Thanksgiving Week -- What Are Your Plans and Menu?

By Trish
November 20, 2011

Here we are at week two of our ATP chat. Come tell us about what plans you have for the week!

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Nov 19, 2011 7:19 PM CST
Thread OP
Name: Lynn
Oregon City, OR (Zone 8b)
Charter ATP Member Garden Sages I helped plan and beta test the plant database. I helped beta test the Garden Planting Calendar I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Plant Database Moderator
Forum moderator I helped beta test the first seed swap Million Pollinator Garden Challenge Celebrating Gardening: 2015 Plant and/or Seed Trader Garden Ideas: Master Level
This year we are going to D.C. to spend Thanksgiving with our youngest son and family.
Others are in complete control of the Thanksgiving feast, not sure if it will be a traditional mea or a Lebanese style feast. Either way will be delightful. Lovey dubby

This is a definite departure from normal for us. Thumbs up
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Nov 19, 2011 7:53 PM CST
Name: Robin
Pittsburg, MO
I sent a postcard to Randy! I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Charter ATP Member Garden Ideas: Level 1 Garden Art Birds
Orchids Lover of wildlife (Black bear badge) Region: United States of America Hummingbirder Region: Missouri Plumerias
Ours will be a traditional one. We'll start out with the favorite appetizers of olives, home canned bread and butter pickles and lite dill pickles. I'll do bourbon meatballs and smokies and I'll dream up some kind of last minute cheese ball. (I never know what I will create) Now for dinner. Turkey, oyster dressing, mashed taters with gravy, salad, deviled eggs, candied sweet potates (this is for me and my DIL cause we are the only ones that love sweet taters) and of course deserts. Pumpkin and Apple pies, along with Watergate Salad.

I'll do most of the cooking Thanksgiving Day, my DGD will come spend Wed. nite with us and she will help do prep and pies. Since my parents died, back in 99 and 2000, the whole family doesn't get together for the holidays anymore. We all have our own families where we have started our own traditions, but the mainstay will be the oyster dressing that my great grandma started back in the 1800's

I hope everyone has a safe and wonderful holiday, Be sure to give thanks to our Lord and remember all those that started this great nation and those that have kept us free.
Save the planet, it's the only one with chocolate.
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Nov 19, 2011 8:03 PM CST
Thread OP
Name: Lynn
Oregon City, OR (Zone 8b)
Charter ATP Member Garden Sages I helped plan and beta test the plant database. I helped beta test the Garden Planting Calendar I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Plant Database Moderator
Forum moderator I helped beta test the first seed swap Million Pollinator Garden Challenge Celebrating Gardening: 2015 Plant and/or Seed Trader Garden Ideas: Master Level
Robin, what is Watergate Salad?
I have never had oyster dressing, but it sounds wonderful, doubly so because it was your great grandma's recipe.
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Nov 20, 2011 5:58 AM CST
Name: Robin
Pittsburg, MO
I sent a postcard to Randy! I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Charter ATP Member Garden Ideas: Level 1 Garden Art Birds
Orchids Lover of wildlife (Black bear badge) Region: United States of America Hummingbirder Region: Missouri Plumerias
Lin, the oyster dressing is made just about the same as others. We tear up fresh white bread (with our family it will be 6-8 loaves) add the onion, celery, egg, s&p, sage, giblets and one can of oysters with juice, then pour turkey broth on it and stir it up. It is not dry make sure it is very wet. Depending on my mood and how tired I am, cause this is done the last thing at night before baking,I will either stuff the bird with the dressing and put the turkey on the rest of the dressing then bake the next day.Or I will put onion and celery in the bird and then put the bird on top of all the dressing.. More often than not it gets the dressing inside. When the bird is done the dressing is moist not very wet like when I first put it in.

Watergate Salad

1 pkg. Jello inst pistachio pudding
1 small carton Cool Whip
1-2 cups mini marshmallows, Use as much as or as little as you want
1 small can crushed pineapple, drained.

opt. add more chopped finely pistachios.

Mix well and refrigerate at least 1 hour.

It is a beautiful green color and if you want you can use small shaped marshmallows or the colored ones.

If we don't have that salad then we do a different Waldorf Salad. Which is

1 cup red grapes, cut in half
1 banana quartered and sliced
1 red apple chopped
1 pkg black walnuts or 1/2 cup fresh blk walnuts
1 cup mini marshmallows
Miracle whip

Combine all the marshmallows, fruits and nuts, start adding by the spoonful the Miracle Whip until everything is covered well in the bowl. Refrigerate for at least one hour. The Miracle Whip takes on the flavors of the ingredients and won't taste like what it is. You don't have to use that brand, you can use any brand salad dressing.

You can also change the fruit to what you want, even the nuts, but you do have to use the marshmallows and the salad dressing.
Save the planet, it's the only one with chocolate.
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Nov 20, 2011 8:57 AM CST
Thread OP
Name: Lynn
Oregon City, OR (Zone 8b)
Charter ATP Member Garden Sages I helped plan and beta test the plant database. I helped beta test the Garden Planting Calendar I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Plant Database Moderator
Forum moderator I helped beta test the first seed swap Million Pollinator Garden Challenge Celebrating Gardening: 2015 Plant and/or Seed Trader Garden Ideas: Master Level
Now I'm hungry. The stuffing sounds particularly delicious. Maybe I can give it a try this winter.
What a feast you are going to have. Thumbs up
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Nov 20, 2011 10:50 AM CST
Name: Robin
Pittsburg, MO
I sent a postcard to Randy! I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Charter ATP Member Garden Ideas: Level 1 Garden Art Birds
Orchids Lover of wildlife (Black bear badge) Region: United States of America Hummingbirder Region: Missouri Plumerias
Thanks and the dressing is great with chicken or lamb chops. Not to great with beef, pork is ok.
Save the planet, it's the only one with chocolate.
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Nov 20, 2011 11:29 AM CST
Garden.org Admin
Name: Trish
Grapevine, TX (Zone 8a)
I helped beta test the Garden Planting Calendar Charter ATP Member Region: Texas Roses Herbs Vegetable Grower
Composter Canning and food preservation Hosted a Not-A-Raffle-Raffle Organic Gardener Forum moderator Hummingbirder
Lynn, I'm so excited for you!!!

Robin, We had a Cajun family from LA with us one Thanksgiving, and she made us oyster stuffing. I fell in love. My mom used to make Watergate Salad every Thanksgiving. When my brother and I were cleaning out my dad's house, we found the container that she always served it in. We both shouted "Watergate Salad!". Neither of us could remember anything else ever being served out of that dish Big Grin

Ahhhhhh- memories! That's the point of traditions, eh?
NGA COO, Wife, Mom, and do-er of many fun things.
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Nov 20, 2011 3:40 PM CST
Name: Marcia Rutherford
New Madison, Ohio
Charter ATP Member Birds Roses Region: Ohio Hummingbirder Garden Art
Ferns Echinacea Container Gardener Cat Lover Butterflies Lover of wildlife (Black bear badge)
Our family has dwindled in size over the past few yrs....so we invite others who have no where else to go. This year, our youngest son, will have it at his house. He is going to smoke a turkey on his smoker/grill..plus do one in the oven. He will also do the mashed potatoes/gravy and cheesy noodles. Everyone else will be bringing the rest of the meal. There will be green bean casserole, corn, stuffing..or dressing as we call it around here. Also deviled eggs and rolls.
I will be taking cranberry salad, two kinds, since my DIL only likes the canned cranberry sauce. Also making a vegetable tray with small sweet pickles, black olives, red, yellow, green sweet pepper strips, grape tomatoes , mini carrots, and celery sticks. Oldest son will bring all the drinks plus wine. I am making parmesan crisps to munch on with drinks.
I will also make the pies. Sugar cream, pumpkin, pecan, and apple.
Then I will WALK home...LOL!!!
I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving, and remember to be thankful for our servicemen everywhere!
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Nov 20, 2011 8:02 PM CST
Name: Robin
Pittsburg, MO
I sent a postcard to Randy! I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Charter ATP Member Garden Ideas: Level 1 Garden Art Birds
Orchids Lover of wildlife (Black bear badge) Region: United States of America Hummingbirder Region: Missouri Plumerias
Thanks Trish and I do know what you mean about the dish. When we cleaned out the cubbard after mom and dad died, we found this really ugly green bowl and all four of us kids (lol kids) yelled Chocolate Chip Cookies. My sister now has that bowl and we decided to pass it down the line.

Marcy that dinner sounds wonderful.

I forgot one of the most important treaditions from my DH's side. Beaumonde Dip. Basically it is like dill dip except we use Miracle Whip instead of plain mayo and we add a spice called Beaumonde. It puts a great flavor in the dip that after you've had it this way you won't go back to the plain dill dip. It must be served with the big round Hawaiian Bread Yum, I can hardly wait now.
Save the planet, it's the only one with chocolate.
Avatar for Dutchlady1
Nov 21, 2011 6:28 AM CST

Plumerias Photo Contest Winner: 2015 Charter ATP Member I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Garden Ideas: Master Level Forum moderator
Region: Florida Cat Lover Garden Sages Cactus and Succulents Tropicals Hosted a Not-A-Raffle-Raffle
Marcia - your mention of Parmesan crisps made me recall a Thanksgiving feast in Germany many years ago, where several people were bringing their dishes, and the person with the TURKEY was stuck in traffic or something like that, and the host kept making Parmesans crisps to keep everyone entertained while we waited. By the time the turkey finally arived we were all full Hilarious!
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Nov 21, 2011 9:31 AM CST
Name: Marcia Rutherford
New Madison, Ohio
Charter ATP Member Birds Roses Region: Ohio Hummingbirder Garden Art
Ferns Echinacea Container Gardener Cat Lover Butterflies Lover of wildlife (Black bear badge)
LOL Hetty...that worked...didn't it?? Hilarious!
Our thing that was passed down was a glass turkey candy dish. My mother always had that on the table at Thanksgiving. However...I had two brothers..both gone now..and the eldest one grabbed...yes i said grabbed...the turkey from mom's cupboard after she passed away.
Know what my wonderful hubby did? He took me to an antique store...well..several before we found it..and bought me a glass turkey candy dish just like my mothers. Wasn't that sweet of him? It wasn't the same..but still.! Hurray!
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Nov 21, 2011 9:36 AM CST
Garden.org Admin
Name: Trish
Grapevine, TX (Zone 8a)
I helped beta test the Garden Planting Calendar Charter ATP Member Region: Texas Roses Herbs Vegetable Grower
Composter Canning and food preservation Hosted a Not-A-Raffle-Raffle Organic Gardener Forum moderator Hummingbirder
That was very sweet! Lovey dubby
NGA COO, Wife, Mom, and do-er of many fun things.
Avatar for Dutchlady1
Nov 21, 2011 11:10 AM CST

Plumerias Photo Contest Winner: 2015 Charter ATP Member I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Garden Ideas: Master Level Forum moderator
Region: Florida Cat Lover Garden Sages Cactus and Succulents Tropicals Hosted a Not-A-Raffle-Raffle
I agree
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Nov 21, 2011 12:09 PM CST
Name: Ann ~Heat zn 9, Sunset
North Fl. (Zone 8b)
Garden Sages Region: Ukraine Native Plants and Wildflowers Xeriscape Organic Gardener I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database!
Garden Ideas: Master Level Butterflies Charter ATP Member Plant Identifier Million Pollinator Garden Challenge Dog Lover
He made new memories for you out of old memories. Lovey dubby
I am a strong believer in the simple fact is that what matters in this life is how we treat others. I think that's what living is all about. Not what I've done in my life but how I've treated others. ~~ Sharon Brown
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Nov 23, 2011 2:33 PM CST
Thread OP
Name: Lynn
Oregon City, OR (Zone 8b)
Charter ATP Member Garden Sages I helped plan and beta test the plant database. I helped beta test the Garden Planting Calendar I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Plant Database Moderator
Forum moderator I helped beta test the first seed swap Million Pollinator Garden Challenge Celebrating Gardening: 2015 Plant and/or Seed Trader Garden Ideas: Master Level
Here we are in D.C., starting on the Thanksgiving celebration. Last night we went to Paula and Dick's house for a traditional Armenian dinner. Many courses are served thoughout the evening over a period of about 2 hours. One of my favorite dishes is kibbe, made with raw ground beef, spices and fresh onions. I wish all of you could have been there to partake of this feast.
Thumb of 2011-11-23/valleylynn/ea42d9
Thumb of 2011-11-23/valleylynn/cd525e

Morning coffee with Jocey and Khadija. You just need one tiny cup of this to get your going in the morning. Blinking
Khadija made these little biscuits to go with the coffee. Boy were they tasty. We put head coverings on for the photo. We were having such great fun this morning.
Thumb of 2011-11-23/valleylynn/966ba3
Thumb of 2011-11-23/valleylynn/800e20
Avatar for Dutchlady1
Nov 23, 2011 2:44 PM CST

Plumerias Photo Contest Winner: 2015 Charter ATP Member I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Garden Ideas: Master Level Forum moderator
Region: Florida Cat Lover Garden Sages Cactus and Succulents Tropicals Hosted a Not-A-Raffle-Raffle
Looks great! I wonder if your 'Kibbe' is like 'Steak Tartare' which we eat in Europe a lot.
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Nov 23, 2011 2:58 PM CST
Thread OP
Name: Lynn
Oregon City, OR (Zone 8b)
Charter ATP Member Garden Sages I helped plan and beta test the plant database. I helped beta test the Garden Planting Calendar I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Plant Database Moderator
Forum moderator I helped beta test the first seed swap Million Pollinator Garden Challenge Celebrating Gardening: 2015 Plant and/or Seed Trader Garden Ideas: Master Level
I think is is very much the same Hetty, with maybe different spices? I know once you put a round of it on your plate you spread it flat with your fork and drizzle the finest of olive oil over it. It is heavenly.
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Nov 23, 2011 5:00 PM CST
Garden.org Admin
Name: Trish
Grapevine, TX (Zone 8a)
I helped beta test the Garden Planting Calendar Charter ATP Member Region: Texas Roses Herbs Vegetable Grower
Composter Canning and food preservation Hosted a Not-A-Raffle-Raffle Organic Gardener Forum moderator Hummingbirder
How wonderful, Lynn.

Although, I think I'll just watch you and yours enjoy the raw hamburger. Big Grin
NGA COO, Wife, Mom, and do-er of many fun things.
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Nov 23, 2011 7:54 PM CST
Name: Ann ~Heat zn 9, Sunset
North Fl. (Zone 8b)
Garden Sages Region: Ukraine Native Plants and Wildflowers Xeriscape Organic Gardener I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database!
Garden Ideas: Master Level Butterflies Charter ATP Member Plant Identifier Million Pollinator Garden Challenge Dog Lover
Wow Lynn! Looks like you're having a fantastic time. And who knew you were already there? It seems like there was no lapse in your postings. Amazing what technology is doing.

Have a great Thanksgiving tomorrow & enjoy your family.

Pssssttt.... I'll take your word for the raw burger but like Trish will have to pass on it. I have enough trouble eating cooked meat. Hilarious!
I am a strong believer in the simple fact is that what matters in this life is how we treat others. I think that's what living is all about. Not what I've done in my life but how I've treated others. ~~ Sharon Brown
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Nov 24, 2011 6:51 AM CST
Name: Robin
Pittsburg, MO
I sent a postcard to Randy! I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Charter ATP Member Garden Ideas: Level 1 Garden Art Birds
Orchids Lover of wildlife (Black bear badge) Region: United States of America Hummingbirder Region: Missouri Plumerias
Love the Steak Tartare, It isn't burger meat it is actually supposed to be made with the choicest of steaks ground up and spices added to it.

Glad you are having a wonderful time.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone.
Save the planet, it's the only one with chocolate.

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