I have a box that I keep all my decorations in. I enjoy taking out this little Thanksgiving set every year. It has been used ever since the boys were little. So many wonderful memories of explaining the Thanksgiving story to the boys, our daughters and now the grandchildren. I know there will be a day that I won't have the dinner at my farm, but as long as I still have it I am going to use this little set and will keep telling the story.
Our son's just can't have any holiday meal with out orange jello/tangerine salad.
One of our grandson's came prepared to put little decorations on our plates. We always have the 5 kernels of corn to remind us of the sacrifices that was made for all of us Americans. We also go around the table before we eat and tell 5 things we are thankful for. It is a precious time. The little card said:
The Legend of Five Kernels
The first winter the Pilgrims spent in their new home food was very scarce.
Some days there was only enough for five kernels of corn, From then on,
every Thanksgiving the Pilgrims put five kernels of corn on each plate to
remind themselves of their blessings. Let us also remember!
The first kernel reminds us of the Autumn beauty around us.
The second kernel reminds us of our love for each other,
The third kernel reminds us to be grateful for all we have (I would put for all the
Lord has given us).
The fourth kernel reminds us of our friends.
The fifth kernel reminds us of that we live in a free Country.
Since I only have one oven, this year I put the turkey in frozen the night before on at 200 degrees. A friend of mine who also has a large family said that by noon it is ready and would fall off the bone. She was right, it was the best turkey we have ever had. Very moist.
This is a must recipe at our table. Mr. Phil's momma, Grandma Jo made this every Thanksgiving and Christmas. When she died I was the one that kept the family "traditional" Thanksgiving dinner going. I felt so inadequate that first year, but with Grandma gone, life was devastating to all of us. Grandpa was so lonely and we were just trying to hang in there with our older sons and walking the grief with them. Anyway I had a list that Grandma had left in her cookbook of all the times that each pie had to go in, the stuffing and so on. We live in Grandpa and Grandma's house now. Yesterday I worked with my daughters side by side in Grandma Jo's kitchen. Teaching them, so that one day they can carry on the same traditions.
Grandma Jo's Cranberry Salad
1 large box of Cherry Jello
1 package of cranberries (12 0z.)
1 1/2 cup hot water
2 jonathan apples with peels
3 oz orange concentrate
4 oz. walnuts
3/4 - 1 cup sugar.
Using a food processor, process the cranberries set in a bowl with the sugar and let the sugar dissolve. Process the apples and walnuts add to the cranberries. Pour cherry jello into a
bowl with the hot water. Make sure that the jello is all dissolved. Add the orange concentrate to the cranberries and the jello mixture. Pour in a decorative bowl, place plastic wrap on the top and set in the refrigerator. I like to make this the night before. It is soooo good!
The girls text each of their brothers to see what they wanted for a pie.
They already know what pie the boys want, it is just another way to let them know they are loved!!! This is a picture of the Coconut Cream Pie
This is the pie crust recipe that we use, because it makes 5 single pie crusts. We have to make so many crusts, so this recipe is fantastic.
Never Fail Pie Crust
3/4 c. flour
3/4 c. cold water
3 tsp, salt
4 c. flour
2 c. shortening
Mix 3/4 cup flour, cold water and salt well and set aside. Blend 4 cups flour and shortening. Add above mixture to this. Keeps 3 weeks in refrigerator in wax paper. Makes 5 single crusts. Bake. 425 degree for 10 minutes.
Coconut Cream Pie Filling
1/3 c. flour
1/2 c. sugar
1/8 tsp, salt
2 c. scalded milk
3 eggs yolks.....(3 egg whites used for Meringue)
1 tsp. vanilla
1 cup coconut
2 T. butter
Combine the flour, sugar and salt. Stir in milk. Cook in double boiler until thick. Add coconut. Stir in egg yolks and cook a few minutes longer. Add vanilla and butter. Cool and put in cooked pie shell. Cover with meringue and sprinkle some coconut over the top before you cook.
Meringue for Pie
3 egg whites
1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
6 T. sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
Beat egg whites and cream of tartar until foamy. Beat in sugar, 1 T. at a time,
continue beating until stiff an glossy. Do not under beat. Fold in vanilla.
Peanut Butter Pie
1/3 c. peanut butter
3/4 c. powdered sugar
Blend peanut butter and powdered sugar in a food processor.
Sprinkle 2/3 of this mixture over the bottom of a baked 9" pie shell.
For the filling use the same custard pie filling from the Coconut Cream Pie
above. Spread filling on top of the peanut butter mixture.
Cover with meringue. Use the meringue recipe from above and bake. Sprinkle the remainder of the peanut butter and powdered sugar on the top of the meringue.
Grandma's Pecan Pie
1 unbaked 9" pastry shell
3 eggs
1 c. Karo dark corn syrup
1 c. sugar
4 T. butter, melted
1 tea. vanilla
1/8 tea. salt
1 cup pecans
Beat eggs slightly. Mix in Karo syrup, sugar, butter, vanilla and salt, then nuts. Pour into unbaked shell. Bake in 400 degree oven for 15 minutes. Set oven temperature control at 350 degrees and continue baking 30 to 35 minutes. Filling should be slightly less set in center than around edge. Grandma said to put pie on next to the bottom rack. So that is what I did. It turned out perfect.
These are absolutely the best rolls. Very airy because of the cottage chesse, but you don't taste the cottage cheese.
Cottage Cheese Rolls
2 pkgs. yeast
1/2 c. lukewarm water
2 c. cottage cheese (small curds)
1/4 cup honey or brown sugar
1/2 tea. salt
1/2 tsp. soda
2 eggs
4 1/2 c. flour
I like to use a large tupperware bowl with a lid. Sprinkle yeast in lukewarm water. Let sit till dissolved. Heat cottage cheese in microwave until lukewarm. Combine cheese, honey or brown sugar, salt, soda, eggs, yeast/water and 1 cup of flour with a spoon until batter is smooth. Gradually add enough flour to make a soft dough that leaves sides of bowl. Place dough in greased bowl and let rise for about 1 to 1 1/2 hours. Turn dough onto lightly-floured surface. Cut dough into 24 equal parts. I just use my kitchen scissors and cut pieces off the main dough. Place in 2 greased 9"x 9 pans. Let rise until double in size (45 minutes). Bake in 350 degree oven for 20 minutes or until golden brown.
Use small bread pans to make mini -loaves for submarine sandwiches. They are real pretty for parties. Arrange leafy lettuce, sliced tomatoes, onions, black olives and green peppers on a large platter. Place little bowls of mayonnaise, and mustard in the center.
A KANSAS SUNSET SO BEAUTIFUL.
Here is a picture looking west of our house. I can not believe it is the close of another Thanksgiving. What memories we have all tucked in our hearts. All the grand-children but one were able to spend the night last night. It was like the "Walton's" going to bed on steroids. Children all over the house!!!!! Giggle, giggle, giggle!! They had so much fun. Today we have some special things in store. First thing this morning the boys went out to my little studio barn and got their plastic boxes. I gave them each a 99 cent box and filled it with their own scissors, glue, crayons ....... and such). This helps me so that they have their own "stuff". We even take the boxes on trips when we all go together. They keep all their treasures in them. They cut out snowflakes and snowflakes and snowflakes......... need I say more? Little teeny tiny cut papers alllllll over my floor. How I thank the Lord for vacuums......... and grandchildren!!!!!
Tonight at Stutzmans will be a "preview". I will take lots of pictures. Can't wait!
Now I have to get serious about making gifts and decorating for Christmas. My favorite time of year!!!!!!! I love the story of the birth of my Savior. I will never get tired of hearing it. Let the SEASON begin! I can't wait to come to all of your blogs and see what is going on. Tell me if you have anything special going on your blog. Pleeeeeeease! I love decorating. I will have some tutorials of things I will be making for my grandchildren.
Blessings,
Linda
