Here we are in the last week of November, days away from Thanksgiving. How and when did this holiday sneak up on us? Wasn't it just summer? Hmmm...well, however quick it got here, it's here! And with that comes the hustle and bustle of the winter holiday season. This year is different for me - it will be my first Thanksgiving in about 31 years that I will not be hosting. I am so thankful to my niece Krystle and her boo Ivan who will be hosting this year.
Krystle will be cooking the turkey and sides and I have been tasked with the stuffing, salad, and cranberry sauce. So, let's talk about this menu. Every year, an attraction for holiday feasting is the free turkey that most retail outlets offer when you spend a certain amount. This has been a great savings especially when cooking for a large crowd. Has there ever been a thought that the turkey was not healthy? Well, maybe some question, yes, and that is why we always chose Butterball! Now with so much focus on chemicals how can we possibly eat a piece of Butterball turkey that has been injected with God knows what?! Argghhh...but, if we let this consume us, then we lose sight of what this day is for, and that is to give Thanks. Sorry, tangent...ok, back to the menu... I try to do healthy as best I can. I have not found any stuffing mix that does not contain crappy ingredients. So, I am going to make my own breadcrumbs this year. Maybe you already do this, but I have not done this before and am excited to give it a try. I will use my sourdough bread, fingers crossed it will be good. Do you make your own breadcrumbs? Also, how do you make your stuffing? I make my stuffing with chicken sausage - hot, mild, and garlic, along with chestnuts, dried cranberries, onion, garlic, celery and some shredded carrots, seasonings and...I feel like I am forgetting something. Well, anyway, it is a burst of flavor!
Next, the cranberry sauce. I bought one can of organic cranberry sauce, but I will make my own also so there is a choice. Do you make your own or buy it already made? And then there will be desserts - pies, all courtesy of the kids fundraisers! Locally made pies from Lyman Orchards which are loaded with tasty goodness (and by that I do not mean healthy, LOL).
As I mentioned, if we worry about the ingredients, we miss the purpose of the gathering. I can't wait to be a guest this Thursday and sit at the table with everyone while we eat! It's the little things that others take for granted...I will truly enjoy this year. I am thankful for my faith, my family and friends, my health and for your support. I appreciate you always!
I hope you all have an amazing Thanksgiving filled with love, laughter and peace!
In good health,
Bobbi
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