The Chit Chat Chit Chat Thread

[MinnieM123]

We also do freshly cut and go to the farm and cut it down ourselves. They aren't that expensive here. Every year I'm never sure how early I should put it up since we don't take it down until after Epiphany.

Up until about 12 years ago, hubby and I used to go to a tree farm out in the country, and they'd take the people on a hayride out to the trees, and you could cut down your own. We used to love that place; it was especially fun when there had been a snowstorm. I loved clomping around in the snowy woods to find just the perfect tree.

Their prices were reasonable, too. However, the owners of the (family-run) tree farm were getting quite elderly, and eventually had to sell the land. After that, we only went to a regular garden center close by us, and those trees are all pre-cut. I miss the original tree farm though, as that was our special place.

 

[MinnieM123]

I just use the dried stuffing cubes too. Sometimes our grocery store will take the old loaves of bread and chunk them up and sell them as stuffing cubes, which work well. I teased my husband this year, and I said I wasn't feeling like making homemade stuffing and we would just have Stovetop. He flipped out a little, he loves my (my mom's recipes) for stuffing. I must admit it was a little fun to watch him flip out a little.

Ha! That's funny!! People don't like it when you deviate from "their" favorite, Thanksgiving Day stuffing recipe!

After reading your comments and those of a few others here about stuffing, it dawned on me that one recipe is not necessarily better than another. Rather, I think the bottom line with stuffing is that you like what you GREW UP WITH. Whatever mom made, you'll always think that was the BEST stuffing, and you'll continue to seek that out for the rest of your life! We were talking about stuffing at work today, and everyone was insisting that their family's stuffing recipe was the very best!

 

[MinnieM123]

Great minds LOL I put the 4 pack in the cart just to see the look on my dh's face pure panic. I also threatened to do the precooked meal from Shoprite.

The supermarkets around here also sell the whole precooked Thanksgiving meal. It's a lot better than you might think. A few years ago, I bought one of those entire meals (serves 4) at Christmas, because I was having 4 people for Christmas dinner. There was plenty of food, and lots left over as well. It was really easy to heat up everything (they give you directions on how long to heat up the various items). I thought the supermarket did a great job, and I think the whole meal for 4 was about $45 (and they even included an apple pie for dessert).

 

[MinnieM123]

Woohoo! Gas is only $2.65 a gallon right now. Just thought I'd share that as I fill up this morning.

I saw $2.07 for regular in my area this morning. Hubby saw $1.98 in a neighboring town last week.

 

[MinnieM123]

I also asked him if he just wanted to go to a restaurant for Thanksgiving since it was just us two. I can't even describe the look he gave me.

This is a man who takes his food traditions very seriously!!!

 

[MinnieM123]

Huh...we've always done cream cheese frosting on cinnamon rolls. Not the kind of glaze that melts down the sides.

Sorry to hear that.

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

Ha! That's funny!! People don't like it when you deviate from "their" favorite, Thanksgiving Day stuffing recipe!

After reading your comments and those of a few others here about stuffing, it dawned on me that one recipe is not necessarily better than another. Rather, I think the bottom line with stuffing is that you like what you GREW UP WITH. Whatever mom made, you'll always think that was the BEST stuffing, and you'll continue to seek that out for the rest of your life! We were talking about stuffing at work today, and everyone was insisting that their family's stuffing recipe was the very best!

I agree, the best stuffing is whatever you grow up with. In my husband's case though it isn't what his mom made but what my mom made!

 

[MinnieM123]

We don't use cream cheese but a vanilla icing. The only place I've had that liquidy topping that melts down the sides is at Cinnabon....which is delicious. Never tried to do that at home though.

Yes, exactly. That's what I'm also talking about--a vanilla icing that drizzles all over the warm cinnamon bun!

 

[MinnieM123]

My favorite food on the Thanksgiving table is definitely the stuffing. I love sage and cornbread stuffing.

Bets, you'll love this. When I was a kid, I thought stuffing was a vegetable!

 

[MinnieM123]

Yep, pecan pie is really big down here. The pecan tree is the State Tree of Texas. My folks have several large producing trees on their property.
Good stuff...!

Pecan pie??!! Did someone just say pecan pie???!!!!!!

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

Okay folks, here are some day three pictures....

Started the day at AK















In the Harambe market area. Unfortunately, the food areas weren't open but if it had been we would have tried the curry battered sausages.

 

[MinnieM123]

I'm making a crustless pumpkin pie with pecan crumb on top

O.k. I'm baffled. How in heck do you make a crustless pie?? And when you slice it without a crust, won't it just fall apart?

 

[MinnieM123]

Thanks, the kids may have a couple extra guests for night!

Then, they can read you bedtime stories! (What goes around, comes around! )

 

[MinnieM123]

I agree, the best stuffing is whatever you grow up with. In my husband's case though it isn't what his mom made but what my mom made!

As long as it's a mom, that's the key element!!

 

[MinnieM123]

Okay folks, here are some day three pictures....

Started the day at AK
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In the Harambe market area. Unfortunately, the food areas weren't open but if it had been we would have tried the curry battered sausages.
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You caught some nice details in the AK pictures. By the way, I love the decorations on their Christmas tree!!

 

[MinnieM123]

@FutureCEO , what are your plans for Thanksgiving? Will you be spending it with all the rellies again? Between Thanksgiving and Christmas get-togethers, you had some amusing insights into the holidays. I'd be curious to know how things turn out this year as well!

 

[French Quarter]

Up until about 12 years ago, hubby and I used to go to a tree farm out in the country, and they'd take the people on a hayride out to the trees, and you could cut down your own. We used to love that place; it was especially fun when there had been a snowstorm. I loved clomping around in the snowy woods to find just the perfect tree.

Their prices were reasonable, too. However, the owners of the (family-run) tree farm were getting quite elderly, and eventually had to sell the land. After that, we only went to a regular garden center close by us, and those trees are all pre-cut. I miss the original tree farm though, as that was our special place.

I know what you mean. It is always a special outing for our family.

 

[MinnieM123]

@Wrangler-Rick , don't forget to treat the horses to carrots, on Thanksgiving Day!

 

[French Quarter]

I agree, the best stuffing is whatever you grow up with. In my husband's case though it isn't what his mom made but what my mom made!

Yeah...not me. My mother always bought a prestuffed Butterball. Not my thing for a number of reasons. So I have always done a very different stuffing (never in the bird).

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

Can anyone spot the hidden Mickey?


Hubby thought this was a fun sign.





This was interesting too.



Had to hop a bus back to the Swan, hubby forgot his Food and Wine passport and we wanted to get it stamped to get the free annual passholder port wine glass.






Hidden remy at the France area.


Vanilla and chocolate crème brulee and beef Bourguignon, both were very tasty.