by Sandy on November 26, 2009
We ought to give thanks for all fortune: if it is “good,” because is it good, if “bad” because it works in us patience, humility, and the contempt of this world and the hope of our eternal country. ~ C. S. Lewis
When life is hard, it can be difficult to lift our thanks up to God. Yet when we lose our ability to be grateful (relationships, sadness, loss, suffering), we double our loss. Whatever the situation, whether we’re cooking the bird, taking pies or side dishes or salads, or heading out to a restaurant with family or friends, Thanksgiving Day is more than the feast. God’s desire is for us is to be deeply involved in each other’s lives … hard times and all.
That is what I love about This Good Day. It goes deeper, beyond the picture …
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving, to my family and friends!
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by Sandy on November 25, 2009
Last night I pulled my kids into the kitchen with me to help check a few things off my list. Like making this stuffing, baking the sweet potatoes, making the topping for them, and Abby prepared a breakfast casserole for Thanksgiving morning. (What is it about kids always wanting to snitch?!)
And then right before we headed off to the Sports Banquet at school, I caught Garrett snitching this Killer Cranberry Sauce that he was stirring!
Killer Cranberry Sauce
1 ½ c. sugar
1 navel orange
½ t grated ginger (I used 2 T. crystalized ginger)
4 c. cranberries
½ c. toasted pecans (optional)
Grate the orange zest and add to a pot with the sugar and ginger. Add the juice from the orange into the pot and simmer over medium heat until the sugar dissolves. Add cranberries and cook until they pop – about 5 minutes. Add pecans and cool sauce. YUM!
It’s so zingy and tasty, you really can’t help yourself!
BTW, check out my new Hip Hostess apron (top photo, and yes, my kitchen is very messy, but I’m so grateful to have more space to spread out now – with new floors coming soon!), because next week I’ll be giving away a GIANT Kraft Foods basket on MONDAY, and a Hip Hostess apron on WEDNESDAY!
It’s going to be an exciting week here on RE. But that is next week. And tomorrow we celebrate a wonderful day, and I’d love to hear how your cooking and planning are going?
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by Sandy on November 24, 2009
Thanksgiving is here – this week! And if you’re like me, you’re thinking ahead and planning out the details!
It’s essential, in my mind, to be organized and ready for the day – so you can enjoy the day!
Last year we kept it simple, as we observed the holiday out of town. The year before that, we had a small gathering in our home.
This year, it will be very simple again.
Thinking ahead to the centerpiece …
Keep it Inexpensive
A few years ago I remember going to our friend’s home up north. On Thanksgiving morning, when all the preparation and work had been done, our two families went for a long walk.
The goal of the walk was for the kids to find items to put on the table, and make their own centerpiece!
I wish I had pictures of how they put it together with branches and pinecones, but it was priceless – and beautiful!
Make it Creative Fun
My daughter and I created an inexpensive centerpiece just this last weekend for our dinner party. Driving by some freshly-fallen leaves, we stopped the car and picked the leaves that we wanted to use.
Dry out the leaves
Snip off the stem
Line a large vase with leaves
Turn a goblet, upside down, in the center of the vase
Put a candle in the center
It was fun to recreate those memories from almost 10 years ago, keeping it inexpensive and using what we had!
So don’t forget the easy sweet potatoes, here, and to keep a positive attitude, when you’re cooking your turkey, and the reason why we’re gathering in the first place.
Not only are we celebrating Thanksgiving, we’re celebrating Togetherness!
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