Counting my Blessings

I spent last night counting things I'm thankful for instead of sheep (like the song Count my Blessings Instead of Sheep" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bgZJGl101KE ). It actually helped me fall back to sleep at 4 when the puppy woke me to go outside. She's been sleeping well, but I think the growth spurt is forcing her to eat more and with more food, comes more emptying.

Everyone here survived Thanksgiving once again. Although the boys came screaming to me at 7 pm that they were starving and needed food, because they couldn't eat their other grandmothers Thanksgiving dinner. Overcooked jerky turkey that was too dry to chew, "gravy" that was just grease with no thickening agent, green beans that tasted like water, and sweet potatoes that were just cooked and barely smashed (not mashed). The only edible things were the garlic mashed potatoes and corn souffle that my DD made and the store bought pies. We filled up on that.

I had to feed the boys, because their parents went off to stand in line for black Friday deals to buy them gifts that are too nice at prices they could afford. Those boys are spoiled, but when you consider that they politely  thanked their other grandmother for the horribly prepared food, they might have deserved it.

Luna want shopping with them, because she still can't be separated from her mom at night. They took her stroller for her to sleep in, because the last deal was at 5 am. But DD couldn't make it and her FIL came to rescue her and Luna at 11 pm while Luna's dad stayed for the final deal.




Some of the things I am thankful for.

The health of my family, including my son who finally got his heart patched up and ticking in a way that will make it last longer before more surgery.

A roof over my head, small and tight, but warm, and food in my stomach.

The ability to think and work and earn an income, no matter how small it is.

All of the lovely friends and customers have because of my journey into the online retail business.

The fact that anonymous posts to this blog are blocked :)

Hope you all had a joyous Thanksgiving and can count your blessings instead of sheep too.

What's Cooking - Turkey Two Ways - Reheated

Now that life has settled down a bit for us (crazy Halloween season over, Christmas not yet started) I can give you my recipe for Turkey a little early this year. Last year for Thanksgiving we cooked two turkeys. One our own traditional way and the other a new and different way. If we cook only one turkey, we would cook it the traditional way, but if we ever cook 2 turkeys again I would definitely try the fruit stuffed turkey.

Here is a link to the recipe from my original post last year TALKING TURKEY it's my most popular post. Apparently people all over the world want to know how to cook turkey.

If you want something delicious, easy and different, try the citrus stuffed turkey cooked in a brown paper bag slathered with butter. It is easy, moist and has a delicate citrus flavor. If it's not your thing for Thanksgiving, buy one of those cheap birds and make it another day. You won't be sorry you did.

What's Cooking? Halloween Feast

It's getting so close to Halloween and I know you're having a party. Here are some last minute recipes. You still have time to go out and get these easy ingredients. Some are great for kids, others are adult only (OK you can make the NA version).

These are recycled from older posts. Click on the Title and it will take you right to the recipe.

      Shrimp Brains 

                                                                                                   Snake Sandwich

 Vampire Blood Punch  



These are all my own recipes. The image for the Punch is from Workman and they have their own Punch recipe. Screaming Red Punch it looks pretty good too.

What's Cooking? - Shrimp Brains

Aaah Halloween. We love it here in this household. We always have a feast after Trick or Treat. For the next few weeks I'm going to share some of our favorite Halloween recipes.

This is an old recipe, you might remember it from the 80s. But the twist is to put it in a brain shaped mold.  Add some Red Pepper "Bloody Fingers" and Green Olive "Monster Eyes" to pretty it up.

SHRIMP MOLD

2 cans shrimp, drained and chopped, or 2 cups cooked chopped shrimp
8 oz package cream cheese
1 can tomato soup
2 envelopes unflavored gelatin
1/2 cup cold water
1 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup chopped celery
1/4 cup chopped green bell pepper
dash of Tabasco

Melt cream cheese and soup in a saucepan over low heat. Remove from heat. Add gelatin to cold water and dissolve. Add gelatin mixture to soup mixture. Add shrimp, vegetables and mayonnaise and mix well. Pour into oiled mold. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

To unmold, place mold in warm water for a minute. Put your plate on open side of mold and quickly invert. Your "brains" should fall out easily. Serve as a spread with your favorite crackers. For super gross, bloody brains, drizzle a bit of ketchup around the "brain" it won't really affect the taste much, because the mold already contains tomato.