Thanksgiving Day 2010

 Turkey and dressing, pies and rolls. Yum. But what was the best part was having a lovely time with family.
This year we had my husbands family over for Thanksgiving dinner and it went off without a hitch. Everyone enjoyed good food and my favorite part- the kids playing.

My husband's brother

My Nephew, DD, BIL and BIL

DH and I

Me and my photo ready Princess

DH, me and Princess again

Simple Table with Pine Cone centerpiece, cranberry sauce in ice cream dishes and candles.

The kids HAD to blow out the candles.

DS-running from the camera with his bear.

Abuela

My adorable nephew

Princess show's Abuela the Christmas Village (complete with DS's toys)

My BIL

Thanksgiving Dinner

What's for Dinner? It's a week away!
I thought I would share with you all my favorite recipes for this season. I'd love to hear what your favorite dish or recipe is as well!

Menu:

Turkey: Perfect Turkey
We made this recipe last year and it was literally the best turkey I've ever had in my life. My husband even loved it and he said he'd never liked turkey before he had this recipe.


Garlic Mashed Potatoes: Using my own recipe which I'm still playing with. I use broth and EVOO instead of milk and butter to create a healthier creamy mashed potato dish.

Chorizo Cornbread Stuffing: http://www.gourmet.com/recipes/2000s/2008/11/corn-bread-chorizo-stuffing


Green Bean Casserole: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alton-brown/not-your-mamas-green-bean-casserole-recipe/index.html
Here is a video recipe: http://www.foodnetwork.com/videos/green-bean-casserole/27743.html
Alton Brown rocks my socks! If you aren't familiar with this Food Network Chef, I promise you will love his recipes!

Brussel Sprouts: I haven't decided on this one yet! I'm thinking cranberry and pecan but I may do a bacon and onion version.

Rolls: http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Sweet-Dinner-Rolls/Detail.aspx

Sweet Potato Casserole: Thinking up my own version with a lighter filling and a pecan streusel topping.

Cranberry Sauce: http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/recipes/1421


Pumpkin Gooey Butter Cake: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/paula-deen/pumpkin-gooey-butter-cakes-recipe/index.html


Apple Pie: http://potsnplans.blogspot.com/2010/06/apple-pie-in-jar.html
I am still deciding if I will make a whole pie or do the "Pie in a Jar" recipe to give each family member a jar to take home.

I hope my ideas might inspire some of you. I am so excited to be hosting Thanksgiving this year and I'm happy to share the traditional foods that I grew up with in a new way! In the words of Paula Dean "Happy Thanksgiving Ya'll!"

<3 Sarah

Cute Thanksgiving Banner Idea

Check out this adorable Thanksgiving Banner by Alpha Mom

This would be super cute with felt cut outs if you wanted something a but more dressed up. I think I'm going to try it with the kids!

Homemade Gifts For Kids.

Check out Tip Junkie's links for making fabulous Barbie clothes. This would make a great gift for Christmas!

Check out Skip To My Lou's adorable Reversible Tote Bag Tutorial

Michael Miller Kid's Apron Tutorial

Pretend Play- Restaurant Set from 12 Crafts Till Christmas.

12 Crafts Till Christmas Mini Play Mat (Dinosaurs!!!)

Twelve Crafts Till Christmas Doll Wipes

Tip Junkie's Gift Box From Cereal Boxes Tutorial.

Check Out Tip Junkie's idea for using cereal boxes for gift boxes, what a great craft for recycling, fun with kids and making a thoughtful and beautiful Christmas gift box! I'm going to do this with the kids this year. Saving those boxes!

Gotcha Day Fund For Jax!

This is one of those opportunities that I always hope for, the chance to help someone adopt. My friends Elizabeth and Jeremy are already the most amazing parents to their son Jax. He is their child.
There is this little thing (of huge importance) called a final hearing. Elizabeth and Jeremy have been waiting a very long time for theirs. It is the day that they will call Gotcha Day for their cherished son, Jax.
In order to make this happen they need to raise some funds! They need $5000 by the 28th of November to make this happen. Please consider giving. Even a few bucks will make a difference and help them achieve their goal.
Feel free to share this link on Facebook and pass along to your friends and loved ones.
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=166189333410900&num_event_invites=226


(This is a post that is also on my other blog www.iwannabakeyoubirthdaycake.blogspot.com. My hope is to reach everyone I know and that they will pass it along too).

Check out this weeks deals at Publix!

This week there are some great deals at Publix for free or almost free! Check out coupon match-ups at Southern Savers.
We will be stocking up on Schick razors,  Finish dishwashing detergent, Barilla pasta, Peter Pan peanut butter, College Inn broth, Craisins, Nutella, Rubbermaid items (great for gifting food items this holiday), Honest Kids juice pouches and lots more! Can't wait to see how much I save this week.

I also plan on buying lots of apples! $1.99 for a 3 pound bag of Red or Golden Delicious Apples. I will be making some apple recipes for the next few weeks for sure!

And don't forget .59 cent Kraft Mac N' Cheese!

Next Round of Freezer Cooking

This last week I made some freezer meals and it was a bit challenging. I am on a very restrictive diet for detox for another 2 weeks so finding recipes that I could eat was difficult. I wanted to still have the wonderful feeling of all the major prep work for meal time done in advance, but really didn't know what to make with my limited diet and this is what I came up with:

• Spicy Red Beans served with rice and salad (bread for the kids and DH)
• 2 batches Almond Crusted Salmon served with mashed sweet potatoes and roasted kale
• 2 batches Homemade Fish Sticks (this on is one that I will not be able to eat but the kids and DH can)
• Baja Tilapia Tacos (I can eat the grilled fish and DH and the kids can eat them as tacos)
• 2 batches Mango BBQ Chicken Thighs ( I had to edit my recipe to leave out the sugar, it still tastes great!) served with rice and roasted green beans
• Roasted Butternut Squash, Black-eyed Pea and Wild Mushroom Soup served with cheese and crackers, fruit and hot cider (I cannot eat cheese and crackers but the kids will like this and it will be a lovely cool evening meal)
• 2 batches Arroz Con Pollo served with peas and cuban bread for the kids and DH ( used boneless breasts and thighs this time around for more kid friendly meal. I also substituted apple juice for wine.)
• One batch of pancake mix for the pantry
• One batch of waffles for the freezer (for the kids breakfasts)
• Double batch of mashed potatoes with chicken stock instead of milk and EVOO instead of butter
• Batch of "French Fries"

Recipes for Spicy Beans, Almond Crusted Salmon, Baja Tilapia Tacos and Roasted Butternut Squash, Black-eyed Pea and Wild Mushroom Soup coming SOON!