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Category: General

Our Readers’ Favorite Thanksgiving Recipes Shared…Day 1

I recently polled some readers and asked what their favorite Thanksgiving sides were. The list was really long with a bunch of true favorites, mentioned by quite a few people. I am going to post some of our readers’ favs for you just in time for Turkey day. OH, by the way, can you guess how many turkeys are consumed on Thanksgiving Day??? (the answer is at the bottom of this post)!!!

Momo’s Sausage Stuffing

image Jonesdairyarm.com

Given by Maggie T and adapted by Jones Dairy Farm.com

1 (12 oz) Jones Dairy Farm All Natural Pork Sausage Roll  
2 medium onions, chopped  
2 celery stalks, diced or chopped  
2 1/2 cups low sodium chicken or turkey broth or apple juice  
1 (14 oz) package stuffing mix/bread cubes 

Crumble sausage into a stock pot or Dutch oven. Add onion and celery; cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally until sausage is no longer pink, about 6 to 8 minutes. (Do not drain or pour off drippings).

Add broth; bring to a boil.  

Turn off heat; add stuffing mix, stirring until bread cubes are evenly moistened. Transfer to a greased casserole dish.  

Bake covered in a preheated 350˚F oven for 30 minutes or until heated through. (For drier texture, uncover casserole during the last 10 minutes of baking).

Camille M’s Mom’s Delicious Cranberry Sauce

Image Gimme Some Oven.com

1 bag fresh cranberries
1/2 cup brown sugar
a few cloves 
Juice of two oranges
Orange zest to taste

We use a small slow cooker but you can prepare on the stove 

Put all ingredients together in the slow cooker for about 2 hours, Until cranberries have burst 

Remove from slow cooker and place in glass storage container, add the orange zest. Store in refrigerator. The sauce will thicken as time passes. 

Yum!!!!

Elmwood Ave’s Nancy’s Classic Pecan Pie

adapted by Karo.com

image Pillabury.com

This recipe was given to me by my sweet neighbor on Elmwood. I moved there when TJ was 3 months old. Nancy lived across the street from me and we spent many many days talking and sharing recipes (mostly her giving to me!!!!!). My favorite hands down was her Pecan Pie recipe. She would buy the HUGE bag of Pecans at Costco Thanksgiving week, and share 1/2 with me. I am so happy to share it with you. PS The Barefoot Contessa makes a very similar one but adds 1 tablespoon of Makers Mark!!!!

  • 1 cup Karo light corn syrup
  • 3 eggs
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 2 tablespoons butter, melted
  • 1 teaspoon Pure Vanilla Extract
  • 1 1/2 cups pecans
  • 1 (9-inch) frozen deep-dish pie crust (IT HAS TO BE DEEP DISH)
  1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
  2. In a mixing bowl, mix corn syrup, eggs, sugar, butter, and vanilla using a spoon. Place pecans on the bottom of pie crust.. Pour filling into pie crust and over Pecans.
  3. Bake until center springs back when tapped lightly, about 55 to 70 minutes.
Image Bon Appetit

On Thanksgiving Day there are 48 Million Turkeys Consumed

Scroll & Shop

I am so excited to share some of my favorite shops with you. I have “met” the owners of these shops throughout my years of blogging and have ordered over and over again. All of the shops are offering DISCOUNTS on every order, so be sure to check out the codes. Each site is so different and unique and most of this merchandise should be new to you. You will not see any of the items coming and going all over town!!!!!! Click any of the photos or blurbs below to visit each site. Happy Shopping!!!

I love the Terez leggings and I get them for my daughters.

Plate and Plaid has so many amazing vintage decor finds..I have my eye on the Santa ice bucket!!!

Ward Vintage is my go-to!!! I am always buying a gift or a special piece from their site.

I cannot say enough about the Canfora sandals. Check out their sale section. It’s so hard to choose one pair. This Christmas send a gift from Capri!!!

Check out Dans La Main for some really stylish handbags. My favorite is the Birkin style in unique fabrics.

All summer I wore Sue Sartor’s dresses. I was introduced to Sue by my daughter’s roommate’s mom at Georgetown. Her dresses have become the latest Instagram sensation.

Southern Bungalow makes the most beautiful candles. I love the Fraiser Fir scent and all of the containers are a work of art.

Wait until you try one of the Southern Baked Pie Company. This has been my go-to gift for 2020. All of the pies are delicious. I would recommend the bundle sets.

And lastly When I Was Your Age makes beautiful personalized paper coffee cups, tumblers, plates, and so many more fun gifts. I am in love with everything that they sell.

Image Kelsey M Designs

The collection spans the 20th Century and features vintage bracelets, necklaces, earrings, and brooches in an array of styles ranging from bold pendant necklaces to subtle, beautifully crafted formal earrings to everyday bangles and cuffs.

Use the code Nicole for 10% off your entire order..

This said, in the late 1940’s,  Amedeo Canfora decided to open a sandal shop in Capri.. A modest little shop, with a workbench on which to make his sandals, walls hung with soles and costume jewelry, and shelves filled with books in which the measurements of the most important regular clients were recorded and carefully conserved. 

Use the code NICOLE for 10% off your entire order.

Inspired by a love of all things bamboo, the first DLM design was the Rain Clutch, still a favorite among the collection. Today, Dans La Main partners with craftspeople from all over the world to use the best raw materials and create designs that, in many cases, honor a native craft.

Use the code Nicole for 10% off your entire order.

A selection of artisan luxury kaftan dresses & more! The Sue Sartor wares are exquisitely hand-made out of 100% cotton or silk with great love and care by master tailors and skilled artisans.

Use the code Nicole for 20% off your entire order.

Southern Bungalow Co. was created from a love for fragrances and all things beautiful for the home. Each Southern Bungalow candle is hand-poured in a reusable statement piece container using an organic and clean-burning coconut wax. Coconut wax is odorless until scented with cosmetic grade fragrances and essential oils.

Use the code Nicole for 10% off your entire order.

Southern Baked Pie Company. created with family recipes, Southern charm, and an all-butter pie dough that melts in your mouth. Amanda, the founder, and her team of bakers create gourmet sweet and savory pies for all of life’s special occasions and celebrations. Southern Baked Pie Company masterfully creates a variety of decadent flavors and specialty selections utilizing seasonal fresh fruit from local Georgia farmers and businesses. We offer pies in a variety of sizes including whole pies, petite pies, and bite-size tassies. While we’re born and baked in Georgia, Southern Baked Pie Company ships pies to corporate and individual clients nationwide.

Use the code Nicole for 15% off your entire order…

WHEN I WAS YOUR AGE

Made to order custom celebration supplies and personalized gifts.

Use the code Nicole for 10% off your entire order.

Making Spirits Bright.

I am hearing from so many people that they are dreading the Christmas season. No parties, no cookie exchanges, no secret Santa, mostly all online shopping, and it goes on and on. I feel your pain. I think I am in denial most days and blast my Christmas music like everything will just turn around on Dec 1st. But the reality is, we might be really limited with our celebrating this year. So, I am going to do a few posts, once a week with a fun activity you can do to keep the Holiday spirit and your own spirits going.

Last year I saw the most beautiful silk beaded ornaments. They were actually kits that you make yourself. I am going to buy a few and ask a girlfriend or 2 over for takeout and to make a beautiful ornament. We can play Christmas music and have our own mini party. We’ve got this Fashionistas…Now to go order my ornament kits!!

To see the entire assortment of ornament kits click HERE.

Some Exciting News Coming Next Week….

Do you want to shop where I shop??? Well, next Wednesday some of my favorite brands and secret finds!!!! (and trust me…….you probably have never been on these sites) are going to do a special online sale for my readers with 10% your order. There are sooo many great things. I cannot wait for you to see!!! I am so excited to share them with you to kick off the Holiday season!!

There will be Work Out Clothes:

image Rongrong

Fancy Sandals

image Madeit.com

Fancy Handbags:

image Amanda Greenwood

Unique Home Decor Old and New:

image BeeIlustrated

Dresses Galore for all Occasions:

Image MyModernNet

Decorative Candles and Home Fragrances for Yourself and For Gifts:

image Stupell Industries

Cute and one of a kind Custom Celebration supplies and personalized gifts:

image Rongong

Chic Vintage Designer Jewelry

3 Facts About the New Stargirl Series

Watching new shows on TV or online is a great way to pass time and relax after work or school. Media can provide a much-needed escape from the reality of the real world. If you’re an avid tv consumer, you probably keep your eyes peeled for new, exciting shows you can record, stream or watch live. Geoff Johns has developed and executively produced a new web TV series you should consider checking out. If you’re a big fan of action, adventure, and comic books, Stargirl is right up your alley. Here are three unusual facts about the show you may not know about this character.

Stargirl Has Some Big Shoes To Fill

Like a lot of comic book series, characters are connected, and storylines are developed because new people step in to fill new positions. Stargirl is linked to a much larger legacy and is simply continuing on the path of saving people and fighting evil. She’s following in the footsteps of Starman and the heroes that came after him. Another fun fact about Stargirl is she’s the first female to be a part of the legacy. Talk about girl power!

2. Her Staff is Super Important

Some superheroes have powers of their own, but Stargirl taps into her supernatural ability because of a powerful staff. Only a few heroes have had access to the staff, and the staff is responsible for giving her strength and superpowers to fight evil and do good. The staff can actually shift shapes, but Stargirl uses the weapon in staff form when she goes to battle. Her staff gives her an extra boost of power to fulfill her destiny.

3. Stargirl Wasn’t Her Original Name

Before Stargirl was born, she was known as the Star-Spangled Kid. In older days, she was a golden-age hero who was fighting off Nazis and stopping crime. The show goes into the relationship of her new stepfather who she isn’t a big fan of in the beginning. However, as time goes on, she grows to love her stepdad for reasons that far outweigh him being her dad. Instead, she realizes the supernatural power in her stepdad, too.

When you watch a new show, it’s easy to get caught up in what you see, but there’s a lot of caveats and facts that can be missed when you watch a show for the first time. These facts may be subtle, but they give a lot of context and backstory for a new show that’s worth checking out.

How to Create a Yard That’s Perfect for Entertaining Guests

Image Pixabay

Spending time outdoors and relaxing with friends and family has become a way of life during this Pandemic. Why not transform your yard into a perfect space for entertaining your guests? Read on to find out how you can create a yard that’s always ready for a get together with family and friends.

Create an Entertaining Area

To make the most of spending time outside in your yard, it is a great idea to create an inviting space for entertaining guests. Adding an attractive patio to your backyard will make your yard look great and provide a practical space for you to welcome your guests. 

When adding a patio to your yard, it is crucial to choose patio builders that are experts at what they do to ensure that you have a high-quality patio that will last you for many years to come. Your builder will work with you to help you select the best materials for your patio and a design that will help you make the most of your space. One of the great things about a patio is that it provides a low maintenance area of your garden that stays looking great with very little effort.

Choose Your Furniture

To make your yard a functional space for entertaining, you need the right furniture for the job. Choosing a furniture style that suits the look that you want for your space will help you to create a more attractive space with an added wow factor. There are so many different outdoor furniture styles to choose from, so you will be able to take your pick from a great variety of tables, chairs, loungers, and more. If you want to maximize the number of people you can seat without taking up too much space on your new patio, why not choose an outdoor corner suite. While choosing your furniture shade is also another thing to consider; so you may want to choose a parasol that coordinates with your furniture set at the same time.

Dine In Style

If you love to dine outdoors, why not treat yourself to some new outdoor cooking equipment for your new entertaining space? Choosing a new barbecue is the perfect excuse to get your friends over for an evening of tasty grilled food under some heat lamps. If you feel like something a little different from a barbecue, how about mixing things up a little bit with an outdoor pizza oven? Everyone loves wood-fired pizza!

Add Decorative Finishing Touches

Once your new patio has been completed and you have chosen your outdoor furniture, it is time to complete your new entertaining space with some finishing touches. You could add some color with some container plants in bright pots and use year round outdoor plants like small evergreen trees, which will last throughout the winter.

Once the finishing touches are complete, it is time to sit back, relax, and enjoy your new entertaining space!