Thanksgiving

The bird was so tender and juicy!
I used the Citrus Rubbed Turkey I blogged about.
No bags this year!  Straight roasting and basting!

 I really wanted to post yesterday saying a Happy Thanksgiving to you all!  I just was so busy trying get dinner ready that I just didn't have time!  Then afterward, that turkey kicked in, and I was falling asleep!

Our dinner turned out delicious!  Beautiful turkey, potatoes, stuffing, veggies, cranberry sauce, and brown sugar muffins!  It was quite the spread for our little family of 5!  We definitely have leftovers!... I don't complain about that, because we have meals made for a day or 2 more!  Ha!

Some of our Thanksgiving traditions are getting a newspaper to look through ads (I never get up with the crazies... I like my sleep too much!).  Then we take a family picture somewhere with hopes of using it in a Christmas card that year.  They we usually end the day with watching a movie.  Whether that is in the theater or at home.

Our table is so tiny that we had to put a fold up next to it to double the size.

This year we planned on watching A Christmas Story here at home.  We ate dinner at about 7pm.  So like I mentioned above, after that turkey kicked in, and we were pretty much done cleaning up, we sat down to watch the movie, and Hoss and I were both out.  We ended up turning it off early and heading for bed.  We didn't even have pie we were so stuffed!  It made a pretty decent breakfast though!

My best apple pie yet! 

We certainly had a wonderful day though!

Things I am thankful for:
My God and Jesus Christ
My family (extended and my own)
Water
Cinnamon
Pumpkins
Christmas music
A house that stays cool in the summer and warm in the winter (our last house didn't do well with that)
My calling in church (the service I've been asked to do)
Good friends
No car payment
Crisp cool air (at least it is today)
My dog
Cows
Chickens
Refrigerator to keep things cold and help preserve food
The ease of life we have with technology
Trees
Grass (I miss grass)
Mountains (I really Really miss mountains)
Dirt roads
Smell of pine trees in the forest

And so many more.

Here's one family pic!  We'll be sending out Christmas cards this year!

Yesterday morning, after we got ready for the day, I took the kids to Home Depot where we bought our very first-brand-new-fake-pre-lit-Christmas-tree!  We have always had a hand me down...its nice to have a new one.. and we only paid $40!  Not so bad I think... especially for only going to one store!  First try... I'm thankful for that!

What are you thankful for?  How did you celebrate this year?  What is your favorite part of the meal?  Did you head out to catch any sales?

Sincerely,

Evelyn Curtis

Thanksgiving Menu

Approximately 5 or 6 years ago, I cooked Thanksgiving all by myself.  This was in Idaho, and Hoss and I thought that we needed to do it and invite a few friends who we knew didn't have anyone to have Thanksgiving dinner with.  So, I embarked on my very first turkey, my very first...everything on my own!  I had made pies before (thanks to Mrs. Hogan in homec)!

Back then--and ever since, I have used one of those roasting bags to roast the turkey, along with a disposable roasting pan.  Its an easy way to never have to baste the bird, and it has always come out juicy and delicious.  In my opinion, its a fail safe way to make a successful turkey.

I believe I should be able to get it at Kmart!

This year, we were invited to a family's house in our ward here in Hobbs.  After discussing it, Hoss and I decided that we would remain in our own house, and do our own Thanksgiving dinner.  I think I'm so into the spirit of the season, that I'm going to make it formal and make everyone dress up!  Shhh!  Don't tell Hoss... he might not like it at first!... but the girls will love it!

Since it will just be my own family, I thought it would be a great time to experiment on roasting the bird for real!  No bags!  I'm even going to get a nice roasting pan with a wrack in order to be successful!  Want to see the one I'm going to get?

There is also one tool that I really REALLY want to get... so I'm hoping I can find one (I don't think we'll be able to order it in time after payday.  But I make gravy enough, that I'm sure it will be very useful!  Have you ever used a fat separator?  It lets you drain the meat drippings from the bottom of the container, leaving the fat on top.  Its amazing, seeing it in action.  You can see one in the video linked below.  This is the one I have my eyes on.  Nice, right?

Here is my tentative menu:

Turkey (of course)

Mashed potatoes and turkey gravy

Stuffing

Romain salad

My sister-in-law's very delicious recipe for sweet potatoes (I'll eat no other)

Asado:Photo via

Asado, a Mexican dish of pork cooked in a spicy red chile sauce.  Most people who have amazing family recipes will not share every ingredient.  They'll usually leave something out.  (If we can find the coveted recipe--The Mexicans around here don't share their recipes)!  This is what it can look like.  You eat it with tortillas, sour cream, cheese, lettuce, and tomato... or you can just put it on your plate or in a bowl on the side.  It is delicious, and Hoss really wants to add it to our traditional Thanksgiving!

Veggie tray for an appetizer and to keep the kids from withering in hunger

Dessert will consist of pumpkin pie, apple pie, and pumpkin cake.  Its a lot... but we love leftovers here!  especially after slaving away for so long to make an amazing meal!

I also plan on making a little snack of roasted cinnamon almonds!  Yum!  I've never made them, and face it... some things we find on pinterest just don't work out.  This one... I'm hoping does!

Source: detrimentalbeauty.com via Evelyn on Pinterest

This is the method of cooking the turkey that I plan on using!  It looks so delicious!  I can't wait!

Source: marthastewart.com via Evelyn on Pinterest

I am hoping to start a new Thanksgiving tradition.... what exactly... I don't know yet.  That will have to be another post I think!

What is your tentative Thanksgiving menu?

I'm so Thankful for my little family!  I so thankful for my extended family!  I am so blessed!

What is on your Thanksgiving menu?

Sincerely,

Evelyn

FHE: Surprise Party!

Last week, I read this blog post.  I loved the idea of throwing my family a surprise party with a meaning or theme behind it.  And for this particular topic, I thought the timing was impecible!  The topic being, "See What God Hath Done." Its a surprise party about recognizing all of the blessings in your life.  Totally timely, since Thanksgiving is only 1 week and 2 days away!  Seriously, see the post for details.  It is an amazing idea for a family night!

Our banner and Gratitude lists

So, after I read the blog post, I told Hoss that I was doing the lesson for Family Home Evening.  He said... "Okay."  Exciting right?  He was thrilled... I'm sure!

I followed all of the steps mentioned.  I printed off the banner, and strung it on some pretty white ribbon.  Its still hanging there... above my head right now!  I cheated though, instead of using up all of my printer ink for this project, I decided to go to Staples and have it printed off!  I love staples!  I hadn't been to one in around 3 years.... there is not an Office Max here, and that was kind of my "go-to."  But Staples is awesome, ssshh, I don't even miss Office Max!  Man... Staples should give me a free computer for this wonderful review!

Back on task...

equal parts white grape
juice and fresca
with frozen fruit

The Bunny and Bug knew nothing about it.. I mean, what is a surprise party without the surprise?  I purchased some ingredients to make this delicious punch!  ----------------------------------------------------->
I also purchased ingredients to make cinnamon rolls.... Easiest rolls I've ever made!  I just peeled the paper, broke the roll, and place them in my pan!

I made our most favorite meal... beans and rice de la Republica Dominicana (Dominican Republic).  {You can see my recipe here.}  I chose this meal, not just because it is one of our favorites, but because it is one meal that I am very grateful for.  Beans and rice are a fairly humble meal.  Its one that got us through some times where money was very scarce.  I'm so glad that I had all of the ingredients well stocked in our food storage.  What a blessing!

Once Hoss got home from work, I told him to quickly get cleaned up and dressed up for our party.  We all dressed up... for us, dressing up is pretty simple.

I even set the table in a pretty formal matter!  I never use a table cloth and napkins.  But yesterday, I even used hand stamped napkins, and set the table with all of the utensils.  Be impressed!

We sat down and ate our meal, all the while, Bunny and Bug asking why we were celebrating Thanksgiving now.  :)  I promise our Thanksgiving meals are fancier than beans and rice...at least, I try to have them be!

After dinner, we migrated to the couch and we proceeded with our FHE meeting, (which I followed the suggested party plan as listed in the blog post.  It was great!  And I think the family really enjoyed it!  It is a fairly easy idea, and it wasn't too hard for me to put it together.

We enjoyed our cinnamon rolls, and since Hoss got home kind of late, it was way past bedtime.  All the kids were shuffled off to bed to get their beauty sleep!

I hope you consider throwing a surprise party of your own, since Thanksgiving in just around the bend!

Sincerely,

Evelyn Curtis

Moving On....Finally

Like I mentioned in the last post, I have a love/hate relationship with Halloween.  I hate being scared, but I always trick myself into watching some kind of scary movie that I later regret.  My active imagination has me up in the middle of the night scared!  Its ridiculous really!  I know better!

Anyway...

As Halloween draws closer, I usually start feeling anxious.  No, not because I'm scared..but because I'm ready for it to be over.  I think I feel like Halloween is the official barrier between summer and the holidays.  I LoVe the holidays!  Thanksgiving, Christmas, my anniversary and birthday...its the best time of year!  It is the time of year that I get to focus on some of the most momentous things in my life.  Christ, my wonderful soulmate/best friend/husband, my blessings, and I get to do it while thinking of extra ways to serve others.

To me, it feels like the months drag on, and as soon as fall comes around the corner...they speed up.  I wish they could slow down just a bit, so we can enjoy them more!

Something that I am missing from Idaho:

I found this gorgeous pic of the
Idaho Falls, Idaho LDS Temple with the fall leaves!
Photo Via

-The beautiful golds, reds, browns, and orange colors that you find at this time of year.  Here in South Easter New Mexico, you tend to see a variation of two colors.  Green and brown.  It holds its own beauty...but nothing makes me yearn for the Holidays like the changing of the leaves.  Right now the leaves are still green...but starting to yellow.  (Family---I wouldn't mind a beautiful picture of say...fishcreek? :)  I'll post it here on the blog!).  The first fall that I was here in SW NM, I had a hard time getting into the Holidays because the colors didn't drastically change.

Something I am loving here in New Mexico:

This photo was taken outside of Albuquerque, NM
So gorgeous.  I LOVE Albuquerque!
It might not be red, and golden, but it is beautiful!
Photo Via

-The weather is getting chilly, but it is bearable.  We might see some snow, we might now (I won't mind either way).  The weather is cool enough to get me in the mood for the Holidays!  I wish I could send you (my family in Idaho) a bit of this 20 degree warmer weather to you!

I think this is the first year that I have become so VeRy excited about Christmas!  Our teeny tiny house is going to be decorated!  We get to buy a new tree this year... and there are so many ideas I have for decorations and traditions!  This year, my friends.. we are upping our game on the tradition front!

Today, I made a very tasty cake to share with some friends who invited us over for dinner.  I made it last year, and Hoss took some to work the next day.  Some of his co-workers had a taste, and one of the contracted me to make 3 cakes for him!  It has become a Thanksgiving staple for us...so I HaVe to share it with you!  The lovely thing?  It has some healthy ingredients in it...yet it is sweet enough to be tantalizing!  I got my pumpkins roasted and pureed just in time to have fresh pumpkin in it!

Source: foodwhine.com via Evelyn on Pinterest

Pumpkin Cake

1/2 cup oil

2 tsp vanilla

1/2 cup honey

1/2 cup brown sugar

2 eggs

1 cup pumpkin puree

1/4 cup wheat germ

2 tbsp flaxseed meal (I have never added this...just because I didn't have it on hand)

1 cup whole wheat flour

3/4 cup white flour

1 tsp baking soda

2 tsp cinnamon

1 tsp nutmeg

1/4 tsp ginger

In a medium bowl, combine oil, vanilla, honey, sugar, eggs and pumpkin. In another bowl, combine dry ingredients, mix well, then combine with wet ingredients. Mix until blended. Bake at 350F in a greased round cake pan for 25-30 minutes. Top with cinnamon cream cheese frosting, below.

Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting:

3 ounces cream cheese

6 tbsp butter

1 tsp vanilla

1 tbsp milk

2 cups powdered sugar

1/4 tsp cinnamon

Combine ingredients and beat until smooth.

Make it!  You won't be sorry!  I promise!  

Happy fall!  Happy November!  And Happy Holidays?!  Is it too early to say that? 

Sincerely,

Evelyn Curtis

Activity Day: FHE on Thanksgiving

Just under 3 weeks ago, I was called to be the Activity Day leader for our ward.  If you don't know what that is, I serve in our Church for free, helping the girls ages 8-11 reach various goals as they get ready for the youth program in our Church.  They get to do a lot of fun activities, learn sewing, crafting, and learn how to be teachers and leaders.

I have a great group of girls...all of which, I'm still learning their names.  That's the half the battle!

The activity for this past Wednesday was planned by the previous leader only by title.  So, it was up to me to come up with the activity behind