A Blessing Today

It is hard to believe that it is November already. That means Christmas is right around the corner.

Last year my sister and I had a Blessing Basket.   Each day in November, we posted one thing we were thankful for.  We would like to do it again this year with some input from our friends. What are you thankful for??  Yes, we are all thankful we have health, family, and Jesus.  But today, pay close attention to the things that we take for granted and that we should be thankful for.  You may tell us your blessings in the comment area below.

Today I am thankful-
          -for washing machines and dryers. As I sit here writing away, it is back there washing and drying my clothes.  My neighbor down the road is probably putting hers thru a ringer washer and then having to hang them out hoping for a good drying day. I am so thankful I don't have to do that. I hate doing laundry and the less I have to do with it and the fastest way to get it done is good for me.
                                        ~younger sister

                                                                                  
This is really a time of searching for me.  What am I really taking for granted? And what blessing am I missing because I am running to and fro worrying about all kinds of things and not stopping to be thankful.   So..... I am thankful for-
       -the different seasons.  I am glad God put me in this area (even tho I threaten to run off to Montana occasionally!), that has four different seasons during the year. We can enjoy a variety of weather. Yes, sometimes the weather seems a little mixed up, but you know, we all enjoy talking about the weather!  Each season has it's own beauty. I really don't know which season is my favorite because each one is enjoyable!
                                               -older sister

Now, we want to hear from you-

                       What are you thankful for today?

Fall Candle

An Idea for a Fall Candle!

Happy Thanksgiving

How to Make Gravy

I do not make gravy very often.  Usually I just make a paste of margarine and flour and use that to thicken broth.  It's OK, but not my top choice of gravy.  So I just don't do it. 

Well, this Thanksgiving I have to make gravy.  Now, I could just con my mom into doing it.  But I don't really want that extra thing to do at the last minute.  Plus, I don't know how much to make.

Some cookbooks have lists to tell you how much to make for 100 people.  So I pulled my "Cooking For Crowds" off the shelf.  It not only told me how much gravy to make, but it gave a recipe that I think I can now make gravy.  In fact, I can hardly wait!  The exciting thing is that I can do it ahead!  Here it is-

Gravy
2 cups flour  (1/2 cup)
1 gallon broth  (1 quart)
2 1/4 cups water  (rounded 1/2 cup)
Mix flour and water in blender (recipe at a time)
Heat broth.(1 gallon at a time.  [1quart]) 
Add flour mixture slowly.
Stir vigorously.

This recipe is for a large amount, so I put smaller amounts in parentheses.

This cookbook says that 1 1/2 cups gravy serves 8.  One full recipe serves 100.

Let me know how you make gravy!  Also look for a post that tells how to can gravy.

How to Smoke a Turkey

                         On the first day of Turkey season, my husband brought home a wild turkey.
 

I decided to skin it instead of plucking it.  Then I found out, the skin helps to keep it moist.  So I decided to smoke it which will make it tender.

It is a very simple procedure. You will soak it for 2 or 3 days in a cool place in a brine.  Here is the recipe.

Smoked Turkey
Use a 5 gallon bucket or other large container to soak the turkey.  Put brine in bottom of bucket.

Brine ingredients-
1 cup Morton's Tenderquick
1 1/2 cups sugar cure
4 Tablespoons liquid smoke
Enough water to cover turkey

(You should be able to get the tenderquick and sugar at the local bulk food store.)

A Blessing Today

I am thankful-

After 2 days of clouds and rain, I was really thankful for the sunshine.  I had taken my 14 year old to the orthodontist. And as I was driving home,  the sun was shining brightly, the clouds were big, white, and puffy, and I was overcome with the beauty and a thankful heart for the beautiful day.
                                                                                      -the older sister

After a big supper of roast, potatoes and corn I am so thankful I don't have to go to bed hungry. There are many in this world who do. - the younger sister

A Blessing Today

For Thanksgiving, some people have Blessing Trees or Baskets.  For us online, we can't have a basket. So everyday until Thanksgiving Day, we will reflect on our day, and post a blessing or something we are thankful for. We would like you to join in and post your Blessings.  This was supposed to be posted last night, but for reasons we won't mention (younger sister!), it wasn't done. 



My Blessing-

Every year at Christmas, our school puts together school kits for the poor.  On the last day before Christmas vacation, the school children form assembly lines and put school items in a draw string bag.  This morning, a friend and I cut 135 bags out of fabric to be sewn by other mothers.  I was so blessed to be able to be involved in this project and in my school.
                                               -the older sister


I am Thankful-

                                                    Waiting to be seen by a doctor in Haiti
  Today I had to take Kyle to the doctor's and it turned into this long, drawn out affair.  My son (I was grouching inside!) started to complain about the length of time. When it dawned on me that over in
Haiti they don't have doctors. And if you are lucky you might get close to seeing one but only after walking many miles and then waiting all day. We take so many things for granted in the US. Something just as simple as seeing a doctor when your child is sick. I am so thankful that I can take my child to the doctor.
                                                                                                  -the younger sister