist and mom who lives in Westwood, MA.

Giving Thanks

At Exotic Flowers in Boston, we believe that sharing food with family and friends is such an important part of your traditions. Here are three great side dishes that are exquisite and easy to create. My family and I celebrate Thanksgiving dinner with these three dishes every year at our Westwood home.

Thanksgiving is right around the corner and excitement is growing towards spending this time-honored holiday with friends and family.  Having special meaning to those celebrating in the New England area, each year we pay particular attention to things that we are thankful for.  For some, it is their family.  For others, it is their friends.  Homes, jobs, health and happiness are all aspects of our lives that we give a noted appreciation for during this time of year.  Although everyone observes the festivities in their own individual ways, it is customary to join together with loved ones and break bread with some of the season’s most beloved dishes!  Here are some of my favorites if you would like to try them out on your table this year.

Green Bean Casserole

Green Bean Casserole is one food that I never forget at my Thanksgiving Day dinner because it contains affordable ingredients, its easy to prepare and perfectly delicious!  All you will need is 1 bag of frozen French cut green beans (make sure they are French cut, whole beans don’t bake as well with the other ingredients), 1 can of Campbell’s Cream of Mushroom soup (I prefer the 98 % fat free that saves you tons of calories without sacrificing the taste-they will never know!), 1/3 cup of 2 % milk, 1 large container of French’s Fried Onions and salt and pepper to season with.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees and defrost frozen green beans until thawed.  Combined beans with the whole can of mushroom soup, milk and half of the container of fried onions.  Add salt and pepper to taste (I really like white pepper) and mix thoroughly.  Place in casserole dish and shake the rest of the container of onions over the top.  Bake in the oven for 35 minutes and you are done with your first Thanksgiving dish!

Zucchini Bake

This is one of my favorites and goes with just about any meat, poultry or fish that might be your main course.  For this easy bake, you will need 1 large yellow onion, 2 ripened zucchini, 1 sleeve of reduced fat Ritz crackers, olive oil and salt and pepper to taste.  Preheat your oven to 425 degrees and thinly slice the onion and zucchini into round rings.  With a cooking mallet, crush the Ritz crackers until they resemble the size of breadcrumbs.  Layer the glass casserole dish with 1 layer of zucchini being careful not to overlap and then doing the same with 1 layer of onion.   Dust with a light salt and pepper and then sprinkle top with Ritz breadcrumbs.  Very carefully dash olive oil across the layers to seal the vegetables.  Continue this process for 1 or 2 more layers until all of your ingredients have been used.  Place the dish into the oven and bake for 40 minutes or until the top is crisp.  Serve immediately and enjoy!

Tortellini with Spinach and Cherry Tomatoes

This is a great one for those who love Italian food served along side their turkey!  For this recipe, you will need 1 large package of spinach and cheese Buitoni tortellini (you can use many other varieties of tortellini but this one tastes the best), 1 package of fresh baby spinach, olive oil, 1 package of cherry tomatoes and salt and pepper to taste.  Bring a pot of water to boil and add a dash of olive oil and salt.  Once bubbles appear, place the tortellini in the pot and cook until they rise to the surface (a sure way to tell when they are done).  Drain noodles and place to the side.  In a sauté pan, add olive oil and spinach and cook until leaves are soft.  Add the cherry tomatoes and season with spices until the desired taste is achieved.  Mix the tortellini into the pan and stir thoroughly until adequately blended.  Serve immediately and watch your guests swoon over this amazing recipe of pasta and veggies!

 Suzie Canale lives in Westwood, MA with her family. An employee of the Westwood Public Library, Suzie has published four children's books and serves as the director of The Women's Lockerroom Foundation.

Flower arranging can be a sensational way to add to your holiday decorating.  Bringing cheer, happiness and beauty to any home, a stunning plethora of blooms gives incredible accent to traditional festive pieces such as ornaments, wreathes and candles. Decadent in color, texture and exquisite scent, the right vase of flowers will enhance your seasonal settings without outdoing the more traditional essentials of table settings and of course, the turkey.  From dainty bud vases to massive urns and vessels, there is no denying the charm a bouquet of fresh flowers can bring to a home during this special time of year so don’t be afraid to get creative when searching.  Some of the most dazzling centerpieces are found within the least likely treasures hidden within our home.  Try these ideas to make the perfect floral epergne for your holiday enjoyment.

The best place to start your search is in your basement or attic.  You never know what kind of funky trinkets you may be able to morph into a vase.  Items such as pottery and glass servings make excellent choices since they show off the colors of the stems as well as eradicate an antique, “no fuss” appeal.  Patterned china is also a lovely option as well as ceramic, planting pots, mismatched coffee cups and even lanterns.  Don’t be afraid to really think outside of the box and try other possibilities such as small glass match holder containers, children’s teacups and maybe even old pantry sugar and flour jars.  All of these reflect the feeling of “home”, which is ideally what we look for in this type of “family” theme.   If you cant seem to find any of these in your own house, flea markets and yard sales are wonderful places to hunt for unique valuables where you can not only get a great deal but have the satisfaction of recreating something used into something new.

If this concept of making your own vase sounds enticing, you may want to keep in mind a few tips to ensure a successful centerpiece arrangement.  The most important factor is if the object holds water.  Before actually placing flowers within a holder, run water into it over the sink to be positive that it is drip free.  Other things to keep in mind are dyes that may be painted in inside or outside of the jar causing water to turn an undesired color and deciding beforehand if the material the vase is made up of will keep its form instead of disintegrating or decomposing (I’ve seen people try to use paper for vases-doesn’t work I assure you).  Whatever means you go about utilizing your own holiday vase, be certain that it is reflective of your individuality and taste because there is nothing more important than making your holiday special for you and your loved ones. 

Suzie Canale

Westwood, MA

all flower photos in this post courtesy of Flower Factor and AboutFlowes.com

 Suzie Canale lives in Westwood, Mass her hobbies include, fitness, decor, reading and cooking. 

What’s Thanksgiving in New England without serving up delicious, scrumptious, mouth watering pie?  It’s the dish we look forward to from the moment we step up to the holiday table, allured by sweet scents wafting from the kitchen oven.  Bostonians are particularly lucky because many of the best pies hold ingredients, which are native to our farms and local orchards during this season.  Using native produce within our cooking makes foods even more spectacular, so it’s important to remember to buy or pick within the Boston region whenever possible.  Looking for the perfect pie to bring to the table this Thanksgiving but aren’t sure where to start?  No problem, here are a few of my best New England pie suggestions to get you rolling the baking pin in no time!

                                                                                                       photo credit: Wikimedia

Apple Pie, it’s a classic and there is no denying that it is one of the favorites during the Thanksgiving season, and why shouldn’t it be?  Apples of all kinds are plucked from the regional orchards of Massachusetts, holding the crispest, sweetest (and if you prefer) the tartest fruit just perfect for autumn recipes.  According to and article featured in Bon Appétit written by Chris Morocco, the three top suggested apples to create the filling for this pie are Pink Lady, Granny Smith and Honey Crisp, which all have varying degrees of sweetness and tartness.   Bakers are hinted to taste a sample of each before deciding which variety to use since the selection that is made will drastically affect the taste of the pie once it is completed.  Simple recipes can be found on the websites of Betty Crocker, Pillsbury and the Food Network.  

                                                                  photo credit: TasteOfHome.com

Rhubarb Pie

I’ll admit it; this is hands down my favorite treat of the Thanksgiving season.  Traditional to many New England tables, Rhubarb pie is an interesting concoction, tasting bitter and sweet all at the same time.  With every spoonful, the unusual root never fails to delight eaters with a decadent assortment of flavor while being accompanied by only a few simple ingredients of sugar, flour, butter and salt.  Many bakers are frightened by the seemingly complexity of Rhubarb pie, but I assure you, there’s nothing to it.  According to a recipe found on allrecipes.com, here are the easy steps to making this incredible dessert!

Ingredients: 4 cups of chopped rhubarb, 1 1/3 cups of sugar, 6 table spoons of flour, 1 tablespoon of butter and 1 pre made pastry crust. 

Directions: Preheat Oven to 450 degrees.  Combine sugar and flour and use ¼ of the mixture to sprinkle the bottom of the crust.  Place rhubarb directly over and add remaining flour and sugar over the top.  Slice butter into tablespoons and use as the next layer.  Cover the top with a pre-made crust and bake for fifteen minutes then lower oven temperature to 350 degrees.  Finish baking for forty to forty - five minutes and serve warm.  Trust me, your guests will love it!

                                                                photo credit: Meals.com

Pumpkin Pie

Let’s face it.  You can’t really say your having a New England Thanksgiving without enjoying a pumpkin pie!  This dessert is by far the most popular dish to serve during this holiday and there is a good reason why… Boston is known for their precious patches that reap some of the world’s fines pumpkins.  Working in combination with our warm summers that change into chillier temperatures once the fall rolls around, this creates the perfect environment to raise beautiful, plump and most importantly, tasty fruit that bakers just cant wait to get their hands on!  Pumpkin pie is also popular for its creamy consistency that always pares well with Thanksgiving’s top star, the turkey.  Again, make sure when you begin preparing this dessert to choose a simple recipe where the true pumpkin flavor won’t become over burdened by fancy additives that are just not needed.  Select a really great vanilla bean ice cream to top slices with (Haagen Dazs, it’s the best) and you are all set!

At our home in Westwood, my mom always make certain that we have a delicious selection of traditional pies for dessert. 

Suzie Canale

Westwood, MA 

 Suzie will be celebrating Thanksgiving with her two sons, husband, mom and aunt at her home in Westwood. Masschusetts.