I often have so many things going on, I can easily be at my computer from morning until night. It’s one of many reasons I love my dog, Piper. She gets me out of the house as we go on our daily walks. This morning, as we were out and about, I was running through my list of things I needed to do to get ready for Thanksgiving, and realized that Thanksgiving just made me happy.
Many studies have shown that giving thanks can make you happier and the idea of being thankful, being grateful runs throughout the whole holiday of Thanksgiving.
I truly enjoy Thanksgiving, one of the least commercial holidays we celebrate. No presents or extravagant decorations, just a celebration of food, family, friends and traditions. I grew up watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade on TV. One year my husband and I took our sons to New York City to watch the parade in person. We nearly froze but it was so much fun! I enjoy watching The American Kennel Club’s National Dog Show, which is almost as much fun as napping through the football games, waking up just long enough to have a snack of leftovers, usually dessert because I do have a sweet tooth.
One of my sons is gluten-intolerant, and I feel better when I reduce my gluten intake as well. In the spirit of abundance, I’m sharing a delicious gluten-free and not overly sweet dessert that is perfect for the season. But don’t limit yourself, this is good enough to enjoy any time of year!
Maple Pumpkin Custard
Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups whole milk
4 large eggs
3/4 cup Maple Syrup
1 (15 ounce) can pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)
2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
1/4 teaspoon salt
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 325°F.
- Heat milk over low heat in a small saucepan until barely steaming but not boiling.
- Whisk eggs and syrup in a large bowl until smooth. Gently whisk in the warm milk (a little bit at a time so the eggs don’t cook). Add pumpkin puree, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger and salt; whisk until blended.
- Divide the mixture among six 6-ounce (3/4-cup) custard cups. Skim foam from the surface. Place custard cups in roasting pan. Pour enough boiling water into the pan to come halfway up the sides of the custard cups. Place the pan in the oven and bake, uncovered, until custards are just set but still quiver in the center when shaken, 45 to 50 minutes. Transfer custards to a wire rack and let cool for 45 minutes. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or until chilled.
To serve, top each custard with a dollop of whip cream and a sprinkling of maple sugar or crystallized ginger. Can be made ahead, cover and refrigerate for up to 2 days.
Gratitude shifts your focus from what your life lacks to the abundance that is already present. It reminds us that whatever our individual challenges and difficulties, it is important to pause every now and then to appreciate what we have.
Unfortunately, I find that gratitude doesn’t come naturally to me. It’s a skill and a habit I’ve worked hard on over the years, and I start every morning thinking of the many things for which I am grateful. What helps you cultivate thankfulness?
In this season of thankfulness, I’d like to thank each and every one of my readers for taking the time to read and review my books, follow me on social media, and encourage me with their emails and postings. I am also grateful for the many authors who have helped me through the years, and whose words have inspired me to be a better writer.
The Christmas season starts after Thanksgiving, and if you can’t wait to get started, I’ve partnered with 15 other Amish fiction authors to bring you a collection of Christmas stories. Let me help you discover someone new!
A Lancaster Family Christmas – Kate Lloyd
An Amish Christmas Bakery – Kelly Irvin
First Christmas on Huckleberry Hill – Jennifer Beckstrand
Christmas Grace – Mindy Steele
The Amish Author’s Christmas – Ashley Emma
Dorothy (An Amish of Morrissey County Christmas Romance) – Sylvia Price
The Christmas Collection – The Men of Amish Fiction
An Unexpected Amish Christmas – Rachel J. Good
The Amish Christmas Gift – Laura V. Hilton
A Christmas Gift for Rose – Tricia Goyer
An Amish Christmas at the Apple Blossom Inn – Tracy Fredrychowski & Debra Torres
Unlikely Season – Jennifer Spredemann
In a Sniper’s Crosshairs – Debby Giusti
The Forgiving Quilt – Lenora Worth
Snowbound Amish Christmas – Jo Ann Brown
Enter my Thankfulness Giveaway for a chance to win a $100 Amazon Gift Card plus a copy of my latest novel, A Lancaster Family Secret or another of my books if you’ve already purchased a copy. US and Canada only. Winner will be announced Tuesday November 22 and has three days to respond to my email. Only by responding to my email can you win.
I’m grateful for my husband being 2 years cancer free, thank you Jesus!
I am grateful to be alive and moving forward with all my physical problems and learning to live with them.
I am so grateful for being to walk again being disabled and we don’t have much but the lord give us food and roof over our heads
For my family
I’m thankful for brothers and sisters in Christ who hold one another up in prayer!
I am most grateful that my husband.
Thankful for the doctor and my family when I was in the hospital last month with blood clots. Always thankful for the doctors nurses who took care of my husband with minor back surgery last week. And my family.
Very thankful for the medical professionals and their God give talents to help folks like me with medical and pain issues to improve our quality of life. That they don’t discount us seniors as disposable and worth their attention and skills.
Extremely thankful for my loving husband who has been beside me through all our adventures, behind me to support me when I didn’t think I could make it and in front of me to give me the incentive to more forward paving the protective path for me. He is my rock and also my soft spot to land. Thank God for him every day!
Gods love, life, friends, health.
I am thankful to be cancer free for 3 years!!
For My Family and Friends!
I am grateful for my Family and Friends. Also that we have jobs still to provide for our needs and hopefully we can help some less fortunate to get through the tough winter.
I am so grateful for so many things in my life, my salvation, my family, my health, our business and the people we are blessed to help, second chances, God’s love, grace and mercy towards me.
I am grateful for my health and my family’s health. There is nothing greater than good health . May God continue to bless us.
Salvation and a place to live
SO THANKFUL to have known my beloved friend and adopted Mom….for so many years…she encouraged me…is the reason I started back to church, was SAVED and joined a church I was a member of for 33 years..before moving north…Elzora passed away on Veterans Day this year….she is now with her husband, who also adopted me…they both loved me and my family “forever”….while I am so sad and heartbroken, I am happy for Elzora to finally be with Aaron and her son….and God and Jesus..going to her funeral next week…so please pray for safe travels for my husband and I….and for all who love and miss our friends and family…God Bless you all Have a Happy Thanksgiving
I am grateful for my son and my home
I am grateful for my family
I am grateful for my family and friends who are supporting my as I battle cancer for the second year. I am grateful for the treatments that help me fight the disease.
I an grateful that even though he struggles with his Type 1 diabetes because his pancreas
Is shot and he is on dialysis that my brother has luckily not been hospitalized because of his illnesses.
Walking with Christ the only way
Life! Love! Faith!
I’m so excited to make Maple Pumpkin Custard! Thank you! Happy Thanksgiving!
I am thankful for every Blessing that the Lord has bestowed on me. Especially giving me the courage to have a book of my poems published on Amazon.com Polyanthum is the title of the book, that has poems about dogs and cats, Flowers, Trees, The Pandemic, Presidents, Churches and more…
I’m Greatful For My Small Family I Have. They Are My Heart & Soul.
I am grateful for each day and for having everything we need! Happy Holidays to everyone!
i am greatful covid is less prevalent and my family is healthy
Greatful for prayer partner’s who keep me focused.
I’m grateful for my family and my safe new home.
I”m GRATEFUL for being able to walk, after 6 hip surgeries
I am so Thankful for my Family and many treasured friends. For the beauty of the world God has created. Despite the turmoil going on, there is always a reason to be Thankful. Many blessing to you and your family and I love seeing the posts, photos of you and Piper on you daily walks. I have a sweet tooth too! Thank you for the recipes also. ❤️