A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day....11-17-05....Thanksgiving Countdown - T minus 7

DollyCali | November 17, 2005 | DollyCali

[DollyCali]

A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day

Free Republic made its debut in September, 1996, and the forum was added in early 1997.   Over 100,000 people have registered for posting privileges on Free Republic, and the forum is read daily by tens of thousands of concerned citizens and patriots from all around the country and the world.

A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day was introduced on June 24, 2002. It's only a small room in JimRob's house where we can get to know one another a little better; salute and support our military and our leaders; pray for those in need; and congratulate those deserving. We strive to keep our threads entertaining, fun, and pleasing to look at, and often have guest writers contribute an essay, or a profile of another FReeper.

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We're having fun and hope you are!
~ Billie, Dutchess, DollyCali, Mama_Bear ~

Holidays beginning at Thanksgiving and going until New Years can be Joyous or Gut-wrenching Lonely.

Or anywhere in between.

The absence or presence of people doesn’t always make it one way or another.

Fast forward one week. It is NOW Thanksgiving Day 2005

Some families have a tradition of touch football…some have a tradition of couch potato spectator football with the slew of bowl games. Some women (and a FEW Men) spend the afternoon scowering the ads for the next day Shopping mania at the various stores.

You may be with a large group of family or friends at a home for an elegant sit down dinner. You may be with this same group for a more casual homey pot luck/pitch in affair. You may go to Hometown Buffet for a massive dinner including drinks for under ten dollars or to a 4 star hotel for a grand buffet for $39.95 per head (beverages extra). You maybe with three dozen people. You may just be with one or two of your family/friends.. Or you may be alone. But you don’t have to be lonely, UNLESS you want to.

If you have had a significant death this past year, holidays are hard. VERY HARD. Go thru the pain but go thru the celebration also. You honor the lost loved one by remembering with joy the good times and the good experiences you shared.

Various factors contribute to how you will experience these holidays but lets join in here & help those that maybe are leaning toward the lonely & the depressed during this time while at the same time we are going to also share party/menu ideas & decorating thoughts for those that are in the spirit & flying high.

Some have had this day planned for months. Some will start “working on it” on Tuesday before T-Day.

First of all for those who don’t have a dinner commitment until later in day or those alone. Make this the best Thanksgiving you have had --- by ……volunteering at a Homeless Shelter, Battered Women’s shelter, VA center, Nursing home , retirement center etc. I will honestly tell you that my best holidays have been those where I have spent the time to do this very simple but mighty act of service. Take the kids, take the whole family.

If you are smart enough to be reading this thread, you are smart enough to research where you can go to help. JUST DO IT! Afterward you can join your other activities & I’ll bet your mind will dwell on where you were earlier, and wish you had stayed longer.

If you have a pet that is friendly take it (check first). Most places are pleased their folks can have interaction with well behaved, leashed pets. Take small gifts. Nothing fancy. Some cookies, mixed nuts or pretzels in baggies. Some of your old knick knacks you were going to throw away will thrill someone in a nursing home often. Find a person or two to adopt. Make a point of visiting them now & then. You will both be blessed.

<

Dolly’s SOGGY Greens
(Salad of Great Goodness = Yummy)

Prepare the Bath. In Largest container you have: very cold water mixed with ¼ cup white vinegar & ¼ cup table salt. (If any of the ingredients are extra dirty(black soil) do pre-washing

Add

1 cup celery in 1/4 inch segments (save the inner w/leaves for bloody Mary)
1 cup Baby carrots - julienne
4 cups each of the following Greens:

Romaine - remove the core & the edge of the remainder of leaves. Chop into 1 “ squares.
Baby Bibb - chopped into 1” squares
Spinach (remove the stems & brown leaves
Mixed wild greens

Gently swoosh to remove any dirt. Soak for at least one hour until all become firm. Drain gently. Or preferred method lift with hands into colander(the dirt will be at bottom) Place in plastic container in fridge until serving time.

At that time Mix with:

2 sweet onions chopped onions
I cup chopped basil
1 cup pecans
1 cup cashews
1 cup pineapple tidbits
1 cup sliced strawberries (or raspberries whole)
1 cup mandarin oranges
1 cup crumbled blue cheese
1 cup shredded Swiss cheese
1 cup shredded Colby-jack cheese
2 cups grape or cherry tomatoes

Serve with favorite dressing. This mixture lends itself to a delicate vinaigrette, or sweet dressing

Dolly’s Crunchy Dressing (nope - no meat)

1 package Pepperidge Farm dried bread crumbs
1 eggs
1 sm can cream celery soup
¼ cup melted butter
1 T Italian herbs
½ t salt
½ ground pepper
1 t minced (bottled) garlic
1 can chopped water chestnuts ( all veggies chopped medium fne)
1 cup chopped celery
1 cup chopped sweet onions
1 cup coarsely chopped pecans
1 cup coarsely chopped apple (skins removed)

Sauté onions & celery in butter. Mix in celery soup & egg & seasonings. Blend well. Add remainder of ingredients. If too thick, dry, add water. Should be moist.

Place the mixture in a greased 2-quart casserole; cover with lid or foil and bake at 325° for 25 to 30 minutes. Uncover the last 5 minutes of baking time.

Tortilla Chips & sauces/dips

Warm the tortilla’s of choice (best to use plain, non-flavored if you warm)in over for a few minutes to have the warm fresh taste

Serve with Pico de Gallo, Gaucamole, Chessy Wheezy, and Pico Cream.

Pico De Gallo (salsa)

3 large tomatoes diced
1 large onion diced
2 tablespoons diced Jalapenos
1/2 cup fresh cilantro (diced)
2 teaspoons Salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon apple vinegar

Directions: Mix all ingredients together in large container until well blended. Allow to set for at least 6 hours, it is better if allowed to sit overnight.

Guacamole

2 large avacados
3 T lemon juice (fresh or Real Lemon)
½ cup salsa (or Pico de Gallo)
½ c shredded Monterey jack cheese
½ c chopped yellow pepper

Cut the avocados in half and remove the seeds. Scoop out the pulp and place in a bowl. Drizzle the pulp with lemon juice and mash, leaving some chunks. Mix well with remaining ingredients. Add Jalapeno to taste and garnish with cheese

Cheesee wheezee

In small crock pot mix 1 large bottle of cheese (cheese whiz, Mexican) with ½ cup salsa or pico de gallo. Serve hot ( will be thin)

Pico Cream

Mix equal portions of Sour cream & Pico de gallo. Mix well. Serve cold

Easiest centerpiece in the world

Collect fall leaves of various shapes/colors and an assortment of pinecones. Put them in Freezer for a few hours or oven a few minutes to prevent unwanted guests from crawling out of your display. Put them in a huge brandy snuffer or cut crystal bowl in center of table. The colored leaves is really very pretty even against elegant crystal, china & white lace.

LINKY LINKS

Thanksgiving Timeline

Holiday Tips & Recipes w/ Grocery List!

Chef & Freeper Carlo3b’s Another of those dreaded Thanksgiving Recipe Threads You can count on Carlo

Annie‘s Homepage Homespun ideas

Kids Crafts

Stuffing Recipes

Now, share your thoughts… your decorating tips… your favorite recipe from Grandma, the cookbook or one you made up yourself (the best). And each holiday work on having ONE thing you do the best. The one thing others will look forward to.

09-27-05 ~ Hall of Fame #13

THIS WEEK'S THREADS 11-14-05 Military Monday 11-15,16-05 Oh, My Eyes!!

Opinions by our own 'King of Ping' Every Thursday at the Finest The guy's good, folks!

[MEG33]

Great news over your traffic ticket...

We have great news..the plumber came and unstopped the kitchen sink..a must for Thanksgiving! New disposal and sink needed in the near future but too big a job to start before Thanksgiving.

My favorite decor on the Thanksgiving table are berries and leaves gathered from the backyard.

[DollyCali]

Pinging Chef Carlo to the thread where I referenced HIS fabulous thread w/ a link. also hello ping to chef John!

[Dan Lacey]

[Aquamarine]

Way to go Dolly, you slayed him! How'd you do it?

[alwaysconservative]

A Different Kind of Green Bean Casserole

2-3 cans French-cut green beans, drained well
8 oz fresh mushrooms, buttons or baby portabellas, sliced
1/4 cup soy bacon bits (you can use real ones if you wish)
1 cup sliced or slivered almonds
Butter
Minced onion (About 2 T dried)
Minced garlic (About 1 tsp dried)
Salt and pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Put beans in casserole dish and set aside. Saute first mushrooms and then almonds in butter until golden brown or medium brown, toss in onion and garlic and seasonings to taste, stir well, and add this mixture to beans. Stir in bacon bits and bake, uncovered, until hot all the way through (about 20 minutes). Serve immediately, although it makes great leftovers if there is any left.

[Mama_Bear]

Hi Dolly. Nice post today.

Yep, I am gearing up for next Thursday. I will be fixing a traditional New England style Thanksgiving dinner for my mother, my son and his family and JK's brother from San Diego and his family. Our holiday dinners aren't fancy, just plain good cooking.....turkey, gravy, dressing, white potatoes and sweet potatoes, the ever-present "green bean casserole", butternut squash, cranberry sauce and relishes, banana nut bread and dinner rolls, pumpkin pie, etc. But first, before we have our dinner here at 6:00, we will all go over to the Assisted Living Center and have dinner at noon with JK's mom and her friends.

So, we will be doubly blessed this year with TWO Thanksgiving dinners. :-)

Now I must get back to my cleaning. Holiday HUGS to you and all the Finest!

[ST.LOUIE1]

Hi, Dolly! Neat thread, cute graphics!

[dutchess]

Hi sistah. What an awesome job you did today. Just LOVE the colors AND contents. I "peeked in" earlier between meetings planning to post when I got home and alas cable was down. JUST came back on. Am going to sign off and TRY to "table" a Cornish Hen recipe I copied yesterday. A yummy alternative to turkey (or veggies LOL!) ((((dolly)))))

[dutchess]

Honey Glazed Cornish Hens

Found this on the food network and it's awesome!!!!! Enjoy!

6 Cornish game hens (about 3/4 to 1 pound each)
4 cloves garlic, chopped
1 (1-inch) piece of ginger, peeled and chopped
1/2 cup soy sauce
1/2 cup honey
2 tablespoons peanut oil
2 tablespoons orange juice
1 tablespoon orange zest, minced

Rinse hens, trim off excess fat, and pat dry; place in bowl. Put garlic and ginger in food processor and process until nearly smooth. In another bowl, combine soy sauce, honey, oil, orange juice, and zest. Add the garlic and ginger. Pour mixture over game hens, coating well. Refrigerate overnight, turning in marinade several times. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Place game hens in shallow roasting pan; pour marinade on top. Bake for 1 hour, basting every 15 minutes. Remove hens to serving platter. Pour cooking juices into small, heavy saucepan and boil for 4 minutes, or until sauce thickens. Pour over hens just before serving. Serve with sesame noodles or rice pilaf. These hens can also be grilled; just remember to baste often.

[ST.LOUIE1]

WOWZER! You bake 'em and wolfie will be right over!

Um.....you really wouldn't have to bake 'em for wolfie. LOL

Hi, doll! (((((Dutchess)))))

[ST.LOUIE1]

((((((((((((Meggsie))))))))))!!!!

Long time no see. You're lookin' great. : )

[ST.LOUIE1]

Howdy, Rus! Hope you're doing well. : )

[DollyCali]

LOVE IT.. thank you Dan! O see the "white stuff" in your pix & we have the same white stuff here unfortunately.

[dutchess]

Okay...my Thanksgiving story. I was actually born on Thanksgiving Day (as we thought my polish imigrant grandfather) so our family Thanksgiving was always at grandparents and included my brother parents, and aunt & uncle and their two boys (almost like extra parents and "brothers". A table for 10 or more as we often took in an alone elderly person or "exchange student" who had no place to go.

Traditional turkey dinner ALL the way except my grandmother would put tons of fresh parsley for her stuffing (as opposed to the traditional sage) YUM! Very fresh tasting. After dinner "Dzadzi" (grandfather in polish) and I would blow out the candles on our birthday cake.

Cute aside...his birthname was Joseph so we also did a celebration for him on St. Joseph's Day (a polish holiday). After he died we found out his birthday was not on mine but in February (acually the same date as Mr. D. who I MET one month after he died....wierd!) We always wondered whether he knew his real birthdate but "faked it" with mine as he was always up for a party LOL!

So we all grew up and moved around the US Thanksgiving as a total family holiday took a back burner although we all continue to get together for a Christmas celebration...now hosted at our house.

Mr. D. and I began the tradition of spending Thanksgiving week in New Orleans sometimes altnerating between there or Key West. Many years my folks or good friends would join us. The last one was 2 years ago, my 50th when mom and dad joined us at Key West. Never dreamed it would be my last birthday/Thanksgiving with her.

As most of you know mom (the healthy one and dad's caregiver) died very suddenly last November and dad moved in with us. We had already planned a trip without folks as dad was no longer "traveling well". Of course we cancelled this and spent our very first traditional Thanksgiving with my brother and sil's family in Michigan. It was lovely and are doing the same this year.

We just closed up my folks Florida place and have "inherited" my grandmothers china from poland. Plan to use that with our Christmas celebration this year. This was the China of all my childhood thanksgivings. It's nothing special...but tons of memories. 20 years ago I might have put it in a garage sale. Today I treasure it!

Final "reflection". Growing up. Family traditions and celebrations important. Late teens and early married years....a little breaking away. 40's and 50's....really missing those traditions and trying to make up for lost time!

Hope to hear some of your traditions. Thanks Dolly for the walk down memory lane!

[DollyCali]

Hi all.. just a quickie from my remote. Been gone all day & off for PM.. will stop back tongiht to catch up. COLD here in Ohio. guess it is seasonable but we have been spoiled.

Thanks for the recipe always.. looks really good. Think I ill try it. Never hear of soy bacon.. hmmm... I used to like pork...

later Friends

[dutchess]

Hi Wolfie!!!! Just posted a "trip down memory lane". (((((wolfie)))))))

[Billie]

Hi, sistah - that is a beautiful post!!!! Love the leaves background. Have never tried Cornish Hens with a honey glaze. Sounds yummy though - saving!

[luvie]

A Thanksgiving Prayer

Thank you Father for the blessings given this day.
Help us to remember, Thou has shown us the way.
And give us strength to help those in need.
Never letting us forget, Thy merciful deeds.
Keep us in Thy tender loving care.
Save us, O Lord, when we are in despair!
Give us grace as we walk through life.
Inspire us to seek our brothers amid the strife.
Victory in Thee will be our guiding star.
In courage we march not caring how far.
Now we ask for the most important thing.
Grant us salvation to escape death's sting.

Copyright by Jim Smith



GOD BLESS AMERICA

[alwaysconservative]

Bacos brand and other fake bacon bits are generally made of soy, and are what you find in the salad dressing section of the grocery store. I just used the term soy bacon bits to differentiate from real ones. But they can get soggy if placed in too moist a dish, or too early in the process.

Best fake bacon (IMO): Morningstar Farms Breakfast Strips. Fried or microwaved, it has a very good flavor, very little fat, and NO gristly stuff! But the breakfast links are even better.

[FOG724]

Don't forget to wear red tomorrow.