Pie. Was. Made.

I am starting the official countdown to my first Thanksgiving as the hostess. T-minus 29 days until my and NavyGuy's families arrive in our zipcode and expect to celebrate a treasured holiday. It's funny how these kinds of things always sound like such a good idea when you're just talking about them...

Before Turkey day, I need to
1. create a menu
2. de-boy-ify the house
3. turn the house into a scene from Martha Stewart Living
4. build another dining room table to fit the expanding guest list
5. learn how to cook several infamous side dishes and desserts
6. assemble an outfit that will look effortlessly chic while also resisting gravy stains and cooking/stress induced hot flashes
7. give up control of the bird to NavyGuy who plans to deep fry the main entree...

With that said, I began my taste-tests for the big meal, and I started with dessert. This afternoon, I made a pie. Yes, I did. No, I was not wearing heels and pearls (nor was I barefoot OR pregnant thankyouverymuch). I wore jeans and a look of sheer determination. The mission: chocolate chip pecan pie. There had been a prior attempt at my apartment in Wisconsin, but there was an oven temperature situation and I still hold that the resulting pecan goo was not my fault.Today's experiment (with accurate oven temperature readings) turned out better, but alas, it will not be making the menu come T-Day. NavyGuy and I both thought it tasted alright, but the filling still doesn't set quite right, so it does not meet my exacting presentation standards (plus I managed to scorch the pecans on top). I have included the recipe though for the more accomplished chefs out there, because I'm sure in the right hands it's a wonderful pie.

Chocolate Chip Pecan Pie - Woman's Day Magazine