#flowertherapy might be right up there with #water #flowertherapy might be right up there with #watertherapy.  Love passing the time in secret wildflower patches. As you do. 🌸
I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon was on the way home tonight, and my friend pulled over right away so I could grab a photo. That’s when someone really knows you! It was just too beautiful to resist. 🌙
Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ C Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ 
Context: 1/ picture perfect weekend, 2/ threw together a quick meal w udon noodles, steak and broccoli, so good, 3/ the sun reflections on this painting struck me today, looked like a cross 4/ it takes all afternoon but nothing like Sunday Gravy, 5/ six months old, 6/ when he wants some serious zzzz’s, he covers his eye with his ears, the cutest, 7/ breakfast pastries at @coniglios
I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New Jersey banned the plastic ones last year. But when I spied this beauty for a buck, how could I resist? It just is so darn happy, which makes me happy. The little things aren’t so little. 💛
Cheers to the weekend! This may look like a staged Cheers to the weekend! This may look like a staged photo, but Lola just has ZERO boundaries and Clifford is exceptionally patient. 😂
I’ve been on a smoked salmon kick lately (it’s I’ve been on a smoked salmon kick lately (it’s so good for you), so when I saw that a local patisserie has a smoked salmon croissant available (weekends only), I added it to my list of things to seek out. I popped into @chocolatinenj early on Mother’s Day and was rewarded with this deliciousness. Layers of soft flaky croissant dough, tender smoked salmon, light whipped cream, thinly sliced red and green onion slivers and dotted with capers… it was every bit as amazing as you’d imagine it would be. If you’re local, don’t sleep on this one. 😋
Weekend photos in review, the belated edition. 1/ Weekend photos in review, the belated edition.

1/ hit up a few yard sales and snagged this beautiful pasta dish from Italy with my favorite color for a buck, 2/ and one of these printer trays came home with me too, 3/ pre Mother’s Day celebrations with 30 local moms, 4/ finished the weekend supervising furniture assembly
Today would have been my friend Cathy’s 53rd bir Today would have been my friend Cathy’s 53rd birthday. Unfortunately she’s not here to celebrate because she died suddenly at age 49. I think of her often … every Mother’s Day because we spent most of them together since her husband worked weekends … when I discover a new food adventure (we once did a day long donut crawl) … when I’m sharing a special time with my kids knowing that her then-11 year old is growing up without her. Before she passed, I always appreciated every day, but since then, even more so. You never know what the next day can bring, so relish in the sunshine, surprise rainstorms, making wishes over railroad tracks and all the wonderful randomness life can throw your way. Don’t waste a single second, say yes, live on the outskirts of your comfort zone, laugh often, tell people you love them, give eight second hugs, and squeeze every ounce of joy you can out of life. Do it for the people who can’t. ✨
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Sweetnicks

Food and Life

Thanksgiving Planning {2014}

November 19, 2014 · Narrative

Every once in awhile, the planets align and I am organized enough ahead of schedule to share holiday ideas before the actual holiday.

This is that.

Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays. Beyond loving the reminder to be thankful, I love it for two more reasons.

One, I can fill up the table with tons of delicious dishes and not feel guilty about having gone overboard.

Because going overboard is key. A week’s worth of leftovers as we tiptoe full blast into the crazy holiday season is not a bad thing.

The second reason? Because our gratitude tree comes out.

Gratitude Tree

It’s one of my favorite traditions, and every year, it’s fun to look back and see what people wrote on their leaves from previous years.

And who was at our table.

Exes. In-laws. Friends. Family.

A reminder of what was important then.

And what is important now.

Although I haven’t hosted our family Thanksgiving in a few years, I have instead had a Bloggers Thanksgiving Feast.

Which allowed me to satisfy my inner hostess just the same. (You can see those write-ups here > 2013, 2012, 2011).

But this year, because one of the bloggers is getting married, and one moved to far-flung regions (also known as Maine), that isn’t happening.

So I’m doing something else.

Changing it up.

And cannot wait.

And in the meantime?

A little round-up of Thanksgiving suggestions for you as I share some of our favorite go-tos for the holiday. You just might find YOUR newest tradition here too.

Decor
Cute little place cards I made a few years ago using scraps of paper.
The Give Thanks banner that Nick made one afternoon.

Thanksgiving Recipes

Appetizers
Spinach Cheese Squares, Cheese Delights and Sausage Cheese Balls are all tried-and-trues and have made appearances over the past ten years. The Spinach Cheese Squares and Cheese Delights are recipes that my Mom made for us growing up, and they never fail to disappoint.  I love that our kids (mine and my sister’s) are eating things that we ate as kids ourselves.  The recipes are easy, and delicious and take just a few minutes of prep, exactly what you need on the big day. This Cranberry Conserve Brie En Croute I made for the folks at Pillsbury is also a little bit of heaven.

Side Dishes
Sweet Potato Souffle first appeared on our table in 2011, and man, am I glad it did. Even if you don’t like sweet potatoes, I think you’ll love this. I mean, it’s like dessert, but a side dish, so not.
This Cranberry Conserve has been hitting our table for over ten years. And this year is no exception.
Make Ahead Mashed Potatoes are smooth and creamy and everything mashed potatoes should be. You can also check out a Cheddar and Chives version I created for the folks at Bangor Daily News right here.
Cranberry Broccoli Salad is super colorful, with a nice crunch, and very simple to pull together. And it has bacon in it, so, winning.
Emeril’s stuffing is a go-to, although I usually leave out the oysters since my family doesn’t care for them.

Dessert
Grandma Ople’s Apple Pie is the easiest pie ever and your guests will think you slaved for hours. It will be our little secret.
Caramel Apple Cheesecake is one of those awesome, sneak-attack desserts because it looks like it took you hours and hours to make, when, in fact, it didn’t. Delicious, even if you’re not a huge cheesecake fan.
This Cranberry Nantucket Pie is perfect when you’re looking for something a little different.
Many years ago, my Mom made Paula Deen’s Pumpkin Gingerbread Trifle and it remains one of my favorites.
I created this Caramel and Toasted Coconut Rum Cake for the folks at Captain Morgan, and it is simple and it is perfect for Thanksgiving. Moist, delicious, and understated.

And although I have never made it myself, I think I’m going to attempt The Ex’sOvernight Turkey next week as well. If you don’t want to cook and entire turkey, this smaller version of a Bacon and Herb Roasted Turkey Breast from Emeril is simply divine. And, bacon.

For even more inspiration, check out this Thanksgiving-themed Pinterest board.

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Posted In: Narrative · Tagged: apple pie, cranberries, holiday, make ahead dishes, mashed potatoes, recipes, stuffing, Thanksgiving, turkey

Comments

  1. Joanne says

    November 19, 2014 at 7:48 am

    I’m kind of bummed we’re not doing Blogger Thanksgiving this year, but I vote for a Blogger Christmas Par-tay! It can even be Thanksgiving-food-themed.
    Joanne recently posted..Wednesday Coffee Talk

    Reply
  2. Stephanie says

    November 19, 2014 at 11:43 am

    “never fail to disappoint” … I think you meant disappear? Everything sounds so good, love your blog! :)

    Reply
  3. Sarah Walker Caron (Sarah's Cucina Bella) says

    November 20, 2014 at 8:15 am

    I am so sad we aren’t doing it this year. But the kids and I will be in town (well, CT) from Dec. 24-28 or 29 … So I second Joanne’s idea of a Blogger Christmas. Or a Blogger Pre-New Years Bash.
    Sarah Walker Caron (Sarah’s Cucina Bella) recently posted..20 Easy Thanksgiving Side Dishes

    Reply
  4. Paula Ann says

    November 26, 2014 at 2:03 am

    I’m making the Sweet Potato Souffle for the husband’s office Thanksgiving Dinner tomorrow. Oh, how I love it!! I refrain from making it any other time of the year because I could, single-handedly, eat the entire dish all by myself!!

    Reply
    • Cate O'Malley says

      November 27, 2014 at 7:46 pm

      So glad you love it, it’s one of my favorites!
      Cate O’Malley recently posted..Eating Meals Together {#FamilyDinnerProject}

      Reply

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#flowertherapy might be right up there with #water #flowertherapy might be right up there with #watertherapy.  Love passing the time in secret wildflower patches. As you do. 🌸
I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon was on the way home tonight, and my friend pulled over right away so I could grab a photo. That’s when someone really knows you! It was just too beautiful to resist. 🌙
Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ C Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ 
Context: 1/ picture perfect weekend, 2/ threw together a quick meal w udon noodles, steak and broccoli, so good, 3/ the sun reflections on this painting struck me today, looked like a cross 4/ it takes all afternoon but nothing like Sunday Gravy, 5/ six months old, 6/ when he wants some serious zzzz’s, he covers his eye with his ears, the cutest, 7/ breakfast pastries at @coniglios
I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New Jersey banned the plastic ones last year. But when I spied this beauty for a buck, how could I resist? It just is so darn happy, which makes me happy. The little things aren’t so little. 💛

Pinterest

#flowertherapy might be right up there with #water #flowertherapy might be right up there with #watertherapy.  Love passing the time in secret wildflower patches. As you do. 🌸
I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon was on the way home tonight, and my friend pulled over right away so I could grab a photo. That’s when someone really knows you! It was just too beautiful to resist. 🌙
Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ C Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ 
Context: 1/ picture perfect weekend, 2/ threw together a quick meal w udon noodles, steak and broccoli, so good, 3/ the sun reflections on this painting struck me today, looked like a cross 4/ it takes all afternoon but nothing like Sunday Gravy, 5/ six months old, 6/ when he wants some serious zzzz’s, he covers his eye with his ears, the cutest, 7/ breakfast pastries at @coniglios
I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New Jersey banned the plastic ones last year. But when I spied this beauty for a buck, how could I resist? It just is so darn happy, which makes me happy. The little things aren’t so little. 💛
Cheers to the weekend! This may look like a staged Cheers to the weekend! This may look like a staged photo, but Lola just has ZERO boundaries and Clifford is exceptionally patient. 😂
I’ve been on a smoked salmon kick lately (it’s I’ve been on a smoked salmon kick lately (it’s so good for you), so when I saw that a local patisserie has a smoked salmon croissant available (weekends only), I added it to my list of things to seek out. I popped into @chocolatinenj early on Mother’s Day and was rewarded with this deliciousness. Layers of soft flaky croissant dough, tender smoked salmon, light whipped cream, thinly sliced red and green onion slivers and dotted with capers… it was every bit as amazing as you’d imagine it would be. If you’re local, don’t sleep on this one. 😋
Weekend photos in review, the belated edition. 1/ Weekend photos in review, the belated edition.

1/ hit up a few yard sales and snagged this beautiful pasta dish from Italy with my favorite color for a buck, 2/ and one of these printer trays came home with me too, 3/ pre Mother’s Day celebrations with 30 local moms, 4/ finished the weekend supervising furniture assembly
Today would have been my friend Cathy’s 53rd bir Today would have been my friend Cathy’s 53rd birthday. Unfortunately she’s not here to celebrate because she died suddenly at age 49. I think of her often … every Mother’s Day because we spent most of them together since her husband worked weekends … when I discover a new food adventure (we once did a day long donut crawl) … when I’m sharing a special time with my kids knowing that her then-11 year old is growing up without her. Before she passed, I always appreciated every day, but since then, even more so. You never know what the next day can bring, so relish in the sunshine, surprise rainstorms, making wishes over railroad tracks and all the wonderful randomness life can throw your way. Don’t waste a single second, say yes, live on the outskirts of your comfort zone, laugh often, tell people you love them, give eight second hugs, and squeeze every ounce of joy you can out of life. Do it for the people who can’t. ✨

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