T Stands for Tuesday & Lots More Good Eats

  Tuesdays we share a drink related post with friends. Our hostess is Bleubeard and Elizabeth-see link to join us in my right hand column.

   Here in the States we celebrated Thanksgiving last Thursday-a time for being thankful and also for giving to those in need.
   We were invited to a friend's to celebrate the feast with them, but hubs decided he wanted to stay at home with quiet and not a large crowd
   That was fine with me, I had picked up a small Butterball turkey and fresh herbs and oranges-it turned out so moist and delicious. The sides were simple-fresh turnips, brussels sprouts, fresh whole sweet potatoes that I steamed done, my own home made cranberry sauce, and of course I went over board on the pies.

   On Wednesday I decided to make sourdough biscuits for hubs with sausage gravy. For the bread for me I had these small gluten free buns that I toasted and it turned out really delicious. Also served with two eggs easy over.
  Here are a few food photos: and all of the photos will enlarge to full size just click on them

I made several pies: a blueberry-cranberry pie which I ended up freezing for later, a gluten free apple-raisin with crumble topping, and a gluten free pumpkin pie. My pumpkin pie is a little darker as I used coconut sugar, and added in nutmeg to the spices-one of my favorite pies We also had a delicious pecan pie that I had gotten free with my order from Nuts.com-so delicious.
  

The weather here has been very warm and very windy with no rain for months-so in the woods that means fire warnings. Someone already burnt their house down near Springfield, Mo burning leaves when it was very windy-what was he thinking? a huge no no so here in my woods we are still in much need of rain-so no outdoor baking in my cast iron til we get a good soaking of rain which is still not in the forecast.

On Friday I joined in for another virtual race called opt out Friday where the challenge was to run or walk a 5k or 10k and then do things outdoors-not shopping. That was easy for me-the weather was warm, and I don't shop in all that madness and the profits went to the national parks for this race too. the organization is called Virtual Running Club-they have lots of neat swag too that you can opt to purchase and the race's profits always go to a good cause.

I have been walking my 3 miles every day now for over a week since the weather is so warm. Trying to make this walking into a daily routine which has always been difficult for me to stick to

This year I decided to replace my little Christmas tree that I had needed to toss a few years ago. Awhile back when I was going through and organizing some things I looked at my ornaments and decided I needed to get them out and enjoy them. Most are very old and some belonged to my grandparents, and when I was really young on my own and had no money I bought a set of little wooden ornaments to hand paint-which are perfect to fill in on this small tree.

     I really splurged and purchased a Balsam Hill table top tree. I set it up on a wooden cheese box that I had and have been enjoying my little tree and the lights in the evenings. I set this up on the hearth rug in front of the wood stove. We no longer heat with wood only-but if it should turn super cold I can still get a fire going.

and while decorating my little tree-I roasted fresh chestnuts over an open fire-that is over my gas flame on my stove-lol  soooo good and brought back good memories with my Grandpa when I was a young girl.

Friday I got a surprise in the mail-the package I had sent to Germany for Val with goodies and my corn husks papers was returned back to me.  Couldn't tell for sure if it was sent back do to the wrong address or they did not like the contents for some reason-but at least it did not get lost. Wow a couple months in limbo. I emailed Val about the address-did you get my email?  anyways I feel bad it did not get to you but happy was not lost.

   When ever we have pie-we really enjoy a piece for breakfast-better than any sweet roll or doughnut  lol  

      Hubs has his with coffee and I have mine with my herbal dandelion root and chicory beverage with a dash of cream.

Happy T Stands for Tuesday everyone.  

     I am off to take the first batch of fruitcakes out of the oven. I know most of you do not like fruitcake but then you have not had mine-lol  I use a very old English recipe that is mostly all fruit and very little cake-just enough to hold it together-and yes I do wrap up in cheesecloth that was soaked in a bit of spirits, that will help these cakes store for up to a year or so-and stay moist and delicious.I have been making these cakes for over 40 years now so I guess it would not be the holiday if I stopped making them. I now make a gluten free version for me-with mostly dried fruits and just a few of the glazed fruits.

Have a good week everyone!