December on the Run

  Well, the hectic race for the family Thanksgiving is over. The dinner is eaten and all is cleaned up. The chaos called "Black Friday" is also done and gone. But OH NO! It's not time to rest yet, the race through December is in full swing and December isn't even here yet. The season of hustle and bustle is upon us. There just isn't enough time! With work, and shopping, and wrapping, and decorating, and cooking, and partying, and................! Whew, I'm getting stressed just thinking about it. Thank God for alcohol and cigarettes. Oh wait. I can't drink anymore because of my kidney disease and I don't smoke anymore. I'm screwed, there's no escape. Think, Think, THINK!!! There has to be a way to deal with this , there just has to be a way!  And then the solution comes to me. I wake up to find I was only having a nightmare. Whew, just relax and go back to sleep, all is well. When I wake up later in the day and realize that the dream is real I'll ..................... . For now, all is well, nighty nite.

Thanksgiving

  Thanksgiving is next week and some people want something just a little different to go with their bird. Maybe you're looking for a little change and maybe you're not. I'm open to ideas even though I'm stubborn, arrogant, and pig headed (and I'm being polite in my criticism of myself). Don't get me wrong, I just love an old fashioned Thanksgiving dinner, but I also like to add a little something else to the meal.

Here are 2 simple recipes that you might want to use to add just a little something extra to the grand meal. The best part about these 2 recipes is that you make them a few days ahead and keep them in the refrigerator. They are easy to make and I think that they taste pretty darn good.

The first is for a simple cranberry sauce with only 3 ingredients and NO COOKING.
                       1- medium orange, peeled
                       1-16oz. bag of fresh cranberries
                       1/2 cup of sugar (or sugar substitute)

Use either a food grinder or a food processor to grind the berries and the orange. Grind the berries until they are the size of chopped nuts. I prefer when the berries come out all different sizes, some almost whole. Now stir in the sugar, cover and refrigerate. Stir occasionally to mix the flavors and it's ready to serve.

The second is for the pickle lover.
           5-6 small cucumbers or pickling cucumbers                     2- cups sugar
           1- small onion                                                                 1- cup white vinegar
           1- green pepper                                                              1- teaspoon each of salt,celery seed, and  
                                                                                                      mustard seed

In a saucepan, bring the sugar, vinegar, and the spices to a slow boil for ten minutes. Remove from heat and let it cool. Slice the veggies as thin as you like into a bowl and pour the cooled mixture over them. Cover and refrigerate stirring occasionally. It takes about 2 days for the flavors to mix well.

Happy eating and Happy Thanksgiving