Happy Thanksgiving

I want to wish each and every one of you a very Happy Thanksgiving from my family to yours!

The past few years have been definitely different for our family at holidays. In 2017 I was thinking we need to remember this Thanksgiving, we knew it would more than likely be dads last Thanksgiving with us. Of course we were still so happy to be celebrating, the HVAD had given our family 3 extra years with him. Last year was our first year without dad and for myself, my family, holidays mean everything to us to celebrate together. Jeff has always told people we even celebrate Groundhog Day, thanks to Lindsey’s birthday. We just love being together, last year was Lisa and I digging out dads recipes and making recipes to have a little bit of him into our dinner and remembering him cooking or telling us, my sister and I what to do. Well, this year we went small and quaint. It’s a little difficult for me to explain, but I feel a lot of comfort at home this year. I’m not wanting to venture far from home since my HA. It’s weird, but a HA changes you and that’s okay.

So, small and quaint did not steer us away of making to much food. I almost think we made more. Well, we had a lot of meat. With just the 5 of us, Jeff, Walker, Bayler, Lisa and myself, we ended up with 4 different meats. Bayler has always wanted duck, Jeff and I know my sister well enough, we picked up a couple of Cornish hens. Lisa was worried we wouldn't have enough meat, she was just going to eat the Cornish hen and if the boys ended up not liking the duck, she was going to run by the store before she left St. Louis. I mentioned maybe a small ham, I'm not a fan of turkey, Lisa wanted turkey, now we have four meats for 5 people. Jeff wanted to smoke the duck and hens, Lisa didn't want anything smoked this year, we do smoke a lot at the holidays. The turkey breast and ham went traditional in the oven. Of course family is on my mind at the holidays, I pulled a small jar of dads grape jelly out to make a glaze for the ham. Now I do not have measurements, but dads jelly, apple cider vinegar, local honey, molasses, garlic and about a tablespoon of mikes hot honey turned out delicious on our ham. We did a simple butter, thyme, pepper and real salt, just a sprinkle of salt on the turkey breast. The turkey came out moist and a perfect golden color skin.

Remember, we are still going with small and quaint. Now comes the sides, We went with a kale salad, it's about the only green food I can get Walker to eat. Let's not forget he also wants mashed potatoes and gravy. Bayler wants the good corn, you know the one, frozen corn, butter and cream cheese. We can't forget the rolls for Bay and make sure you make extra, he loves bread, especially hot rolls. Then we have the pink stuff, does anyone else know what the pink stuff is as soon as I called it that? Cool whip, cottage cheese, cherry/strawberry jello, some people put crushed pineapple in it, depending probably on your location? Yes, that is a staple at holidays, at least I know Lisa and I like it. Of course I have to have my cranberries, not out of a can. Fresh cranberries, shredded carrot, chopped walnuts and crushed pineapple to make it yummy. I'm really beginning to wonder if I'm making it just to add to my leftover sandwiches. Okay, here is the truth, I automatically just turn my roll into a sandwich and that is how I eat my Thanksgiving dinner, lol. If you haven't ever eaten Thanksgiving dinner this way you need to try it. Cut your role, little cranberry sauce, small piece of meat of your choice and a little dressing and there ya go. No over eating for me, at least until we are ready for desserts. Now, here we are at the final dish, in our case a large pan. Dressing or is it stuffing? The great Thanksgiving debate, some say it can only be called stuffing if you're actually stuffing it in the turkey. All I know, is no matter what it is called, it's made exactly the same way every year, stuffing in a turkey or just putting it on the table. I'm very thankful my sister paid attention in the kitchen on how mom made it, it's the best around. Yes, I will put it up against someone else's dressing, lol. Small and quaint, i guess called for 9 side items, we really are used to big family gatherings

For the first time ever, no dessert was made at home, not even a pecan pie. Everything was purchased by amazing bakers. My sister had a friend in St Louis make a caramel cake, it's to die for. My cousin Heather made us a delicious chocolate pie from her mother Vickie's amazing pie recipe collection and a delightful airy strawberry angel food cake from a sweet Mennonite lady that delivers to a local restaurant/store La Tea Da. I have only had a bite of the caramel cake, that's how I know it's to die for, but I did have a thin slice of the chocolate pie. Chocolate pie has always been my favorite. One day I will write about my grandmas chocolate pie. Let's just say Kristine, my amazing cousin and I were in "AWE" of the recipe when grandma told us.

We did not cut out any traditional dish because of my HA, we just cooked, baked smarter. NuSalt or Real Salt was used in place of traditional salt. Honestly just throw out your normal table salt. Real Salt has less sodium plus extra benefits of minerals table salt no longer has after all of the processing it goes through to make it table salt. Everything is also made from scratch. There is still debate on butter and heart healthy, but I believe real butter our bodies process better, remember moderation is key. I did not stuff my plate, I did splurge on two rolls, but come on, it's Thanksgiving and remember I make it into a sandwich.

For today I'm thankful for God giving me a reminder I'm still here to live everyday, to be the best wife, mom, sister, niece, friend or whatever I am to you. I gave God every chance to take me home, because of my stubbornness this year. You may only have one life, but make sure to live every day.

Happy Thanksgiving and get ready, I've been working on recipes.

What is your favorite dish at Thanksgiving?