I’ve never been a fan of Cranberry Sauce.  That red jelly stuff from a can… (my sincere apologies if you like it.)  No thank you… Cranberry Sauce has never been my cup of tea. That is, until I tried my Mother-in-Law’s homemade sauce. And despite my prejudice, it was love at first taste. And nowadays it wouldn’t be Thanksgiving without the delicious smell of cranberry sauce simmering on the store.  And what would Thanksgiving turkey be without a big dollop of sau... Read Full Story

One of the things that really seems to daunt home cooks is making homemade rolls.  But many recipes are actually quite easy, and there is nothing quite so good as hot rolls right out of the oven. This recipe for crescent rolls has been a staple at my family’s Thanksgiving table for many years.  They are light and the crescent shape is elegant enough for a special occasion. Here’s the recipe: Mom’s Crescent Rolls 2 Tbsp. dry active yeast 1/2 cup warm water 1/2 cup butter 1... Read Full Story

This gift idea that doesn’t cost much and is so easy to make.  It’s Peppermint Popcorn.  After receiving a bag for Christmas last year, my husband asked me to figure out how to make it.  I took the recipe for White Chocolate Popcorn, and simply added the crushed candy cane… and the result was festive and very yummy. Here’s the recipe: 1/2 cup unpopped popcorn (16 cups popped) 2 cups white chocolate chips 1/2 cup crushed peppermint candy canes 1.  Start by popping 1/... Read Full Story

Since our kids were little, we’ve bought a game each year for Thanksgiving.  It was a tradition that came from my husband’s family.  His grandparents gave them a new game every year when they came for Thanksgiving dinner. Since everyone is on a holiday from school and work, a new game is always a hit over the long weekend and perfect cold weather entertainment. Here are a few of our favorites: Blokus is pretty much our favorite game.  It appealed to our kids when they were as you... Read Full Story

There are lots of ways to express gratitude.  But I sometimes I need an exercise, something visual, to help me really think about the things that matter to me most. The answer this year was a Gratitude Tree. It all started with a need to prune my Contorted Filbert Tree.  It was blocking the pathway next to our home.  Yay, I thought.  That’s one of the reasons I bought the tree almost 7 years ago, so one day it would need to be pruned, and I could bring the limbs in the house to decorat... Read Full Story

Yesterday, my girls and I were working on a few Christmas gifts for their friends.  One thing led to another and I found myself making yet another flower pin.  This time a Poinsettia.  I loved this project and ended up making two for my girls, and plan on making more.  They are perfect as a broach or as a hair clip. Here’s what you will need: Small amount of red wool felt (I used scraps from another project.) Very small amount of green wool felt (also scraps) button pin or hair clip f... Read Full Story

It doesn’t get any better than this.  Especially if you love Pecan Pie and chocolate, like I do. My Mom went in search for a recipe for Chocolate Pecan Pie after a trip to New Orleans.  Somewhere along the way my parents had the most delicious Chocolate Pecan Pie at a restaurant (she can’t remember which one)… and fell in love.  After a long search, and some trial and error, she came up this family Thanksgiving favorite. But first I have to show you this: It’s my Mom... Read Full Story

My Mom learned to bake her pie crusts 40 years ago.  Her mother had passed away and my Mom needed to step up and take over the tradition of hosting Thanksgiving dinner for her family of 7 brothers. My Mom was lucky enough to have a neighbor who was kind of like a local Julia Child.  She generously invited my Mom to her home and taught her to make rolls, pie crusts… and how to put on a Thanksgiving dinner. Over the years my Mom has made hundreds of pies.  Some years she has hosted as ma... Read Full Story

Every Christmas Eve, I give my children one gift, a new pair of pajamas.  Opening a gift seems to break the tension just a little bit, even if it’s  something practical. Some years I have bought pajamas.  Some years I have sewn fancy nightgowns for the girls, and PJ’s for my son.  But my kid’s favorite thing to sleep in, by far, are plain old Cozies. What are Cozies?  They are basically flannel pajama pants worn with a soft long sleeve t-shirt. And that’s great by me,... Read Full Story

Last year we received a snowman kit from one of my dear friends as a Christmas gift.  A few days after the gift arrived, we had an epic storm and the kids spent hours playing in the snow and building their wonderful snowman. It was such a fun idea, and I was sure I could make a handmade version for gifts this year. A snowman is simple.  He needs a hat, eyes, nose, mouth, scarf and buttons down his shirt.  If you want an authentic snowman, you can even add a corncob pipe. Yesterday I got to ... Read Full Story