Musings from the Moon

My Thanksgiving may sound a bit sad to some but Truly it is not!

Hubs is going to work. It is his holiday and it is good money that we need. Oldest is still in TN. So that leaves me and Youngest.
I cooked our Thanksgiving dinner last Sunday. Lovely 15 lb turkey breast, sausage stuffing, giblet gravy, cranberry/orange sauce, those same dinner rolls Moon, mashed tatos, and roasted brussel sprouts. It was really good.
I planned this out because of my surgery. I wanted turkey dinner dammit and I was gonna get it! ROFL
So what are youngest and I having for this day of Thanks?

CHINESE FOOD! WooHOo!!

This is one of the few meals Mr. Giddy and I collaborate on – most of the time he is the cook of the house, and for that, Lord, let us be truly thankful.

It’s traditional all the way: turkey, homemade stuffing with celery, onions, lots of sage and raisins, garlic mashed potatoes, a green veg, gravy that even I like because we roast the bird with Madeira in the pan and it makes the drippings taste wonderful.
Mr. Giddy is considering an apple cider glaze for the turkey, which sounds pretty good. I’ll have to go to a local cider mill before Wednesday to buy some fresh cider. (Hmmm, might as well get some warm doughnuts while I’m there.)
Dessert this year is a pumpkin pie made with bourbon, and fresh whipped cream. And If I can lobby for it, apple crisp.
It’s just us, my m-i-l, and one of Mr. Giddy’s oldest friends, who may have to sit on the hearth so his cigarette smoke goes right up the chimney.

The table is still up in the air. I do know we’ll eat in front of the fire and use my mother’s sterling, but I collect china so the plates could be vintage Russel Wright or old ironstone or mom’s white porcelain. Or I may mix and match even more. Candles in old glass double candlesticks and some fresh flowers and we’re good to go.

And as a sign of the Apocalypse, the deals on TVs at Walmart this year are so good, Mr. Giddy is thinking of being in line by 5 a.m. on Black Friday.
First time for everything, I guess.

I am NOT shopping..I cannot shop. I am freaking housebound for at least the next 2 weeks and after that I have to be careful.

I will do my shopping online. Plus I will just give the kids a envelope with some money in it. They know I cant go shopping for them and Hubs isnt really good at it.

Moon,
We never ever have a Turkey day in the traditional sense of the word. It is PJ day in our house.
I cook whatever. There is a turkey and stuffing but some years there may be tacos on the feasted table.
Plus oldest is Vegan so there is always something interesting.
We stay in PJs all day. Watch tv, talk to friends, fight over the computer, play board games, etc.

I have come to loath Christmas and what it has become. I wish I could just save all of the money and spend it when the stores have after Christmas clearance! That would make me happy!

It will just be my husband and me this year. My son and his sweet new wife will be taking a few days honeymoon, since they couldn’t take one when they got married on the 7th. They asked if that upset me and told them absolutely not. Go for it and enjoy it for you both deserve it. Besides there will be Christmas and next Thanksgiving.
So, we are considering ordering our dinner from a great little market that has a daily fresh homemade take out. Actually thats what we had today. I had chicken, mashed potaoes and green beans. He the same , except for the tenderloin.The portions are huge, food is as good, if not better than mine, with huge portions and cost $5.99. Heck, you can’t cook a meal for 2 for $12 !
We are renting movies and taking advantage of the quietness.

Chrissy~

ponzu sauce

Which is?

Pumpkin pie, pear tart and mile high chocolate pie.

Oh YUM! What kind of pear tart? I make a good pear crisp with ginger snap crumbs – it is delish – a good fall desert

MonicaW42~

My parents and brother are flying in on Tuesday and staying through Sunday. The plan was for my Mom to help me out as I am big as a house and due next month.

I am so excited for you and Hubs and son! The 23rd correct?

It is my understanding that gallbladder surgery in this day and age is much less invasive than it used to be. It will be great to have her there and hopefully she really does feel up to par! I am sure it will be fine and I want her gravy. I hate to admit it, but I am gravy challenged. It is always hit or miss and while I will always first attempt at homemade, if it turns out to be a miss, I have always have some jarred ( ) gravy on hand.

Now about that pumpkin cheesecake………….. What recipe do you use? I never have made it and every year I say that I am going to – I love the Cheesecake Factory’s

We’re all (my 3 girls, their families, grandbabies and dtr. #3’s new man, my SIL’s mom and aunt are eating together! So, counting little ones, that makes 14. Middle dtr. does the meal at her house, since she has the biggest of the two girls here in town….oldest dtr. and hubs and 5 y/o twin boys come from out of state. Have to have their Christmas goodies ready to go back w/them at T’giving.

My contribution to the meal is the sweet potato casserole, which is to die for and what my girls always called “wendy cake, or maybe windy” I don’t know. It’s just good and it’s one of those that the longer it sits in the frig (like my NY style cheesecake) the better it gets. It just never sits in the frig long enough. Like it or not, I’m including the recipes for both in the next post I make. LOL 0 = )

Moon –
Turkey (yes, that is a big ass duh!, huh?….all 27 pounds worth)

I know someone who’s going to be using her Seal-A-Meal bagger!
(FYI – you can assemble, in plastic or heavy duty Chinet or Correll plates, a complete plated meal and seal & freeze – it’ll be turkey day into next summer!)

#1 Heidi
CHINESE FOOD! WooHOo!!
I second that! Best Thanksgiving I EVER had was spending it with the hubs on Cape Cod in a lovely ocean front suite, fireplace on and jaccuzi bubbling – and Chinese takeout!! Doesn’t get much better than that!

This year, just the two of us (son is working a double shift (EMT Dispatcher) and management will cater the dinner there for them).
But I’ll make a turkey and do a few sides and an apple pie for dessert. And then not cook for the next three days. Heh…..

#12itsaboutthekids
Saying a prayer and sending good thoughts to you and the aunt. Here’s a (((((((HUG)))))).

Moon,
Your post was so refreshing. I, too, have NEVER been a fan of this particular holiday. As a matter of fact, I dubbed it “Shovelfest” years ago. What I really look forward to is having the long, four-day weekend. I sleep in, read, and get together with friends after the fact. I do get invited to places, but usually gracefully decline because the whole food orgy thing and football really bother me. Now that I live close to my mom and my dad passed away several years ago, I usually bring the dog to her place and spend the afternoon. Neither of us care about turkey. However, this year, she may go to my sister’s place (my sister = BITCH) and then I will just get together with her on Friday or Saturday. She just got out of the hospital after a nine-day stay for multiple issues (she is 83). I think she is still tired from that and would rather just stay home and watch TV. A good friend of mine is having a simple, elegant meal at her house with a few people and she invited me. Cocktails at 4:30 and dinner at 5:30. No football and no Thanksgiving decorations. I hope I do not offend anyone with my negative opinion of the holiday. My opinion of Christmas is equally negative. The only Christmases I enjoy are the ones I spend in Europe – they are low-key, simple, and intimate affairs. I cannot stomach the rampant American commercialism and the “mandate” that everyone MUST have a wonderful time. Sorry if I sound like a scrooge….

#19Merette
Merette ~~ I agree with you 100% about Christmas. I really, really, really don’t like it and hate what it has become. I wish I could just make it another day. There may come a time when I will. I haven’t had the “Christmas spirit” in years.

#21 Joanna
#19Merette
Merette ~~ I agree with you 100% about Christmas. I really, really, really don’t like it and hate what it has become. I wish I could just make it another day. There may come a time when I will. I haven’t had the “Christmas spirit” in years.

Joanna,
Good to know that I am not alone in my opinion!!! It is a commercial holiday and I really think it brings out the worst in people, IMO. Now, I do give presents to friends and selected family members – but only the ones I care about. I do not believe in the “mandated” present concept. I go out to dinner with friends – we call it our “holiday event” and we have a really good time at a really nice restaurant in the city and exchange little gifts. I have NEVER gone to the “company Christmas party” ever – except when they are lunches on company time. I always get something nice for my mom and send a package with little gifts to my people in Europe. I have NEVER sent a Christmas card in my life. OH – and you know what drives me absolutely insane??? Those holiday form letters! I do not know which is worse, the holiday form letters or Christmas sweaters. Christmas sweaters should be banned entirely!!!! I could write an entire post on why these sweaters should be banned and I can assure everyone, it would be quite snarkilarious! Sorry for the rant and I apologize in advance if I have offended anyone.

Holiday form letters!!! OMG, I’d like to strangle whoever thought that one up LOL!!
We give gifts to immediate family, meaning, husband, daughter, son and son-in-law. We give two gifts to our big extended family for the Christmas party because we play a game. I had to put a stop to the neighbors giving gifts to us a few years back. I never felt guilty about not reciprocating so it eventually stopped. Uggg, I’m dreading having to shop. I never know what to get.

Hate to post again so quickly, but Joanna, about gifts you hate: I hate having to buy or feeling like I have to buy gifts for the people on the team I manage.
I mean, 14 people! And try finding something for only $5 a piece.
Suggestions welcome!

itsaboutthekids~

My dil’s 82-yr. old aunt is battling lung cancer so as you are giving thanks a little prayer for her would be so appreciated.

ABSOLUTELY!

So cool the generations that will be at your supper I have a dream of being a great grandmother someday!

We are trying something new this year! We are having a Pizza baking contest. We’ll be grilling some, baking some, trying new thin and thick crust recipes and a variety of toppings! The winner gets a gift certificate to our local mall. We’ll be making Garlic Bread and an Italian Salad with Cheese Cake for dessert.

Joanna~

Well, this year will be totally different for me. This will be the first time I haven’t made a huge Thanksgiving dinner. Hubs and I will be alone.

I remember the first time that this happened to my mom and dad. I told her to ENJOY it and I will tell you the same thing. Next year methinks that it just may be Hubs and I and perhaps we will be found on Cape Cod in front of a fire eating seafood

Now about that Beef Stroganoff…………………. one of my most FAVORITE dishes…………..what is your recipe?

#6 Chrissy- I have an idea for a green vegetable, you can’t make it ahead of time but it is super simple. My mother always makes this. I hate green beans but the sugar covers the taste.

Bake some green beans in the over, but cover them with a sauce. The sauce is butter, brown sugar and pecans. I don’t think there are any set proportions, just add the amounts that suit your taste.

#30BohemianMoon
Linda~
THe Wendy/Windy cake sounds good – I think I will give it a run between Thanksgiving and Christmas. It is too close to Thanksgiving to try something new for that day – at least for me
~~~
I have to admit, T’giving is my favorite holiday. I’m sure it’s because it’s the only time during the year that all of my dtrs., their hubs/boyfriend and kids etc. are together at the same time. I love the laughter, the kids running around, all of us working in the kitchen to get the meal on the table, the sights and smells, the moaning over who’s the fullest, etc…. bottom line, I just love being w/my family!
I hope you get to make the cake, it really is yummo!

Merette~

I cannot stomach the rampant American commercialism and the “mandate” that everyone MUST have a wonderful time. Sorry if I sound like a scrooge….

Awww you don’t sound like a Scrooge, ok well maybe a small one But I am right there with ya for the most part. This year there was Christmas decoration in the stores right along side the Halloween decorations and it pissed me off! Quit shoving it down my throat already

I love, love, love to give gifts to those that I know well. I shop a lot online and at antique stores and little specialty stores for any gift giving occasion and it brings me a lot of joy to give someone something that surprises them and that they (hopefully!) really like. I also like decorations I like tablescapes too. Lat year, however, we didn’t even put up a tree. We had added to our feline family and I just was not looking forward to fighting with that and risking losing ornaments to the kittens climbing the tree. Hubs and I went out to a couple of our large pines, did some “pruning” and I decorated the mantle and bookshelves in our family room with pine, some of our ornaments, and our stockings. I added fresh pine and pine cones in other parts of the house, made our fresh pine wreath and kissing balls for our front porch, I turned on our candles (battery operated) on in each of our windows and with the snow outside and the fire in, it was perfect. I toyed with the idea of no Christmas tree again, but Web Boy is off to DC to finishes his degrees and who knows what the future Christmases will hold so I am going all out with decoration this year.

Your days sounds no stress and perfect! I am with you on the no football thing, lol. Actually I am the only one in my house that likes football, so it isn’t watched a whole lot. Movies will be on the agenda to be sure.

After my bitchiness last week, i have resolved to have a Happy Thanksgiving. We will have 13 including my new little grandson for whom we are all very thankful. We will have turkey, stuffing the way my grandmother made it, mashed sweet potatoes, mashed while potatoes, green beans, pumpkin pie that I buy because I don’t bake, and cranberry sauce, both jelled and with berries. For some reason, we never break it up after I comes out of the can and my kids (now grown) expect it to be served that way. My daughter in law is bring a pumpkin cheesecake she makes herself. We still don’t know what time we are eating because I don’t know what time my brother has to go to work. My favorite part the past few years has been when the kids come back over after they have eaten at everyone elses house and we have game night. Just hanging out and playing Cranium or a similar game. Saturday we will go to my husband’s sisters house for round 2. I don’t know why I get myself so worked up about the holidays. I guess because we NEVER had good holidays when I was a kid or teenager. I always end up having a good day, no matter what. Happy Thanksgiving to all.

#27Giddy from the Heat
Hate to post again so quickly, but Joanna, about gifts you hate: I hate having to buy or feeling like I have to buy gifts for the people on the team I manage.
I mean, 14 people! And try finding something for only $5 a piece.
Suggestions welcome!

Giddy,
I wonder if you could make $5 individual donations in each person’s name to a homeless shelter or women’s shelter in your area. Then, you could buy a box of nice holiday cards and put a note or little card inside telling each one that $5 has been donated to ——– in their name.
OR – if you think that may not be an option, you can always go to Borders and get them gift certificates for $5 – that way they can apply it to a book or CD.

Chrissy~

I hate the dreaded green vegetable course – it’s always like the unwanted relative at the table.

Bwahhahahahahah! OMG! That cracked me the hell up (breath), ahhhh I needed that I love green beans – fresh/fresh frozen not frozen. Damn I ate them out of our garden from August on and then froze a good deal of them. Son and I love em, Hub tolerates them. Actually I like most green veggies – Hubs not so much, so there is always a balance to be struck.

ponzu sauce is a Japanese citrus sauce although I think my recipe (which has been passed around and futzed with) is probably not very traditional. It has soy sauce, olive oil, orange and lime juices, cilantro or basil, thai chili sauce and garlic. I hate that red cocktail sauce for shrimp and this is a great alternative.

Now this sounds lovely. I happen to like cocktail sauce (the spicier the better, though), but this sauce sounds like a lovely alternative and I think I will give it a whirl this week as I have everything for it in my fridge/pantry as we speak.

The pear tart sounds great and a winner for Christmas along with my traditional desserts.

#27Giddy from the Heat

……. have to buy gifts for the people on the team I manage.
I mean, 14 people! And try finding something for only $5 a piece.
Suggestions welcome!
*****************************************************
Giddy~ I don’t know if these would be appropriate, or if you know anything about them but I saw something I would love to have for $4.99 -and I don’t want much these days!
Ok, don’t laugh- called the Salad Blaster Bowl…come on you said you wouldn’t laugh!
Plastic round bowl for personal sized salad, but, the lid has storage for the dressing. *Genius* but I have been known to pull a bottle of dressing out of my handbag so this would impress me. Handy for the office. You could buy a bag of Halloween like pre-wrapped candy bars, drop a couple in each bowl, slap a big red bow on it , and done. Google Salad Blaster Bowl Macys.

#20Joanna
#13Linda
I for sure want your cheesecake recipe. I’ve never made one before so I’m a little nervous. Please don’t forget…..Joanna is waiting
~~~
I got this recipe when we lived in NY in 1970, ‘71. It is THE only recipe I ever use/will use, for cheese cake. Be forewarned, it’s heavy, nothing lite or low cal/low fat about it. (unless you choose to ruin it by using lowfat crap to make it, LOL)

New York Style Cheesecake

1 lb. ricotta cheese
1 lb. cream cheese
1 1/2 C sugar
4 eggs beaten lightly
1 1/2 T. fresh lemon juice
2 t. vanilla
3 T cornstarch and 3 T AP flour mixed together
1/4 lb. butter, melted
1 pt. sour cream

Cream the cheeses in bowl w/mixer til blended. (If you have a stand mixer, I’d use it) Continue beating and gradually add the sugar, then the eggs. Beat well. Continue beating and add lemon juice. Gradually add to the Cornstarch/Flour mixture to batter, while beating. Add vanilla and melted butter. Beat until smooth and then FOLD in the sour cream. Pour batter into a 9 in. spring form pan, at least 3 in. deep.

Bake in 325-350 deg. oven for 1.5 hrs. or until a 1 in. golden ring forms around the top. Then turn off oven and allow cake to stand in the oven to set for 1.5 hrs. Cool outside oven and once completely cooled, remove the spring form. Chill in refrig. I keep it covered w/plastic wrap after it ’sets’ in the frig for awhile.

This one truly gets better each day it sits in the frig., especially once it’s been cut into. My fav slice is always the last one! LOL. Being a purist, I don’t use a glaze or topping, but I’m sure you can find all kinds of toppings, recipes if you want them, online.

And now you know what my family knows-
I have reached Level 10 playing ” Queen of under 5 bucks a Gift” game.
*Christmas ornaments-substitute a ribbon from the ridiculously cheap but long roll you bought at…IDK, Michael’s..for the hook, they can cut it off if they hate it.
*tree seedlings in pots- only need a ribbon
*boxed note-cards-available last year @ Christmas Tree Shop. Even I am embarrassed how cheap they were. But they were a huge hit because they had initials on them.
*roasted spiced nuts- made quickly in huge amounts, thrown in crinkly bags, tied with something

I have to keep studying…2 test tomorrow, 2 papers due before Tuesday. I’ll get back to you.

I love Thanksgiving
I love Christmas too

And screw Martha’s staff and the horse they rode in on, those homemade gifts they promote cost as much to make as new curtains. Plus I’m busy and not talented and don’t own all that stuff. I almost killed myself with a glue gun once.

In # 24, and # 49, soften the cream cheeses. Everything goes together better if it’s room temp.

#52Wendy
Bridge Cake.
Store bought pound cake sliced and cubed
Hersheys chocolate bars with almonds broken up and spread over the cake.
Hot Custard poured over. Set long enough not to be soupy.
~~~
I make a triffle almost exactly like this…the pound cake, alternating w/layers of chocolate pudding, whipped cream, Heath Bars instead of the Hersheys w/almonds, then another ’round’ of the same. It’s good, and easy to throw together, for feeding a crowd.

jeanette~

Saturday is as good of a day as any It isn’t the day, it is the company one enjoys on whatever day one celebrates!

I always buy that jellied cranberry sauce from the can….I know I know! My grandson loves that stuff and eats the hell outta it. He could eat the whole can himself.

I don’t make sauce from scratch – the kid does. Previous to that I would buy the Ocean Spray canned cranberry sauce with chunks of cranberry. That is what my family always had growing up. My mother loves the stuff and so does my kid. I don’t like it at all ’cause I don’t like cranberries!

Then when everyone is done eating and thing are cleaned up we pop in a movie and gorge on desserts. We usually watch Christmas Vacation with the Grisswolds or Christmas Story with Ralphie.(You’ll shoot your eye out) We have a blast because my daughters and niece’s know most of the words of those two movies by heart and their screaming them out and laughing.

Sounds like fun and great memory making! As we don’t really watch football we watch movies (Braveheart always) or if there is an interesting marathon on TV we may tune in. The first Thanksgiving Hubs was here (before he was Hubs and just visiting from Scotland) we watched an entire two season marathon of “The Deadliest Catch” – it was fun but then we all wanted snow crab instead of turkey!

Wendy~

Store bought pound cake sliced and cubed
Hersheys chocolate bars with almonds broken up and spread over the cake.
Hot Custard poured over. Set long enough not to be soupy.

This sounds great! And will be something we make soon – easy peasy and good. Does the heat of the custard (yum I love custard) melt the chocolate completely?

Moon I’m exhausted just thinking of your cooking. Very impressive.

Oh please, do not be impressed, lol, I am hardly Martha. I don’t even really LIKE to cook, except for baking – I have just been doing it so long that it usually comes out well.

I would much rather decorate than cook!

NonTraditional Student~

And screw Martha’s staff and the horse they rode in on, those homemade gifts they promote cost as much to make as new curtains. Plus I’m busy and not talented and don’t own all that stuff. I almost killed myself with a glue gun once.

AWESOME QUOTE! BWAhhahahahahahahah! That was really good

I admit I love handmade gifts and yes, many times it is much more expensive, but sometimes with some low cost materials and some time, one can make some pretty cool stuff. I am going to have a thread in a few days about in expensive handmade gifts for the holidays.

Good Lord I am still laughing, that cracked me up

Just to say, I used to do that “if I don’t have the table centerpiece ordered by two-weeks before, it won’t be done!” I did the round-robin open house, everyone welcome crap.

I hated it. I was exhausted by Thanksgiving, and then we had the xmas thing coming up, which was even worse. My husband (nuke pilot) was never home, but since he was commander, I was expected to do many things… I made bags of treats for every person under his command, had to disperse them. I had to have my house decorated and ready for “open house” drop-ins, including the Base Commander.

All on top of getting my kids’ xmas done, all on my own.

No wonder I went on anti-depressants and mood stabilizers later.

I no longer do xmas or thanksgiving. I just enjoy life now.

Moon, my favorite bread to make is my own herb-cheese bread … get my hands down in it, take out frustrations, beat it, knead it. Then treat it like a baby as it rises. It is the best. I use garlic and Parmesan to the extreme, but people love it.

Having lived in NY (your state!) for five years, everytime it snows or turns the wee bit cold down here, I must bake bread.

MMM, your chowder sounds lovely. Would you mind a recipe exchange on here?

I lived in Rome, NY for five years, both my kids were born there. I’ve been to Watertown many, many times. Are you around about there, without giving much away? (lol)

SharnaPax~

I lived in Rome, NY for five years, both my kids were born there. I’ve been to Watertown many, many times. Are you around about there, without giving much away? (lol)

Most people know where I live, or close anyway. I am in the Finger Lakes about 22 miles (or so) outside of Rochester.

My mother-in-law is hosting Thanksgiving and my side of the family (especially my mom) is thrilled because it gives them a break this year. We are doing the traditional menu: turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes, pumpkin pie, etc. I am making the dressing because although my MIL is “hosting” the meal, she is trying to delegate all the food preparation. Usually my grandmother and great-grandmother (yep, you read correctly…she’ll be 100 in Feb.) make the dressing, but I’m not putting them in the position to feel obligated, so I am going to make it. My dad is making his Jamaican jerk green beans because we all hate green bean casserole!

I had signed up to take dessert for my son’s preschool Thanksgiving feast tomorrow, so the kids and I made pumpkin chocolate chip muffins today. I’ve been making them for a few years now, but it was so fun letting them help me this year. We had a blast with them standing on their step stools taking turns getting to add ingredients. My husband said it looks like we have started a new tradition. It was a lot of fun. Anyway, I made a double batch, so hopefully there are enough for both tomorrow and Thursday. They are really good and I went ahead and let the kids have one each after dinner, so I may be whipping up another batch before Thursday if we can’t keep our hands off of them!

We are also getting back into our old tradition of running the 5K Turkey Trot. I’m going to run it and my parents will walk and push the kids in the double stroller. My mother-in-law was bummed when I told her I was doing the run because she needed me to help her cook the turkey. I offered up my husband’s services since he doesn’t want the do the run. Besides, how much help do you need to cook a turkey?? Someone to open the oven door for you?!?!

Ah, my daughter’s first surgeon was in Rochester. That’s a cute story if you don’t mind.

She was born with a cleft soft palate, had to endure several operations. The first surgeon we were sent to was in Rochester, a very hoity-toity foo-foo place. She was three-months old, I dressed her up in lace and a bow stuck on her bald head.

I was dandling her on my knee, cutsy wootsy. She looked adorable. Until she farted. I don’t mean a cute little baby poot, this child cut a big one, a ripper that lasted ten seconds.

And then she laughed, that adorable baby laugh. Posh people in the waiting room for this so-expensive plastic surgeon lowered their newspapers and magazines and looked right at me.

All I could do was point at her and smile.

My daughter has been in love with farts ever since.

SharnaPax~

I never mind, I LOVE stories (ask Four)

She was born with a cleft soft palate, had to endure several operations. The first surgeon we were sent to was in Rochester, a very hoity-toity foo-foo place. She was three-months old, I dressed her up in lace and a bow stuck on her bald head.

My daughter has been in love with farts ever since.

And that one was priceless! OMG, too funny, I love it!

judy~

I would love a recipe exchange I HATE to cook but I think it’s because I just suck at it…LOL (the line in our house is that mommy makes her famous “toast” dinner….I feel very Peg Bundy sometimes…).

Ok, spill it sister, what is the “toast dinner”?

#49Linda ~
Linda, thanks so much for the cheesecake recipe. It sounds like heaven.

I never posted here before but I am an avid reader/lurker. You all make my day on a regular basis. Having my husbands family again this year, 11 of us this time around. My Thanksgiving dinner is kinda boring compared yours! Turkey, sausage stuffing but no fruit in it, mashed potatoes, (I bake mine instead of boil and scoop out the insides and do the mash thing), my homemade gravy, store bought potato bread rolls (a family fave) and Ocean spray jellied cranberry sauce from a can! my sil is making the dreaded green bean casserole thingy my family wont eat and sweet potatoes. kinda boring menu but oh so delish. I look forward to this all year long. NOT looking forward to Christmas. My youngest is looking forward to waking up and smelling the roasting bird in the oven. Heaven. Happiest of Thanksgivings to all of you. One of the many things I am thankful for this year is this blog. Funny, intelligent, insightful people on this board. I enjoy it soooo much.

I have a great after Thanksgiving sandwich that you can make with your Turkey and cranberry sauce..

It is called the Turkey Special.

-Italian rolls, cut French bread, bulkie rolls..whatever. Put on cookie sheet. Preheat oven to 350 deg F
-Take some mayo (or miracle whip) and some cranberry sauce, mix together. That is your cranberry mayo. Spread on your bread
-Layer thin sliced turkey, then Muenster cheese, and cooked bacon slices (1 or 2). On other side put thin sliced red onions.
-Put in oven until cheese is melted.
- On the onion side..put butter or romaine or red leaf lettuce, and two slices of tomato
Put together and enjoy.
This is hubs favorite sandwich of all time.

If you want it off season (non turkey time) just buy some sliced turkey at the deli..we like the honey roasted turkey. Gives sandwich a kick.

Thanks everyone for such great stories about Thanksgiving.

Moon- just wondering what you meant by
… in fresh orange “cups”

Heidi,
Oh yes, the Christmas Eve seven fishes feast. I used to love it as a kid. We lived in South Philly and every year my grandmother would spend days preparing for that night. We would go shopping at the Italian market on 9th street. All the aunts and uncles and cousins would show up. Things changed after the grandparents passed. Everyone moved out of the city and spread out. I’m just so grateful to have my own little family to celebrate with. I wish you all the best.

Heidi & Maryann

My ex-SIL is 100-goes back to Italy to visit relatives-Italian. I’ve been to a few x-mas eves at her home and OMG it was just delish! There would also be spaghetti and wine…homemade, of course, from nonna’s garden.
I didn’t realize it was called the seven fishes, but yeah, there were had to be seven different seafoods italian style.

Moon, toast dinner is just as it sounds…LOL It usually is offered when dh gets home late or I eat later than the kids and want something quick and simple. It’s usually slightly burnt sourdough toast with butter….sometimes cinnamon sugar

I honestly cannot cook. I probably could if I enjoyed it more but I simply don’t. DH has taken over cooking dinner for the kids. I am so grateful he does this. I make them breakfast and lunch and snacks of course. I just don’t like all the planning and I tend to be a picky eater. (My mother was VERY controlling growing up and we had to finish everything on our plates….and it was rarely something I liked)

Hey Linda ~~

I forgot to ask you. Do you make a graham cracker crust for your cheesecake?

MeadowMom~

Welcome to Musings~

Moon- just wondering what you meant by
… in fresh orange “cups”

I use large navel oranges, cut them in half and hollow out the cups, taking out the pulp. I use the juice and some of the pulp in my sweet potato mash along with the other ingredients. I then put the mash in the cups of the oranges and bake for about 20 minutes (I have already cooked the sweet potatoes in the microwave) – I sprinkle with a dusting of nutmeg and we are good to go. They are not overly sweet at all.

joy~

Welcome to Musings and thanks for coming out of lurkdom to share We are glad you are here!

#100Linda
OK, Linda, thanks. I’m going to make it on Wednesday for Friday’s dinner so I’ll let you know how it turns out. I can’t wait

You guys all sound like such great cooks. I can’t bake to save my life and my cooking skills are terribly lacking as well. Funny thing, all three of my kids are good cooks. When there are family functions and I ask if I can bring something, it is usually “soda” I am jellus.

#103 Jerzgurl822
I used to say the same thing about myself…it’s simply not true. Watch as much Food Network as you can for a period of time, it will spur you on, it did me! Anyone can follow a recipe. Once you get comfortable w/that particular dish, then you can start adding your own personal touches to it. You don’t have to have a big ‘repetoire’ of dishes, just those that you love cooking/baking and everyone loves eating!

The original Miracle on 34th Street and Christmas Story are the two must watch holiday movies in our family. We also have a Scalloped Pineapple recipe that one of us makes for every holiday meal.

1 cup butter or margarine
2 cups sugar
4 eggs beaten
1/4 cup milk
4 cups white bread crumbs (run bread slices through blender for quick prep)
1 – 20 oz. can crushed pineapple (do Not drain)

Cream together butter, sugar, eggs and then mix all ingredients
together. Put in buttered 13×9 baking pan and bake at 375 deg. for 15 minutes. Reduce heat to 350 deg. and bake for 1 hour. Serves 8+ and can be served hot or cold with main meal or as a dessert.

If you’re trying to prepare ahead of time here is a great mashed potato recipe that will keep up to 10 days in the refrigerator.

5 lbs. potatoes (8-10)
8 oz. Philadelphia Cream cheese
1 cup sour cream (1 carton)
salt & pepper to taste (1 tbsp salt)

Boil potatoes. While hot mash & add cream cheese, sour cream, salt & pepper. Put 1n 13×9 buttered pan or casserole. Dot generously with butter and cover with foil. Bake uncovered at 325 deg. for 25 minutes. (Until potatoes are warmed through and through).

LINDA ~~
Hey Linda, me again. I have two last questions for you about the cheesecake. Do you grease the springform pan and how do you get the bottom part of the pan off the cheesecake??
Jeez…I’m such a baby and I apologize.

#106 ruralmom -
” We follow Martha Stewart recipes for our dinner”

Heh. This reminds me of the year I decided to give ole Martha a try and followed her recipe for cheesecloth turkey. It called (as best I can remember) for a big hank of cheesecloth, a bottle of wine and a pound of butter.
So, melted the butter together with wine in a big pot, then soaked the cloth in it. Put the turkey in its pan, s & p’d it, slapped the cheesecloth over it, put it in the oven.
Then it had to be basted every half hour till done. Which I did, faithfully.
The result? Possibly the most beautiful turkey I’d ever seen. It was a rich brown in color. Elegant.
But, when you tapped it, it was like it was encased in lacquer. Not liquor. Lacquer. Hard lacquer.
And the oddest thing? There wasn’t one ounce of drippings in the pan. Not one. Had to open canned gravy.
Thanks, Martha.

Does anybody know how to make homemade gravy? My mom made the best ever but she never wrote the recipe down. Thanks

113smallfry
Does anybody know how to make homemade gravy? My mom made the best ever but she never wrote the recipe down. Thanks
__
I simmer the ‘innards’ of the turkey, while it’s in the oven, in a pot of water that’s been salt and peppered, on top of the stove for awhile, til it’s all cooked. (Fork tender, the gizzard and heart take longer than the other parts) You can add stalk of celery cut up, and an onion quartered, for more flavor, in with pot of water/the innards, your choice. You’ll use the broth it makes, for gravy later.
Once the innards are cooked, remove to a plate, set aside and KEEP the ‘broth’.

After the turkey is done, use the drippings and put them in a pan on top of the stove (I use a large fry pan, easier to skim off the fat). Then, skim as much “fat” off the drippings as you can. I SWEAR by cornstarch mixed with flour, and I ALWAYS dissolve the flour in a cup of COLD water, adding the cornstarch to the water, not the water on top of the cornstarch. Stir that up till smooth. Depending on how much gravy you want, add some of the broth to the drippings and simmer on stove top. Then add a bit of the cornstarched water to the pan, while stirring, and wait a few min. to see the consistency it achieves. Keep adding the cornstarch/water mixture til you achieve the thickness of gravy you like. If you want more gravy, add more of the broth, then of course, more cornstarch water, to thicken.
I then cut up all the innards up (except the neck) and add to my gravy, but some people don’t like them. I love them, kids don’t, but its such a small amt. of cut up innards, that you can just use the gravy and not get any of the other stuff in w/it when you ladle it on your mashed potatoes, dressing, turkey. Also, once the neck is done in the pot of water, removed and cooled a bit, I usually eat that while I’m preparing the turkey and rest of the meal.
I hope this makes sense.

I SWEAR by cornstarch mixed with flour, and I ALWAYS dissolve the flour in a cup of COLD water
Of course that should be….. I ALWAYS dissolve the CORNSTARCH (nor flour) in a cup of cold water..

#104 KF
We always ate at my maternals grandmom’s. She was such a good cook (compared to my mom), we are (she was) jewish and I think all jewish grandmoms (w/the exception of my mom, God rest her soul) are good cooks. But, it was always very formal, all the fancy china and crystal, etc. We dressed in our church clothes for T’giving and Xmas meals at Nana’s. Even when I cooked the Xmas and T’giving meals when the kids were growing up (and we always lived away from home) I made it pretty formal. But, when I got married (‘65), crystal, china, silver, etc. were typical wedding gifts. Now it seems, the young people don’t seem to invest in that kind of ’stuff or want it’. Those getting married now seem to want different type things, from Crate and Barrel, Pottery Barn, etc. and don’t seem that interested in the fine china, crystal, silver, etc.

Now that my middle dtr. hosts Thanksgiving, we serve ourselves buffet style, on just everyday plates, etc., wear comfortable clothes, and I think I like the more ‘casual’ relaxed ambiance over the more formal setup. Everyone seems to be talking and laughing, all at the same time, as if they’re more comfortable.

Cornstarch and water……did anyone else play with that as a kid? My mom used to take little bowls and put in cornstarch and water, stir it up and we’d play with it. First it’s solid between your fingers, then it would turn into liquid. It’s such a weird feeling. I spent many a happy hour with that stuff. I did it for my own when they were little.

Gram123~
Turkey Gravy.

Linda~
Sorry I’m confused is it cornstarch and flour?
This sounds like what my mom did.

#117Linda
Now that my middle dtr. hosts Thanksgiving, we serve ourselves buffet style, on just everyday plates, etc., wear comfortable clothes, and I think I like the more ‘casual’ relaxed ambiance over the more formal setup. Everyone seems to be talking and laughing, all at the same time, as if they’re more comfortable.

I used to fuss a lot more with all the different foods (I love to cook and especially to bake) and table settings. One Christmas I started prepping early in the morning and by the end of the day realized I’d spent the entire day in the kitchen, even after all the guests had arrived, with the exception of when I sat down to eat dinner, after which I was right back in the kitchen. I changed how I did things from that point, learned to plan better, make stuff in advance, and not make 85 complicated recipes all for one meal, and not be so worried if everything wasn’t “just so.” It’s added years to my life!!

Linda,

I’m confused is it cornstarch or flour? Or both?

Gram123,

turkey gravy.

Joanna-
please share your pumpkin bread recipe. Would love to try.

Linda-
your recipe sounds like my moms. I think she used flour. But cooking the heart and stuff, I remember now. Thank you.

#125Smallfry

Pumpkin Bread

1 (15oz) can pumpkin puree
4 eggs
1 cup vegetable oil
2/3 cup water
3 cups white sugar
3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 tsp baking soda
1 1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp ground nutmeg
1/2 tsp ground cloves
1/4 tsp ground ginger

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and flour three 7×3 inch loaf pans.

In a large bowl, mix together pumpkin puree, eggs, oil, water and sugar until well blended. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves and ginger. Stir the dry ingredients into the pumpkin mixture until just blended. Pour into the prepared pans.

Bake for about 50 minutes in the preheated oven. Loaves are done when toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.

This bread gets better with age and also freezes well. I hope you enjoy this as much as I do.

#128Kat
Kat, are your loaf pans the dark kind? If so, I think you need to turn the temperature down on the oven about 25 degrees. My pans are lighter in color and they come out perfectly every time.

The chocolate chips sound wonderfully wonderfulish. I’m going to try that this year.

Late to the table, again!

The Thanksgiving day food… If I get my act together, it will start with my monkey bread (cinnamon/ nut pull apart bread). We’ll have it for breakfast and continue munching during the day. Dinner: 8 lb turkey breast, home made gravy, traditional sage stuffing (no added fruit, nuts, meat), cranberries out of the can w/ the ridges, smashed taters, green veggies (maybe fresh green beans & ?), olive bowl, my apple bread (it will be half gone before dinner), rolls (I like the brown & serve ones, but kid only wants the crusty ones from Wegmans bakery), apple pie. Kid make the pie after they get here.

Now for the monkey wrench that gets thrown in. I’m cooking 8 lbs of meat and everything else for two mouths. One of the said mouths belongs to a Vegan – who says… Thanksgiving is said Vegan’s favorite meal of the year… WTF? Other kid and family aren’t coming home, kid has to work on Friday and it’s a 7 hr drive. Vegan and my grand-dogter will drive 7 hr across the state for dinner, leaving Thursday morning/ early afternoon. Normally we eat around 8 pm when they get here. Child will be here earlier this year because child must go to father’s house for dinner. I’ll get to dog sit. Father is leaving town on Friday morning to drive to son’s house. Being Nice person that I am, I must accommodate all others ( grrrr ). So, Vegan, dog and I will eat on Friday. Thursday, I’m getting Chinese takeout, maybe I’ll share it with my grand-dogter. In case you’re wondering, Vegan does not have a Vegan-dog. Dog is on the all RAW diet!
Hope everyone has a relaxing long weekend.

HAVE NO idea why the name of the rolls didn’t print…tried to bold it.
SISTER SCHUBERT rolls…to die for!

Thanks, Joanna. I just saw your note. Awww.

#133 Linda~
My grandmother always pre-orders some wonderful butterflake rolls from a local bakery for Thanksgiving and Christmas. They are so popular, you can’t just walk in and buy some. I was supposed to take dinner rolls to my daughter’s pre-school Thanksgiving lunch yesterday and completely forgot to put in a second order for that. So, I ran to the store Monday night and picked up some of the Sister Schburt rolls. Everyone was oohing and ahhing over those rolls yesterday! I finally fessed up and told them I got them from the freezer section.

Linda,
I’ve made the baked brie before although not for a while and not with raspberry sauce but topped with almonds sauteed in butter. I can see wy the raspberry sauce works though because I also once served it with a sugary crust to offset the savory cheese and that was great.
Any recipe will do…..wrap the brie in something and bake…..I have used several sheets of frozen phylo (sp?) as well as good old, crescent roll dough, to wrap the brie before baking it.
As I recall, the oven stays a little lower than you would guess…..and use a relatively small piece of brie so the cheese melts before the crust burns