Gobble-Gobble

SSMom - I was just commenting to someone this morning that I can't believe Thanksgiving is two weeks away!

My son will be coming home for thanksgiving and we're all traveling this year to my brother's in Alabama. I can't wait!!!!

On a baseball note, my son's coach is hosting the players that can't return home due to distance for a thanksgiving dinner! Isn't that awesome! I'm going to prepare a couple of deserts and take.... haven't decided what yet.

My parents are coming for Thanksgiving - I am happy. My mom will bring pecan pies (shelled by their own hands). She usually makes 10 -12 various pies for Christmas along with all other sorts of sweets. We are all near a diabetic coma by the time we leave. I asked her to bring a pot of pinto beans - something about the water they are cooked in makes them incredible. We had them every week of my life growing up. I will make Turkey and cornbread dressing - ala my grandmother. No real recipe, but you know when it is right. I have a spiral ham I will throw into the mix. A homemade chocolate sheath cake for my kids. I had better invite some more people to eat all this food!

A neighbor of ours owns a new, up-and-coming restaurant and he was interviewed in the paper today. One of their side dishes is cranberry-goat cheese-scalloped sweet potatoes. Oh, what I would do to get his recipe!

quote:

I asked her to bring a pot of pinto beans - something about the water they are cooked in makes them incredible.

There's just something about pinto beans - they just aren't as good made by folks of our generations as our grandmothers! I've never eaten pinto beans as good as my great grandmothers.... but then again, I've never eaten alot of things as good as my grandmother and greatgrandmothers!!

We have hosted all family holiday dinners since we were married 30 years ago ... except for 3 Thanksgiving dinners. Definitely NOT hosting this year and am not sure I will be up to going out for dinner.

Hubby has done a fine job preparing Thanksgiving in the past but am not sure I can handle having 5-6 people around the house all day ... just wondering who would clean the house beforehand stretches my limits these days.

Son and his wife will be in New York with her family ... her mom always wanted to see the Macy's parade so they are treating their son and daughter and AJ.

This year, however, I am willing to advertise that I am available to anyone who would like to invite an invalid to their family function ... you could consider it your charitable gift for the holiday season I clean up rather nicely and since I have never met a stranger, I promise that I would fit into family table talk easily.

All kidding aside ... I will miss the usual fun of Thanksgiving and hope to be able to do something nice in December.

quote:

A homemade chocolate sheath cake for my kids

While I know this isn't a cooking forum,...but Redhead please do tell! More info,...what are the ingredients?

This is great! Fun to hear about everyone's traditions and plans!

My oldest son will be graduating from the Air Force Police/Security Training and actually gets to come home for Thanksgiving. ( invision shortstopmom doing a herkie up in the air! ) Were going to try & squeeze a little Christmas celebration in here also for him.
How to decorate? Can't have a Christmas tree decorted with turkeys,..or can I????

Ok ok I finally figured it out,..all turkeys and Fall decor will be limited to the diningroom and the livingroom & foyer will be in full-on-blow-out-deck-the-halls Christmas decor! Decorating delima solved! Whew!!!

I will actually spend this weekend wrapping, decorating, cooking, and stuffing the freezer.
Son just called this afternoon and requested deviled eggs. Hmmm,..usually have those at Easter time,..but why not?

Pinto beans sounds good too!! Never thought of that for Thanksgiving,..yummy!!! Do you season them with saltpork? Bacon? Ham?

Geesh,..it must be time to make dinner. I'm getting hungry!

P.S.
Futureback mom,...I say you have a very well deserved " pass " this year from taking on the feast!
Perhaps a little yummy restaraunt dinner this year, delivered to your door, might be a good idea,...and eaten on TV trays, ( ok,..you can bring out the fancy napkins & maybe a candle or two )while sitting in your favorite recliner, with your feet up,...while you watch the parade,.and perhaps get a glimpse of your son and his wife's family!
You'll be toasty warm,...they might be a little chilly!

FBM - If I was close, I'd be more than happy to provide Thanksgiving for you! Thanksgiving is not only about being with family, but remembering all the blessings in our life and I know that you'll enjoy sharing those with your hubby. I'm sure lots of folks will have you on their "thankful for list" as well!

SSMom - I think it's great to celebrate Christmas as well as Thanksgiving with your son. I will actually have my tree up before then, I hope! I'm usually anxious to take it down after Christmas and get everything cleaned up, so to put it up early just allows time to enjoy it!

We will be in Palm Springs this year for a baseball tournament! That has become our end of the season event. We rented a house so FBM-your're welcome to come but I doubt you would be very relaxed with my 5, 8, 10 and 12 year old sons running around

Someone here last year posted a recipe for Kahula pumpkin pie. Yummy!!!! I made it last year for our family Christmas dinner and it was a huge hit (no pun intended).

quote:

Kahula pumpkin pie

Um,..like TOTALLY YUM!!!!!!!!!!

FBM....as I sit here with moving boxes all around me....I'm wondering how am I ever going to pull off Thanksgiving this year....and I think take out is the answer....we would be more than happy to have you join us....just pull up a moving box and have a seat!

Son is going to Atlanta again for Thanksgiving....to be spoiled by his Aunts....a chore he loves....

FBM,

I would gladly invite you to our house for Thanksgiving dinner but I'm afraid my house isn't big enough for that 50 foot hose of yours!

quote:

I would gladly invite you to our house for Thanksgiving dinner but I'm afraid my house isn't big enough for that 50 foot hose of yours!

OUBsbmom..... ...your bad! But perhaps...if she put an extension cord onto it...she could make it to Texas???? FBM...if you put about five extension cords on it, you are welcome to share Thanksgiving with me here in Pennsylvania!

By the way, how exciting for AJ and Katie to see the Macy's Parade!

quote:

Someone here last year posted a recipe for Kahula pumpkin pie. Yummy!!!! I made it last year for our family Christmas dinner and it was a huge hit (no pun intended).

That would be our very own URKillingmeblue! I made it too...and I'll second the motion that it was YUMMY!

Hey ladies..don't forget the Ocean Spray Cranberry sauce WITH RIDGES!!!!

quote:

Hey ladies..don't forget the Ocean Spray Cranberry sauce WITH RIDGES!!!!

Kathy, I actually had thoughts about our sauce with ridges when I was at the grocery this week!! Since we're traveling to my brother's, maybe I should call him and make sure they're having the right kind!!! I mean, I could always toss a can in the back of the Jeep!

Like everyone else I cannot wait untilThanksgiving break and the return of my freshman. He called his grandma last weekend and asked if he could bring some out of state baseball players for thanksgiving dinner. She was so proud of him that he thought of others. Actually so am I. Love the idea of baking and starting to set out the christmas decorations. This year I am blessed with having those few extra boys to help. How many extra you say....seven plus my 2 sons. I don't even know where to put them all to bed in my house and I am not sure I can buy an extra refrigerator to hold the required food for them before the thanksgiving break. Here are their request

1. please please all home cooked meals
2. "Can you make a pumpkin pie with my moms recipe?
3. "Can I call shotgun on one of the turkey legs now, my granma lets me do it back home"
4. "Do you have big bowls....really big bowls so I can have alot of cereal at one setting?"
5. Can your husband make pancakes? Fluffy pancakes...not like the ones at school
6. "Can we play football before dinner. Thats what we do back home (husband is excited he is setting up a neighborhood challenge. He figures we have a full team at our house and all atheletes. Of course he is the coach!)
7. From my husband and youngest son they want to know if they can put name tags on the couches for after the thanksiving meal.
This year I have so much to be thankful for. Happy thanksgiving preparation yall

Allaboutbaseball.....I think you have a lot to be thankful for this Thanksgiving....but I'm sure the Moms whose sons you are sheltering and feeding this Thanksgiving feel just as thankful.

Sounds as if you all are going to have a wonderful time.....and don't be surprised if after reading your post, FBM shows up on your doorstep....hose and all!

I think 7 extra boys sounds great because you won't have to worry about putting the leftovers away - there won't be any!! I would have them decorate the tree and get all the lights up on the house while they are there and maybe rake the leaves. With all that manpower it would only take about 30 minutes. Meanwhile, YOU can sit on the couch.

quote:

I would have them decorate the tree and get all the lights up on the house while they are there and maybe rake the leaves.

That would be an excellent plan!

Allaboutbaseball,....YOU ARE WOMAN!!!!!
Go and gather up the neighbors rakes. I'm sure they wouldn't mind you borrowing them for just a little bit!
I'd have them all standing upright by the back door, aligned with nametags on each one, before all the boys get there!
Have those baseball guys grab a rake,..then get out the pies! I'm thinkin' perhaps a piece of pie for every bag of leaves filled.???

Can you imagine the quickness and speed you would witness?

Remember, its not actually bribing,..its called creative parenting!


Does anyone have that Kaluah pumpkin pie recipe handy & wouldn't mind sharing with us?

Does anyone just have the Kaluah handy I think I might need it. Happy thanksgiving to all

Directly from my folded up copy from last year's thread:

URKillingMeBlue's Famous Kahlua Pumpkin Pie

9 inch unbaked pie crust
1 cup undiluted evaporated milk
1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
1/4 cup Kahlua
1/4 cup light corn syrup
1 1/2 teasppon pumpkin pie spice
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 large eggs, beaten
1 1/2 cup canned pumpkin

Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Prepare pie shell. Beat milk, sugar, Kahlua, corn syrup, spice and salt together until blended. Stir in eggs and pumpkin until mixture is smooth. Bake pastry shell in 450 degree oven until it begins to brown slightly. Stir filling. Pull oven rack part way out and slowly pour pumpkin mixture into shell. Reset heat control to 325 degrees and continue baking until filling is barely set in center; about 40 minutes. Cool pie on wire rack. Serve with Kahlua Cream Topping.

Topping:
1 1/2 cup of whipping cream
1/3 cup powdered sugar
2 oz. (1/4 cup) of Kirsch (Cherry flavor liquor)
1 teaspoon vanilla
chopped walnuts for garnish

***Enjoy remainder of Kahlua while pie is baking. (Okay, that was my addition, but it did work rather well

I haven't been around much lately, and I am glad that I popped in here for a peek---

Can't wait to make UKMB's Kahlua Pie! Thanks for requesting and sharing it! Sounds too good to waste serve to my family...I may have to make it and tuck it away in my secret hiding spot....

Allaboutbaseball--sounds like a great time! Have any room for 2 more teenaged boys?

FBM--If I can send my boys to Allaboutbaseball's house for Thanksgiving, you could have your own room here at my house....C'mon! It'll be fun!

quote:

Originally posted by shortstopmom:

Just thought since we all seem to share thoughts with one another, it might be fun to have people post about their favorite Thanksgiving dish, or fond family traditons.

OK-- Here goes. My heritage is Italian, my husband's is Irish. During one of the first Thanksgiving dinners that he spent with my family, he was absolutely MORTIFIED that there were no mashed potatoes on the table. In its place on the table was a steaming-hot bowl of yummy mostaccioli. He was so disappointed that he decreed that WE WILL ALWAYS BRING MASHED POTATOES as our contribution. So he now lovingly peels TWENTY POUNDS of potatoes to mash for dinner to include (anywhere from) 17 to 21 people. The leftover mashed potatoes come home with the one that brung 'em and they are totally devoured before the Friday morning early bird specials begin at Wal-mart....

BBFam,...THANK YOUUUUUUU!!!
( and my family and friends thank you tooo!!! )

Playbaseball - I agree with hubby! Can't imagine Thanksgiving without the 'taters! BTW, hope son and shoulder are doing well!!!

I can't imagine most meals without mash potatoes! Well it's been decided....for Thanksgiving we are going to downtown HB....to the ocean....accompanied by neice who is working on her PhD at UCLA.....(my husband calls her Dr. Brat)....and.....Dr. Brat and I will have fresh boiled Maine lobster....again.

....but next year....in my new home in the woods of North Carolina....I'm gonna cook for sure....well maybe for sure.....

Since my husband and I are both pure bred, full fledge Cajuns we will be spending our Thanksgiving with almost everyone in our family, probably 40 to 50 people. Cajuns do not move away and if they do, they always come back. I do not even know one person who lives out of state. Wait a minute, I do not know one person who lives out of the area called Acadiana which consist of six parishes. We will have a traditional Cajun Thanksgiving dinner consisting of Turkey (baked and fried), pork fricassee, ham, rice dressing, rice & gravy, cornbread dressing, sweet potatoes, baked macaroni & cheese and on and on and on. Yes, nothing but meat and starches, nothing green. Of course for dessert we will have pecan pie, and every type of cake you can imagine. I hope everyone has a safe and blessed Thanksgiving.

First of all, I tried the pie recipe last year and it is fantastic. No other way to make pumpkin pie now in our eyes. I have got to ask all of you experienced ladies about this time of year. Got text from son talking about how tired he is. Immediate worry. I worry about mono. On top of his class load and baseball he has two to three hours of physical therapy a day. He says it is hard. He is getting close to being released so he knows there is an end in site. He said that is what is killing him. After hearing what he is doing it would kill me too. Along time ago. I guess I just needed to vent and reassurance he will live until Christmas.

I hope that's 1/4 cup light corn syrup, not 14 cups! Sounds yummy.

As the ladies forum has been quiet lately, I thought I'd return this forum so we can all see the recipe for URKillingMeBlue's Famous Kahlua Pumpkin Pie again. Sounds delicious! Does anybody else have some recipes/traditions/feeding the baseball team stories to share?


I am chomping at the bit for my freshman to fly home Tuesday night - this will be his first trip home as I imagine it is for a lot of you guys. I hope we (and all baseball families) have a wonderful, fun-filled, peaceful holiday - any tips for how to handle the late nights and curfew issues?

curveball07, thanks for resurrecting this thread!

Somehow, I missed the recipe for the Kahlua pumpkin pie last year. I will definitely be trying it out soon!

We're headed to The Villages, Florida (near Orlando) on Monday to be with my mother-in-law and her husband. There will be 12 of us in all and we'll get to celebrate my brother-in-law's 50th birthday the day before Thanksgiving. We keep asking his wife what he wants for his birthday and all he says is homemade apple pie. I'll be happy to make that for him -- and perhaps I'll throw in a Kahlua pumpkin pie just for good measure!

Here's a sports-related Thanksgiving story that hopefully will give everyone a chuckle...

Years ago, when I was at an out-of-state college, I celebrated Thanksgiving with my boyfriend's family, who lived nearby. My boyfriend's younger brother was on the wrestling team at the Univ. of Tennessee-Knoxville and he brought the entire wrestling team with him. My boyfriend's mom pulled out all the stops to make the day special -- linen tablecloth and napkins, fine china, Waterford crystal, the works. We sat down at the very loooooooong table and within 5 minutes one of the wrestlers, who for some strange reason was wearing a tank top, used a linen napkin to wipe his underarm. I thought my boyfriend's mother was going to come unglued!

Of course, our baseball boys would have better table manners than those Cro-Magnon wrestlers, wouldn't they?!

Happy Thanksgiving to all!

Thanksgiving time is such an exciting time for mom's when your college kids come home for the holidays, especially for the first time.

Used to living on their own, sometimes you have to remind them that you still have rules and set guidelines. If they don't keep them, there's nothing much you can do but to be thankful they are only home for a few days.

Mine is also bringing a player home with him. Can't wait and they can't either! They have requested sleep, sleep, steak & potatoes, sleep, sleep, steak and eggs, sleep, sleep, steak salad (this one is yummy) sleep, sleep, oh yeah, guitar hero and video games, sleep, sleep, and more sleep, gee, I think I'll put steak on my shopping list!

Have a Healthy and Happy Thanksgiving!

Well,....its confession time ladies. Shortstawpmomma is laying her spatual down to rest this year.
Not sure you all will be able to swallow this, but I must be honest:

I went out ( I can barely type this outloud,...feeling guilty guilty guilty )

...and BOUGHT my pumpkin and apple pies last night.
I did I did I did. Good grief what has come of me?

Hid Put them in the waaaaay back of the frig & shoved all kinds of stuff in front of them. Plan on transfering them onto a fancy pie plate, smothering them with cool whip, and then presenting them to the family on Turkey day.
Think anyone will notice the difference?
Been working extra hours at work,..so no time no time no time! Whats a gal to do?
I am woman and I must improvise!! Its called creative cooking in a pinch, right gals? Tell me the sun will come up tomorrow and that its ok.

And on one more rational financial note: The pies are huge ( twice the size of a deep dish pie ) and cost like $3.79! How could I resist???

Almost bought a precooked smoked turkey that all I had to do was warm up,...but I had to draw the line somewhere.

My boss SWEARS by Popeyes deep fried cajun whole turkeys. Anyone ever had one? Or how about a Turduckin? They even have some stuffed with seafood jambalaya! Talk about a conversation piece!

SSMom-The whole point of Thanksgiving dinner is to be with people you love and reflect on your blessings--you can do that with store bought. No need to feel guilty. Think of it as time better spent with family. I know my kids love this local store's rolls. I could bake all day but in my heart I know they'd like theirs better. So, I am off to that store today and on Thursday I know have an extra hour for fun!

Have a great Thanksgiving Ladies!!!

quote:

The whole point of Thanksgiving dinner is to be with people you love and reflect on your blessings--you can do that with store bought.

Thanks for letting me off the hook BBfam! You are absolutely 100% correct!

( I was just being silly. But in truth I really did feel funny when my son came out to help bring in the groceries, and I scooped up the pies myself and ever so strageically placed them in the back of the frig! )

Happy Thanksgiving Gals!!!
Looks like Kansas and others will be getting snow.
Travel carefully & enjoy!

PB, there's an Irish version of mashed potatoes you might want to try; you may already know it, it's called colcannon.

While your potatoes are cooking, lightly saute a finely chopped head of cabbage (per about 3-4 lbs of potatoes) with an equal amount of chopped onions in butter. Prepare your mashed potatoes, then stir in the cabbage-onion mixture (obviously takes the place of some of the butter or milk you might use). The flavors merge a bit nicer if you put it in the oven at 350 for about 20 minutes.

Colcannon started as a bit of a leftovers dish, so some families put in bits of ham or bacon; ours has just always done the cabbage-onion combo. Lovely nutty flavor to it.

Slainte

Orlando--Thanks! We do that with corned beef after our St. Patrick's Day extravaganza if there is anything left over. Anymore, there isn't much! We haven't done it with just mashed potatoes (I beg your pardon--I didn't mean "just" mashed potatoes, I meant mashed potatoes with nothing else ) Sounds good! I think I will try it!