I am a little overwhelmed, a little tired, but oh so happy. I had to take time away from my never ending cookie orders to share the wonderful things that have been going on in my world. Thanks to my mom and dad, we were able to fly to Nebraska to meet up with a whole flock of the Iowa Harts for a fabulous Thanksgiving weekend. My cousin Allen, his wife Jill, and kids Isaac and Kate were the MOST generous hosts. They not only housed the three of us, but my parents and brother who drove over from Wyoming, as well. The weather was perfect and we spent all of Wednesday making pies! Kate pictured above, turned out to be an amazing baker. She promises to come to LA to be my assistant one day.
The pies and the company and the mountains of food were all delicious. Can you tell that I really bonded with my young cousin? The skirt I brought her fit perfectly. . . such a cute and sweet young lady.
We literally drove over the river and through the woods to Villisca, Iowa, where my grandparents lived, and my dad grew up. I have such fond memories of visiting them on the farm, and eating the marvelous pies made by my Grandma Hart; obviously the root of my pie obsession.
A highlight of the trip was a very fruitful jaunt to the best antique flea market that I've EVER seen! I found lots of beautiful linens and table cloths (to be revealed at a later date), as well as a plethora of cookie cutters that just had to come home with me. My favorites are the little ones at the bottom of the photo, which are exactly like the ones I used as a kid, making cookies with my parents. I've been wanting to find those again, and hadn't even thought to look at a flea market, but THERE THEY WERE, thanks to my eagle eyed cousins!
After the most wonderful, and relaxing vacation, it was time for my traveling companions and I to return to reality, L.A., work. . .
Lanky was very pleased to see us. Evidently he got a little dehydrated at the kennel.
