Thanksgiving!

Oh the smell of baked turkey first thing in the morning sounds heavenly. I will be baking a turkey before Thanksgiving. Just because we like turkey.

Lynne

When my husband and I first got married I had Thanksgiving with his family. There were SO many weird foods (at least to me)... Portuguese family. Then the next day I was looking forward to my traditional turkey sandwich... only I didn't have any turkey. My husband I bought all the ingredients for another dinner and I made one just for him and me. I few years later I took over Thanksgiving. I offered to let people bring food and they'd bring the oddest things. I'd ask, "Is this a traditional food you enjoy every Thanksgiving?" No would be the answer. One even admitted to using a recipe she found in the newspaper and thought she try it out. So, I decided that food that I liked those people and continue to bring food. For the ones who insist they must bring something I steer them towards drinks. And for Cousin June who insists on bringing her version of green bean casserole (complete with swiss cheese and sour cream and corn flakes...my husband HATES sour cream) it tell him and my kids to smile and be polite. It makes her happy to bring it. Over the years I've gotten a system down to doing pretty much all the food myself. I get lots of help the day of ...everyone jumping in to help and that's what I really enjoy all us women in the kitchen gabbing and having a good time.

Years ago I decided to make Thanksgiving and other holidays my own, so I started my own traditions. Of course I kept the family things that I love, such as my grandma's sage and giblet dressing. I've added the following traditions over the years:

Roasted Squash Garlic Soup (just something I love) fresh green beans with bacon and garlic (instead of the casserole from a can) fresh cranberries cooked with sugar and lemon (instead of canned cranberry sauce) for appetizers: spicy pecans, baked brie with sliced baguettes, smoked salmon and caviar (instead of chips and vegetable tray)

I'm still trying to come up with a superb bread or roll idea, and an awesome substitute for either mashed potatoes or sweet potatoes, and to perfect my turkey. Any suggestions?

Do you have a bread machine or do you by chance like to make bread? You could do either. I have found several really good bread recipes over the years that go into the bread maker. Like a bread that tastes like seasoned stuffing. Or a bread with cranberries would be nice.

My Great Grandmother had a roll recipe that she won 1 st place at the Oklahoma State Fair. I make these. All my friends like them and want them for their celebrations and that was a lot of roll making when I decided to make some for everyone. So, I started a tradition of getting these friend together. I make a lot of dough ahead and we spend the afternoon shaping and baking rolls. The rolls freeze beautifully.

Lynne

I can definitely understand. The older my motehr gets, the more she just wants to bring one or two dishes which is fine. My MIL though still insists on doing most of it herself. So for as long as she wants to, I'll let her. She's right next door and its not like she is bringing it form terribly far away so it works. I figure in another 5 years, she'll want me to do most of it. And I'll take it when she gives it to me. She's been grooming me the last couple of years and teaching me how she does things. I'll make them mine later, but for now, i let her have the thrill of passing it on.

Renee >When my husband and I first got married I had Thanksgiving with his family.

lololol. *raises hand* What can I say, I start early. DSS is making fun of me for already having Christmas cd's in my car.

I LOVE THIS SEASON!!!!

oh my that sounds wonderful!!!

CC you're WONDERFUL!!!

Thank you!

Yes ... remember to take all the pouches out. I cooked mine with all of them in the first year. How was I to know?

YOu're welcome Renee... I get all 'fuzzy' this time of year. :-) sniff sniff.

Oooh! Sounds so good! I used to have a bread machine but it broke. Now I'm planning to ask a friend who bakes bread to teach me how to do it without a machine. She does it all the time and her bread is awesome.

I'm half done with my shopping! ;-)

Renee >lololol. *raises hand* What can I say, I start early. DSS is making fun

Hubby bought me 4 Christmas CDs already....hoping to put me in a better mood.

BAH HUMBUG! Can I cancel the holidays this year?

:-) Theresa in IL

No Mrs. Ebenezer Scrooge - you may not cancel the season. ;-) Although, you don't have to actively participate if it irritates you. ;-)

Renee in NA

Want to hear about something different for thanksgiving??? Last year DH and I went to visit his father and sister for the holiday and his father is a vegan. Only vegetables, not even milk. It is more of a health thing, but have you ever had a vegetarian thanksgiving. There was no turkey, no stuffing, no mashed taters or sweet potato caserole. It was all raw vegetable. He does not even have an oven. Every thing is uncooked. It was good, but on the way home DH and I stopped at Perkins to have turkey, and they did not have any either. I had to settle for chicken. I am thinking that we are going to be doing this again this year as my family is going up north again to see the rest and we can not get that much time off. But Christmas is another story!

-- Mel Jansen

Sounds like a scrapbook page in the making...great title anyways ;þ

Kellar

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CC!! Oh My God!! You are my hero! I have not even begun to THINK about shopping....

Dianne in Virginia Beach

Re: Flylady & Christmas (was Enough, already!!)