Thanksgiving in Germany

     This year we celebrated Thanksgiving with our new German friends in our neighborhood.  It was fun introducing them to our American holiday.  The deep fried turkey was the big hit!  The hubby did a really good job this year!  Good thing we made two, both were gobbled up!  
     This year I made some Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Garlic Aioli, a Pumpkin Butter and Pecan Baked Brie, Roasted Butternut Squash with Cranberries and Feta, Fresh Green Bean Casserole with Mushrooms, Crockpot Mashed Potatoes, Cajun Butter Deep Fried Turkey, Pumpkin Pie, Pecan Pie, Buttermilk Pie, Apple Crumble Pie, and a Chocolate Meringue Pie.
     Besides all the cooking and baking and frying...we had a pretty low key day.  Played around with the kiddos, watched movies, and just enjoyed the day.

Hope you had a great Thanksgiving too!

Thanksgiving Poems

   With Thanksgiving right around the corner, some of my blogger friends and I decided to put together a Thanksgiving Poetry link up together.  Check out some other creative  poems by clicking on the links below.


A few Haiku's...

Food on the table Family gathered with love Thanksgiving's complete.
~ C.M
The leaves are changing There is a chill in the air Thanksgiving is here.
~ C. M
Apple pie is great Pumpkin pie is delicious Pecan pie is best.
~ C.M. Thanksgiving
Time to gather, Time to greet, Time to be thankful each time we meet. Family to hug, Family to kiss, Family to tell how much they've been missed. Friends who laugh, Friends who smile, Friends who we haven't seen in awhile. Memories we make, Memories we share, Memories that last throughout the year. Thankful to love, Thankful to pray, Thankful for life each and every day. ~ C. M.

Check out these other great poems:
Baking in a Tornado Spatulas on Parade Someone Else's Genius The Bergham Chronicles





Happy Thanksgiving!

Our Thanksgiving Feast

      I know I'm late getting this post out, but here it is....So, I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving!  We did.  It started with watching the Macy's Day Parade, baking up some Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls, and enjoying some mimosas.  When we finally got dressed, the kiddos colored some  Thanksgiving pictures, continued watching the parade while the hubby and I started on our Thanksgiving feast.  We invited one of the hubby's coworkers and his wife over to celebrate with us.  The company was great, kiddos well behaved (for the most part), food delicious, drinks flowing, overall is was another great Thanksgiving!
   

I made these Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls for breakfast

Some I left without icing...

some I slathered it on!

What a yummy Thanksgiving Breakfast...

Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls, Bacon, Fresh Fruit and a Mimosa!

While the hubby and I were making our Thanksgiving meal,

Liam and Kinley colored some turkeys.

Kinley's turkey

Liam's turkey

Kinley loved watching the Macy's Day Parade

My beautiful Thanksgiving table

We invited some friends over to join us in celebrating this day of Thanks.

I put out a few snacks while we let the turkey cooled off.

I made all the sides while the hubby supervised the frying of the turkey.

I made these Herb Roasted Sweet Potatoes.

Mashed Potatoes

Green Bean Casserole (of course)

Our Fried Turkey

I made two different desserts:

Ginger Pumpkin Tart

Pecan Pie

And of course, we needed some fresh whipped cream!

My little food thief stealing daddy's roll

And gnawing on his turkey wing!

We have so many things to be thankful for.  My beautiful family.  My wonderful hubby who always puts us first, who works long days and sometimes nights to provide for all of us so that I can stay home with the kiddos, who gives me strength when I need it most, and for loving us unconditionally.  My handsome and so smart young man, my big boy, my first born who made me a momma and always makes me laugh.   My bright eyed and beautiful baby girl who keeps me on my toes and lights up a room with her dimpled smile.  So thankful for our health, our home, and all our friends.  We count our blessings everyday and thank God for another wonderful day of life.

Happy Thanksgiving 

Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls with Pecans or Maple Cream Cheese Icing

Recipe from Inspired by Charm

Here's what you need:

Dough:

1/4oz package yeast

1/2 cup warm water

1/2 cup scaled milk

1/4 cup sugar

1/3 cup unsalted butter (melted)

1 tsp salt

1 cup canned pumpkin puree

1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice

1/4 tsp ground nutmeg

1/4 tsp ground clove

1 egg (room temperature)

4-5 cups all purpose flour

Filling:

1/2 cup softened butter (plus more for pan)

3/4 cup sugar (plus more for pan)

1/4 cup brown sugar

2 Tbsp ground cinnamon

1 tsp pumpkin pie spice

Icing:

4 oz of cream cheese (softened)

1/4 cup unsalted butter (softened)

1 1/2 cups confectioner's sugar (sifted)

1/2 tsp vanilla

1/2 tsp real maple syrup

1/4 tsp salt

How to make them:

In a small bowl, dissolve the yeast in warm water and set aside.

In a stand mixer bowl, combine mik, sugar, melted butter, pumpkin puree, spices, salt, and egg with a spoon.

Attach the bowl to the mixer with the dough hook attached.

Add 2 cups of flour and mix until smooth.

Add yeast mixture.

Mix in remaining flour until dough is easy to handle.

Knead with dough hook for about 5 minutes (if not using a stand mixer, knead dough on lightly floured surface for 5 to 10 minutes)

Place in well greased bowl, cover, and let rise until doubled in size, usually 1 to 1 1/2 hours.

When doubled in size, punch down dough.

Roll out on a floured surface into a 15 x 9 inch rectangle.

Spread softened butter all over dough.

In a small bowl, mix together sugar, cinnamon, and pumpkin pie spice.

Then sprinkle over buttered dough.

Beginning at the 15 inch side, role up dough and pinch edge together to seal.

Cut into 12 to 15 slices.

Coat the bottom of a 13 x 9 baking pan with butter and sprinkle with sugar.

* Optional: Sprinkle some toasted pecans on the sugar.

Place cinnamon roll slices close together in the pan and let rise until dough is doubled, about 45 minutes.

Preheat oven to 350˚F.

Bake for about 30 minutes or until nicely browned.

Meanwhile, mix cream cheese, butter, confectioner's sugar, salt, maple syrup, and vanilla until smooth.

Spread over slightly cooled rolls and ENJOY!