A Very Tired Tuesday

The turkey is no more, we've pretty much recovered from the feast, the So You Think You Can Dance Canada marathon with the oldest girl is watched and finally deleted from my PVR, and the girl put on the bus yesterday and safely sitting in her class this morning. Putting her on the bus is always tiring as it involves about a 3 hour round trip car ride for us as she catches the bus in another city. Throw in an hour lunch and then waiting for her to board the bus and it's about a 5 hour trip for us. Long story short but us taking her to the other city saves her about 6-8 extra hours sitting sitting on the bus. Four buses a day leave from our city to her school city and not one is a straight through. Go figure.

And I am tired! Bone tired. I don't know, but this staying up until one in the morning 3 nights in a row is different at middle age than it was when I was twenty something. But I had to get in every second I could with Kay. That 4 days goes so fast!

And I did not take one single, solitary picture! Can you believe it? Maybe it had something to do with being a tad busy visiting and then cooking turkey and stuffing, the best yam casserole I have ever had, recipe to follow. But no picutre. Also on the menu was spaghetti squash, whipped potatoes, gravy, california mix veggies, pumpkin cheesecake, toffee apple tarts (another recipe I'll have to post), and ice cream cake I made myself on the spur of the moment. Today I'll be making cranberry walnut muffins with the leftover cranberry sauce and homemade turkey soup! Perfect to warm our insides as it snowed again this morning! What is up with the weather? Brrrr!

So before I fall asleep at the keyboard I'll give you this yam recipe because I know you over the border will be planning your Thanksgiving in the next while. And this got rave reviews from everybody at dinner. Even from the kids. Trust me on this one, 'k? I combined and changed up a few recipes I had on hand to make it so it's kinda, sorta my own. Anyway. Forgive my rambling. I stand by my excuse of lack of sleep.

Susanne's Maple Walnut Yams

-4 pounds yams (I used 3 very large yams)
-2 eggs
-1/4 cup maple syrup
-2 Tbsp. butter, melted
-1 tsp. salt
-1 tsp cinnamon
-1/8 tsp all-spice
-1/8 tsp nutmeg
-walnut halves (depending on your casserole dish about 1-2 cups)

-scant 1/4 cup maple syrup
-1/4 cup melted butter

Preheat oven to 375*F. (190*C)

Poke holes into the yams and cook them on high in the microwave until soft, approximately 20 minutes. You will have to check on them at the 10 minute mark as yams come in different shapes and sizes and microwaves vary in power. Let cool enough to handle, then strip the peels off, slice in chunks and place in a large mixing bowl. (I did this step the day before and then just refridgerated and finished the rest up the next day).

Beat with mixer until smooth. Beat in eggs one at a time, blending well after each addition. With mixer on slow speed, add maple syrup, 2 Tbsp melted butter, salt and spices. Beat until light and fluffy.

Place into ungreased 3 qt. casserole dish. Arrange walnuts on top in a single layer. Whisk together remaining butter and maple syrup and drizzle over the walnuts.

Bake for 25 minutes or until browned and bubbly.

Try not to dig into it before the guests arrive.