Thanksgiving greetings Sugar Pie Sistas! In just a few days families and friends all across America will gather ’round the dinner table to celebrate the founding of our country…the wonderful United States Of America…by the Pilgrims over 380 years ago. The aromas of each family’s hand-me-down recipes of roasted turkey, dressing or stuffing, sweet potato casserole and pumpkin pie will be swirling through the air drawing everyone into the warmth of the kitchen for a peek of what will soon delight their taste buds. It’ll be a time to catch up with loved ones, watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, cheer for a football team and snuggle by the fire to watch Hallmark and home movies. And hopefully, amidst the flurry and joy of the festivities, each one will remember to thank the Giver of all good gifts, our wonderful Lord.
I will be hosting Thanksgiving dinner here at the farmhouse. We are blessed to have 23 people sitting around our table this year! Fortunately we are doing our meal pot-luck style, so I’ll have a lot of help! I’ve already set up extra tables and folding chairs in our great room. I like to do this a few days in advance so that I have time to play around with the centerpiece. It feels good to get as much done as I can ahead of time, so I’m not running around at the last minute like an old wet hen! On Tuesday I’ll be doing the prep work for some of the dishes I’m making, as well as, rolling out pie crusts for 4 pies ( two pumpkin, one blackberry and one lemon). I’ll refrigerate the crusts until the next day, Wednesday, when I’ll fill and bake them. I can’t decide what I love better…the stuffing ( my mom’s recipe), cranberry jello salad with cream cheese topping, sweet potato casserole with brown sugar, melted butter and pecans or homemade pumpkin pie with a dollup of fresh whipped cream…I guess I don’t have to decide, I love them all!
Old School Place Cards: I saw this idea in a magazine and thought I’d give it a try! I just cut cardstock into rectangles then rounded the corners to resemble flash cards. Using alphabet stamps I hand stamped the names of my guests, punched a couple of holes in the corner and tied on a ribbon ( seam binding from etsy…so much cheaper than traditional ribbon).
The cards were given an aged look by taking a cotton ball and rubbing caramel colored scrapbook chalk around the edges. The ones pictured, that say ” Ma” and “Pa” were my testers. I had just watched Little House on the Prairie! Love that Ma and Pa Ingalls! LOL! Come to think of it, my mom called her parents “Ma” and “Pa”, they are such endearing names!
I was in need of some new glasses and I found these clear polka-dot ones at Walmart. They were only $8 for a set of twelve! That’s a rootin’ tootin’ deal if you ask me! My table settings are very down-home. My flatware is mismatched as are my dinner plates. I just don’t have two dozen of the same patterns, but somehow it works and looks homey and comfortable. It really doesn’t matter anyway, the real beauty of the table will be all of the smiling faces around it.
Sprinkling the table with scriptures of Thanksgivng is one way to keep the focus on why we are gathered together.
In years past we’ve always gone around the table, giving each person a turn to share what they were most thankful for, this year I thought it would be fun to change it up a bit by sharing our thanks using the letters of the Alphabet: I am thankful for my Adorable family…I’m thankful for the Beach….I’m thankful for Cute cowboy boots…etc. I just know someone’s gonna get silly (my hubby) and I’m sure we’ll burst out in laughter along the way. Memories will be made!
I heard someone say recently… “Thanksgiving is a way of life”, I wholeheartedly agree! Being thankful is a mindset. Being thankful is a choice. When we are thankful to God for His blessings we honor Him. My friend Marla Jean and I were chatting over coffee a little over a week ago and she said something that really perked up my ears and spoke to my heart! We were talking about the difference between being joyful verses being down-in-the-dumps when we are going through hard times. She said when you are disappointed, hurt, frustrated, sad, depressed, worried, and fearful (insert any negative emotion here)…”Don’t park there.” That’s it. “Don’t park there.” In other words, don’t dwell on your problems. When you are “parked” at the curb of your problems you’re stuck, the scenery doesn’t change. You are not going anywhere. Negative thinking drains the battery. Read the Word to get re-charged and to remind yourself how much you are loved by your creator! (Read Psalm 139) Move on. Get busy doing positive things. Pull yourself up by your cute cowgirl bootstraps. Giddy-up. Cowgirl-up! Count your blessings! Remember “This too shall pass”. Whatever you feed on (think about) will grow bigger. So think joyful, thankful thoughts if you want big joy. We can’t change our lives until we change our thoughts. I know this is hard sometimes but the great news is we have help!
Look up! Help is on the way!
“ARISE [from the depression and prostration in which circumstances have kept you–rise to a new life]! Shine (be radiant with the glory of the Lord), for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.” Isaiah 60:1
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11
No matter what difficulties we may be experiencing we always have something to be thankful for. Here’s just a few blessings that are on my list…
A warm cozy bed to sleep in…
Food on the table…
Eyes to see the beauty of God’s glorious creation…
Angels all around me … (For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. Psalm 91:11)
The Lavish love of God…
Jesus loves me, this I Know…
God’s Mercies are new every morning…
The sweet baby boy born in Bethlehem…
The Wonderful Cross…
God’s faithfulness…
God’s Word to light my path…
My family…
Good friends…
The Cutest boy in the whole wide world named Johnny!
OH HoNeY!!
Oh the joys of grammyhood! I am thankful!
Make Thanksgiving a way of life!
Thanksgiving Day Song
Thanksgivng day has come, Light the fire, gold and cheery,
Let’s be glad of heart and merry, Thanking God for home.
It’s chill November weather, But the fire-light’s on the wall,
Home, dear home, is best of all, Let’s thank God together.
(From an old School Song Book 1945)
Have a Blessed Thanksgiving Day Sugar Pies…I’ll see you right back here soon for my Christmas Home Tour! Here’s a teeny peek!
Sugar Pies, I am so very grateful for all of the encouraging comments you leave me! I read them all and pray for you by name. It truly blesses me that you take the time to send me sweet words of goodness…that’s why you’re my Sugar Pies!
May the Good Lord bless you and keep you real good!
Happy Thanksgiving, Enjoy the pie!
Hugs!
Aunt Ruthie
P.S. Thank you to all of you who voted for my Johnny for the Gerber Generation Baby Photo Search!! The contest ends the last day of November, so I would sooooo appreciate more votes (you can vote once a day)! Please say yes to those big blue eyes!! Thank you sugars!
Click here to vote!
Howdy Sugar Pies! My goodness, it seems like the leaves changed colors overnight! This was the view from my back deck yesterday. The late afternoon sun covered the Ozark hills with such a radiant golden glow it looked like an oil painting!
For the beauty of the earth
For the glory of the skies,
For the love which from our birth
Over and around us lies.
Lord of all, to Thee we raise,
This our hymn of grateful praise.
~Folliot S. Pierpoint (1835-1917)
The street in front of my farmhouse
We also got quite a drenching the other night. It’s such a delicious feeling when chilly autumn winds begin to howl outside the windows and dark clouds gather overhead dropping buckets-full of rain when you’re snuggled all safe, warm, and cozy inside enjoying a steaming bowl of hearty soup by firelight.
It’s chill November weather,
But the firelight’s on the wall.
Home, dear home, is best of all, let’s thank God together.
~Henry Alford 1950
Image by artist John Sloane
It’s that glorious time of year when the sweet smell of burning leaves and wood smoke are swirling heavenward in the apple-crisp air (Oh my! I love it so much I want to marry it!) Folks are raking up their yards and stacking chopped wood in piles in preparation for when Ol’ Jack Frost stops by for a long winter visit. This is just one of the endearing delights of small-town America!
Local farm stands offer produce at it’s freshest! Sweet, crisp apples were on my shopping list to take home to simmer up a batch of old fashioned Apple Butter. On my last post I featured a sweet gal named Phyllis at Silver Dollar City who was one of the Harvestfest crafters demonstrating the art of apple butter making. I was so inspired I decided to try it myself…
I always like to start any project by creating a happy home atmosphere. When I’m going to be cooking I begin by putting on a cute apron with a flour sack towel tucked in at the waist so that I’m able to wipe my hands quickly when needed. I also make sure my kitchen is clean and clutter free. Lighting a candle makes the room feel cozy and putting on some happy-home music encourages a merry heart. (The music I play ranges from Bluegrass to Classical to Doris Day to The Gaither’s Southern Gospel to Bing Crosby Christmas to whatever tickles my fancy!(…oh yes I said Christmas! It’s my favorite kind of music so why only listen to it in December?) I’ve found that “setting the stage” by intentionally nurturing a happy atmosphere almost always results in an enjoyable and even festive experience. Having things in order, the counters cleared off and plenty of time set aside for the task, makes for a more cheerful mama. And a cheerful mama is the best kind to be… all children everywhere I’m sure would wholeheartedly agree! (Hey! That rhymes! LOL!) You know what Sugar Pies? Every day we are making memories with our family…happy or sad…whether we want to or not. Let’s do our best to make home sweet for our dear loved ones! I love what Barbara Johnson said “For all of us, today’s experiences are tomorrow’s memories.” Let’s sprinkle those everyday memories with lots of joy!
Now, with my apples freshly scrubbed I’m ready to put up some downhome apple butter.
My white enamel-topped farm table made the perfect apple peeling station. I found that three bowls were needed to keep things in order and tidy. One bowl held the washed apples, the second bowl held the peels and cores, and the third bowl was filled with the sliced apples.
This handy old-timey apple peeler made the job a breeze! In fact my daughter Summer (age 12) wanted to take over for me. She was amazed at how fast it worked and how much fun it was! It peels, cores and slices all at the same time with just a few turns of the handle! It’s also perfect for when you are making apple pies, crisps and cobblers. You can use it to peel potatoes too! This particular model has a suction mount that adheres to smooth surfaces. (It held very strong onto my enamel table. I believe it would also work well on any slick surface such as granite, tile and formica.) 
Of course you can also sit and relax with a bowl on your lap and peel the apples like farm women have done for years.
The wonderful thing about this recipe is that you cook it in a slow cooker! I can’t believe how easy it is. You can make simple apple sauce this way too. By the way, if you are not familiar with apple butter,( it was new to me until I moved to the Ozarks), it does not have any dairy butter in it. It’s basically a highly concentrated form of apple sauce that is cooked for a longer period of time, causing the sugar to caramelize and turn the apple butter a nice golden brown. It’s a delicious fruit preserve that you can spread on bread, biscuits, pancakes, even drizzle on ice cream. In many parts of the country apple butter making is a family event and is usually cooked in large copper kettles over an open fire. You can cook it on the stove top, but would have to stir often so it wouldn’t scorch, or in the oven. I like the simplicity of the slow cooker. Oh my, the aroma of apples and cinnamon goodness will fill your home for hours!
Aunt Ruthie’s Candy Apple Butter
1 gallon of peeled, cored and sliced apples
1 cup fresh apple cider
2 cups brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1 tablespoon Red Hots cinnamon candies (if you don’t have these then put another 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon in its place…it will still taste delicious!)
Give it a good stir, put the lid on:
For fast cooking turn on High for 6 hours.
For slower cooking turn on low for 10-12 hours.
Stir occasionally during the cooking process. Once the apples have cooked down and have become soft use a hand held Immersion Blender to puree the apples into a smooth sauce right in the slow cooker pot…and you’ve got Aunt Ruthie’s Candy Apple Butter! Then make some biscuits or toast to spread it on and enjoy!
You can make applesauce this way too. Just reduce the amount of sugar to 1 or two tablespoons (or leave it out completely) add the cinnamon, apple cider and cook on low for 4 to 6 hours. You really can’t mess it up, it’s so easy and delicious!
I loved Phyllis’ idea of using the cinnamon candies in the apple butter. Along with the yummy taste it also gives the apple butter a rosy hue which is so pretty.
An Immersion Blender made all the difference in the texture of the apple butter. I use mine often to make my soups and sauces creamy and smooth.
The apple butter recipe makes 5 pints. I sterilized the jars in boiling water, filled and sealed them with lids and gave the jars a 10 minute boiling water bath so I could give as gifts or store in my pantry.
Rosy red apples are good to eat
and Mama’s apple butter is always a treat!
A rule of thumb that I read about is if a spoon can stand up on its own in the apple butter, then it’s ready.
By the way Sugar Pie Sistas…for those of you who ordered the cookbook by Phyllis, the Apple Butter Queen from Silver Dollar City (that I talked about on the post before this one), she sent me a message that she is printing up a new batch of cookbooks ( they sold out ) and they will be ready to ship to you in a few weeks. She thanks you kindly for your orders!
This fall start the tradition of singing the Johnny Appleseed song at the dinner table and you’ll harvest happy memories and lots of laughter!
In our family my kids grew up singing the Johnny Appleseed song ’round the supper table just after we said grace. We ended the song singing “Amen, Amen AMEN!” My kids thought we were saying their grandpa’s name “Armand”, so at the end of the song they sang “Armand, Armand ARMAND!” They still sing it the same today, it’s a family tradition! It never fails to make us burst with laughter!
The Johnny Appleseed Song
“Oh the Lord is good to me, and so I thank the Lord for giving me the things I need, the sun and the rain and the apple seed, Oh the Lord is good to me, Amen, Amen, Amen! (or Armand!)”
Check out these youtube videos to learn the song:
and
“In the 1700’s, John Chapman, a man who became known as Johnny Appleseed, was famous for carrying a sack on his back filled with apple seeds then planting the seeds and growing acres of apple trees in the Western portions of New York and Pennsylvania. The Johnny Appleseed song is a delightful way to say Grace before meals with family and friends. The words to the Johnny Appleeed song promote how much we have to be grateful for in our lives.” ~ehow
The Johnny Appleseed story is a great one to read to your kids and grandkids! Amazon has several versions, I have this one with the charming illustrations of Will Moses.
There are so many opportunities to make happy family memories during the fall season…come see the memories we made…
We headed down to McKenna’s farm in search of the perfect pumpkin, ride the hayride and journey through their winding cornfield maze…
My daughter Ashley, hubby Glen and the cutest little pumpkin in the whole wide world came too! I have to say this is one AdOrAbLe family!
There he is! My perfect pumpkin! Oh HoNEy!
Oh my goodness…what a butterball of love that boy is!
Good Ol’ Johnny Appleseed, a friend of the creatures
and the birds in the trees. He was a barefoot friend of the pioneer, good Ol’ Johnny Appleseed!
~Ron Brown
I like his “big boy” pants! And those toes need lots and lots and lots of kissin’!
What a darlin’! That’s my Johnny boy wearing a pumpkin hat from his adoring Grammie!
Sisters bein’ silly!
Oh look! There’s a pumpkin in the corn patch!
You know you’re lookin’ at a new daddy when you see a burp cloth hangin’ out of his back pocket!
Johnny’s first glimpse at a pig! I’ve already been singin’ Old Mac Donald’s farm song to him…now he can see for himself that a pig really goes “oink oink!”
Johnny WAS. NOT. HAPPY. about looking like a princess!
His daddy Glen had to grin and bear it…I do have to say he does look good in pink though!
It doesn’t take much to make a happy memory, and the benefits will last a lifetime!
Well, darlin’s Thanksgiving is just around the corner! Can you believe it?!
I’ve already begun to stock my pantry with some of the dry goods I’ll be needing for Thanksgiving dinner. If you start now and purchase a few ingredients each week, then it will be so much easier on the budget. Start by pulling out your recipes to make a menu and market list. Carry it in your purse or Planner Notebook so you’ll have it to refer to and check off next time you go to the grocery store. You may also want to have on hand extra Aluminum foil, plastic baggies, plastic wrap and food storage containers for leftovers. Here are a few items that I have on my list just to get you started:
Spices, Sage, Bayleaf, Rosemary, Thyme, Poultry Seasoning
Salt and Peppercorns
Canned Cranberries
Canned Pumpkin
Granulated Sugar
Powdered Sugar
Brown Sugar
Flour
Pecans
Walnuts
Butter Cake Mix
Chicken Broth
Sparkling Cider
Candies
Pickles, Olives
Condiments for leftover sandwiches, Mustard, Mayo
Marshmallows
Hot Cocoa Mix
Coffee Creamer
Evaporated Milk
Sweetened Condensed Milk
Whipping Cream
Food Storage Containers
Paper goods
Frozen Turkey ( This week I’ll be cleaning out my freezer to make room for a turkey. My grocery store will have a sale soon, so I want to be ready).
Thanksgiving 101 is a great book and will tell you everything you need to know about cooking a scrumptious Thanksgiving dinner with all of the trimmings! From how to roast a moist and flavorful turkey, mouthwatering savory stuffing, pan gravy 101 to desserts and yummy meals to cook with the leftovers. He also has several pages with questions and answers. Just read all the 5 star comments on Amazon!
Thanksgiving: A Time To Remember: Written by Barbara Rainey of Family Life Today. It’s a treasury of our American heritage and history of how Thanksgiving Day came to be. “It’s a wonderful opportunity to enrich your family’s awareness of our nation’s Christian heritage, provide models of courage and sacrifice for your children, and establish a tradition of sharing your gratefulness with one another, which will build a legacy of memories for the future.” ~Family Life
Now is the time to start preparing for a wonderful Thanksgiving day!
My perfect pumpkin!
Bless you Sugar Pies! I always love reading your comments and appreciate them so very much! Y’all are such a blessing to me!
May the good Lord bless you and keep you real good!
Hugs!
Aunt Ruthie
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