Thanksgiving 2010

Aside from the fact that we missed spending Thanksgiving with so many of our loved ones, it was wonderful!

Peace and plenty were words for the day.

I directed the little girls in the making of their great-grandma's fruit salad.

We continued the tradition of writing what we were thankful for....and what amazing blessings we've had this year!
 

The girls immediately began working off their turkey dinner by showing off  their hoola-hoop skills.   They are good!

 

(Their Granny would be proud)

 

 The rest of the day was spent anticipating the arrival of baby Mallory.
~And what delightful anticipation that is~

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

Grandma's Thanksgiving Fruit Salad

My grandma's Thanksgiving Fruit Salad.  I make it every year- and usually for Christmas,too!

 Simple, great textures and not too sweet; this is a wonderful dish.

You'll need bananas.

Normally I prefer unspotted bananas....but I couldn't get them this year.

In any case, these were just fine.

You'll also need mini marshmallows, heavy whipping cream

and red/purple grapes.  Seedless, if possible. 

  For some reason, this year I accidentally got seeded grapes.  This brought back many memories of removing the seeds at Grandma's house.  It was a privilege to be considered old enough to sit at the table with the grown ups and help remove the seeds and make the salad.

Because back then it was hard to find seedless grapes.

  They were a luxury and very expensive.

 

I told my little girls all about it.  

And recruited them for the special honor of  doing the grapes.  

 

While your sous chefs are doing the grapes, start your whipped cream.

I made extra as I use what I don't need for pumpkin pie and the like.

Pour your cream in a bowl

 

Add about two teaspoons of vanilla.

 

Add sugar- about a cup.  

You can taste it after mixing and see if  you want it sweeter. 

Mix until it reaches the right consistency for whipped cream. 

Just don't over mix, or you'll have butter!

 

Slice up your bananas and add them to your grapes.

You don't want to slice up the bananas until you're ready to combine everything.

Otherwise, they may turn brown. 

 

Thrown in your marshmallows.

 

Now add your whipped cream.

Fold it in and incorporate everything. 

 

Done!  

Wasn't that simple?  

 

Cover and refrigerate until serving.

And enjoy!

Content copyright © 2009 by Jessa at Graceful Landing

Thanksgiving reflections

 We had a quiet, peaceful Thanksgiving.

We are used to huge family get-togethers, surrounded by brothers and sisters, grandmas and grandpas, food, cousins, nieces, nephews and the like all running around and filling their plates.

 It's grand!

So it's a bit strange for us to have a quiet day.

I spent some of the early morning baking bread.  And I'm rather proud of how it turned out.   Isn't it lovely?

 

My son helped a lot.  He even made the banana cream pudding himself

- at 7 am!

 

 

The little girls helped with fruit salad and setting the table, etc.

 

 

We covered the table with paper, put out a cup of markers, 

and they went to town- writing what they were thankful for.

 

 

Below are the entries:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My daughter and new son-in-law , enjoying their first Thanksgiving together!

Also, my youngest daughter (and Abby),  who is usually stuck like glue to Steve when he's around.

 They make a nice foursome, don't you think?

 

 

Thankfulness in all its simplicity.

 

Everyone waiting for dinner...and playing a little Rockband

 

  

My family! 

 

And my bread.... Isn't it lovely?