Countdown to Turkey Day 2008: November 11

Heather says: Recently frequent commenter JayMonster asked: Have any tricks for getting “prepped” for Turkey Day any easier? I mean, we use dishes, chargers, silverware and goblets that typically only see the light of day here and at Xmas, so it becomes a chore as big as the meal itself to wash and polish everything. …

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Countdown to Turkey Day 2008: November 11

Heather says: By now you should have a decent headcount of how many invasive parasites guests will be in attendance for your holiday meal. When you have a moment of peace, use duct tape if you must, sit down with pencil and paper and plan your menu and shopping list. Listed below are general guidelines …

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Countdown to Turkey Day 2008: November 6

Heather says:

If you have never roasted a turkey or chicken before, Thanksgiving is not the day for your trial run, just ask Ivy about their near Thanksgiving Massacre of ’01. Your homework for this week is to roast a chicken as practice for the big day.

Do not fear the turkey, it is just a giant chicken. For your convenience I am including directions previously posted for both after the jump. If you do not have an internal thermometer they can be found at Target for $20 – $30. Think of it this way, it’s about the same as an insurance co-pay without all the pain and suffering. (Actually I wish that was my co-pay, but that’s another story).  I like the probe / timer combos.  The probe is inserted and a thin wire connects to a unit outside the oven. Most have an alarm to signal when the desired temperature is reached (5° lower than the recommended temperature, as it continues to rise once removed from the oven.)

On to the practice chicken!

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Baked Potato Soup Recipe

Ever since I worked at Bennigan’s, I have adored potato soup. I am fairly certain if it weren’t for snitched rolls and ramekins of baked potato soup, I would have wasted away in my late teens. I was sad to see the company recently declare bankruptcy, but take heart. The potato soup lives on. This …

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Election Day Reminder

Heather says: If you are one of our American Home Eccers, you would have to live under a rock to not know that today is Election Day. This has been an incredibly long and often bitter race. All but the squabbling should end with the closing of the polls (much to my relief). I do …

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Countdown to Turkey Day 2008: November 3

Heather says: Brace yourselves, I’m about to go all FLYlady on you for one post. No, I’m not going to flood your inboxes or ask if you are wearing shoes. What I am going to do is give you a goal. Every night (or morning or afternoon for you shift workers) just before you head …

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Countdown to Turkey Day 2008: November 2

Heather says: It’s time once again to play every family’s favorite game, Locate the Dining Room Table. If you have fallen into the habit of using your table as a dumping ground or project center, today is the day to clear it off. I know Thanksgiving is nearly a month away, but in some cases …

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Countdown to Turkey Day 2008: November 1

Heather says: In just a few short weeks the holiday season kicks off and Thanksgiving is hands down my favorite holiday of the year. I love the cooking (and eating) and Ivy loves to entertain (and eat). Ivy and I will spend the next few weeks focusing on tips and recipes for the big day.  …

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Apple Cider French Toast

Heather says: We are swimming in apple cider at my house. While almost everyone I know enjoys hot cider simmered with cinnamon, my children were rather unimpressed. I refuse to drink the entire gallon solo. Rather than letting it go to waste I began experimenting. Monday morning we tried apple cinnamon oatmeal, substituting 1/2 of …

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Flat Cookies? Not in This House

Dear Home Ec 101, My cookies keep ending up flat, hard and chewy, what can I do? I have tried 5 different recipes and my cookies all come out the same, flat. I watch them in the oven and they puff all up and then it is like bubbles popping and they flatten out before …

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