Happy Thanksgiving

Hello

I want to thank Karen at Valentine Designs for setting up my new blog look, she is patient, kind, talented and fast. If you are looking to redo your blog or just want a lift, I know you will be well pleased with Karen's work.

Is everyone working on Christmas projects? I am in the studio much of the time now, don't you just love this time of year? I have the Christmas music on, the sewing machine is whirling and all my white wool is everywhere!

 No flat surface is exposed this time of year.  

I have my etsy shop open and I will be adding new things after Thanksgiving because I am doing a show Thanksgiving weekend. 

My new buttons at the top can take you to my etsy shop or to my other blog or to my art... cool huh?

I need to do some work still on the buttons.

I am excited to have all my children and their families home for Thanksgiving. 

It is a good time even though I have to cook. I am not real fond of that dinner... so many side dishes to juggle and trying to keep everything hot from kitchen to dining room table. We have two vegetarians/gluten free, so we need to cater to them also.

We have the traditional 22# bird with dressing and yes, I put it inside the bird... it keeps the bird moist and adds flavor. I also have it on the side because our crew numbers around 25 and everyone loves dressing. When I take it out of the bird I mix it with the other dressing and that way it adds flavor. I also brown the giblets and put them in the side dressing for flavor but take them out when done and put them to the side for who ever wants them. (not me!)

There are so many good recipes out there for dressing  but I am afraid if I deviated from my mothers recipe I would have a mutiny on my hands. Once 10 years ago I took corn out of the menu and I still hear about it. 

The dressing is pretty easy and basic. I brown a couple of pounds of ground beef with onion, celery and seasoning. I use the whole sage, it isn't as potent as ground so I throw in the whole bottle. After the mixture is done I melt in a stick or more of butter and mix it with a large package of unseasoned bread cubes. If it doesn't seem moist enough I add a little water to the pan and then pour it into the dressing. I then stuff the bird after I wash it and remove any pin feathers, rub it with salt and then butter. I use a cooking bag, it really cuts down on the cooking time.

Thanksgiving menu is turkey, ham, mashed potatoes and gravy, sweet potatoes, corn, green bean casserole, fruit salad, red cabbage and corn souffle... Not to mention the cranberries and cranberry orange relish and pie for dessert.

Is that close to your menu?

I am so thankful that we will all be together this year, every year we are together I feel more blessed then the year before. I have so much to be thankful for I can't begin to make a list but number one would be my Lord who loves and cares for my family whether we are together or a part. There is a peace in life when you trust that all things come together for good, it is then that you can give thanks in all things.

Blessings to your house from ours this Thanksgiving,

Rebecca