Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Getting Ready for Thanksgiving...


It's a chilly 38 degrees this morning. Yesterday we had teeny-tiny snow flurries, which are quite remarkable and unexpected on the coast of NC. From the excitement all over town, you would imagine several several feet of snow about, and snowmen gracing white-covered lawns. Unfortunately, there wasn't enough to accumulate! I myself blinked and missed "the snow," so I will have to take everyone's word for it! :) The weather alone puts one in the Holiday spirit!

Guys (and girls), dressed in red vests, are already stationed in front of area businesses, ringing their bells with vigor. I wish that every time I walk by I could throw money in the kettles. But it does serve as a reminder of just how blessed so many of us are! ....tis the season to be Thankful!
...and tis the season for tasty Southern comfort foods. :) I would like to share a few of my favorite Thanksgiving recipes. ....enjoy!
~~~
Quick and Easy Cheese Biscuits
~Make Ahead Mix~
(Aunt Bo's Recipe)
2 cups (8 oz.) shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1 cup melted butter
1 cup sour cream
2 cups self-rising flour
Preheat oven to 350. Mix together cheese and melted butter. Cool 2 minutes. Add sour cream and mix well. Stir in flour. Spoon into greased mini-muffin pan. Bake 18-22 minutes.
*Batter can be stored overnight in refrigerator.

~~~

My family LOVES Party Mashed Potatoes, but they require a lot of preparation. I found the recipe below in a magazine last week. Hope that no one coming for dinner is reading this, but I may substitute this recipe this year! :)

Make-Ahead Party Mashed Potatoes
~Hungry Jack Recipe~
1 (15.3 oz.) box of Hungry Jack Mashed Potatoes
6 cups water
1 1/2 sticks butter
2 tsps. each garlic salt and onion salt
2 cups milk
2 (8 oz.) packages softened cream cheese
16 oz. container sour cream
paprika
Crisco Original No-stick cooking spray
Chives (optional)
1. Heat oven to 350. Spray a 13x9 inch baking dish with no stick cooking spray; set aside. Heat water, butter, garlic and onion salts to boil in a large saucepan. Remove from heat. Add cream cheese, milk, and sour cream, stirring until smooth.
2. Stir in potatoes, mixing until all ingredients are combined. Spread into baking dish.
3. Sprinkle with paprika and bake 1 hour until golden brown.
*Tip: Before adding paprika and baking, casserole can be refrigerated for up to 48 hours. Sprinkle with paprika and bake as directed. Can be garnished with chives.
~~~

Yummy Hash Browns
(These certainly live up to their name! So good!)
~Aunt Janet's Recipe~
2 lb. bag of frozen hash browns, thawed
1 1/2 sticks of margarine
1 can of cream of chicken soup
1 pint of sour cream
8 oz. grated sharp cheddar cheese
1 tsp. season salt
1 tsp. garlic powder
2 cups of corn flakes
Mix everything except 1/2 stick of margarine and corn flakes. (Personal Note: I assemble the dish the night before, excluding the topping of corn flakes and 1/2 stick of margarine, then store in the refrigerator. Next day, top with corn flakes and bake.)
Place in well-greased 9x13 pan. Melt 1/2 stick of margarine and mix with corn flakes. Put on top of potato mixture. Bake at 350 degrees (325 for glass dish) for 1 hour.

~~~
Fresh Apple-Walnut Cake

2 cups sugar
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp each baking soda, cinnamon, and salt
(I use cinnamon/sugar)
1 1/2 cups oil
3 large eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
3 cups chopped unpeeled apples
1 cup chopped walnuts
1. Heat oven to 350. Grease, but don't flour, a 10 or 12 cup bundt pan.
2. Mix sugar, flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt in a large bowl until blended. Stir in oil, eggs and vanilla, then nuts and apples.
3. Bake 1 hour, or until a wooden pick inserted in cake comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes in pan on a wire rack before inverting on rack to cool completely.

~~~
Pineapple Orange Cake
1 package yellow cake mix
1 - 11 oz. can mandarin oranges, undrained
4 egg whites
1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce

Topping: 1 - 20 oz. crushed pineapple, undrained
1 - 1 oz. instant pudding mix
1 - 8 oz. whipped topping
In a large bowl, beat cake mix, oranges, egg whites and applesauce on low speed for 2 minutes. Pour into a 13x9 baking dish coated with nonstick cooking spray. Bake at 350 for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool on a wire rack. In a bowl, combine pineapple and pudding mix. Fold in whipped topping just until blended. Spread over cake. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving.

*Note: Sugar-free instant pudding mix and reduced fat whipped topping, may be substituted for reduced calories.
~~~

Watergate Salad

1 small pkg. instant pistachio pudding
1 can crushed pineapple, undrained
1 - 2 cups of miniature marshmallows
1 large Cool Whip
1 cup pecans

Mix all ingredients, blending well. Chill.

"What we're really talking about is a wonderful day set aside on the fourth Thursday of November when no one diets. I mean, why else would they call it Thanksgiving?" --Erma Bombeck

There are many great recipes popping up around blogland as we near Thanksgiving. Dot, at Pickets Place has listed several "make-ahead" recipes that sound delicious and are time saving.

Be sure to visit Kelli, also...for more Thanksgiving recipes, poems, quotes and inspiration.

~~~

I close with these "Encouraging Words for Wednesday".....

I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart;I will recount all of your wonderful deeds. Psalm 9:1

49 comments:

mysteryhistorymom said...

Rhonda- So many wonderful ideas for Thanksgiving! Thank you! I may just have to try those biscuits tonight- yum!:) Lori

Susan said...

Lot of really neat recipes. I for sure am going to try those biscuits!!!
Susan

Bo said...

Hi Rhonda...I loved Erma Bombeck's quote...heehee...thanks for taking the time to share some luscious sounding recipes! ;-) Bo

Gone said...

Love the recipes, Rhonda!!!

Michelle said...

My mouth was watering reading about all those yummy recipes!!

nikkicrumpet said...

Thanks for all the yummy ideas...now if I could just get a chef and a maid for Christmas.....OHHHH SANTA............

Ceekay-THINKIN of HOME said...

Ooh, your recipes sound good. You know here at our house it is tradition strickly! But I may have to try some of your recipes after the big day....those mashed potatoes really sound great!
Have fun getting ready!

Dawn said...

Yum! Those all sound so good. I make a very simiar potato casserole (hash brown), only without the topping. I think I'd like to try it with the corn flakes next time. It is so good. I haven't even begun to think of what I need at the store for next week. Britt's having dinner at her house so I will be bringing several things there.

take care,
Dawn

Anonymous said...

Hi Rhonda,

Those are ALL yummy recipes!

Southern Lady said...

Rhonda, your recipes sound wonderful and I have copied the Apple Walnut Cake recipe and hope to make it during the holidays. It sounds like it would be a perfect gift for our neighbors. Do you know if you can you bake it in loaf pans instead of a bundt pan?

Best wishes to you and your family for a very happy and blessed Thanksgiving celebration.

Sincerely,

Janie

Bargain Decorating with Laurie said...

I am definitely printing these! I love anything you can make ahead. Reduces the stress greatly. And all of yours sound so delicious. Thank you so much for sharing them. laurie

Kathy said...

Fab recipes, Rhonda. I haven't thought of Watergate Salad in years - and it's yummy!
Kathy

Amelia said...

All recipes sounds great...some are new and the rest are tried and true ones. Probably gained a pound or two just reading thru the list of ingredients.

We do have so many things to be thankful for this year.

Anonymous said...

Rhonda, all of these sound wonderful. Thanks so much for reminding me about Watergate Salad. I haven't made it in years. Sounds like something I should put on my Christmas Brunch menu.

SmilingSally said...

I remember when that Watergate salad recipe first came out; it was the rage all over town. Good stuff.

Unknown said...

Hi Rhonda,
I want to try your biscuits! The potato casserole and watergate salad are favorites around here!

Thanks for posting.
Diane

imjacobsmom said...

Yummy Recipes! Thanks for sharing! ~ Robyn

onlymehere said...

Your Yummy Hashbrowns sound alot like out funeral potatoes. I like your name better! The pistachio salad is similar to one I have to. I'm printing out the variations though to try. I'm printing the others too bz they look so darn good! I've gotten the best recipes here in blogland over the past nine months I've been blogging. My family appreciates you all sharing these with us!!

Jules said...

Your Quick and Easy Cheese Biscuits sound wonderfuL! I believe I'll try 'em out. Thanks for sharing.

Anonymous said...

Evening, Rhonda!! Oh, you're getting snow? Marvelous! Now, I love getting all of your recipes! I'll have to try some of them. Yes, we certainly are blessed and I'm so very thankful.
BE a sweetie,
Shelia ;)

Nancy Rosalina said...

Hi Rhonda, Thank you for all these wonderful recipes...I will be trying some of them. Hope you are not working too hard in that house...but I know how it is...it's kinda fun! Nancy

Anonymous said...

Yummy recipes for Thanksgiving, thanks for sharing them.

Pearl said...

Hi Rhonda... Ohhhh how I have missed you! This was a great post and you know me, I'll be copying these awesome recipes down for the Hubby... thanks for sharing them... Sure do hope you've been doing well, and the family, too! I am excited to be back in blogland, and have alot of catching up to do! I wish I could walk through your door and join y'all for your amazing Thanksgiving feast... at least we will be together in spirit... Talk with you soon...
God bless...

~hugs, love ♥ 'n prayers~

Pearl

Kristen said...

We saw the snow also in my part of NC. Everyone here was very excited. We usually get ice or a few snow flakes.
Thanks for the recipes... they look great

Liz Harrell said...

These recipes are fantastic!

Terrie's Lil' Piece of Serenity said...

Thanks for sharing these wonderful recipes. Can you believe Thanksgiving is only a week away. I love the holidays.
Hugs, Terrie

Deb said...

Hi Rhonda! Sounds like great recipes! That Fresh Apple Walnut Cake sounds devine. Thanks for sharing these. Deb

The Quintessential Magpie said...

Rhonda!

Those cheese bisquits look fabulous! As do all the other recipes. Thanks for this.

That's funny about blinking and missing the snow. I've been in snow in Florida about twice, and I wish you could have seen people react. We were on our way out of state and stopped in Tallahassee, and a tourist from Michigan was out putting his foot in a Florida "snow bank" (aka an inch of snow) so he could tell everyone that he'd stepped in snow in Florida. It was fun, but it lasted all of about fifteen minutes.

I'm thankful for all these good recipes. Yum! Thanks much.

XO,


Sheila :-)

GARAGE SALE GAL said...

I'm inviting myself over for dinner. What time should I be there?? All the recipes sound so good. Will you be making all of them??
Have a great weekend.
Warmly,
Deb

Kathi said...

Wow, Rhonda, love those recipes. Thanks for sharing them. Kathi I love the Scripture.

Unknown said...

Such yummy recipes!! I have made the pineapple orange cake and the watergate salad before - both of them are delicious.

I tagged you for a meme on my blog!

Hope you have a wonderful weekend - lots of Thanksgiving prep, I'm sure!

Monogram Queen said...

Happy Early Thanksgiving Rhonda!
We are going to my Momma's so I only have to make green bean casserole (but we are frying a turkey for home too).

I love those vintage pics!!!!! AND the thought you left us with. Lovely.

Melissa Miller said...

Hi Rhonda, Thank you very much for visiting and your kindness. I do appreciate it so much. That is such a coincidence. A lot of my red tree ornaments came from New River Pottery.
Love that store as well!
We are stationed in J'ville. Are you here too?
Have a great day. ~Melissa

onlymehere said...

YAY! I'm not weird, someone else does that too!! Same case with us, I always took salads, rolls, or pies whatever she'd let me but she did the rest. Have a great weekend!

Anonymous said...

All of your recipes sound wonderful. Thank you for sharing with us. I hope you have a lovely Thanksgiving.

Anonymous said...

I'm soooooo glad I paid a little visit to your blog tonight! Those recipes are sooooo yummy! I just watched a mom and daughter team (on a TV show today) make those cheese biscuits. OMG they sound good and NOT a calorie or gram of saturated fat! ;)
I will be copying those recipes--right now! Dana

Happy To Be/ Gl♥ria said...

Rhonda...I love the sound of those biscuist gril..YUMMY!! now that one I will try for sure..Hope you have a blees weekend dear friend..thanks fo cominy be and seeing my clocks..hugs and smiles Gloria

snickerdoodle said...

Love the theme of your blog page, it's lovely. I will try your biscuit recipe for sure, sounds yummy!
www.snickerdoodles.typepad.com

Darlene said...

Those recipes all look YUMMY. We always have Watergate Salad with our Thanksgiving and Christmas meals. My mom has made that as far back as I can remember!

Justabeachkat said...

Okay, I just did a post about needing to take off some weight and here you go making me hungry. Every single recipe sounds wonderful!

Hugs!
Kat

Heather said...

My mouth is watering now! Those recipes sound so good! I am going to have to make them all- just maybe not all on Thanksgiving! I'll be lucky to finish the bird. Oh well- maybe next year when things arent so crazy.
I am having a giveaway so stop by and get your name in!!
Hae a great weekend!
HUGS
Heather:)

Kelli said...

I'm so glad you joined in this week, Rhonda! Your recipes sound delicious and I hope you have a blessed Thanksgiving with your family!
~Kelli

ksarra said...

Hi Rhonda, I'm thankful for YOU, and your generous heart. The recipes look great, and your faith is an inspiration to me.

Essential Oil Premier University said...

Thanks for the recipes. They look very nice.

Blessings,

Sher

Empty Nest Full Life said...

The recipes sound yummy! I am definitely going to be making the cheese biscuits. Thanks for sharing. Jackie

Brenda said...

Hi Rhonda, I'm visiting from Hearts in 1 Accord and wanted to stop by and 'meet' you.
Sounds like we have similar interests--thrifting and such.
God bless,
Brenda :)

Justabeachkat said...

Stop by when you get a chance...I've got some awards for you sweet friend.

Hugs!
Kat

tincanlily said...

I love your trash to treasures. What a simple coat of paint will do to make something come to life. I like the glass jars, too.
So many recipes out there! I would need a month to make them all.
Have a nice Thanksgiving.
denise

Anonymous said...

Awww.. thanks. I hope yall have a blessed Thanksgiving too~