What are you eating this Thanksgiving? Are you all about tradition, or always looking for something new to put on the table?

I remember one year as a child when my grandparents took us all to a restaurant for Thanksgiving. It was a lavish buffet which the grownups probably enjoyed immensely. I, however, was mortified that the potatoes had been mashed with the skins on. Not only that, but the cranberries were whole, in some sort of sauce instead of my mom’s smooth, yummy cranberry jello! Oh the horror!

Yes, I’m much more willing to try new things now. But I will admit a strong preference for the old favorites at Thanksgiving – that means cheesy beans and the cranberry jello. Yes, I know that’s very “Minnesota”, but there’s a cranberry cream cheese layer on top…don’t knock it ’til you’ve tried it!

If you need a recipe that your family and friends will love, try this one. I can brag about it since it’s from my mother-in-law, not my own creation. 

Granny’s Sweet Potato Casserole

Ingredients:
3 cups cooked mashed sweet potatoes (canned are fine)
½ cup white sugar
½ cup plus 2 ½ T melted butter, divided
2 eggs, well beaten
1 tsp vanilla
½ tsp salt
1/3 cup milk
½ cup packed brown sugar
¼ cup flour
½ cup finely chopped walnuts

Directions:
Combine the mashed potatoes, white sugar, ½ cup of the butter, eggs, vanilla, salt and milk. Mix well and place in a greased 8” square baking pan.

In a small bowl, mix together the remaining 2 ½ T butter, brown sugar, flour and nuts. Distribute evenly over the potato mixture. Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes. Makes 8 servings.

Hope your Thanksgiving is delicious!

Photo Courtesy:
xybermatthew

Thanksgiving is almost here! What are you thankful for this year?

If your list includes a brand-new baby, consider this adorable announcement. I love the rich autumn colors!

Or look at this one with a simple fall theme.

View all of the Thanksgiving birth announcements online. Even if you don’t have a “thanksgiving” baby, keep in mind that the text and colors can be changed on any of our announcements.

Whew – I made it through the whole post without any Thanksgiving cliches – you can also be thankful for that! Last year, I didn’t do so well.

This evening we’re basking in the glow of a successful Mexican-restaurant meal. By successful, I mean that Tate sat in his high chair the entire time and was a very pleasant dinner companion.

Many other restaurant visits have been, well, less than successful. Tonight, I think the food may have been the key distraction. We never know what he’ll be willing to eat at a given meal, if anything. But he loved the chips and salsa and ate an entire cheese quesadilla! Ice water in a fun kiddy cup didn’t hurt either.

For more salsa action, check out the video at the end…

Our other restaurant strategies have included:

Going early: Like 4:30pm-early! When there are fewer people in the restaurant, your food comes out quicker! I’m also less worried about ruining someone else’s date night away from their own kids. 

Taking turns: One parent “enjoys” their meal while the other parent walks around outside with the antsy child. Switch places and repeat.

10-minute meals: No, not a great blog about getting dinner on the table quickly. This is where we inhale our meal because Tate is melting down and we need to get home quickly.

Know when to fold ‘em: We were enjoying an egg roll appetizer, and feeling optimistic about the steamed broccoli we’d ordered for Tate. He was less enthusiastic, and it was soon clear that he would be ruining not only our dinner but soon that of the other patrons as well. Our sit-down Chinese meal became takeout.

I don’t mean to paint a completely negative picture of my son. Sometimes the right snacks or a stack of books will keep him happy. Other times, it’s our fault for attempting a meal out that’s getting close to or even past his bedtime. I guess the bad ones make the good ones, like tonight, all the sweeter!

And speaking of sweet, check out this unabashed double-dipper…family and friends who share appetizers with Tate, consider yourself warned!

Do you bring your kids to restaurants – fancier than McDonald’s, that is?

What are your secrets to success?

My friend Sarah just gave birth to a beautiful baby girl – welcome, Addison! Another friend is organizing meals to be brought for their family. The same generosity was extended to us when I had Tate and it was so wonderful!

If you’re pregnant or wanting to help out a new mom, here are some things to consider:

General tips for bringing meals to others:

1. Ask about any food allergies or disliked foods.

2. Whenever possible, bring the meal in containers that don’t need to be returned.

3. Think out of the box – in addition to the main meal, include some fresh fruit, a breakfast item or a favorite beverage.

4. If you live out of town, or are unable to prepare a meal, send a gift certificate for a restaurant with delivery or takeout.

5. Get a group of the new mom’s friends together and go to Let’s Dish or a similar place for freezer meal preparation. Give her advance notice, though, so there’s enough room in her freezer!

Tips for the expecting/new mom:

1. Probably a lot of people people will ask what they can do to help you. Ask the most organized of these people to coordinate a meal schedule. Then when anyone else offers to bring a meal, direct him/her to this person. All of the following information should be shared with your organizer to simplify your life!

2. Decide when you want meals to start – perhaps a little later if you have family there to help right away.

3. Consider how often you want to receive meals. Daily might be too much, especially if it’s just two of you eating. For instance, Sarah is receiving meals for two days, then one day off to allow some time for leftovers.

4. Be sure to let people know about any food allergies or things you don’t like.

If you’re trying to fill your own freezer in preparation for baby’s arrival, check out these ideas from Erin at $5 Dinners. Her baby is due soon, so most of the items are crossed off her checklist, but there are links to most of the super-affordable recipes. 

Another idea is this cookbook by Lisa Jost – it looks great, does anyone have it already and can give a review? The Doula’s Cookbook for New Moms: Ideas & Recipes for a New Parent, Busy Parent or Doula.

What are some favorite meals you’ve received? What’s your go-to meal to bring to a family with a new baby?

Photo Courtesy:
EraPhernalia Vintage