Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Giving Thanks

We have a lot to be thankful for this Thanksgiving!  Yes, we had a fire in our kitchen, but we got it out before it got out of hand and burned the whole house down.  Our insurance company is helping us get things back in operation.  Here is our new microwave - Dayle did all the work to install it himself, all I had to do was hold it in place while he screwed it in.  He's amazing.  I'm excited as it's a new kind that is a combination microwave AND convection oven!  Now we can have the turkey in the big oven and bake our other dishes in this oven.  I'll let you know how it goes.
The stove is very similar to our last one, with some changes.  It's a glass top with convection oven with a warming oven on the bottom.  YES, the knobs are still on the front, but we will be more careful, I promise.  
The microwave has a stainless steel interior, which is neat.  And a metal shelf goes across the middle so you can bake two things at once.
Remember I told you we were making Chinese Noodle Casserole on Sunday for our sons and their families?  It's not pretty, but it sure does taste good.  We affectionately call it "dog food" as it kind of looks like canned dog food. LOL!  
"Chinese Noodle Casserole"

2 TBS oil
1 lb. lean ground beef
1 Cup diced celery
1 Onion, diced
1 Cup sliced mushrooms
1 Green pepper, diced (optional)
1/4 Cup soy sauce
1/2 Cup water
1/2 Cup rice (uncooked)
1 can of cream of mushroom soup
1 can cream of chicken soup
dash pepper
1 can Chinese noodles (crunchy kind)

Brown meat and onions in oil - add other veggies and saute for a bit, then add all other ingredients.  Bake in covered casserole for 30 minutes at 350 degrees.  Uncover and bake for another  30 minutes.  Cover top of casserole with noodles for the last 15 minutes.

NOTE:  We *always* double this recipe as it's so good re-heated. 
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Here is Grandpa with Caleb who has his mouth full.. he didn't want to try it from looking at it.. :-) -- but then Grandpa encourage him to try a bite and he goes.. yum!
Hayden got a few good bites down before he lost interest in dinner.. and tried to sneak a big spoonful onto MY plate.. :-D
We went shopping yesterday for all new groceries for Thanksgiving, since most of it burned up in the fire.  Want to know what we're making for dinner?  There will be 10 of us.  Dayle, me, our 2 boys, 2 DILs and 4 grandsons.  

Roast Turkey - 24 lbs.
Sage Dressing
Mashed Russet Potatoes 
Turkey Gravy
Green Bean & French Onion Casserole
Corn Casserole
Candied Yams with brown sugar, butter, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, allspice and pecans topped with mini marshmallows
Orange Cranberry sauce, made with orange marmalade and fresh cranberries
Hot rolls & butter
Martinellis Sparkling Cider
Pumpkin Pie with vanilla whipped cream

What do you think?  Think we'll have a feast?  :-D

We'll be sharing things we're thankful for, and it's a lot.  And want to know something?  YOU are part of what Dayle and I are thankful for.  I have so enjoyed meeting you all and getting to know those of you who leave comments and those of you who blog.  So.. thank you!!  ((hugs)), Teresa :-) 


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*H*A*P*P*Y* *T*H*A*N*K*S*G*I*V*I*N*G*!*!*
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45 comments:

  1. I wish I could teleport my way over to be Number 11 at the table! Or even just to press my nose against the window and look in! As you know in the UK we do not do 'Thanksgiving'. All that food sounds so traditional but unfamiliar to me. I would not know where to start cooking that lot. xxx

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    1. Lucy.. I wish you could join us! We will always have room for you. You know I'll be photographing all the dinner for you. I actually think every country should adopt Thanksgiving.. it's a time to give thanks for all you have and to have a monster yummy dinner. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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  2. Mrs. Teresa,
    I am so glad you were able to get your new appliances in a timely manner!
    I can't wait to see pictures from your feast! We will be host to 10 as well. The 6 original (kiddos, hubby, and I), hubby's sister and brother in law, and my mom and step dad!

    Our menu...well..I go overboard but I can tell you we bought a 24 pounder to roast as well!!!
    Happy Thanksgiving!

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    1. You'll have to post your menu on your blog. What do you make different from mine? Fun fun!

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  3. Looking all spanking brand new there. Fancy-dancy. I hate to say it, but.... I think you are going to love cooking this Thanksgiving. Let us know how that glass cook top goes. I've never cooked on anything but gas here in Chicago. I would be afraid of that glass. Does it clean easy? Happy Thanksgiving and you sure have some special blessings this year.

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    1. Our old stove had the glass cooktop, so we're used to it and love it. SO much easier to clean than those spiral burners! We can't have gas here, so this is our best bet. Have a fun trip south!!

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  4. Love the appliances, those convection micro's are great although don't have one myself, but when on holidays often come across them ☺☺ How about I fly on over too for that fantastic meal and give thanks with you lol.
    Gorgeous boys ☺
    take care
    wendy in oz

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    1. We'll save a place for you. Bring some TimTams! :-)

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  5. Love those new cookers - Im sure they will be a pleasure to use!

    I really love the idea of Thanksgiving, shame that we dont have this holiday in the UK.

    But, at least I get to share in the fun in blogland hearing all about it from my bloggy friends like you! Happy Thanksgiving to you all.

    Helenxx

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    1. Helen, you could start a tradition and have a turkey dinner on the 3rd Thursday of November. :-)

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  6. Believe me we are all thankful you are both safe and your home is too. So glad you are having your wonderful family over and serving such yummy food.
    Happy Thanksgiving to you all.
    Meredith

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    1. I think what would have happened if the house burned down.. I would not know what to do. :-(

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  7. Oh my goodness you had a fire....I missed that. Relieved to read that you are all OK..that is all that matters at the end of the day and I admire your philosophical "getting on with it" spirit. Happy Thansgiving to you all Stateside! Fiona xx

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    1. Thanks, Fiona! Check back on Friday for some photos. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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  8. I am cooking for ten as well this year! Sorry to hear about the fire, but your new stove/microwave looks so excellent!

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    1. I hope your dinner turns out super duper and that your family has a great time. :-)

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  9. I love your appliances. I so want my microwave over my stove. That's what I wanted when we remodeled a few years back but let myself get talked out of it. They are so shiny. Wish I could find a way to show up at your house for Thanksgiving dinner. It looks so yummy, all my favorite things. We are going to my daughter's inlaws for Thanksgiving. It's nice to have a good relationship with inlaws.

    I am thankful for you in my bloggy life as I am for all my bloggy friends. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving and enjoy your time with your family.

    Hugs,
    Sharon

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    1. The neat thing about the microwave over the stove is it works as a vent hood and a light too. Have fun at your dinner!

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    2. Ooooh your new microwave and stove look so nice. Sounds like they will be getting a thorough workout with that scrumptious menu you have planned. Happy thanksgiving xxxxx

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  10. I love all your new appliances, I to have a glass stove top and I love it!!! they all look so nice and your menu for Thanksgiving sounds Delicious!!! I am so happy for you both that all is back in order so let the Thanksgiving festivities begin! Happy Thanksgiving! Love always, Shari

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    1. Thanks, Shari.. I hope your family has a wonderful dinner and evening together.

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  11. Wow, beautiful kitchen.

    And such a nice food line up for the feast.

    Pray you all have a very nice and peaceful Thanksgiving.

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    1. Thanks, Lacy.. I'll be sure and take photos. Hugs, T

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  12. BEAUTIFUL appliances Teresa. You are going to love cooking dinner this Thanksgiving. My range is called a dual fuel range. It has a gas cooktop and an electric oven. It can be used for either normal or convection and holds six 9x13 pans. I love it for big gatherings.

    We have a 20 lb. turkey and only four of us and baby Piper this year. I'm looking forward to lots of leftovers for turkey and noodles, turkey pot pie, etc. Our Thanksgiving menu is almost identical to yours if you change out your orange cranberry sauce to a jello salad. We have just plain jellied cranberries also.

    Happy, happy Thanksgiving my dear friend.

    (By the way, I'll be in Portland again the week after Christmas. Maybe we can meet up again with Gracie for lunch!) I'm babysitting miss Piper the first week in January to ease Mama back into the work routine before having to take her to daycare. But since hubby and I will be there for Christmas, it doesn't make sense for me to go home, just to return a week later. More Piper time and more time to see my friends. :-)

    Blessings,

    Betsy
    http://betsy-thesimplelifeofaqueen.blogspot.com

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    1. Hi Betsy, I just sent an email to you and Gracie about a lunch together. Maybe Aimee would want to join us?

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    2. Aimee would LOVE to join you all, but unfortunately can't till the worst of our remodel/repair/abatement/organize/deep clean home project is finished. I will SO relieved when we are done and will definitely NEED some beautiful road trips to recover! Of course, a lot of my trips are kind of spur of the moment ones and I might REQUIRE a few before we are done...so maybe, just maybe, you will one day see this blogger--camera in hand, best friend in tow--at Multnomah Falls...
      Blessings,
      Aimee

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  13. Beautiful appliances Teresa! We have a microwave over our stove too and I love it because it saves counterspace and, as you said, serves as a fan and light source.
    Your Thanksgiving menu sounds very yummy. I am especially intrigued by your cranberry sauce made with orange marmelade (as I LOVE orange marmelade)...would you consider sharing your recipe?
    Did you have any storm damage out in the Gorge?
    Blessings,
    Aimee

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    1. Orange Cranberry Sauce

      2 cups fresh or frozen cranberries (8 oz)
      1/2 cup sugar
      2 teaspoons cornstarch
      1/2 cup water
      1/2 cup orange marmalade

      Wash cranberries, remove blemished berries

      In 2 quart saucepan, mix sugar & cornstarch. Stir in water, heat to boiling over med-hi heat, stir occasionally. Add berries, heat to boiling. Simmer uncovered 5 to 8 min. stir occasionally until cranberries pop.

      Stir in marmalade, serve warm or chilled.

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    2. Aimee, we made a double batch as it lasts well for leftovers. We only had a few branches fall, but not bad damage. How about you?

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    3. Teresa~
      Thank you, thank you for sharing your special recipe! I really appreciate it and you caught me before my (hopefully) final pre-Thanksgiving shopping trip. It sounds fabulous and I can hardly wait to try it:)
      I don't think we have any damage at all...but I've had limited time outdoors since the storm. Glad you were spared.
      Have a GREAT Thanksgiving!
      Blessings,
      Aimee

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  14. Oh! dear sorry to hear about the fire, but so glad it was controlled and you had a good Thanks Giving.
    Hugs xx

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    1. Thanksgiving is tomorrow.. but I'm sure it will be good. Dayle makes the turkey and its always yummy! Have fun at your show this weekend!

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  15. While I was out running errands with my oldest daughter today I missed out on all the bloggy conversations here, Teresa :) Your new stove is similar to ours and I wholeheartedly agree with you about glass topped stoves. We have had them on the east and west coast and been so grateful that they are easily cleaned. Your micro looks like it will be great as well. We had a similar menu to yours last week for our Thanksgiving dinner except instead of green bean casserole we had a carrot cheese casserole and just plain jelled cranberry sauce. I love the sound of your cranberry recipe. We are talking about having spaghetti on this Thursday:) My oldest SIL has to work and my youngest daughter and my youngest SIL are still on their honeymoon. Did I tell you they won a cruise around the Hawaiian islands from the Portland Wedding Expo?!! They are having a wonderful time:) xx from Gracie

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  16. Teresa, your kitchen is so beautiful! So neat, so bright. Good job!
    Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family!

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    1. Thank you.. but it's not so neat now.. but that's our project for today! :-)

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  17. It sounds like a wonderful Thanksgiving. I am thankful for you as well. Your friendship and kind words over the last couple of years have been a blessing. Thanks dear lady!!

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    1. I'm so glad we're friends.. have a great day tomorrow.

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  18. It's so nice to meet you every day.
    You know, it's a very good time for me to reed your blog, every day I'm lucky, you are "the sun" with your family and all your activities.
    Happy Thanksgiving !
    It's true we all should adopt Thanksgiving'spirit (and diner).
    You have a wonderfull kitchen, congratulations.
    Reed you soon as usual.
    Julie x

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    1. Thanks, Julie.. you can do Thanksgiving tomorrow.. just make a nice meal, sit around the table, hold hands and give thanks for all you have. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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  19. Yowsah! That's a BIG turkey!!Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours Teresa.

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  20. Your new appliances look great! And in the nick of time!!! Your menu sounds much like ours!!!
    I too, am thankful for so many things. Among them, I include you!
    Happy Thanksgiving!!
    xo Kris

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  21. Loving all the shiny new stuff, Teresa!

    Happy Thanksgiving. I wish we had it in the UK, too!

    Abi xx

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  22. I like your work and your blog, is beautiful. Kisses from Spain.

    http://redecoratelg.blogspot.com.es/

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