Confessional Sunday (Slightly Late Edition)

Ivy says:

Let’s hear how your Thanksgiving went! Was it fabulous, or were there some mishaps? Mine was fab, since I went to my mom’s and all was taken care of. We brought a pie, which my cousin had brought down from Indianapolis (sugar cream pie, apparently you can only get them in Indy, unless you make it yourself- and nothing is the same as a Wick’s sugar cream pie), so my hardest job was making sure I took it out of the freezer to defrost in time. And I did remember, so all turned out well.

So, let’s hear it from you home eccers how your Thanksgiving went. Already have a post up about it on your blog? We have a handy dandy Mr. Linky:

Thanksgiving 2008: It’s Time to Use It or Lose It

Heather says:

It is time to use ‘em or lose ‘em. Here are some guidelines, and recipes for using up Thanksgiving leftovers. Substitute turkey in any of the chicken recipes below.

• Turkey should be frozen or used within 2 - 6 days.
• Frozen cooked turkey should be used within 2 months and should be cooked thoroughly, immediately after thawing.
• If you have gravy, leftover mashed potatoes, or stuffing they should have been used within 1 - 2 days after Thanksgiving. Toss them out.
• Cranberry sauce can be stirred into yogurt, served over ice cream, or it makes a nice accompaniment to pork chops, ham, chicken, or fish. It should be used within 7 days. (The sugar acts as a preservative.)

Leftover Turkey Recipes
Turkey Soup	Pilau
Turkey Salad	Jambalaya

Enjoy!

Sweets for the Season 2008: Simple Chocolate Drops

Heather says:

Home improvement was the name of the game today at my house. Today we’re dipping into the archives.

Drop cookies refer to the method they are placed on the cookie sheet. Some are rolled into balls, other pressed into circles, still others are rolled out and cut into shapes. These are scooped and dropped onto the baking sheet. Soft and moist, these chocolate cookies are somewhat delicate right out of the oven. Use care when moving to the rack where they will firm up, some. These would be great with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

• 1/2 cup butter - softened
• 1/2 cup brown sugar - packed
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1 egg
• 1 cup all purpose flour
• 1/4 cup Special Dark cocoa powder
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/8 tsp salt

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 350F.

Cream the butter and sugar with a mixer on medium speed until fluffy. This should take about two minutes. Add the egg and vanilla and stir until just combined.

In another bowl mix the flour, cocoa, baking powder, and salt. Add to the batter and mix gently until just combined.

Spoon by rounded tablespoon onto an ungreaesed cookie sheet. Bake for 10 - 11 minutes.

Allow to cool for five minutes on the baking sheet before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Sweets for the Season 2008: November 28

Heather says:

Last year from Thanksgiving to Christmas we posted a cookie recipe each day. This year we’re calling it Sweets for the Season and will be including some favorites from last year and new goodies such as fudge and candy. Stock your pantry with baking supplies and get ready to dive in. These recipes will be geared for the novice baker and candy maker with clear directions.

We’re starting with a classic chocolate chp.

These chocolate chip cookies call for real butter, a splash of milk, and extra vanilla. For variety consider adding chopped walnuts or M&Ms.

Ingredients:

• 2 1/4 cups all purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 cup (2 sticks butter) melted
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 3/4 cup brown sugar (packed)
• 1 TBSP vanilla
• 2 TBSP milk
• 2 large eggs
• 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips

Directions are after the jump.

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Happy Thanksgiving From Home Ec 101

Ivy says:

Well, it’s the big day! I hope we’ve helped you prepare for it. I hope you all have a wonderful day, whether you’re cooking for a houseful of people or you’re enjoying the day with just your immediate family. And if you’re not an American, happy Thursday!

Heather and I are thankful today (well, and every other day, but today, especially so) for each and every one of you readers. We thank you for your comments and encouragement. We thank you for your emails. Thank you for the Stumble love and all the link love. Thanks for putting us on your blogrolls and lists of favorite sites. Thank you for putting us in your feed readers and subscribing to us in email. Each and every one of you are helping us to spread the message we have for the world- teaching people to run a home effectively and with some frugality. We certainly do appreciate all of your support.

On a more personal note, I’m especially thankful today. I’m thankful first to God, who has made all that I have and all that I am. I thank God for the people in my life and the love that He shows me. I’m thankful for my family, who loves me unconditionally, even when I screw up. I’m thankful for my husband who not just puts up with me, but supports me in all that I do. I’m thankful to my mom whose homemaking skills have me beat any day of the week- but her love and support has brought me to where I am.

And I’m most especially thankful to Heather. People who have read this blog since the beginning know my struggles with depression. Heather has picked me up and carried me when I needed it, and has been a good enough friend to hit me with the truth about how I deal with it. She’s been supportive and just generally the best friend I could have through some of the darkest times of my life. Thank you, Heather. I don’t know that I have the words for how much I love, respect, and admire you.

Home Eccers, I’d love to hear what you are thankful for.

Edit: One more thing. I normally would not do this, but I’m really feeling called to do so. This young family is about to lose their home. Their friend is trying to help them raise enough money to save it. If you have a dollar, 5 dollars, 10 dollars- whatever- to spare, please consider donating. There’s an update post with a ticker showing how much they’ve raised right here. I’ve recieved a lot of help from my friends in family in my time, and I think about how that could be my family, had I not been so lucky as I am. There but by the grace of God go I. Anyway, please consider donating. Even a dollar helps.

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