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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