Thanksgiving

Well it is already time for Thanksgiving!  Every year we eat dinner at my husband’s Aunt’s house where they make a beautiful spread with all of the classic thanksgiving dinner dishes.  I always make pumpkin cheesecake to bring for dessert and an appetizer or side dish.  This year, I am making sausage and spinach stuffed mushrooms (requested by the family) and goat and cranberry phyllo cups.  I will get to those recipes in a few minutes.

I have noticed lately, mostly today and yesterday, how stressed people were about tomorrow.  I have heard people upset about having to go to the grocery store with all of the crazy shoppers, having to make food, and having to travel.  It makes me wonder what people are thinking about when it comes to thanksgiving.  I can honestly say that even if we didn’t have a traditional meal, ate peanut butter and jelly, and just hung out with my husband’s family … I would be perfectly content with that.  I do have to agree that going grocery shopping this time of year is nutso.  My foot got ran over with a shopping cart yesterday … the person had to have known … but kept on strolling.  I of course responded with “Happy Thanksgiving” … since my kill em with kindness sarcasm tends to keep me going throughout the day!  Anyways, I guess what I am trying to say is instead of focusing on what stresses us out this thanksgiving, let’s really focus on what we are thankful for.

First and foremost, I am thankful for my husband.  I tell him this often, and I am not sure if he will enjoy this public recognition, but it is how I feel.  He is one of the hardest working people I know and has provided me with a life that I am incredibly thankful for.  He is what keeps me going every day and I am lucky to have him as my best friend and husband.

I am incredibly thankful for my parents.  They had my sister and me at a young age and did one hell of a job at raising us and giving us everything we needed to succeed in life.  I still look to them for guidance when I am having a tough day and am blessed to be able to do so.

That leads me to my sister.  I am so thankful that my sister is also my friend … she is one person who can make me laugh all of the time.  I am so happy to also have my great brother-in-law Patrick (aka Dr. Pooh) and a little baby niece on the way. 

I am thankful for my grandparents.  I know that at my age I am incredibly lucky to still be able to create memories with my “Gug” and “Guggabull” and my Gram.  I am also thankful for the memories that I have from my Pap.

 

For my other family … I always talk about just how close my extended family is.  I am very close with my aunts, uncles, and cousins, and I know that is not always the case.  I love my family more than anything and am incredibly thankful for each and every one of them.  On a side note – I am also thankful for all of the memories I have with my Aunt Michelle. 

My second family, or my in-laws, has also made me feel so welcome into their family since the day I met them.  Words can’t express how thankful I am to have them in my life, especially when some live very close to us.  It is a nice feeling to have in-laws that I care about so deeply! This is especially true for Alex’s grandmother “MomMom” … I love her to the moon and back!

And to my family that I was able to choose … my friends.  I have AMAZING friends and am so thankful for each and every one of them.  My friends back in Pittsburgh keep me grounded and I know that they are always just a phone call away.  It isn’t every day that you see a group of girlfriends from middle school continue to be friends into adult hood.  This is especially true for my first best friend Katie, who remains my best friend to this day!  I am also very lucky to have my friends out here.  Being away from home is hard, but when you are surrounded by friends you love, it makes it easier!

I am also thankful for many other things … like my job, our house, our cars, and most importantly, our son Monkey. 

OK – on to the food.

Mushrooms are super easy.  Clean the mushrooms and take the stems off and bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes.  While those are cooking, brown up some sweet Italian turkey sausage.  In a food processor, chop up 1 small onion, 2 stalks of celery, garlic, and parsley.  Add the mixture into the sausage once it has browned.  Add 1 box of spinach that has been thawed and drained.  Add 1 cup of cubed pieces of bread or stuffing mix and season the mixture to taste. Add ½ cup of grated parmesan cheese.  Allow the mixture to cool and add 1 egg.  Drain the mushrooms caps and stuff each one generously.  Bake for 15 minutes and you have a delicious little appetizer. 

The tarts are very easy as well.  Buy frozen phyllo dough cups, goat cheese, parsley, and cranberry (compote or canned).  Mix the goat cheese and parsley and fill the cups.  Add a dab of the cranberry on each one and bake at 350 for approx 10 minutes. 

Lastly, the cheesecake! Use 3 blocks of cream cheese and mix with ¾ cups of sugar.  Add a tbs of vanilla and continue to beat.  Add 3 eggs (one at a time)  and continue to beat until smooth.  Add 1 cup of canned pumpkin and a few dashes of cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice.  Continue to beat the mixture.  Once everything is blended well, pour into a graham cracker crust (I buy pre-made).  The filling makes enough for 2 cheesecakes!  Bake for 45 minutes at 350 degrees and you have 2 great desserts to take with you to your thanksgiving meal!!

Big shout out to one of my best friends, Jess!  Her baby is due this week and I wish her and Chris well wishes as they start this new chapter in their life! Love you BOTH so much!

Lastly, I am thankful to all of you … those of you who read my blog.  I know not everyone follows and not everyone comments, but I know people are looking and it makes me very happy!  In fact – I have views from every continent now!!  This is something I love to do and it is very reassuring that people are interested.  I wish EVERYONE a very HAPPY THANKSgiving!!

Love,

Kate