Giving Thanks

Ahh, Thanksgiving.  It is truly my favorite holiday.  It's all about family, friends, and food.  No commercialism.  No frenzy (hopefully).  It's a day for counting one's blessings....and eating good food.  This year we roasted our first fresh turkey from Turnbow Flat Farm right outside of Palouse.  It was a Bourbon Red turkey and it was delicious.  We're pretty traditional when it comes to the Thanksgiving table.  There is always turkey and dressing, mashed potatoes and gravy, cranberry-orange relish and some lovely vegetable.  This year it was a spinach salad with pomegranate seeds.  And, this year, I fixed sweet potatoes like my Grandma Alta always fixed, smothered in a sinful caramel-like sauce of butter, brown sugar, and (gasp) melted marshmallows (but no marshmallows on top).  Paul was very skeptical about the marshmallow part and completely won over when he tasted them. Oh, and, of course, a pumpkin pie. 

I love the traditions of Thanksgiving, like grandma's sweet potatoes and Paul's Mom's cranberry relish.  Paul always does the turkey and gravy and I do the rest.  We get out the Smith family china and silver along with some pieces of my great-grandmother's dishes and my good crystal goblets.  We light candles at the table in my grandma's pewter candelabra.  My favorite tradition, however, is when we go around the table and tell things we are thankful for.  It usually gets a little emotional and always touches my heart.  We have so many blessings in our lives and it is humbling to enumerate them.  I always come away from the table feeling very lucky.

Today I saw a quote in a comic strip, of all places.  It is my new favorite.  The author is unknown.  "I give thanks for this perfect day.  Miracle will follow miracle and wonders will never cease."   All I can add is...in all things, give thanks.

Pumpkin Eaters

 I could have called this post "Fall Food, Part 2" but, it's doesn't sound as exciting as Pumpkin Eaters.  As you probably have guessed, another favorite fall food around here is pumpkin and winter squash, especially butternut and acorn squash.  They have such a lovely fall flavor.  These are a couple of recent meals featuring yummy squash.  This first one is a pumpkin and cashew curry over rice.  It is rich and creamy and spicy all at once.  You can't beat ginger, garlic, onions, and coconut milk for tasty.

Although this salad gives it a good run for the money.  It has the most interesting combination of flavors.  Roasted squash covered with cumin, smoked paprika, and a pinch of cayenne is mixed in with lentils, arugula, chopped mint, roasted pumpkin seeds, and goat cheese.  It's dressed with a bit of olive oil and red wine vinegar.  It sounds bizarre but it is delicious!  

And, of course, there are many warming soups with squash.  One favorite pairs pears and butternut squash with a bit of bacon and cream.  Mmmmm....just talking about it makes my mouth water.  

Naturally there is pumpkin pie at Thanksgiving.  Last year I made my first pumpkin pie filling from scratch, baking the pumpkin and all.  It was far and away the best pumpkin pie I've ever made.  I can not go back to pie filling from a can!   

But, the one thing that eludes me, so far, is a good pumpkin scone.  We love scones around here and we have many favorites.  However, I really am craving a good pumpkin scone.  I've tried a couple recipes but they aren't what I'm looking for.  I have some ideas for tweaking the last batch to make them do my will.  I'll just have to keep trying....and taste testing...oh, darn.