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

Wheat Bundles For The Table.

This Thanksgiving is going to be sooooo different this year for most of us. Since I am not hosting our annual Thanksgiving dinner for my husband’s side of the family, I honestly did not know what to do with myself for the past month. Usually, I am planning and arranging and cooking, well you know the drill. But this year, we are just celebrating with our immediate family. We are going to one of our favorite places for a social distance dinner on their heated patio. I have not eaten out on Thanksgiving in years…but in a way, I am looking forward to it. It will be a nice day to really think, reflect and be thankful for the positive things this pandemic has brought us: like all the family time we have spent together, that we probably will never be able to do again, especially my parents and my kids, our sweet little King Charles Spaniel. And the few times that I was able to spend with my close friends, making me realize that if you have good friends in your life, you can get through almost anything!

But I could not resist..I still had to set a table. Just one, and just for us. When I was thinking about what I should do, I decided on decorating the table with wheat bundles. I consulted with my amazing talented floral friend, Stephanie, you really need to follow her,, https://www.instagram.com/stephanie_asher/ to get some tips. Then, as usual, I went on Pinterest for my inspiration. Here is what I found…

PS I have included some links to purchase wheat for your own centerpieces HERE, HERE and HERE.

Happy Almost Thanksgiving Everyone!!!!!

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The Holiday’s are coming….Is it time for a Covid test?

Image Pixabay

As Thanksgiving and Christmas approach, there is so much apprehension about how and if we should spend these holidays with our family. College kids are coming home this coming week. Many of my friends tell me they plan on getting Covid tests for the family so they can see grandparents, friends, etc. Not to mention, the new NYS traveling guidelines for out of state visitors. In the past week, I have received text after text, asking where one can go for a covid test that is quick, safe, and reliable. Most of these “in and out” rapid tests are really unreliable. Right now we need a sensitive and specific test with the most reliable results especially since the number of Covid cases is spiking daily.

My dermatologist, Dr. Anetta Reszko is performing Covid-19 tests in her office at 266 Purchase Street in Rye. The test she administers will yield the most accurate results (no false positives or false negatives) and complete peace of mind. She is charging a fee of $75 (you can submit the invoice to your insurance) and you will get the results within 24 hours. I have been seeing Dr. Reszko regularly for many years and I trust her explicitly.

Dr. Reszko is taking appointments for the upcoming weekend and the days prior to Thanksgiving.  Her office would be pleased to schedule an appointment, just contact Dr. Rezsko’s office at 646 759 8449. Everyone in the office is also very well informed and can answer any questions or concerns that you may have.

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.

Get A Little Frances Valentine In Your Life

One of my favorite brands is Frances Valentine. Everything on their site is just so perfect. From their costs to tunics, and statement jewelry and shoes, France Valentine just gets me. Here is a little background on the company:

Frances Valentine is a modern American lifestyle brand founded by long-time friends and collaborators Kate & Andy Spade, and Elyce Arons. It is the design house that sustains Kate Valentine Spade’s unique way of seeing. A trove of her works, her inspiration, her talent, her vision. With its spirited vintage-modern designs, Frances Valentine continues to create coveted pieces for women around the world.

The brand truly reflects the iconic style of Kate Spade, which is why I love it so much. The classic, yet quirky cool style is exactly what we need during this quirky crazy time in our life. Frances Valentine is going to give you $25 off your order if you use any of my LINKS included in this post. You really need to add some FV to your Christmas list. I have added just a few of my favorite things from the new arrivals but it is so hard not to choose everything from the site. Enjoy!! Bon Weekend!!!

This is hands down my favorite coat..I cannot resist the leopard with the coordinating necklace collar. It looks so fab with the pearls and worn in jeans!!!

I am so in love with these shoes..they come in so many colors and also a leopard haircalf. I could honestly find a reason to wear every single pair.

This coat is also so interesting..I love the vertical lines in the material and it looks adorable over a dress…

I am also in LOVE with these red shoes…they are perfect for the holidays…the jewels are incredible..I can see these worn for a great night out making memories or with casual jeans lounging around for a night in watching a great movie with friends!!!

The shape of this frame bag is so classic!!! The leopard is chic but there are also a bunch of other colors to choose from. This is the type of bag that you will buy now but will wear year after year for years to come…It’s a great investment piece!!!

That Garden Ring is calling my name..oh and that amazing sequin cardigan is also available on the site, but going fast!!!

And lastly, if you do not want to commit to a long coat, this cropped jacket does the trick. It looks great over a maxi skirt, black dress or with jeans and fun shoes….another classic piece that will carry you through the years…

Kate Spade we really miss you and your incredible talent but your wonderful sense of style lives on and on through the Frances Valentine site.

SWISS CHEESE DIP

Thanksgiving might look at little different this year but your appetizers don’t have to be. I do not even remember where I got this recipe but I saved it to share for the Holidays. This is perfect for a small get together. And besides, I love anything with Melba Toast!!!!

Image: an affair from the heart

Adapted From Food.com

INGREDIENTS
3/4 cup Mayonnaise
1/2 cup of Onions (chopped)
2 cups Jarlsberg Swiss

INSTRUCTIONS
Mix all ingredients together.
Preheat over to 325°.
Bake for 30-40 minutes.
Serve with Meeba Toast .