November 30, 2014

CRANBERRY BREAD ON THE SECOND THANKSGIVING

Are you really going to have a second Thanksgiving?
Yes we are and we did! 
I will tell you this....it was almost better the second time around!


On Saturday, we fired up the turkey fryer and began the second process of frying a turkey! 
I am so glad I snapped this beautiful picture on Saturday of the greenbelt, because today,
the leaves are almost gone.


We can thank our master family chef for changing up the recipe on the turkey, as we agreed, it was one of the best tasting turkey's we ever had! He used a garlic herb marinade, along with a rub of liquid smoke and Worcestershire sauce! Oh my......it was totally divine!!


Rob was home and all was right with the world!



Man's work! 


I think it's obvious.....I am over the moon happy having my youngest home! 


"Let's do a selfie Robbie"......laughing as we snapped about eight selfies....



Well Mama....you pulled it off....two Thanksgivings back to back!
Congratulations! 


A blessed dinner


Beautiful Bo.......I think even BoBo was beginning to need a nap after all the activities! 
What a very happy and blessed Thanksgiving we were granted this year! 


Meanwhile down in Horseshoe Bay near Austin, Cat's family was gathering for their Thanksgiving!
I know how happy they are to see more family and enjoy the beautiful weather we had this weekend! 


Our sweet and beautiful girls....Cat and Miss Abbie


Caden had visited his uncle and family for Thanksgiving this year and was finally home on Saturday!
Looks like the boys are happy being reunited once again over in Atlanta! 


Miss M requested that I please publish my cranberry bread recipe!
I have made this for years and it's my go-to recipe! Lovely served with orange cream cheese! 


MADISON COUNTY COOKERY CRANBERRY BREAD
2 cups flour
1/2 t. baking soda
1 1/2 t. baking powder
1 t. salt
1/4 cup butter
1 cup sugar
1 egg
3/4 cup orange juice
1 t. grated orange peel
1 cup fresh chopped cranberries
1/2 cup chopped walnuts

Sift dry ingredients together. Cream butter and sugar. Then beat in egg. Add the flour mixture, alternately with orange juice and orange peel. Mix well after each addition. Fold in the cranberries and walnuts. Turn into a greased loaf pan. Bake @ 350 degrees F. for 50-60 minutes.

November 29, 2014

OUR THANKSGIVING GATHERING


Thanksgiving 2014 turned out to be yet another glorious holiday in Texas!
The weather was absolutely gorgeous....a chill that warranted a light jacket and 
sunshine on our shoulders! The trees were at the peak of their color! 





 The darling and me.....I believe this is our 43rd Thanksgiving together! 
I was so happy to wear my beautiful apron that was handcrafted by 
Susan at My Mother's Apron Strings! 


Everyone's favorites.....The Appetizer Table



The Thanksgiving Pies......Pumpkin and Apple


The Best Cherry Pie Ever



Greg and Jenn


Nick and Cat


The gathering....the family minus Miss M and her family, and Rob....boo-hoo/boo-hoo
Enjoying champagne, wine, story telling, the firepit and some Cowboy football.


My precious grandchildren, now catching up to me in height


The greenbelt was absolutely stunning this day


Playing Frisbee


The Bobo



Papa and his boys......frowning over the Cowboys.....


The brothers....minus one.....and their big sis


Turkey carving


 Papa and his one and only, favorite granddaughter



We gather together......


It was our Happy Thanksgiving, 2014
Hope yours was blessed as well.

November 26, 2014

DINING ON PUMPKIN PIE IN A JAR AS WE CELEBRATE THANKSGIVING BLESSINGS


We Gather Together To Ask The 
Lord’s Blessings




Are you preparing to welcome "your people" home for Thanksgiving? This is a beloved term we often use in the south when referring to family. The door bell rings, and the festivities begin! The fireplace is warming the house, the aroma of sweet pumpkin and savory turkey fills the kitchen! The champagne cork pops, and we're off to the dining room. Oh yes, and the Dallas Cowboys game is unfolding in the background.

As you go through the day, perhaps still planning your menu, it's always fun to think outside the box and become inspired by a little twist on an old favorite! The pumpkin pie! Often times, when living in Maine, the darling and I traveled over to York, and loaded up our basket with all the goodies offered by The Stonewall Kitchen.



I never let a holiday pass, without serving up their delicious jams! 


I believe they took advantage of a "no snow day" to decorate the store! 


This would be a lovely way in which to serve a smaller portion of Pumpkin Pie!
 I'm definitely going to keep this idea for Christmas! Thank you Stonewall Kitchen for keeping us inspired in our kitchens and our tummies full of good food! 
I love giving this maple syrup as gifts for the holidays! It is certainly a "taste of Maine!"
This syrup is freatured in today's recipe, however, you can certainly substitute if needed. 




PUMPKIN PIE IN A JAR
The Pie Filling

1 (¼-ounce) package unflavored gelatin
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon ground ginger
½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
½ teaspoon salt
¼ cup maple syrup
1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
2 large eggs, beaten
1 (15-ounce) can pumpkin purée
Ginger cookies, crumbled

Sweetened Whipped Cream
1 cup whipping cream, cold
2 Tablespoons granulated sugar
½ teaspoon vanilla

Whisk together the gelatin, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, salt, Maine Maple Syrup, sweetened condensed milk and eggs in a heavy saucepan over low heat.


Stir continuously until thickened, about 10 minutes. Add pumpkin purée and mix until uniformly blended.


Pour into individual 8-ounce jars and refrigerate for at least 4 hours before serving.


Chill a mixing bowl. Add cream, sugar and Pure Vanilla Extract to the bowl. Mix on medium speed until soft peaks form.


Serve each pie topped with sweetened whipped cream and garnish with crumbled ginger cookies.


May Your Thanksgiving of 2014
Be Blessed with 
Family, Good Food and Much Happiness!



November 25, 2014

THE THANKSGIVING MENU...SIMMERING THE CRANBERRY SAUCE


Celebrate the simple pleasures of life and 
the companionship of loved ones.




Appetizers
Chex Mix
Summer Sausage with Gourmet Cheeses
Cream Cheese with Hot Pepper Jelly
Port Wine Cheese Ball
Apple Orchard Punch

Thanksgiving Dinner
Cajun Fried Turkey
Creamy Mashed Potatoes
Giblet Gravy
Spiced Cranberry Sauce
Sage Cornbread Dressing
Broccoli Rice Casserole
Sweet Potato Pudding
Raspberry  Jello Salad
Bacon Jalapeno Deviled Eggs
Yeast Rolls

The Pies
Grandma Ople’s Apple Pie
Ultimate Cherry Pie
Libby’s Famous Pumpkin Pie



The wonderful fragrances fill the heart of the home. How wonderful to reminisce about the memories of past Thanksgivings. We miss our parents....Helen and Henry, Bobbie and Honey! I hope they know we carry on their traditions and hold them in our hearts.........



ESTELLE'S SPICED CRANBERRY SAUCE
1 (12 ounce) package of fresh cranberries
1 3/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup water
1/2 t. cinnamon
1/2 t. allspice
1/8 t. salt
1/8 t. ginger
1/8 t. ground cloves


In a saucepan, combine all of the above ingredients. Bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer, uncovered, until the berries pop and the mixture is thickened. This will take about 30 minutes. Cool! Transfer to a serving bowl and cover. Chill until ready to serve. This makes about two cups! 

November 24, 2014

THANKSGIVING NEARS......HOW ABOUT SOME APPLE ORCHARD PUNCH!


 Hey y'all! I think the shopping is done! The turkey is thawing in the fridge, the casserole dishes have been selected, the menu has been decided and the appetizer table is being prepared! Each day before Thanksgiving has been designated for particular recipes to prepare.....so I feel ready and organized!


Reserved for the ever traditional port wine cheese ball


Reserved for the summer sausage and gourmet cheeses, with a side serving of Hot Pepper Jelly


He's just so darn cute......turkey's everywhere



I am baking all the pies this year! So excited.....Wednesday will be baking day......
Cranberry Bread, Apple Pie, Cherry Pie and Pumpkin Pie!
As always, Tea Time Tessies will be served also as they have been ever since I was a child. 
It's a Southern Tradition! 
This makes me miss Mother and Daddy.....what wonderful Thanksgivings we shared! 

Most Thanksgivings, I serve a Mulled Wine, but this year I am making a slushy Apple Orchard Punch! I decided to serve this divine autumn beverage in a big glass canister, all dressed up for the holiday! It's going to be a great day y'all!



APPLE ORCHARD PUNCH
1 (32 fluid ounce) bottle apple juice,
chilled
1 (12 fluid ounce) can frozen cranberry
juice concentrate





1 cup orange juice
1 1/2 liters ginger ale
1 apple


In a large punch bowl, combine apple juice, cranberry juice concentrate and orange juice. Stir until dissolved, then slowly pour in the ginger ale.
Thinly slice the apple vertically, forming whole apple slices. Float apple slices on top of punch.


Fryin' turkey at The Maine House
I think everyone in the neighborhood was either very jealous, as that delicious aroma filled the air, or they were either shakin' their heads, whispering about those crazy southerners!

November 23, 2014

DECKING THE HALLS



I bought my first Christmas gifts this weekend! 
Our holiday theme this year is going to be
"An Old Fashioned Christmas!"

We're going to Welcome the Holiday.....
Deck the Halls and Trim the Tree!
Set the Table with Cheer for both Casual and Formal Dinners!
Bake Christmas Cakes, Cookies and Homemade Gifts
All the gifts
Will Be Wrapped with Love!

Let's be Merry!