holidays and entertaining

Thanksgiving Visual Recap

November 27, 2009 by Ellen · Leave a Comment 

Pictures are linked to recipes where I have them posted. I loved the Pink Lady apples in this. You can see the pink skins! These were the surprise hit of the evening.

Menu for Thanksgiving

November 23, 2009 by Ellen · 1 Comment 

This is not set in stone but here’s what I’m currently planning. Still need to decide how I’m going to roast the turkey, as I have several good options. Appetizers: deviled eggs cut up veggies various dips and hummus stuffed radishes and cherry tomatoes Brie and French bread (being brought by a guest) smoked salmon [...]

A Collection of Thanksgiving Recipes and Dinner Ideas

November 17, 2009 by Ellen · Leave a Comment 

Thanksgiving Menus Looking for ideas for your Thanksgiving menu? Here’s one Thanksgiving menu from 2004 and another from 2005 and another from 2008. Thanksgiving recipes From past years: Roast turkey -  Fantastic for smaller birds but impractical for larger ones as you turn the turkey a few times. Roast Turkey with Wine Soaked Cheesecloth – [...]

Thanksgiving Tips and Recipes

November 16, 2009 by Ellen · Leave a Comment 

Last year I wrote a page of my Thanksgiving tips and recipes, including a couple of different ways to cook turkeys and collected some useful links about turkeys. I shared some of my do-ahead tips and favorite side dish and dessert recipes as well. I need to sit down and plan out this year’s menu [...]

Valentine's Day Help: Playdough Hearts

February 12, 2009 by Ellen · Leave a Comment 

When the girls were little, we tried to make something each Valentine’s Day. But it’s a challenge to not spend too much money, have something they can make, and have it be something everyone enjoys. We made airplanes out of chewing gum sticks one year (wrapped so the recipient could chew the gum!), various pretzel [...]

Roasting a BIG Turkey

November 28, 2008 by Ellen · Leave a Comment 

I have several great recipes for roasting smaller turkeys, say under 18 pounds. If you can easily turn the bird on its side, I like this one. If you don’t mind adding some butter, this cheesecloth covered turkey one is good as well, but requires frequent basting. I haven’t yet started brining, as is all [...]

Thanksgiving Wrap-Up

November 28, 2008 by Ellen · Leave a Comment 

I never got a chance to post my Thanksgiving menu prior to the holiday but will post it here today so I can refer to it next year. Appetizers Green olive dip Humus Salmon spread from my sister Spinach dip from my niece Various vegetables cut up for dipping French bread cut up for dipping [...]

Easter Dinner

April 17, 2006 by Ellen · Leave a Comment 

Awesome Pork Loin Twice Baked Potatoes Steamed Broccoli with Orange Sauce and Sesame Seeds Rolls Fried Apples and Onions Deviled Eggs plain applesauce sliced strawberries and shortcakes with Cool Whip The broccoli recipe you’ll have to beg my niece for. I know we steamed the broccoli but she brought the orange sauce already mixed up [...]

Turkey Soup

December 6, 2005 by Ellen · Leave a Comment 

On Thanksgiving, I threw the turkey carcass into the freezer, not wanting to deal with that then. Over the weekend I pulled it out and made some lovely broth! Then the other day, I used some to make some very simple vegetable soup. 2 Tbs oil2 carrots, peeled and diced2 stalks celery, sliced2 cloves garlic, [...]

Roasted Pumpkin Seeds

November 2, 2005 by Ellen · Leave a Comment 

Halloween has progressed far beyond what it was when I was a kid. Back then, the costumes were mostly homemade. The pumpkins were mostly homegrown. And the carvings were definitely homegrown. No fancy templates. No fancy tools. We got a kitchen knife and scraped out the insides with a big kitchen spoon. Now, you seem [...]

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