Ok, so I’m a bit late posting this, and I didn’t take a lot of photos of Thanksgiving - this is it, really. It’s difficult to play hostess and photographer simultaneously. Anyway, I did, at least have a little fun with the food. See?

Cherry pie - not with canned pie filling, mind you. I used frozen cherries. It was really tasty - I’d probably try a little less sugar next time, for that extra zip of tart.  I cut the swirly shapes with a knife, the leaves with a mini-cookie cutter.

Homemade cranberry sauce. I don’t know why I keep making it. It never gets devoured like everything else. I like it, though. Maybe I should just reduce the recipe next time. It has fresh cranberries, orange juice and zest, and sugar. It simmers together until the cranberries burst and it coagulates a bit. Yum. Way better than the canned stuff, in my opinion. I like to put it on my rolls instead of jelly.

No photos of these, but I was quite domestic this Thanksgiving. I also cooked a huge turkey. The roaster oven made it easy, and boy, did it cook quickly! Only two hours for the nearly 19 pound bird - I was astounded. Also: real mashed potatoes, homemade gravy, stuffing, homemade rolls, honey butter, broccoli slaw, sweet potatoes, the cranberry sauce, the cherry pie, two pumpkin pies, a pecan pie, a french silk chocolate pie, which Hana decorated, but I neglected to take a photo of (grr), and non-dairy brown-rice pudding. Some of the guests brought a few other things, but those are what I made.

Whew! It was a lot of work, but it turned out so nicely, and everyone enjoyed themselves. Even me. And so, it’s worth it.

Creativity Question: Have you any creative Thanksgiving traditions? Meaning, something you make or create either yourself or as a family? Or something you did this year, if it’s not a tradition?

I didn’t do any crafts, and I don’t decorate for Thanksgiving, aside from the table and serving areas - my decor consisted of wired ribbon (I, the ribbon addict, already had it) in a deep burgundy color with gold accents, a few pine cones, some of them gold, and some other little earthy things I had in my stash - oh, and the 6 ears of Indian corn for 50 cents. It doesn’t take much to make it look nice. In the center, iron scroll-work with a white serving dish filled with rolls. The tablecloth was way too big, so I bunched up the parts that fell to the floor and billowed them a bit and pinned them around the four legs, then tied with ribbon. I was going for “I meant to do that” rather than “oops, the tablecloth is too long and I don’t want you to trip”. I think it worked. I suppose for Thanksgiving, my creativity tradition is homemade foods and inexpensive but nice table decor which I usually throw together last minute. BTW- eating on real plates was sooo nice! 

So tell me YOUR traditions - probably much more interesting than mine.

First, I want to thank EVERYONE who so generously participated in my recipe contest.  I truly appreciate your sharing of recipes - so many of them sounded wonderful.

The winner of the recipe contest is: Andie for Rachel Ray’s Rata-stoup-ie recipe.   THANKS! It sounds really good. And easy.  And healthy.  And veggie.  And Kael-safe.  Runner-up is Rebecca for the Tortilla Soup recipe - I love avocado, and chips - mmm.  Now I just need a kitchen herb garden.  You win a packet of personalized note cards OR thank you cards.  You may pick from the designs here.  Any of the designs can either be personalized with a name or simply say “thank you”.  Just let me know what you would like either in the comments or via e-mail.

The winner of the book bonus (well there are two):  Michelle (via e-mail, thanks!) for 1001 Low-Fat Vegetarian Recipes and Susan for Vegan Lunch Box, plus  the Vegan Lunchbox site which has some amazing links on it.  THANKS SO MUCH!  I will likely buy both of those books, and I plan to frequent the site, plus visit some of the links on there, especially the Laptop Lunches site (been feeling like I’ve been using too many sandwich bags lately, and want to make a change for the better). I will e-mail you and we can discuss your prize.

I guess I need to head out to “Half Price Books” and see if they have either of those books… Now, if I could only remember to take the reusable shopping bags with me…

Note on the graphic - that is a piece of whole wheat spaghetti - and I did NOT pose it that way - I discovered it dried that way, on the stove (leave it to the typography junkie to find a letter in it), so I grabbed the camera, and added the text in Photoshop.  Any food adventures/creativity of your own??? Please share!

THE CHALLENGE:
I am suffering from a cooking rut - definitely NOT very creative in everyday cooking.  I desperately need some good, new-to-us entree recipes to mix into the rotation.

THE GUIDELINES (I didn’t call it a challenge for nothing):

• Simple & easy - I usually don’t like to spend more than 20-30 minutes for everyday meals (if it’s in the oven or crock pot and I don’t have to stand over it, it’s ok if it takes a little longer)
• Preferably vegetarian entrees - I don’t eat a lot of meat, and have plenty of recipes for meat dishes
• NO dairy  - My son is allergic - if cheese is optional, it’s ok.  I can usually substitute for milk & butter with no problems
• NO peanuts, corn or oats (also allergic) - I can substitute for corn starch in most recipes
• I prefer to avoid white flour - sometimes I can substitute for whole grains, but other times it just won’t work :: I love spelt
• You may post the recipes in the comments section, or post a link to a website with the recipe (which you’ve hopefully tried), or e-mail me
• DUE DATE - OCTOBER 25 - I know that’s not a lot of time.  Did I mention I’m desperate?

A COUPLE OF NOTES: Remember, I have four children and a husband to feed - and sometimes extra people, so the recipes need to be family-friendly: easy to make or adapt for 6+ people.  My kids will eat a variety of vegetables.  If I have never heard of the vegetables and/or other ingredients I am less likely to make it.  I am familiar with different flours, grains and many alternative health food ingredients, but not as many vegetables - I am willing to try as long as they’re not hard to find or require me driving for 20+ minutes to health food store.  My family will only eat so much rice and beans.

YOUR PRIZE:
To the winner, I will send a package of personalized notecards or thank you cards or a mixed pack (you choose) .  If they sound really yummy, I may choose more than one.

BONUS:
I think I might have to buy a vegan cookbook - it would meet the no-dairy, no meat thing.  Anyone know of a good one with simple, family friendly recipes which aren’t all made of white flour?  If you rise to this challenge and I buy your book recommendation, we’ll work out something special for your prize.

Thanks everyone!  You are welcome to pass this challenge along to friends/family.

Fun menu graphic from image generator at  RedKid.net