Expressing Gratitude

"As we express our Gratitude,

we must never forget that the

highest appreciation is not to

utter words, but to live by them."

~ John F. Kennedy

 

I have been thinking about gratitude and Thanksgiving a lot this week.  I am so lucky to live in a free country.  To be surrounded by people who love me and who I love.  I pray that I never take any of my rights, or privileges for granted.  I love the month of November because it naturally draws us to think of the things we are thankful for. 

It may be silly, but I am thankful for this little blog.  It has gotten me crafting and being a little busier than I was before I started the October blog-post-a-day.  I have always been crafty and love to cook and garden, but I needed the boost from October :)
 

Book Club

This past Tuesday I hosted our monthly book club at my house.  I decided on fondue (no pictures...) as the main food item.  It was delicious!!!  Really, how can you go wrong with melted cheese?  I added artichokes and chopped spinach, too.  Look on Pinterest for ideas.  I would post the recipe, but I just mixed and matched several recipes, and unfortunately didn't write down what I came up with...

Black Bean and Corn Salsa

I almost always make this recipe when I have a party at my house - it is very good!

 

Black Bean And Corn Salsa

2 cans black beans - drained and rinsed

1 1/2 cups corn (I use frozen and just barely cook in the microwave, to un-thaw)

3-5 chopped tomatoes

2-3 chopped jalapenos (to taste)

1/2 cup chopped cilantro

1/4 cup fresh lime juice (use fresh - much better)

salt and pepper to taste



This is about 1/2 of the recipe.  I thought to take a picture after we had been eating a while.

 

Oh my goodness....this cake was beyond delicious.  I wish I had gotten a better picture.  I doubled the icing recipe...  And, trust me, you will be glad you did!!!  I'm not sure that I can put the recipe on my blog since I didn't come up with it myself, or change anything (it doesn't need changed..).  So go to hersheys.com and look under their recipes.  I need to get more savvy on links....  New Year's resolution :)

 

More Sugared Cranberries

 

I posted my recipe for Sugared Cranberries on 11/11.  I got the idea to put some in my sparkling water the other night.  Well, it was delicious!! 

I made a little "bar" scene to show you how pretty the cranberries look!!

This is my first glass :)

I had several...

Aren't these Ralph Lauren glasses delightful?  I got them at an antique store back in the summer.  There were 5 for $20!!!  I saw them at Macy's last week, and they were WAY more than that.  I can't believe I got such a good deal!  They are nice and heavy and really pretty. 

 

Sheep Nativity

I collect sheep, and Nativities!  My sweet husband gave me this precious Sheep Nativity as a surprise this week.  When I came into the living room, he had it waiting on me.  I was SO excited.  I will be putting all of my nativities out this weekend, I think.  I am really trying to wait until after Thanksgiving to decorate for Christmas.  But, I am not sure.  I just love my Christmas things.  I'm thinking I have waited long enough!!

 

Cooking Today

I got up this morning hankering to make a batch of raspberry/cranberry jam.  It is beyond delicious!!

It is a very thick jam, and I find it turns to "sugar" quickly.

You may need to share with others to use it all up :)

Cranberry Raspberry Jam

1 cup chopped unsweetened cranberries (fresh or frozen)

3 cups whole raspberries (fresh or frozen)

2 Tablespoons lemon juice

1 package powdered pectin

8 cups sugar

Combine cranberries, raspberries, and lemon juice in a large nonreactive pot. Bring to a boil.  Add the pectin.  Return to the boil.  Add the sugar slowly, stirring constantly. Bring to a boil again, and boil for 1 minute, or until the jelly sheets off the spoon.  When ready, pour into hot sterilized jars.  Cover with new hot clean hot caps.  Put in a boiling water bath for 10 minutes.  Remove from boiling water bath and let set on counter for 24 hours before storage.

Aren't they gorgeous??  So yummy.  I'm having jam and toast for dinner tonight :)

One of the best uses is with brie.  Way, yummy!!!

 

Cooking Mood Continued

I went with some of my stamping/ card making friends to Houston last week.  I kinda wanted to go to IKEA, but we didn't.  So, that got me to thinking about the IKEA meatballs.  My daughter loves them.  I "like" them, but love my own meatballs (ha ha).  Well, I saw a recipe on pinterest for IKEA meatballs.  Well, me, being me, couldn't follow the recipe exactly. 

So here is my version:

 

 

Meatballs and Mashed Potatoes

 

1 1/2 pounds ground beef (I used sirloin)

3 mild Italian sausages (from a package of 5 - Johnson Bros.)

1/4 cup of fresh herbs (I used - thyme, rosemary, oregano, and basil) - Ones I had in garden

1/2 cup Italian bread crumbs (I used progresso)

1 egg

dash of nutmeg and cinnamon

salt and pepper to taste

Squish together with hands and roll into small (golf-ball) size balls.

Place on a cookie sheet.

Let meatballs set until your oven broiler heats up.

The broil (with rack about in the middle of oven) for 11 minutes.

Turn over meatballs, and broil an additional 7 minutes.

You may need to adjust your times, based on your oven.  You want them slightly browned - but not too dark.

 

I mashed potatoes with butter and cream (I know...getting ready for Thanksgiving already...).

 

Gravy -

1 1/2 Tablespoon butter

1 Tablespoon all-purpose flour

Cook over medium heat to make a roux.  Cook for 2 minutes.

Add 2 cups beef broth

Stir and stir (I use a whisk to make sure its smooth).

Add 1/2 teaspoon of Italian seasoning (or save some fresh herbs from above - use more if using fresh)

salt and pepper to taste

When it was "done" I added a teaspoon of my fresh Cranberry/Raspberry Jam!  It was a really good addition.

 

I hope that your week has gone well!  Pause a few minutes right now, or this weekend and think of things you are thankful for. 

 I promise it will make your day and weekend better!

~ Joeby