Showing posts with label Thanksgiving. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Thanksgiving. Show all posts

Thursday, November 18, 2010

Turkey Guest Blogger


Be sure to stop over at Sun Flowers at Home today! Ginny is running a series called 10 Days of Turkey and I am the guest blogger today! I posted the instructions over there to make this super cute turkey with your kids.
Thanks Ginny!!!

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Happy Thanksgiving!


Just wanted to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving!! I thought I'd share some facts and some jokes with you. Some of these jokes are really bad, but they will bring a smile to your face!

1. A man in Phoenix calls his son in New York the day before Thanksgiving and says,"I hate to ruin your day, but I have to tell you that your mother and I are divorcing; forty-five years of misery is enough.

"Pop, what are you talking about?" the son screams. We can't stand the sight of each other any longer," the father says. "We're sick of each other, and I'm sick of talking about this, so you call your sister in Chicago and tell her."

Frantic, the son calls his sister, who explodes on the phone. "Like heck they're getting divorced," she shouts, "I'll take care of this,"

She calls Phoenix immediately, and screams at her father, "You are NOT getting divorced. Don't do a single thing until I get there. I'm calling my brother back, and we'll both be there tomorrow. Until then, don't do a thing, DO YOU HEAR ME?" and hangs up.

The old man hangs up his phone and turns to his wife. "Okay," he says, "they're coming for Thanksgiving and paying their own way."

2. What did the mama turkey say to her naughty son?
If your papa could see you now, he'd turn over in his gravy!

3. The pro football team had just finished their daily practice session when a large turkey came strutting onto the field. While the players gazed in amazement, the turkey walked up to the head coach and demanded a tryout. Everyone stared in silence as the turkey caught pass after pass and ran right through the defensive line. When the turkey returned to the sidelines, the coach shouted, "You're terrific!!! Sign up for the season, and I'll see to it that you get a huge bonus." "Forget the bonus," the turkey said, "All I want to know is, does the season go past Thanksgiving Day?"

4. What key has legs and can't open doors?
A TurKEY.

5.If April showers bring May flowers, what do May flowers bring?
Pilgrims!

6. Why did the turkey cross the road?
It was the chicken's day off.

7. Why can't you take a turkey to church?
Because they use such FOWL language

8. What kind of music did the Pilgrims like?
Plymouth Rock

9. Which side of the turkey has the most feathers?
The outside

10. Why did the police arrest the turkey?
They suspected it of fowl play

11. What did the turkey say before it was roasted?
Boy! I'm stuffed!

12. Where did the first corn come from?
The stalk brought it

13. How did the Mayflower show that it liked America?
It hugged the shore


Fun Facts:

1. Turkeys can drown if they look up when it is raining.

2. The first Thanksgiving celebration lasted three days.

3. Abraham Lincoln issued a 'Thanksgiving Proclamation' on third October 1863 and officially set aside the last Thursday of November as the national day for Thanksgiving. Whereas earlier the presidents used to make an annual proclamation to specify the day when Thanksgiving was to be held.

4. President Franklin D. Roosevelt restored Thursday before last of November as Thanksgiving Day in the year 1939. He did so to make the Christmas shopping season longer and thus stimulate the economy of the state.

5. Benjamin Franklin wanted the turkey to be the national bird of the United States. But it was Thomas Jefferson who opposed him. It is believed that Franklin then named the male turkey as 'tom' to spite Jefferson.

6. Three towns in the U.S. take their name from the traditional Thanksgiving bird, including Turkey, Texas (pop. 465); Turkey Creek, Louisiana (pop. 363); and Turkey, North Carolina (pop. 270).

7. Americans eat 535 million pounds of turkey on Thanksgiving.

8. Only male (tom) turkeys gobble. Females make a clicking noise. The famous gobble is actually a seasonal mating call.

9. The heaviest turkey ever raised weighed in at 86 pounds.

10. The average age of the Mayflower passenger was 32. The oldest Mayflower passenger was 64.

11. The average person consumes 4,500 calories on Thanksgiving Day.

12. Each year, Butterball L.L.C. puts on Butterball University -- this year, five days of training for newcomers to the hot line that answers 12,000 calls on Thanksgiving Day alone.

Dozens of 3-inch-thick blue binders await trainees, all of whom are armed with degrees in nutrition, food science, or home economics. The binders are so stuffed with turkey information they weighed nearly as much as the bird itself.

Through the nearly three decades the Turkey-Talk Line has been around, thousands of people have called in frantic moments to ask its experts everything. These binders anticipate it all: cooking temperatures, thawing techniques, cooking times, meat thermometers, carving knives, turkey sizes, presentation tips, food safety concerns and the eternal question of how much stuffing is too much. Fifty-five operators are on hand as the hot line receives 100,000 calls.

Have a great one!! And, try not to eat too much!!

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Strawberries & Cream Fudge


I couldn't help myself! Yes, it's another fudge recipe!! This is quickly becoming my new favorite. It smells so good and looks so pretty!

Strawberries & Cream Fudge

You'll need:
White Chocolate Fudge Recipe
Strawberry Syrup (kind you add to milk)

1. Make white chocolate fudge and pour into 9x13 pan.
2. Pour small amounts of syrup on top of fudge and swirl with a fork.
3. Refrigerate fudge for 1-2 hours before cutting or removing from wax paper.

This fudge will be a little sticky. But, it has great flavor!

Buckeyes


What most of you call peanut butter balls, we call buckeyes here in Ohio. This is a good recipe given to me by my grandmother's sister. Just make sure to make more that what you need because they disappear fast!

Buckeyes

2 lbs. powdered sugar
2 sticks butter, very soft, almost melted
2 lbs. peanut butter
2 c. Rice Crispies (I use generic)
12 oz. chocolate chips
3/4 block of paraffin wax

1. Mix all ingredients except for chocolate and wax very well.
2. With your hands, form mixture into small balls.
3.Chop wax into small pieces and melt in small sauce pan.
4. Add chocolate chips and continue to stir. When chocolate is completed melted, remove from heat.
5. Using a fork, dip balls into chocolate, leaving a bare spot on the top. (This creates the eye of the buckeye)
6. Put on a cookie sheet lined with wax paper to harden. Place in freezer for about 10 minutes to allow chocolate to harden and set.

Makes about 125 Buckeyes


Here are my tips for making these:
1. Use your hands to mix the peanut butter, sugar, and butter. You will know it is well mixed when you cannot see the powdered sugar.
2.Make sure to chop the wax into small pieces so it will melt faster.
3. I do not use a double boiler to melt my wax and chocolate. (I do not own one) I just use a medium low heat and watch it carefully.

4.Some people like to use a toothpick to dip the balls into the chocolate. I do not like to do this because you can see the toothpick hole when you are finished.

Sunday, November 16, 2008

Thanksgiving Snack Mix


This is what I am giving Jaiden's teachers for a Thanksgiving gift this year. Really easy to make! It is equal portions of candy corn to peanuts and half portion of raisins. I got the containers at the Thrift Store for a big $0.29!!

They are really festive and they make a nice, inexpensive gift for teachers!

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

What's on your Thanksgiving Menu?


I have been planing our Thanksgiving menu with the girls the last few days. We are going to be having our own dinner Friday after lunch with the family on Thursday. Everyone likes different things so this is a great challenge to find something we can all agree on.

So far, our menu is as follows:
Grilled turkey - cooking on a grill is far better than in the oven!
Mashed potatoes
Gravy
Pizza - for Jaiden
Baked Beans
Sweet potato casserole - for Arya and myself
Jello - for Ryan and Jaiden
Cauliflower salad - for myself
Pecan Pie

I lose my sweet potato casserole every year. If you have one to share, it would be appreciated!

Here's the recipe for cauliflower salad:

Cauliflower Salad

1 head cauliflower, chopped
1 small red onion, chopped
1 head lettuce, chopped

Mix in large bowl.

2 c. mayo
1/4 c. sugar
1/2 c. Parmesan cheese (powdered kind)

Mix together.

1 lb. bacon, crumbled

When ready to serve, mix cauliflower with mayo mixture. Add bacon on top.

This salad does not taste good overnight after it has been mixed with the mayo.

Monday, November 10, 2008

My Favorite Holiday Movies

When the holidays begin to approach, I am gearing up to watch my favorite movies. Besides Christmas, we have a tradition of watching certain movies for Thanksgiving and New Year's.

Our Thanksgiving movie is Plane, Trains, & Automobiles with John Candy & Steve Martin



Our New Year's Day movie is Poseidon Adventure with Gene Hackman & Shelly Winters


My favorite Christmas movies are pretty traditional. I would have to say that The Christmas Story with Ralphie is my all time favorite. My other favorites are It's a Wonderful Life, and Rudolph.

Another one of my favorites is a made for TV movie called One Special Night with Julie Andrews & James Gardener. If you have never seen this movie, make sure to this season!! It is such a good, heartwarming movie!


Whar are some of your holiday favorites???

Friday, November 7, 2008

Fudge Platters


I know everyone is probably tired of seeing posts about fudge, but I would like to share another one. These are my fudge platters I sell. I get the plastic festive platters at the dollar store($1.00, of course) and the plastic bags also (2/$1.00).

I complete the platter with curling ribbon with my business card slipped through one of the ribbons. One the front side of the business card is the fudge flavors included then on the back is my info.


I sell these platters for $25.00. There are 60 pieces of fudge and they weigh approx. 4 /1/2 lbs.

I also sell a plate size of fudge. They contain 27 pieces of fudge and weigh approx. 2 1/4 lbs. I sell those for $15.00.

These plates and platters of fudge make really nice gifts for offices or other "groups" on your holiday lists. You have all of the recipes, now just get your platters and bags!

Monday, November 3, 2008

Old Fashion Kentucky Pecan Pie


This is my all time favorite pie! I love pecan pie!! This recipe is so simple and easy to make. I like my pecans on top of the pie, not chopped up on the inside. You can easily chop up the pecans and mix them in the pie if that is what you prefer.

Old Fashion Kentucky Pecan Pie

1 c. white corn syrup
1 c. brown sugar, packed
1/4 tsp. salt
1/3 c. butter, softened (I use Blue Bonnet)
3 eggs
1 c. pecans, whole (I just use the small packets of pecans sold in the baking aisle)
1 uncooked pie shell

1. Beat all ingredients well except for pecans and pour into pie shell.
2. Bake at 350F (175C) for 15 minutes. (I like to place the pie on a cookie sheet.)
3. Sprinkle pecans on top and continue baking for 35-45 minutes.

To really add some calories to the pie, pour a little melted butter over the pie right before serving.

Smores Fudge


Every year I try to come up with a new fudge flavor. This year I decided to try a smores fudge. So straight from my kitchen to yours...

Smores Fudge
You'll need:
Base Fudge Recipe
10 graham crackers
2 handfuls mini marshmallows

1. Freeze marshmallows so they will not melt in the hot fudge.
2. Break graham crackers into small chunks and place in bottom of pan.
3. Make base fudge recipe.
4. Slowly pour fudge over graham crackers in pan.
5. After cooled slightly, place marshmallows over fudge. Press slightly into fudge.

Saturday, November 1, 2008

Amaretto Fudge

I am a fan of amaretto and cokes so this fudge is also one of my favorites. Amaretto is a fairly cheap liqueur so there is not a big expense in this fudge.

You'll need:
Base Fudge Recipe
1/4 c. amaretto
1/2 c. almonds, chopped or slivered
1 tsp. almond extract

1. Make base fudge recipe.
2. Add amaretto, almonds, and almond extract after chocolate chips and marshmallow fluff.

*I'll have the picture up later

Chocolate Cherry Fudge

This is a great fudge to try if you like chocolate covered cherries. It is not personally one of my favorites but, a lot of people like it.

Chocolate Cherry Fudge

You'll need:
Base Fudge Recipe
6 oz. cherry chips (found next to chocolate chips)
6 oz. chocolate chips

1. Make base fudge recipe and only use 6 oz of chocolate chips instead of 12 oz. Also, add the cherry chips to the fudge at the same time as the chocolate.

For a different variation, you can use 12 oz of chocolate chips and add maraschino cherries to the fudge.


*I don't make this very often so, I do not have a picture at this time.

White Chocolate Fudge


This is a super rich tasting fudge. Looks really pretty swirled with chocolate!

White Chocolate Fudge

You'll need:
Base Fudge Recipe
12 oz white chocolate

1. Make base recipe using white chocolate instead of the chocolate chips.

Friday, October 31, 2008

Cayenne Pepper Fudge


Yes, cayenne pepper fudge!! This is chocolate fudge with a kick!! The heat of the cayenne pepper hits you a few seconds after you eat the fudge. It doesn't give the fudge a "taste" just a little kick! As far as I know, this is my own "creation".

Cayenne Pepper Fudge

You'll need:
Base Fudge Recipe
1 tsp. cayenne pepper

1. Make base fudge recipe and add cayenne pepper after marshmallow fluff.

Cookies & Cream Fudge


Ooh, cookies & cream fudge!! So good! This fudge tastes almost like the ice cream but better because it's fudge!

Cookie & Cream Fudge

You'll need:
Base Fudge Recipe
12 oz. white chocolate
10 Oreo cookies, crushed

1. Crush oreos in food processor. I like to leave some "chunky".
2. Make base fudge recipe and substitute white chocolate of chocolate chips.

Reece Cup Fudge


This is one of my most popular fudge flavors. It tastes just like eating a Reece cup.

Reece Cup Fudge

You'll need:
Base fudge Recipe
12 oz Reece cups or 6 oz. peanut butter and 6 oz. chocolate chips.

1. Make base fudge recipe and substitute chocolate chips for Reece cups.

Peanut Butter Fudge


I do not like peanut butter but, for some reason this this my favorite fudge! So creamy it will melt in your mouth!

Peanut Butter Fudge

You'll need the Base Fudge Recipe
1 small jar of peanut butter* (18oz)

1. Make base fudge substituting peanut butter for chocolate chips.

*You can use peanut butter chips instead of jar peanut butter, but I think it tastes better with regular peanut butter.

Orange Cream Fudge


If you like the dreamsicles, you will love this fudge!! It tastes just like the orange Popsicle with the ice cream in the middle.

Orange Cream Fudge
You'll will need the Base Fudge Recipe
1 tsp. orange extract
12 drops yellow food coloring
8 drops red food coloring
12 oz. white chocolate

1. Make the base fudge recipe substituting the chocolate for white chocolate.
2. Add orange extract and food coloring.

Thursday, October 30, 2008

"Base" Fudge Recipe

I think the key to fudge making is do it the old fashion way; on the stove! Also, make sure to stir your fudge with a wooden spoon!

This base recipe is the key to making any flavored fudge.

"Base" Fudge

3 c. sugar
1 1/2 sticks butter (I use Blue Bonnet)
2/3 c. evaporated milk*
7 oz. marshmallow fluff
12 oz. chocolate chips**

1. Before you start, open all packages and line a 9x13 pan with wax paper.
2. Stir together sugar, milk, and butter in a medium sauce pan.
3. Cook over medium high heat (I use 7). When mixture begins to boil, boil for 5 minutes. Make sure to stir occasionally to prevent scorching and sticking.
4. After 5 minutes boiling time, turn heat off and add fluff. Stir, stir, and stir.
5. Add chocolate chips and stir until melted.
6. Pour into pan and let cool.

As a tip: I cut fudge as soon as it is completely set. I then will put it in the fridge to chill it. After it is cold, I lift it out of the pan by the wax paper and run the knife over the slices again. They should now peel right off the paper without sticking of falling apart.


Another tip: If your fudge gets hard from being exposed to the air, put it in a metal tin with a lid. It will soften back up and still taste great!

* A 12oz. can of evaporated milk will make 2 batches of fudge.
** Might be substituted in making different flavored fudge.