My favorite part of Thanksgiving is more than the food. It’s connecting and enjoying a day of togetherness. This year our family is invited to join another family for our Thanksgiving meal. We’re dividing up the meal (the hosts usually do more, don’t they?) and our family is really looking forward to a new experience.
New holiday experiences are a treat. Creating new memories is a gift we can give our kids. And the connection around the table is just priceless.
Here are some great reminders on how to connect, if you feel that your gathering may lack pizazz:
1. Give Thanks.
2. Each person says one thing they are thankful for this year.
3. Adults share a Thanksgiving memory regarding how they celebrated as a child.
4. Each person shares who or what has been the greatest teacher in their life in the past year, and why.
5. Invite someone new to the table and share your traditions with them.
One thing I also love about Thanksgiving is cranberries. Cranberry sauce is so tasty, and we use the leftovers served over brie cheese in the days that follow. Cranberries can be used for decorating, a “night before TG dinner” (this is yummy … Butternut Mushroom Bread Pudding), or how about doubling the recipe and making this yummy Cranberry-Hazelnut Bread?
I used walnuts because I didn’t have hazelnuts, and it was delicious.
Perfect for TG Day breakfast!
Festive and excellent to freeze and give away during the holiday season.
What’s your favorite part of Thanksgiving?
Recipe: Cranberry-Hazelnut Bread {ReluctantEntertainer.com}
Summary: Inspired by Real Simple magazine. Make enough to share with neighbors or to send home with your guests!
Ingredients
- 1 cup hazelnuts, toasted and chopped
- 2 T. unsalted butter
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
- 1 T. baking powder
- 1/2 tsp. kosher salt
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- 2 large eggs
- 1 T. finely grated orange zest
- 1/2 tsp. vanilla
- 1 1/2 cups fresh cranberries
Instructions
- Heat oven to 350. Butter or spray a loaf pan. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, sugars, baking powder, and salt. In a small bowl whisk together the butter, milk, eggs, orange zest, and vanilla; add to the flour mixture and mix until just combined (do not over mix).
- Fold in the hazelnuts and cranberries.
- Transfer the batter to the prepared pan and bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 55-60 minutes.
- Cool for 30 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- TO MAKE AHEAD: The bread can be made up to 3 days in advance; keep at room temp, tightly wrapped. If desired, warm in a 375 oven for 5-10 minutes before serving.
Preparation time: 10 minute(s)
Cooking time: 1 hour(s)
Number of servings (yield): 4
Hi, I'm Sandy. Five years ago I stocked up on beautiful glasses from the Dollar Store. As I started writing about dinner parties, I realized that this “icon” portrays a great message. 
What a great recipe! Something easy enough to make for family and have plenty to share with friends too! Have a wonderful Thanksgiving Sandy!!
Lauren@SimplyLKJ´s last [type] ..Thanksgiving ABCs
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YUM! YOu need to try dipping your cranberries in white chocolate! YUMMY! I absolutely love my MIL’s turkey gravy. In fact even if I host, I usually ask her to make that. I love the food of course, but I love the gathering of people throughout the house and around the kitchen. Playing games, visiting, and enjoying food. My inlaws are hosting today and it’s almost always a guarantee that my MIL will invite several people that do not have a place to go! This year she has added 6 more on top of the 8 in her own family. She’s just that type of lady. I LOVE it!
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How pretty those turned out. Love cranberries.
sophistimom´s last [type] ..white pumpkin pie
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Hi Sandy,
I love the idea of inviting someone new to the table. That’s what were doing this year. We have a dear friend who would have otherwise been alone on Thanksgiving so we are including him in our celebration. He was so happy to receive the invitation it really warmed my heart and reminded me what Thanksgiving is all about.
Love,
Mary
Mary´s last [type] ..The Secret to Easy Meal Planning
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oh those look wonderful!
Happy Thanksgiving
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The cranberry bread looks absolutely delicious! I’m with you – there’s something about cranberries…they’re tart, sweet and adapt so well to sweet and savory recipes! Thanks for sharing and Happy Thanksgiving!
Ann´s last [type] ..A Kitchen Tour
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I am headed to a friends for thanksgiving but am excited to help out with the veggie dish. It will be nice to be in a house full of people and share the day and food with them! I like the ideas for sharing you had too!
Stephanie @ Kick-Ass Wife´s last [type] ..What Love Is
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