Happy Thanksgiving

Forever on Thanksgiving Day
The heart will find the pathway home.
~Wilbur D. Nesbit

Cranberry Orange Relish

Cranberry-Orange Relish


2 ½ cups orange juice

1 tsp cinnamon

¼ tsp ground clove

1 pkg ( 4 serving size) cranberry jello

2 diced delicious apples and ¾ cup dried cranberries

1/2 to 1 cup chopped pecans (or walnuts)

1 Tbsp grated orange or lemon peel (optional)


Mix juice, cinnamon, cloves, in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil on a med-hi heat. Add apples and cranberries. Boil a few minutes or until apples are tender.

Add to dry gelatin in a large bowl. Stir at least 2 minutes until jello is completely dissolved.

Refrigerate about 1 ½ hour or until thickened.

Stir in nuts and orange peel.

Refrigerate 1 hr or until chilled.

Basic Bread Stuffing

Basic Bread Stuffing

12 cups bread
3 cups chopped onion
3 cups chopped celery
1 1/2 tablespoons dried sage leaves
2 teaspoons dried thyme
1 teaspoon salt
3/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
2 1/2 cups canned low-salt chicken broth
2 large eggs
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

Preheat oven to 325°F. Spread bread cubes on 2 baking sheets. Bake until bread cubes are dry and crisp, stirring occasionally, about 25 minutes. Transfer bread to large bowl.

Place chopped onion and celery in skillet and sauté until tender and beginning to brown, about 10 minutes.
Add sage, thyme, salt and pepper. Pour mixture over bread cubes.

Mix in 2 cups broth. (Stuffing can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate.)

Preheat oven to 350°F.
Place in a greased 13 x 9 x 2-inch glass baking dish.

Bake stuffing until cooked through and golden brown on top, about 1 hour.
While baking, moisten stuffing with more broth if stuffing is dry.

Monday's Menu Plan

Thankful..... For each new morning with its light,
For rest and shelter of the night,
For health and food, for love and friends,
For everything Thy goodness sends.
~Ralph Waldo Emerson



Monday: Italian Night - Chicken & Spinach Alfredo, Artisan Bread

Tuesday: Crockpot Night - Italian Beef Stew over garlic mashed potatoes

Wednesday: Chicken & Dumplings

Thursday: Thanksgiving Feast - roasting instead of frying the turkey this year, bread stuffing, mashed potatoes & gravy, yams, cranberry orange sauce, cornmeal rolls, green bean casserole, pumpkin pie




Ah! on Thanksgiving day....
When the care-wearied man seeks his mother once more,
And the worn matron smiles where the girl smiled before.
What moistens the lips and what brightens the eye?
What calls back the past, like the rich pumpkin pie?
~John Greenleaf Whittier



Friday: Family Night - homemade pizza & a movie/games...maybe bbq turkey pizza?

Saturday: Leftover Night

Sunday: Sub sandwiches & chips






May your stuffing be tasty
May your turkey plump,
May your potatoes and gravy
Have nary a lump.
May your yams be delicious
And your pies take the prize,
And may your Thanksgiving dinner
Stay off your thighs!
~Author Unknown

Monday's Simple Woman's Daybook - Nov 30th

For today ~ November 30th, 2009

Outside my window...its a clear, cold night. The almost-full moon is shining brightly. And the neighbor's wood smoke is being carried over on the brisk breeze.

I am thinking...about snow and winter. And dreaming for a "real" house, in the country with several fireplaces...and a large veranda with a swing to snuggle on, under a cozy red afghan, while drinking hot cocoa on a cold night like tonight.

I am thankful for....our dear Costa Rican friends who found out today that they will become American citizens in just 90 days! Which is nothing after waiting and trying and waiting some more, for 9 years.

I am wearing...my warm flannel jammies with snowmen on them.

I am remembering...my little Grandma. It's been almost two yrs since she passed on to her forever home. She was a special lady. She loved.

I am going...to make a new country christmas wreath to hang on our front door.

I am reading...Creative Correction - Extraordinary Ideas for Everyday Discipline, by Lisa Whelchel. So far its been good, most of the ideas are a bit on the older side for my little ones. But it has helped ignite a spark in my own mind.

I am hoping... tomorrow is a better day.

On my mind...a lot of STUFF. Frustrations and dissapointments.

From the learning rooms...Logan has been working on motor-skills. Loves working with scissors, which terrifies his poor mother! Ashleigh is sounding out every word she sees now, attempting to read everything. We watched Akeela and the Bee the other night, so she is now fascinated with spelling bees. This morning, my Mom taught her how to properly stand and repeat the word before she spelled each one. Ashleigh loved it.

Noticing that...facebook is messed up again. Wonder why they can't seem to stay on top of it?!

Pondering these words...all's well that ends well. What is that really supposed to mean?! It doesnt make any sense to me.

From the kitchen...leftover turkey & ham from Thanksgiving Dinners. As well as pumpkin & pecan pie :)

Around the house...everyone else has gone to bed. I'm enjoying the solitude. Wishing I could enjoy it longer, but am already having trouble keeping my eyes open.

One of my favorite things...donut store coffee

From my picture journal...my three musketeers in their pj's

Visit the Simple Woman's Daybook to learn how you can share your simple daybook with others too.

Free Holiday Ebook

The staff and friends of The Old Schoolhouse® have come together to share their favorite family traditions, recipes, and more with you.

It’s your FREE gift—

Family traditions
Handcrafted gifts
Delightful desserts
Memorable moments
Joyful feasting

Frugal trinkets of love
Thankful hospitality
Festive home décor
Personalized, homemade cards

Fun, kid-friendly activities

Words of Thanksgiving

Psalm 100
Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.
Worship the Lord with gladness;come before him with joyful songs.
Know that the Lord is God.
It is he who made us, and we are his;we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.
Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise;
give thanks to him and praise his name.
For the LORD is good and his love endures forever;
his faithfulness continues through all generations.

Today was a day of reflection and thanksgiving. We got together with my mom, and brothers & sisters, in-laws, neices, nephews, friends, in Illinois to celebrate life & family. This was my first time back home since my Dad passed away. Its been a tough day. But a happy day too. I have been blessed with such an amazing family. I love them dearly. I am thankful to have each one a part of my life.
I hope that you all have had a blessed day...full of thankfullness. God has given us much.

Thanksgiving Poem

When all the leaves are off the boughs,

And nuts and apples gathered in,

And cornstalks waiting for the cows,

And pumpkins safe in barn and bin,

Then Mother says, "My children dear,

The fields are brown, and autumn flies;

Thanksgiving Day is very near,

And we must make thanksgiving pies!

Holiday Traditions for Our Children

"There is no influence so powerful

as that of the mother."
~Sarah Josepha Hall, American Pioneer and Writer

There is no time like the fall to spend time building relationships with our children. To create family traditions and make memories that will last a lifetime.

What an opportunity we have to establish truths in our children!

Spending time together provides a great opportunity for me to sprinkle a little joy, faith, understanding, comfort, and praise on their dear little hearts. Someone once said that "children are like wet cement, whatever impressions you press on their heart will last forever."

God has given me two amazing little miracles! My job is to love them, guide them, protect them, encourage them, cheer for them, comfort them, and give them a sense of belonging so they will grow to be confident, compassionate and happy adults. We can accomplish this throughout the activities of the day, but a child's ears and heart seem to be a little more receptive to our message of love when we give them our undivided attention doing an activity that they enjoy. It's also an important time to listen with our own ears...about the things that are on their mind. It's amazing the things you can learn about your kids over a batch of cookie dough or a paper craft.

Yesterday, we made Turkey Hats. Very simple and easy to make. Family Fun turkey crafts has instructions for this craft as well as many others.

"We can change the world inside our own houses. Take the gift of this moment and make something beautiful of it. Few worthwhile experiences just happen; memories are made on purpose."

~Gloria Gaither

Some of my favorite holiday memories from when I was a child...is the little activities and crafts we made. Not the money spent on decorations or the holiday shows on tv.
Paper chains, posters, puppets, homemade ornaments. The stories my family read together during the fall & winter.

So even now, as a mother, that is what I want to instill in my children. The true meaning of Thanks-living...counting our blessings every day.

Simplicity.

I want my home to be the happiest place on earth for my family.....it's not so much about the "stuff" as it is about the feeling that I try to accomplish. Feelings of love, a sense of belonging, comfort and joy!

As mothers, we get to set the stage for a happy (or unhappy) home life. The things we do today will contribute to our family's memories tomorrow. This quote by Gina Pearson is so thought provoking.... "It's impossible to harvest something you don't plant." If we want to look forward to a bountiful harvest of joyful blessings and thankfulness, lets plant joy, goodness and a festive celebration-of-life in our homes

Our home is a precious heirloom
where our family dwells together.
The meals we prepare,
and the memories we share
decorate our hearts forever.


"Create a memory that you will still be talking about 5 or 10 years from now."~ John Maxwell

Monday's Simple Woman's Daybook

Here is my Daybook entry for today ~ November 24th, 2008

Outside my window. . .the night is clear and cold. The smell of the neighbors woodsmoke makes me long for a fireplace to snuggle in front of.

I am thinking. . .about the projects around the house that I want to finish up before we leave wednesday evening for Illinois.

From the learning room. . .we are reading stories about fall & thanksgiving. Doing turkey crafts.

I am thankful for. . . God's mercies being new every morning. Each new day to make memories with my family. Each day a fresh start at being a better mother.

From the kitchen. . .lingers the smell of tonight's supper. Little meatloaf muffins, mashed potatoes, and cream cheese corn.

I am wearing. . .jammies & slippers.

I am creating. . .a song playlist to place on my blog. Need to have the perfect "fall" feeling songs.

I am going. . . to freeze pumpkin tomorrow for pies & treats over the winter.

I am reading...All Through the Night, by Davis Bunn. And the Power of Thanksgiving. And my new Fix-It and Forget-It Cookbook :)

I am hoping. . . my husband is blessed in the woods tomorrow morning. It's the last day of the season and he has yet to get a deer.

I am hearing. . .my maids hard at work, drying clothes and washing dishes.

Around the house. . .its quiet and very peaceful.

One of my favorite things. . .Hallmark movies...and snow!

A few plans for the rest of the week. . .finish housework projects. MOPS steering team meeting. Catch up ALL laundry, & pack. Celebrate Thanksgiving with my family in Illinois.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing: one of our crafts today. The gleeful pilgrim hunter and a sad, sad, little turkey.

To read other's Daybook entries, please visit Peggy at The Simple Woman's Daybook to find the list of participants in this week’s The Simple Woman’s Daybook.

Thanks for stopping by! Leave me a comment...I would love to hear about your Monday.

Warm Thanksgiving Blessings!

The year has turned its circle,

The seasons come and go.

The harvest all is gathered in

And chilly north winds blow.

Orchards have shared their treasures,

The fields, their yellow grain,

So open wide the doorway- Thanksgiving comes again!

How quickly fall is passing! Here we are with Thanksgiving upon us! In just a few days, the table will be set, with freshly-polished silverware, neatly folded linen napkins, candles glowing.

The savory aromas of roasted turkey and stuffing will be wafting through the room.



The kitchen will be bustling with women-folk, all aproned-up, stirring and sampling. Cranberry relish, pumpkin pie. Kneading the dough for those golden brown rolls. Sharing tips for the best lump-less gravy. Friendly competitiveness. Busy chatter. Loads of laughter. Bonding. Nurturing





Loved ones enter out of the chilly air and into the warmth and aromas, tastes and sounds of Thanksgiving Day. Football games. Children playing pilgrams & indians.

Soon we hear the call "Time to eat! Everyone gather 'round....find your place... let's say grace..."

Oh how I love Thanksgiving! I want to take this week to reflect on Thanksgiving here on my blog. I would love to have you join me! Leave it in my "comments" or post a link to your blog there.

Some ideas that you could share:

-What you are thankful for

-Thanksgiving traditions or memories

-Recipes-Craft Ideas-Decorating ideas

-Your menu

-Cleaning/Organizing "before" and "after" pictures

-poetry

-Anything having to do with Thanksgiving!