Thanksgiving'14

There is much to be THANKFUL for.  Today, I received a newsletter from my missionary friend, and it reminded me to count my blessings as she talked about all that she was thankful for.

• I thank God for teaching me the keys to joyful living, part of which is related to having a grateful spirit
• I thank God for helping me to "juggle" so much in my life without too many balls falling
• I thank God for helping me to "love others" more this year
• I thank God for allowing me to start my remodeling projects this year and for the changes that have been completed

25-Nov:  In planning and shopping for Thanksgiving dinner, I've decided on the following:

• Turkey - my brother will be smoking the turkey (Yum! :-) ) and making Cranberry Relish
• Lamb Stew
• Yams with Marshmallows
• Roasted and Mashed Potatoes to be served with gravy or lamb mushroom red wine reduction
• Green Bean Casserole
• Kale and Corn
• Stuffing
• Rolls

My brothers will be bringing desserts, my parents pumpkin pie, and I have ice cream.

I thank God for His provision.

3-Dec:  Thanksgiving Dinner was good.   I, of course, planned more dishes than I was able to actually cook:

• Smoked Turkey - was good; but much of it was not quite done; so afterwards, I ended up boiling most of it for soup base and porridge
• Cranberry Relish - was okay; but, I ended up using it in a salad
• Cranberry Sauce - was good, but I thought it was a little too sweet
• Lamb Stew - took a lot of work; marinated, braised, boiled, de-boned, fat removed after solidification, pan-fried carrots, potatoes, pan-fried lamb meat with tomato sauce and other flavoring, and then put together with the broth and simmered till done.   Served over a parsley rice. (NOTE:  Actually the pan-fried lamb meat tasted best by itself, before combining with other ingredients and broth which caused it to lose some of its flavor)  
• Yams - pureed, seasoned, and broiled with topped marshmallows.  This turned out well.
• Green Bean Casserole - Just poured cream of mushroom with milk, soy sauce, cooked green beans and French's Fried Onion; baked, and then sprinkled with more French's Onion and browned.  This was fairly simple.   I just never really liked the creamy sauce as much.
• Stuffing - used a honey oat bread and baked cubes; mixed with celery cooked in butter with herbs; then baked.  It didn't seem to be "soft" enough.   I kept adding broth.   It was okay.
• Mashed Potatoes - steamed peeled and cubed pototoes; mashed; and added butter, roasted garlic, and herbs
• Gravy - heated store-bought turkey gravy, but also make a red wine reduction with some lamb broth.  Both were pretty good
• Rolls - had Hawaiian rolls and a Onion Jalapeno bread which was quite popular
• Apple Cider - made in the slow cooker; used two bottles which were almost all gone
• Dessert - family brought pumpkin pie, baklava, and finger desserts

I ran out of time, and did do the corn and kale until later in the weekend.  Boiled the corn, de-husked, and then pan-fried with butter and cayenne pepper.   Really good!  Also sauteeed kale with onion and herbs.  Used the rest of the celery and mushroom in a vermicelli which was also good.

Overall, it was quite a lot of food.   But, my main leftovers are just the soup base from the turkey bones.

I did get to share, just with my brothers, what I learned about finding joy.   Hope they will benefit from what I had learned also.