Thanksgiving... on the brain.

Making The Thanksgiving Grocery List...

this morning.

: )

It's been so different over the last few Thanksgivings, not having it here.

It's better for the Kids, they have room to roam, at Justin's. 

Spoke with Justin... this morning, asked him what he'd like me to bring.

: )

He's so much like his Dad... said, he didn't care.

{but... they do. ; ) At least... his Dad, did.

 Thanksgiving was John's Favorite Holiday. ; ) He was Always trying to Sneak food off of the stove, while it cooked!! : ) It's PAINFUL smelling everything cooking, and having to Wait!! : )  }

Justin said he was going to cook the Turkey.

: )

He'll probably Smoke it... or Grill it.

; )

I'll probably cook a small one, here, too... the day before.... in the roaster.

 Need the drippings, and giblets for the Gravy, and Stuffing.

Probably bake a couple of pies.

Dutch Apple, and Sweet Potato.

 Whip up some Cranberry Relish.

It's so easy... just Apples, Cranberries... Oranges, Walnuts...

and 

Sugar.

; )

<3

Love Pumpkin Pie, and Sweet Potato Pie.

: )

Dutch Apple.

<3

The Stuffing... 

oh dear.

: )

It's Insane.

<3

below... is what mostly goes in it.

: )

It's 'Evolved'... over the years.

: )

A stick of Butter... melted, in a cast iron Scotch Bowl...

{or Large Stock Pot}

then...

brown a pound each... of Jimmy Dean Maple Flavored, and Sage Sausage,

; )

add...

Two or three Granny Smith Apples, unpeeled, chopped kinda coarsely. 

Half a cup, or so... each, Dried Cherries, and Cranberries.

8 ounces... or a pound, of fresh, sliced Mushrooms, a large Onion... cooked Giblets... and, Neck Meat... from the Turkey...

{diced finely}

3 ribs of Celery...

Coarsely, and finely... chopped/diced.

 3/4 cup, or more... of  chopped Walnuts, 

 diced, finely.

: )

Load's of Garlic... along with All Sorts of Seasonings.

{Lots of Sage.}

: )

after all of the above is combined and browned...

I put in the freshly dried bread crumbs, and the stock from the cooked Giblets.

: )

Little by little, until it's nice and moist, but not soupy.

: )

{When I cook the fresh Turkey Giblets, I put them in a large cast iron Scotch Bowl, { or Stock Pot} in about 8 cups of water, with a large chopped Onion,  2 ribs of Celery..., and Celery leaves, chopped finely.  Garlic Powder, Poultry Seasoning... Salt, and Pepper. I let it simmer for a few hours, adding a little more water, as it cooks down.

The Seasoned Giblet Stock is what moistens the Stuffing, later.}

{usually use a box, or two... of the Traditional Stove Top Stuffing Mix, as well, at the end.

Like the seasonings they have in it... and the consistency of their bread crumbs. It also helps, if... the Stuffing is a little 'soupy'. It'll tighten it up.}

; )

Makes a Huge Batch... but it Never goes uneaten.

Ever.

: )

{It gets Better, and Better... after Thanksgiving... along with the Leftover Turkey.

Gads!!!}

I Only make it...on Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Twice a Year... is Enough!!

: )

It's basically a Heart Attack in a cast iron Scotch Bowl.

; ) ; ) ; )

It's SOOOOO Good!!!

WOW!!

<3

 Making Sour Cream/Cream Cheese Garlic Mashed Potatoes... and Candied Sweet Potatoes, too.

Probably cook them at Justin's.

 Making the Gravy, there... as well.

Much easier, and Gravy.... is best prepared just before the meal is served.

{in my opinion. : ) }

I'll Never Forget... one of the First Thanksgiving meals Niece, Kari... and I,  prepared for our Family.

I'd just moved out on my own.

We made Dutch Apple Pies, Pumpkin Pie... Kari made 'Her' Amazing Pickle Wraps.

<3

We had Turkey... Stuffing, Mashed Potatoes... but, I forgot to save back the drippings for the Gravy.

No Gravy.

Oh My LORD!!

You woulda thought A Crime was Committed!!

: )

Dad, John... Brother, Larry... Would NOT Let It Go!!!

'No Gravy'!!

"No... Gravy??????!!!!"

oh... my.

<3

THAT...

 Never Happened, 

again.

: )

Better get the list done.

Clean out the fridge, and make some room.

: )

Love to Ya...

Prayers for All.

Barb C.

{Love Jimmy Dean. <3 Probably the First 'Rap'... Tune I ever heard. 

Hahahahahaha!!!!

Was listening to Jimmy Dean, 'Please Pass The Biscuits',... as I was getting ready to go shoppin'.

: )

When I was a Kid... we visited Relatives, or... they'd visit us... every Sunday.

Thanksgiving is about as close to 'Sundays'... when I was little, anymore.

<3

: )

I... miss 'Mayberry'...

on so many fronts.}