Everyone Survive?

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving. I know we did. It was very laid back, plenty of food. Perfect.

I actually planned my menu out pretty good this year. Not too much food. We just got a small turkey breast, pork loin, I cooked sweet potato casserole, squash casserole, cranberry sauce and rolls. I'm kinda proud of myself for not over doing it. I had one or two more items I wanted to do but I knew it would have been overkill. We had just enough to put us in a small food coma but not so much I'm sick of looking at leftovers.

Christmas may be a different story. I'm now on the look out for a bunch of Christmas-time desserts. :P

{Fail}

Yesterday, I attempted to make homemade fudge. Not the kind that you melt the chocolate chips. Real live homemade fudge like your grandmother use to make.

I don't own a candy thermometer since I rarely make candy. But.....giggle...I do own the thermometer from our turkey fryer. I tried using it. I'm not sure if it's the same but, hey, it reads the temp right?!?

I decided not to 100% trust the turkey fryer thermometer. I got a plate with a little ice water in it and tried the ball test. You know, if you drop a little in the plate, if it forms a ball, it's basically done. That's how I tested mine. The thermometer just wasnt getting to 238 degrees and I'm very impatient. Which could be why it failed.

Now, I didn't fail miserably by no means. It just didnt turn out like I think it should. It's a little 'dry'. I'm thinking that when you are suppose to stir the 'luster' out, I might have over done it. IDK. Will I try again? Maybe. It's a lot of work for a very thin sheet of fudge. I might double the recipe next time. That way it looks like I put a lot more work into it then I really did. :P

If you're interested in the recipe, here it is.

Old Fashioned Fudge

If you make it or have done it before, let me know how it turns out or if you have any tips for me.

Shutterfly's 50 Free Holiday Cards Offer

I have never personally ordered holiday cards before. I've always wanted to, but chickened out at the thought of my face on someones mantle. This year I think we are giving it a shot. I also have a strong feeling that telling my husband about this will get more than a groan. But then again, he is the camera whore of the family. lol

Shutterfly is offering bloggers a chance to win 50 free cards. I am absolutely thrilled to be a part of this. What a better way to get over my fear, then with free cards. If I win, I'll be forced to do it. :P

The only problem with this offer, I have to be forced to pick just one design. It's going to be a hard decision. I absolutely LOVE their designs. They have everything from modern, to as Christmas-y as you can get.

I do tend to go towards the folded cards. Right now, this is my top contender. LOVE!

Check them out. I know they have something you'll love.
Shutterfly Holiday Cards

Broccoli, Rice & Cheese Casserole

One thing you will learn about recipes, there are so many different ways to cook one dish. This is mine.



1 Frozen package of chopped broccoli
1 Can of Cream of Mushroom Soup
1 Stick of butter
Jar or Cheez-Whiz
1 C. uncooked rice

Preheat oven to 350 degrees
Cook the broccoli as per the package.
As for the rice, for this recipe, I'm a huge fan of getting the 5 minute boil in the bag rice. It saves so much time.
I usually go ahead and throw my cheez whiz, mushroom soup, and butter in my 9x13 casserole dish and stick them in the oven. This way they are already melting and combining together.
Drain the broccoli and add the rice to the dish.
Cook for around 35-40 minutes.

This is a great make ahead dish. If you are traveling, you can always ask the host to reheat before serving.

Attn Bloggers

Shutterfly is giving away 50 free Holiday Cards. You can sign up at THIS link.

You can thank me later. :)

Sweet Potato Casserole with Praline Topping

This stuff is like sex in a casserole dish. Seriously. 

2 lrg eggs, well beaten
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 tsp salt
11/2 tsp vanilla
1/3 cup milk
3/8 cup margarine, melted
3 cups cooked mashed sweet potatoes (21/2 to 3 lbs raw) 

In a mixing bowl combine first 6 ingredients, mix well.  Pour into mashed potatoes and blend thoroughly.  Spoon into a greased 1 1/2 quart baking dish.
Top with Praline Topping.  Bake at 350 degree F for 25-30 minutes.  If doubled, potatoes can be baked in a 2 quart baking dish for 2 hours.  Potato mixture will be thicker.
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Praline Topping:
1 cup light brown sugar firmly packed
1/3 cup flour
1 cup broken pecan pieces
1/4 cup melted margarine

Combine brown sugar, flour, and pecans.  Add margarine and mix well.

thanksgiving

With Thanksgiving right around the corner, I've been trying to get my menu planned. I usually do the same thing every year. Fried turkey, fried pork tenderloin, rolls, cranberry sauce, a casserole and maybe a veggie. This year I think I'm going to do my sister's Sweet Potato Casserole, Green Stuff and maybe something else to level out the sweetness. I usually don't do a dessert since we're too full afterward to eat it. Although I did stumble across a  german chocolate cake recipe that I"m dying to make. :)
What is one thing you can't go with out on Thanksgiving?

P.S.- I think I'm going to post a few of my recipes after this blog.