The Thanksgiving Aftermath

Unexpected busyness and circumstances beyond our control made for a blogging lapse as of late. I have certainly missed all of the blog friends we have made over the past months. Hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving. We really enjoyed our family, food and fellowship. We enjoyed a wonderful Thanksgiving brunch, and then late in the afternoon headed off to visit with my husbands family for dessert. There were pies, pumpkin strudel bars, key lime cupcakes, and more. Yum! We had a wonderful time of fellowship with them. On Friday we were off to visit with mine and Victoria's parents and all of our siblings and their families for all of the delicious food that we all have such fond memories of from childhood and still love to this day. Hubby made the turkeys this year. One smoked on his beloved Big Green Egg and one baked. There were all sorts of sides to be had including Victoria's Cranberry Relish made with fresh oranges and cranberries and delicious Carmel Cake and Pumpkin Cheesecake for dessert. We enjoyed my brother and sister-in-laws new baby and found out that my other brother and his wife, Meg, are adding a baby to the mix in July of 2009. My sister was home from college with her boy friend and my mom's mother who turned ninety in Sept. was there. Such a delightful day.

One of the probably crazy, but constant things that we seem to have every holiday, is Raspberry Ginger Ale. It appears alongside the tea and we guzzle it. It has to be so cold as to almost have ice in it. Often it gets placed in the freezer just a little beforehand.


We have used it as a punch for baby showers and for our annual cookie swap. Just make sure it is ice cold and add it to a pitcher or a punch bowl. People will rave over it and ask for the recipe. You don't have to let anyone know you haven't been mixing punch in the hours before your party. It is up to you if you give away the secret or not. : )

To use for a punch bowl, you can place a cookie sheet or jelly roll pan in the freezer with a thin layer of the ginger ale poured into it. Freeze, and break up (like you would if you have ever made white chocolate bark) and place in the punch bowl and pour the ginger ale over. It will never really freeze solid, but will keep the punch ice cold with out watering it down.

With the Christmas right around the corner, you may find yourself in need of a punch that is different. Buy a bottle, stick it in the freezer before the party and enjoy a glass of pink bubbly cheer. Let us know if you try it.

Christina


Victoria here...

For Thanksgiving I made Martha Stewart's Cranberry Relish. Since my nephew is allergic to nuts I did leave out the walnuts and it tasted fine. I love the tanginess of the oranges and cranberry!

Here is the recipe if you want to try it for Christmas dinner.

Quick Cranberry Relish
1 pound fresh cranberries
Grated zest and juice of 1 orange (I cut the oranges into quarters and throw it all in!)
1/2 cup walnuts
1 cup sugar, or to taste

Combine ingredients in bowl of a food processor and process until coarsely chopped. Set aside for at least 30 minutes before serving.