Thanksgiving week looked like this...

We had such a fun week leading up to Thanksgiving.

For some reason, we usually travel or spend the day in another home.

This year, with our many projects, skidding toward an end

We stayed home and put our partially functional kitchen to use.

Myron's bro was still here, and we also had the remnants of family

Left in the area, over for dinner.

Yes, we had turkey.

And it was delish.

We also had mashed potatoes and all the fixings

Except for the pie.

We opted for apple dumplings instead.

And let's say the pie was not missed.

Big fat juicy dumplings have a way of making pie look rather humble.

The reason I mention mashed potatoes

Is because we watched the Thanksgiving edition of Biggest Loser.

And let's be honest: I'm a freak about eating healthy.

Granted, we fall out sometimes

And neglect our waistlines.  *ahem, self: you need to hear this*

But steamed cauliflower and white beans

Mashed together in a great mound

Do not take the place of mashed potatoes.

Not even in your wildest imagination.

I'd far rather do without those taters than to commit to such a substitute.

 Maybe instead of having those potatoes

I'll have another helping of Cranberry Apple Salad

I'm a sucker for anything cranberry

But I know a lot of people don't like the tartness of a cranberry sauce

So here's a recipe, I guarantee

Will even make it to the favorites list

For anyone.

Paradise Sauce:

1 qt. cranberries

2 qts. apples

2 C. sugar

Put cranberries in a pan with a small amount of water.  Cover and cook slowly on low heat until soft.  Rub through a food press, cheesecloth or strainer (the point is to get the bitter husk off the flesh).  Return to pan and add peeled, cored and sliced apples.  Cook gently until apples are soft, but still retain their shape.  Add 2 C. sugar and cook 5 min. longer.  ( I don't add any sugar at all, but I guess that would depend on the type of apple you use and how tart or sweet it is.)

Serve hot or cold.

 We also did a church dinner in my moms basement on Tues. eve.

These pictures do nothing to show

What an amazing dinner we had

Or how warm the fellowship was

We had such a great time of sharing and communion

After all the food was consumed.

And how great is that big ole bear rug on the back wall

One of my brothers prize hunting trophies.

You think he'd let me bring that thing home

To lay in front of the fire

On a cold winter night?

JO