The Turkey:
 
One of our favorite ways to prepare our Thanksgiving bird is to slow roast her in the oven after brining.  For best results you need a roasting pan that elevates the bird on a rack, allowing the drippings to drain below and away from the bird as it cooks.  I got mine at Walmart [...]

How to Brine a Turkey 
Last year was our first year to brine a turkey.  We repeated this process twice already this year and Thanksgiving is still to come.  This is an easy way to prepare your turkey for that Thanksgiving feast.  The fruits and herbs which go into the brine give the turkey a savory flavor that is out of this [...]

Best Broccoli Casserole Ever
Spray a 9×9” baking dish with oil, or grease with butter.
Preheat oven to 325.
Empty 1 16oz package frozen broccoli cuts into 9×9 baking dish.
In large bowl add:

1 cup mayonnaise

1 can cream of chicken soup

1 cup grated cheddar cheese

2 beaten eggs

1 Tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

2 Tablespoons chopped onion (or use dried flakes)

1 teaspoon salt

1 [...]

These chess squares made with pumpkin are incredible.  They are a simple variation of the traditional chess square.  These will be on our Thanksgiving menu for sure!
 
Crust:

1 box butter recipe yellow cake mix
1 egg
1 stick real butter softened

 
Filling:

1 package cream cheese, softened
1 15 oz can pumpkin
3 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 stick butter softened
1 box powdered sugar
2 [...]

I’ve already made 2 batches of Pumpkin Nut Bread.  The first time I deviated from my favorite stand by recipe, which was my mother’s, and made Paula Deen’s.  To sum up the difference I will quote Micah, “Mom, can you make your recipe next time?  It’s a lot better.”  This recipe is simple and pretty [...]

I had never given much thought to Pumpkin Butter until recently.  To break the rainy month blues one Saturday evening, we loaded up the kids and drove to Cool Springs just to roam around for a while.  I had a few moments to myself, and the aroma pouring out of WILLIAMS SONOMA drew me inside [...]

This past May our home school group took a cruise to Cozumel and Cancun. If you are ever near Cancun – spend a day at Nachi Cocum beach. The food there was incredible and our kiddos discovered fresh guacamole while visiting.
I know there are many variations when making guacamole, but often the taste [...]

Organic Pumpkin Bread (Wheat and Gluten Free)
Don’t be afraid to vary the kind of flour used in some recipes. This is my mother’s original pumpkin bread recipe, which I traditionally make around Thanksgiving and Christmas. Since I am trying to reduce inflammation in my body – I am eliminating wheat from my diet. The original [...]

Pumpkin Gingersnap Cheesecake
 
Crust:
In a food processor or blender add:

1 pound package Gingersnap Cookies

Pulse or blend until cookies are crumbled smooth. Then add:

1 stick real butter – melted

½ cup pecan pieces

1/3 cup brown sugar

Dash of salt

Pulse or blend briefly.
Press into a 9” springform pan. Cover the bottom of the pan, and press crumbs up onto sides [...]

Blue Ribbon Carrot Cake
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Generously grease and flour a 9×13 pan or 2 round 9” pans. Set pans aside.
Sift together in mixing bowl

2 cups flour

2 teaspoons soda

2 teaspoons cinnamon

½ teaspoon salt

In separate mixing bowl add and mix well:

3 beaten eggs

¾ cup vegetable oil

¾ cup buttermilk

3 cups sugar

2 teaspoons vanilla

Then add and [...]