Train Up Tuesday: Getting "Stuff" Out of the Way for Thanksgiving

There are a couple of pictures on Pinterest (I know, roll eyes now) that made me stop....longer than to just "pin" them, but to really think about them. Maybe you've seen them or pinned them (no judgment here):

AND THIS ONE:

Please don't think I'm "over spiritual", but as lovely as these sentiments are....I think that we (at least in western culture) have let thanking God for all our "stuff" get in the way of thanking God for all HE is. Certainly, I think we can "take a break" from asking God for anything, but I think we can do more than thank Him for all we "have", unless of course those "haves" are things like, salvation, His protection, His provision for our real needs, etc. (as opposed to our really awesome house or that really good steak we had the other week).

And what if we DID only wake up with those things we "thanked God for yesterday"? I don't think I'm alone in thinking that I'd still be content, because I do continually thank Him for my family and my relationship of Him....those "things" that matter most.

Please make no mistake. I'm not that hard-nosed. Of course I think that hearing a child thank God for the Hershey kisses he got to have that day or for his favorite toy of the moment is precious and I understand how we can "thank God" for a caffeine boost that seemed to get us through the day. But, I think sometimes we overuse "thank you God", like we overuse "love" (i.e. "I LOVE those new shoes!"). It's almost like taking that phrase in vain. I think we fail to get beyond the "stuff" part of our gratitude and fail to see the One who provides, protects, and so on.

So, while thanking God for the year of bounty, I hope I remember to take time to thank God for those attributes that acknowledge Him for who He is and how I've seen Him in my family's life over the last year. I hope I don't just let my list of favorite stuff get in the way of true gratitude.

Happy Thanksgiving!
Ashlie

Train Up Tuesday: TIME OUT for Thanksgiving

The last couple of weeks, we've been considering "Advent" and "homemade gifts". But this week, I HAVE to take a TIME OUT! I definitely want to get the "Advent" message out there (because in years past, I haven't given enough time in advance to actually allow readers to prepare before Advent). However, I do not like what the over-commercialization (and even well-meaning preparation) of Christmas has done to other important November holidays (can you say "Veterans Day" and "Thanksgiving"?).

So, this week, take some time and re-visit some previous Roof posts on "Thanksgiving". You'll find some great old and new traditions to consider and some fun ideas to celebrate THIS season.

Don't get so caught in the hustle and bustle of buying or making gifts that you fail to be thankful for here and now!
-Ashlie

Trian Up Tuesday: Lunch with Charlie Brown

If you've been following a while, you may remember my fondness for Charlie Brown's Thanksgiving. Last year, Glenda (one of our RWAV contributors) commented that she looked forward to watching the movie with her granddaughter and eating the treats shown in the movie. That inspired me for this year!

So...I arranged a play-date for my boys and their cousins....at my mom's house (hey, it's much easier to do these things when you don't have to clean a play room before and after the event ;-). We watched Charlie Brown's Thanksgiving (why, yes, I do own the video) and as they watched, I began plating their treats - popcorn (which happened to be crunch n' munch because the new Jiffy Pop won't work on glass top stoves :( ), pretzels, jelly beans (and m&ms and skittles...for those who can't chew the jelly beans), toast, and ice cream. Oddly enough, the moment I served the last scoop of ice cream, the scene where the Peanuts gang prays before their "meal" began playing. "Divine" timing? Perhaps ;-)


They had a GREAT time! We also dressed them up in Native American inspired apparel and let them run around outside to play in the leaves...to get the sugar high out of their system (right before naps, too!) ;-)


Even though it has already aired on network television, you should still be able to pull it up on hulu.com (I checked earlier on Monday and it was there). So, if you're looking for a fun activity to do (that is easy to pull together...did I mention I have a 7 week old and 2 other boys ages 5 and 2 1/2?!), this is a winner.

Also, if you are looking for an opportunity to share the truth about Thanksgiving, be sure to check out a couple of last year's posts: Lessons from the Mayflower and 5 Kernels of Corn. I plan to continue our new tradition of the 5 Kernels and share the poem featured on Raising Real Men when we do.

What fun things are you doing with your family this holiday?

-Ashlie

Stay at Home Saturday: Planning your Turkey Day

Thanksgiving Countdown...5 days!!!

I know most of your minds are fixated on the busy upcoming week and being ready for spending Thanksgiving with your family and friends but indulge me for a minute.

I just have to say that I love blogging (even though it's been more of a challenge time wise with my two new babies). I also love girlfriends. One of my favorite things about blogging is meeting and getting to know people in a fashion that may happen under normal circumstances.

For example, I've gotten to know a wonderfully sweet friend largely through blogging. We did have some mutual friends. I did meet her at a birthday party. I did see her every Sunday in the choir at church and every day at preschool but on the instances that we would speak, it basically included a quick smile and a how do ya do? It was through reading her writing style and point of view on her blog (and commenting-GASP!) that I realized she might be one of my soul sistahs. :) I've enjoyed getting to know her, sharing emails, you know...taking the how do ya dos to the next level (no, I promise I'm not in 8th grade).

Why am I telling you all of this? Because you are going to benefit, too! This friend's name is Catherine (aka Musing Foodie) and she is going to share some in the future here on the Roof (stay tuned for Wednesday in the Word this week)! Catherine has a great blog, Musing Foodie, where she has been doing a 4 part Turkey Day planning series and she said we can share it with you today. For detail, you can visit Musing Foodie but we will give you a summary to make sure you have your "i"s dotted and "t"s crossed for your Turkey Day.

Part 1-Make master list including guests, menu and who is bringing what. List all ingredients needed for dishes you are making. Go to your cabinets and match your food list with serving dishes so you aren't at a loss at the last minute. See post for a typical Musing Foodie Menu.

Part 2-Set table in formal dining room with placecards. Decide which dishes to make ahead of time aiming to make them on Tuesday so the flavors can "get happy." See post for dishes NOT to prepare ahead. Remember planning for appetizers are key to buy time for last minute prep on THE day. See post for great stuffing recipe.

Part 3-How to cook a turkey and recipe for the best turkey ever (don't be intimidated)! Oh, and a mashed potato recipe for good measure...

Part 4- Shedule summary:

• Pull turkey out of freezer on Sunday to thaw (be sure place in pan).
• Make side dishes and appetizers on Tuesday and Wednesday.
• Make turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy on Thursday.

Also included in Part 4 is a gravy recipe and a little diddy on desserts.

We're sure you will want to pay a visit to Musing Foodie to get to know Catherine firsthand. We also know her helpful Turkey Day hints will save you a lot of trial and error. Now, do us a favor~if you mosy over there, puhleeeeassssse comment, show her some love, tell her we sent you. Bloggers can use encouragement from time to time, too, ya know?

Happy Saturday. Love ya'll!

Hannah

Train Up Tuesday: Tasty Traditions

Hello, sisters! It's been awhile for me. Mostly because I've been busy introducing the newest brother to our family (yep, I'm a mom of 3 boys now). I love him SOOooo much. Seriously, I could just eat him up or serve him as my little butterball for Thanksgiving dinner ;-)

Speaking of food (isn't someone always these days?), I thought I'd share a recipe that has become part of our family tradition for Thanksgiving. The holiday has shifted in recent years, as grandparents have passed on and the location and immediate participating family of this celebration has taken on changes. Also, there have been a couple of marriages in recent years which means new in-laws and thus new recipes have been "brought to the table" (pun TOTALLY intended!)...which also means new favorites are part of our "tradition".

Isn't it amazing how food or an aroma can just take you somewhere or to another time? For me, I remember my Grandmother's flat biscuits (which I'm STILL trying to find a way to make....no one knows her recipe), home-made chex mix, divinity fudge, cheese straws, french onion dip, sugar cookies, among many other things...but the finger foods were always a favorite for us grandkids. I think food is important to family because it helps tie our minds and hearts to favorite memories and times together. It also becomes part of our family "story" and "history" that we talk about for many years. It often shapes what we prefer to have at our celebrations just to remember someone or to remember "when". Talk to your children about your favorite food memories growing up. Ask them about theirs. Get them to help you while making the favorite dishes so they can pass it down one day, too.

Now, with our more recent family gatherings at my Mom's, we girls (my sis, my sis-in-law, and myself) have our own dishes that are "must haves" that will maybe be part of our family "stories". I'll share one with you (which happens to be my hubby's fave). I also like it because it doesn't use a lot of dishes or utensils in the prep. Literally, I used the baking/serving dish, a cereal bowl for mixing, and a fork.

Pineapple casserole

1 15oz. can pineapple tidbits
3 tbsp. flour
1 cup finely grated cheddar cheese
½ stick butter or margarine
½ cup sugar
1 sleeve Ritz crackers, crushed

Drain pineapple and place in bottom of a 9”x9” casserole dish.


Mix cheese, sugar & flour (in the cereal bowl); sprinkle over pineapple.



Crush the crackers in the sleeve (it CAN be done).


Melt the butter in the bowl and mix the crackers with the butter.


Sprinkle butter-covered crackers over the casserole.


Bake 20 minutes at 350°.

This dish is so good. You can serve it as a side, but my honey says it's good enough to be dessert ;-)

So what are your favorite food items for the holidays? What "takes you back"? If you have blogged a recipe or have a link to a favorite, please post in the comments!

Much love,
Ashlie

Mahvelous Monday: Thankful Tree

Please join us over the next few days as we prepare our hearts and homes to share Thanksgiving. It's the Thanksgiving Countdown....11 days!

Richelle (Carolina Clipper) shared this idea last Thanksgiving and it's a great Thanksgiving idea to implement again. You could even do it every night at dinner from now until Thanksgiving to have your tree REAL full! How fun. Carolina Clipper says:

This is a Thanksgiving tradition that we started a few years ago. It was the way we announced our pregnancy with our second son. It's always special to look back over the years and read what we were thankful for. Here are the details:

Cut as many leaves out of autumn-colored papers as you have guests. Ask each person to write down what they are thankful for, and place them on the tree or in a basket or bowl on the dinner table. If you have one of those little wrought iron trees that you can set on your Thanksgiving table, this will make a beautiful centerpiece. Tie little ribbons through a hole in the top of each leaf, so they can be hung on your "Thankful Tree." Take turns reading them as you enjoy dessert, then collage them into a Thanksgiving album as an after dinner activity.

Wouldn't it be neat to make a scrapbook to add the leaves each year and be able to look at them in years to come?! What a special way to remember what the Lord has done in our families from year to year.

P.S. Don't forget to enter our Savvy giveway and tell your friends about it. Our drawing is Friday so don't miss out.

P.S.S. One of our Roof w/ a View women put up her tree on Saturday. You heard right. She sure did! Has anyone else?

Savory Smackerels (Thanksgiving Style!)

With fall and the cooler weather, the baking bug has bit this mama! I've tried some great new recipes lately and also enjoyed some tried and true staple recipes. In honor of punkin season, today's theme will be centered around some rockin pumpkin/sweet potato recipes. Here's a quick compilation of a few you may want to put to use for your upcoming long Thanksgiving weekend. Feel free to share some of your favorites with us so we can spread the wealth!

Pumpkin Pancakes

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins

Old Bay Roasted Sweet Potatoes

Preheat over to 450 degrees. On a rimmed baking sheet, toss 3 mediums sweet potatoes (about 1 1/2 pounds total), scrubbed and cut into 1-inch pieces, with 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil and 1 1/2 teaspoons Old Bay seasoning. Bake until potatoes are deep golden brown on all sides, about 30 minutes, flipping halfway through.

Pumpkin Whoopie Pies
Pumpkin and Oatmeal Cookies

Best D Pumpkin Dessert Period

Best Sweet Tater Casserole Ever

Ingredients:
1 can (40 oz.) sweet potatoes, drained
1/3 cup granulated sugar
2 Tbsp. margarine, melted
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp. salt
2 large eggs
Topping:
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup pecans, chopped
3 Tbsp. all-purpose flour
2 Tbsp. margarine, melted

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350° F. Grease shallow 1 1/2-quart casserole. In bowl, mash sweet potatoes; stir in granulated sugar, margarine, vanilla, cinnamon, salt, and eggs. Spoon into prepared casserole. Mix topping ingredients; sprinkle on potato mixture. Bake 30 minutes. Serves 6.