Thanksgiving 2011 Menu

I can’t believe Thanksgiving is only a few days away. Sometimes holidays sneak up on me unexpectedly, but I can proudly say that I am fully prepared for the Thanksgiving celebration!

For dinner, there won’t be a traditional turkey since my family is vegetarian, but there will be other delicious and festive dishes.


Here is the menu:

Mixed Greens Salad

Pumpkin-Ricotta Stuffed Shells (the recipe is from Country Living Magazine)

Baked Sweet Potatoes with Rosemary (I use this recipe but I add two tablespoons of finely chopped fresh rosemary)

Buttermilk Cornbread

Homemade Cranberry Sauce

Apple Cider, Cranberry Juice

Caramel-Glazed Apple Cake with Ice-Cream

If you would like to learn about other Thanksgiving favorites, visit Stone Gable for On the Menu Monday link party.

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To those of you who celebrate it, I wish a wonderful Thanksgiving filled with warmth and love of your dear ones. And I want to thank you all for being my blog-world friends, for your support and encouragement!

Carrot Souffle

2 pounds carrots, chopped
1/2 cup melted butter
1/2 cup white sugar
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 eggs, beaten
confectioners' sugar for dusting

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add carrots and cook until tender, about 15 minutes.

Drain and mash. Add melted butter, white sugar, flour, baking powder, vanilla extract, and eggs. Mix well and transfer to a 2 quart casserole dish.

Bake in preheated oven for 30-40 minutes. Sprinkle with confectioners' sugar.

Makes 8 servings.

I'm linking this recipe to Foodie Friday at Designs by Gollum.

My New Blog about Crochet

Did you notice how crocheting was taking over my blog? My crocheting posts proved to be the most popular, but when I first started this blog, I wanted it to be mostly about cooking and gardening, and I still do! So I recently started a new blog dedicated to crocheting.

If you are a crocheter or just a crochet admirer, I invite you to join me on Lacy Crochet.

Cilantro Pesto

This cilantro pesto is just as delicious as the traditional basil one, but its ingredients are a bit less expensive. My family loved it with pasta!



1 bunch fresh cilantro
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon white wine vinegar
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/2 cup walnuts or pecans
salt to taste
1/2 cup olive oil (or a bit less)

In an electric food processor or blender, blend cilantro, garlic, vinegar, Parmesan cheese, cayenne pepper, nuts, and salt. Add 1/4 cup of the olive oil, and blend the pesto. Add more olive oil until the pesto reaches your desired consistency.

I'm linking this recipe to:
Foodie Friday @ Designs by Gollum,
Home Sweet Home Friday @The Charm of Home,
Potpourri Friday @ 2805.

Pineapples Big and Small

I can’t help it! I love crocheting doilies!
Here is another one that I recently crocheted. By the way, thank you so much for your sweet comments on my previous one. I enjoyed reading (and rereading) them. Some of you even encouraged me to open an Etsy shop. I am seriously considering that possibility. Thank you!

It was fun to crochet this pineapple doily, and I am very happy with the way it turned out. I found the pattern online, you can see it here.



Today, I’m joining Jami at An Oregon Cottage for Well-Made Wednesday, a link party to share handmade items and ideas on handmade gifts. Wouldn’t you agree that a doily can make a lovely present?

I am also joining

Home Sweet Home Friday @The Charm of Home,
Show and Tell Friday @ My Romantic Home,
Potpourri Friday @ 2805.