Thanksgiving!

Hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving! Please join me in my Christmas Blogging Room - Buckets of Christmas Ideas

Sunday, November 20, 2011

Just Have To Have Some Table Ideas!

I have always loved this picture - I think I saw it first at my grandmother's when I was little.



Pinned Image



Now on to a few Tablescaping Ideas!

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This is lovely - it is from Relocation.com. Love the colors!http://www.relocation.com/blog/category/holidays

Check out some of our Thanksgiving decor ideas to spruce up your home for the big feast!


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This is from Shindig Parties - Love the rustic look!http://amandaparkerandfamily.blogspot.com/2010/11/tutorial-thanksgiving-burlap-corn-husk.html


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This is from a wedding - but has some great ideas to use for your Thankgiving Table.




Austin Wedding VII

Some Unique Yummy Ideas for Dinner

This Turkey Cheeseball is from Brandy Crafts


This Fun turkey is from Eating with Food Allergies http://www.eatingwithfoodallergies.com/Eating_With_Food_Allergies_Newsletter-November08.html


Turkey Veggie Platter


Here are a couple of yummy dessert ideas:


This one is Called Pumpkin Cake from Sweet Treats and More http://www.sweettreatsmore.com/2011/11/pumpkin-lust-cake.html





This wonderful looking Dessert is from Taste of Home. Ihave made this in Chocolate at least 100 times! But never pumpkin - need to try this this year.




Pumpkin Gingerbread Trifle Recipe

Adorable and Fun Food Gifts for Thanksgiving

This Adorable Pilgrim is from Laurie Furnell http://lauriefurnell.blogspot.com/p/freebies.html




Here is another darling candy bar wrapper with Pilgrims







Love this Blessing Mix presentation at Caramel Potatoes





Look at these cure turkeys - children can make from Parents. http://www.parents.com/holiday/thanksgiving/crafts/thanksgiving-decorations-kids-can-make/?page=5


Turkey Pop Favors



Oh my goodness - these turkeys are so cute they make me happy just to look at them! http://www.thepartyanimal-blog.org/mm-turkey-favors/


So many clever people! I love all these fun and fresh ideas. These Tee Pee cupcakes are over at "A Few of My Favorite Things http://stiesthoughts.blogspot.com/2008/11/thanksgiving-teepee-cupcakes-revisited.html




This Candy Corn looks luscious! Great for Thanksgiving or Halloween. It is over at The Girl Who Ate Everything http://www.the-girl-who-ate-everything.com/2011/10/halloween-candy-corn-cookie-bark.html

Halloween Candy Corn Cookie Bark




Candy Corn Rice Cripsy Treats. These are over at My Creative Stirrings http://www.mycreativestirrings.com/2009/10/candy-corn-krispies.html

Look at All These Adorable Handprint Turkeys for Decor for Thanksgiving - LOVE THEM!@

Love this from Naptime Decorator!
http://naptimedecorator.blogspot.com/2011/11/family-handprint-tree.html



Here is another handpring masterpiece for Thanksgiving Decor from Those Alaska Girls!





This one is adorable from Not So Idle Hands http://notsoidlehands.blogspot.com/2009/05/great-mothers-day-gift.html



This work of art is from Meet the Dubiens: http://www.meetthedubiens.com/2011/10/handprint-turkeys.html




Thursday, November 25, 2010

The Big Day!


Thanksgiving Day First off:
• Prepare stuffing for the turkey (if you're stuffing the turkey) and/or the dressing to cook on the side.
• Prepare your vegetables for cooking-clean, peel and chop. Cover the ready-to-go vegetables and put them in the refrigerator. Boil potatoes and mash them; they can be reheated just before serving.
• Stuff the turkey and get it in the oven according to the schedule you calculated yesterday.Then:
• After the turkey is in the oven, you should have a little time to relax away from the kitchen.
• Just before the turkey's done, begin cooking fresh vegetables, and get anything else that needs to go into the oven ready (stuffing, storebought rolls, etc.)While the cooked turkey is resting:
• Put a foil tent over the turkey. You now have about an hour to do the remaining cooking.
• If you have a pan of stuffing/dressing on the side to bake, put it in now.
• Warm whatever needs to be warmed, including mashed potatoes, rolls, soups and casseroles.
• Cook frozen vegetables.
• Make the gravy.
• Put all the food on the table or buffet. Don't hesitate to press guests into service to put food in bowls, open wine bottles, fill glasses and dish up the cranberry sauce.

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Just a few Days Till Thanksgiving! WOO HOO!


One week ahead:
• Shop for hardier vegetables like butternut squash, carrots, potatoes, parsnips and turnips.
• Buy heavy cream now; it's hard to find right before Thanksgiving.
• If necessary, wash and iron linen or polish silver. Dig out your turkey roaster and platter and any serving dishes hidden away in closets or high shelves. Decide what serving dishes you need for each food entry.Three days ahead:
• If you have a frozen turkey, clear a space in your fridge and put the bird in now to defrost.
• Clean the house, or put non-cooking household members in charge.
• If you're having a lot of guests, you may want to set up the table(s) and make sure you have enough space and chairs.Two days ahead:
• Make pumpkin pies or pumpkin cheesecake, rolls, breads and cornbread for stuffing. Refrigerate pies; you can always warm things up again before serving. Apple or pecan pies don't do well in advance, though; the crust doesn't stay flaky and crisp.
• Make things that can sit for two days in the fridge, like soups and cranberry sauce.
• Assemble casseroles (like sweet potato or green bean); they can be stored uncooked in the fridge and baked on Thanksgiving. One day ahead:
• Set the table now so you won't have to worry about it later. • Set up a coat rack with extra hangers.
• Do any remaining baking, including apple or pecan pies.• Buy your salad greens and perishable vegetables. Wash lettuce leaves now, dry well, and store by packing them in paper towels in a plastic bag in the refrigerator.
• If you ordered a fresh turkey, pick it up from the butcher.
• Calculate your cooking time (and cooking order) for tomorrow.
• Figure out what can't be cooked along with the turkey in the oven, either in terms of temperature or space. Plan to cook those things before or after the turkey is done, or on the stovetop while it's cooking; better still, make them today.

Our Thanksgiving Thankful Ring

I thought it would make a wonderful Thanksgiving Ring for blessings - this is what I came up with

Sunday, November 14, 2010

2 weeks till Thanksgiving

Oops a little late - I was sick with a tummy virus - yuk! Glad it was this week and not next!
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Two Weeks Till Thanksgiving Check List
  • Check your equipment - do you have enough tables and chairs for all your guests
  • Dishes - Are you using dishes or buying paper plates ( I have to be honest - the best gift I ever gave myself was to buy the really nice Thanksgiving Paper Plates and cups for our dinner) Make sure you have enough plates, salad plates, dessert plates.
  • Silverware - polished forks, knives and spoons or nice disposable ware.
  • Glassware - water glasses, main drink glasses
  • Linens - tablecloth, napkins - make sure you have what are you are using
  • Centerpiece - What are you using for centerpiece, napkin rings etc.

Here is a great article on picking your turkey.
http://www.debtproofliving.com/DPLResources/EverydayCheapskate/VisitorEverydayCheapskate/tabid/275/smid/663/ArticleID/5332

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Gift Idea for Fall/Thanksgiving all over Blogland




This turkey would be a fun gift or a darling favor on the table - you can find more information at: http://stampitwithjen.blogspot.com/2009/11/happy-thanksgiving.html


Darling Tootsie Turkey for Children - check out the instructions at http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf36346392.tip.html

Thursday, November 4, 2010

3 Weeks Till Thanksgiving


Three weeks ahead:
• Prepare your guest list; confirm how many people will be there.
• Find out if your guests have any special dietary needs.
• Place a rental order, if necessary, for tables, chairs, glasses, plates and flatware.Two weeks ahead:
• Decide on your final menu and collect the recipes you'll need. Select some dishes that taste good at room temperature, so you won't have to worry about your hot entree getting cold, or your cold dessert melting.
• Assign cooking projects to family members who offer to help.
• Order your fresh turkey, or buy your frozen turkey and put it in the freezer. If buying a whole turkey, plan on one pound per person. If you're buying just the bone-in breast, plan on 3/4 pound per person.
• Order or pick up beverages, or delegate this to your non-cooking guests.
• Shop for non-perishable goods now. You can buy flour, sugar, brown sugar, corn syrup, canned pumpkin, packaged stuffing and cornbread mixes, rice, and fresh or frozen cranberries, all before the crowds descend.

Monday, November 1, 2010

Our Thanksgiving Menu

This is our year to have all our family here for Thanksgiving. I love Thanksgiving. I love all the cooking and prep. I love cooking all day Tuesday and Wednesday. I love getting the table all ready to go. I love the smells and getting up early to put in the turkey - I love every part of it!

Here is our menu we are doing this year and the recipes to go with them.

Appetizers
Nacho Casserole
Fresh Veggies Tray and Dressing
Fresh Fruit Tray and Dip
Crackers and Dip
Main Menu
Soup - Not sure what yet

Turkey
Ham
Stuffing
Funeral Potatoes
Yams
Cranberry Salad
Macaroni Salad
Fresh Green Salad

Desserts
Chocolate Torte
Apple Pie
Pumpkin Pie
Mystery Dessert

Scroll to the Bottom for Recipes

Friday, October 29, 2010

4 Weeks TIll Thanksgving



Four Weeks Ahead

  • Plan the menu.
  • Order your turkey, roast, duck, ham, etc.
  • Create a timeline for make-aheads, freezing, thawing, reheating, and Thanksgiving Day cooking.
  • Making fresh cranberry sauce? Purchase and freeze berries before the stores run out.
  • Clean out your freezer.

Next week - week 3
Guide from http://www.allrecipes.com/

Fold napkins like a pro - click here for lots of ideas!

Thursday, October 28, 2010

Ideas From All Over Blog Land

Adorable coatsers over at "My Computer is My Canvas"
http://mycomputerismycanvas.blogspot.com/2010/10/thanksgiving-conversation-coasters.html
Love this festive Mantle - check out the details and a tutorial over at Second Street Blog

This is a great Thanksgiving Sign - check out the details at Create.

Sunday, October 24, 2010

30 Day Giving Challenge 2010

I did this last year and loved it! What a great thing to be a part of. This post will house my experiences through the month. Scroll down for more Thanksgiving Ideas.

These are the instructions from her blog:
I invite you to take a leap of faith and give in some fashion every day this month.

Think beyond monetary gifts.
Couponers, open up your stockpiles.
Bakers, share some pumpkin bread with a neighbor.
Get creative!
Most importantly, ask God to lead you each day.
Just remember to write it down. Not in a boastful, look-how-generous-I-am kind of way.

But to keep yourself accountable and be transformed. Write down the blessings that come your way each day, too. Get your whole family on board!
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My List is in my sidebar.

Great Thankful Tradition Ideas

I will add ideas to this post as I find them.

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This adorable countdown has a tutorial over at

My Computer is my Canvas" She has lots of fun ideas over there.l


Love this mantle Thanksgiving Tradition idea over at Tator Tots and Jello. Click on this link for complete tutorial


Love this Gratitude Advent over at Oopseydaisy - Click here for tutorial






This is a fun countdown to do with kids - activities and traditions are included;http://www.mydeliciousambiguity.com/2010/10/thanksgiving-activity-countdown.html



Thanksgiving Advent Calendar

Click here for grat tutorial over at Project Naptime for this project

Fun Gratitude Tree with Tutoiral over at Yesterday on TuesdayGratitude Tree 6