Tuesday, October 9, 2012

Talkin' Turkey on a Thrifty Tuesday!

I chose to celebrate Thanksgiving on Sunday and not our holiday Monday.  (I prefer a day of work & overindulgence to be followed by a day of recouperation & rest.)  While others slumbered, I got up and prepared food and set the table.  This was the first time using this thrifted tablecloth ($1) and  plates and turkey platter ($4 total).  The white serving bowls were also thrifted ($1 each); the green depression glass pitcher and stemmed glassware I've had for 20 years or so.  I was really pleased with the festive look of the table.


Here's my homage to American Thanksgiving with my Pilgrim Bear ($1).  The Thanksgiving display also included thrifted turkey shakers ($1), Dollar Store pumpkins & fake flower display, my gifted acorn plate, and this summer's Antique Store purchase of the green depression glass cranberry sauce bowl.

As I mixed & stirred & baked & stuffed & peeled, the morning was still dark outside.  But there was folk music playing in the background, a great cup of coffee and a Morning Glory ('cause that's how it felt to me!) muffin from the Market.  I get such a sense of joy and well-being when I prepare these special meals for my family.

There was an opportunity for a quick snooze on the sofa before Daughter #2 arrived and dinner was ready to be served:  turkey, mashed potatoes, mashed turnip, carrots, oven roasted maple squash and a lovely, light tasting homemade cranberry sauce.  But the star for me was my dressing:  I used a loaf of good quality french bread, fresh Market herbs, and chopped apples & dried, plumped cranberries.  It was baked outside the turkey and had a slight crust to it.  But WOW!  So good!
The delicious meal was accompanied by a glass of  cranberry "Red Barn" wine from a local winery (It got the "Molly" stamp of approval!).  After dinner, I lounged and the girls cleaned up.  Then dessert was served and the card games came out:  Skip-Bo and Phase 10.  It was Natsumi's first time playing, and she loved it.  We taught Elly last year, and the little scamp has the nerve to consistently beat us 80% of the time!  

As I mentioned a few days ago, dessert was Martha Stewart's chocolate pumpkin cheesecake squares.  (It's easy to find her recipe online.)  

The girls loved them.  But this being my second attempt at mixing pumpkin and cream cheese, I have to say I'm not overly fond of them together.  Individually?  YES!  Give me cheesecake or give me pumpkin pie ..... or give me a piece of each.  But I shall not marry them again.

It was a stellar day -- very relaxing and filled with good food and lots of laughter.  Just the way a holiday should be!  

It gave me something else to be particularly thankful for.

How'd you spend your weekend?  Up to your ears in turkey?  Or was it beans and weiners?





10 comments:

Dawn said...

I can't believe all the thrifted items that you were able to use. Great table. Happy Thanksgiving!

Janet said...

Beautiful table setting, Sandy - and, again, I am in awe of your thrifting :)

Turkey was actually ham in this household - still with a touch of the cold, we (husband and I) spent the weekend on our own. Still thankful, though!

I'm mostly known as 'MA' said...

What a beautiful Thanksgiving table you had. Now that my family has grown so large, I use paper and plastic dinnerware. There are just way too many dishes to do otherwise. Of course there is still the pots and pans to wash but that's not so bad. I'm with you, I love my pumpkin pie! We'll be celebrating the Saturday after Thanksgiving in November here at my house.

Poppy said...

Hi Sandy,

Your Thanksgiving meal looks absolutely scrumptious! It's holidays like this that I miss so terribly living across the pond, since I come from a very close family, who, like your own, LOVE to laugh, mostly at ourselves!

Thanks for stopping by my neck of the woods earlier today and am following you back!

Have a great day!

Poppy

My Little Home and Garden said...

I can almost smell the delicious dinner!

Pamela Gordon said...

Sounds like a fantastic thanksgiving meal Sandy. Your stuffing sounds really yummy too. Skipbo is one of my favourite games.

Unknown said...

Wow I'm getting really hungry for Thanksgiving turkey just reading your post! Our Thanksgiving is in November so I've a while to wait. Looks like you had a wonderful day! Warm hugs, Esther

Sweet Tea said...

Beautiful dishes!!
Your dinner looks and sounds wonderful.
I love Thanksgiving food, but don't enjoy cooking it, except for the baking part. :-)

Diana said...

This was a very FULFILLING post, get it, FULFILLING, LOL!!!
Everything looked so delicious, I wish I were there but glad you had family and fun for your Thanksgiving. That's what it's all about after all.
Funny we both posted about our thrift store finds this week!
Love Di ♥

Leslie said...

How wonderful your Thanksgiving meal sounded! The dressing has always been my favorite part!! You had your table set so pretty, and I love that most everything was a good buy. You write in a nice way to caputre the moment!
I can't wait for our Thanksgiving next month...you've made me excited for it to come! Thank you so much for becoming one of my blog's new friends!
Blessings,
Leslie

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