Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Happy Thanksgiving!

Another re-post...while Miss Janice is galavanting all over the state of Georgia!!!

Thanksgiving Day is the time to give thanks for all that you have and help those who are not as fortunate as yourself. Whether you are jogging in a Turkey Trot race at dawn, helping out at a soup kitchen, or visiting with family and friends, make the day special for someone by creating memories that time and distance will never erase. Since the day largely centers around food, bring out all the stops! If you are hosting a meal in your home, do all the preparations you can in advance. Don't be embarrassed to ask for help. People love to bring a dish and it helps to make your day a little easier!

Most Southerners enjoy the Thanksgiving meal around the dining room table. Decide if you want to serve plated-style, English-Butler Style, or family-style. I will be serving Thanksgiving Dinner plated-style at the dining room table. The food will be portioned onto the plates in the kitchen area and served directly to each guest at the table.

Well here they are--all lined up and ready to perform on the big day!

Serveware all organized!
Remember to get your arsenal together and ensure that you have all the serveware you will need to serve your feast. Keep a copy of the menu in the kitchen so that you don't forget to prepare/serve a dish. Believe me, I have forgotten to serve a dish that I spent a lot of time preparing, because I didn't check the list. When I'm cooking, I also keep copies of the recipes I am preparing in the same area as the menu.

Menu and recipes at hand!

Thanksgiving Day Menu
Roasted Turkey
Mama's Southern Cornbread Dressing
Piquant Cranberry Sauce
Green Bean Casserole
Mashed Potatoes
Southern-Style Gravy
Corn
Sweet Potato Casserole
Sister Schubert Rolls
Miss Janice's Sweet Southern Iced Tea

After Grace is said, remember that the reason for getting together is to give thanks for all your blessings and ask each guest to say one thing they are grateful for.

I have chosen a beautiful cornucopia as the centerpiece, on an ivory damask tablecloth, surrounded by pilgrim candleholders, some pumpkins, and a few little turkeys. The dinnerware colors of green, mustard, and terra cotta are mixed at each place setting and were purchased at Harry and David a few years ago. You can find similar leaf plates at Williams Sonoma. The green damask napkins are held by festive little turkey napkin rings which I have had for many years.
A cornucopia, pilgrims, turkeys, and candlelight help to set the tone for the day...

The dining table is set for a Thanksgiving feast "Pilgrim" place cards mark the place for each guest and the colors of the plates are mixed at each place setting...
The Autumn tree glows in the corner

After the big meal, adjourn to the living room, family room, or parlor and enjoy dessert and coffee/punch. Remember that you should always serve a "signature beverage" at your event. To complement the desserts, I will be serving a sparkling Harvest Punch as my signature beverage, and of course, coffee.

Desserts, Harvest Punch, and coffee--served in the parlor

Harvest PunchAlda Ellis's Pecan Pie

Dessert Menu

Harvest Punch*

Alda Ellis's Pecan Pie*

Caramel Cake

Pumpkin Spiced Coffee

*Recipe for Harvest Punch
48 oz. apple juice
1 can frozen orange juice (prepared)
32 oz. cranberry juice
32 oz. club soda
1/2 cup honey
2 cinnamon sticks broken into pieces
4 tsp. whole cloves
Orange slices, for garnish
In a large sauce pan, combine all ingredients except club soda and orange slices. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes. Remove from heat, strain and discard spices. Allow to cool. Pour into a large serving vessel. Add chilled club soda just before serving and stir. Garnish the beverage with orange slices floating on top. Serve over crushed ice.

*Recipe for Alda Ellis's Pecan Pie
3 eggs, beaten
2/3 cup sugar
1/3 tsp. salt
1/3 cup butter, melted
1 cup maple-flavored pancake syrup
1 unbaked 9-inch pie shell
1 cup pecan halves
Combine eggs, sugar, salt, butter, and syrup in a medium-sized bowl and mix well. Pour mixture into shell and top with pecan halves. Bake at 375 degrees for 45 minutes. Very Southern...very decadent.

So the big day is over and everyone is ready to go home. No stop, wait...like Mama always said, "Now y'all come in here and take some of this food home with you"! Oh yes, send them away with some leftovers--we all know that's one of the best parts of Thanksgiving. You can put some food in tupperware-type containers, on paper plates covered with aluminum foil, or wrap it up to go in style!
Take it home y'all!

And, take it home, in style, please...




"Hospitality is a gift of your time. The most treasured gift you can make for your family and friends is a memory."
~Alda Ellis

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving y'all!

44 comments:

  1. Hi Miss Janice! Everything is so so lovely, and I must have your recipe for punch! Deb

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  2. Miss Janice...everything looks so lovely. The Menu sounds simply delicious! May we join you? We'll even help you unpack (or pack - depending where in the move you are)!!

    ~Blessings,
    Jan

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  3. Your punch bowl is gorgeous! I must know where it was purchased.

    I love the way you do leftovers! I box them up like that as well, and people always enjoy the extra touch.

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  4. Wonderful table! You are so talented. You should write books as well. Have a safe move and a Happy Thanksgiving. ~Melissa

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  5. Lovely table Janice! I soo know what you mean about forgetting to serve something I so lovingly prepared...I do it allll the time!

    Love your dessert bar...your apothecary beverage server is awesome!

    I use that same punch recipe for Thanksgiving too since it's not usually cold enough here to serve warm cider. Although I just mix up the punch & add ginger ale to the kids glasses & champagne to the grown-ups. Frozen cranberries are a good garnish too!

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  6. Love those turkey dishes. Will you come to my house and organize my dinner? lol. I saw a Christmas tree in the background. Is it ok to have one at thanksgiving? mishelle

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  7. Everything looks so lovely! I really like the idea of "wrapping" the leftovers. An extra touch = extra love for your guests.

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  8. Your table looks beautiful and your to go package is awesome. Love your blog.

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  9. Miss Janice,your Thanksgiving Table looks so wonderful,iy was a pleasure to read the post.I am going to try the pecan pie recipe,I love pecan pie.I just adore the leaf plates.

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  10. Your menu sounds delicious! I love that you're serving Sister Schubert's Rolls. Thanksgiving wouldn't be the same without them! We serve them every year!

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  11. GM Janice...I just love all the attention you pay to details...your centerpiece is just beautiful as is your whole table..Oh girl thanks for coming by for tea with me today..I hope I did the queen of Etiquette proud..you are so kind..have a great day on your side of the mountain today...hugs and smiles Gloria

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  12. Your tablescape is so pretty! I really love all the dishes and the centerpiece is wonderful as well!

    Manuela

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  13. What a wonderful post! Thank you for sharing your recipes and providing a glimpse into your Thanksgiving festivities. I do hope your move goes smoothly. Just imagine--you will be celebrating Christmas and the advent of the new year in your new home!

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  14. I know that a move can be stressful. Probably more so for you, since I would think you would be relocating your business endeavor as well.
    How wonderful that in the midst of this you still found time to put together this wonderful post. I presume since you posted the recipes, it will be alright to copy them to my recipe file. Punch recipes are always helpful, and pecan pie is "the" favorite of my DH.
    Your Autumn tree looks very grand.
    I am sure the next few weeks will be busy ones for you. Hope everything goes well with your move.

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  15. Oh, Miss Janice! Do you have room for three more at your Thanksgiving table - Mr. Precious, Mother and me!? Your table is so beautiful and those serving pieces - those turkey platters are marvelous! Hope you'll have lots of storage in your new place. If not, I know someone who would love to take a few things of your hands! ;)

    Be a sweetie,
    Shelia :)

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  16. Hello Miss Janice...does your middle name happen to be "Martha"? Oh no, of course not, because I like your style even better! I wonder if you have time or the inclination for that matter, could you possibly post your mother's cornbread dressing? There are so many good ones going around...but not quite as Southern as I'm looking for...Thanks if you can!
    Blessings, ;-) Bo

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  17. I so enjoyed your commentary on your Thanksgiving dinner. What an honor for your guests to be included at your table!! Sally

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  18. You have one of those beautiful beverage urns. I love those! Your table is very warm and inviting. Have fun?? with the move!

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  19. We prepare for holidays meals the same way. I now have a list of what I have prepared and before we say grace, I check my list. I have left something in the refrigerator more than once before I started doing that! Your table is beautiful and your menu sounds wonderful. Can't wait to fix your punch. laurie

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  20. Oh Miss Janice! I am full just looking at this feast! What a wonderful meal. Your serving pieces are all beautiful as is your table!

    Have a safe trip!

    ~Liz~

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  21. I love the parlor setup! And those placecards are just too cute!

    I am doing togo boxes too! Great way to clear out some of that food!

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  22. Wow, Janice...great tablescape and recipes! You are a tough act to follow! Everything was beautiful. I've got to go paint my dining room tonight, but I'm coming back to pour over your posting more closely this weekend when I'm off for 3 days.
    Susan

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  23. Beautiful table settings....and the menu is devine....turkey dishes are fabulous...
    Mo :-)

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  24. Great post. Love the leaf plates. Thanks for the Harvest Punch...I kept reading hoping you'd provide it. My favorite picture was the dessert table...imagine that!

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  25. Good morning, Miss Wonderfulness! Come by my blog - I have something for you!
    Be a sweetie,
    Shelia ;)

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  26. Yep, I'll be there for Thanksgiving...where ever you are...LOL It looks beautiful. Thanks for sharing all these wonderful ideas! Nancy

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  27. Hi Miss Janice,
    I was sure I had commented on your posts recently but must not have completed the comment correctly. Anyway, your table is lovely. The little place card holders are so cute. Please stay safe as you travel and happy Thanksgiving!
    Valerie

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  28. I was just reading your blog again and noticed that you said you had been ill. I am so sorry to hear that. Hope you will be on the mend soon. Being sick is no fun!
    Valerie

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  29. Happy Thanksgiving, Miss Janice- love reading your fantastic blog!

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  30. Hi Miss Janice~
    Happy Thanksgiving!
    I do hope you are feeling better by now so you can enjoy that beautiful feast!

    Blessings~
    Kathleen

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  31. Oh Miss Janice, we hope yours is warm and wonderful, just like you! Happy-Happy & Gobble-Gobble,
    tp

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  32. Miss Janice, I hope you are feeling better so that you can enjoy the Thanksgiving festivities. Your table looks lovely, as usual. Have a Happy Thanksgiving!

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  33. Hi Miss Janice!

    I hope you have a lovely Thanksgiving!

    Manuela

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  34. So pretty at your table Miss Janice! I hope you're feeling better now -- it's awful to be sick right before a holiday when there's always so much "extra" to be done! I was all set this year with my pie boxes to pack up leftovers for our guests -- only to discover that the extra heavy duty plates I bought were just a smidge too large -- oh well-- but they were pleased with their "take out" plates anyway -- next time, I'll have the right size and check before it's too late -- still love your idea of that. Hope you're all on the mend and thank you for your kind visit to my table this week too -- it's always nice to hear from you. Your posts always inspire me!

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  35. This is lovely, Miss Janice.

    I'm sorry to hear you have not been well.

    Wishing you a belated Happy Thanksgiving!

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  36. Oh, Dear One, I'm so sorry to hear you're ill. I hope you're feeling better today and I will say a prayer for your recovery.

    Hope someone waited on your tiny self hand and foot yesterday and your Thanksgiving was wonderful. We had a very quiet one ourselves.

    Your table and all the fixings is so lovely, even if it was from last year.

    Take care of yourself and be a sweetie,
    Shelia :)

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  37. Hello Miss Janice,

    It looked like last year's Thanksgiving was beautiful! What and excellent idea on packaging up leftovers. I'll keep it in mind for future holiday!

    Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

    -Angela

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  38. Beautiful table, Miss Janice!

    Happy Thanksgiving to you and your hubby and a belated Happy Anniversary to you both.

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  39. Happy Thanksgiving Miss Janice!! That menu sounds divine. Blessings~ xoxo

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  40. Hi Miss Janice! Everything looks wonderful!! Your table is so pretty and thank you for the recipes!! I know you had a wonderful Thanksgiving!
    Be a sweetie,
    Shelia ;)

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  41. Oh my gracious! Miss Janice you are truly talented in the menu department. Maybe I'll just have you tell me what you're making for Christmas and save myself a lot of time trying to decide. I really like the idea of serving plated. It is a great idea that I have never thought of and it resolves the problem of the younger ones taking more than they can eat.
    Happy Holidays.

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  42. MISS JANICE
    You are one of the kindest bloggers out there. I am honored that we like the same things because that puts me in good company.

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