Becca_Anne

I thought I'd get a topic started. There isn't as much posting on here lately. I realize we're all getting ready for the holidays. I sure HOPE that's why it's so quiet. I'll start......... I plan on staying home all week except Wed. On Wed. our homeschool coop is having the annual Pilgrim's Feast. The families get together and have a Thanksgiving meal. We share fellowship, food, and laughs. It is officially the last group get-together until January. Since next week is my ds 12th birthday and Thanksgiving, I have been making plans. He is going to have a couple of friends sleep over the Friday after Thanksgiving. I have to work on that Saturday and my husband plans to go hunting so our 16 yd son is going to have to supervise them on Saturday. (My husband is working so much that he hasn't been able to deer hunt. It is his passion and his stress reliever. As a cop, he needs this time.) My house is a mess. Normally, we homeschool during the early part of the day. This week I'm changing that a bit. My ds suggested we do schoolwork in the evenings this week. I am more productive in the mornings and early in the day. Since the time change and shorter days, I seem to stop functioning early in the evening as soon as it gets dark! hehehe This means I can't work in any extra cleaning or rearranging during the day. I'm spent by supper time. Anyay, he suggested we topsy turvy our normal schedule and see if that helps. I got to thinking about it and decided he might have something there! So I will start my housework at 8am each day (except wed). I also plan to put up our Christmas tree on Thanksgiving day. My husband will have to sleep during most of the day since he's scheduled to work. My older son has hunting plans with his best friend who has been away at college. That leaves my younger son and me with time on our hands. We will cook a wonderful dinner while the Macy's parade is on the boobtube. In between all the cooking and eating I plan to do the tree. We like to decorate. So....where is everybody and what are you guys doing this week? Lisa

Hey Mom tell her we think it's great!! Congratulations to liitle Frannie!!!

Hi!!! I would like to extend my arms in a welcome hug---us women don't fool with them ol' handshakes,doncha know!!! This is a great place to hang out. I hope you'll enjoy yourself. How about sharing some recipes in the Woodstove Forum? I'm going thru this cooking thing since it's cooler weather and holiday time..........Have a good time while your here!!

Dee, I was the same way. Fried Green Tomatoes was cool. I did read Welcome to the World. I didn't enjoy it as much. Daisy Fay is great, tho!

This is an old favorite. It compliments any meal especially chili. Tennessee Corn Bread 2 cups self rising cornmeal 1/3 cup boiling water 1 egg 1/4 cup bacon drippings or canola oil 1 tsp sugar 1 1/4 cup milk Heat oven to 450 degrees. Grease and heat muffin pans, corn stick molds, or skillet. Measure corn meal into a bowl then take out 2 tablespoons of the corn meal. Put in a small bowl then scald with boiling water. To meal in large bowl, add egg, shortening, sugar and milk. Beat to blend thoroughtly then beat in scalded meal. Pour into piping hot, greased pans. Bake 15-20 minutes until golden brown. Makes about 14 muffins, 18 sticks, or 1 med-size skillet.

I make this for Thanksgiving dinner. 20 years ago while I attended cosmetology school, a friend shared this with me. Debbie's Fruit Salad 1 can fruit cocktail 1 can peaches 1 can mandarin oranges 1 can pineapple chunks 1 cup walnuts or pecans 1 lb. sour cream 1 lb. cool whip 1 bag mini marshmallows Drain fruit, reserving liquid. Mix fruit, creams, and marshmallows, adding little bits of juice to mix better. Let set 2 hours in refrigerator or overnight.

I make this regularly at our house. It's handy to have the ingredients on hand always. After holiday decorating or an evening of caroling, this is great to have for supper. I always double the recipe for my hungry bunch. Lazy Day Lasagne 6 oz. lasagne noodles 1/4 dried oregano, crushed 1 (15 1/2 oz) can spaghetti sauce, meat flavored 1 cup cream-style cottage cheese 1 (6 oz) package sliced mozzarella cheese Cook noodles in boiling water following package directions; drain. Add oregano to spaghetti sauce. In greased 10x6x1 1/2 baking dish, make layers in order half each noodles, cottage cheese, mozzarella cheese, and spaghetti sauce. Repeat. Bake at 375 degrees about 30 minutes. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.

I found this years ago in an old cookbook.............I've made it many times. Cobbler for a Lazy Day 1 stick margarine 1 cup sugar 1 cup self rising flour 3/4 cup milk 1 cup unsweetened cherries or any fruit, undrained 1/2 cup sugar Place butter in deep dish then place in oven to melt. Beat together 1 cup sugar, flour and milk to a smooth batter; pour over melted butter, but DO NOT STIR. Pour undrained cherries over batter. Sprinkle 1/2 cup sugar on top. Bake at 350 degrees about 45 minutes. Batter will rise to the top.

Okay....I picked out my favorite tried-and-true recipes from my collection last night. This one is from my great aunt. She is a great cook. This is a yummy sweet dessert. It is good for a potluck dinner. Enjoy......WARNING: not for dieters or diabetics!!! Dump Pudding 1 can cherry pie filling 1 can crushed pineapple 1/2 cup sugar 1 yellow cake mix 1 stick margarine 1/2 cup chopped pecans Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Butter dish. Mix pie filling, pineapple, and sugar together; spread in pan. Sprinkle dry cake mix over all. Slice margarine over top. Sprinkle pecans over top. Bake 1 hour.

OOps! That should say Daisy FAY! I'm so goofy sometimes!

I just finished this book by Fannie Flagg. It is an absolute hoot! Funny, funny, funny! It is a coming-of-age book about a young lady named...you guessed it....Daisy Mae. Great light reading.

I check this section everyday and no one is posting here. I thought I'd kick us off with an idea. This time of year is tradionally thought of as the time for cooking and baking special dishes and desserts. How about everyone sharing their favorite recipes? I'll share as many as possible. How about you?

I've always wanted to ride on a passenger train. There are none around here. It seems so .....romantic or something. I imagine it to be relaxing. Except if you are in a cowboy movie and get robbed by bad guys!!!!

This dreary warm Wednesday has us in shorts! Where's the snow??? Here snow......here snow....good snow.....cmon.............

I'll gladly help sample the cookies!!! Welcome purplemommy (any kin to the big purple dinosaur? )

I got snowmoms yesterday! Thanks! How sweet!!!!!

Please share some snow with me!!!! Sunday and Monday had us in shorts and sweating in east Tn. I fixed lasagne for supper with garlic bread yesterday and it sure heated the house up. I don't like hot weather. I want some snow!!!!!!!!!!!!

Welcome back MM! Hopefully things will start looking up for you and you can enjoy the upcoming holidays! mommafitz Lisa

I was finally able to get to the post office on Thursday afternoon. Hope everyone gets them soon! Lisa

I love hearing about how everyone spends the holidays. I know the old saying that one must appreciate and have no regrets, etc. The way I see it, if we aren't speaking ALL DURING THE YEAR unless we absolutey must the special essence of Christmas will be lost because of the tensions in the air. Don't you agree? There are so many details that would help explain my family situation but I'd rather not go into them. Let's just say that I understand why people move so far away from their families.

Nanapop, that is basically the recipe my mother and I have used for years. I guess I'll stick with it. I hadn't thought of putting the bacon on top of the turkey? Do you use a cooking bag? I do.

Okay gals, we are all on the same page with the bread crumbs, sage, salt, pepper. I add meat from the turkey's giblets, diced onion, celery, fried sausage and I use the turkey broth from cooking the giblets. I'm going to check my PM's. Keep it up ladies. This is fun!

Sorry Lowie. I didn't know how else to phrase it. I'm just a hillbille country girl, ya know! I would like the bread type stuffing to cram in a turkey or cook it separately. I usually have to fix so much that it won't all fit in the bird. The part that is cooked in the casserole dish isn't as moist. Cat, I do most of my cooking without thinking or recipes so I understand. I don't have to have exact measurements. Just a general idea will work for me. Do you put oysters? I've never done it but I've heard othrs do.

Thanks for reading and posting ladies. When I was little, we were always spending Christmas day with the Grandparents. Both sets. My brother and I were never home on Christmas day until late at night to play and admire our goodies. I realize this could start a new tradition. I'm okay with that. (Ask me again in 10+ years! ) Anybody else want to share their family traditions? Anybody have anything they'd like to share?

I'm trying to find a good dressing recipe to use for the holidays. I'd prefer one that is a family favorite instead of something just out of a book. Will anyone be willing to share?