Although Saturday is definitely my favorite day of the week, Sunday runs a close second because of the slower paced day with anticipation of a Sunday Supper with family.
There is something about Thanksgiving that speaks of the blending of old traditions and recipes with new ones.
My Grandma Nadean played "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" on the piano at my wedding and it is one of my most precious memories of her.
My Grandma Nadean was the queen of the Potato Rolls and every family member anxiously awaited the holidays for the appearance of her amazing rolls. Although she lived until she was 97 years young, during her last several years she was unable to prepare the rolls. Physically she was not able to exert the efforts to make her divine rolls but she had her mind perfectly intact until the end. Thus, why when I was tasked with the role of bringing the rolls to the holiday table, I hesitated making her recipe for fear of not meeting everyone's standards of her perfected potato rolls. Instead, I tried other recipes, hoping the fact that they were "different" would distract everyone from her tried-and-true famous recipe.
1. This recipe for Crescent Rolls was the first one that I made as a replacement for the Potato Rolls.
These homemade crescent rolls are always a crowd-favorite.
2. Last year, the Hubs and I came across the best Turkey Brine recipe ever on Our Best Bites! I highly recommend it. It transformed our turkey into this succulent, mouth-watering creation, like no other.
This turkey was brined and then smoked on the Traeger grill. I don't think I have ever had a better turkey.
3. I also tried a new sweet potato recipe, Candied Coconut Sweet Potatoes, also from Our Best Bites Cookbook that was incredible. I have never been a huge Sweet Potato casserole fan, but this changed my idea of sweet potatoes! My word, they were great!
Oh wow! This Ultimate Pumpkin Pie and rum whipped cream recipe from Barefoot Contessa is incredible!
4. The Barefoot Contessa Ultimate Pumpkin Pie with Rum Whipped Cream goes down in my notes as the best-ever pumpkin pie and whipped cream! This recipe transforms the already good pumpkin pie to extraordinary! It's a must-try addition to your Thanksgiving.
My mom has mastered the Thanksgiving Dressing recipe with her bits of bacon, onions and the perfect blend of spices and butter! She also makes incredible gravy and mashed potatoes. I won't get started on her world-famous pies! The Hubs requests my mom's Marion Berry Pies for his birthday instead of a cake!
Every other year we celebrate Thanksgiving with one side of the family and this year we will be spending the holiday with the Hub's family. Although the cooking responsibilities will not be mine this year, I still like to contribute to the meal.
Cranberry sauce is something that I have been making for Thanksgiving for years.
5. In the past I've made this Cranberry Sauce or Cranberry Relish and the Fresh Green Bean Casserole. My mother-in-law bakes almost 50 pies for the gathering. My sister-in-law is famous for her Pumpkin Bread. Another sister-in-law decorates the Thanksgiving table with projects she's worked on prior to the big day. Although I have yet to receive my assignment, I have still been studying the possibilities. Any new recipes I must try?
There is nothing more beautiful than the way the ocean refuses to stop kissing the shore line, no matter how many times it is sent away.
There is nothing more beautiful than the way the ocean refuses to stop kissing the shore line, no matter how many times it is sent away. Photo taken in Waikaloa, Hawaii, where we were one year ago today.
If you have not yet tried Trader Joe's Chai Tea Latte, you must. You just add boiling water and stir yet you get the most wonderful hot tea beverage as a result. This beats any other Chai Tea I've tried!
A girl in love with the seasons who wants to cram as much as she can into the 365 days of the year to live a life of bliss. Welcome to What Matters Most Now! I hope you will find inspiration and recipes you love.
