What’s On the Menu?

Thanksgiving is upon us. In 24 hours the turkey will be  prepped for an overnight basting in the oven. I’ll stuff the bird full of my very own apple-cornbread stuffing (YUM!)

By Thursday morning the house will smell of poultry and spices as I begin to peel apples, potatoes and put on the macaroni to boil.

But before all of that I will shower and turn on the television and the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade. I’ll thank the Lord for our beautiful kids and all the blessings this year has bestowed upon us, and the way God is continually working me closer to His heart and more and more in His image as the days of my life pass so quickly by. I’m so blessed. Beyond Blessed.

My parents, my brother and his little Ben and beautiful Eva along with my two girls and Brittany’s Michael will be joining us for Thanksgiving dinner. Around two o’clock the food will be on the table, my daddy will say grace and we’ll carve the bird.

We’ll have sweet iced tea – the kind that makes your mouth go-MMMM-MMMM! My girls are learning my secret for awesome iced tea: boil the water and remove from heat, allow three or four teabags to steep in about two cups of water, cover. Leave in pan for five minutes. Add two cups of sugar to a gallon pitcher and pour in the hot tea! Stir well-it will look like a thick dark syrup. Add cold water ’til full. Pour over a generous serving of ice and enjoy!

Creamy homemade mashed potatoes are on the menu. White, fluffy potatoes with lots of milk, butter and sour cream! Add some garlic seasoning, black pepper and salt and you have perfect mashed potatoes. A little taste of heaven right here on earth.

When I was a little girl my grandma on my dad’s side made the most delicious, from scratch macaroni and cheese. I love it so much… I make it myself. All you need is a generous amount of elbow or small-medium shell macaroni, about a cup of milk, a half a stick of butter and 7-8 slices of American Cheese. Boil the noodles according to package directions and then tear the cheese slices into small squares, add the milk, butter and return to the stove over low heat stirring constantly until all cheese and butter are melted and mixed well. Add seasoning to taste – the luscious, creamy noodles will make your mouth so happy!

Momma’s bringing sliced, baked sweet potatoes. Not yams, but SWEET POTATOES… And Daddy assures me there is a difference. Just sweet potatoes – no marshmallows, no pecans, and no pie crust. Just sweet potatoes. SWEET. POTATOES. I like saying it so much I think I should type it again… Maybe not.

Moving on. 🙂

She’s also bringing her famous southern style cornbread dressing. Not stuffing… She does not put this masterpiece in a bird. It is dressing – ’cause it looks so pretty of course! What would Thanksgiving be without the dressing? I tell you.

Next on the mouth-watering menu are a tasty little treat I first experienced at a Christmas potluck. What do you get when you bind up green beans with a strip of bacon and then add brown sugar and Worcestershire sauce? The most fun green bean eating experience of your life. These little green bean bundles will delight your tastebuds to be sure-one bundle will definitely not be enough!

My brother is bringing a veggie dish that has quinoa in it-I think… I can’t remember my mind was swimming in Strawberry Shortcake when he told me on Sunday at our monthly family birthday dinner. Whatever it is, it is sure to be good. Jef is an excellent cook. An excellent cook.

We’ll finish it off with my very own Sweet Apple Pie and Momma’s famous Banana Pudding.  A delightful custard layered with generous amounts of banana and Nilla wafers.  This stuff is so good with or without whip cream. I’m getting hungry just writing about it.

We’ll all take a tryptophan nap while trying to focus on the Cowboys game while the babies play and laugh all around. I wouldn’t trade Thanksgiving at our house this year for anything. I love spending time with my family, cooking for them and enjoying the blessings of God with them in every way. Did I tell you I am blessed? BEYOND. BLESSED.

Philippians 4:6-7 (AMP)
Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance and in everything, by prayer and petition (definite requests), with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants known to God.  And God’s peace [shall be yours, that tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and being content with its earthly lot of whatever sort that is, that peace] which transcends all understanding shall garrison and mount guard over your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

YES, The Lord has done great things for us and we are glad! (Psalm 126)