Let me get that out of the way... just in case I forget. Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours ~ here's hoping you have - or had - a wonderful day with family and friends.
It's ironic that this is "turkey" week because there have been a few times when I've felt a bit like one... to the point where I should have been roasted and sliced to pieces. From "duh" moments to "oops... shouldn't have done that" moments, I'll be glad when this week is over. And no, I don't have to worry about Black Friday, shopping and huge crowds at the mall. I'm planning on being a hermit this weekend. That's the plan anyway.
The truth is that I've already gotten some Christmas shopping done... and it was sort of the start of my "turkey-ness".
After getting the catalog, I had to race go to Crate and Barrel. How adorable are these? Gingham Ramekins.
Turkey Moment No. 1. Wouldn't these make really cute pincushions? I could fill it with a felted wool ball or a fabric-covered stuffed ball!
And then there were these fabulous Norwegian Chalet Latte Mugs!
While I love lattes, I am more of a cafe au creme sort of girl -- coffee and a generous amount of steamed milk or fat-free half-and-half.
Turkey Moment No. 2. I bought two cups without really looking at them, and then when I got them home and turned them over to take off the price tag -- nope, hadn't even looked at that before -- I liked the cups that much. Well, duh. Designed by Kate Spain! No wonder I loved them. After using them, I had to order a couple more, they're that terrific. I would have bought them even if I didn't like her so much -- and her fabric. Meeting her was one of the highlights of my trip to New York City for the Infinite Variety quilt show.
Please forgive the shameless copying of a certain someone's coffee picture, especially because her pictures always have more style. Which reminds me, can I have a show of hands on how many of us covet this Keep Calm and Carry On coffee cup? Not just one with that saying on it but that one... one exactly like it. If you know where to find one, please let me know.
Stuffing -- do you make your own from scratch? Or do you use a boxed stuffing mix? I've been entertained reading some of the food-blogger posts about stuffing -- homemade vs. Pepperidge Farms. While we don't use it ~ my Mom has made her own for as long as I can remember ~ I've always liked the PF. In recent years, I've bought and used the Foccacia stuffing mix from Williams-Sonoma and its terrific. Though I have to tell you, we don't make it the way it says on the box. It's very good but it's much better if you "Paula Deen" the recipe, substituting a stick or two of butter for the olive oil.
Just so you know, the taste-testing shows that even among serious foodies, blind taste-testing have Pepperidge Farms winning out by a landslide. Even the Editor-in-Chief of Bon Appetit magazine, Adam Rapoport, prefers his Mom's stuffing recipe over all others. What is her secret? Pepperidge Farm Stuffing Mix with a few extras.
Turkey Moment No. 3. I had to go to the grocery store three times -- yes, three times -- because I kept forgetting to get bread for the stuffing. Seriously. One of the trips was even specifically for the bread! And I still forgot it. I get sidetracked easily.
Turkey Moment No. 4 doesn't come with a picture because that would mean taking a picture of a package that came back in the mail yesterday after having the wrong address on it. Oy vey.
But I think my worst "turkey moment" was the other night when I left a comment on a blog before thinking about it. Dumb. I should know better. Like a few others, I didn't have all the facts and I jumped to a conclusion. The wrong one. Seriously. I really should have known better.
So before I have another one of my "moments", I'm going to leave you with this...
Happy Thanksgiving!
I hope you have a very safe and happy one... and that all your "turkey moments" are tasty ones.
I hope your week gets better! I'm not sure if I'm missing something (it's possible - it's late and I'm blonde!) but I think the ramekins would make great pincushions...
Posted by: Archie the wonder dog | November 23, 2011 at 03:20 PM
Well that mug came from TJMaxx, and believe me if I had a dollar for every time I was asked about it, well I'd have enough to buy a couple more jugs at the very least! I went back for more but they were gone, even the ugly blue ones. There were reports from others you could find them at Marshalls. Sorry. It was kismet right? I bought one for my daughter, white with red writing but now think it's too valuable and possibly a back up.
Happy Thanksgiving!! xoxo
Posted by: pam | November 23, 2011 at 04:32 PM
Speaking of turkeys, OMG how many hours have I logged looking for those thread things? I'm afraid that even I can't keep track. Holy cow, where could I have put those?
Posted by: pam | November 23, 2011 at 04:33 PM
Turkey moments...yep, had more than my share! LOL!!!! Happy Thanksgiving, Carrie, to you, Rosie, and all your family!!
Posted by: Linda | November 23, 2011 at 04:53 PM
In Canada, stuffing is what one "stuffs" into the cavity (ew) of the turkey. There is never enough for my family. So, I make about 8 quarts of dressing, more of a side dish. I cut a huge amount of crusty bread into cubes, and set it aside. Then saute a ridiculous amount of celery and onions , really, about 6 cups of each, in a generous cup of butter till translucent, also adding salt and pepper, and sage and parsley and thyme maybe some summer savoury, if I have it. Mix it all up in a huge mixing bowl,adding stock made from the giblets,or just purchased chicken stock to moisten. I bake it in the oven in two 4 quart baking dishes while the turkey is resting.It all gets eaten. Our family is getting bigger with two sons in love and two grandchildren. More on the way. Love your blog.
Posted by: Rae | November 23, 2011 at 05:08 PM
Happy Thanksgiving to you and your mom . . . and Rosie too!
Posted by: Karen Shackleford | November 23, 2011 at 05:30 PM
Hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday!
Posted by: Kim | November 23, 2011 at 06:09 PM
Go with the saying Carrie - Keep Calm and Carry On! Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family too.
Posted by: Ramona Chester | November 23, 2011 at 07:05 PM
We love you Carrie..."duh" moments and all! Love your new mugs! Have a great Thanksgiving!
Posted by: Nancy Watkins | November 23, 2011 at 07:55 PM
Happy Thanksgiving to you, your mom, and Rosie from me and Schnibbles (my dog).
Posted by: Cathy Burk | November 23, 2011 at 09:08 PM
Happy Thanksgiving to you!
Posted by: Mary on Lake Pulaski | November 23, 2011 at 09:18 PM
I love that Crate and Barrel mug too. They just opened up one in the Salt Lake City area and I want to get out there sometime in the near future. I love that other mug too! Have a Happy Thanksgiving!
Posted by: Cindy F | November 23, 2011 at 10:37 PM
Turkey moments~ LOL they happen here too. :-/ I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving and a happy hermit weekend! :-)
Posted by: Sandie~ call me crazy | November 23, 2011 at 11:43 PM
While I'm sure PF stuffing mix is good, my vote goes to Mrs. Cubbison's cornbread stuffing mix. Yum! Happy Thanksgiving to you and Rosie!!! And to everyone else, too.
Posted by: Mary | November 24, 2011 at 09:43 AM
Love your thoughts and images. Think I need to go mug shopping tomorrow. Happy Thanksgiving to you too!
Posted by: Pam | November 24, 2011 at 08:21 PM
welcome to the Kate Spain Fan Club.. i'm the self appointed president.. I hoard her fabric... wink! should we tell her about it?
Posted by: pat sloan | November 25, 2011 at 09:54 AM
http://katespaindesigns.blogspot.com/2011/11/furry-friday-and-couple-other-things.html
I thought I might be the first to say "Those are Kate Spain's Norwegian Chalet Mugs" but I see that I'm not the only one to notice.
I don't know if it is good or bad that we have no Crate and Barrel. Probably good. I have no cupboard space left in my red kitchen - not even for the cute ramekins!
Happy Thanksgiving!
Posted by: Wendy P | November 26, 2011 at 03:01 PM
Yes, saw the KS mug on their website and wished I had ordered. I do the PF with lots of extras & lots of butter!! yummy, but I didn't cook this year - in FL, GD is getting married tomorrow (Sun) then back to building houses!! Blessings to you and Mom, and Rosie!!
Posted by: Linda P | November 26, 2011 at 03:42 PM
You can order the keep calm mug at acorn catalog
Posted by: Cynthia Duesing | November 26, 2011 at 06:37 PM
Perfect. :-) Hope you and mom had a lovely Thanksgiving. I'm thankful to have you for a friend!
Posted by: Camille | November 28, 2011 at 02:35 PM
Mugs available at
http://www.amazon.com/Keep-Carry-Coffee-World-Image/dp/B003800XMO
http://britishislesonline.com/keepcalmandcarryonlargemug.aspx
http://www.cafepress.com/+keep_calm_and_carry_on_double_red_mug,358850221
and more on Google.
Posted by: Teresa | December 01, 2011 at 10:52 AM