Thursday, November 16, 2017

Thanksgiving | Facts About My Favorite Holiday

Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays. 


I love getting together with loved ones to make new memories, and I love all the yummy food. 

Aside from the turkey, pumpkin pie, and football, have you ever wondered about the origins and traditions of Thanksgiving Day?

Here is a list of 10 interesting fun facts about Thanksgiving that will give you more insight about the origins and traditions of the holiday.


1. The First Thanksgiving


Although there are several claims as to where the first Thanksgiving took place, the traditional story that we associate with Thanksgiving is the three day pilgrim celebration that took place in 1621 at Plymouth Colony, in present day Massachusetts. This is regarded as the first American Thanksgiving. Over 200 years later President Abraham Lincoln issued a Thanksgiving Proclamation declaring the last Thursday in November as a national day of thanksgiving. It wasn't until 1941 that Congress made Thanksgiving an official national holiday.



The First Thanksgiving.


2. Pardoning The Turkey


Every year since 1947, the National Thanksgiving Turkey Presentation is a ceremony that takes place at the White House a few days before Thanksgiving. During the ceremony the President of the United States is presented with one live turkey, and two fully-dressed turkeys. The president does not eat the live turkey, instead he "pardons" the bird and spares it from being slaughtered. After being pardoned, the turkey then gets to live out its days on a farm.



President Eisenhower Pardoning A Turkey.


3. The Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade


The tradition of the annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade began in 1924 in New York City. The parade was originally known as Macy's Christmas Parade to help commence the beginning of the Christmas shopping season. Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade was launched by Macy's employees, and featured animals from the Central Park zoo. There were also not as many balloons in the parade then as there are now. Today it is estimated that about 3 million people attend the parade in New York City, and that about 44 million people watch the parade on TV from the comfort of their home. I have watched this parade almost every year of my life. It's a tradition that I look forward to every year.


4. Busiest Travel Day Of The Year


Thanksgiving Day is the busiest travel day of the year. The American Automobile Association (AAA) has estimated that over 42 million Americans travel by car 50 miles or more over the holiday weekend. Another 4 million people fly the skies to visit their loved ones for the holiday.


5. The First Thanksgiving Feast


The first Thanksgiving feast in 1621 was not too different than our own traditional Thanksgiving dinner. Their feast consisted of turkey, venison, waterfowl, lobster, fish, clams, pumpkin, squash, berries, and fruit. Aside from the seafood, most of the foods that were eaten on that first Thanksgiving have become staples of our present-day Thanksgiving feast.



The First Thanksgiving Feast.


6. We Eat A lot Of Turkey


According to the National Turkey Federation, over 95% of Americans eat turkey on Thanksgiving. Around 280 million turkeys are sold for Thanksgiving feasts. There Is no official reason as to why turkey is the food of choice for Thanksgiving meals. Turkeys were the most plentiful meat at the time of the first Thanksgiving in 1621, and ever since then we've carried on the tradition of eating turkey for Thanksgiving.


7. Cranberries Are More Than Just A Side Dish


Cranberries are one of only three fruits that are native to North America. Native Americans were the first to reap the many benefits of cranberries. Aside from eating cranberries, Native Americans used the red juice from cranberries a dye for clothing, rugs, and blankets. They also used cranberries as a medicine to treat ailments, and to treat arrow wounds. Native Americans believed in the medicinal use of cranberries long before scientists discovered their health benefits. Nowadays, cranberries are an essential side dish to our Thanksgiving feast.


8. Thanksgiving Postage Stamp


In 2001, the U.S. Postal Service issued a commemorative stamp in honor of Thanksgiving. The stamp was designed by artist Margaret Cusack, and it was made to resemble traditional folk-art needlework. The stamp was created to commemorate the tradition of being thankful for the abundance of goods we enjoy in America.


9. The Wishbone Tradition


The wishbone of the turkey is used in a good luck tradition on Thanksgiving. The tradition consists of two people tugging on either end of the bone trying to win the larger piece. Whoever wins the larger piece gets to make a wish. This tradition dates back to the Etruscans of 322 B.C. The Romans brought the tradition with them when they conquered England, and the English colonists then proceeded to carry the tradition to America.


10. Football On Thanksgiving


In the United States, football is a major part of the Thanksgiving celebration. Dating back to the first college football game between Yale and Princeton that was held on Thanksgiving Day in 1876, football games have since become synonymous with Thanksgiving ever since. It's interesting to think that one football game played in 1876 would have such an impact and create a tradition that would be carried on for years to come.

Original Article Here

  Thanksgiving is about being together, loved ones and family. Be grateful for those who make you feel a part of something greater than yourself. 

  If you are the guest this year don’t show up empty handed. Any hostess will delight in a Thank You for all her hard work. A gift basket, a flower arrangement, or a book related to the season are all great ways to show your appreciation. 

  The First and Last Thanksgiving: Embracing the Generations in Our Razzle Dazzle Family. Is a heartwarming story, with last minute guests, nearing the sunset of their lives. They managed to create the most outrageous, memorable, Razzle-Dazzle Thanksgiving this family ever had. It’s the perfect short read this Thanksgiving and Holiday Season and makes a great hostess gift, relevant to the season.

Buy the Book on Amazon


Thursday, November 2, 2017

Unbelievable Thanksgiving Appetizers


Unbelievable Thanksgiving Appetizers


These recipes from tastesbetterfromscratch.com are just the thing to start your Thanksgiving Feast off right.

Slow Cooker Cranberry BBQ Meatballs - These sweet and tangy treats carry a little kick you will love. The easiest appetizers and finger foods that are perfect for parties and entertaining.

Slow Cooker Cranberry Barbecue Meatballs

Author: Lauren Allen

Ingredients
Instructions

Spray the bottom of your slow cooker lightly with cooking spray. Add frozen meatballs to the bottom of pot. In a large bowl stir together cranberry sauce, cocktail sauce, brown sugar, water, and barbecue sauce and pour over meatballs. Cook on LOW for 4-6 hours or HIGH for 2-3 hours. Serve warm garnished with chopped green onions, if desired.



When a crowd is gathered it’s always the little bite size appetizers, like these Cranberry BBQ Meatballs, that get devoured the fastest. It doesn’t matter how old you are, or how picky you are, EVERYONE loves a yummy little meatball appetizer.

More crowd pleasing party appetizers:

Mini Cheese Ball Bites

Author: Lauren Allen


Ingredients
  • 2 Tbsp salted butter , room temperature 
  • 1 (8oz) package cream cheese, room temperature 
  • 2 tsp fresh lemon juice 
  • 1/8 tsp Worcestershire sauce 
  • 1/8 tsp hot sauce 
  • 1/8 tsp freshly ground pepper 
  • 1/4 cup grated cheddar cheese 
For topping 
  • 1/3 cup dried cranberries 
  • 1/3 cup crushed nuts (almonds, pecans or walnuts) 
  • 1/3 cup finely chopped green onion , or parsley (whichever you prefer) 
  • 12-15 pretzel sticks 
Instructions

In a medium bowl add the butter, cream cheese, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, and ground pepper. Beat with an electric mixer until well combined and smooth. Stir in cheddar cheese.

Use a spoon to divide the mixture into 12-15 tablespoon-size portions. Dip your clean hands in a little bit of water and smooth each portion into a small ball. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes (or as long as you want to in advance). Before serving, roll the balls in cranberries, nuts, parsley or green onion. Place a pretzel stick in each. Serve immediately.

Recipe Notes

Make Ahead Tip: The cheese balls can be made a day in advance. Make them as instructed, but don't add the pretzels until right before serving.




Artichoke Dip Stuffed Bread

Artichoke Dip Stuffed Bread - our favorite hot artichoke dip recipe stuffed into a delicious crusty baguette. Makes a great, easy party appetizer!

Servings: 5

Author: Lauren Allen

Ingredients
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 8 oz. softened cream cheese
  • 1 cup grated parmesan cheese divided
  • 1 clove garlic minced
  • dill weed to taste
  • 8 oz can non-marinated artichoke hearts drained and chopped
  • 2 baguettes crusty bread 
Instructions

Mix sour cream, mayonnaise, cream cheese, 2/3 cup parmesan cheese, garlic, and dill weed, until smooth. Stir in artichoke hearts.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Cut the top edge of the bread loaves off and hollow out 1 1/2 inches deep to create a well for the artichoke dip. Spoon the dip evenly into the 2 loaves. Sprinkle with the remaining parmesan cheese.

Place on a baking tray and bake at 350 F degrees for 25-30 minutes



Loaded Potato Skins

Servings: 10

Author: Lauren Allen

Ingredients

  • 6 small to medium sized russet potatoes , rinsed clean and pat dry 
  • 8 oz of cheddar cheese , shredded 
  • 8 slices of bacon , cooked and crumbled 
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter (half of a stick), melted 
  • Sour cream , for topping 
  • Chives or green onion , chopped, for topping 
  • Salt to taste 
  • Pepper to taste 
Instructions

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Poke potatoes with a fork, place on a baking sheet and cook for 1 hour.

Remove from the baking sheet, and allow to cool for about 15 minutes.

Once your potatoes are cooled, use a sharp bread knife and cut each lengthwise, into three sections, creating three long slices. (So each potato should yield two skins, plus a middle section that you can either discard, use to make something else, or keep to make some extra potato skins without the skin

Now you've cut all the potatoes, use a small spoon to scoop out about 70 percent of the potato to make a little boat. You still want to have a thick layer of potato near the skin, but you want it to be slightly hollowed-out in the middle to create a "boat".

Turn your oven on to a high broil. Brush the potatoes with butter on the inside and outside and place them back onto the baking sheet. Season with salt and pepper. Broil for 7-8 minutes until the insides get a bit crispy from the melted butter. Remove from the oven and add a generous amount of shredded cheese into each skin, topping with bacon pieces. Place back under the broiler for about 3-4 minutes until the cheese is nice and bubbly.

Remove from oven and top with sour cream and chives or green onion. Serve warm.

Recipe Notes
Adapted from Simple Comfort Food



These tastee starters are sure to please any crowd.

If you are looking to repay your gracious Thanksgiving hostess, my book “The First and Last Thanksgiving” is a humorous, heartfelt, retelling of one special Thanksgiving. Any Hostess is sure to be entertained by this true story of embracing generations and holiday pandemonium. It’s the perfect short read this holiday season.

Wishing you all a wonderful Thanksgiving.

-Dianne


Buy “The First and Last Thanksgiving” on Amazon

Follow Author Dianne Kube


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