Thanksgiving

 

POSTED by
 
Annette Martin
 
 
 
 

HISTORY OF THANKSGIVING | November 25, 2010

Thanksgiving is a holiday we celebrate to express gratitude, thankfulness, and appreciation to God, family and friends. Traditionally, it has been a time to give thanks for a bountiful harvest. Thanksgiving Day is a harvest festival celebrated primarily in the United States and in Canada.

We generally think of Thanksgiving as an American holiday, due to the Pilgrims at the site of Plymouth Plantation, in Massachusetts. This celebration occurred early in the history of what would become one of the original thirteen colonies that later were to become the United States. Thanksgiving was modeled after harvest festivals that were commonplace in … Read More »


 

POSTED by
 
Michelle Lehman
 
 
 
 

Relax, It Doesn’t Have To Be Perfect! | November 23, 2010

It’s Thanksgiving week and the house does not need to be organized in order to eat turkey.  As a matter of fact, the closet can be stuffed and so can the turkey.  I know you would love everything to be perfect but it doesn’t have to be.  Let it go, focus and what really matters and enjoy the preparation of Thanksgiving.

You have invited family and friends into your home to celebrate Thanksgiving and you have so many things to be thankful for this year. I say if any of your friends or family start snooping through your closets or even … Read More »


 

POSTED by
 
Kimberly Thompson
 
 
 
 

Cornbread Chicken Dressing and Gravy | November 22, 2010

This recipe is a Southern Favorite and a staple on our Thanksgiving table. It is a flavor-filled, moisture-retaining recipe that will have your family drooling, and it can be used as a stuffing for chicken, duck, or turkey. I’ve also replaced the chicken in the recipe with pork chops and had great results!

Bon Appetit!

Cornbread Chicken Dressing and Gravy

A Southern Favorite

By Kimberly Thompson

Preheat oven to 450° F.

INGREDIENTS

For Cornbread:

Note – if the cornmeal you use is not self-rising, add baking powder and salt as needed.

1 – 1 ½ Cups cornmeal or self-rising cornmeal mix

½ – 1 Cup self-rising flour

1 Cup … Read More »


 

POSTED by
 
Michelle Lehman
 
 
 
 

Getting Your Kitchen Ready for Thanksgiving! | November 16, 2010

As I mentioned last week,  now would be a good time to get your menu started for Thanksgiving.  I would like to take it one step further and let’s make sure your refrigerator/freezer is ready for Thanksgiving as well.

If you are going out of town for the Thanksgiving holiday or even if you are hosting Thanksgiving, now would be a great time to do some refrigerator organizing. Try not to buy to a lot of food that will not get used in the next couple of weeks or that will rot in your refrigerator while you are away.

Maybe the next … Read More »


 

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Editor
 
 
 
 

Grandmother’s Pecan Pie | November 15, 2010

This Pecan Pie recipe is my Grandmother’s and very special to me!

PECAN PIE

INGREDIENTS

2 regular pie crusts (homemade is best, recipe follows)
3 eggs
1 C clear Karo syrup
1 C sugar
2 t vanilla
1/2 stick butter/oleo/margarine (real butter is best)
1 C chopped pecans, chopped fine

DIRECTIONS

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Melt butter. Add sugar and mix. Add Karo and mix. Scramble eggs, then add them and mix well. Add vanilla and pecans and mix. Pour 1/2 mixture into each pie crust. Cover sides of crusts with foil. Put in oven. Bake for 30 minutes, remove … Read More »


 

POSTED by
 
Beth Anderson
 
 
 
 

Throwdown with Bobby Flay, The Pioneer Woman and Chic Galleria | November 11, 2010

Remember when I mentioned my outfit I wore for the TV shoot back in September?  Well, now you will get a chance to see it.  My close family girlfriend Ree Drummond, aka The Pioneer Woman will be featured on the Food Network’s show Throwdown with Bobby Flay.  The show will air Wednesday, November 17 at 9:00 pm EST on the Food Network.  Here is the premise  of the show:

What happens when you combine a pinch of city, a dash of country and a scrumptious Thanksgiving Feast? You get Pioneer Woman. Meet Ree Drummond, former city slicker turned cowgirl. Do not … Read More »


 

POSTED by
 
Michelle Lehman
 
 
 
 

Tips for an Organized Thanksgiving! | November 10, 2010

I realize Halloween just got over but why not get ahead of the game this Thanksgiving?  If Thanksgiving dinner is one of your responsibilities for friends and family now is a great time to plan ahead.  If you are one of the lucky ones that gets to go visit family and have Thanksgiving dinner severed to you than there is no need to read this blog, unless of course you just love my tips!

Here are a some tips to help with Thanksgiving Dinner:

Start off by making a menu of what you would like to serve for dinner and deserts.  After … Read More »


 

POSTED by
 
Michelle Lehman
 
 
 
 

Halloween is Over…T-Day is Almost Here! | November 1, 2010

I know, I know it’s only November 1st, but I hate to be the bearer of bad news…Thanksgiving is right around the corner!  Start by gathering all of your Halloween decorations, books, CD’s and DVD’s into one room of your home.  If you don’t have a storage tote, grab a box or large trash bag to store your items.

Now would be a great time to double check all the decorations or books to see if any repairs need to be made before the next holiday season.  My poor Jack-O’-Lantern needed a dentist this morning….nothing a little hot glue couldn’t fix.  … Read More »


 

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Editor
 
 
 
 

Experience the Holidays, Experience Colorado Springs! | November 1, 2010

Colorado Springs, Colorado and the surrounding Pikes Peak region are featuring some fantastic activities and attractions as well as a few special packages for the holiday season.  It’s easy to relax and enjoy the season in Colorado Springs. Take a look at these great activities to enjoy with a loved one, friend or the whole family.

Cheyenne Mountain Zoo’s Winter WildLand

December 17 – January 2, 2011 ‘Tis the season for lights, animals, and holiday spirit at America’s ONLY mountain zoo! Take in the nearly one million sparkling lights illuminating the crisp winter night, warm up at one of the fires … Read More »


 

POSTED by
 
Michelle Lehman
 
 
 
 

Organizing Your Kitchen for the Holidays | November 12, 2009

Here a couple of quick tips on getting your kitchen ready for the holidays. Its a good idea to have your kitchen organized especially if you are entertaining. This is a great time to clean out that plastic food storage cabinet.  Just locating all the lids and bowls will be a task!

Gather them all on the kitchen counter and start matching lids and containers. Set aside all of the plastic containers that you do not use or are missing lids.  Now place all storage container with lids back in your cabinet or drawer.  Use the containers you don’t want for … Read More »


 

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Editor
 
 
 
 

A Thanksgiving Proclamation | November 27, 2008

“The year that is drawing toward its close, has been filled with the blessing of fruitful fields and healthful skies… No human counsel hath devised not hath any moral hand worked out these great things.  They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God… It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently, and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and one voice by the whole American People.  I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in very part of the United States… to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next, … Read More »


 

POSTED by
 
Martha Collins
 
 
 
 

Coconut Praline Pie | November 20, 2008

Coconut Praline Pie

½ c chopped pecans
1/3 c butter
1/3 c packed brown sugar
9 in. baked pie shell
2 envelopes Dream Whip
2 ¼ c cold milk-divided
2-4 serving packages  vanilla instant pudding
1 t vanilla
1 ¼ c coconut
Heat:  pecans, butter, and brown sugar until boiling.  Boil for 30 seconds.  Spread on bottom of pie crust.  Beat Dream Whip and one cup of the cold milk and vanilla on high for 6 minutes until peaks form.  Add remaining milk and pudding mixes.  Blend and beat on high 2 minutes.  Add 1 c coconut.  Spoon the pudding into the pie shell.  Refrigerate 4 hours.  Brown the remaining … Read More »


 

POSTED by
 
Martha Collins
 
 
 
 

Cranberry Fluff Salad | November 19, 2008

Cranberry Fluff Salad

1 quart cranberries
1 pound grapes
2 ½ c sugar
1 c nuts
½ pint whipping cream

Cut grapes in half. Grind cranberries.  Mix with sugar and let drain in colander overnight. Whip cream and fold into cranberry-grape mixture right before serving.  Serve on lettuce leaves.

Photo Credit © Tracy Hebden | Dreamstime.com

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POSTED by
 
Martha Collins
 
 
 
 

Refrigerated Mashed Potatoes | November 18, 2008

Refrigerated Mashed Potatoes

5 lbs. potatoes, cooked and mashed
2-3 oz. packages of cream cheese
1 cup sour cream
1 t salt
1/4 lb. butter
dash pepper
4 T butter on top

Recipe makes 10 servings.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Mix all ingredients except the last 4 tablespoons of butter thoroughly.  Cover and refrigerate.  When ready to bake, place in baking dish, dot with the 4T butter and heat uncovered until heated through.  Recipe can be kept in the refrigerator for 2 weeks before baking.  May be frozen ahead of time.

Photo Credit © Monkey Business Images | Dreamstime.com

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POSTED by
 
Martha Collins
 
 
 
 

Thanksgiving Family Favorites | November 17, 2008

My family, like lots of families, has its Thanksgiving must-have dishes.  People get really cranky if these faves aren’t there.  Food is so wonderful.  Recipes are passed down from generation to generation.  The person who made a dish for years and years may no longer be with us, but is there in spirit, as long as their signature dish is there.

Food comforts us and makes us feel good.  Thanksgiving food does this even more because there is so much love and pride put into our family cooking.  One of our family favorites that I am going to share with you … Read More »