Thanksgiving Hodgepodge

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1. Let's start with something controversial...dressing or stuffing? What's it called at your house and what's included in your recipe...cornbread? oysters? sausage? chestnuts?

Stuffing if it is cooked in the bird and Dressing if it is not.

I make Stuffin' muffins, which should be called Dressin' muffins, as they are cooked in muffin tins, but it doesn't flow as well.

The cornbread recipe I use is here. I cut the amounts in 1/2 and add water chestnuts to the mix. Then I over pack 12 muffin tins with it. I bake at 375 for about 30 minutes to get it good and crunchy.

I always make chile the night before as an excuse to make the cornbread ahead of time. Cornbread for dressing needs to be day old for firmness.

2. Who do you sometimes compare yourself to?

Oh my...Other family members. I sound like my sister Patti, act sometimes like my sister Shawn. I have a mouth like my brother Kelly and wish I had the patience of my brother Marc. However in aging, I am happy to say I am turning out like my mom and dad.

3. When were you last inside an airport?

A couple weeks ago when I picked my husband up from Military training. I have spent way too much time in airports in the last couple of years. I hope I can stay away from them for a while.

4. What is one side dish that absolutely must be included in a turkey dinner?

Mom's cranberry relish.

1 2lb pkg raw cranberries (the bagged berries)

1 pkg black cherry jello

1 orange Washed

1 cup sugar

2 cup boiling water

In blender blend cranberries with the orange , rind too so wash it first. In serving bowl pour boiling water over sugar and jello mix. Stir until dissolved, mix in cranberry puree. Let set in fridge.

5. What Christmas song do you dread hearing?

None, I love Christmas music. My husband does not, so I don't play it at home, but when I am in the car or out shopping, I love to listen and sometimes sing along.

6. If someone approaches you and asks for money do you give it to them? Do you drop money 'in a tin cup' that belongs to a person on the street? Do you have a specific charity you support during the holiday season and/or year round?

Multiple questions- is this cheating Joyce?

If approached on the street, no I do not give money. If we are near a fast food place I will buy a burger.

I drop money in the bell ringers pot at stores, we do not have people with tin cups here where I live.

We have several charities that we donate to on a regular basis.

7. Share a favorite Thanksgiving memory. If you live in a country that doesn't celebrate Thanksgiving share a favorite memory associated with food.

My favorite memory of Thanksgiving was the last one we spent with mom and dad. I started the cooking as mom was unable. As the rest of the family arrived, they took over a part of the kitchen and made that part of dinner. Coming together at the dinner table was bittersweet.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

My random thought is for new traditions. As one ages, things that have always been, change. When children move out and start their own family, the coming together at holiday times can be hard on both the parent and the adult child. Try not to make it too hard on your family by insisting they come to your house. It is OK to give the day to someone else to plan and to cook. However, helping with the clean up is always appreciated! Everyday is a day of giving thanks, not just one during the year. Families need to stop making this time stressful and allow for the joy of just being together. Traditions start because someone starts them and others follow suit. New traditions in a family means that it is moving forward and growing. Embrace it.