Happy Thanksgiving!

How was the turkey? Well, my friends, it was the best bird I've ever tasted. What made the difference? Well, it might have been the beautiful Heber surroundings. Perhaps the goodness of family. It could have been the handsome gentleman in yellow--the one who knows how to cook a 2o lb piece of poultry. I think it was probably a combination of all of the above.

Let us all be more grateful in the days to come. To thank those we love and share ourselves with those who need us most. Hope you had a great holiday.

Auntie

I always wondered if having little ones might "cramp" our easy-going, do/go where ever you want Virtue style. Seriously, we didn't know what we were missing. Little boys are the best. They laugh at and love you no matter what.

Cherry Jell-O Salad

Read more about it at www.cooks.com/rec/view/0,1743,157178-233195,00.html Content Copyright © 2010 Cooks.com - All rights reserved. 1 sm. pkg. cherry Jello 1 can cherry pie filling 1 c. boiling water 1/3 c. salad dressing 1 c. crushed pineapple, drained 2 tbsp. nuts 1 c. boiling water 1 sm. pkg. lemon Jello 1 (3 oz.) pkg. cream cheese 1 Small container of Cool Whip 1 c. sm. marshmallows Dissolve cherry Jello in water. Add pie filling and pour in 8"x8" or 9"x9" pan and let set. Dissolve lemon Jello in water. Beat in (while hot) cream cheese, salad dressing and Cool Whip. Add crushed pineapple, marshmallows and nuts. Add to lemon Jello mixture and pour over cherry Jello. Store in the refrigerator.

We grew up with a jar of maraschino cherries in our refrigerator. In our family, they weren't generally used to top off ice cream sundaes. They were dad's special stash. No Christmas would be complete without cherry covered chocolates and no birthday without a devil's food cake topped with cherry pie filling. You better believe that we've tried every cherry flavored candy, soda and ice cream known to man. So, in honor of dad's affinity for all things cherry, mom whipped up a new JellO salad for this year's Thanksgiving festivities. It was DELISH!

Happy Thanksgiving from our cheery, I mean cherry, family to yours.

*Please note that the recipe originated from cooks.com, but family adjustments have been made.

Oat Pan Rolls

Posting here on location from the blustery, but blissful Blackfoot, ID. Sitting on the white fancy couch with the Mayor and Mrs. We're safe from the elements and feeling warm and fancy free. For those of you still planning your Thanksgiving menu, might I put a plug in for a recipe passed from Nurse Heidi via Laura Bear?

These Oat Pan Rolls are SO tasty. I actually made them on Saturday into 2 full loaves--froze one and well, let's just say the other is being put to good use. Try them this Thanksgiving. I know you won't be disappointed.

Oat Pan Rolls

2 cups oats (quick cooking is best, but old fashioned works, too)
2/3 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup butter, cubed (don't you dare use margarine)
1 T salt
2 1/2 cups boiling water
2 T dry yeast
1/2 cup warm water
5 1/2-6 cups all purpose flour (may substitute half whole wheat flour).
I actually ended up using just 2 cups of WW flour and just shy of 3 cups AP flour.
Additional butter, melted

In a bowl, combine the oats, brown sugar, butter & salt. Stir in boiling water. Allow to cool to 110-115 degrees. In a large mixing bowl, dissolve yeast in 1/2 cup warm water; let stand for 5 minutes. Add oat mixture and 2 cups flour; beat until smooth. Stir in enough remaining flour to form a soft dough.

Turn onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, about 6-8 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour.

Punch dough down. Turn onto a lightly floured surface; divide into 20 pieces. Place in a greased 9x13 pan. Cover and let rise until doubled, about 45 minutes. Bake at 350 degrees for 30-35 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from pan to a wire rack; brush with melted butter.

EAT UP!

p.s. I have bangs.

Say Cheese

Please take note of the following:
1. The mayor is wearing shorts on Thanksgiving.
2. I love the way grandpa's hat is sitting atop his head.
3. How many of those Ireland t-shirts does brother have?
4. Does it look like Ryan and Laura are married while Eric is the long lost single brother?
5. We were missing 6 very important people in this picture . . . missing them a lot.
6. Notice Laura's super cute headband made by Mary Lu--now available at the Campus Craft and Floral near you. They're selling like hotcakes--so place your holiday order today!

Today's Show

For your viewing pleasure! Also, keep an eye out on Monday morning at 11 as Studio 5 features Utah County hot spots--you might be excited to see some fun items from Campus Craft & Floral featured. Stay tuned.

Elegant Thanksgiving

Join me tomorrow at 11 on KSL's Studio 5 for a few hints and tips on how to present an elegant Thanksgiving Table. You won't want to miss it!

True Thanksgiving

I realized a few things this Thanksgiving. I realized that I have A LOT to be thankful for. I realized that all of the goodness in my life revolves around the knowledge of who I am, where I come from, and my potential for greatness.

This Thanksgiving I'm grateful for little faces with bright eyes.
I'm grateful for parents who are kind and who love unconditionally. I'm grateful for their consistency and for creating a home where happiness is not the exception--it's the rule.
I'm grateful for relationships--new and old.
I'm grateful for people who give a little--when it's not always easy or convenient.
I'm grateful for hugs and smiles.
I'm grateful for silliness.
I'm grateful for dancing in the kitchen.

I'm grateful for these new Big Star jeans! Damn, they look good on me.


I'm grateful for little swimmers.

And big swimmers, too.
I'm grateful for egg frames and boys who EAT.
I'm grateful for generations of love, acceptance, and the common ties that bind us together.
I'm grateful for sweet moments where work and play are one.
I'm grateful for a heritage full of integrity, hard work, and close families.
I'm grateful that on occasion time and distance become irrelevant.
I'm grateful.