Blessings Abounding . . .

Hi Folks! I know it's been a while since my last post, but - like most of you - I've been busy cooking and eating and having a great Thanksgiving. For me it started on Tuesday when I drove the 25 miles to pick up my Mama and bring her up here for the weekend. While dinner was cooking we sat down and made a list of what we would have, and what could be cooked on Wednesday and what would have to wait until Thursday.

Wednesday we pretty much stayed in the kitchen all day. I did most of the cooking that day and Mama kept the dishes washed up for me as I worked. We did the chocolate delight pie, cranberry salad, deviled eggs, watergate salad, bourbon glazed carrots, and brined the turkey.

Thursday I got up and put Hortensia (the turkey) in the oven. This was Mama's day to do most of the cooking - beans, dressing and gravy, etc. - so I kept most of the dishes washed up as she cooked, and set the table and started getting serving pieces ready for each dish. I also went outside to see what kind of flowers I could find to make an arrangement for our table. I was amazed! I knew the mums would be there, but there were also yellow buddleia, a few pink and yellow roses, Chinese snowballs, a dried hydrangea bloom, and a few other bits and pieces. When I walked into the house with all those flowers, I felt like I'd harvested God's bounty!

We had planned on eating around 3 pm. That way we wouldn't be too stuffed by the time bedtime came around - HA! But we also just planned on eating when it all got ready! But, do you know that when we sat at the table, hubby said "Well, you made it! It's 2:58!!!"

The three of us had a great meal, and of course were too full for dessert, so we saved that for later. Mama and I cleaned up, put all the leftovers away and took a break for a while. Of course hubby was watching football!

Our very special day ended on a very special note. One of the local meteorologists on TV had told on Wednesday night that the International Space Station and the Space Shuttle Atlantis would be going over Thursday night at 6:41 pm. About 6:35 the three of us wrapped up in coats (it had gotten cold!) and waited out in the driveway, looking toward the northwestern sky. It seemed like ages, but in fact it was only 5 or 6 minutes before I saw them! The space station first, followed by the shuttle. And man, were they moving! But it was so amazing to stand out in our front yard, looking up into that clear, star filled sky, and watch those 'vehicles' so very far away passing overhead. It really made me thankful for many things.

And, after we got inside and warmed up, we all wanted dessert, so we pigged out again!

Friday started off a bit rough. About 1:30 my bladder rebelled, so when I got back to bed and tried to go back to sleep, there was no way it was going to happen. Hubby was really stuffy and snoring a lot, so I got up and went into the office and closed the door. I worked on a couple of projects and waited. I knew hubby was planning on getting up around 2:30 to go SHOPPING!!! It was Black Friday, after all, and we'd looked at all the sale papers on Thursday, and found a great deal on my DREAM present for this year at a really good price.

Anyway, before long he was up and I saw him out of the house and went back to bed and still didn't sleep well - I was too excited, because even though I know I can't get it until Christmas, I can't wait to get this gift! I have the sweetest husband, especially at Christmas time, because he really works at buying my gifts. He always spends way too much money, but it is the one time a year he really goes all out, and gets so much joy from seeing me opening my goodies. I truly think that his Christmas gift is seeing me happy about what he got me. I am blessed, and grateful!

When I got up around 7:30 hubby was in the living room with the girls. He had been back home by 4:15, successful in his quest. Man, I'm excited now!!! Oh, and the gift, well . . . I can't tell you until Christmas, but it's electric powered, it's useful in a creative sort of way, and it rhymes with cricket. That's all for now!

I got Mama up and we head for the hills of North Georgia. We rode and rode and rode, mostly in Coopers Creek WMA and then back through Ellijay so Mama could stop and get more apples from the apple houses. We came home in time for hubby to watch most of the Alabama/Auburn game, and had leftovers for dinner.

Saturday I took Mama home with a few errands along the way, came home and had leftovers for dinner - again!

Today I went shopping to pick up some stocking stuffers, wrapping paper and such, came home and had . . . you guessed it! Leftovers for dinner. But, I think that's all except for some turkey soup that I'll make tomorrow. I've had 4 days worth of dressing, gravy, green beans, corn pudding, etc. and I'm kind of tired of it . . . until Christmas!

It's been a great Thanksgiving weekend, and I'm going to leave you with a few pictures of our bountiful table. Have a great week! Becky

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Thanksgiving Thoughts . . .

Well, tomorrow is the big day! A day which centers around gratitude, giving thanks, being with family and friends, and eating turkey! Oh, and don't let's forget about all the other stuff like dressing, gravy, veggies, desserts, and the ever present cranberries!

Today Mama and I made the chocolate delight pie, deviled eggs, bourbon glazed carrots, watergate salad (that's all your fault, Mildred!), cranberry congealed salad and cooked the chicken parts for the gravy and dressing. I've also got 'Hortensia' brining in a cooler on the back porch. What! Don't you ever name your Thanksgiving turkeys???

But besides the food, Thanksgiving is about doing just that . . . giving thanks. Here are a few of the things I am most thankful for this year:

• my salvation and a loving, forgiving God
• my sweet hubby, my hero, my love, and my best friend - all rolled up in one person!
• my Mama and her continued health
• that my Daddy is no longer suffering, but celebrating Thanksgiving every day in God's presence!
• for the blessing of living in America - still a country that believes in freedom and the right to believe as we choose.
• for every single American soldier who is now, or ever has stood to represent those of us at home who can't!
• for my home, that it is water tight and warm and comfortable for us and for any who enter in it's doors.
• for my little girlies - Bailey and Bessie - and for all the joy they bring to me on a daily basis.
• for friends and family who I don't see as often as I would like, but who hold special places in my heart.
• for my health, and my hubby's
• and for this blogging world, and all you sweet folks who fill my life every day with a creative and social outlet.

I am truly blessed, and I know I am, and give thanks to my Father in heaven for all the gifts he has bestowed on me.

May you each and every one have a wonderful Thanksgiving, Becky

A Favorite Holiday Recipe - Chocolate Delight Pie

I'm sorry that I don't have pictures for this recipe, but Mama is making it for our Thanksgiving meal, and I won't have it here until Tuesday evening. But it's such a holiday staple with our family, and it is so easy to make and most of all, incredibly delicious, I wanted to share it with you so if you choose, you will have time to make it for your Thanksgiving feast!

Chocolate Delight Pie

Layer One - Crust

• 1 cup flour - doesn't matter if it is self rising or plain/all purpose - both work
• 1 stick (1/4 pound) butter or margarine, melted
• 2/3 to 1 cup pecans or walnuts, finely chopped

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.

Mix flour, butter and pecans together well and press into bottom of 9x11 glass baking dish (Pyrex) until evenly distributed. (Note: I put the dish on a low burner on top of the stove and melt my butter in it and then add flour and pecans - it's one less dirty dish!)

Bake at 325 degrees until lightly golden and you smell the roasty pecan smell.

Allow to cool completely.

Layer Two - Cream Cheese Layer

• 1 8 ounce package cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup powdered (confectioners) sugar
• 1 cup Cool Whip

Mix all ingredients together well, spread evenly on top of crust, chill in refrigerator.

Layer Three - Chocolate Pudding Layer

• 2 small boxes instant chocolate pudding mix
• 3 cups cold milk

Blend pudding mix and milk well. This recipe calls for 1 cup less milk than the instructions on the box so that the pudding will be very thick and rich. Spread pudding on top of cream cheese layer, cover and keep chilled.

Layer Four - Cool Whip

• Cool Whip

Spread chocolate pudding layer evenly (and thickly) with Cool Whip. If desired, garnish with chocolate curls or shavings, or even finely chopped nuts. Keep refrigerated until just before serving. Please note: You can make this a day or two in advance, but it is better if you don't put the last layer of Cool Whip on until just before serving.

So, that is it! Although there are several steps, this is an incredibly easy recipe, and well worth the effort. Our family just L*O*V*E*S this dessert, and no holiday would be the same without it. I'll try to get a picture of the pie on here later, but I'm not promising someone won't get to it and cut it before I have a chance!

Have a wonderful, thankful, special Thanksgiving, friends! Becky

Finalized . . .

Yep, Mama and I spent quite a while on the phone this morning getting everything straight, plotting, planning, and yes, finalizing our Thanksgiving menu. I'll be going to get her on Tuesday so we can spend most of Wednesday cooking and prepping things that can be done ahead. And she's bringing a few things that she'll be making ahead, like sweet potato pies and chocolate delight pie.

Now never mind that there will be three (3) or possibly five (5) people here for Thanksgiving! Because Thanksgiving and Christmas are two days that we go all out, full tilt, and make it special, especially where food is involved. Here is our menu:

Roast Turkey

Homemade Dressing and Giblet Gravy

Green Beans

Bourbon Glazed Carrots

Cheesy Corn Pudding*

Candied Sweet Potatoes*

Creamy Slaw

Potato Salad

Congealed Cranberry Salad

Deviled Eggs

Cream Cheese Pound Cake**

Chocolate Delight Pie

Sweet Potato Pie

Cherry Cheese Pie

Ambrosia

Sweet Tea

* means recipe is coming soon!

** means there's been a change in plans - Mama is making Cherry Cheese Pies, and I just don't think we need the pound cake, so it's off the menu, but I left it so you can find the recipe. Also, updated the link for the Chocolate Delight Pie recipe.

Links are for pound cake and cranberry salad recipes previously posted.

Sounds yummy, doesn't it! And we will eat leftovers for a week, but it's all good! Mama will be here a couple of days, and on Friday hubby and I will be dragging the Christmas decorations down from the attic, so I won't have to worry about cooking for a while.

(And off topic, did I tell you hubby and I have ordered our large, joint Christmas gift for each other??? Well, I won't say what it is, but it plugs into a TV and you can do things like go bowling, canoeing, fishing, wakeboarding, etc. and even do exercises with it! I'm so excited!!!)

So, tell me, what is on your menu for Thanksgiving??? Blessings friends! Becky

Decorating for FALL . . .

~Front Door Welcome~

We don't do halloween here. I do decorate for the autumn/harvest/fall/Thanksgiving season, but you won't find any ghosts, goblins, jack-o-lanterns, evil spirits or that kind of thing here at our home.

~Sweet, spicy candle that smells like fall~

So many people put more emphasis on 'celebrating' a day that was originally about the dead and spirits, but don't even acknowledge or are insulted by my favorites Christmas, Easter, Independence Day, and Thanksgiving. and since when did halloween become a holiday??? I won't be capitalizing it any time soon.

~End table in living room - can you tell I love birds?~

When I was a child in the 50's and 60's we dressed up in scarecrow, cowboy/girl, gypsy type costumes made of things in our closets and then visited a select few friends in the surrounding area. We lived in the 'country', with a few neighbors, but not many very close. So we went 1/4 mile down the road to my grandparents, then out the road about 1/4 mile in the other direction to Claude and Lively's place. If they had them, they usually gave us colorful Araucana chicken eggs (and yes, for halloween), as well as some candy. Next was the Manns, and maybe one or two other folks within a couple of miles of our house. And that was it, and it was fun and 'enough' for my brother and myself.

~Coffee table with fall magazines and stacked fabric pumpkins~

Now my hubby and I live in a small subdivision of about 65 houses and lots of kids who wouldn't even speak to us on the street if they were made to. But come October 31st they are here with their hands out and get upset if you don't give them what they want or as much as they want. And let's not even mention the area below our subdivision where someone hooks up a wagon to their tractor and brings a couple of dozen kids from another neighborhood to visit us - just this one night a year.

~Fall flag outside front door~

So a few years ago we just turned out the lights and pretended we weren't home. A few made their way down the dark driveway and found the doorbell button, but not many, and there have been less every year. This year we have plans, and will not be here at all, and for that I am very thankful!

~Wood Scarecrow~

And yes, it is partly a religious thing, and I know there are some wonderful alternatives out there! Before we moved to our current home we helped at our church's 'Trunk or Treat' for several years, decorating our car in a theme like harvest, camping, etc. and giving out candy to children as they walked around. There were rock climbing walls, moonwalks, games, hayrides, and all kinds of fun things for kids to do in a positive, loving atmosphere. And we had literally hundreds of kids from all around the area. And we had a BLAST!!!

~Mr. Crowe sitting in the front porch rocker. He's 54" tall, but without a spine or bones, he prefers to sit!~

Thankful, grateful, joyful, that's how I like to spend my fall/harvest season. Preparing for a Thanksgiving with family and being grateful for all our many blessings. That is so much better than dressing up like something or someone 'wicked' or bad, and going out and acting like your values and beliefs don't matter for just that night.

~Old Tom Turkey in the other rocking chair; he is also 54" tall~

Please don't be offended by my words here today. I am simply stating my position on halloween. And I hope you have a wonderful one, however you celebrate it. We live in America, and we can celebrate any day we want, and isn't that a wonderful thing!

The pictures above are most of my fall/harvest decorations. The are scattered around the front porch, living room and dining room. But before I go, I want to share one last decoration with you. It's a paper mache' pumpkin on a bit of moss under a cloche. BUT, it's not really the pumpkin I want to share - it's the cloche! I bought that cloche (bell jar) not including the footed cake plate at a yard sale this summer. It's about 15 1/2 inches tall, and a tad over 11 inches across at the base. It's made from hand blown glass, and has a few little air bubbles in the glass. The lady who was selling it showed me the catalog she bought it from, and she paid $80 plus shipping. It was still in the original box, which had never been OPENED!!! I opened it, made sure everything was intact, threw it in my car and skedaddled out of there! Why? Well, because I was afraid she would realize what she had done. I mean, surely selling an $80 cloche for $10 wasn't one of her brightest moments! :o) But I sure was pleased to take her up on it!

~Cloche on cake pedestal with paper mache' pumpkin and moss~

It's going to be a pretty week here for a change, so I think I'll be starting my pre-holidays cleaning. The coat closet and linen closet need straightening something awful, and my kitchen needs a good scrubbing from top to bottom. That's what I'll be doing this week, what about you???

Have a great week everyone! Becky

Thanksgiving Day Grace

My friend Teresa in Maryland e-mailed me this beautiful poem, and I thought I would share it with you.

Thanksgiving Day Grace

Our Father, fill our hearts, we pray,

With gratitude Thanksgiving Day;

For food and raiment Thou dost give,

That we in comfort here may live.

With bread of life our spirits feed

And grant to us the grace we need,

Guide Thou our feet lest they should stray

From paths of righteousness away.

True service may we render Thee

In love and deep humility;

Deliver us from every sin,

In His dear name we ask. Amen.

Luther B. Cross

Blessings friends! Becky

Holiday Recipes

It's a week until Thanksgiving, and usually I would be cooking up a storm, or at least doing some prep work for the day's eating, but this year we've decided to take a camping trip down to one of our favorite places - Savannah, Georgia - and I will be letting someone else do the cooking this year! We'll be eating out at a restaurant somewhere in Savannah.



We were there three years ago for Thanksgiving and had our big meal at Uncle Bubba's Oyster House - a restaurant owned by Paula Deen and her brother, Bubba. The food was incredible and the weather was great so we ate at a table out on the deck overlooking the marsh - it was so beautiful! But this year, with money tight and their prices WAAAYYYYY too high for our pocketbook, ($31 p/p) we'll be finding somewhere less expensive.



Anyway, in honor of the holiday, I thought I would share a couple of my favorite holiday recipes with you. First is a recipe I got from a lady I worked with years ago, Aunt Fanny's Cabin Squash Casserole - it is soooooo good!

Aunt Fanny's Cabin Squash Casserole

1. In large pot, boil 3 pounds chopped yellow squash with a little salt until tender.
2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
3. Drain squash, and put in a large bowl with 1 egg.
4. Mash up squash with the egg.
5. Add: 1/2 stick butter or margarine, 1 Tablespoon sugar, 1/2 +/- (to taste) chopped onions, dash black pepper, 1/2 cup bread crumbs
6. Mix all ingredients well.
7. Place in 2 quart casserole dish (I use 9 x 13).
8. Sprinkle top with another 1/2 cup bread crumbs and drizzzle with another 1/2 stick melted butter or margarine.
9. Bake at 350 degrees about 45 minutes or until bubbly in center.

This is such an easy recipe, and can be made a day ahead up to the baking and refrigerated until you are ready to bake it the next day.

Recipe number two is my all time favorite holiday dish, and brings back bunches of great memories! My Dad's Mother (Cliffie Bell Cook Forrester) always made this for Thanksgiving and Christmas, and always put it into the same bowl - a pink depression glass footed bowl. I never got the recipe from her, and regretted it so much, but after many failures I finally got it right. After she passed away a few years ago I was able to get her bowl, and now I always make the cranberry salad in that bowl for our Thanksgivng and Christmas meals. Here's a picture of the bowl - without the salad.

And here's the recipe:

Mama Cliffie's Congealed Cranberry Salad

Ingredients:

• 2 small packages jello - can be cherry, black cherry, strawberry - basically any RED jello - although I prefer black cherry
• 1 1/4 cups boiling water
• 1 can whole berry cranberry sauce
• 1 1/4 cups cold water
• 2/3 to 1 cup orange sections, in chunks (you can use mandarins cut up, but I prefer fresh oranges.
• ½ to 2/3 cup diced apple, peeled
• 2/3 cup chopped toasted nuts (pecans or english walnuts work well)

1. Mix the jello and boiling water and stir to dissolve.
2. Add the can of cranberry sauce while warm and stir to dissolve sauce.
3. Add cold water, stir well and put into fridge.
4. When the jello is 'set' or beginning to firm up a bit, add the fruit and nuts and stir well.
5. Pour into a mold or pretty bowl and return to fridge and continue chilling until firm.

This will keep a couple of days in the fridge, so it's easy to make ahead of time.

I hope you try these, and I hope you enjoy them. If you do try them, please leave me a post and let me know how they turned out for you and your family. Everyone have a very blessed, and THANKFUL holiday! I am grateful for YOU! Blessings, Becky