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?