Thanksgiving

What kind of a blogger would I be if I didn't blog about Thanksgiving!  I love all the cooking and smells and family and friends that go along with Thanksgiving.  When I was growing up it was just my brother, the Grinch, and I.  Nothing special, no real traditions.  Sometimes we would go to Pootsies moms.  Then I got married and the traditions began.  It was about family, a huge family.   A family who loved one another and were nice to one another.  A family who cooked and laughed and cleaned up together.  Kids and babies and cousins and a mom and dad who made it all happen and gathered everyone in. That is where I learned to make and love stuffing.  I watched and stirred and tasted as Fayetta got it all together.  I wrote it down and have been making it ever since..that is my favorite part of Thanksgiving. 

This is the stuffing...my favorite.  Here is the recipe, and like so many of my recipes there are no real measurements. 
Fry onion and celery in 2 cubes butter. 
2 packages of stuffing
1 can milk
3 eggs
sage, garlic, salt and pepper
Boil giblets in water til done, chop and add to to dressing with enough of the cooking liquid to make moist.
I put it all in my big silver bowl and start mixing with a wooden spoon and end up using my hands. Put it in a cake pan and bake.  350 til done.  I really have no idea how long..I would guess a half an hour or so. 

Another tradition we do is the ice drink.  This is our Thanksgiving and Christmas drink.  Every year for 29 years so far. 
In a big silver bowl combine 1 can apple juice and 1 can grape juice made according to the directions.  Freeze.
When it is time to serve pour 7-Up in and use a knife to chop up and make slushy. 
Thats it, very easy and pretty good!

Something that will be tradition is a Sweet Potato Casserole.  My mother (not to be confused with the grinch) brought it to dinner last year and the girls and I loved it! 

 This is truely most delicious!
Sweet Potato Casserole
3 cups mashed sweet potatoes
1cup sugar
1/2 stick butter
2 egg
dash of salt
1/3 cup milk
2 tsp vanilla
Mix together and put in 9x13 pan
Topping
1 cup brown sugar
2/3 cup flour
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup finely chopped pecans or walnuts
Mix til crumbly and sprinkle on top
Bake 350 for 40-45 minutes

I'd love to know what you do with your leftover turkey, besides sandwiches! 
I usually make a soup, or pot pie. 
Happy Thanksgiving friends!