A Turner Thanksgiving

I just realized yesterday that I never posted my Thanksgiving pictures.  How in the world I got to be 3 weeks behind is beyond me.

Anyway; without further ado..... I would like to share our Thanksgiving with you.

When the kids were younger we would pack everyone into the car, even the dog, and head to Ohio to see family.  As they have gotten older, and I know this sounds ridiculous, they have become increasingly more difficult to travel with.  They just can't seem to get along so spending 9 hours confined in a car with them completely turns me off.

So, with that being said, we spent Thanksgiving in Georgia.  It's warmer here anyway.

I was excited to use my new dining room set too.  I always break out the good china for holidays.  I think it's important that the kids learn to eat like "adults" and use good manners.  {I try anyway}

I set out all the silverware whether we will be using all of the pieces or not.

I have been looking for these salt and pepper shakers all over the state.  I finally have collected 5 sets of them.  I would like to get one more set, but 5 was plenty for us.  Everybody got to have their own salt and pepper at their place setting.  No more reaching across other people to get the salt.

The front glass is called a "Boopie" glass.  At least that's what I was old.  They belonged to my grandmother and I use them only during holidays.

The gold silverware also belonged to my grandmother.  My mother had these pieces for a long time until I claimed them one year when we were up there.

My dining room table centerpiece.

After breakfast I make some appetizers.  I always make a Dried Beef Cheese ball for my hubby.  This year I also set out some cheese and crackers.  We snack on these things until dinner is ready at 3pm.  Why 3pm?  I don't know, it's just the time I chose for us to sit down and eat. 

Everyone gets their "Thanksgiving Gift".  It's at their place setting and we open them before dinner.





We always get the same thing..... A Christmas tree decoration.  It's fun to see what everyone gets each year and it adds to the decorations for the kids tree.  It's become a family tradition and one that we all look forward to.

After opening their gifts it's fine to eat.  I hadn't cooked a turkey in about 10 years so my turkey last year didn't look very good.  This years turkey, I thought, looked great.  More importantly, it tasted great.  I usually do very traditional side dishes; stuffing, mashed potatoes etc....  I really couldn't stand the thought of having stuffing this year.  It just didn't sound good to me.  So instead of stuffing, we had Scalloped Potatoes with Creme Fraiche; Paula Deen's Corn Casserole, which is out of this world, and I made mashed potatoes for the little guy.  It's tough having such a picky eater.


Here's the turkey:

Yum!!

And then the scalloped potatoes and corn casserole:

We also had dinner rolls, cranberry sauce and some desserts.  When their is only 5 eating, you don't have to make much.  We had plenty of leftovers.

We finally get to carve the turkey, which is hubby's job:

And everyone got to enjoy their dinner.  At least I think they did, they didn't complain too much.

Better run so I can start editing my Christmas decorating photos.  Don't want to be 3 weeks late getting those posted.

Friends

In light of the Christmas season,

the dog and cat decided they would get along

during nap time so they could both have a spot on a comfy couch

I'm just glad this didn't end with a big chase and the Christmas tree being knocked over.



Let me introduce you to some of my snowmen....

I love, love, love snowmen!!

ALL snowmen!

I wish that I could bring them all home to live with us, but I just don't have the space for them all.

Ok, maybe that's a bit much but I really do love them.  They are so round and soft and cute.

I have finally finished decorating for Christmas; it only took me an entire week this year.  Including having to buy all new lights for our 10 foot christmas tree.  Wasn't counting on that one.

I will take pictures of all my Christmas decorations and post them soon but for now; I would like to share some of my snowmen.


This ornament is one of my favorite.  I got it last year for Thanksgiving.  We all get an ornament at Thanksgiving - wrapped and sitting at our place at the table.

 This is my St. Simons Island snowsandman....  We have been going to St. Simons Island for the past 3 summers and I always come home with a new Christmas ornament.

 My momma found me this little tea set.  I just think it is the cutest.

 This guy uses those scented oils.  I currently have Vanilla scent and it makes my house smell so yummy.

This guy is fiber optic.  My kids think he is so cool.

And what Christmas table wouldn't be complete without snowmen salt and pepper shakers?

I hope you have enjoyed my snowmen.  Like I said; I will take pictures of this years decorations and post them soon.

Until then...


Merry Christmas!
Nancy

A new chandelier.... in the basement of all places

Most people you know probably don't put a chandelier in their basement.  Well, I'm not most people.

When I shop, I look for things I love, buy them and then decide where they should go.

That is probably completely different from what any professional decorator would do and since I'm not a professional and it works for me.... I'm going to stick with it.

I was at my favorite antique store and I found this chandelier.  Don't you just love it!

I love that's it's not the traditional shiny gold that you see in so many of the new homes that are being built.  Mine included. 

I love that it's unique and looks kinda old.  I also loved that it was only $25 and the one hanging beside it was $200.  Didn't know chandeliers could be so expensive.


So I loaded it up and brought it home.  Hubby was so proud.  Especially since he knew he would be the one to hang it.




I used to sell scrapbooking supplies and I would have workshops at my home.  I had a big room in my basement set up with big long tables and would hold monthly crops down there.  In order to provide the most light, which is important when scrapbooking, we installed flourescent lights in this room.  Well, flourescent lights are great for the lighting aspect; but they make you look horrible and they are not pleasing especially at midnight; which is when said crops would usually end.




This is the room; which, as you can tell is no longer used for crops.  It's now just a hangout place for the family.

We have had problems with the fluorescent lights since we installed then and one of them in the room quit working.  It hasn't worked for months now and instead of buying a part to fix it, we decided to just replace it. 




Out with the old.......

In with the new......

I love the new light so much better.

Of course, it doesn't give off as much light as the fluorescent did, but it makes the room feel much warmer.

Now if we can just do something about the ceiling........


Merry Christmas..
Nancy

My souffle didn't poof......

So it's been a long time since I have cooked anything out of my Mastering The Art of French Cooking cookbook. 

I was watching Julie and Julia again today, for the uptenth time, and I was inspired to try another recipe.  In the movie Julie pulls a souffle out of her oven and it is puffed up so high and looked really good.  I grabbed my cookbook and started learning the recipe. 

Ingredients - check
souffle pan - check
time - check

I was good to go.

Even though my end result will not be posted here because it didn't poof like it should have; I'm still going to share the recipe and I hope that yours does poof..... if you try the recipe that is.  If it does, then you have to let me know.

I thought it tasted delicious and I will definately be making this again.  Because it had Parmesan cheese with it, I decided to pair it with my Zesty Chicken Breasts.  I will share that recipe also.  It's a very fast and easy recipe.

Souffle Au Fromage
{Cheese Souffle}

Preheat oven to 400 degrees

1 tsp butter

1 TBSP grated Swiss or Parmesan cheese

Measure out all your ingredients.  Butter inside of souffle mold and sprinkle with cheese.

Like this:

3 TBSP butter

A 2 1/2 quart saucepan

3 TBSP flour

A wooden spatula

1 cup boiling milk

A wire whip

1/2 tsp salt

1/8 tsp pepper

A pinch of cayenne pepper

Pinch of nutmeg

Melt the butter in the saucepan.  Stir in the flour with a wooden spatula or spoon and cook over moderate heat until butter and flour foam together for a minute without browning.  Remove from heat; when mixture has stopped bubbling, pour in all the boiling milk at once.  Beat vigorously with a wire whip until blended.  Beat in the seasonings.  Return over moderate high heat and boil, stirring with the wire whisk for 1 minute.  Sauce will be very thick.

4 egg yolks

Remove from heat.  Immediately start to separate the eggs.  Drop the white into the egg white bowl, and the yolk into the center of the hot sauce.  Beat the yolk into the sauce with the wire whisk.  Continue in the same manner with the rest of the eggs. 

The egg whites and cheese

5 egg whites

A pinch of salt

Coarsely grated Swiss, or Swiss and Parmesan cheese 3/4 to 1 cup

Add an extra egg white to the ones in the bowl and beat with salt until stiff.  Stir a big spoonful into the sauce.  Stir in all but a tablespoon of the cheese.  Delicately fold in the rest of the egg whites.  Be careful not to overfold.

Baking

Turn the souffle mixture into the prepared mold.

Tap bottom of mold lightly on the table, and smooth the surface of the souffle with the flat of a knife.  Sprinkle the remaining cheese on top.  Set on a rack in middle level of preheated 400-degree oven and immediately turn heat down to 375.  (Do not open door for 20 minutes)  In 25-30 minutes the souffle will have puffed about 2 inches over the rim of the mold, and the top will be nicely browned.  Bake 4 to 5 minutes more to firm it up, then serve at once.


Like I said, I don't know why mine didn't poof up out of the bowl, but it didn't.  Maybe I didn't beat the egg whites enough, maybe I used too much salt, maybe not enough salt.  Maybe it was because I put the egg whites into a porcelian bowl before putting them into the stainless steel one.... I don't know.  The good thing is it tasted good and my family ate it.  All of them except Zachary, of course.  He is the pickiest eater on the face of the earth.  Nuff said about that!!


Anyway, onto the chicken.  This is super easy and fast.....

Zesty Chicken Breasts

1/2 cup parmesean cheese, grated
1/4 cup dry bread crumbs (I use Panko crumbs and it makes it crunchy)
4 Chicken breasts
2 TBSP butter, melted

Mix parmesean cheese and bread crumbs in shallow bowl.  Dip chicken in butter then in cheese and bread crumb mixture.  Coat well.  Place in greased baking pan.  Bake at 400 degrees for 20-25 minutes. 

I thought the chicken went well with the souffle.  And here is a picture of the end result.  Of the chicken, not the souffle!



So, now you know what we had for dinner; what did you have tonight?

Monte Cristo Sandwich

I would like to introduce you to my new panini maker.

I remember seeing commercials for a panini maker and since I love a hot ooey gooey sandwich; I knew that I just had to have one.

My daughter loves for me to make her a Monte Cristo sandwich on it so I thought I would share the recipe so you can go out and buy a panini maker and make them for yourself and your family.  Just kidding, but it really is an inexpensive item and fun to use.

So here goes......

Ingredients:

1 egg

1/4 cup heavy cream

1 tsp. sugar

1/4 tsp. salt

1/8 tsp. cayenne pepper

4 Tbsp raspberry jam

1/4 tsp. dry mustard

2 Tbsp Dijon mustard

4 slices hearty white sandwich bread.  You can lightly toast the bread first if you so desire.

6 slices Swiss or Gruyere cheese

4 slices deli ham

4 slices deli turkey

3 Tbsp vegetable oil.

First rub vegetable oil on the rack of your panini maker, then preheat.

Mix the raspberry jam and dijon mustard in small bowl.  Spread on both sides of bread.  You can omit this step if your child doesn't like the jam and mustard, like I did.  I do like it; so I put it on mine.

Instead I just put a little olive oil on the inside of her bread. 

Layer the bread with the cheese, ham and turkey.  You can do this anyway you like and use as much as you like.

Whisk the egg, cream, sugar, salt, dry mustard and cayenne pepper in shallow dish until combined.

Dredge both sides of sandwich in egg mixture.

Place sandwich into preheated panini maker.  Cook for about 4 minutes then very carefully using a spatula and lots of prayer; turn the sandwich completely around and cook about another 4 minutes.

Turning it ensures that the cheese is completely melted. 

Put it on a plate and voila; a yummy sandwich that didn't take much time at all. 

I hope you will try to make Monte Cristo Sandwiches for your family and let me know what you think.

Enjoy!!





More goodies from Milledgeville.....

Yesterday was the end of my sons Fall quarter

at Georgia Military College

His last final was over at 2:30 and so I planned

my day accordingly to get to Milledgeville early so that

I could spend some time at the very large antique store there

The last time I went was with all 3 kids and they were less

than excited to shop at any store much less an antique store

Not only is their store stocked to the gills with stuff:

Remember these photos:

{This was just the upstairs and the downstairs is filled just as full}

Their prices were fabulous.  I got some really awesome things, like all of this stuff:

I got all of this loot for a mere $40

The most exciting find of the day was these salt and pepper shakers.

I have been looking for more of these for a year now.  I look for them

everytime I go to an antique store.  I already have 3 sets of them and wanted

to get 6 sets.... why, you may ask.  Well, so everyone at the dinner

table can have their own salt n pepper shakers.  My dining room table seats 6 so....

it just makes sense to me.

I also found this precious snowman figurine.

I love snowmen and have my house full of them at Christmas time,

these are so adorable; and only $1 which was an added bonus.

Don't you agree they are the sweetest thing you have ever seen?

This glass jar is just so practical it had to come home with me.  I see lots of decorating with

twigs in glass jars and thought this would be a great one to use for that.

It was only $2; and for that price,

it would have been crazy for me to have left it in the store.

This is the one that made my family think

I had completely fallen off my rocker.....

These remind me of a diner and I just love diner's.

I thought they would be fun..... silly or fun?  What do you think?

Oh and the books... this place had so many books.  All at fabulous prices.

I got several of these for 1/2 off

I heard "The Help" was a great read.  I'm anxious to get started.

These blankets were the most expensive things I bought.

They were $8 a piece but worth every penny.  They are so soft and will be

great to curl up with this Winter.

They are in perfect condition and I'm pretty sure I would pay a lot more for them

brand new.

All in all I had a really fun day.

Got the boy home from college and now I can focus my attention on Thanksgiving

which, by the way, is coming much too quickly.

It seems like we just had Thanksgiving.

Guess I better go get my table ready!