Wednesday, November 22, 2017

Thanksgiving hodgepodge


This gorgeous graphic is from the amazingly talented and generous Abby at Little Birdie Blessings.
Wednesday again, so that means it's time for the Hodgepodge with Joyce and friends at From This Side of the Pond.  Take a break from your Thanksgiving preparations and head on over to get the questions.  Answer them on your own blog and then go back over to Joyce's to link up!   Here are the questions for this week:

 1. Tradition...how tightly do you cling to tradition when it comes to holiday gatherings and celebrations? For instance do you always do the cooking, never eat at home, always go to grandma's, never miss the parade, always watch football, never change the menu, always eat at 2 PM, etc.? Have you ever celebrated Christmas or Thanksgiving away from hearth, home, and family? How did that feel?

We do not cling tightly to tradition AT ALL. We have had Thanksgiving dinner here, for up to 30 people or so; sometimes with only three or four people.  We have gone elsewhere.  We don't cling to a specific time or menu.  The only thing we have never done is to eat out on Thanksgiving, but we are pretty much planning to do that this year.

We did spend Christmas away from home one year, traveling to a distant state with friends to visit at the wife's parents' home.  It was enjoyable in many ways but it felt downright odd.

2. Help...is it easy for you to ask for help or are you a do-it-yourselfer? How is that a good/bad thing?

I can -- and do -- ask for help if I need it. It's good to acknowledge that my way is not necessarily the only right way.  It's good to allow others to help, if it's a blessing for them to do so.  I think probably the best thing about being willing to ask for help is that it reminds us how insufficient we are in ourselves.  If we think we can do everything ourselves, we aren't as likely to acknowledge our need for God -- not only for salvation, but also in the needs of our everyday lives.

3. Abundance...what is there an abundance of in your kitchen?

Baking ingredients.  I've had to bake for so many funeral luncheons lately that I really stocked up.  And that's good because I can also begin my Christmas baking.
I'm going to add in a recipe here.  I baked a caramel pecan pie yesterday and mentioned it on Instagram last night.  I've already had one request for the recipe, so ... here you go.

CARAMEL PECAN PIE

36 caramels, unwrapped*
1/4 cup butter
1/4 cup milk
3/4 cup sugar
3 eggs
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
1/4 tsp. salt
1 cup pecan halves
1 9-inch unbaked pie crust

Combine the caramels, butter and milk in a heavy saucepan; heat until the mixture is creamy and caramels are melted, stirring often. Remove from heat and set aside.

In a large bowl, beat together the sugar, eggs, vanilla and salt with an electric mixer; gradually blend in the caramel mixture. Fold in the pecans and pour the mixture into the pie crust. Bake at 350ยบ for 45 to 50 minutes or until set. Cool pie until firm before cutting or serving. Store leftovers in refrigerator.

* This recipe (which is from Gooseberry Patch Christmas Book 7) predates the wonderful caramel baking nuggets, which are easier to use.    If you use those you will need about 1 1/2 cups.

4. Name...the smallest thing you're thankful for? the biggest?

Hmm ... certainly the biggest thing I'm thankful for is my salvation.   To have been delivered from the power of darkness, and having been translated into the kingdom of His dear Son (as Colossians 1:13 so eloquently puts it)  -- well, I can't think of anything bigger than that.  The smallest thing I'm thankful for -- I try to be thankful for everything.  There are no small blessings, in my book.  Big or small, they are all straight from God and all undeserved.

5. Key...What do you think is the key to living a more grateful life?

Recognizing that all we have comes from God.  I can't find the quote I'm looking for, but someone has written something like this: "To be grateful is to recognize the love of God in everything He has given us ... and He has given us everything."

 
6. State your own random thought here.

I simply cannot believe how quickly this year has passed.   It's not just that I am getting older; I have actually heard my youngest daughter say the same thing -- it feels as if we had only recently started into  January.  The year has flown by and I feel as if I have very little to show for it.
Photo from Photos Public Domain

18 comments:

  1. I really liked your answer to #2 and the good old American self-sufficiency isn't always a good thing. I see that as I get older; wish I'd seen it far earlier. Did I say I really liked your #4 too? :-) Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

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    1. Thanks, Judy! I appreciate your thoughtful comments! Hope you will have a blessed Thanksgiving day as well, even though you have already celebrated with your family.

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  2. I feel the same way about our year passing by very quickly!

    Your caramel pecan pie sounds delicious! Thanks for sharing the recipe.

    Blessings~

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    1. You are most welcome! Hope you enjoy the pie if you try it. I like it much better than ordinary pecan pie.

      Have a blessed Thanksgiving!

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  3. The year has flown by for me too! Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

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    1. I'm glad I'm not the only one, Katie! Have a blessed Thanksgiving with your family!

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  4. I'd love that mulled cider recipe. That looks like a cute homemade gift for someone. Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!

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    1. Here's the link to the mulled cider mix recipe, Joyce, for you and anyone else who might like it.
      Mulled Cider Mixes
      Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours, as well!

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  5. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving. I am thankful that I came across your blog. What a sweet soul you are!!

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    1. Sandy, what a very sweet thing to say! I am thankful that I came across your blog as well. Hope you and your family will have a blessed Thanksgiving!

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  6. Oh, I enjoyed all of your answers, Sarah. That pie sounds absolutely scrumptious! I hope you enjoy a most Blessed Thanksgiving tomorrow!

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    1. That pie is really, really good, Debby. One of my favorite pies to make because it's so easy. Hope you had a blessed Thanksgiving as well!

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  7. Have a very blessed Thanksgiving, Mrs. T!

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    1. I hope that you and your family had a blessed Thanksgiving as well, Carol!

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  8. That was fun! I like tradition, though I also enjoy trying new things. Not sure about that traveling with friends thing over Christmas however. ๐Ÿ˜‰ I’m sending a link via email because your post reminded me so much of it. Every good thing that I have comes from God...

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    1. I know, when I look back I really can't believe we did that. It was a wonderful time but we were young and foolish ... driving nonstop to Colorado in 45 hours or so. God protected us, thankfully!

      I very much enjoyed the video link you sent ... beautiful. Thank you. And yes, every good gift and every perfect gift comes from Above!

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  9. You have a lovely blog and it was such a sweet time of visiting with you here on the eve of Thanksgiving. Have a happy one!!

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    1. I am so glad you enjoyed your visit, Schotzy! Please come and visit again anytime. There's always something to read in the archives!

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Thanks so much for stopping by to visit my kitchen table! I love company here in my kitchen, so be sure to leave a comment so I'll know you've visited! I'll answer your questions and comments here on the blog unless you request otherwise.