Thanksgiving For All

Christmas Countdown: Decorate Your Blog for Christmas

2007-11-23T07:53:00.000-08:00

Thanksgiving is a great time to start your Christmas decorations. I found this really cool MySpace Christmas countdown which is also a virtual Christmas tree! You can grab the code here to decorate your blog or MySpace profile.

How to Intensify the Flavor of your Turkey Recipe

2007-11-22T23:02:00.000-08:00

With all those turkeys out here on Thanksgiving, there are many people who prefer having the flavor little more intense. This is something that I found while surfing the net last night. If you want to intensify the flavor check out this video, which gives the perfect clue as to how to do that. Make sure that you don't over do with intensifying the flavor, since there's a good chance that you may turn out to be a flop with the trash recipe.

Thanksgiving Appetizer Recipe: Lobster

2007-11-22T11:22:00.000-08:00

Wish you all a very Happy Turkey Day. But here I'm going to talk something apart from turkeys. wondering what? Just read on. It may be of a highly beneficial for you!

The legend has it that the pilgrims and their Native American guests had lobster. You know what they probably did have and didn't have but we have on thanksgiving? They had the wild fowls and didn't have pumpkin pie and mashed potatoes! Anyway how if you hold the spirit of Thanksgiving food high, commemorating the first Thanksgiving feast? I found this recipe online and I'm preparing it for my gang. It says, it'll be fantastic as an appetizer. It would really be nice having a special Lobster recipe as a side dish from the heavy turkey.

Ingredients

1 pound lobster meat
1/4 cup fresh lime juice
1/3 cup dry white wine
1 teaspoon lime zest
6 leaves butter
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 head of Boston lettuce

Direction

Step 1: Cut lobster meat into medium size pieces.
Step 2: Cook wine, juice, oil, and zest for 2 minutes in a wok over medium heat.
Step 3: After a couple of minutes increase the heat to medium-high. Add the pieces of lobsters.
Step 4: Stir fry until lobster is opaque and turns golden brown. Chill for 1 hour.
Step 5: Put the lettuce leaves in small bowls and top with lobster mixture.

How to Safely Cook a Turkey

2007-11-22T10:31:00.000-08:00

Wish you all a very Happy Thanksgiving

Ok, now your turkey is ready and you're ready to have your guests, I hope. Here's how to cook your turkey safely.

Roasting a whole turkey is not all that a big deal, so long as you take special care when handling the raw poultry. It's really important to take all the necessary precautionary measures when handling and cooking it. It is essential to wash your hands properly before and after handling the raw meat. Make sure that your utensils and surfaces are cleaned well. Wash the raw meat properly with hot water. I always do that because it is the first step to destroy certain bacteria.

Remember that it's not a good idea to keep the raw poultry out of the fridge for long. So after washing it properly store it in the refrigerator until you're ready to cook it. But for the frozen turkeys meat you need to see if it is completely defrosted before you start cooking it. The correct temperature and appropriate cooking time is really vital as it destroys the bacteria and prevents you from having food poisoning. Check out my post entitled “Prevention Tips For Thanksgiving Turkey Bird Flu” where I've mentioned about the correct temperature for cooking turkeys.

Here's something about the roasting time for the turkeys. The general rule is the larger the bird, the longer should be your cooking time.

Roasting Times for Stuffed Turkey

2 ¾ hrs to 3 ¼ hrs for 6 - 8 lbs turkey
3 hrs to 3 ½ hrs for 8 - 12 lbs turkey
3 ½ hrs to 4 hrs for for 12 - 14 lbs turkey
4 hrs to 4 ¼ hrs for for 14 - 18 lbs turkey
4 ¼ hrs to 4 ¾ hrs for 8 - 20 lbs turkey
4 ¾ hrs to 5 ¼ hrs for 20 - 24 lbs turkey

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Roasting Times for Unstuffed Turkey

2 ½ hrs. to 2 ¾ for 6 - 8 lbs turkey
2 ¾ hrs to 3 hrs. for 8 - 12 lbs turkey
3 hrs to 3 ¾ hrs for 12 - 14 lbs turkey
3 ¾ hrs to 4 ¼ hrs for 14 - 18 lbs turkey
4 ¼ hrs to 4 ½ hrs for 18 - 20 lbs turkey
4 ½ hrs to 5 hrs for 20 - 24 lbs turkey

Thanksgiving Games For Kids

2007-11-21T02:52:00.000-08:00

So what are you going to do tomorrow? Have ever thought of how you are going to add some extra fun to your kids' Thanksgiving celebration? Here's a game for the kids on Thanksgiving. Let you kids fill up the boxes with the correct spelling and you can test their IQ at the same time. It's really a fun not only for your kids but for you too.

You can try this with some of the friends of your child and I am sure it's going to be a really cool competition. So just move out to the market and get some Thanksgiving gifts for the First, Second and Third toppers.

Thanksgiving Gifts for Thanksgiving Kids

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Thanksgiving Calendar Until Thanksgiving 2010

2007-11-21T02:12:00.000-08:00

Thanksgiving is observed on the fourth Thursday of November each year to commemorate the pilgrams, their Native American guests and the first thanksgiving feast. We reach out to our friends and folks with our heartfelt thankfulness. Here lies the Thanksgiving calendar for the nest few years for American Thanksgiving and Canadian Thanksgiving.

All American Thanksgiving

2008 November 27th, Thursday
2009 November 26th, Thursday
2010 November 25th, Thursday

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Canadian Thanksgiving

2008 October 13th, Monday
2009 October 12th, Monday
2010 October 11th, Monday

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A Few Hours Until Thanksgiving

2007-11-21T00:56:00.000-08:00

Hi! Millions of congratulations to those who voted for "May and Flower" as the national Thanksgiving turkey name. 24% of the total vote of 119689, has been casted for these names, which is the highest. I voted for the name "Jake and Tom" which is 15% only. Here's the statistics:

May and Flower -- 24% which is 28,726
Wish and Bone -- 23% which 27529
Wing and Prayer -- 20% which 23938
Jake and Tom -- 15% which is 17953
Gobbler and Rafter -- 12% which is 14362
Truman and Sixty -- 6% which is 7181

Anyway, what about your Thanksgiving celebration preparation? Start off wish your friends and folks who are staying away with warm Thanksgiving greetings.

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I was about to make a great blunder this Thanksgiving. I missed out to invite John for my Thanksgiving dinner, who has always been a good friend of mine. The last night I suddenly remember that and that's one more reason for me to be thankful to the Lord.

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Tags: thanksgiving trivia, thanksgiving day, holidays 2007

Three Day Until Thanksgiving

2007-11-20T11:25:00.000-08:00

In 2007 Thanksgiving is on November 22nd and the spirit of celebration is at its peak. I just can't express what's going on in my heart when I think that Thanksgiving is only 3 days away and I'm going to have a real blast this holidays with my gang. By now I'm sure you've prepared yourself with all your plans and ingredients for the Thanksgiving dinner. Let's talk about something different this time. What about the national thanksgiving turkey name? I'm sure you guys know that each year a name is given to the national Thanksgiving turkey, which is chosen by online voting at the Thanksgiving page of the White House Website.

Thanksgiving 2007 is going to mark it 60th anniversary of National Thanksgiving Turkey presentation and I hope that It's going to rock. This year the National Thanksgiving Turkeys are from Duboi, Indiana under the direction of Ted Seger, the Chairman of National Turkey Federation. Anyway, can you guess what's going to be the name of the thanksgiving turkey this year? Just visit the Thanksgiving page of the White House Website and vote for a name. I've voted for Jake and Tom. You just need to wait until November 20th, when President Bush will be announcing the winning names in the National Thanksgiving Turkey presentation. So, no more delay!! Who knows, President Gorge Bush may announce the name that you are going to vote!! All the best.

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Happy Thanksgiving

2007-11-20T02:50:00.000-08:00

Friends! By now I'm sure that you tuned up yourselves for Thanksgiving feast and fun. Last night I was watching the video that we shoot on Thanksgiving 2006. It's really a never to be forgettable chapter for me, enjoying the whole day arranging for my granny's 75th Birthday. I had my gang with me and the two Spanish guys Juan and Pablo, who helped me a lot in arranging for the party and managing things. Anyway holidays 2007 is going to be another big fun and I just can't wait any more bursting out with Thanksgiving turkey fun with my pals. But still I'll be missing Juan and Pablo this Thanksgiving Day

I'm waiting for Mr. Bush's announcement of the names of the national Thanksgiving turkeys. Let's see what comes up!!

Happy Thanksgiving

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Prevention Tips For Thanksgiving Turkey Bird Flu

2007-11-19T03:03:00.000-08:00

According to the report as laid by the American Turkey Council, the chances of getting avian flu by eating Thanksgiving turkey are "probably less than one in four." That means two out of a group of eight would probably be afflicted to the disease. Don't worry! This was the story of Thanksgiving 2005 -- you might not have forgot.

According to poultry experts in the College of Agricultural Sciences, we don't have to worry about avian flu virus this Thanksgiving in America. So that's one more reason for us to be thankful this year. But the story doesn't end here. Avian flu has been observed in birds on the other continents, although it isn't the thing for us, said Mike Hulet, associate professor of poultry science. So Why taking chance? Let's play safe. Here are some tips to avoid being affected with the Thanksgiving Turkey Bird Flu.

One single tip is to cook your turkeys properly. Gregory Martin, an extension poultry educator in Lancaster County and the other food safety experts recommended that the temperature should be:

180 degrees in the thigh.
165 degrees at the center of the stuffing.
170 degrees in the breast

If you really want to extend your menu with some of the special turkey recipes, visit eatturkey.com.

I hope this simple tips will help make your Thanksgiving a real blast.

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Sweet Potato Casserole For Thanksgiving Feast: Free of Allergen

2007-11-17T23:12:00.000-08:00

I just dropped by A Homemaking Journey, when I came to know that Shiloah and Dawn have recently been diagnosed with food allergies. I was thinking of some of the cool recipes for those who are suffering from food allergies. Here's one of them. This is slightly less sweet version of the the traditional sweet potato casserole and you can try this out to make your Thanksgiving a perfect blast.

Ingredients:

2 1/2 medium sized sweet potatoes
Brown sugar -- 2/3 cup
Orange juice -- 1 cup
Salt – as per requirement
Allspice -- 1 tea spoon full
Nutmeg -- 1/2 tea spoon full
Allergen-free marshmallows for topping

Direction:
Step 1 – Start off with oiling the skin of the potatoes and pierce them in several places.
Step 2 – Roast the potatoes at 400^o F until the potatoes become soft and you can see oil caramelizing in the pierced areas.
Step 3 – When cooked fully, let them cool down to room temperature and peal off the skin to get the flesh out.
Step 4 – Add the orange juice, brown sugar, nutmeg, allspice and a couple of pinch of salt in a casserole dish.
Step 5 – Stir the mixture well and mash the sweet potato chunks with a fork. Smooth the whole mixture evenly throughout the casserole dish.
Step 6 -- Top the whole surface with a layer of marshmallows.
Step 7 – Cover it up and bake it for 20 minutes.
Step 8 – Put another layer of marshmallows toppings and bake it for 10 minutes more at 350^o F. When the marshmallows topping begins to turn golden-brown and melt take it out and serve hot.

Have a fun filled Thanksgiving 2007.

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Thanksgiving Wishes

2007-11-15T04:12:00.000-08:00

Friends with Thanksgiving just around the corner, I'm ready with my plan for Thanksgiving celebration on November 22nd 2007. What's on your part? Are you done with the Thanksgiving invitation? I'm going to have a real blast this year with all my friends on Thanksgiving Day. If you are not yet ready with your party ideas just don't worry. Seven more days are in your hand and you can come up with a real surprise for your friends and acquaintances. So don't waste time. Get ready with your roaster.

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Thanksgiving Countdown -- Eight Days Away

2007-11-14T10:02:00.000-08:00

I am sure you can't resist the temptation to roast turkeys now. At least for me it's true, since Thanksgiving is only eight days away. If you've planned to arrange for a thanksgiving feast for your friends, it's the right time make some arrangement ahead of time.

Make an advance payment of at least 50% for the turkeys. You might find to be harder to find the desired quantity right on Thanksgiving day or the day before.
Shop for some of the most important ingredients like heavy cream, butternuts squash etc.
Shop for the non perishable ingredients such as sugar, corn syrup, flour, brown sugar, canned pumpkin, packaged stuffing etc, so that you wont make a mess in haste.
Order or pick up the wines and other beverages according to your need, before the crowd sets out. Remember that a bottle of wine contains about five glasses. Also don't forget to have a non-alcoholic drink choices on hand.
Dig out your turkey roaster and the special serving plates that are in your closets. Clean them and try out a turkey roast in small amount for your family. So you know whether your roaster is working well.
Spare a thought on sending special Thanksgiving wishes to your near and dear ones. You can reach out to those who are staying miles away with your warmth of presence on the Thanksgiving day.

Invite Your Guests

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Special Thanksgiving Wish

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Tags: Thanksgiving Day greetings, Thanksgiving Wishes, Thanksgiving Planning, Thanksgiving Countdown

Top Ten Thanksgiving Movies

2007-11-08T02:40:00.000-08:00

Just two more weeks friends! I'm sure your are almost done with your thanksgiving preparation. Good, if you have sent your thanksgiving invitations and done with the thanksgiving feat planning. But have you ever spare a thought on coming up with some special attraction? How about some great Thanksgiving movies?

Here's a list of the top ten Thanksgiving movies:

A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving
Alice's Restaurant
Planes, Trains and Automobiles
The Ice Storm
What's cooking
Tadpole
Pieces of April
The Myth of Fingerprints
Hannah and her Sisters
Home for the Holidays

Keep the Thanksgiving spirit scaled held high with some of the fun filled Thanksgiving movies.

Thanksgiving Turkey Low in Stock in Food Bank!

2007-11-05T02:23:00.000-08:00

With Thanksgiving approaching fast, I am sure you're ready to roast your thanksgiving turkeys. But have you ever spared a thought about the down trodden section of the turkey population? Kate Lombardo, the Executive Director of Food Bank says that Food Bank Lower Fairfield County in Connecticut is running a shortage of turkeys for this Thanksgiving. While the food Bank had 1400 turkey at this time in 2006, this year it has only five turkeys on November 2nd in the late afternoon to distribute to needy families for Thanksgiving. “Oil is up”, said Lombardo and with this slumping economy the past donors are not as generous this year. With the present stock of only 5 turkeys the agency has to go a long way to meet the need of 3000 turkeys for Thanksgiving 2007.

If your are in Connecticut area you can take some noble steps to donate some turkeys in order to scale up the stock level. Please contact Kate Lombardo(Executive Director, Food Bank), at klombardo@sbcglobal.net or call (203) 358-8898.

Let me wish all the best to Lombardo and her agency.

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Thanksgiving Meal: Making the Turkey Stock

2007-11-01T04:45:00.000-07:00

You need to make Turkey Stock for the gravy. If you don't have the recipe for Turkey Stock you should read the recipe on Epicurious - Turkey Stock Recipe.
This is a chicken stock variation from VideoJug. You can use the same to make turkey stock too.

VideoJug: How To Make Chicken Stock
Tags: turkey stock, thanksgiving meal

Thanksgiving Dinner Table Décor -- Turkey centerpiece

2007-11-01T02:56:00.000-07:00

If you are done with Thanksgiving party planning, I can say for sure that you have missed this out. What about keeping an elegant centerpiece on your Thanksgiving dinner table? Here's how to make a Thanksgiving turkey centerpiece for the Thanksgiving dinner table.

Requirements:

Disposable hand Glove
Craft foam scraps
Scissors Tissue paper – Yellow
Styrofoam – 1 small piece
Rubber band
Turkey Feathers
Raffia
Glue

How to make:

Step 1: Take the disposable glove and stuff it with the crumbled of tissue paper.
Step 2: Close the opened end of the glove with a rubber band.
Step 3: Create a hole in the middle of the Styrofoam and insert the rubber banded end of the glove into it.
Step 4: Fix the feathers to both the sides of the finger and palm of the glove using glue.
Step 5: Make the eyes, beak and waddle with the craft foam and fix them in the right places using glue.
Step 6: Cover the base of the styrofoam with raffia pieces.

Your Turkey centerpiece is ready. Make one such Turkey décor for each of the table if you're having multiple tables.

Counting Down To Thanksgiving -- Three Weeks

2007-10-31T10:20:00.000-07:00

Friends! Just three weeks more to grill the Thanksgiving turkey. It's really becoming tougher and tougher for me to resist my temptation for the roasted turkey on the Trukey Day.

If you've already prapared the Thanksgiving budget, then it's for sure that you have also chalked out the Thanksgiving dinner plan or Thanksgiving party plan. Whether you know it or not, it's now the perfect time to spare a thought over the Thanksgiving Invitation issue. Otherwise you will be too late and may end up with mess in haste, when it comes to the Turkey Day. Just follow a few simple steps to mark a name of yourself in the hearts of your special Thanksgiving guests.

Decide how many people you can afford. Considering your pre-formulated budget and the space are of utmost importance.
Make a list of the guests that you want to invite to join you at your Thanksgiving feast.
Decide whether you want to include kids in your Thanksgiving party or adults only. If you are going to invite kids you may have to be very selective regarding fooda nd make necessary arrangements for some games and fun.
As soon as you've prepared the list, give it a second glance as you may want to exclude somebody or replace somebody with any other person.
Spare a thought on Thanksgiving invitation cards. This is the most neglected part of the story, despite of its immense importance. No point wasting time and money in making your own invitation cards, since it's a good idea to invite people online using the pre-designed invitation ecards.
Choose the one that suits your Thanksgiving celebration theme and see what wonder you can make by this.

How To Make Thanksgiving Wreath?

2007-10-30T02:11:00.000-07:00

You can have a lot of fun on Thanksgiving. But more fun comes with the planning rather than the event itself. It doesn't matter whether it's making a plan for Thanksgiving decorations or Thanksgiving dinners or other Thanksgiving activities. So, I was thinking about making stuff like special thanksgiving decorations today.

How do you make a Thanksgiving wreath? It's not all that a big deal. But it's really an awesome idea to make a thanksgiving wreath by yourself because it saves you a lot of money. Plus you'll be ready for Christmas!

Requirements:

Grapevine wreath
Glue gun
Glue Flowers (Artificial cloth sunflowers should be your choice)
Ribbon Indian corn (Plastic corn that you can find in the local craft stores)
Wood Pine Cones (You can get these at your local parks. Just pick the medium ones)
Plastic pumpkins (Sizes should not be uniform, but pick the small ones.)
Stuffed animal (You can find these in the local craft stores. Small to medium ones would be the perfect pick)

Direction:
Step 1: Start off with the grapevine wreath. Attach the small stuffed bears on the wreath first so that you will have an idea what else to put and where to give it an elegant look. You can glue a small piece of wood onto the wreath to fix the bear onto the wreath. Fix the bear in such a way that it doesn't fall off the wreath.

Step 2: Fix the pumpkins onto the wreath by gluing them well so that they don't fall off.

Step 3: Fix the sunflowers all around the wreath in a way that it gives a very decent look. If you want you can use other flowers along with the sunflowers. But then, you need to pay extra attention to the color combination.

Step 4: Give final touches by using the ribbons. Make some of the beautiful bows all along the circumference of the wreath or you can make one large bow.

You are now ready with your beautiful Thanksgiving wreath. Place it on your entrance to greet your special Thanksgiving guests.

How to make Thanksgiving Pumpkin Candles

2007-10-26T02:55:00.000-07:00

You can give a perfect touch to your Thanksgiving decoration. Even if you haven't planned for a pumpkin theme thanksgiving decoration, you can make some thanksgiving pumpkin crafts to decorate you thanksgiving party floor. Here's how to make thanks the Thanksgiving Pumpkin Candles.

Requirements:

Small pumpkins
Paraffin
Clay
Wicks
Needle with a large eye
knife

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How to Make:

Step 1: Cut off the top of the pumpkin
Step 2: Remove the flesh and the seeds
Step 3: Seal the bottom with the clay
Step 4: Melt the paraffin
Step 5: Thread the wick straight into the pumpkin bottom.
Step 6: Hold the wick straight and pour the melted paraffin into the pumpkin
Step 7: Let it stiffen up

Pumpkin Scarcity Pulls Up Pumpkin Price

2007-10-25T03:28:00.000-07:00

The pumpkin scarcity will be giving a hard blow to Thanksgiving pumpkin pie. The drought and the scorching heat has adversely affected the pumpkin harvest this year. So the supply is not going the meet the 2007 demand level for pumpkins. If you are a real pumpkin fan, I'm sure that you'll not mind paying some extra dollars for special thanksgiving dinner. But again there's a good chance that you may be disappointed if you're looking for pumpkins after Halloween. This is because a huge lot of pumpkins would be exhausted on Halloween. Pumpkin patch owners are going to out source pumpkins to meet the demand. So don't worry .. just loosen up your budget a bit.

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Counting Down to Thanksgiving – Four Weeks

2007-10-24T01:07:00.000-07:00

I just can't believe that Thanksgiving is not even a month away! No sooner would Halloween be over that you'd feel the smell of ultimate roast turkey and cranberry cream pie. Whether you're planning to spend times with your family or you're going to have some special friends to celebrate Thanksgiving 2007, it's always wise to make some preparation ahead of time. So it's really important to follow the time line.

It's about 4 weeks to Thanksgiving!!! So just chalk out a plan for the Thanks giving decoration of your house. You can talk to an interior designer to come up with a real interior decoration on thanksgiving 2007. You can bring out the artist within you can make a plan by yourself. This will save a lot of money.

Make a list the interior decors that you will need to decorate your.
Prepare a budget so that you don't rum out of pocket when it comes to thanksgiving decoration day.
Dispose off the items (decors or furnitures) that you don't want to keep this year and accumulate some cash in hand. This will really offload much of your headache.
Look for some aesthetic thanksgiving decors just to give special touch to your thanks giving decoration. Mini-pumpkin candle-holders, homemade paper turkey, some Indoor plants etc are some of the awesome decors for Thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving Sales – The Big Deal

2007-10-23T03:19:00.000-07:00

There's a good news folks. Wal-Mart is planning to promote the “Black Friday” pricing weeks just before the Thanksgiving. If you are looking for the items like laptop or a digital camera, wait for a while but you don't have to wait until the Thanksgiving holiday!

Over 10,000 such items were promoted by Wal-Mart on Thanksgiving sales just before Thanksgiving 2006. The response was really huge. The quality was also really up to the mark. I know some of my friends who purchased things on the Thanksgiving sales 2006. They were really satisfied.

I can say for sure that this will be a real great deal for you. Black Friday Sale 2007 will be exactly like the last year's promotion that the company made on “Black Friday”. Happy shopping!

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Plan Your Own Thanksgiving Quiz Contest

2007-10-09T05:10:00.000-07:00

Enough of the Thanksgiving meals and recipe talk folks! Lets talk about something different here. Have you ever wondered what fun can you come up with for the kids on the Thanksgiving day? Arrange for a homely quiz contest for the kids of your locality. Start enrolling their names... it's the right time to start off with your plans.

Here's a fun quiz that I found on MyYearbook.com and guess what? I'm an expert!

How well do you know your turkey friends?

Expert
You're simply Turkey-fic!

Myspace Quiz

You can go ahead and take the quiz too, let me know what you're results are!

Up next! Let's talk about gifts for the really smart kids on turkey day!

America's Thanksgiving Parade 2007 -- Michigan Event

2007-10-08T03:09:00.000-07:00

First held back in the year 1924 with a great pomp, the parade has become one of the major and most admired events for the Detroiters. Being televised across USA, the parade is watched by millions of people and is attended by an insanely huge mob.

The America's Thanksgiving Parade this year is going to step off at Woodward Avenue and Mack in downtown Detroit on 22nd November, Thursday and will be ending at Woodward Avenue and Congress. America's Thanksgiving Parade 2007 will be little different with some new surprises. This year there will be more than 75 parade units that would include the award-winning marching bands, clowns, specialty acts, celebrities and the parade company’s own Clown Corps.

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What is most interesting with this year's America's Thanksgiving Parade is that, in addition to the parade the visitors can also take part in Annual Turkey Trot – the 6.2 miles run in Michigan. You can call (313) 923-7400 for more information.

You can have an outstanding, unobstructed view of this grand event from the official premier Grandstand seats, which is located along the Woodward Avenue. Grandstand tickets and packages are on sale since October 1st. You can call (313) 923-7402 for more information.

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How to Plan A Thanksgiving Party

2007-10-05T03:33:00.000-07:00

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Planning for something in advance is what my mom always preferred, as that helps her more organized and less stressed when it comes to Thanksgiving Day. With Thanksgiving just around the corner, you can start planning a good thanksgiving meal. A few easy steps are just enough to surprise your special guests on Thanksgiving. Here's how to plan a proper Thanksgiving party:

Step 1: Start off by figuring out how many guests you want to invite. Consider the size of your home and your ability to cook for that number.
Step 2: Plan for a perfect Thanksgiving decoration for the party. This doesn't cost much. Design some thanksgiving plate mats, fold the napkins into turkeys, make thanksgiving wreaths and use thanksgiving paper chains.
Step 3: Plan a thanksgiving menu, keeping in view the tastes of your guests. You have tons of yummy recipe ideas to surprise your guests. Choose the ones that best suit with the guests and the occasion. If your guests are traditionalists they would like dishes such as turkey gravy, pumpkin pie, stuffing, mashed potatoes, yams, etc.
Step 4: It is a great idea to balance your heavy, starchy Thanksgiving classics with lighter dishes too. This will make the meal more enjoyable.
Step 5: There will be leftovers but don't worry. Thanksgiving leftover recipes to get some inspiration ideas about what to do with thanksgiving leftovers.

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Thanksgiving Meal: How to make Cranberry Sauce

2007-10-04T05:48:00.000-07:00

One thing I really love about Thanksgiving is the homemade delicacies. There's nothing like the taste of mother's home cooked food. Sometimes the little things matter more than the big ones! For example, I can't imagine myself having a Thanksgiving dinner without Cranberry sauce. And no, not the shouting and yelling of 'cranberry sauce' in a Tenacious D concert. I'm talking about the best condiment that goes with Thanksgiving turkey.

Sure you can get it by opening up a can but where's the fun in that? For those of you who still opt for the can I recommend you watch this video.

I found it on Cooking.com - it's a more fruity version but I think it'll be totally delicious, with all the zest and fruits in it!

How to make a Perfect Turkey Gravy

2007-10-03T03:45:00.000-07:00

No Thanksgiving wish to your special guests will be enough to put smiles on their faces on the thanksgiving, until you surprise them with a perfect turkey gravy in thanksgiving feast. Have you seen the “How to make turkey stock” video? Once you have the turkey stock you'd be ready to make the turkey gravy. Check out this video to learn how. Here it goes.

VideoJug: How To Make Perfect Turkey Gravy

And if you're not sure how to plan your thanksgiving dinner, read my post on Countdown to Thanksgiving 2007 - I've outline the dates and what you need by when so you're not stressed out right before the big family dinner.

Thanksgiving Appetizers Before Thanksgiving Menu

2007-09-28T03:58:00.000-07:00

Hey folks the Canadian Thanksgiving is going to be on October 8th. They have it earlier than us. Your thanksgiving dinner has to start with something special. And to keep the hungry crowd at bay and wait for those late relatives or guests, appetizers are the best. And who would not love Deep Fried Mozzarella as a starting dish just before a big meal? And what's more amazing with this is that, they're not so heavy and they're not that difficult to make either. So just watch this video and you can have it on your thanksgiving dinner menu!

So just have a watch on this video and make your thanksgiving a perfect blast.

VideoJug: How To Make Deep Fried Mozzarella

Counting Down to Thanksgiving 2007

2007-09-27T03:35:00.000-07:00

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School is full on and mid terms are getting ever closer. Before you know it, it'll be the holiday season and we'd all be panicking for our Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners and parties. If you've decided to stay at home and have your Thanksgiving dinner there's a couple of things you can do weeks (and even a month!) in advanced. This way when the big day comes you don't have to do everything all at once and you're less stressed out.

Here's the countdown to Thanksgiving Dinner 2007:

(Thanksgiving falls on Monday 8th of October for our Canadian neighbors so I've included a plan for them as well.)

One Month to Turkey Day:
September 8th (Canadians)/October 22nd (one week before Halloween in the US) : Make your turkey stock and freeze it. You're going to need this for the turkey gravy.

One Week to Turkey Day:
October1st for Canadians and November 15th for Americans: Make Cranberry Sauce and Refrigerate it. Ideally you should have your turkey or have booked by now.

Three Days to Turkey Day:
October 5th for Canadians and November 19th for Americans: Defrost the turkey by putting it out of the freezer into the refrigerator.

Two Days to Turkey Day:
October 6th or November 20th: Make pastry dough for pumpkin pie. Dips and/or other appetizers that you can make ahead of time.

One Day to Turkey Day:
October 7th or November 21st: Bake bread for the stuffing. Chop the vegetables. Make dinner rolls, sweet potatoes and pumpkin pie.

Turkey Day:
Make stuffing and mashed potatoes. Cook the turkey 5-7 hours before serving it (cooking time depends on the size of the bird and the size of the bird depends on how many people are coming. The general rule of thumb is one pound of bird per person and the cooking time should be 20 minutes per pound.)
Serve the appetizers when the guests arrive.

After cooking the turkey pour the dripping nto a bowl to make gravy. Make gravy, bake any stuffing that didn't get into the turkey. Reheat the mashed and sweet potatoes and the dinner rolls.

Did I leave out anything? I'll be posting the recipes and how to go about cooking all this stuff so stay tuned!

Apple's Planning for Thanksgiving Sale

2007-09-24T04:41:00.000-07:00

Here's a good news for you! If you are planning to buy an iPod or an iPhone just wait a minute... read this and re-formulate your plan. Apple is planning on an after thanksgiving sales at its retail stores, like it did in 2002, 2003 and 2004. This year's Thanksgiving will also be witnessing a couple of discounts on some of the items in the Apple stores. If you're planning for your Christmas shopping at Thanksgiving, just wait for a day and you can get Apple's gadgets at a discount. Don't forget to send Thanksgiving wishes along with the gift. Enjoy the Thanksgiving sale on Apple's products.

On September 5th 2007 Apple announced that it would be on track to sell out its one millionth lucrative iPhone before 30th September. So the price of iPhone has gone down to be made affordable for the general customers this holiday season – especially Thanksgiving. If you are planning to buy an iPhone make sure that that Apple has lowered the price of its most popular iPhone model with 8GB storage capacity from $599 to $399. Isn't that really awesome? All the more this is not only for the iPhones. “Apple has hand-picked the top gifts for this holiday season”, says the spokesperson for the Apple Retail Store.

Send this Thanksgiving Gifts eCard !
More Thanksgiving Gifts Comments

A Special Thanksgiving Side Dish – Sweet and Tangy Broccoli Salad

2007-09-18T05:06:00.000-07:00

When those Pilgrims were celebrating the first Thanksgiving, they had wild turkey, corn and squash on the menu. But in the modern day menu? We can have the traditional meal or you can be a bit more adventurous. One thing that you can really experiment on is the side dish. Surprise your guests with a sweet and sour broccoli salad. It's something that I've been thinking of doing. You can also try this out for your guests too.

Ingredients

4 cups broccoli flowerettes
½ lb bacon (fried and chopped into small pieces)
½ cup cheddar cheese (grated well)
½ onion cut in slices
Kraft's Miracle Whip salad dressing

Direction

Mix all the ingredients well and add a cup of Kraft's Miracle Whip. Take 5 to 6 tablespoons sugar and 2 tablespoons of vinegar – mix well and pour it into the combination and mix thoroughly. Chill it before serving. This serves four.

Isn't this an easy recipe? Plus you don't have to cook! It'll great for thanksgiving too. Try this out on thanksgiving and surprise your guests. Razzle Dazzle Recipes came up with a good assortment of salad recipes for all occasions – especially for Thanksgiving. You can find a lot more Thanksgiving Salad Recipes there.

Enjoy Thanksgiving with your family and friends. Share with your loved ones some special thought and hearty Thanksgiving wishes.

Funny Thanksgiving Cartoons

2007-08-07T05:51:00.000-07:00

Lets face it, thanksgiving without fun is very boring. We all need a bit of turkey humor here and there. Besides, meeting the family should always be fun.

I love Mark Parsi's Off the Mark cartoons too so check out his Thanksgiving Cartoon section.
Also check out Cartoon Stock's Thanksgiving for really cool Thanksgiving laughter.

And of course how can we forget Charlie Brown!

Happy Happy!

Thanksgiving Prayers Flash Greetings

2007-04-24T00:11:00.000-07:00

Thanksgiving is a time to express gratitude to the Lord for all His blessings... it is an occasion to be thankful for the many favors granted by God. Say a special Thanksgiving prayer to the Almighty along with your family and friends, with our online Thanksgiving Prayers.

God's Love Now And Always On Thanksgiving...
A warm ecard on Thanksgiving remembering all that God has done for us.
[ Flash ]

Spirit Of Thanksgiving !
Wish everyone the best things in life on Thanksgiving by sending them this ecard.
[ Flash ]

Blessed Thanksgiving !
Send this ecard to all your loved ones wishing them the warm and blessed season.
[ Postcard ]

Say Grace And Thank Him on Thanksgiving
Send this online greeting to all you know wishing them a Happy Thanksgiving.
[ Flash ]

Bounty Of The Season...
Wish everyone the best of the season by sending them this online greeting.
[ Flash ]

Our Many Blessings !
A warm Thanksgiving ecard to reach out with a heartfelt message to all you know.
[ Animated ]

Thank You God...
Send this warm online greeting and thank for the blessings of your life.
[ Flash ]

Happy Thanksgiving !
A warm online greeting for your loved ones to wish them the spirit of Thanksgiving.
[ Animated ]

All American Thanksgiving Ecards

2007-04-10T00:47:00.000-07:00

Thanksgiving is an occasion that unites all Americans... cherish and revel in the spirit of All American Thanksgiving and bond with your fellow countrymen. Send out Thanksgiving wishes with a patriotic flavor on this grand occasion.

Send Free Online All American Thanksgiving Greeting Cards to your friends & loved ones. ALL cards are absolutely FREE !!!

Special Time Of The Year...
Wish all the people you hold dear with a special Thanksgiving All American ecard that would touch their heart.
[ Flash ]

Happy Thanksgiving !
Send ecards to all your acquaintances with a feel of patriotism.
[ Postcard ]

Harvest Of Happiness...
The time to celebrate the bounty of the season is here. Recollect your fond memories by sending a warm patriotic ecard to all your loved ones.
[ Flash ]

A Bouquet Of Warm Wishes...
Wish your fellow countrymen with a bouquet of warm wishes.
[ Postcard ]

God Bless Our Country !
Celebrate this Thanksgiving with a feel of patriotism by sending this warm ecard to all you know.
[ Animated ]

Peace, Love And Happiness...
A Patriotic ecard that speaks of peace on the harmonious occasion of Thanksgiving.
[ Flash ]

Harvest Of Smiles And Memories...
An ecard for all your fellow countrymen wishing them all life's best on Thanksgiving.
[ Postcard ]

Abundant Peace And Happiness !
A Patriotic online greeting with the warmth of abundance in life.
[ Flash ]

Myspace Thanksgiving Comments

2007-03-31T01:34:00.000-07:00

Myspace Thanksgiving Comments

Personalize & Send This As Thanksgiving Ecard

Click Here To Get This Thanksgiving Photo-Comment Code

Copy The HTML Code And Paste It In Your Friends' "Post Comment" Box...

Myspace Thanksgiving Comments

Personalize & Send This As Thanksgiving Ecard

Click Here To Get This Thanksgiving Photo-Comment Code

Copy The HTML Code And Paste It In Your Friends' "Post Comment" Box...

Giving Heartfelt Thanks

2006-11-23T02:15:00.000-08:00

Dear Heavenly Father,
Please make us an instrument of your peace; Where there is hatred, let us sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; and where there is sadness, joy. As we pray together today, let us remember that things don't happen over night. Let us not forget the struggles we all are going thru in this movement for economic injustice. Even if frustration may set in. Let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart(Gal.6:9) Amen.

I began writing this blog purely out of my passion and great love for Thanksgiving. As a child, I was well aware of the history of our country and the efforts the Pilgrims put in to build a strong and worthy nation. But in order to impress upon me the true meaning of Thanksgiving, my mom wrote down some prayers in my little diary one fine morning and asked me to ponder over them. The true significance of Thanksgiving, an act of expressing thanks to the Supreme Creator for his unconditional love, grace and blessings through prayers, charity and goodwill dawned on me filling my heart with earnest gratitude. Life is not just about taking or asking for more. In fact, a simple act of thanking the Lord or donating for the upliftment of the poor and the underprivileged functions to accentuate the beauty of this world and our lives as well. Just visit these sites to help the less fortunate ones secure a meal on Thanksgiving:

http://lcc.lutheranchurchcharities.org/app/w_page.php?id=222&type=section

http://www.amcham.hu/news/ShowNews.aspx?NewsID=1bba81d0-c382-4933-a609-3176e3fea7f7

http://www.servingourworld.org/index.htm?gclid=CNrusZ-y3IgCFUFBGAodD2w1jg

I still find it hard to believe that this is my closing post but for all those who visited my blog and found it interesting and helpful, there is good news, I will be returning again next year with new and more intrigueing information on Thanksgiving. Besides, you all can check out my Christmas and recently launched Valentines Day blog as well. So, this is certainly not a word of farewell. However, I would like to thank all my visitors for considering me and my blog worthy of notice. May the first light of dawn bring immense happiness, love and success in your lives. May a rainbow of hope enwrap your homes and make all your dreams come true. A Prayer of Thanksgiving from me to all:

Dear Lord, Bless these angelic beings, and their families. Make their lives blossom with love, luck and happiness each day, every day and for years to come.

-Amen

Well, its now time for me and you all to immerse in the spirit of Thanksgiving with guests, friends and family.

The final preparation before the festive celebration has begun.

The sweet anticipation and joyous emotion has gripped everyone.

In this salubrious mood, there is only one thing left to say,

Happy Thanksgiving Day.

Best deal jewelry

2006-11-22T21:01:00.000-08:00

Décor plays an very important part. Be it exterior, interior or decorating oneself! Most of the people if you ask would definitely say that first impression makes a huge difference. Human beings have been decorating themselves with various kind of jewelry from ancient time. Jewelry plays an important part and parcel of women's trousseau. So beside only thinking about how to decorate your house and table spend some amount of dollar buying some exquisite jewelry for yourself and for your loved ones. The top 20 jewelry to spend for are:

14k white gold Diamond 7 stone journey Pendant $ 179
14k cultured freshwater black pearl strand $ 49.99
14k gold ½ ct round diamond solitaire earrings $ 269.99
men's tungsten carbide beveled-edge ring $119.99
sterling silver large heart toggle bracelet $ 29.99
men's titanium band $ 42.99
10-kt gold & 1/8-ct TW 33 stone diamond ring $ 55.99
18k gold over sterling silver blue topaz and diamond set $ 32.99
women's 14k gold ½ ct.t.w diamond 2-piece bridal set
American flag lapel pin or tie pin $5
Bahamas 10 cent “bone fish” two tone gold on silver world coin tie track $25.95
gold tie clip with sparkling accent $ 55
knot shirt stud set $ 55
black onyx shirt stud set $75
new york two tone statehood quarter hinged money clip $ 34.95
Blair gift boxed cuff links men's $ 12.49

The best jewelry shops are:

Asprey

725 Fifth Avenue, at 56th Street, 212-688-1811

With its regal Anglo crests and purple logo, Asprey stands out from the other glittering emporiums lining Fifth Avenue in the Fifties. The rocks are big and blinding, yes, but Asprey deserves credit for hiring exciting young designers (most famously Jade Jagger) to keep things from getting too “God Save the Queen.”

Tenthousandthings

137 West 19th Street, 212-352-1333

This place understands that not everyone needs their bling to show up on satellite. Wildly unusual stones are set in organic, delicate, perfectly wrought shapes. Look for colored diamonds cut into small, glittering beads, and charm necklaces that combine unusual, milky pearls.

Doyle & Doyle

189 Orchard Street, 212-677-9991

Unlike many antique and vintage jewelry stores, this Lower East Side shop, owned by two young sisters, one of whom is a gemologist, has nothing cluttered about it. Eras range from Edwardian to Art Nouveau, and there’s a great selection of estate and antique diamond engagement rings and wedding bands.

Borealis

229 Elizabeth Street, 917-237-0152

A beautifully curated boutique with jewelry by a number of up-and-coming designers. Everything is unusual, and there’s a nice range of price points. Where else could you find embroidered pewter and deer-hide bracelets made in the Laplands by Maria Rudman (under $200), and Susan Belle’s exquisitely detailed, gold and pearl filigree earrings under the same roof?

http://newyork.citysearch.com/bestof/winners/jewelry

http://www.ny.com/shopping/jewelry/

http://gonyc.about.com/od/shopping/p/tiffanys.htm

The count down has begun....are you ready with your shopping bags and comfort shoes...

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

God bless you and cheer all the way through!

Thanksgiving Recipes: Pumpkin Pie

2006-11-22T02:02:00.000-08:00

A Thanksgiving feast is incomplete without food, wine and ofcourse pumpkin pie which adds the final touch of sweet but zestful spelendor. Take a look:

Perfect Pumpkin Pie

Ingredients:

1 (15 ounce) can pumpkin
1 (14 ounce) can Sweetened Condensed Milk
2 eggs
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 (9 inch) unbaked pie crust

Directions:
Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Whisk pumpkin, EAGLE BRAND®, eggs, spices and salt in medium bowl until smooth. Pour into crust. Bake 15 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees F and continue baking 35 to 40 minutes or until knife inserted 1 inch from crust comes out clean. Cool. Garnish as desired. Store leftovers covered in refrigerator.

Pumpkin Toffee Pie

Ingredients:

1 (9 inch) unbaked pie crust
3/4 cup toffee baking bits
1 (15 ounce) can pumpkin puree
1/2 cup white sugar
1 cup light brown sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 pinch salt
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup heavy cream
3 eggs

Directions
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Sprinkle toffee bits into pie shell; set aside. In a large bowl, combine pumpkin puree, white sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, vanilla and salt. Beat in the milk, cream and eggs until filling is smooth and creamy. Pour filling over toffee bits in pie shell. Place on baking sheet in the middle of the oven. Bake in the preheated oven for 60 to 90 minutes, or until filling is set and crust is golden brown.

Cream Cheese Pumpkin Pie

Ingredients:

9" pie shell
8 oz. pkg. cream cheese, softened
1 tsp. vanilla
1 egg, beaten
1-1/4 cups pumpkin puree (canned is fine)
1 cup evaporated milk
2 eggs, beaten
1/4 cup brown sugar,1/4 cup sugar
1 tsp. cinnamon , 1/4 tsp. nutmeg
1/4 tsp. salt
2 Tbsp. flour
2 Tbsp. brown sugar, 1/4 cup sugar
2 Tbsp. butter, softened
1/2 cup chopped pecans

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degree C.) In a medium bowl, beat cream cheese until smooth. Beat in 1/4 cup sugar, then add vanilla and 1 egg. Beat mixture until light and smooth. Chill mixture for 30 minutes, then pour into pastry shell.In a large bowl, combine pumpkin puree, evaporated milk, 2 eggs, 1/4 cup brown sugar, 1/4 cup sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are combined. Pour the pumpkin mixture over cream cheese layer in pie shell. Cover edges of crust with aluminum foil to prevent excess browning. Bake in 350 degree F oven for 25 minutes. Remove foil from edges and bake an additional 25 minutes. While pie is in oven, combine flour and 2 Tbsp. brown sugar in a small bowl. Mix well, then add softened butter and stir until ingredients are combined. Mix in pecans. Set pecan streusel aside. After pie has been in oven for 50 minutes, remove and sprinkle pecan streusel evenly over top. Bake for an additional 10 to 15 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean and streusel topping is golden. 8 servings

Vermont Maple Pumpkin Pie

Ingredients:

1-1/3 cups cooked, mashed pumpkin (one 15-oz. can)
3/4 cup Pure Vermont Maple Syrup
1-1/2 cups milk
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1 unbaked pie shell
2 eggs
1 tablespoon flour
1 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon ginger

Directions:

Beat or blend all ingredients thoroughly together. Pour into unbaked pie shell. Bake in 350 degree oven for 45 minutes or just until firm in the middle.

Streusal Topped Pumpkin Pie

Ingredients

1 (15-ounce) can pumpkin

1 (14-ounce) can Eagle Brand® Sweetened Condensed Milk
1 egg
1 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon, each ground ginger, nutmeg and salt
1 (6-ounce) Keebler® Ready Crust® Graham Cracker Pie Crust
1/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar
2 tablespoons flour
2 tablespoons cold butter or margarine
3/4 cup chopped walnuts

Directions:

Preheat oven to 425°. With mixer or wire whisk, beat pumpkin, Eagle Brand, egg, 3/4 tsp. cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and salt. Pour into crust.Bake 15 Minutes. Meanwhile, combine sugar, flour and remaining 1/2 tsp. cinnamon; cut in butter until crumbly. Stir in walnuts. Remove crust from oven; reduce oven to 350°. Sprinkle streusel mixture over pie.Bake 40 minutes or until set. Cool. Serve warm or at room temperature. Refrigerate leftovers. Top with whipped cream.

For more check out :

http://www.pastrywiz.com/archive/category/pumpkin.htm

http://allrecipes.com/recipes/desserts/dessert-pies/pumpkin-pies/main.aspx

http://southernfood.about.com/od/pumpkinpies/r/?once=true&

Thanksgiving Mashed And Sweet Potato Recipes

2006-11-22T00:53:00.000-08:00

Its time to rush through some last minute grocery shopping, bring out the large pots and pans and start chopping/mashing/ cooking the potatoes and other vegetables for the gala feast about to happen. How about checking out these sweet savoury recipes for the same:

Baked Cranberry Stuffed Sweet Potatoes Recipe

Ingredients:

8 sweet potatoes, scrubbed
1 cup dried cranberries
4 tablespoons butter, divided use
1 large firm but ripe pear, peeled, cored, and cut into 1/2-inch cubes
1 cup pecans, coarsely chopped
4 teaspoons minced and peeled fresh ginger
4 teaspoons (packed) light brown sugar
2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar
1 1/2 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
1/2 teaspoon salt

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line baking sheet with foil. Pierce potatoes in several places with fork; place on baking sheet. Bake until potatoes are tender, 55 minutes. Cool slightly. Place cranberries in small bowl; pour hot water over to cover. Let stand 5 minutes to soften. Drain. Melt 2 tablespoons butter in large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Add pears and sauté until tender and golden. Stir in cranberries, pecans, ginger, and brown sugar; sauté 1 minute. Mix in 2 teaspoons vinegar and ½ teaspoon salt. Cut off top quarter of each potato lengthwise; discard tops. Using fork, gently mash pulp inside each potato. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Melt remaining 2 tablespoons butter in small saucepan over low heat. Whisk in remaining 1 1/2 tablespoons vinegar. Drizzle about 1 teaspoon butter-vinegar mixture into each potato; mix with fork to blend. Mound cranberry mixture in sweet potatoes.

Apricot Glazed Sweet Potatoes

Ingredients:

3 pounds Sweet potatoes
1 cup Brown sugar -- packed
1 1/2 tablespoon Cornstarch
1/4 teaspoon Salt
1/8 teaspoon Cinnamon
1 cup apricot puree
1/2 cup hot water
2 tablespoons grated orange peel
2 tablespoons Butter

Directions:
Peel sweet potatoes. Cook until tender. Drain and cool. Combine sugar, cornstarch, salt and cinnamon in a medium saucepan. Stir in apricot puree, hot water and orange peel. Bring to a full boil stirring constantly. Remove from heat. Stir in butter. Pour over potatoes until glazed. Refrigerate overnight. Bake covered in 375F oven for 25 minutes.

Sweet Potato Croquettes

Ingredients:

2 cups mashed sweet potatoes, about 4 medium sweet potatoes
2 tablespoons butter
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
2 tablespoons brown sugar
fine dry bread crumbs, plain
1 egg, slightly beaten
1 tablespoon water
oil for deep frying

Directions:
Combine mashed sweet potatoes, butter, salt, pepper, and brown sugar; beat until smooth and well blended. Chill thoroughly. Shape chilled mixture into croquettes. Mix slightly beaten egg with water. Dip sweet potato croquettes into crumbs, then into beaten egg mixture, then in crumbs again.
Fry in hot deep fat, about 370°, until sweet potato croquettes are golden brown. Drain well. Recipe for sweet potato croquettes serves 4.

Sweet Potato and Sausage Bake

Ingredients:

3 cups cooked and mashed sweet potatoes
1 cup apple sauce
2 eggs, beaten
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1 pound link sausage, cooked and drained

Directions:
Mix sweet potatoes with applesauce, eggs, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Spoon into a buttered shallow 1 1/2-quart baking dish. Arrange sausage on sweet potato mixture. Bake at 350° for 25 to 30 minutes.Serves 4.

For more check out http://southernfood.about.com/cs/sweetpotatoes/a/sweet_potatoes_2.htm

Mashed Potatoes

Crockpot Mashed Potatoes

Ingredients:

5 lbs. potatoes, peeled and quartered
2 (3 oz.) pkg. cream cheese, softened
1 cup sour cream
2 tsp. onion powder
1 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. garlic powder
1/4 tsp. white pepper
2 slightly beaten egg whites
3 Tbsp. Butter

Directions:
Cook the potatoes in large pot of boiling salted water until they are tender, about 20 minutes. Drain well and return to dry pot. Shake over low heat for about 1 minute. Then mash until there are no lumps.Beat in the cream cheese, sour cream, onion powder, salt, pepper and egg whites. Place potatoes in a greased 9x13" baking dish. Melt butter and drizzle over the potatoes. Cool for 20 minutes, cover and refrigerate up to 3 days. Take potatoes out of refrigerator about 3-1/2 hours before serving time. Place in crockpot. Cover and cook on low heat for 3 hours, stirring once or twice. They can be held an additional 30 minutes or more. 15 servings.

Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Ingredients:

6 cloves garlic, peeled
1/4 cup olive oil
7 baking potatoes, peeled and cubed
1/2 cup milk
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons butter
1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.Place garlic cloves in a small baking dish. Drizzle with olive oil, cover, and bake 45 minutes, or until golden brown. Boil a pot of lightly salted water. Add potatoes, and cook until tender. Drain, and transfer to a mixing bowl. Place roasted garlic, milk, Parmesan cheese, and butter into the bowl with the potatoes. Season with salt and pepper. Beat to desired consistency with an electric mixer.

Yukon Gold Mashed Potatoes

Ingredients:

1 1/2 lbs yukon gold potatoes, peeled and quartered length-wise
1/2 teaspoon salt
4 Tbsp heavy cream
2 Tbsp butter
1 Tbsp milk
Salt and Pepper

Directions:

Put potatoes into a saucepan. Add 1/2 teaspoon salt. Add water until potatoes are covered. Bring to boil, reduce heat and simmer, covered, 15-20 minutes, or until done - a fork can easily be poked through them. Warm cream and melt butter, together, either in microwave or in a pan on the stove. Drain water from potatoes. Put hot potatoes into a bowl. Add cream and melted butter. Mash the potatoes. Use a strong spoon to beat further adding milk. Salt and pepper to taste. Serves 4.

Bacon and Buttermilk Mashed Potatoes

Ingredients:

3 slices bacon
2 pounds russet potatoes, peeled and quartered
1/2 cup buttermilk
1 tablespoon fresh chives or scallion tops, chopped

Directions:
Saute bacon in a heavy nonstick skillet over medium heat 4 to 5 minutes, or until crisp. Transfer to paper towels and drain, reserving 1 1/2 teaspoons drippings. Crumble bacon and set aside. Cook potatoes in a large pot of boiling salted water about 30 minutes, or until very tender. Drain well. Return potatoes to pot. Add buttermilk, reserved bacon and drippings and salt and pepper to taste. Mash and add chives. Serve hot.

Check out :

http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Make-Ahead-Mashed-Potatoes-2/Detail.aspx

Thanksgiving Best Bargains in Gadgets and Gizmos

2006-11-21T00:56:00.001-08:00

I have a recurring dream once every fortnight. I see myself in a room surrounded with the latest Apple iPods, Xbox 360, Laptops, Canon or Sony Digicams/ camcorders, the Zune software, Playstation 3 and Wii Ninetendo. Its like inhabiting paradise.Well, its time to fulfill these dreams and secret desires. Take a look at the latest hot gadgets below and enjoy the joyride:

Best Buy

Garmin nuvi 350 GPS Navigation System $499.99
Insignia 2GB Video Mp3 player 99.99
Hitachi 51" Widescreen HDTV (Projection) $699.99
PNY 1GB USB Flash Drive $14.99

Circuit City

Creative Labs 8GB Zen Photo Mp3 Player $129.99
Polaroid 2GB Secure Digital Memory Card $29.99
Optoma DLP Digital Media Projector and Projector Screen $449.99
Grey's Anatomy Season 1 DVD $8.99

Walmart

ilo 26-inch LCD HDTV $618.00
Sony PSP Video Game System 169.24 (Early Bird)
Fisher Price Can Play Piano Teaching System $64.77
Krempasky Blogging Workstation $49.96

Meijer

Sylvania 37-inch High Definition LCD TV $699.99
24 TV Series DVD Seasons 1-4 $24.00 each
Samsung A503 Digital Camera $99.99

Target

Samsung Mini-DV Camcorder $179.99
Atari Flashback Game System $ 19.87

Check out:

www.consumerist.com/consumer/exclusive/best-black-friday-deals-215004.php

Xbox 360 Wireless Controller $37.99
Sony Playstation 2 Cordless action Controller $29.82
Sony Playstation 2 Silver console $129.99
Logitech Premium Stereo Headset with noise cancelling microphone $18.94
Canon Canoscan 8400F Flatbed Scanner $98.95
Guitar Hero SG Controller $29.95
Wireless Baby Monitor - IR/Color Cam & LCD Monitor $64.50

Home Theatre Systems

Digicams

Canon PowerShot A530 5MP Digital Camera with 4x Optical Zoom
$149.00
Kodak EasyShare C530 5MP Digital Camera and EasyShare Series 3 Printer Dock Bundle
$149.99
Sony Cybershot DSCW50 6MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom
$279.99
Apple® - iPod™ nano 4GB* MP3 Player - Blue $199.99

Samsung - 2GB* MP3 Player and Image Viewer - Purple $149.99

Creative Labs - Zen V 2GB* MP3 Player - White/Green $119.99

CSIT DP001 Digital photo album with keychin $34.99
It can store upto 56 pictures.
Casio W87H-1V Casual Sports Watch $19.99

Laptops

Apple MacBook MA699LL/A 13.3" Notebook PC (1.83 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo, 512 MB RAM, 60 GB Hard Drive, DVD-ROM/CD-RW Combo Drive) – White
$1099.99
Toshiba Satellite A105-S4284 15.4" Notebook PC (Intel Core Duo Processor T2050, 1 GB RAM, 100 GB Hard Drive, DVD SuperMulti Drive)
$899.99
Sony mylo Personal Communicator COM-1 2.4" LCD- (White)
$339.99

Gadget gifts for women

Prada Asus S6F Limited Edition Pink Leather Laptop

Hello Kitty mobiles by OKWAP

Verizon G’zOne mobile phone can handle the Great Outdoors. - $299.99

Pink Samsung Q40 Ultra-Thin Notebook

Chumby, WiFi Touchscreen Friend

Griffin Disko Ipod Cases

Laptop bags
- Charisma Notebook Case $49.95
- Clava Leather colored Vachett small tab tote handbag $124.99
Top ipod Accesoories
- iTrip transmitter from Griffin $49.99
- Nyko iboost battery pack for ipod $31.99
Stereos
- Panasonic SC-PM53 Shelf System $99.00
- JVC FS- Y1 Bookshelf Audio /Video Ststem $129.95

Digicams

Kodak easyshare CX7330 Zoom Digital camera $119.95
Hp Photosmart 435 $90.99- 97.00

For more gadgets and gizmo gifts for women, check out

Also take a look at the following for more on latest deals on gadgets:

http://www.bestbuy.com/olspage.jsp?id=pcmcat63300050030&type=category

http://www.bestbuy.com/olspage.jsp?id=pcmcat10200050001&type=category

http://www.newegg.com/ProductSort/Category.asp?Local=y&Category=6

Thrifty Gifts Within $75

2006-11-20T03:35:00.000-08:00

Have you shopped for the gifts yet? No? Me too. I am waiting for 24th of November the “the “ day for shopping. Melissa( my cousin) will be accompanying me for shopping for gifts. As Christmas is not far off and there is no other spare day to shop i will fully exploit this golder opportunity. She has made a huge list of shops from where we can get gifts for all in much less price! Sounds interesting?? I thought why not share them with all of you. We all are finding the best way to bring smile on the face of the loved one's right? But we should also spend according to the budget. Some of the best deal gifts can be:

harvest centerpiece $59.95
blooming pumpkin $44.95
autumn amber bouquet $ 59.95
fall berries $ 69.95
gold trimmed roses $ 69.95

find out more on http://www.gifttree.com/holidays/Fall-Gifts.html

luxury spa basket $ 64.95 plus
mad about chocolate(gift basket) $49.45

GAP is offering huge discounts and the items are :

men's straight fit (mehanic blue) $ 49.99
industrial jeans ( blue crunch ) $ 29.99
light fade straight jeans $ 14.99
women's slouch jean $ 19.99
sleek nylon denim $ 19.99
boy's camo cargo pants $ 24.99
girl's sequined velvet skirt $ 24.99
girl's multi-stripe tights $5.99

Cutter and Bucks are offering with a wide variety of accessories:

Brighton watch $ 85.00
Brighton calypso post earrings $ 29.00
tribeca drop post earrings $33.00
etched heart earrings $21.00

Other accessories which can be made a part of gifts are:

jingle bell cuff watch $ 29.99
handcrafted wood bracelets $ 14.99
longevity necklace $ 29.99
holy family pin $ 24.99
pearl stacking ring $ 29.99
gem ring watches $8.99
gem keeper box $ 19.99
Digital photo key chain $50
handle light grill light $ 50
compact wine opener $40
panasonic hair trimmer $39
new motorized cd/dvd repair $ 39

For the people who don't have much time to hop from one shop to another they can be benefitted from:
http://nickscape.net/gifts.htm
http://www.brookstone.com/store
http://gonyc.about.com/od/shopping/tp/nyc_dept_stores.htm
http://newyork.citysearch.com/

Thanksgiving Black Friday Best Deals

2006-11-20T01:12:00.000-08:00

Thanksgiving Black Friday Best Deals
I have already provided you with a huge list of deals and bargains available at WalMart on Black Friday. But the other departmental stores like Kmart, Sears, Target, Toysrus and so on also need mention. My sister loves to shop at Kmart and mom at Macy’s and Walmart. Everyone has their own personal favorite. So where are you guys hopping off to shop this Friday? The big deals and discounts mentioned below might help you decide better.

Sears- Top 25 Black Friday deals

6Foot Inflatable Peanuts Snowglobe (Sears Exclusive)
$159.99 7.5Foot Appalachian Pine Christmas Tree with 800 Lights $149.99
Apostrophe Misses' Ribbed Turtleneck Sweater $13.99
Audiovox 7" Portable DVD Player with Car Adapter $69.99
Basic Essentials 23Piece Utensil/Knife Carousel $17.99
Classic Elements Misses Chenille Cardigans & Turtlenecks $14.99
Classic Elements Misses Holiday Sweaters $19.99
Colormate Comforter Set (Queen) $19.99
Dual GPS Navigation System with MP3 Player $249.99
DVDs (Bourne Supremacy, Am. Pie 2, Ray, 2 Fast 2 Furious) $5.99
Entire Stock of Handbags from Rosetti, Relic and more (50% Off)
Entire Stock of LED Christmas Lights (50% Off)
Free $10 Gift Card to First 200 Customers FREE
GE Prelit 6.5Foot Douglas Fir Christmas Tree with 400 Lights $99.99
Home Theater System with DVD Player & 6 Speakers $49.99
Microsoft Xbox 360 Premium Video Game System $399.99
Microsoft Zune MP3 Player $249.99
Outerwear and Sweaters for the Family (50% Off)
Philips Progressive Scan DVD Player / VCR Combo $59.99
Protron 32" Widescreen LCD HDTV with ATSC Tuner $599.99
Samsung 10MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom $249.99
Samsung NeXus 25 XM Satellite Radio & MP3 Player $49.99
Sing Along with Elmo $14.99
Sony Playstation 2 Video Game System $129.99
Toshiba 32D46 32" Color Television with Digital Tuner $299.99

For more visit: http://www.theblackfriday.com/sears_blackfriday.shtml

K-Mart- Top 25 Deals

10-kt. Gold Earrings $9.9910-kt.
4-Foot Santa Snowglobe with Tree $49.99
4-Foot Snowman Family Snowglobe $49.99
Animated 48" Standing Deer $14.99
Basic Editions Mockneck Shirt $3.99
Basic Editions Short Sleeve Polo Shirts - 50% off
Basic Editions V-Neck Sweaters - 70% off
Bob the Builder Remote Control Vehicle $24.99
Crew, V-Neck and Pocket T-Shirts $5.00
Disney Princess Sparkle Cinderella Barbie - 50% off
Emerson Stainless Steel Microwave $49.99
Entire Stock Cold Weather Accessories - 50% off
Fisher-Price Kid Tough Digital Camera $55.99
George Foreman SuperSize Grill $49.99
Hamilton Beach Stainless Steel 3L Deep Fryer $27.99
Holly Hobbie My First Gift Set $24.99
Martha Stewart Everyday Copper Mountain 7.5" Christmas Tree $99.99
Massage Cushion 6-Point with Heat $17.49
Mini Plastic Chocolate Fountain $17.99
Nikko 1:16 Remote-Controlled Car $9.99
Protron 32" LCD HD-Ready Television $679.99
Puffy Nylon Jackets - 50% off
Sony DSC-S500 6MP Digital Camera $149.99
Sylvania 27" Flat Screen Color Television $219.99
Ultra Soft Comforters $9.99

K-Mart- Thanksgiving Day Deals

Cars Talking McQueen Car $29.99
Curtis DVD Player / VCR Combo $49.99
Entire Stock of Fine Jewelry (70% Off)
Entire Stock of Sterling Silver Jewelry (70% Off)
Essential Home 44-Piece Cutlery Block $9.99
Fuji 25-Pack DVD+R Blank Media $4.99
Gold over Sterling Silver Necklace $29.99
Home Theater in a Box $29.99
Kenmore Bagless Canister Vacuum $29.99
Kodak Easyshare C533 5MP Digital Camera Bundle $169.99
Martha Stewart 18" Wreath $7.49
Martha Stewart 6.5-Foot Blue Ridge Mountain Christmas Tree $64.99
Martha Stewart 7-Foot Aspen Mountain Slim Christmas Tree $64.99
Selected DVD Movies $9.99
Selected Music CDs $7.99
Shiatsu Back Massager $79.99
Sterling Silver Simulated Ruby Bracelet $26.99
Sterling Silver Simulated Ruby Pendant $11.99

TOP 25 deals at Toys R US

Assorted Lego Sets ($4.49 - $34.99) FREE
Baby Einstein's Baby Santa's (DVD) $7.99
Barbie (DVD) $4.99
Bratz Sweet Dreamz Styling Head $12.49
Brother Bear 2 (DVD) $12.99
Buy 1, Get 1 Free on ALL Superman Returns Action Figures & Roleplay Sets FREE
Chicken Little (DVD) $12.99
Curtis 15" LCD TV $179.99
Disney Princess Digital Camera $19.99
Disney's Cinderella (GBA) $7.49
Lizzie McGuire 3: Homecoming Havoc (GBA) $7.49
Musical Santaland Train Set $29.89
Pacman Collection (GBA) $9.99
PlayStation 2 Freedom Wireless Controller when You Buy Any PS2 Game $4.99
Rubber Piano $9.99
Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer (DVD) $7.99
Shark Tale (DVD) $4.99
Stuart Little 2 (DVD) $4.99
Stuart Little 3: Call of the Wild (DVD) $7.99
The Chronicles of Narnia (DVD) $12.99
The Grinch Who Stole Christmas (DVD) $4.99
The Nightmare Before Christmas (GBA) $7.49
The Sound of Music (DVD) $7.99
Tyco R/C Rebound Superbike Stunt Vehicle $29.99

Visit http://www.blackfriday.info/ads/toysrus-black-friday-ad.html for more information on deals.

Top 25 deals at Target

Firefly Mobile Phone - $69.99
Boys' Legendary Gold Jeans - $6.
Infants' Toddlers' And Kids' Turtlenecks - $3.99
Gilligan & O'Malley Long-Sleeve Knit V-Neck Sleep Tee - $8.00
Men's Cherokee Sweater - $10.00
Select Women's Denim Jeans - $16.00
Women's Long-Sleeve Strech V-Neck Or Crew-Neck Tee - $7.00
Women's Long-Sleeve V-Neck Or Crew-Neck Tee - $7.00
Free $25 Gift Card w/iPod Purchase
Leadsinger Hand-Held Karaoke - $59.95
Emerson Stainless Steel Microwave - $35.00
Select DVD Movies (Click / Monster House / Walk the Line) - $8.98
Select DVD Movies (Harry Potter / Geisha / Pink Panther) - $3.98
The Da Vinci Code DVD - $15.00
Apple 30GB iPod MP3 Player - $249.99
Barry Manilow - The Greatest Songs CD - $9.98
Tony Bennett - Duets CD - $9.98
Pre-Lit Artificial Pine Tree And Wreath - $29.88
16" Barbie Or Hot Wheels Bike - $47.99
Barbie Christmas Morning Doll - $6.00
Radio Flyer Pathfinder Wagon - $50.00
Spider-Man 2-In-1 Pop-Up Arcade Zone - $16.00
Call Of Duty 3 (XBox - PS2) - $39.87
Nintendo DS Lite Starter Kit - $29.99
XBox 360 Console w/Free Ghost Recon Game - $399.99

Check out http://www.theblackfriday.com/target_blackfriday.shtml for more.

Go Ahead and Shop Till You Drop!

Track The Thanksgiving Trivia

2006-11-17T04:28:00.000-08:00

Lets get down with the trivia fever. Only a week to go.There are lot of trivias related to Thanksgiving. Turkey trivia, trivia quiz, thanksgiving day traditions, food trivia, movie trivia, Macy's parade trivia etc. Thanksgiving in America goes back to the winter of 1621. It is an occasion to be spent in the warm and loving company of family , loved ones and friends. So what does Thanksgiving actually means? Does Thanksgiving only means turkey, cranberries or there is more to add to it? Well the answer, there is more to add to the list. Thanksgiving has lot of trivia associated with it they are:

Thanksgiving is an occasion to be with your family. And playing games with them are one of the joyous occasion. Quizzing is an important game for both the old and the young. So are you ready to spoof or be spoofed! You can check out the the popular trivia quizzes and catch your near and dear ones unprepared! Check out http://www.sploofus.com/triviacategory/

The story behind thanksgiving started with the rock, the big boulder which was rumoured to be the one in which the pilgrims first stepped was in Massachusetts. It is taken as a symbol of America's freedom. To know more check out http://www.brownielocks.com/thanksgiving.html

Dinner should always be accompanied with wine. The two main indicators of quality are:balance and length i.e the component parts of the wine. Do you know what makes a better quality wine? The way grapes are grown makes a lot of difference in the quality. To open champagne or sparkling wine chill the wine well and don't shake the bottle. The wine will taste better and more will stay in the bottle. Finally to serve with style, put your thumb up the the “punt” and pour slowly.

Poems and songs play an inevitable part of Thanksgiving. A get-together over the dinner without singing of the favorite songs or reciting of the poems is really drab and dull. You can check out some really good poems and songs right here http://712educators.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?zi=1/XJ&sdn=712educators&zu=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dltk-kids.com%2Fcrafts%2Fthanksgiving%2Fsongs.html

Do u know about Pocahontas( Mataoka or Lady Rebecca)?she is considered auspicious as she saved the life of Capitan John Smith from the execution by her tribe. She was then converted as a Christian. Married to successful tobacco planter. The significance lie in saving Smith's life,she helped bring food tot he starving English colonists helped bring peace between English colonists and the Indians. Showed England that not all “Indians” were savages.

Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade has a special attraction. Thousands of New Yorkers and visitors assemble to watch the giant balloons. Lot of work goes into inflating these balloons:both professionals and Macy's employees join in containing these giants as they fill the lighter than air gas. Macy's parade is popular because they have different theme of balloons each year and people are always looking forward to it.

Some of the famous tongue twisters can be practiced. They are real fun. It all started as to fill in some fun and excitement in the air. A get together would serve as an occasion where all the loved once would like to ease out their tension. What can be the best way to ease out your tension rather than having fun! Check out some of the tongue twisters and do practice them.http://www.bethanyroberts.com/Thanksgivingfunp3.htm

Turkey's were hunted for its sweet, juicy meat. Their's feathers were used to stabilize arrows and also adorn ceremonial dress. There are more to know about this. I found this site which talks about turkey trivia you can check out too .http://www.woodbridgechips.com/turkeytrivia.html

Thanksgiving Trivias always attracts people because they want to know more about the occasion. Thanksgiving is an interesting and exciting event for all of us! If u want to know more about Thanksgiving Trivia's you can check out this post.

Thanksgiving Prayers and Psalms

2006-11-17T01:37:00.000-08:00

Oh Lord, know that I am thankful for everything you gave me, for the challenges that made me think hard and work better. I'm also thankful for having such a loving creator.
The Thanksgiving Holiday is a time to share love with our family and friends. When the mind and body is overburdened and exhausted, proximity to the home and hearth proves the best and ultimate stress buster. The simple but significant act of gathering around the table to thank the Lord for his powerful blessings helps to reinstate our much dwindling faith. On this day, not just believers, but non believers as well join hands to pray and thank God for relieving them of their struggles, worries and supporting them in times of extreme pain.

Thankgiving Day Prayer

Heavenly Father, on Thanksgiving Day,
We bow our hearts to You and pray.
We give You thanks for all You've done
Especially for the gift of Jesus, Your Son.
For beauty in nature, Your glory we see
For joy and health, friends and family,
For daily provision, Your mercy and care
These are the blessings You graciously share.
So today we offer this response of praise
With a promise to follow You all of our days.
- Mary Fairchild

A Short Family Thanksgiving Prayer

Jesus, thank you for loving us;
And providing food, shelter, and each other.
Every moment of our lives is a gift;
And we appreciate all the time You have given us.
Thank you for all our good fortune.

A Thanksgiving Prayer by Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882) who taught us the power of 'Self Reliance'

For each new morning with its light, For rest and shelter of the night, For health and food, For love and friends, For everything Thy goodness sends. Amen

Traditional Thanksgiving Hymn

We gather together to ask the Lord's blessing;
He chastens and hastens his will to make known;
The wicked oppressing now cease from distressing,
Sing praises to his name: He forgets not his own.
Beside us to guide us, our God with us joining,
Ordaining, maintaining his kingdom divine;
So from the beginning the fight we were winning;
Thou, Lord, wast at our side, All glory be thine!
We all do extol thee, thou leader triumphant,
And pray that thou still our defender wilt be.
Let thy congregation escape tribulation;
Thy name be ever praised!
O Lord, make us free!

Before Meal Prayers for Children

Be present at our table, Lord,
Be here and everywhere adored.
Thy creatures bless and grant that we
May feast in paradise with Thee.
Great God, Thou Giver of all good,
Accept our praise and bless our food.
Grace, health, and strength to us afford
Through Jesus Christ, our blessed Lord.

After Meal Prayers for Kids and all

Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all that is within me bless His holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits.
Accept, O Lord, our thankful praises
For all Thy goodness did bestow;
May it increase our faith and lead us
Our praise by godly lives to show,
That every deed and word may prove
We trust and own our Father's love.

Catholic Thankgiving Prayer

Thank you God for all the wonderful blessings,
For our daily meals, for clean drinking water,
For sunlight and for the cool breeze.
I'm thankful for my family, my husband, my friends, and my health.
I'm thankful for my friends, to love and be loved and for freedom.
I'm thankful to be employed;
I'm thankful to be alive and praise you for all these wonders.
I'm thankful that you have been so gracious
To give your only Son to us
Who gave his life and bore the UnbearableFor us sinners.
On this Thanksgiving Day, I take the Opportunity to thank for countless other
things you provide us with on a daily basis.

Click here for more Thanksgiving prayers

A special way to share your faith with your family and friends is to find a part of a Psalm that speaks to your heart and read it.

Psalm 23

Your holy spirit
illuminates the dark places of the heart
of your servant,
with light like the sun.
I look to the covenants made by men,
worthless.Only your truth shines,
and those who love it are wise
and walk in the glow
of your light.
From darkness you raise hearts.
Let light shine on your servant.
Your light is everlasting.

Psalm 31:19

How great is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you, which you bestow in the sight of men on those who take refuge in you.

Psalm 107:1

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.

For more Psalms:

www.twilightbridge.com/hobbies/festivals/thanksgiving/prayer.htm

http://christianity.about.com/od/thanksgivingverses/a/thanksgivingver.htm

Thanksgiving Wine Special

2006-11-16T00:15:00.000-08:00

There is such an amazing variety of wines available that its hard to choose. Each variety comes with a different flavor and aroma. In general, white wines complement lightly flavored meals, whereas red wines accentuate richly spiced up ones. Pairing therefore is essentially a skill one needs to excel in. My guests have varying tastes and in order to provide succour to each one's palate, I decided to delve into the world of wine online.

Red Wine

Reminds me of the beautiful vineyards in France I had once witnessed. Red wine can be served with turkey breast, or stuffed with sausage, herbs, nuts and fruits as well. Its sensuous color and rich fruity aroma extols the spirt of fall. A highly aromatic wine, Pinot Noir (also called ' Starter Reds') is the most loved on any Thanksgiving table. It is generally light in body with a soft texture. Syrah, another variety has strong black pepper qualities. Cabernet Sauvignon, is characterized by its high tanin content which goes well with red meats, pasta and lamb.Tempranillo and Zinfandel are other quality wines.

Price range and variety:

1998 Borsao, Campo de Borja ($4.99)- Strawberry flavored and comes with a soft hint of cedar goes well with both dark and white meat.
1997 Chateau Valcombe, Cotes du Ventoux, Signature ($8.99)- Packed with the flavor of plums, dried figs and some hint of wood. This wine provides an authentic countryside feel.
2004 Napa Valley Pinot Noir; $32
2005 Petite Sirah; $26
2004 Napa Valley Merlot; $50

2002 Hogue Cellar's Cabernet Sauvignon (Washington) $10

White wine

Chardonnay, made in a dry but fresh fruity style is perhaps the best pairing for turkey and other traditional side dishes. Some tangy ones are: Viognier, low on acidity and comes with the essence of peach, apricot and pear. Chenin Blanc, spicy and slightly sweet with high acidity. Sauvignon Blanc, light and crisp, with grassy or herbaceous flavors. Higher acidity. Riesling, from Washington or the Finger Lakes region of New York are great for Thanksgiving dinner. Either dry or sweet as well as spicy, with touches of peach or apricots and a floral fragrance, this wine appeals to a wide audience. Gewurztraminer, dry or sweet. These wines are highly aromatic with floral touches and spice notes such as cloves or nutmeg. They pair well with Asian dishes, chicken wings or barbeque.

Price range and variety:

2005 Macrostie Winery & Vineyards Chardonnay $16.99
Pale gold in color, the aromas are tropical fruit mixed with a bit of herb, like pineapple sage. In the mouth it is quite rich, more like pineapple upside-down cake, minus the sugar.
2001 Chappellet Dry Chenin Blanc ($13)

2005 Viognier Sanford & Bendict Vineyard; $35
Claiborne & Churchill Vintners
1998 Dry Gewürztraminer, $12- With .03% residual sugar, a tinge of sweetness makes the flavors more approachable to the American palate than a traditional Alsatian style.
2004 Gewürztraminer

2005 Sauvignon Blanc; $11
Trefethem-2005 Dry Riesling; $18- Exotic taste of apple blossom, tropical fruit and lime.

Sparkling Wine

The fine bubbly bite of a great sparkling wine makes any event more lively and special. If you're serving a sparkling wine with dinner, be sure it is labeled brut (which means it is dry) and not a sweet sparkling wine such as Italy's Asti Spumante.Another good choice for a delicious sparkling wine for this holiday meal is one from the Loire Valley in France. These wines are made from the Chenin Blanc grape, and offer fresh and luscious fruit flavors that harmonize well with all of the traditional Thanksgiving delights.

Price range and variety:

Blanc de Noir; $34
Krug Grande Année Brut $130
1999 Perrier Jouët Fleur de Champagne Blanc de Blancs $220
Pugliese Vineyards Sparkling Merlot $16.99
An ideal dessert accompaniment.
Simple Peach Sparkling Peach $13.99

Rose Wines

It's true that dry rose wines go well with almost any dish, and with so many flavors on the table at Thanksgiving, rose can be a great choice. If your taste runs to drier wines, a rose from the Cotes du Rhone or Provence regions in France will be light, crisp, and flavorful, but won't overpower the meal. A dry rose from California--made from one of the Rhone grape varieties such as Grenache--will also nicely fill the bill.
If your tastes run to the slightly sweeter and fruitier wines, White Zinfandel is a good choice, with supple, ripe fruit flavors that fit right in with sweet potatoes, cranberry sauce, and the sweet onion flavors of most stuffings.

Price range and variety:

2005 Syrah; $17
2004 Francis Coppola Sofia Pinot Noir Rose $13.99
Bright and lively, this wine offers generous flavors of juicy black cherry, raspberry and kiwi fruit while being dry and refreshing on the palate
2005 Wolffer Estate Rose $9.99
Peter Vella White Zinfandel $14.99
2005 Beringer White Zinfandel $12.99

For more information, click on:

http://wine.about.com/b/a/218157.htm

Online retailers:

In case you would like some tips on How to pick a wine on Thanksgiving, click here.

Black Friday's best bargains from Walmart

2006-11-15T01:57:00.000-08:00

Its the time for all you guys to bring out your shopping bag and count on the dollars you have. Have you planned out strategies to shop already? I have already started to search on net and my Mom told me that I have become nuts about the whole thing. This year I am planning to go on hunting for the cheapest stuff. The Black Friday deals are simply irresistible. What do you think? Did you know according to the NRF(National Retail Federation), when it comes to service, customers say they expect the most from restaurants, which had a 4.46 rating out of 5.0. Specialty stores (4.40) and department stores (4.12) were next on the list. Although they expect more from some retailers than others, shoppers’ expectations of service rose in all categories this year compared to last. According to the survey, customers’ service expectations have risen the most with warehouse clubs (a 3.86 rating this year compared to a 3.58 rating in 2005, a 7.95% increase), discount stores (3.40 vs. 3.21, a 5.88% increase) and online (3.92 vs. 3.71, a 5.75% increase). Imagine the shopping spree people are getting into. With lot of net searching i have come to a conclusion that would be a better idea to take my cousins Robin & Sam with me for the shopping. Always be accompanied by some one while shopping it helps you to decide on things you want to buy. Check out the latest big deals. You will definitely love them.

Electronics :

20" TV/DVD Player Combo (Brand Unknown) - $129.83
23" Color Television (Brand Unknown) - $99.72 256MB
USB Flash Memory Drive (Brand Unknown) - $13.88
Casio 61-Key Music Keyboard - $89.76
Cyberhome CH-DVR1200 DVD Recorder - $79.86
Delphi RoadyXT XM Satellite Receiver - $76.36
Durabrand 5-Disc CD Home Stereo - $38.77
DVD/VHS Combo Recorder (Brand Unknown) - $168.87
Emerson Dual Screen 7" LCD DVD Player - $149.84
Fuji FinePix F10 6.3MP Digital Camera - $348.47
HP Pavillion 1203w-b Desktop + 15" LCD Monitor - $398.00
HP Pavillion ze2308wm Notebook Computer - $398.00
HP Photosmart E317 Digital Camera - $98.88
HP Photosmart M415v Digital Camera - $148.76
ilo 26" Widescreen LCD HD-Ready TV (DVI) - $696.00
JVC GR-D244US MiniDV Digital Camcorder - $248.00
Kodak EasyShare CD33 Digital Camera - $129.74
Kodak Z760 Digital Camera + Cradle - $199.00
LCD Television Wall Mount Kit - $32.86
Lexmark X1185 Multifunction Printer - $39.88
Memorex Portable Karaoke System (CD+G) - $24.96
Nintendo Gameboy Advance SP - $48.88
Philips HDD077 2GB MP3 Player - $99.72
Polaroid 15" Flat Panel LCD TV - $194.00
Progressive Scan DVD Player (Brand Unknown) - $29.83
RCA Lyra RD1028 128MB MP3 Player - $39.44
Sanyo DVW-7200 DVD/VHS Combo Player - $69.87
Trac Phone + 40 Minutes Airtime - $19.98
Venturer 6.2" LCD DVD Player - $79.86
Wireless Keyboard + Mouse (Brand Unknown) - $14.88

Entertainment :

Assorted DVD Movies - $3.44 each
Assorted DVD Box Sets - $19.86

General :

10kt Gold 18" or 20" Figaro or Rope Chain - $18.88
16-quart Roaster Oven - $20.00
Boys' Athletic Works Reversible Vest - $7.00
Boys' Faded Glory Carpenter Jeans - $6.47
Brother Sewing Machine - $55.00
Canister Vacuum (Brand Unknown) - $20.00
Coffeemarket, Food Chopper, Slow Cooker - $4.24 each
Farberware 24-Piece Cookware and Bakeware Set - $49.97
Flatware 48-Piece Set - $19.83
Girls' Faded Glory Embroidered Jeans - $6.00
Girls' Faded Glory Ribbed Sweater - $6.00
Hamilton Beach BrewStation 12-Cup Coffeemaker - $32.47
Hamilton Beach Toaster Oven - $32.47
Hamilton Beach WaveStation 8-Speed Blender - $32.47
Ladies' 3-Piece Sleepwear Set - $10.00
Ladies' Down Vest - $10.00
Ladies' White Stag Sweaters - $7.00
Lighted Wire Frame Reindeer - $14.88
Magic Bullet Blender Set - $44.88
Mens' 1/4-Zip Polar Fleece Jacket - $7.00
Mens' Athletic Works Reversible Vest - $10.00
Mens' Faded Glory Carpenter Jeans - $7.47
Springmaid Cotton Luxury Towels - $3.00
Stanley 10-Drawer Tool Chest + 79-Piece Tool Set - $79.83

Toys:

Assorted Mermaid Barbie Dolls - $5.00
Bratz Big Babyz 14" Doll - $19.66
Cabbage Patch Newborn - $10.00
Care Bear + Bonus DVD - $5.00
Cinderella Solstice Roadster - $199.44
Dora the Explorer Talking Kitchen - $79.94
Fisher Price Little People Animal Sounds Zoo Playset - $10.00
Fisher Price Little People Noah's Ark Playset - $10.00
Fisher-Price Dora Talking Dollhouse - $44.87
Fisher-Price Dora Talking House Furniture - $14.97
Fisher-Price Dress and Dance Dora - $24.88
Fisher-Price Elmo Knows Your Name Plush Doll - $38.88
Fisher-Price Pooh Knows Your Name Plush Doll - $38.88
Fisher-Price Laugh and Learn Learning Home - $54.47
Fisher-Price Laugh and Learn Musical Learning Chair - $24.77
Fisher-Price Star Station Entertainment System - $49.76
Fisher-Price Stride-to-Ride Learning Car Walker - $27.77
Fisher-Price Tumble Time Tigger - $24.88
Furby Emototronic Friend - $29.88
Girls Quest Tetra or Boys Quest Boomer 20" Bike - $25.88
Hot Wheels AcceleRacers AcceleDrome Track - $49.97
Hot Wheels Gravity Set (2-Pack) - $5.00
Hummer H2 1/10-Scale RC Vehicle - $20.00
Jeep 1/10-Scale RC Vehicle - $20.00
Jeep 4x4 Power Wheels - $79.89
LeapFrog Leapster Learning System - $89.88
LeapFrog My First LeapPad Alphabet Bus - $29.44
LeapPad Plus Writing System - $25.00
Lifetime Acrylic Portable Basketball Goal - $99.83
Little Tikes Hummer H2 Yellow - $199.77
My Little Pony Butterfly Island Playset - $39.84
Playskool Cool Crew Talkin' Tool Bench - $32.97
Playskool VideoNow Jr. Player - $49.84
Pool, Table Tennis, and Poker Game Table - $98.00
Power Wheels Grave Digger Monster Truck - $269.66
Quest X-Fire 26" 15-Speed Dual Suspension Bike - $49.88
Star Wars Electronic Light Saber - $8.00
Thomas and Friends Train Cars - $9.88
Thomas and Friends Train Set - $39.76
Trampoline with Basketball Hoop - $184.00
UNO Attack! Card Game - $9.97
VTech V.Smile Pocket Portable Game System - $79.88
VTech V.Smile TV Learning System - $49.84
Yu-Gi-Oh Trading Card Gift Set - $18.00
source: http://www.dummocrats.com/links/view_comments.php?thread_id=35430

Some of the most wanted sales include some selected DVD's, flat screen color t.v, digital camera, gift card, digital audio, Duraband Hand Mixer, Compaq Presari Notebook, 2- Pack Family Games, 10-kt Gold Earrings, i Dog Electronic Pet, Rayovac Batteries AA or AAA of 30 pk, Hot Wheels 20-pack assorted. While Pcs and peripherals such as MP3 players have traditionally topped tech wish lists, the retailers are expecting some changes this year. There is huge deal regarding electronic goods. For the rest the jwellery hit the chart the next. Gadgets are "becoming more compatible, more mobile, easier to use and more aesthetic, and every year the technology becomes more affordable," said Michael Linton, vice president of consumer and brand marketing at retailer Best Buy in 2003. this is true this year too. Though women will have gala time shopping for jwellery. Some of the early bird items in WALMART for this Thanksgiving 2006 are :

1.0 ct.tw diamond stud earrings
Barbie fashion fever dolls
Beyonce 2-pack CD with DVD
Bissell 3-in-1 stick vacuum
brother sewing machine with 2 stitch functions
case logic portable DVD player case
children's slumber gift set
girl's or boy's Levi Strauss signature jeans
girl's or boy's 4 piece sleep set

So there is varied number of products to chose from. When you are spending then its a better idea to spend appropriately. One should also keep in mind to avoid the busy hours for shopping and opt for things which are of need first. Don't forget to put on your comfy shoes because you don't want to come back home and soak your feet in the hot tub brooding over the shoes you wore! Always keep the credit card and shopping list handy. Wow its lot of infomation and now I have to really rush to get my stuff. And you can still decide. Ciao!

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http://bfads.net/
http://www.theblackfriday.com/
http://blackfriday.gottadeal.com/PressRoom
http://www.fatwallet.com/news/

All about Thanksgiving décor!

2006-11-14T01:42:00.000-08:00

Decorating your home for Thanksgiving is a great way to bring our family together. The celebration of thanksgiving is a joyous time where all gather and rejoice the blessings. With no time to waste anymore, roll up your sleeves, get hold of the aprons, bring out the decorative pieces, shine those brass and silver ware.... the time has come for celebration. Decoration is very important part of an occasion. And one must have a theme for the decoration. All of you have definitely planned for the big occasion already but I thought why not give you all some of my ideas and also share some of yours. Decoration can be divided into exterior and interior decors. There should be parity between them. It should compliment each other.

Exterior décor: This year I have planned out to decorate the porch and the front stairs with spectacular plant arrangement. The fences in front of the main door and in the backyard will have small pumpkins.( I got the pumpkins from John's garden, they look so cute) This year I would decorate the door with twig or flower wreath.

The fruit wreath is also “ in” this season. As this occasion celebrates the harvest, incorporation of fruits, vegetables, seasonal flowers and twigs are some of the best ideas.
If you have a large mansion or stone house of some kind then you can decorate the stone stairs (which will lead the invitees to your house) with pumpkins. Also decorating the area with plants and gourds is not a bad idea.
Lighting up the house is very important. You don't want a gloomy party do u? So creative people, here are few tips to express your creation. One can get hold of the dried twigs and assemble it together to make your creation or the scraggly twigs over the outdoor light is also not a made idea! It gives the feel of the “fall”. Pumpkins can be carved out to make table lamps. Or else use the Halloween lightings again! Its not bad to repeat if it goes with the theme of your party. The planning of the decor should compliment the color scheme used.
http://interiordec.about.com/cs/autumndecor/l/blfallprlist2.htm
http://www.ehow.com/how_6925_decorate-entrance-house.html
http://www.ehow.com/how_8633_make-harvest-garland.html
http://www.ehow.com/how_8607_make-cornucopia.html

Interior décor: Interior design is the process of shaping of interior shape through manipulation of spatial volume and also with the decoration. This year I would keep this in mind. The interior should look spacious as well as the guests should feel the warmth. Whether novice (like me) or a skilled pro this is the time to be in action. My mom always follow step by step detail action with the décor part.

The table décor is an important part of thanksgiving. This year I have planned out a special centerpiece made to of seasonal flowers and fruits. My aunt, Emma, who specializes in centerpiece art work is helping me out with it.
Chocolate brown is hot for decorating! Vases filled with chocolate chips and then stuffed with pink and red flowers would look fabulous! The combination of brown and pinks are in vogue. You can even insert a candle in it. Harvest corn taper candles are the latest attraction this year at my place. You can even check them out in the departmental stores near you.
Fresh apples in a basket, simple pumpkin decoration are few decorative pieces you can try. If you donot have time to keep up fresh pumpkin you can obviously opt for ceramic pumpkins easily available in the stores.
If the table décor has been decided then one shouldn't forget about the mantle and the fireplace. The mantle and the fireplace can be decorated with mini pumpkins. The mantle garland can be made out if silk and seasonal flowers keeping in mind the theme. This year I am decorating it with twigs. This year we have fall season's theme. Brown is the dominant color for this year's decoration. The mantle will be decorated with twigs and dried maple foliage. It will give an essence of the season. Here are few links which will help all of you to make the planning more vivid and attractive.
http://www.bjcraftsupplies.com/holiday/fall1.asp
http://interiordec.about.com/cs/fallindex/l/blfallpr000.htm
http://www.lnt.com/category

You can check out more on the decorations with Thanksgiving Decoration and Thanksgiving Table Decor.

Restaurants serving Thanksgiving lip smacking delights

2006-11-13T23:56:00.000-08:00

Gather your family and friends for that exquisite luncheon or dinner at one of the city's plush restaurants. I guess you all must be wondering why I am suddenly directing you all to restaurants coz after all, Thanksgiving is about spending time with family in the cozy interiors of one's home sweet home. True...but considering that the restaurants in your and my neighborhood are offering a number of wonderful discounts and delicacies this year, why not try them out once.

Here is a list of restaurants in various cities across United States offering delectable Thanksgiving feasts:
Boston
Four Seasons Hotel

200 Boylston StreetBoston, MA 02116
(617) 338-4400
www.fourseasons.com/boston
The exquisite service, elaborate buffet and elegant ambience exudes in both restaurants as well as the family-oriented Grand Ballroom buffet. Executive Chef Brooke Vosika and his team will prepare more than sixty selections of savory and sweet dishes, some traditional and some haute cuisine, guaranteed to satisfy all guests.The buffet starts from 10 a.m and goes on till late night.
Ritz-Carlton

15 Arlington Street
Boston, MA 02117
(617) 912-3355
www.ritzcarlton.com/hotels/boston
Offers a variety of gourmet choices including traditional favorites and some culinary surprises. The Thanksgiving turkey with all the trimmings will be served in the fairy-tale Grand Ballroom Thanksgiving to-go , the takeaway section includes pumpkin soup, a roasted turkey stuffed with chestnut dressing, salads, traditional vegetables, a dozen corn muffins and a freshly-baked pumpkin pie.
For more inputs on restaurants in and around Boston offering amazing Thanksgiving food, check out:
http://www.bostonusa.com/images/admin/logos/Thanksgiving06webpage.htm
Los Angeles
Ambrosia Restaurant
Santa Ana

CUISINE- Contemporary French
4-course menu highlighted by an oven-roasted “Bourbon Red Heritage” turkey with all the "fixins’". Chef Rossi has also included a crispy harvest pumpkin risotto cake with wild mushrooms and maple sage butter; house made dungeness crab ravioli’s in an heirloom apple and curry broth, spiced carrot cake with ginger ice cream and much more. $55 per person; $15 for children.
Chimayo at the beach

Huntington Beach/Seal Beach
CUISINE- Seafood
Chimayo offers a traditonal turkey dinner with all the trimmings and limited selections from the coastal seafood menu.
Visit http://www.opentable.com/promo.aspx?pid=1&m=6 for more inforamtion on restaurants in Los Angeles.
Pittsburgh
Gateway Clipper
350 Station Square West, South Side
Two dinner cruises, available - one boarding at 12 noon and the second at 4:30 p.m. Enjoy traditional Thanksgiving fare and a live band. Great for singles who don't want to spend the holiday alone!
The Terrace Room
Omni William Penn Hotel, Downtown
www.omnihotels.com
The Terrace Room at the beautiful William Penn, one of Pittsburgh's treasured landmarks, is serving a four course Thanksgiving dinner with tableside carving.
Hours: From noon to 6 p.m. Price: $39; children 6-12, $19.50; under 6, free.
http://pittsburgh.about.com/od/thanksgiving/a/dinner.htm
is where you will find more information regarding restaurants in Pittsburgh.

Cave B Inn at SageCliffe
344 Silica Road NWQuincy,Washington 98.
Call (509) 785-2283 for reservations.
Thanksgiving Dinner at TendrilsChoose from traditional roast turkey, roasted leg of pork or roasted beef sirloin with all the trimmings plus dessert for $30 per person (children under 12, ½ price)
Ye Olde Tavern
5183 Main Street, P.O. Box 2682
Manchester Center, Vermont 05255
e-mail 1790@yeoldetavern.net

phone (802) 362-0611

Menu includes: Traditional Roast Tom Turkey, Long Island Duckling, Alaskan King Crab & Lobster Tail, Pork Chop, Martini Pasta, New York Sirloin etc Holiday feast starts from 3:00p.m. with last seating at 7:00p.m.
Reservation suggested.

New York
Drop in at:
http://nymag.com/guides/holidays/thanksgiving/reservations/index.html
for information on the restaurants in NEW YORK
You can also peep in at http://www.gayot.com/holiday/thanksgiving.html
for information on many other restaurants offering a variety of cuisines this Thanksgiving.

The Ultimate Turkey Know-How

2006-11-12T22:45:00.000-08:00

Time has come for celebration and merry making. With lot to plan and less time to implement. Have you started with the guest list and the menu yet? If yes then this would be an important time to get all information about the all time favorite- Turkey! Are you planning to surprise your guests with something different and unique? The smell of cranberries and smoked vegetables are already in the air. The most important step of planning is getting the right turkey. You would not like your guests to have a tug of war with the bird, would you?. So for a plump, juicy and fork tender turkey one has to chose the best from the huge variety. Selection is made lot easy with the departmental stores and food marts. A huge amount of time is saved with online shopping now. With the busy days heading, there is huge crisis of time and management of the same has become difficult too. Here are few places from where you can get your Turkey. Last year I too shopped online and believe me these guys really deliver good stuff to you. Also the packing keeps it fresh and juicy.

http://www.webordering.peapod.com/onlinestore/storeSelect.htm
http://www.hudsonvalleysmokehouse.com/store/1550369/product/T-300

Next comes the lip smacking recipes. This year I am planning to help out my mom with some new menu on the platter. The guests should have the essence of being served the unique and different. I like experimenting with food and also trying out assorted menu. Starting with the sauce, stuffing, smoked meat, pies and many more. There are brilliant new carte du jour (see I am adding new words to my vocabulary thanks to Amanda)for turkey. America, the melting pot of cultures, is fast becoming the melting point of cuisines,too. The chefs are on their toes to satisfy the growing demand for variety. Fusion cooking in vogue now. So I am really trying some of them this year .There should be complimentary side dishes with the main course. Oh, how can I forget the sweet dish? Always try to make the pie if u plan to, a day before the main event.
http://www.cooks.com/rec/search?q=turkey+
http://www.eatturkey.com/consumer/main.htm http://lowfatcooking.about.com/od/poultrydishes/

My mother is always worried about the leftovers. But this year she has got a big fat cook book which talks about different kind of recipes with the left over food. That means this year not only Thanksgiving but also on Black Friday we will have a great feast!Wow......!! For the people who are planning for grand dinner away from home there are various restaurants which will serve with their best and exotic dish for this special event. But it is always fun to be at home on thanksgiving with your near and dear ones. Still its the time for celebration and one can have their own ways to do it.
http://www.epicurious.com/restaurants/best_eats/diners

I am looking forward for the “the” day . Planning is almost done. We will have our turkey soon delivered. Mom is real busy. What are you guys waiting for? Decide on the outfit soon! You definitely want look the best! Whether dinning out or at home dressing is important too. Got to go now as I have to check out whats in fashion!

Thanking The Sons of America

2006-11-09T23:39:00.000-08:00

Do we ever think about who had put the soldiers to die on that battle field? Be it the two World Wars or the Vietnam war, the soldiers unquestionably sacrificed their lives! And we, just “Thank”them on a specified day, 11th November. For me, I am deeply concerned about them. They are the strength for any country. The Veterans Of America are uniting new generation veterans with those from past wars to address the causes, conduct and consequences of the present day wars. They are deeply concerned about the mourning human and political cost for wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Have you ever thought that the modern day wars have created emboldened and unprecedented threats to our national security. ASIA TIMES reports that US military officials says that 30% troops returning from Iraq has developed stress related mental problems. Mental and emotional health issues have become serious enough concern for the Pentagon. I stand-by and salute them. They are concerned about the future. There is a massive change in the scene from the past. This day stands for a concern for troops who are still fighting, missing home when all of us are planning for a splendid dinner with family. Have you read “The uncensored war: the Media and Vietnam” by Daniel C. Halin or “The View From The Ground” by Martha Gellhom? The books really made a difference in my life. Now I can really feel the pain of Melissa who had lost her brother in the Iraq war and this thanksgiving its his death anniversary. So at one end people will enjoy and at the other a homage will be paid to a veteran. This would be a best way of thanking him as he sacrificed his life for all of us! We will aways be proud of the soldiers who brought us peace and freedom! Thank you for all your daring feats!

Thanksgiving Travel Deals and Details

2006-11-08T22:02:00.000-08:00

Thanksgiving is a holiday weekend and some of us might be unwilling to spend all our time at home, so here is a wonderful option to chill out and visit places. Here's a glimpse of the deals for hotels, airfare, and restaurants across United States.

Airfare

Travelocity (tel. 888/872-8356; www.travelocity.com) has an airfare special for roundtrip flights for $199 or less that the company is calling "Oh, the Places You Can Go." Sample routes include Cleveland-St. Louis $103, Dallas-Miami $183, Detroit-Los Angeles $183, Memphis-Atlanta $71; Chicago-San Antonio $172 -- but there dozens more.

Continental Airlines (tel. 800/523-3273; www.continental.com) is offering a special sale on travel November 18-24, and again December 16-January 5. Typically, these are time periods when blackout dates apply to many fare sales. This is not for the light of wallet, however: the deal is for business class fares.
Hotels.com (tel. 800/246-8357; www.hotels.com) is featuring Thanksgiving travel in its "thanksgiving deals-a-plenty" with hotel prices reduced in a number of cities large and small across the United States. Buffalo's Adam's Mark Hotel is priced from $119, the Spring Creek Ranch in Jackson Hole, WY, is priced from $119.85, and the Radisson Hotel Manchester in New Hampshire is priced from $124.00.

Boston

The Lenox Hotel (tel. 800/225-7676; www.lenoxhotel.com) has an offer for $299 per room, per night, based on double occupancy, available for Thanksgiving Day that includes deluxe accommodations, Thanksgiving dinner for two at the hotel's award-winning restaurant Azure, and breakfast as well.

Royal Sonesta Hotel (tel. 800/SONESTA; www.sonesta.com), located in Cambridge just across the Charles River, is offering a rate of $179 for the weeks of Thanksgiving and Christmas. Video games, both wired and wireless Internet, access to the hotel's pool and health club are a few of the amenities available.

Chicago

Millennium Knickerbocker Hotel (tel. 800/621-8140; www.millenniumhotels.com) is offering a Holiday Shopping package, valid November 1 - December 30. Located on the Magnificent Mile, the hotel is close to Bloomingdale's and many other stores. The overnight packages start at $199 per room, including shopping discount cards. The hotel's bistro, NiX, plans a delicious Thanksgiving buffet available from noon to 9p.m.

New York

For information on restaurants, hotels in New York, it's useful to start at NYC's Visitor's Site (tel. 800/NYC-VISIT; www.nycvisit.com)

Hotel Pennsylvania (tel. 800/223-8585; www.hotelpenn.com) offers a no. of special deals on its website throughout Thanksgiving. The Shopper's Special Package gives guests discounts at a number of stores, including Macy's, Skechers, Crouch & Fitzgerald, etc. The hotel also offers a 4-for-3 package. Pay for three nights and get the fourth night free. You can call the hotel to book, or use this page. The shopper's package availability during Thanksgiving week costs about $299 per night. Tocqueville(tel. 212/647-1515; www.tocquevillerestaurant.com) known for its Thanksgiving dinner will be open Thanksgiving Day from 12p.m to 10p.m.

For more information, just click here.

A-Z of Planning Thanksgiving Dinner

2006-11-08T02:24:00.000-08:00

I am so excited about the whole planning and thinking about Thanksgiving that I couldn't keep myself away from writing this to you all. And like many of you, I have loads of plans. The proper dinner includes a lot of calculations and preparations. I'll give you a gist of what I'm planning. Every year mom has to look into the planning but this year I figured, why not help her and make a difference in her life. What would be the best way to thank her!

Planning:
Following a countdown schedule is a must for all the people who are planning. That way you can cover all the stuff you need to do before the guests arrive. Proper defrosting of the turkey before cooking is very important. My mom always picks out a healthy & fresh turkey for the dinner. This year, the table will have some traditional side dishes like sweet n salty pecans, seasoned black eyed peas, garlic knots delight, and sweet yam delight. My mom is really good at guessing the amount of food required for specific number of guests. To give you guys a fair idea, she always tells me that if there were 8 guests then you should have an 11-pound-turkey and if it's 11 then a 17 pounds turkey would do.
You can trust her -- try it out. The biggest part of planning comes with making the guest list and don't forget it shouldn't be overloaded. Shopping should be done before hand. That's why I am doing the shopping now. It is difficult not to miss out on items. Now, I wonder how my mom handles so many things just by herself. I had a tough time cleaning my house last year since it was one of the main part of the celebration. The side-dishes and the pies had to be prepared just a day before to keep it fresh and smelling nice!

Party Ideas:
For me party ideas have to include the party games, thanksgiving drawings with the traditional themes or may be even fun themes and gift ideas for the guests. It is a must that the games are easily understood by both the adults and the kids. Last year, I got so bored playing with the kids and ended up snoring on my couch! I like memory games and this can be real fun. You can try it out this year.

Wine:
Wine is a special part for any dinner party. Don't you think so? I love this part. Though i am pretty new in tasting wine but I've acquired the taste. The food is all over the board which include the spicy, salty and of course sweet. Selection of affordable fun wines that will be easy to drink for a melange of food and people would be a gem of an idea. Some traditional wines we are planning to serve this year would include Gewürztraminer (spicy, fruity white), Riesling (either dry or sweet) or Rosé (which the NY Times call the “party wine of the year”) in either sweet and pale blush style or darker pink which complements the decor. And of course there's champagne aka sparkling wine has the body, the flavor and the fun for a meal for any special occasions.

www.novusvinum.com/topwines.html

http://www.drvino.com/retailers.php

So what do you think about the plan? Isn't it going to rock??? Come on don't tell me that this is not pretty good for what? A guy of 23? Tell me who can do more than this?

Thanksgiving Prayers

2006-11-07T23:30:00.000-08:00

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A festive table dressed with turkey, cranberries, apple or pumpkin pies, sweet potatoes and other delicious delicacies and a family offering its written or spoken prayers to the Lord in gratitude for blessing them with plenty. This idyllic picture greets us every year on Thanksgiving. It is made even special when all this merry making is preceded by a devout expression of thanks to the Lord for bestowing upon us a life nourished with love, happiness and togetherness. In our everyday lives, very few of us find enough time to pray but Thanksgiving is one occasion which makes possible this communion with the Divine Spirit. Our ancestors, the Pligrims looked to the Bible in times of strain and strife for strength, vigour and vitality. Their prayers were finally answered in the form of a grandiose harvest in 1621 and we Americans are still garnering the benefits.

The celebrated Feast of the Tabenacles in the Leviticus; Samuel; Thelassonians; Corinthians or nearly the whole Bible instructs man to thank God for showering mankind with immense prowess and the world with such seen and unseen beauty. But leaving the rest of the Bible, a look at the Book of Psalms and a prayer uttered from there alone can do wonders on Thanksgiving.

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be moved, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swellings thereof. Selah." (Psalm 46:1-3)

Or a simple child's prayer could also go a long way in conveying our gratitude to the supreme Being for endowing such largesse:

Thank you God for all that grows,
Thank you for the sky's rainbows,
Thank you for the stars that shine,
Thank you for these friends of mine,
Thank you for the moon and sun,
Thank you God for all you've done!

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father, Who art in heaven,
Hallowed be Thy Name;
Thy Kingdom come;
Thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread
and forgive us our trespassesas we forgive those who trespass against us,
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one.

Psalm 100

Make a joyful noise unto the
Lord, all the lands!
Serve the Lord with gladness!
Come into his presence with singing!
Know that the Lord is God!
It is he that made us, and we are his;
we are his people,
and the sheep of his pasture.
Enter his gates with thanksgiving
and his courts with praise!
Give thanks to him, bless his name!
For the Lord is good;
his steadfast love endures for ever,
and his faithfulness to all generations.

Thank thee, Lord

Thank thee, Lord
For all thy many blessings,
thank thee, Lord.
I have bread,
thank thee, Lord.
for room and board.
thank thee, Lord.
for friends and family.
God takes such good care of me.

For more traditional Thanksgiving prayers, drop in at :

www.123geetings.com/events/thankgiving/prayers

http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Meadows/5430/grace.htm

http://www.godweb.org/thanksgivingprayers.htm

May the years ahead exude peace, love, success and satisfaction for all of us.

Amen

MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR RIGHTS

2006-11-07T04:44:00.000-08:00

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Everything About Wishbone

2006-11-06T21:31:00.000-08:00

The story behind the “wishbone” intrigues many people. And those who don't know they can obviously come to know about it this Thanksgiving from their parents or grandparents over the dinner. The custom of breaking the V-shaped bone of fowl to make a wish is atleast 2,400 years old. For little information to reveal, the origin can be traced back to the Etruscans ( people from west and south of Apennines,in the Italian peninsula). When a fowl was killed the bird's collar-bone was laid in the sun to dry. An Etruscan still wishing to benefit from the oracle's powers had only to pick up the bone and stroke it (not break it) and make a wish; hence the name "wishbone”. Roman legend states that the Etruscans chose the V-shaped clavicle for a symbolic reason: it resembles the human crotch. Thus, a symbol of repository of life was employed to unravel life's mysteries. In all, we have inherited more than the Etruscan wishbone superstition. Etymologists claim that the expression "get a lucky break" initially applied to the person winning the larger half in a wishbone tug-of-war. While there has been lot of ballyhoo regarding vegan thanksgiving and non vegan thanksgiving, the wishbone also shares the same bowl of contention. When the feast is over there is lot of wishbones that will be left on the windowsill to dry and without the presence of most of the guests it would then become oblivious. Ken Ahroni, president Lucky Break Wishbone Corp., invented this company so that everybody including the vegetarians have chance to make a wish. Lucky wishbone is perfect as gift idea also it is apt for fundraiser, special events, corporate gifts etc. Have you tried one of them? I have. Its fun to have them all through out the year and it comes in vibrant colors and images on it. It is also a hit with the kids and adults. So wishbones are not limited to one per turkey now you can have them and start cracking them to see who wins the best part!

http://www.luckybreakwishbone.com/index.php

http://www.123greetings/events/thanksgiving/wishbone

http://www.hotideasww.com/funstuff.html

Black Friday 2006 - Day After Thanksgiving Deals!

2006-11-06T21:13:00.000-08:00

The day after thanksgiving is the biggest shopping day of the year. It is also known as BLACK FRIDAY. Stores all over the country will be enticing shoppers with ridiculous deals and discounts. How would you like to know today, what great deals are going to be advertised on Black Friday? Keep reading and check out the links at the bottom of this post.I found some Great Information about Black Friday Shoping deals here . Best Buy, Circuit City, CompUSA, Kmart, Office Depot, Office Max, Sears, Target, Toys R Us, Wal*Mart and the list goes on The following sites display the actual ads that will be active on Black Friday. You can do searches for items at any store. You can sort the deals by ranking, sort by price, or sort by category. They even provide you coupons and rebate information.

http://blackfriday.gottadeal.com/
http://bfads.net/ ** My Pick **
http://www.blackfridaydeals.net/
http://www.theblackfriday.com/
http://www.dealtaker.com/blackfriday.html
http://www.blackfriday.info/
http://blackfriday.bargainshare.com/
http://techbargains.com/blackfriday.cfm
http://www.mrcheapstuff.com/holiday-gift-guides/black-friday-2006/ ** Video of shoppers trampeling each other at a store opening **
http://www.dealsites.net/
http://odeo.com/audio/525591/view ** PODCAST - How to shop on Black Friday **
Keep checking back throughtout the month
Sample Deals as of November 5th 2006:
$12.00 - Sandisk 1GB SD Card
$25.00 - Sandisk 2GB SD Card
$49.99 - MP3 Player with 1GB Capacity & Belt Clip
$1,294.00 - Panasonic 42″ Widescreen Plasma HDTV w/ Built-in Digital Tuner

Thanksgiving Turkey Stuffing

2006-11-05T22:22:00.000-08:00

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I am a novice at this but as I love to gorge on Thanksgiving and since this year my friends and I are planning to assume responsibilty over the kitchen, I decided to hunt for some interesting and unusual recipes. A traditional turkey stuffing remains unparalleled but there is always scope for creativity and innovation. Besides, when there are multitudinous ingredients to experiment with, why not introduce some variety?

Poblano Rice and Pumpkin Seed Stuffing

Ingredients

1 1/2 lb fresh poblano chiles (8 to 10)
3 cups chopped white onion
1 1/2 tablespoons finely chopped garlic
1 tablespoon ground cumin
2 teaspoons kosher salt
1 1/2 teaspoons dried oregano (preferably Mexican), crumbled
1 1/4 sticks (10 tablespoons) plus 1/2 tablespoon unsalted butter
3/4 cup heavy cream
2 (8-oz) packages dry corn bread stuffing
3/4 cup (hulled) green pumpkin seeds
1/3 cup chopped fresh cilantro
1 to 1 1/2 cups chicken broth

Method

Lay chiles on their sides on racks of gas burners and turn flames on moderately high. (Or arrange chiles on rack of a broiler pan about 2 inches from heat.) Roast chiles, turning with tongs, until skins are blackened, 5 to 8 minutes.
Transfer to a bowl, then cover and let steam 10 minutes. Peel chiles and discard seeds, ribs, and stems, then coarsely chop.
Preheat oven to 325°F.
Cook chiles, onion, garlic, cumin, salt, and oregano in 1 1/4 sticks butter in a large heavy skillet over moderate heat, stirring, until onion is slightly softened, about 5 minutes. Add cream and simmer, stirring, 1 minute. Transfer mixture to a large bowl and toss with corn bread crumbs.
Toast pumpkin seeds in cleaned skillet over moderate heat, stirring constantly, until puffed, 5 to 8 minutes (seeds will pop as they puff). Remove from heat and stir in remaining 1/2 tablespoon butter and salt to taste. Add to corn bread mixture with cilantro and drizzle with broth, tossing to combine. (Use 1 1/2 cups broth if you like a moist stuffing, 1 cup if you prefer it drier.)
Transfer stuffing to a buttered 3-quart shallow baking dish. Cover with foil and bake in middle of oven 30 minutes, then uncover and bake until top is crisp and stuffing is heated through, about 30 minutes more.

Jeweled Rice with Dried Fruit

Ingredients

3 cups rice (1 1/4 lb)
4 qt water
3 tablespoons salt
1/2 cup dried apricots (3 1/2 oz), quartered
1/2 cup golden raisins (3 oz)
1/2 cup dried cranberries (2 oz)
1 stick (1/2 cup) unsalted butter
1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 cup coarsely chopped shelled unsalted pistachios (not dyed red; 2 1/2 oz)

Method

Rinse rice in several changes of cold water in a large bowl until water runs clear. Drain in a large sieve.
Bring water and salt to a boil in a 6-quart heavy pot, then add rice and boil, uncovered, stirring occasionally, 5 minutes from time water returns to boil. Drain rice in sieve.
Toss together dried fruit in a bowl. Melt 6 tablespoons butter with cardamom and pepper in cleaned and dried pot, stirring to combine, then alternately layer rice and dried fruit over it, beginning and ending with rice and mounding loosely. Make 5 or 6 holes in rice to bottom of pot with round handle of a wooden spoon, then cover pot with a kitchen towel and a heavy lid. Fold edges of towel up over lid (to keep towel from burning) and cook rice over moderately low heat, undisturbed, until tender and a crust forms on bottom, 30 to 35 minutes. Remove from heat and let rice stand, tightly covered and undisturbed, at least 30 minutes.
Heat remaining 2 tablespoons butter in a small skillet over moderate heat and cook pistachios, stirring, until lightly browned, 2 to 3 minutes.
Spoon loose rice onto a platter, then break crust into 1-inch pieces and scatter over rice. Sprinkle with pistachios.

Herbed Oyster Stuffing

Ingredients

2 loaves Italian or French bread (1 lb total), cut into 3/4-inch cubes (12 cups)
1/2 lb sliced bacon, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
2 to 3 tablespoons olive oil (if needed)
2 medium onions, finely chopped (2 cups)
1 1/2 cups chopped celery
3 tablespoons chopped fresh thyme or 1 tablespoon dried thyme, crumbled
1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh sage or 2 teaspoons dried sage, crumbled
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
2/3 cup finely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
1 stick (1/2 cup) unsalted butter, melted
18 oysters, shucked, drained, and chopped (3/4 cup)
2 1/4 cups turkey giblet stock or low-sodium chicken broth

Method

Preheat oven to 325°F.
Spread bread cubes in 2 shallow baking pans and bake in upper and lower thirds of oven, switching position of pans halfway through baking, until golden, 25 to 30 minutes total. Cool bread in pans on racks, then transfer to a large bowl.
Meanwhile, cook bacon in a 12-inch heavy skillet over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until crisp, about 10 minutes. Transfer to paper towels to drain, reserving fat in skillet.
If bacon renders less than 1/4 cup fat, add enough oil to skillet to total 1/4 cup fat. Cook onions, celery, thyme, sage, garlic, salt, and pepper in fat in skillet over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are softened, 8 to 10 minutes. Transfer to bowl with bread cubes, then stir in bacon, parsley, butter, and oysters. Drizzle with stock, then season with salt and pepper and toss well.
Transfer stuffing to a buttered 3- to 3 1/2-quart shallow baking dish. Bake, covered, in middle of oven 30 minutes, then uncover and bake until browned, about 30 minutes more.

Also visit:
http://southernfood.about.com/library/holiday/bltgstuffing.htm

http://www.recipegal.com/stuffing/ThanksgivingTurkeyStuffing.htm

Vegan Thanksgiving

2006-11-03T05:15:00.000-08:00

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Can you think of anything beyond turkey on Thanksgiving? Well last year I went to my aunt Mary's place who's strictly vegetarian. First I didn't want to go because there won't be a 'real turkey' -- and what's a thanksgiving without a turkey? But I went, and to my surprise it was acutally a yummy and fun thanksgiving that I'll always remember.
She had cooked Tofurky -- Tofu-turkey. It's easy to cook. About an hour in the oven stuffed tofu with boiled veggies and dipped in tangy orange sauce and it felt good in the mouth. The gravy was outstanding! With many people going veggie, there are loads of vegan recipes to cook now. There are lip-smacking recipes for all the four meals.
Veggie meals can consist of egg free breakfast scramble, potato salad, mac n cheese, with onion dip or nacho cheese dip as snacks. No meal is complete without the dessert and the drinks. In the dessert one can have a preference of chocolate pudding, tofu pie, nutty fudge balls, and chocolate “ wacky” cake. The drinks can be served with your favorite glassware. Serve the guests with chocolate banana milk-shake, tropical fruit smoothy, hot cocoa, or egg free nog. The bandwagon includes even top class celebrities who want to celebrate thanksgiving in a vegetarian way. Celebrities like Paris Hilton, Shania Twain, Bob Dylan, Alec Baldwin, Kim Basinger, Victoria Beckham, Paul McCartney... the list goes on. The world is going veggie after all. Then what will happen to the turkeys??? Don't worry there are always two sides to everything!!! Including turkey wings, legs.... hmmmm

Thanksgiving food gift baskets

2006-11-02T23:02:00.000-08:00

Every year, we gear up to celebrate Thanksgiving with guests, families and friends dropping in to dine, wine and lay supine. A delightful meal and a cozy fireside is what we all look forward to, but this year my friends and I have decided to give our moms and grandmoms a chance to sit back and enjoy Thankgiving with everybody else instead of spending all their time in the kitchen cooking mammoth meals. The traditional meal comprising turkey, apple or pumpkin pie, etc will all be there, the only difference being that I and my sister will be cooking some of it and the rest will be brought in pretty little food baskets by my friends. Surprised? Dont be, coz these gift baskets are quite captivating.
Caramel Apples; Gourmet Cheeses; Pumpkin spice cookies; Dan's Long box stuffed with summer sausages, smoked salmon, spiced almonds, chocolate truffles; fresh baked goodies like mini muffins, pies and brownies; fruits; fall harvest baskets including leaf shaped pasta meal, black peppercorn crackers decorated with colorful autumnal leaves. My appetite is stirring already, what about you? But this is only a short list, for more victuals, check out the sites below:

http://bethanyroberts.com/

http://www.gifts.com/

http://www.amazon.com/

http://www.cajun-shop.com/

http://www.123greetings.com/

Make sure to contribute your share of goodies to the dinner table adding splendor to the Thankgiving decoration and celebration.

Poetic Thanksgiving

2006-10-31T22:47:00.000-08:00

Poems are the essence of the inner feelings for anyone. Being poetic needs some phonetic sense and a passion that one feels towards something. Thanksgiving is an occasion where loved ones come together to reap the fruits of harvest. Thanksgiving is more than just football, turkey, cranberry sauce and having fun and being jolly with loved ones. It is the time of sentiments and emotions to flow. And what better way to express the feeling other than writing down poems.

The best way to make people understand that you care for them is through love expressed through words. There are several categories of poems especially related to the occasion of thanksgiving like from how to observe thanksgiving to the turkey. Thanksgiving inspire all the hardest of hearts to pause and consider the things for which we're most thankful. Taking a quite time out from the chaos and choosing the corner of the glass sliding window, looking towards the falling leaves will drive the poet inside of you. There is a lot of people to thank to. This can be done through poems. Not everybody writes poems but one can try to bring out their expression through something, on this day. Poems, seems to me the best way to do that. So why don't you guys just try to be poets this Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving Table Decor

2006-10-31T00:08:00.000-08:00

It is the time to bring out the best napkins and the dishes. My mom always looked forward for this dinner every year where she can showcase her best tableware. Thanksgiving is a special time for every family. She takes time to decorate the table with china, stemware stuffed beautifully with white napkins, a warm autumn center piece adorned with candles and sprinkled confetti around the place mats on her table for added fun. The new decors which are gaining popularity includes cranberry tea lights. This can be done with other fruits too. Cranberries are placed in an inexpensive glass bowl along with candles. The other decorations can be pumpkin vases, pumpkin candle holders, bobbing apple tea lights. You can bring out your creative self for this occasion with new and bizarre ideas.

Combining chicken made out of straw & dried fall flowers may be a good centerpiece. Others are handmade turkeys, velvet leaves, kid's crafts, simple ribbons, pumpkin spice sashes or simple flowers. My mom is too fussy about the table cloth and the cutlery and so she makes it a point to keep them neat and clean. There is also a table for kids which is a favorite and quite popular among the kids of our house. The kid's table is decorated with brightly colored papers and plastic plates. All these are my mom's ideas. She thinks it really gets boring for the kids to be a part of adult discussion on the same dinner table. As a kid my mom always bought me laundry markers so that the I can have some fun writing while having finger- licking dinner. I always purchase a bunch of wheat from craft store or the near-by florist. I trim the the edges to a height I like. Then tie it with a colorful ribbon and make it stand in the center of the table. The decor always gives the essence of autumn in our family. So you can bring out the best of autumn this thanksgiving right there on the table decoration. Go forth and decorate!

Thanksgiving embellishments

2006-10-30T22:41:00.000-08:00

What knits an attractive and successful party is the decoration. This is the moment when we remain glued to the decorating stuff. It caters to the party. Thanksgiving often gets squeezed between the mellifluous Christmas carols and the terrifying Halloween images. Make a thanksgiving wreath to show how grateful you are to those who have beautifully painted your world.
Well you can exhibit your innovation with paper. Paper crafts are easy to make and are also quite in vogue.
This year I will be making strings of multi-colored paper leaves to decorate the doors with them. To add more to the flavor of decoration, I will create paper scarecrows. You can use pastels to make it attractive. They are a favorite among young kids. There is also a mad rush for creating structure out of beads. Paper dolls have also created a niche for itself among the kids. One cannot imagine thanksgiving parties without turkey. So I will be placing a paper turkey at the midst of the table and blend different colors to make lovely images of paper flowers. Who knows it might appear real to the guests!
Let imagination run wild. To be enlightened with more such amazing ideas just check out:

http://www.enchantedlearning.com/crafts/thanksgiving/

http://www.theholidayspot.com/thanksgiving/decorations/

http://www.allaboutspace.com/crafts/

Top Thanksgiving Movies

2006-10-30T02:20:00.000-08:00

Gathered around the dinner table, watching football or eating turkey is quite an usual way to celebrate Thanksgiving. This time however, I am also planning to lay my hands on some of the most popular Thanksgiving movies and screen them during the party for the elders as well as the kids, just to add a little Hollywood flavor to the festive spirit of Thanksgiving this year.
Woody Allen's 1986 film, 'Hannah and her sisters' would top the list as the best Thanksgiving movie where Hannah's clan gathers to celebrate in a grand apartment. Hearts are broken but get mended as well in startling ways. This movie about the drama that ensues in the life of three sisters acts as an amazing mood refresher. Next comes, Jodie Foster's directorial debut, 'Home for the Holidays'. Thanksgiving dinner with the family can be at times a provoking yet hilarious experience. Presented in a truly marvelous fashion, this film is a must see. Others in the list are:
'The House of Yes'- Parker Posey won a Special Recognition Award at the 1997 Sundance Film Festival for her outstanding performance of a mentally deranged and jealous young sister unable to bear the site of her older brother's girlfriend at the Thanksgiving party in this film.
'The Ice Storm'- Starring Kevin Kline, Joan Allen, Sigourney Weaver, Tobey Maguire, Elija Wood and Christina Ricci, this film triumphs in re-creating the atmosphere of boredom and despair experienced by married couples in the suburbs of USA during the 70s.
'Rugrats Thanksgiving'- Watching the little midgets chart out a master plan to save the poor turkey from being roasted alive is sure to make you all laugh incessantly with the entire family.
'Plains Trains and Automobiles'- With Steve Martin and John Candy starring, this film caters to satisfy just about any palette.
'A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving'- Though not technically a film, this Emmy award winning TV show where Snoopy and Woodstock plan the most unusual Thanksgiving party dinner of popcorn, toast and jellybeans for their friends, is a treat to watch and guffaw at with amusement.

For further details, check out:

http://worldfilm.about.com/

http://travelwithkids.about.com/

http://www.entertainyourbrain.com/

The American Spirit of Thanksgiving

2006-10-27T03:57:00.000-07:00

United States of America was founded by a group of men ( Pilgrim fathers) whose adventurous spirit and the desire to establish a land of free thinkers bore fruit. Centuries have passed since then, and our country has advanced by leaps and bounds in all spheres be it military prowess, peaceful co-existence with peers across the globe, or multiculturalism within the country itself. All this has added unlimited feathers to our cap. However, we excel most in keeping the spirit of Thanksgiving alive even today through our undying faith in what our forefathers believed in, the freedom of the soul to chose between what is right and what is wrong and our inner strength to practice this faith in God and ourselves openly. In our national songs, “In God We Trust” or “one nation under God”, this faith finds special attention as well.
Thanksgiving in America is an embodiment of goodness and contentment. In a land partaking in plenty, this secular festival marks the coming together of distant family members to celebrate and pray for each other's well being and thank God for his immense grace. President George Washington first proclaimed Thanksgiving a national holiday in 1789 with these words, "It is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore his protection and favor...[we] recommend to the People of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many signal favors of Almighty God."
Hence for all of us, Thanksgiving is a time to rediscover the spiritual being within and draw strength from our founders and political zealots whose prolific faith has created a nation that we as well as our progeny will be proud of.
Take a quick peep here to mull over the true essence of the Spirit of Thanksgiving:
http://www.eaglevision.com.my/p2thanksgiving.htm

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,176572,00.html

www.123greetings.com/events/thanksgiving/history/

Make a difference Holidaying this Thanksgiving

2006-10-27T01:53:00.000-07:00

Travelling has been always a pleasure. It transcends a person from chaotic life to more serene and peaceful life. The mind is relaxed and you come back with new spirit. So are you planning for a get-a-way this year on thanksgiving? Go ahead. Plan it. Nothing can be better than holidaying with your loved ones. You can compensate all their complains with a perfect holiday plan. One cannot think of a holiday on the Thanksgiving without the mention of Thanksgiving Point. It is just 20minutes from downtown Salt Lake city. An exciting and ideal place for the family. The kids will love the animal park which is educative at same time.

There is extraordinary dining and shopping option too. Bambara restaurant is the famous and award winning place where you can punch some snack or two. Experience the world of flavors at Bambara. For more info you can look into http://www.utah-hotels.org/cities/Salt-Lake-City/ A complete package, isn't it? Nothing will be more exciting and grand than bringing back the smile on the face of the people you love the most. Also the most important thing to decide while planning a holiday is the Time. Don't decide at the last end.

Booking for the flights should be done in advance otherwise you will be landing in 8C and your family in 36F. Already panicked! Don't be, start the planning right away. The flight details regarding the places for holidaying would be of great help. To overcome the wastage of time, here is a site which would give you all the information needed: http://www.flytecomm.com/cgi-bin/trackflight Help the kids to pack their rack-pack as they are more excited.

This is the right time to teach your kids about the history behind thanksgiving. The best way to do it, is by visiting the historical sites. One of them being the Pilgrim Monument located on High Pole Hill at the intersection of Bradford and Winslow Street in downtown Province town, Massachusetts. It will also brush up your history a bit! You think its like hitting two ducks with one shot?! Definitely! Plan out what type of traveller you are, which class of passenger you want to be on the board. Verify the tickets so that there is no last minute confusion. E-ticket or paper ticket ? There is huge confusion about it and paper tickets are getting expensive so guys e-ticketting is the best option for the people who are always on move. So start surfing the Internet about the flight schedules and book the tickets right way...come on hurry the queue is getting longer. For more details about the best holiday spots you can visit the following sites.

http://familyfun.go.com/family-travel/places/tool/vacationfinder_tlp/

http://www.utahcityguide.com/utbound/details.asp?Site=Thanksgiving+Point

Thanksgiving Eve party

2006-10-27T00:21:00.000-07:00

The idea of thanksgiving has always been of a morning celebration. But what about the night? Do u like partying?? I love it. And do you know the reason why? Because I party with family members. I enjoy to the fullest. Don't be caught in just turkey and cranberry sauce. Celebrate it in a style with retro music, glass of beer and funky outfit. And being a New Yorkite myself partying is definitely in style and trend. So set in the mood and start partying. The bar attenders are trying their hands on some new punch like mixing up your favorite drinks and shots. The thanksgiving cocktails with martinis, cosmos, flaming Moe's and beers would definitely be the hot favourites among the people. Dance along the music by the DJ. Tap your feet with your loved once. So where's the party tonight?? Start deciding now. The most happening disco's of your city will thrive with life and you should be a part of it. So start the shopping spree right away. Decide on what to wear and what not to wear. City life is always full of chaos and fuss. Would there be a better way to unwind yourself than this ? With season of celebration banging on the door, go ahead, party along the people you love and care the most!

Whats a Thanksgiving without Parade?

2006-10-26T03:28:00.000-07:00

To me Thanksgiving has always been a ensemble of the people I love the most....my family. It is really a rattling experience to stand there on the road an the parade passing by with larger-than-life-balloon characters floating. It's a wondrous sight. The balloons were modified over the years, in the cartoon characters from helium, to novelty, to ornamental balloons. There is design-a-balloon contest which is organized now to built up the excitement. And those who want to laze around, its the time to get up from the bed in the morning, switch on the t.v and watch the your favorite anchor. But this year the picture would be different as Katie Couric is not there. So guys don't get upset you can always have fun by cheering in person. Right? You can obviously take some time out for your family once a year. Even they need some attention, don't u think so?

Thanksgiving is incomplete without the hulla of the parade. Thanksgiving parade has gained lot of grandness for around 75 years now. The first and fore most priority of the parade is to bring smile across the faces and build up the essence of joy and laughter in the air. You have to be there to feel the excitement in the air. The people try tirelessly and effortlessly to bring excitement and newness into the parade. Macy's Parade has a special significance as they try out new ways of exhilaration among the people. Parade without the balloons, floats, stars and performers, marching bands, clowns is all drab and dingy. Thanksgiving parade is considered as the opening act of the holiday season. Thanksgiving parade is more than just a parade its a panorama of a nations profound history. It is considered to overcome all the animus within. Bring people nearer to their family and friends. Enjoyment is always at its best when family get involves in it. Its a great way to begin your Thanksgiving Day.

Thanksgiving- A Reunion to Cherish

2006-10-26T00:34:00.000-07:00

I am planning to have a rocking reunion party at my place this year. Thanksgiving since childhood has been a really special time for me when all my family members starting from grand mom, grandpa, my godmother, aunt and uncle, cousins and the rest flock in from far flung places bringing in love, luck and loads of gifts. The beauty of fall and the scent of winter in the air with Christmas close at hand, and my sweetheart by my side along with my sister, brother-in-law and their beautiful kids, this Thanksgiving is sure to stay locked in my memories for years to come.
A large well stuffed turkey is the first supreme necessity and so is my mom's best crockery. With red wine preferably Pinot Noir or Tempranillo and white wine which could be Gruner Veltline, Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Blanc, and some mouth watering delicacies made with cranberry sauce, my ancestors' appetites (whose spirits are sure to participate) will be satiated and so will ours.
Joining hands to pray and make a wish for myself and others, I remember how my mom used to tell us to remember God's blessings and the efforts of the pilgrim fathers who have made us what we are today. These little activities have brought me closer to my family and I feel this is enough reason for me to stick to all family traditions and celebrate the spirit of the season with full gusto. Some Hollywood films show families bickering amongst each other during Thankgiving dinner but for me and I am sure for most of you all, its a time to exchange long awaited hugs and kisses, catch up on old sweet memories, and make promises to keep coming back every year. Unfortunately, my cousin Harry and his wife Bianca residing in Texas wont be able to make it to our place this time. Sob...Sob..hey but I have a bright idea. I plan to flood their mail boxes with lots of ecards from some cool websites I came across on the net.

http://www.123greetings.com/events/thanksgiving
A free egreetings website with cards catering to all age groups. Topics like thanksgiving prayer, dinner, jokes and poems are all worth taking a look at. Their interactive cards are my favorite.

http://www.thanksgivinggreetings.net/

http://www.americangreetings.com/
Amazing cards but have to pay for this one though.
Time to start thinking and thanking for all you are worth for a smooth sailing Thanksgiving reunion.

Sailing Through On Thanksgiving:

2006-10-23T02:16:00.000-07:00

How about a celebration with a difference on thanksgiving? Celebrating the feast facing the wide water body. Blue waters under your feet and open high skies over your head. Already feeling romantic? Well apart from your beloved, the entire family can be the part of this extravaganza. To experience this wonderful feel one can avail the thanksgiving cruise service nearby. Don't think about the expenses! There is availability of cheap fare for this heavenly experience. The “fun ships” have bright lights added to them and also live performances for the voyagers are great attraction. There are gourmet dining, casinos, lively clubs, and shopping malls. There are also music, rock, jazz and classical and of course karaoke. These cruises provide complete range of entertainment for people on board. So dip into the cool blue waters and fill up your stomach with some lip smacking food and enjoy the day thanking all! The understated links would add to your extraordinary experiences.

http://www.cruisecompete.com/

http://www.cruising2mexico.com/

Thanksgiving with football

2006-10-23T01:57:00.000-07:00

Friends or family, food, and a crate of beer are enough to keep the mood ticking to the tune of Thanksgiving. But if there is a ball to chase and a game to win, those of us glued to the television can't really be blamed because NFL football truly endorses the spirit of the day.
Here's some good news for all potential footballers which will make their dreams come true this Thanksgiving. Former NFL player Michael Husted has launched iPlayers.net to ensure a bright future for novice kickers. Finally the time has come to get noticed by some of your favorite players and coaches instead of just squatting in front of your television sets this year. No doubt, this Thanksgiving party, the more time spent in kicking a football will not just rock the party but your life as well.
But for most crazy football fans, a blessing which they should kneel down and thank heaven for is that most moms are tuned to love cooking and not watching football, so what we have is a turkey that tastes deliciously yummy at the end of the day and a well fed tummy which is once again ready to cheer its favorite team with a can of beer.

Thanksgiving: Unsung History of Native Americans

2006-10-19T03:18:00.000-07:00

We have always celebrated Thanksgiving in new style. Have you ever thought how did it all start? No ,I am not here to bore you with same old stuff of producing facts and figures but would like to throw some light on the Native American style of Thanksgiving. The Wampanoag is one of the native Americans. Knowing the modern way of celebrating Thanksgiving is boring, isn't it? From 1621 this Thanksgiving was known as Harvest Cutting Celebration and lasted only for 3yrs and gradually it increased with the time. I have a Wampanoag friend named Kimlee. He told me that football, as played today on Thanksgiving has a special meaning to it. It is not just a game but played for a purpose to settle down arguments between people and families. According to him, traveling in a dug out Mishoon(handmade boat) and meeting friends was more a fun than tradition. Enjoyment was the core word. Once when I was really young, I had the privilege to accompany him to his village. Had a blast hunting. It was winter and hunting is best during this time as baby birds and animals are grown this time. The meat and the fur are better in colder weather. We had hunted deer,beaver, turkey and many more. But the forest law are strong enough now so hunting has reduced. I had learnt that planting of corn seeds needed herring fish. The fish is put into the ground and earth is mounded on it. This helps in growing corn plants taller. All these experiences have made me realized that thanksgiving is a celebration where the most important thing is Thanking the Mother Earth more than the humans, sharing food with a small feast. It is being thankful to God and all the people around you. So start noting the names of the people whom to thank...by the way don't forget to thank me too who made you realize this fact!

Celebrating “It” in a different way :

2006-10-18T22:45:00.000-07:00

Thanksgiving has always been a joyous celebration. We always go on talking about our family, friends and loved ones. But I was wondering why do we forget our senior citizens, the needy and the unprivileged. This year I have thought of spending this occasion with these people. Bring in some joy in their lives. Do you also want to make a difference with your little touch? I am thinking of transforming my house this year as Orphan Holiday House. On 23rd November I have planned out a football match for them. It will be a wonderful time. Playing with them will be a merriment but most of the time want to sit back on that cane chair in the lawn and enjoy watching the football game and stuff my face until I can no long move my legs and fall on my back ultimately in a turtle syndrome. But my spirit will not fade away with this, still I will be cheering the children with my family members. Have a feast of time with a Turkey dipped in chocolate sauce and onion-garlic stuffing. The children will love it. Gifting them with presents and chocolate is my mom's idea. She loves to be with children always. And I am also not an exceptional. So guys and gals why wait.....celebrate this Thanksgiving in a unique and true style!

Black Friday vs. Buy Nothing Day

2006-10-10T00:20:00.000-07:00

The debate on Black Friday and Buy Nothing Day(BND) is everlasting as one is a response to another after Thanksgiving. Black Friday helps to forget a need to help at the soup kitchen, skip the parades and football games, ditch the family celebrations. Instead hit the malls and get a jump on giving your cash to retailers. Blogcritics' Victor Plenty suggests some more productive ways to spend your Black Friday: They are: play some of those games you already own,watch movies you already own,read books, take a walk in the park etc. On the other hand BND has been a response to the Black Friday by the anti-capitalist protesters.There are many advantages of celebrating this venerable holiday.You don't impulse buy a bunch of stuff just because it's on sale, don't have to get up before dawn to wait in line, have more time for making turkey soup and polishing the pie, have more time for updating your blog!! The choice is yours now...what do you think you prefer more among the two? Both have their own pro's and con's. Get influenced and get started with one which effectuate your mind the most. So you can be both Capitalist or Anti-capitalist in America itself!

SPINY “THANKSGIVING” SUCCULENT

2006-10-04T23:16:00.000-07:00

From the arid region, emerging from the heat, sun, aloneness, air, light and rocks I have now travelled to the city, unused to the human inhabitant, artificial noise, confined and constricted places. I am considered as an unique “gift”idea for the special occasion of human on earth the “Thanksgiving”. I am Thanksgiving cactus, who blooms at the end of October or beginning of November, with tubular and beautiful flowers portraying colors from white to dark red, and shading from dark orange to light purple. Thanksgiving Cactus (Schlumbergera truncate) has sharply serrated or "toothed" leaves as compared to the more rounded leaves of the Christmas cactus. Thanksgiving Cactus is easy to grow them from cuttings. Planted in a decorative pot, they make a nice hostess gift, holiday table centerpiece, or present for friends and family on the Thanksgiving Eve. It offers you a brief idea about Thanksgiving gift ideas. One can buy rooting hormone at local garden center or nursery supply store. Placing the cutting where it will get good air circulation is a good idea, out of direct sun, for a week or so to allow the wound to begin healing. Before planting the plant, push the root end of the cutting into the potting medium about one inch deep. The medium should be kept just barely moist. To help prevent the soil from drying out, invert a plastic bag over the pot. Use straws or popsicle sticks to keep the bag from resting on the foliage. Thanksgiving was never been so exciting with such weird and unique gift idea. So guys what are u waiting for go and get one succulent today and start thanking people in a way that the rest of the world is not!!

Thanksgiving Songs

2006-09-28T03:40:00.000-07:00

Thanksgiving songs are just as much a joy to recite as they are to sing. Here is one for you to hum or share. This apt song of Thanksgiving is based on Martin Rinkart’s Ecclesiasticus 50:22-24 and was translated by Catherine Winkworth.

Now Thank We All our God

Now thank we all our God,
With heart and hands and voices,
Who wondrous things has done,
In whom this world rejoices;
Who from our mothers' arms
Has blessed us on our way
With countless gifts of love,
And still is ours today.

O may this bounteous God
Through all our life be near us,
With ever joyful hearts
And blessed peace to cheer us;
And keep us still in grace,
And guide us when perplexed;
And free us from all ills,
In this world and the next.

All praise and thanks to God
The Father now be given;
The Son, and him who reigns
With them in highest heaven;
The one eternal God,
Whom earth and heaven adore;
For thus it was, is now,
And shall be evermore.

Thanksgiving Tit-Bits

2006-09-20T04:11:00.000-07:00

“Elementary, my dear Watson” – is what Sherlok Homes used to tell his assistant – Dr. Watson. Its astonishingly true how the elementary things often escape our senses and elude our memory. While we all have a splashing time during the holidays very few of us care to remember the little tit-bits that often accompany us through the day. For example while we all remember what we had for dinner last Thanksgiving, I doubt how many would remember what they said just before starting dinner or what was the first word they uttered when they got into the car.

Here are few interesting tit-bits I found on the net about Thanksgiving.

While most of us (59%) would prefer to stay at home on Thanksgiving, those hitting the road anticipate the following to be the most uttered phrase on their way to Thanksgiving Dinner –

i) “Are we there yet?” (57%)
ii) “Slow Down” (21%)
iii) “Do you know where you are going?” (11%) (BEWARE!!! This is a dangerous question. If you happen to be on the hearing side of this statement, take guard. This might be the lull before the storm)
iv) “Could you drive faster?” (7%) (This is dangerous again, only a little bit less than the previous one)
v) “You missed the turn” (4%)

For those who prefer to stay back at home here’s what they do after Thanksgiving Dinner

i) Only 10% take post turkey naps.
ii) 60% of women clean up right away
iii) 42% of men head straight for the TV.

Thanksgiving Crafts for Kids

2006-09-15T02:03:00.000-07:00

Here are a few Thanksgiving Crafts for Kids ( courtesy dltk-holidays.com )

Making Fall Leaf Turkeys

This simple craft is made with natural materials (leaves and a pinecone.)

Materials Needed:
Fall leaves
pinecone
eyes (wiggly or paper)
paper
glue
scissors

Instructions:Go outside and collect autumn leaves and a pinecone (this is LOADS of fun, especially if it requires a trip to a park!)
OPTIONAL: You can press the leaves for a few days before making the craft. This will help keep them from getting crunchy. We didn't do this for ours (we've had it about 2 weeks now and it still looks fine)
Glue the leaves onto a piece of paper in a fan shape. Younger kids won't get a nice fan, but they'll still have lots of fun gluing!
Glue the pinecone onto the bottom of the fan (use lots of glue)
Make eyes from a scrap piece of paper and markers or use wiggly eyes. Glue them to the pinecone.
Make an orange beak and a red wobbler from felt, construction paper or white paper and markers. Glue them onto the pinecone.
Let dry and hang up!

Thanksgiving Games

2006-09-15T00:28:00.000-07:00

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The biggest Thanksgiving tradition and the most cherished game of the holiday is the Thanksgiving football. And it’s more than impossible to think of today’s Thanksgiving without the football games held all over America.
In a way, Thanksgiving has become synonymous with football. Antiquity has instances where harvest festivals were celebrated with games and sports. But Thanksgiving Day football is a very recent invention. It came into popular practice only in the 20th century. The traditional football game of Thanksgiving Day was usually held between the Detroit Lions and the Green Bay Packers. But now, the Thanksgiving Day is not just confined to football—it’s jam-packed with actions and numerous other games that are sure to keep your adrenalin running high all day through ! History has it that it started in 1876, the year the Intercollegiate Football Association was set up. The championship game of this association was held on the Thanksgiving Day. And by another decade or two, Thanksgiving holiday was announced to be the official day for watching football games.
Numerous such football games were held all over America and reaped huge amounts after each Thanksgiving game of football every year. Evidently, the sportsmen earned huge revenue from this traditional Thanksgiving game—football. In the past decades, watching the Detroit Lions play the Green Bay Packers has become so much a part of the Thanksgiving tradition that all activities came to a halt till the game was over. You can find some cool cards for Thanksgiving games at 123greetings.com

Thanksgiving Decorations

2006-09-14T23:28:00.000-07:00

Set in a season of beauty and bounty, Thanksgiving decorations witness the brilliant Fall shades of red, orange, brown, golden and amber. It would indeed be unwise to think that Thanksgiving decorations are limited to the theme of turkeys and Pilgrims and cornucopias. While these are perfectly there and make wonderful decorations on Thanksgiving, you can touch up your Thanksgiving décor with the many beauties that Autumn offers. You can set up a bright and warm decoration with the Autumn leaves, flowers, pumpkins, harvest-colored table spreads or curtains, nuts, acorns, berries and more.

You can fringe the window sills or the doorway with miniature gourds and pumpkins. Orange, green and white pumpkins when arranged in a row make a good show of Thanksgiving decorations.

Thanksgiving wreaths are known to be very good decorations too. This looks festive when hung at the entrance and is warm enough to welcome your friends and folks heartily in. Create your wreath as creatively as you can. Use flowers, leaves, berries etc to make a bountiful Thanksgiving coronal.

Streamers made with alternating Fall leaves and flowers add a special touch to any Thanksgiving decoration if hung or placed artistically on table-tops or ceilings.

For the tapestry and upholstery, it’s always good to stick to the Autumn shades. And silk fabrics are better choices when it’s a Thanksgiving decoration in agenda. So choose burnt orange curtains with a silk finish, have an amber-colored table linen or spread out a yellow-ochre carpet to effuse the season’s brilliance.

Prepare wheat sheaves tied up with orange silk ribbons and place them at the corners of your room on Thanksgiving to give a rustic flavor to your Thanksgiving decorations.
A cornucopia placed on the mantle is a warm thought as always. But how about complementing the warmth with a bit of shine and sparkle ? Place a few long slender candles in a cluster near the cornucopia and watch how it enhances your Thanksgiving decorations. You can also strew a few nuts and acorns sporadically around the candles.

How To Make Thanksgiving Roasted Turkey

2006-09-11T05:42:00.000-07:00

Fall is on its way and I cant wait to soak in the festivities of the season. The foodie that I am - I love the holidays for the delicious treats. I wait all year long for the Thanksgiving Turkey. Last year was quite a feast - a large roasted one at the dinner table simply send me into raptures. As much as I love to eat , am quite a cook myself (my wife wouldnt acknowledge this though!!). I love going through books and surfing sites that offer new recipies. Heres a simple roasted turkey recipie for all my food loving friends -

Thanksgiving Roasted Turkey

1 turkey (approx. 16 to 20 pounds)

Stuffing of your choice

First, thaw your Thanksgiving turkey in the refrigerator, giving some time to get the giblet broth ready the day before roasting the bird. The turkey legs are to be removed from the leg sockets or skin crossing the tail. If needed, you may also take out the leg clamps from the body. Now, you also need to remove giblets and neck from the body cavities of the turkey. Just before roasting, you need to spoon in the stuffing into the body cavities of the Thanksgiving bird. But do not put more than 3/4 cup stuffing per pound of turkey. Do not pack the stuffing too hard, or it will not get sufficiently hot by the time of cooking. Now you can tuck the legs back under the band of skin or reset legs into the sockets. You can also tie legs together with string if you find the leg clamp removed. Now place the Thanksgiving turkey on a shelf in a shallow roasting pan with its breast side up. Fix a meat thermometer into the center of a thigh muscle so that the bulb doesn't touch the bone. Now cover it with foil, allowing some space between the turkey and foil. Tighten the foil over the drumsticks and neck. Roast it until the meter of the oven reads 180 degrees F and juices start oozing out. It takes about 4 to 5 hours for a stuffed bird. Now put the bowl containing the extra bit of stuffing in the last half hour of roasting. Remember to remove the foil in the last 30-45 minutes to allow the turkey turn a yummy brown. Here, your Thanksgiving turkey is ready now ! Take the turkey out from the oven and keep it covered loosely in foil before serving hot.

Heres wishing good luck for your cooking endeavours.

2006-09-05T23:32:00.000-07:00

Just came across Technorati, really nice one for the bloggers.
Check out my profile here

A Thanksgiving for Friends

2006-09-01T22:36:00.000-07:00

November is on its way and I am sure all are looking forward to that one Thursday where all the hearts and minds swell out to that hard feelings we had against somebody. A day of togetherness,a day of thanking everyone and showing gratitute to all those who made made our lives better and pleasant all this year .I have always felt that Thanksgiving probably was the least of all commercial Holiday in The US. Christmas and Halloween have become too much too commercial for my liking .Thanksgiving allows me solititude and lets me introspect about the year and helps me appreciate how lucky I have been to have a large no of friends in my Life . Friends who have been much more than mere Friends, they have been very much a part of my life .They have given me hope when there was none , have shown me light when all I saw was darkness , They have given me all, when I had none ... Thanksgiving allows me to to show these people my gratitute to them and to let them know... Hey buddy ! Thanks for all that you have done for me .

Harvest Season and Thanksgiving

2006-09-01T05:42:00.000-07:00

In the United States, Thanksgiving is celebrated on the fourth Thursday in November every year. But in Canada, the harvest season ends a little earlier in the year. Hence in Canada, Thanksgiving is celebrated on the second Monday in October. The Canadians have a three-day long Thanksgiving weekend and the holiday is not as significantly hyped here as in the United States. The Canadians also do not get enough time for a convenient homecoming. So they reserve the family reunions for the Christmas holiday. The Thanksgiving holiday has serious religious shades for the Roman Catholic Quebecers, who call it l'Action de Grâce. Thanksgiving has a long-standing history in Europe; it is associated with the harvest festivals held there. So then, as you see, celebrating harvest is quite old. And so is the thanksgiving act—to thank the Almighty for all the good things He has given us ! And all these harvest festivities, although having cultural differences, are common in spirit to the modern American Thanksgiving.
Today’s Thanksgiving has its history and origin embedded in all these ancient harvest festivals across the world. However, you should also take note of the fact that today’s Thanksgiving has its direct origin in the history of America—in the popular Pilgrim’s story of Thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving History and Origin

2006-09-01T04:49:00.000-07:00

One of the biggest and warmest holidays of the United States, Thanksgiving has its history and origin way back in centuries. There are various instances of thanksgiving observances in history, all of which bear resemblance to the modern celebrations of Thanksgiving; but the generally accepted and circulated view is that the modern day American Thanksgiving has its origin in 1621, when the Pilgrims, or the English settlers and the Native Americans celebrated a three-day long feast in Plymouth, Massachusetts. But quite contrary to this popular belief, the Pilgrims were never the first to have a Thanksgiving feast. Feasts celebrating a good harvest existed well before the Pilgrims or the settlers arrived. Nevertheless, it’s true that these Pilgrims held a Thanksgiving feast (more aptly, a feast to say ‘thanks’) in the first year of their survival in America.
Following this Pilgrim’s 1621 Thanksgiving observance, began the Thanksgiving tradition of holding feasts after a good harvest.
People usually celebrate Thanksgiving to mark the Autumn harvest and make merry in the plentiful yield. There is, however, a long tradition of celebrating the harvest throughout history.
It might interest you to know that even the ancient Greeks and Romans had their respective harvest celebrations with music, parades and feasts quite like today’s Thanksgiving celebrations.
People in ancient China also had their harvest festival with families feasting together on ‘moon cakes’ (round yellowish cakes). This was to celebrate the full moon and, as a matter of fact, the Chinese still celebrate this as their Moon Festival with much hype and hoopla !
Then again, there’s the harvest festival of the Jews. The Jewish harvest fest, Sukkot, is celebrated for eight days and is an occasion to catch up with the family on feasts and to be thankful for a good year. The British Isles too has a harvest festival called the Lammas, which marks the beginning of the harvest season. Now, whatever the history and origin, Thanksgiving today is primarily a day set aside in the most part of North America to show gratitude and be thankful to God. Feasts and family reunions are a regular trend for Thanksgiving in North America.

Thanksgiving Trivia

2006-08-30T02:52:00.001-07:00

Thanksgiving is a time for togetherness... it's an occasion to be spent in the warm and loving company of family, loved ones and friends enjoying turkey roast and pumpkin pies with them. Thanksgiving is also an opportunity to renew the ties that bind us with the ones we love... it is a time for remembering, cherishing and being thankful for all the good things you have been blessed with.Thanksgiving has lots of trivia associated with it . Here are some..

What comes to your mind when you think of Thanksgiving ? The big fat golden-brown turkey ? Grandma’s pumpkin pie ? Or the oh-so-nice cranberries and corn-on-the-cob ? Well well, all these ARE a major part of the Thanksgiving holiday. But there’s even more to this wonderful occasion of Thanksgiving ! The holiday of Thanksgiving is a time to celebrate the beauty and bounty around us, our marvelous friends and family, the gift of their love and many more such good things that we are thankful for ! Celebrated every year on the last Thursday in November, the spirit of Thanksgiving Day sets the tone for a grand and joyous season. Now share some interesting trivia associated with the Thanksgiving holiday. Like most trivia, the Thanksgiving trivia are just as much a fun read. Check these out:
The first Thanksgiving celebration is believed to be held by the Plymouth Pilgrims in the Fall of 1621.

The credit for making Thanksgiving a national holiday is given to one lady magazine editor called Sarah Josepha Hale.

The name of the ship in which the Puritans came is known as Mayflower. And the drink they had with them was beer.

A turkey below sixteen weeks of age is called a fryer.

Benjamin Franklin fought hard to make the wild turkey the national bird of America instead of the bald eagle, which he found to be a coward.

A nest of turkey eggs is known as a clutch.

When a tom turkey (male turkey) gobbles, it can be heard from as far as a mile.

Now this one’s quite a thoughtful trivia—if turkeys gobble everywhere in the world, you won’t hear a turkey gobble in Turkey. The Turkish say that turkeys glu glu.

Firkee is the Native American name for turkeys.

It’s often said that turkeys make a ‘turk turk turk’ noise when they are frightened. So they are called ‘turkeys’.
Turkeys have outstanding visual precision, a great hearing and taste. But are famously poor on smell.
Another groovy Thanksgiving trivia as also a good piece of GK is that there’s a dance form dedicated to the name of the turkey. It’s called the Turkey Trot. This is one dance which consists of short, agile and perky steps.

A full-grown turkey has about 3500 feathers approximately.

The US President George Washington proclaimed the first "National Day of Thanksgiving".
The first Thanksgiving celebration lasted for three days and consisted of both games and grub.
Governor William Bradford is the man, a leader of the Pilgrims, who invited the neighboring Wampanoag to their feast of the first Thanksgiving.

This Thanksgiving trivia may just get you lucky. The wishbone of the turkey is the one part which is believed to be a good luck charm on Thanksgiving.

Welcome To ThanksGiving4All

2006-08-29T05:30:00.000-07:00

Hello and welcome to ThanksGiving4All. This blog is dedicated to the celebration of Thanksgiving, a celebration of thanking for what we have. It's a time when we get-together with our family and friends, have dinner, and be thankful for all that life has offered us. Hope this blog too, like the celebration itself, brings a cornucopia of smile to every face.