Happy Thanksgiving

I hope that everyone had a good day! Ours went well. I did make the dressing and the pumpkin pie filling from scratch. I am thankful that no one died from eating either… LOL! The cranberry yuck I made was a hit. Yes, I called it cranberry yuck because it is not what I like. I make for the others! Its more like a compote since I add walnuts to it.

Our menu consisted of:

Turkey

Dressing

Potatoes

Sweet Potatoes (baked)

Acorn Squash

Corn

Veg tray & Dip

Gravy

Deviled eggs

Cranberry Yuck (1bag cranberries, 1cup sugar, 1/2cup orange juice and 2 handfuls of walnuts)

Chestnuts **Story to come about the Damn Chestnuts**

Sourdough Dinner Rolls

Pumpkin Pie (homemade pumpkin puree)

Angel Food cake

Whipped cream (made from heavy cream)

Blackberries

So the only processed food was the pie crust, canned corn, angel food cake, mayo in the eggs and the can of sweetened condensed milk. Not to bad. Next year I hope to make my own of all the above listed ingredients.

Yart

Goodbye / Hello

 

Good Bye Stovetop! Hello Homemade! This is the first time I will be making dressing from scratch. There are still a few things I need to learn how to make and this one will be able to come off the list!

Photo: Con Poulos/Woman's Day

Basic Herb Stuffing Recipe – Thanksgiving Recipes at WomansDay.com:

 

Active Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Serves: 10

 

Recipe Ingredients

• 3 Tbsp olive oil, plus more for the pan
• 1 small loaf country bread (about 1 lb), cut into 1/2-in. pieces (about 10 cups)
• 2 medium onions, chopped
• Kosher salt and pepper
• 2 large carrots, cut into 1/4-in. pieces
• 2 stalks celery, cut into 1/4-in. pieces
• 3 cups low-sodium chicken broth
• 1 cup fresh flat-leaf parsley, chopped
• 2 tsp fresh thyme leaves
• 2 large eggs, beaten

Recipe Preparation

1. Heat oven to 375°F. Oil a 3-qt casserole dish. Place the bread on a rimmed baking sheet and toast until golden brown, 15 to 20 minutes; transfer to a large bowl.
2. Meanwhile, heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onions, 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp pepper and cook, covered, stirring occasionally, until very tender and beginning to turn golden, 6 to 8 minutes.
3. Add the carrots and celery and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender, 6 to 7 minutes. Add the broth and bring to a boil. Stir in the parsley and thyme.
4. Transfer the vegetable mixture to the bowl and toss with the bread. Fold in the beaten eggs. Transfer to the prepared baking dish, cover with foil and bake for 10 minutes. Remove the foil and bake until golden brown, 15 to 20 minutes more.

Yart

Dinners for Occasions

Last year we were at the Living history museum around Thanksgiving and I was able to pick up a listing of a menu from Dinners for Occasions.

Thanksgiving Dinners

Menu No. I

(New England)

Our rural ancestors, with little blest,

Patient of labor when, the end was rest,

Indulg’d the day that hous’d their annual grain,

With feasts and offerings and a thankful strain.

~Pope.

Oyster Stew,

Celery,

Oyster Crackers,

Roast Stuffed Turkey,

Brown Gravy,

Cranberry Moulds,

Oak Hill Sweet Potatoes,

Turnips and Carrots in White Sauce,

Boiled Onions,

Chicken Pie,

Mince Pie,

Squash Patties,

Fruit Pudding,

Brandy Sauce,

Assorted Nuts,

Raisins,

Café Noir

My Menu will be a tad bit less impressive! LOL!

Yart

Feeling better

Now that the silly season is upon us what to do....?!? Most of my shopping is done. The house is decorated. I still have to can up the turkey broth and leftover turkey. Never got around to it the other day. I went shopping for the pantry again today. It is filling out nicely. Still some holes but we are getting there. Finally, went and worked out again. I feel almost dead... LOL! I really pushed myself to finish the workout. I finished the third hat. Yeah! Now there are 3 more hats sitting waiting for me to do something with them. I know.... I really need to get my butt in gear and post everything on etsy. Did I tell you I even bought a foam head. That way I didn't scare anyone with my head in the pictures...teehehe! If you didn't notice I'm just rambling. I felt compelled to type, but I really don't have anything to say.

Tomorrow Grim and I go back to the dentist. This will be my last visit for the year. Grim is getting a cleaning and work done. It may be his last visit for the year also... LOL! The monsters will be getting appointments for after the first of the year. Then we can all be up to date with the dental.

I decided that it was high time to show off some pictures. So out comes the camera and I start to download all 323 pictures..... Little did I remember that I allowed the oldest ones use of my camera on a road trip we took back in October. They took a whopping 243 pictures. Most were blurry as we were driving. But I would like to share a few other photos.

 A storm was moving in this day... But oh, the colors were just brilliant!

 Here were our pumpkins!

 Yep, those are Indian Corn Cupcakes.

 Baklava....First attempt. Everyone who had some said it tasted just like baklava!

And here are the pies that Teenage monster and I made.

Well, its getting late. And I need to make sure I get to the gym in the morning.

Gotta Run,

Yart

Thankful part4

Today I'm thankful for the blue gray morning that allows me time today to reflect. As I sit here with my laptop, the only sound I hear is the little Chistmas clock ticking. I have a great sense of satisfation. Yesterday I got all of the hard work done. Four pumpkin pies were made, 22 cupcakes, 2 loaves of french bread, apple crisp and baklava, all done. Plus the dip is made and the veggies all cut up. Plus, the monsters all helped with different desserts. Now Teenage monster knows the family secret to making the pumpkin pies.... LOL! It was funny she said that making the pies was way easier then she thought it would be. I told her that most things in the kitchen are easier then we think. Just like the baklava, this is my first time making it and Grim comes out and says to me..... Wow, that really looks like baklava.... LOL!

The turkey is in and the family is still sleeping..... I really should be back in bed..... With the stillness of the morning my mind is going a million miles an hour. There is really nothing left todo until later. So I guess I am off to knit some more.

Happy Thanksgiving to all!

Gotta Run,

Yart

Thankful part3

I am so Thankful that the monsters had a 1/2 day of school today. Now that everyone is home and fed, it is time to start on the food prep. The first thing I am going to start on is the bread. While that is rising, I can get started on the Pumpkin pies, cupcakes and apple crisp. Then all the veggies will get cut up, and the potatoes peels and pot readied. The dip can be made, as well as the deviled eggs.... yummmm!

Only one more room needs to be cleaned. The kitchen is always the last room and sometimes due to time constraints it never gets done. But we are going to try and get all the cooking done so then I can do the cleaning.... Oh, well! I'm thankful for a house that I can complain about cleaning, heating, or repairing. It has sheltered us from the weather, financial and emotional storms, all the while keeping us safe and warm. Yes, sometimes it is a burden of sorts, but in the long run it is worth all the costs.

Well, the cooking isn't doing it itself..... (oh, I wish)!

Gotta Run,

Yart

Thankful part2

I made it to the dentist today. One more tooth fixed! YEAH! But I didn't get a reminder call to come into work bingo, last night. So I figured that I missed signing up for the day... Plus, I'm still not feeling well. I didn't think anything of it. Then I'm helping my brother and they called my cell. LOL! Very rarely do I answer my phone. I was suppose to be there at 4:30 they are calling at almost 5:30 to see where I'm at. Oh, well! So I ended up being home tonight. I think I'm feeling better. I sure hope I am, cause if not I told Grim I would call the doc in the morning.....blech. But whats a girl todo!

I'm Thankful part2: I am so thankful for the food that I have purchased, canned, dehydrated, frozen, or pickled. It is so comforting to know that in case of any type of emergency comes our way we will be well fed. Even if sometimes it falls short. It has taken me years to build a food storage that works for us. In the beginning I only had processed foods. Then as time went on and we found out about the dangers of HFCS, I started adding more items to make meals from scratch. Then came the canning and dehydrating on to the scene. Once these skills were learned I moved on to making bread. I know that my family is very thankful that all the recipes turned out well. I am waiting for "Dinner Is In The Jar: Quick and Easy Dinner Mixes in Mason Jars or Mylar Bags"  Kathy Clark (Author) to come in the mail. I can't wait for this book as it will help with convenience types of food for storage.

I got down in the basement yesterday and had to clean up the pantry. Since I leave the monsters to take the food down and put it away... Every now and then I need to go in and straighten it up. We put away all the empty jars. Added a shelf and filled it up. Some of the jars got moved around to make more room. Then I got feeling poorly and had to go and lay back down. Later in the day I asked Teenage monster to run down and get a turkey out of the freezer to thaw. Well, she looked, Grim looked and then they came to tell me..... See usually I get several turkeys every year. One for Thanksgiving and one for Christmas and one for the following Thanksgiving. That way I usually have several in the freezer. But this year I must have miss counted, no turkeys and no hams either. Oh, well. So Grim and I had to run out today and get two.... LOL! At least this year I didn't wait till the last minute to thaw one and not have it. By the way, I only paid .49 cents a pound with a ten dollar purchase. So I added things that we needed in the pantry. Ohhhhh, and I picked up two cans of plums. I am going to make sugar plums for Christmas this year..... I can't wait to try them.... It is a new to us thing. 

Since I'm talking about Thanksgiving, here is a partial list:

Turkey

Mashed Potatoes homegrown

Sweet Potatoes

Stuffing

Corn

Carrots

Squash

Celery, Carrots, Cucumbers, Crackers & Dip

Homemade Bread

Gravy

Deviled Eggs

Pumpkin Pie with Homemade whipped cream

Apple Crisp

Cupcakes

Oh, happy news. I learned a new skill tonight. I learned how to cut the rabbits nails. They had gotten quite long and very sharp. Every time on of the monsters tried to pet or pick up the rabbit it scratched them. So I got out a towel and got the bunny to calm down then I trimmed them just like I do the cats. I didn't take a lot off this time. I figure a little each time, that way he can get use to it. And yes, our bunny is a he..... While he was on my lap I was able to examine the underside.... He has all three boy parts. Mouthy monster was a little disappointed. She asked if we can still pretend that the bunny's a girl..... Like it matters to me.... LOL! One more step to being confident about raising animals.

Its late and I need to be in bed,

Gotta Run,

Yart

Thankful part1

I am thankful that this cold that has grabbed me hasn't killed me yet!?! This is the first major cold I've had since last years bought with the flu. But I think I brought this on myself. With all the eating good, vitamins and supplements, and exercising my body decided it was time for a formal detox.... YEAH, NOT! It started off as me being very cold and sneezy. Then my head stuffed up and so did my chest. Was in bed all day yesterday and now I'm to the stage that it is breaking up.

It's a good thing the house is almost clean.... LOL! I still have to go over the bathroom and the kitchen. As with past years we put out the invitation to friends and family for Thanksgiving dinner and those that can show up do. So from year to year I never know how many people are coming so I prepare for an army. Good thing I have the monsters. Especially, since Grim has therapy, then I have a dentist appointment for a filling, a couple hours free then bingo on Monday. Tuesday, Grim has more therapy and we need to make the wine and get started on cooking. I haven't even started any cookies or breads yet. But I do have turkeys in the freezer from last years sales. I think that I'm going to cook 2 of them. One to eat and one to can. Yep, you guessed it, I still haven't cleaned out my freezers yet.

I am almost done with the third knitted hat. So see I haven't really been wasting my time.... LOL! Even though it seems like it to me, I know that I'm still accomplishing things. And I got most of a blanket pinned so that I can get the back sewed on. Once this hat is done I will be moving on to sewing once again. I have ton of material that I bought last year that needs to be used up. Same with the yarn but I think the aprons need to be made. And the reusable bags are crying that they need to be sewed up also... So many things so little time.

What I'm thankful for part 1:

I'm thankful for my family. My Grim is a wonderful man who tries very hard to take care of us, even when he is feeling under the weather. He has a great big smile and boasterous laugh. He is rough and tumble on the outside but soft and squishy on the inside.... Shhhh, don't let him know I said that....LOL! I couldn't have asked for a better father for my children or a better husband for me. I'm thankful for my monsters. The oldest for being very helpful and a bit sassy. And a great help around the house and with the little ones. Picky monster is the humor of the family. She helps to make hard times easier with her antics. And last but not least for Mouthy who is the ever lasting drama queen. She makes the most mundane things exciting with her imagination.

That's all I'm up to for today!

Gotta Run,

Yart

Happy Thanksgiving all! I am not cooking until tomorrow. With the move it is just to hectic. I have the pies made and the sauerkraut in the crockpot and the eggs are cooked and peeled. I am ready! Just have to toss the bird in, in the morning. Band monster will peel the taters and clean the veggies for the tray. I still have to make bread tonight and biscuits for tomorrow.

And somewhere in all the cooking and cleaning I have to be there to supervise the move of my mom..... I am the mover in the family. I personally have moved like 6 times in 20 years and have moved so many other people that I'm like a professional now. We have been moving what we can since Saturday. But we have the truck now so we should be able to move everything from the basement to the storage unit today. Maybe even some of the stuff from the main floor as well. Now your saying how much stuff does this woman have.... Tons! My mom is a bit of a hoarder. This came about after my dad passed away. Shopping is what she did to fill the void. And now we are working her through it. Not to mention I grew up in a 5 bedroom house and was an only child. My mom had a ton of stuff even before the hoarding began.

But to everyone that is celebrating today! May you have a lovely day with family and friends and memories of those that have passed! Of course the health warning try not to eat too much food.... You will only regret it later.... LOL!

Gotta Run,
Yart

Tuesday Ramblings

With yesterday being Thanksgiving in Canada, that meant my mom was home from work. One of her friends came over and they went shopping for the day. They were nice enough to call me to go to lunch with them. Nothing fancy just Big Boys. The food was alright, but the company was fantastic. I love this friend of my mom's, she is always ready for a good laugh.

I tried to get the sauerkraut canned up yesterday. Needless to say, it didn't go well. I made it way to early and it went bad. So now I need to go and get more cabbage. I am fine with that. I only spent a dollar on the cabbage last time. And it was a learning experience. Don't make sauerkraut until the first frost. Not because it changes the cabbage but the area that it will ferment will be cooler. So now I just have the apples, zucchini and 2 acorn squash to process. Then I can decide if I want to get carrots to put up and if I want some more apples to make an apple liquor. And anything else that might catch my fancy at the farm market. LOL! I know, I'm terrible. I look forward to canning and then I complain and then I look for more things to do so it doesn't end.

I have a pot of chili simmering on the stove as I type. I made it a little different this time. I did a quick soak with the beans, I like this method way better. And I didn't add as much liquid. Have to wait and see if they like the thicker chili?!? It is 48* outside right now. So I wanted to have something warm in my belly tonight. We will have corn bread muffins to go with the chili. I had to dig around in the cupboard to find these mixes. Need to add it to the grocery list to get more.

Tomorrow will be bread day. This will be the first time in months that I have made bread. I am dreading it. Once I get started with it again it will be like a long lost friend. But it is just the thought of all that work. LOL! I'm already thinking of the cinnamon bread I could make or the banana bread, ohhhhh the muffins and cupcakes. Like I said terrible.

Mom and I took the monsters down to one of the orchards over the weekend. That's where I got the Jonathon apples from. While we were there they were making apple butter in a cauldron over an open fire. The woman had a great big huge paddle that she had to use to constantly stir the apple butter so that it wouldn't burn. I am so happy that the crockpot was invented, among other appliances of convenience. I can see myself outside all day stirring apple butter or anything else for that matter. But then again if I had to do that then maybe I wouldn't have to clean the bathroom or some other dreaded chore.....hmmmmm!
Since I still don't have batteries for the camera and I'm tired of the crappy camera phone pictures I found a graphic to represent the woman and the apple butter.