| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| ivmeer |
Posted - Nov 02 2005 : 07:40:45 AM
Who's cooking this year? What are you making? I'm having friends over, but I'm not sure how many yet. My parents don't come to me, because they're divorced and go to their significant others' families. The menu will be:
Roast Turkey (kosher)
Eisner family Jewish-style stuffing (we make it with challah and fry it in chicken fat before we stuff the turkey)
Perlman family apple-squash casserole (this is a lot like a
Jewish tzimmes, but probably easier. You just put apples and butternut squash and a few other things in the oven and cook them for a long time. I add raisins)
Green salad
Whatever vegetable I can find nice that week (if brussels sprouts look good, I might steam them and then toss them with olive oil, thyme and balsamic vinegar. Otherwise, asparagus or broccoli)
Homemade cranberry sauce with orange sections
Italian bread with olive oil & herbs
Sweet potato pie
Either coffee-spice cake (a friend gave me this recipe) or the recipe for Kentucky Derby pie posted by another poster here in the kitchen section.
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| 25 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| ivmeer |
Posted - Nov 30 2005 : 5:22:15 PM
Jan! If you ever are in danger of spending Thanksgiving alone, make the drive to Chicago and stay at our place. I'm serious. |
| owwlady |
Posted - Nov 29 2005 : 2:10:49 PM
I thought I was going to be alone with a tv dinner this year for Thanksgiving, but my sweetie decided to drive down and stay for 5 days. We had Thanksgiving dinner at his sister's with his family and went back the next night for leftovers. It was a wonderful surprise. Hope you all had a wonderful holiday too. Jenny, love the pics...keep 'em coming |
| CabinCreek-Kentucky |
Posted - Nov 25 2005 : 5:57:43 PM
didn't cook this year .. went to a romantic 'mill' lodge for the night and thanksgiving dinner .. had it ALL! |
| Linda Houston |
Posted - Nov 25 2005 : 3:27:09 PM
Jenny, I love your photos...yes, you are a beautiful woman and those two girls aren't far behind you. All of your shares and pictures warm my heart and I thank you for including us in your life. Those aprons are so pretty. thanks again. |
| asnedecor |
Posted - Nov 25 2005 : 2:55:25 PM
I love reading how everyone was going to spend or spent their Thanksgiving. Jenny - love those photos of you and your girls, they are very cute and look to be quite the helpers. Frannie - checked out that Doe Run Inn - what a beautiful setting and interesting place. I can see why it would be great for a romantic evening. JPbluesky - sounds like a wonderful meal (peppermint ice cream pie - yum!) you had and what fun to have a 3 year old around to see the holiday through her eyes. It is just my husband and I, but we were able to spend the holiday with my parents. My mom went all out with the turkey, mashed potatoes, homemade cranberry sauce, etc. Good wine, good food and great dessert. The big treat was seeing my niece and nephew when my brother came over. My niece, soon to be 15, is just a hair taller then me now, which makes her 5'8". It was a wonderful holiday. Today is great too, staying home (no shopping for me), baking cookies and watching the critters outside in the yard. Right now as I type the squirrels are playing whos got the nut  . I hope you all are having a wonderful Thanksgiving Holiday and enjoying your time with your families. Thanks for sharing.
Anne Portland,OR
"Second star to the right, straight on till morning" Peter Pan
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| MeadowLark |
Posted - Nov 25 2005 : 07:22:50 AM
Jenny and your little girls...what a precious picture treat! The aprons are so cute on all of you! Jenny you are beautiful, and so are your daughters! The turkey and pies look yummy! JP...I can just imagine how wonderful it must be sharing the day with your precious grandaughter...and a new one on the way! What a blessing!
If I keep a green bough in my heart, the singing bird will come. |
| CabinCreek-Kentucky |
Posted - Nov 25 2005 : 06:52:34 AM
honey hunk and i had a most romantic thanksgiving holiday .. went to a 1700's old 'mill' that has been turned into a historic lodge .. hank hiked for 4 hours through a state forest, (i antiqued while he was hiking) .. then on to "Doe Run Inn" (check it out on the internet .. it is lovely! had a delightful 'thanksgiving dinner' at the inn before heading back 'home sweet home' .. and this wonderful place is only about an hour and ahalf from our home .. we plan lots of return trips! |
| jpbluesky |
Posted - Nov 25 2005 : 06:05:51 AM
Jenny - you are a very pretty person! And your little cuties look like you are raising them right! We are loving all your photos! And the turkey looks yummy, too!
We had a great day. We put up the tree while my little granddaughter was napping and when she got up and walked into the living room, her eyes got so big! Today, she will help put up hers at home...she can't wait to be a helper with the lights and ornaments.
We had a good meal - my daughter made a spinach casserole to die for. After dinner, we went to my best friend's home for dessert. My daughter took a pumpkin pie fresh from the oven and a peppermint ice cream pie. They had the coffee and chocolate pound cake! So, after all the good turkey and trimmings and veggies, we ate more! And Abigail sang and danced for us as only a three year old can do - with abandon.
My heart was full! Thank you, God.
"Sell cleverness and buy wonder" |
| Utahfarmgirl |
Posted - Nov 24 2005 : 8:28:50 PM
Jenny, love those photos! Your girls are so beautiful and helpful! And they look snazzy in their aprons. Woo hoo!
Love,
Patricia
Happy Wishes! |
| Aunt Jenny |
Posted - Nov 24 2005 : 6:21:29 PM
We had a wonderful day and meal!! Just us here this time..but a wonderful, quiet family day. Husband worked on the Christmas lights on the house, the kids watched Christmas videos and played outside alot, and I spent my time in the kitchen and also doing some embroidery on pillow tops for Christmas gifts...I wish we had had snow! How fun (and fitting) to see a herd of turkeys today, Beth!! This is turkey farm country so we see plenty every day if you do any driving at all..the Norbest turkey plant is about 20 minutes away in Moroni. It provides alot of jobs I guess around here and everyone that is a native is either a turkey farmer or related to one it seems!! I cooked a 23 lb bird today and we have alot left..it was yummy..I love those leftovers!
Here are a couple pictures of me and my helpers today:
Jenny in Utah
It's astonishing how short a time it takes for very wonderful things to happen...Frances Burnette |
| celebrate2727 |
Posted - Nov 24 2005 : 1:07:14 PM
A very happy Thanksgiving to all! I am enjoying a family dinner at my mother in laws. She made her famous home made rolls and all the fixin's. The best part was watching a herd(!?!?) of 30 turkeys stroll through. Enjoy your day!
A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort.
-Herm Albright (1876 - 1944)
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| therusticcottage |
Posted - Nov 24 2005 : 09:12:51 AM
Happy Thanksgiving! I got up at 6 this morning to get my 20 lb turkey stuffed and in the oven. I went back to bed for a little while and when I woke up the house smelled like turkey! That is the best smell! I just love this holiday -- it is my favorite! Hope you all have a wonderful day.
The only time that housework comes before sewing is in the dictionary!
http://rusticcottage.blogspot.com/ |
| KJD |
Posted - Nov 24 2005 : 06:00:36 AM
Sara - that is beautiful! Your grandmother's love is making your rolls rise to the top! Happy Thanksgiving! |
| nono |
Posted - Nov 23 2005 : 8:26:30 PM
The wonderful thing about being able to read everyone's menus here is that so many of them are like a piece of a family tree. Aunt so and so's pie, someone's dressing, etc. The best part of Thanksgiving is sharing yourself and your heritage with those you love.
I'm making rolls to take to my in-laws house for thanksgiving that my mother has made every year for as long as I can remember. For years, I couldn't get the rolls to rise properly. Then a couple of years back, I started thinking of my grandmother kneading bread in her kitchen when I was little while I was making them. That was the year my rolls started rising, and they've been beautiful every year since and I think of my grandmother every time I make them. So, when I make them to share now around the holidays, it's like grandma is at the thanksgiving dinner with me. What a gift. |
| connio |
Posted - Nov 23 2005 : 4:35:50 PM
Hey Farm Girls!!!!!
Here is a bit of Thanksgiving humor:
A Thanksgiving Haiku
Load the dishwasher
Quick, before the trytophan
Nails us to the couch
poet--Skip Mendler
Connie
cozycottage |
| Lavender Cottage |
Posted - Nov 18 2005 : 04:48:42 AM
Lynda, awesome! Thanks for sharing |
| FarrarFarmgirl |
Posted - Nov 17 2005 : 11:33:35 AM
Hi, Amanda
Thank you for saying so, I'm glad you enjoyed a peek into our Thanksgiving Day celebrations. It was fun writing about it. I get so involved with all the planning and preparations (like I am now for this Sunday), that it was really nice to reflect on it as a whole picture.
And, we too, serve green bean casserole at both gatherings - it's a must have! :o)
I pray your celebrations and gatherings will be joyous and memorable.
In His hands,
Lynda
Pray in faith and you will not live in doubt. |
| ivmeer |
Posted - Nov 17 2005 : 10:44:57 AM
Lynda, that is absolutely wonderful. What an incredible family you have. |
| FarrarFarmgirl |
Posted - Nov 17 2005 : 09:33:38 AM
Reading all of this just makes my mouth water and me ever more anxious for our celebrations. I'd like to share a little about our family Thanksgivings, but I apologize up front because I know it is longer than most, but means so much to be able to do so. I hope you enjoy 'joining us' through my musings.
We have two traditions in our family. We celebrate very big on both sides, mine and my husbands. I'm the oldest of 8 and he is one of 5, so they can both get to be quite large. In order to get them both in we have a gathering on the Sunday before Thanksgiving with my side and on Thanksgiving day for my husband's side. I'm so thankful for both and love the opportunity to share them with you. I hope it might be something that will give you an idea to do or try with your family, too, kind of like sharing those recipes. The spinach and cranberry ice sound absolutely awesome.
For my dad's side of the family we get together at a hunting lodge that my uncle belongs to so that we can all fit. About 5 years ago we started this because we realized that on T-Day dad's side of the family never saw each other for the holiday. So for the first year I hosted the meal and there were 63 people at my house - I have a small house, but the weather was good so that helped. That's when we moved to the hunting club - whew! and thank goodness. It really is nice to be able to spread out, it's a huge one room lodge with a kitchen and nice yard for outdoor activities.
Every year the "host" rotates and they provide the meat (usually 2 turkeys and a ham), the drinks (tea, coffee, lemonade) and all the paper goods. Everyone else brings a side dish and a dessert and their own drinks if they want something other than what's provided. When we are done eating, we play a game that will involve as many people as possible like Pictionary or Trivial pursuit. Some play washers, the kids just run around and babies get passed from one kiss to another. We also have a huge muslin table cloth that gets laid out on a seperate table and everyone writes with a permanent fabric marker a little note of something they are thankful for and dates it. We usually have a corner to take each family's pictures, too. The average attendance is about 50-60 people (out of a possible 115). That's just my dad's immediate family! It's so much fun!
On Thanksgiving Day we are all at my husband's brother's house near the farm. They are always the host providing the turkey and ham. I go down on Wednesday to help with the cooking; pies, onion casserole, dressing and blatz kuchen. After church everyone starts to arrive bringing the traditional side dishes and desserts. At this gathering there are usually around 30 or so.
But what sets this celebration apart from any other is that for the last 18 years the guys and the kids have a Turkey Bowl game. The whole family is involved in it one way or the other. The men/boys and little guys play the game, the women get to run the video camera and take pictures. Others stay inside and play board games, watch movies, take naps, look at pictures or just talk. This year we are going to start some kind of craft, maybe ornaments for Christmas.
All year long the game is built up among the players, it is so much fun to see them plot and plan and strategize. Of course, it's contagious and everyone tries to contribute in some way.
Over the last 18 years these are some of the things that have been done in honor of the game. On Wednesday the playing field is lined. Play books have been made, each team has a uniform and name, there is a press box, score board, and goal post, and there is a ceremonial toss coin. The flag is raised right before team pictures. It is filmed and photographed from start to finish. The drink of the game is NOT Gatorade, but pink lemonade. An annual newsletter is sent out a couple of weeks before Thanksgiving with all of the previous year's stats, various articles and a recipe. After the game, they will watch the game video to vote on MVP and award the traveling trophy and then consume large amounts of pie. Over the years we have had calendars, mugs, t-shirts, bumper stickers, corn sacks and playing cards made. This year I'm making Turkey Bowl aprons! It is such a testament to the tradition and nothing will stand in the way of any one of them missing it. Last year they started bringing in some "new blood" since some of the older guys (such as my husband and his older brothers) are getting a little slower and a lot achier. Those little guys are so, so, so excited to be brought into THE game. It's a huge ordeal, we've even had spectators. I keep saying, "if we build it, they will come." One of these years we may have bleachers. Several years ago they did have lights and weather has never been a factor, they've played in shorts and t-shirts and been bundled up like snowmen.
There are so many stories and memories and treasured moments it's hard to contain in a brief little explanation, as you can see, but I share this with the hope that it will spark a new idea or allow you to expand on something that your family already does to keep tradition alive and growing from one generation to the next.
Truly, we have so much to praise and thank God for and that most definitely includes all of you. You are such a blessing to me in more ways than I could describe in words. Just being able to share these memories and traditions (as long-winded as they may be - sorry) and know you understand the warmth and love it brings to our family, means the world to me. It amazes me that I can share these kinds of things with women I have never met in person but only know what tugs at their heart; and you know, you just know. It's just not the same with the people I work with everyday, they don't get it. So THANK YOU very much for opening your heart and arms to me. Blessings to you all.
In His hands,
Lynda
Pray in faith and you will not live in doubt. |
| therusticcottage |
Posted - Nov 16 2005 : 10:04:18 PM
Someone was talking about brined turkey the other day. I got two recipes in my Betty Crocker newsletter today. Here's the link. Enjoy!
http://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes/search/search_results.aspx?searchText=Brined+Turkey
The only time that housework comes before sewing is in the dictionary!
http://rusticcottage.blogspot.com/ |
| junebug |
Posted - Nov 11 2005 : 1:27:17 PM
My oldest son and wife want to host it this year, but I will be cooking just the same, noting like turkey sandwiches the next day that you just don't get at someone elses place. But they put me in charge of desserts and homemade bread, so I will be busy just the same. It's kinda nice to let your kids take over now and then!
" Age is mind over matter, if you don't mind, it dont' matter"
www.countrypleasures.motime.com |
| Luzy |
Posted - Nov 11 2005 : 12:56:03 PM
We make a really good turkey at our house, if I do say so myself!! We marinate him for 2 days and it's always juicy. We separate the skin from the breast portion area, careful not to cut through the skin and using the turkey baster add the marinade in between the skin and meat. The marinade consists of : chicken broth, olive oil, garlic salt, poultry seasoning, sage and pepper. Turn the turkey breast side down in the pan, cover w/wrap and let em' sit in the fridge for 2 days. Cook as usual. I learned this trick 25 years ago and we've prepared our turkeys like this every year. It's always a hit! Luzy
--
May I always be the kind of person my dog thinks I am. |
| Lavender Cottage |
Posted - Nov 11 2005 : 12:27:51 PM
Yummy-this all sounds soooo good. I'll be going from MI to my small hometown in Ohio-Dad and sibs will be cooking and I'll be doing clean-up - eating a full plate and then the last bit in the dish so I can wash it-LOL! Dad grew tons of squash so I know we'll be having that (baked with brown sugar and butter) and turkey and mashed potatoes and green been casserole and sweet potato marshmallow bake-SIL makes that-oh so good. I should make a few loafs of homemade bread to take since I just rediscovered how much I love to make it-they sure would be surprised! And, there will be pumpkin pie for sure-mine and dad's favorite.
I can't wait!
I am going to keep these great recipes you all shared for future gatherings-thanks! |
| lonestargal |
Posted - Nov 11 2005 : 10:02:32 AM
We usually eat at my parents house and we just make the traditional Thanksgiving dinner. My mom and I share the cooking. She usually makes
Spiral Ham
pumpkin pie
mashed potatoes
and I usually make
Turkey
green beans
homemade rolls
caramel apple pie
We always have stuff to snack on like Sausage and Cream cheese quesadillas with homemade salsa, little smokies in BBQ sauce, guacamole with homemade chips, and relish trays seem to be the most popular with our family. This year my aunt and uncle from California are flying here so there will be 12 people and 8 four legged furry people that will get food!! |
| Eileen |
Posted - Nov 11 2005 : 09:32:51 AM
Thanks KJD for posting that recipe it sounds delicious and now I will add it to my menue to.
Speaking of thanksgiving i am going to put a link here to a really fun e-greeting for thanksgiving that was sent to me by a dear friend. Hope the link works for you, ENJOY!
Click on the link:
http://www.msn.americangreetings.com/view.pd?i=382219626&m=1652&rr=y&sou
Eileen
Songbird; singing joy to the earth |
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