I’m not sure about you, but when I start planning the menu for any event, I tend to go overboard on the food. I don’t really mean too many leftovers, but more so that I try to make too many different dishes.

My new motto has become “Quality…not Quantity “. When I think of the motto, it reminds me to scratch at least two dishes from the menu. This way I am left with only the favorites, and I can concentrate on making them taste absolutely mouth watering.

This Thanksgiving I have put together a menu, that uses lots of fresh ingredients, many of which can be prepared a little in advance . The recipes are also super simple without giving up any of the taste!

The menu, which will serve ten guests, includes…

Fall Sangria, Pumpkin Bread,

Autumn Pear Salad, Pumpkin Ravioli Soup,

White Wine Herb Roasted Turkey,

Mom’s Cranberry Relish,  Sage & Sausage Cornbread Stuffing,  Grandma’s Sweet Yams

and Apple Berry Crisp to top it all off!

Family traditions are so special and Thanksgiving is a beautiful time to reflect on them. This paper turkey was crafted by one of my boys nine years ago. A tradition that I have taken from my Mother in Law is displaying hand made crafts that my boys created in Pre School. Joann has hosted Thanksgiving over the past several years, and she always manages to pull out a different piece of artwork that has survived since her kids were little. ( Over 40 years now;) Time flies, and it is so much fun to look at the love and innocence that had gone to each hand crafted present.

Love! This was written by one of my boys in Kindergarten:)

A stuffed paper pumpkin made by my oldest son, when he was four! They aren’t bringing home these beautiful paper crafts anymore;)

Continue reading →