A Late Thanksgiving Report

I put together the fall party for Hayley's Kindergarten class at the beginning of November. We made this cute turkey craft and played some games. I of course got too busy and forgot to take pictures at the party but this is one of Maya helping me to make a sample turkey before we went.

My Grandma Jolley had the best songs...I have fond memories of singing at our family reunions. I was raised a long way away from Grandma so I sure didn't get to sing the songs as much as the rest of my cousins but I still remember a few. I had to consult one of my cousins to get all the words right for this one (thanks Kayelynn!)...I guess it doesn't really help if you don't know the tune...but it's a cute little story. If you want to know the tune you can give me a call and I'll sing it just for you!

Guffy the Goofy Gobbler

Guffy the Goofy Gobbler was silly as a clown,

He'd come in for breakfast when the sun was going down.

All of the other turkeys would use his feeding tray,

If Guffy would get near it they would push him right away.

But Guffy didn't mind at all cause' he kept getting thinner,

For when Thanksgiving came they picked the fat ones out for dinner.

So Guffy the Goofy Gobbler should really get three cheers (rah, rah, rah!),

Just let him stay Goofy and he'll live a hundred years!

Our Thanksgiving

Ryan's sister Gina and her husband Kirtis hosted Thanksgiving for us this year. I was so excited! I really have enjoyed hosting in the past but it was such a fabulous break to show up with my few dishes and not even have to clean my house before or after the big event. Thanks Gina & Kirtis! For pictures of the great even check out Gina's blog. (More on that later...we're camera-less right now...darn it!)

With several families, everyone only had to make a couple things each. I thought I'd share recipes for the things we took. Our friends made these two salads for the Thanksgiving that we shared with them last year and they have become a holiday tradition for us now. Great for Christmas too because they are red and green. Quick, simple and fresh! (I only managed to borrow someone's camera to take a picture of one of them...just imagine scrumptious looking food!)

Pistachio Fluff Fruit Salad

1 (20oz) can crushed pineapple, undrained
1 (3oz) package instant pistachio pudding mix
1 (12oz container frozen whipped topping, thawed
2 large bananas, sliced
2 cups mini marshmallows
1 (15.25 oz) can fruit cocktail, drained
1 (11oz) can mandarine oranges, drained

Dump instant pudding into a large mixing bowl.
Add pineapple and mix well.
Mix in whipped cream.
Stir in bananas, marshmallows, fruit cocktail, and mandarine oranges.
Cover and refrigerate until chilled.

Cranberry-Pineapple Salad

(This one is fabulous...even for those that don't like cranberry sauce!)

1 can (20 oz) crushed pineapple, undrained
2 pkg. (4-serving size each) raspberry jello
1 can whole cranberry sauce
1 medium apple, chopped
2/3 c chopped walnuts

Drain pineapple, reserving liquid in 1 qt measuring cup.
Remove 1 Tbl of the crshed pineapple; set aside for garnish.
Add enough cold water to reserved liquid to measure 3 cups--pour into large pan.
Bring to a boil; remove from heat.
Add Jello; stir at least 2 minutes until completely dissolved.
Add cranberry sauce; stir. (Jello mixture should be thick)
Pour into large bowl.

Refrigerate 1 1/2 hours or until slightly thickened.
Stir in remaining pineapple, apples and walnuts; stir gently.
Pour into medium serving bowl.
Refrigerate 4 hours or until firm.
Top with reserved crushed pineapple just before serving
(14 servings, 1/2 cup each)