Category: MISC

THANKSGIVING MEME

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Thanks Joy at Joy of Desserts for tagging me for this Thanksgiving Meme.

While you’re right that here in the States we are all busy preparing for the big feast and for family and friends to gather, a fun tag IS the answer for both blog authors and readers alike to learn a bit more about us.

Now because it is almost Thanksgiving and everyone is sooooooooooooooooo busy this time of year I invite all my readers that want to participate to consider themselves tagged! Be sure and leave me a message so I can come read your answers!

There are only two easy rules:
1. Post these rules when you participate in this meme.
2. Link to the people you tag as well as the person who tagged you.

Now on to the FUN!!

1. Which do you like better: hosting Thanksgiving at your home, or going elsewhere?

Years ago I somehow ended up hosting for my family and that became tradition. I think I prefer it, but we have had many wonderful Thanksgivings elsewhere. Last year was at my sis-in-laws and 2 years before that at her DIL’s and while were both wonderful, they were much different from having had it here.

2. Do you buy a fresh or frozen turkey? Organic? Free-range?

Depends on what is available in the small town neck of the woods. I don’t care whether it is frozen or fresh per se, but do want a free range one.

3. Do you make stuffing or dressing? What kind?
Absolutely make it from scratch! It’s an Oatnut Sourdough Herb Stuffing.

4. Sweet potato pie or Pumpkin pie?
Neither, it’s Pumpkin Cheesecake here.

5. Are leftovers a blessing or a curse?
Definitely a blessing. We love the leftovers for easy meals the following week and MUST HAVE turkey sandwiches.

6. What side dishes are a must-have in your family?
Oatnut Sourdough Herb Stuffing, Apricot Carrot Casserole and Baked Pineapple.

7. What do you wish you had that might make Thanksgiving easier?
A double wall oven would be easier on my back.

8. If/when you go to someone else’s house for the holiday, do you usually bring a dish? If so, what is it? My Apricot Carrot Casserole because it is so different and blends well with whatever their menu is.

9. What do you wish one of your guests would bring to your house?
Smiles, appetites and positive attitudes.

10. What do you wish one of your guests would NOT bring to your house?
Bad attitudes coupled with deep seated arguments over politics and/or religion.

11. Do you stick with a particular menu from year to year, or do you mix it up?

While I do try to mix-it up now and then, a lynch mob quickly forms if I don’t keep it pretty close to what it has always been. For Christmas I have been able to mix it up better as it is also our youngest son’s birthday. He gets to pick the basic meat and then everyone else gets to pick a favorite to go with it and that has become our tradition since.

12. Is Thanksgiving a religious or secular holiday in your home?

It is a beautiful melding of both. We celebrate the pilgrimage with the influence God has always had on it.

13. Share one Thanksgiving tradition.
The Thanksgiving traditions in my family seemed to dwindle as the kids grew older and then the extended families and alternate get togethers grew. We do have a traditional meal with the same traditional recipes we have always used though.

14. Share one Thanksgiving memory.

As for disaster, it seems that in my parent’s house it always happened on Thanksgiving and usually involved the garbage disposal backing up and creating a HUGE mess. One year in particular it was really bad! So bad we couldn’t even have people over. My grandparents only lived a few blocks away. Long story short, grandpa brought their red Chevy station wagon over to our house with and old quilt spread out in the back and the adults loaded all the food there. My uncle and I rode in the back to keep all the bowls and pans from tilting over. While grandpa had been at our house, grandma had set the table at their house. All the food was unloaded from the station wagon and the preparation continued in grandma’s kitchen. It was one of the more memorable Thanksgivings I can remember.

15. Name five things you’re thankful for.

  1. My Faith and love of God
  2. The love of family and friends
  3. A roof over our heads
  4. Food on the table and Dirty Dishes
  5. Babies & Puppies

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Scrumptious Sunday, Homemaker Monday & Making a Happy Home ~ Peanut Butter Bourbon Balls & Chocolate Marshmallow Caramels

Homemaker Mondays is hosted by Robyn at 11th Heaven’s Homemaking Haven
Making a Happy Home Monday is hosted by LL at As for me and my house…
Tips on Tuesday is hosted by Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom
This was supposed to run the end of December for Scrumptious Sunday, but since Meredith has not responded to my request to adopt the meme yet, I decided to run it early so others can benefit from the recipes. I will contact Meredith again in the hopes of adopting this meme and continuing it since she is leaving the blog world. One of the biggest tips I can offer is that in order not to stress yourself out you need to plan ahead and make as many things as you can early – long before the big day!

PEANUT BUTTER BOURBON BALLS

1 cup powdered sugar
½ cup creamy peanut butter
4 tablespoons butter, softened
2 tablespoons bourbon extract
1 pound almond bark (white & milk both)

Combine sugar, butter and peanut butter and mix well. Line a cookie sheet with wax paper. Roll into 1 inch balls and place on cookie sheet. Chill 1-2 hours. *Melt chocolate almond bark. Dip balls one at a time and place back on wax paper. Melt white almond bark and drizzle on top of chocolate for accent. Immediately sprinkle with candies. Let chocolate harden.Keep cool in sealed container.

TIPS:*Since the almond bark can harden quickly, I work in small batches so as to get them all decorated the way I want. Sometimes I like to use half bourbon, half blackberry extract for a unique flavor or I sometimes substitute rum for bourbon.

CHOCOLATE MARSHMALLOW CARAMELS
1 cup KARO light corn syrup
1 cup sugar
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup butter, softened
1 can Eagle condensed milk
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Mini marshmallows
Almond Bark
Candy Sprinkles

Grease a jelly roll pan, sides and all. I like to spray it really well with PURE.

In a large saucepan melt butter. Add vanilla. Stir in sugars until dissolved. Add corn syrup and condensed milk. Bring to a slow rolling boil. Boil, stirring constantly for 15 minutes.

Pour into the jelly roll pan and level. Allow to cool.

Using a pizza cutter score the tops into small squares large enough for a mini marshmallow. While the caramels are still warm, place a marshmallow on top of each one so the marshmallow will adhere into the caramel.

Using a serrated knife cut apart the cooled caramels. Melt the first batch of almond bark. Dip each caramel into almond bark and set on wax paper to harden. Drizzle the tops with melted white almond bark for contrast and sprinkle with candies.

I participate in the memes: Menu Plan Monday hosted by Laura at I’m an Organizing Junkie, Favorite Ingredient Friday hosted by Kathryn at Overwhelmed with Joy, Freezer Food Friday hosted by MJ at mjpuzzlemom, Scrumptious Sunday hosted by Meredith at Mercedes Rocks, Homemaker Mondays hosted by Robyn at 11th Heaven’s Homemaking Haven, Making a Happy Home Monday hosted by LL at As for me and my house…, Tempt My Tummy Tuesday hosted by Lisa at Blessed with Grace, Slow Cooking Thursday & Tips on Tuesday hosted by Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom and Tempt my Tummy Tuesday hosted by Lisa at Blessed with Grace. Doing them all make great additions to help keeping me on track and finding so new recipes!


Just for Fun

I found this over at Gina’s place and it looked interesting. I’ve been the family ‘caretaker/historian’ for a long time and so it was also interestingly accurate.

You Are Easter

You are an optimistic, hopeful, and genuinely sweet person. Sensitive and affectionate, you are easily touched. You love nature, animals, and anything cute or cuddly. For you, every day is a new chance – no matter what happened yesterday. What makes you celebrate: Almost anything. You love most holidays and celebrations. At holiday get togethers, you do best as: The peacemaker. You can prevent any squabbles that might break out. On a holiday, you’re the one most likely to: Remember to include everyone

OR I’m (depending a one single answer that I was waffling on)

You Are Thanksgiving


You are a bit of a homebody who enjoys being in the company of people you love. It doesn’t take a lot to make you happy. You’re enjoying life as it is. You have many blessings in your life, and you are grateful for each one. You believe that life is about what you *do* have. You feel like you have enough of the good stuff. What makes you celebrate: Family, friends, and the changing of the seasons. At holiday get togethers, you do best as: The host of the party on a holiday, you’re the one most likely to: Spend so much energy preparing that it’s a full time job.


You Are Mashed Potatoes


Ordinary, comforting, and more than a little predictable

You’re the glue that holds everyone together.

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Book Fun

Melinda over At Shore’s End offered up this fun meme.

Participation is simple: Pass this on to 5 blogging friends.

Open the closest book to you, not your favorite or the most intellectual book, but the book closest to you at the moment, to page 56. Write the 5th sentence, as well as two to five sentences following that. The book closest to me is Circle of Quilters by Jennifer Chiaverini. The passage I came to is this:

After checking the answering machine and the mail, she hurried downstairs to the basement. If they ever saved enough money for a larger house, Karen would insist upon a home with an extra above- ground room she could claim as her own, a quilting room that could double as a guest room. For now, a desk salvaged from a garage sale, a second hand sewing machine, and two stacks of milk crates for storage served as her quilt studio.

I’ve really enjoyed this Elm Creek Quilt series a lot and recommend it highly. SPOILER: There is no Sex, Violence or vulgar language, just clean historical intrigue!

I’m not tagging anyone specific either, but feel free to claim this award for yourself! My bloggy buddies are very special to me.
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Giving Thanks and Tips on Tuesday (way early)

Giving Thanks is hosted by Kelli at There is No Place Like Home

Tips on Tuesday is hosted by Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom

I know I’m really early for Tips on Tuesday, but I felt this was a good one to do way early and combine with giving thanks. Thanksgiving is only 6 days away!! For many people holiday cooking can be soooooooo stressful that they never enjoy the day with their family or the wonderful food they spent all day preparing!

Having been in the restaurant business most of my life has taught me a great many things, not the least of which is being prepared. Now being prepared sounds generic, but there is being prepared with a menu, being prepared with a grocery list, being prepared with sale ads and coupons to stay on budget with that list, being prepared with table arrangement, being prepared with decorations, being prepared for disaster… being prepared to change anything and everything at the last minute.

As a child I observed all the hubbub with anticipation and excitement. My parents always argued while preparing for the family and holiday meal which created that much more stress and began my impending dread of holiday/family get togethers.

As for disaster, it seems that in my parent’s house it always happened on Thanksgiving and usually involved the garbage disposal backing up and creating a HUGE mess. One year in particular it was really bad! So bad we couldn’t even have people over. My grandparents only lived a few blocks away. Long story short, grandpa brought their red Chevy station wagon over to our house with and old quilt spread out in the back and the adults loaded all the food there. My uncle and I rode in the back to keep all the bowls and pans from tilting over. While grandpa had been at our house, grandma had set the table at their house. All the food was unloaded from the station wagon and the preparation continued in grandma’s kitchen. It was one of the more memorable Thanksgivings I can remember.

Years later when I began making the Thanksgiving meal I too began to stress over it and then I decided to change it! I remembered that story and decided being prepared and flexible was the key as I too wanted to enjoy the day.

This is where the restaurant and cooking experience came in handy. I had learned along the way that most foods taste better after the flavors have the opportunity to meld. That being said, why wait until Thursday to make everything? I start on Monday. Many of us use the same recipes year after year for these holidays which should make things easier! Here are many of the things I do in advance and a few my dad used to do that are all helpful for a stress free day.

  • A few weeks before the big holiday sit down with your recipes and take stock of your pantry as you make a menu and shopping list. Compare your list to the local sales ads and the coupons you have on hand. I try to shop on a Tuesday or Wednesday when I have the time to browse and compare if necessary. I won’t say I have never run to the store for a last minute item, but I can guarantee you I always have few enough items to use the express line. I always shake my head at those people with FULL baskets on Thanksgiving morning with the turkey proudly plopped on top of the boxed dressing.
  • Now that your menu and list is complete, plan your table and decorations. I keep it harvest and autumn themed, you know warm and cozy. For me that requires ironing the table cloth & napkins and retrieving decorations from the basement so I do this the week before. On the Tuesday before I do my dusting and arrange my decorations. Everyone is different so my biggest suggestion is pretty and comfortable so everyone has a good time. (Too formal and the whole day becomes stiff.). Then on Wednesday night after dinner and the kitchen is cleaned up I iron my tablecloth and leave it draped over the table with the napkins already in their silver rings
  • On Monday I make a BIG double batch of cranberry sauce and freeze half for Christmas. I’m already working at making my Christmas preparation stress free. LOL.
  • Usually on Tuesday I scrub and peel my potatoes and boil them. I always add salt, pepper and teaspoon of vinegar to the water. Then I drain them, place them in the mixing bowl, add the butter and cover them for the refrigerator. On Thursday all I have to do is pop them into the microwave long enough to heat them and melt the butter, add the buttermilk and seasonings and mash. This way the dirty pan has long since been washed and I don’t risk garbage disposal issues.
  • I also make my stuffing on Tuesday so the flavors can meld. I actually bake it as if it were being eaten that night. Then on Thursday I only need to heat it through instead of taking up precious oven space for a longer period of time. I often make this a double batch and freeze half for Christmas.
  • The traditional green bean casserole and glazed carrots or apricot carrot casserole are made on Tuesday too as well as any dips and appetizers.
  • I reserve Wednesday for the sweets like Pumpkin Cheesecake and Rum Raisin Carrot Cake or Bread Pudding so there are fresh, but flavorful. All the pots, pans, etc… from Tuesday and Wednesday have been washed and put away helping to alleviate A LOT of the stress.
  • Dad used to prepare the turkey on Wednesday evening. This way you can boil the carcass for a great tasting gravy and have the entire mess cleaned up before the first person arrives. He would layer the white meat on one side and the dark on the other side of the oven proof platter, but ALWAYS would spray a light mist of water between the layers. He would then seal it in a tight layer of heavy duty foil. Now it is ready to be heated in the oven the next day.

Now on Thursday all I have to do is pop the turkey in the oven, set the rest of the table, make the gravy and pour myself a glass of wine while I wait stress free!

On Sunday visit Heidi at Foxgloves, Fabric and Folly where she will list the ideas and recipes that everyone has been sending her for the holidays.

♥

Favorite Ingredient Friday ~ Soup Edition II


Favorite Ingredient Friday hosted by Kathryn at Overwhelmed with Joy

I haven’t had time to submit any new recipes, but offer you these tried and true family favorites:
I participate in the memes: Menu Plan Monday hosted by Laura at I’m an Organizing Junkie, Favorite Ingredient Friday hosted by Kathryn at Overwhelmed with Joy, Freezer Food Friday hosted by MJ at mjpuzzlemom, Scrumptious Sunday hosted by Meredith at Mercedes Rocks, Homemaker Mondays hosted by Robyn at 11th Heaven’s Homemaking Haven, Making a Happy Home Monday hosted by LL at As for me and my house…, Tempt My Tummy Tuesday hosted by Lisa at Blessed with Grace, Slow Cooking Thursday & Tips on Tuesday hosted by Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom and Tempt my Tummy Tuesday hosted by Lisa at Blessed with Grace. Doing them all make great additions to help keeping me on track and finding so new recipes!

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Cards for Soldiers

Lucy at Lulu’s Petals reminded me of something we ALL need to do. When doing your Christmas cards this year, take one card and send it to the address below. If we pass this on and everyone sends one card, think of how many cards these wonderful special people who have sacrificed so much would get.

Holiday Mail for Heroes
 P.O. Box 5456
 Capitol Heights, MD. 20791-5456

Your card will be distributed by the American Red Cross to service members, veterans, and their families in the United States and around the world. Guidelines are here. Cards should be postmarked by December 10.

Please do not include any inserts, phone numbers, email addresses, or other “personal” information in your card, but don’t forget to sign it. The Red Cross suggests using a generic greeting such as “Dear Service Member.”

For more information, visit www.wramc.amedd.army.mil or www.redcross.org/holidaymail for Holiday Mail for Heroes program guidelines.

Cards should not be mailed or delivered directly to Walter Reed Army Medical Center. Walter Reed is not accepting mail addressed to “A Recovering American Soldier.

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Vintage Thingie Thursday & Show & Tell Friday

Vintage Thingies Thursday previously hosted by Lisa at Confessions of an Apron Queen
is now hosted by Suzanne at Coloradolady.
Show & Tell Friday is Hosted by Kelli at There is No Place Like Home.

A few weeks ago I shared with you the framed Christmas prints I have that are so special to me. These prints are made each year by my wonderful and talented cousin Jenn. She sends them as her Christmas card and we look forward to them each year.




These are the prints I haven’t yet been framed, but I’m in the process of to add to her wall. They look awesome with the silver toned frames on my vintage wallpaper. I knew you were waiting to see what made them vintage. LOL I’m able to preserve the wall paper with a little edge sealing and a coat of paint which is also working like a sealer as well as brightening the pattern.

I hope she’s checking today so she can see how proud I am of her work. I just wished they photographed better. If you are interested any of her work you can see her work at her ETSY shop Two Ply Two
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Giving Thanks and Slow Cooking Thursday aka Scratch Cooking Thursday bump into Freezer Food Friday ~ Oatnut Sourdough Herb Dressing


Giving Thanks is hosted by Kelli at There is No Place Like Home
Slow Cooking Thursday is hosted by Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom
Freezer Food Friday is hosted by MJ at What a Crock

Sandra always says share even if it’s not a slow cooking recipe, so I decided to use some of my scratch recipes for those weeks, I just don’t have slow cooking ones available. I’m still working pre-preparing meals for the gang over the Christmas Holidays, so this week I’m sharing a new scratch recipe for my Oatnut Sourdough Herb Dressing. My brother has been after me for years to always make it the same way I always have (tradition) and write it down, so this one is for him and to see if he really does read my blog! LOL! We use this recipe for both Thanksgiving and Christmas and I always make enough to freeze for weekday meals too. It’s a great way to use up stale bread. Sometimes I will collect the stale bread into a wrapper in the freezer until I have enough to make a large batch.

Oatnut Sourdough Herb Dressing
10 slices Brownberry or Oroweat OATNUT bread, cut intobite size chunks
1/2 loaf sourdough French bread, cut into bite size chunks
1 large sweet onion, chopped fine
1 small bunch celery (leaves and all), chopped fine
1/2 bag baby carrots, chopped fine
1 box mushrooms, chopped fine
1 tablespoon sea salt
1 tablespoon white pepper
2 sticks unsalted butter
4 cups hot water
2 tablespoons Better than Bouillon Chicken base
2 tablespoons Buttery Herb & Garlic Mix (I believe McCormick makes it)
4 teaspoons minced garlic, Jar


  • Cut bread into bite sized chunks and spread out in a thin layer over cookie sheets.
  • Bake at 200 degrees for 3-4 hours until pieces are actually hard.
  • Chop all the vegetables.
  • In a large cast iron pan melt 1/4 cup of the butter.
  • Add the onions and saute until translucent. The add the celery and carrots and continue sauteing until crisp tender. Add the garlic last as it will burn first.
  • Whisk together the water, better than bouillon chicken base and all of the seasonings.
  • Add the melted butter.
  • In a large pan toss the bread slices together.
  • Add the sauteed vegetables and toss again.
  • Add the liquid mixture and toss again until well absorbed.
  • Fold entire mixture into at least a 9×13 baking dish.
  • Bake uncovered 1 hour.
  • At this point I use a small portion for our dinner that night and freeze the rest.
  • When it’s time to cook it again, I defrost it, put it back in the same baking dish and bake it again, but this time covered with foil until the last 15 minutes so it doesn’t dry out. We like it crisp on top so I remove the foil the last 15 minutes.
I participate in the memes: Menu Plan Monday hosted by Laura at I’m an Organizing Junkie, Favorite Ingredient Friday hosted by Kathryn at Overwhelmed with Joy, Freezer Food Friday hosted by MJ at mjpuzzlemom, Scrumptious Sunday hosted by Meredith at Mercedes Rocks, Homemaker Mondays hosted by Robyn at 11th Heaven’s Homemaking Haven, Making a Happy Home Monday hosted by LL at As for me and my house…, Tempt My Tummy Tuesday hosted by Lisa at Blessed with Grace, Slow Cooking Thursday & Tips on Tuesday hosted by Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom and Tempt my Tummy Tuesday hosted by Lisa at Blessed with Grace. Doing them all make great additions to help keeping me on track and finding so new recipes!

final blog signature. ♥