From my SIL... her ooooohhhh so yummy stuffing recipe.  I have liked this stuffing for years, but this year, we kind of forgot about it, leaving it in the oven a bit too long.  It did not burn, but the top got brown and slightly crispy.  It was sooooo much better than other years.  Now, we usually triple this for our family of 18 (and growing).  It think I will double it for my family's Thanksgiving coming up next week.

Stuffing

3/4 cup onion, chopped finely
1 1/2 cups celery stalks and leaves, chopped finely
1 cup butter
9 cups french bread cubes
2 tsp. salt
1 1/2 tsp. crushed sage leaves (I use 1 tsp. rubbed sage)
1 tsp. thyme
1/2 tsp. pepper
1 cup chicken stock
about 1/3 can of evaporated milk

In pan melt butter and add onions and celery.  Cook until tender.  Add seasonings, mix well, then stir in 1/3 of the bread cubes.  Stir mixture well then add the rest of the bread cubes.  Add in the stock and milk to taste.  Bake at 350 until crispy on top!  MMMMM.....

remember that list I posted this morning?  Well, I started on the pumpkin.  Now this pumpkin is huge.  And heavy.  And it has been sitting on my porch since beginning of October.   So today I took my knife and wacked it up.  Mindful of someone else's failed attempt at peeling the skin from a raw pumpkin, I threw mine (in 4 stages, each stage FILLING the oven space) into the oven for an hour at 300.  this cooked the pumpkin just enough to allow the skin to come right off with a knife.  I still have to skin half the thing.  agh!  anyway, then I cubed it into 1-inch cubes.   Considering the meat is up top 4 inches thick in some spots, this is a chore!
But I have my first 7 bottles in the canner at 13 pounds pressure for 90 minutes.
This pumpkin cost me $30 at the farmers market.  I know, it was expensive.  If I had waited until after Halloween, I could have gotten it for half that.  Next year.  If I buy such a pumpkin again, which is HIGHLY doubtful.  I do not know how much pumpkin I will get out of this.  Even if I go by quarts, it is still unknown until I start using the pumpkin.  At that point, I will drain it, blend it into puree, and then weigh it.  That is when I will learn if this is worth it.
Dh says the work I havew already put into it is NOT worth it.  He has a point - cans of pumpkin are so cheap in the stores in December and January as they clean out their holiday stashes.  But I like to know what is in our food.  Yeah, the cans list as ingredients: pumpkin.  but there are things they do not have to list if it is small enough (I do not know if that is the case with pumpkin, but with other foods it is.)  And if we ever manage to grow our own pumpkins, the cost will go down significantly.
And hey, bonus - the water in the jars of pumpkin can count towards water storage.  not for drinking, true, but for baking or cooking....

oh, and I made the kids help.  They were in charge of separating the seeds (these are monstrous too!) from the "goop."  They wore some of daddy's t-shirts and complained bitterly about the feel of the innards.  Cannot blame them for that!  But they did do the work, and now they are outside enjoying the 50 degree weather we will be having all week.  Lucky them.  I am stuck inside a hot house over a hot stove.  Not a pregnant lady's favorite spot.....

I know nothing about this.... I am channeling my husband because I of course know absolutely nothing about this Christmas present....
I posted this query about a month ago, and now have a link to ask further questions.
Will this machine listed here at Costco: http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=11307832&whse=BC&topnav=&browse=〈=en-US&s=1
do what it is that I want in a sewing machine?

I need to sew patches on little boy pants.  I need to fix dance costumes.  Not a lot of sewing, but enough that I would rather NOT truck my family and all my sewing needs down to Salt Lake every time I have a small need.
so my question: what are your recommendations for a small-ish job sewing machine?  Maybe even - GASP - move into actually sewing new clothing (like modesty shorts for under dresses).  Something that I could easily pack up and put away when not in use, because I do not think I will use it often.  not like my mom's that has a permanent table and corner in her house and was used ALL the time when I was a kid, and even now every November and December.
But something strong enough to punch through a layer or two of denim.
help please

I have decided that this week I will post a large list of things to do.  Sure, some things have day-specific times to be done, but most of it is big stuff to be spread over the week.  We are having guests this weekend, some good friends.  One of those few couple friends with whom we get along well and have core values in common.  Not just religious, but spiritual.  And lifestyle-wise.  Their children are still too young to have made a decision about homeschooling (6 mo and 2 years) - they are still wondering about it.  She has a teaching degree and taught secondary school math before they got married.  I would be surprised if they choose ps, but they are still researching.  Anyway, here is my to-dos:

Week of November 17-21

    * cook and bottle pumpkin
    * organize freezer
    * prep house for G family

• clean 3 bathrooms
• clean basement bathroom and turn on toilet :)
• wash walls on main floor, stairs and upstairs bathroom
• guest room: air out, change sheets, and vacuum
• prep soap and lotion supplies
• clean basement entry
• plan weekend

    * call Jeff at appliance center
    * prep garden boxes for spring plantings
    * do school this week
    * talk to mom about my Thanksgiving
    * return books to town Library
    * piano on Thursday
    * Fab4's on Wednesday @ R's
    * laundry on Tuesday
    * freeze turkey carcass for later use - Monday
    * do bananas – muffins and bread - Monday
    * freeze tortillas - Monday
    *

My in-laws do Thanksgiving dinner the Saturday before Thanksgiving Thursday.  We started this years ago, I think my first year in the family, to deal with the problem of in-law Thanksgivings...  there is no conflict of whose family with whom to celebrate this year.  What, yesterday was NOT the Saturday before Thanksgiving?  Well, yes, but one BIL forgot this long-standing deal and planned a surprise vacation for his wife's birthday (surprise in where, not that they are going).  So, we celebrated yesterday.  We always have T-giving at SIL M's house.  Her husband - a few years back, made a wonderful suggestion for future years, and I want to share that with you.
We had 18 people - 7 children (10, 7, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1) and 11 adults.
After everyone was done eating, we took stock of what was left.  How many potatoes did we use?  Were there too many potatoes?  For dinner, yes, but once everyone filled their ziploc containers for leftovers, nope.
We had a 20# turkey.  Too much?  the consensus was nope.
I made 36 rolls.  too many? we only had 5 left when it was time to pack leftovers.  Maybe more next year...
Stuffing - we make a triple batch of the yummy recipe.  We accidentally overcooked it this year.  It was brown and slightly crispy on top.  Oops.  But overwhelmingly, it was a hit.  everyone liked it better slightly crispy and not all soft and gooshy.  I really like that stuffing every year, but this year.... mmmmmmm.  M, when you read this, can you post a comment with the recipe?  Maybe I will volunteer that for my family.  I think my dad uses a box.  ugh. 
We also have a cheese/cracker tray and a veggie tray out on the table for snacking before hand.  That has been a lifesaver!  When dinner is a bit late because the turkey is not quite done when it supposed to be, or SIL  had to make a last minute grocery run for something forgotten or burned (that was me and the rolls last year!!), or the yummy smells permeating the house have our mouths salivating, we have yummy healthy snacks for munching.  And they are great for kids who are running around with cousins and need a quick snack and all the adults are busy.

anyway, by writing all this down, we can see what we liked and didn't like for future years.  It is very nice because although you THINK you will remember these details, you often do not.  We have done some experiments in other years, trying other sides that someone wanted to bring or make, but we seem to like the basics for this meal.  except dh, who had his "Thanksgiving poultry and potatoes" in the form of a deli-chicken sandwich on a roll with some potato chips.  but, we expected this, and we all just rolled our eyes and loved him!

Ok, we can't wait any longer. I have to take my boy to the E.R. He threw up his gatorade. That was my last try. He hasn't held anything down for 3 days. I'll update when I can. Please pray!

I woke up today feeling soooo much better. My daughter, my 16 yr old and my 6 yr old are all fine now except for a small cough. BUT...my 9 yr old has diarrhea still and when he stands up he throws up. He may end up in the hospital tonight if he isn't better. It has been 3 days now. I sure hope he gets better....

My oldest did get sick and now he can't even walk. Everytime he gets up he falls down. And he is a big boy so when he falls, he falls down hard. I tried to catch him once when he started swaying but I only caught his ear..LOL I was on the porch and he was coming in and started to fall. I caught his ear and pushed on his head. lol It must have helped cause he didn't fall.

Anyone reading this please pray. My 9 yr old is very, very ill. Please pray that he doesn't have to go in the hospital. I know my oldest will get better with rest but add him in there too please. Thank you. :)

Well, with all this sickness and yuckiness, one good thing has happened. While we were all down and couldn't really appreciate it my pullets finally started laying!! They are 10 months old. They should have started a long time ago. As a matter of fact all the ones I sold started laying as soon as they left here. I even compared notes with several ppl that bought from me to see if I was doing something wrong but no, I was doing the same thing they were. hmph!

Oh well, doesn't matter! They are laying now and I am so happy!! That plus the eggs from the ducks and goose and we are sitting pretty! yeah!

Well, I haven't been on lately because we are all sick here. Ok, not all of us are sick. My oldest son and my daughter seem to be superhuman and never get sick. But the rest of us are very human. Among the 4 of us we have managed to share: fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomitting, headaches, and over-all achiness. I feel like I have been dropped off a really high cliff. Oh wait, I forgot hacking up a lung...which is what my youngest is doing right now. Ugh....

I will update when everyone is back to normal. I think I'll go lie down now.

I was wrong.......my oldest is not superhuman. He is very sick with a fever and the rest of the junk that goes along with it. He woke up with it. He seems to be feeling a little better now, but still not good. Hmmmm.............Maybe this virus is superhuman?

Genevieve this morning was posting her simplified menus.  It got me to thinking - I have done that too.  so here we are, my "simplified" menu.  This is general, so it is easy to take into account the month coming up.  I try to not make anything more than once a month, so we do not get tired of it.  I like a monthly menu instead of a weekly menu.
I need a breakfast menu too, but have not got there yet.  sigh.  I love breakfasts.  big yummy breakfasts with a bread (pancakes, waffles, crepes, muffins, etc), hashbrowns (wish I could make these like Denny's!), crispy bacon, fruit, eggs, juice or smoothie..... a lot of work and mess.  but I do love big breakfasts!



Dinner
My rules are at least (per week):
beans - 2 times
rice - 1 time
pasta - 1 time
potatoes - 1 time

Sunday
chili (bean night #1) with cornbread waffles.
 
white lightening
steak black bean
FFF chili
pumpkin chili
chicken taco

Monday
stuffed chicken (remember that crazy chicken week?  this is the result.... gourmet chicken for my family once a week!)

Cordon-Bleu with Uncle Ben's wild rice and a steamed veggie
Kiev with mashed pots and a steamed veggie
Florentine with pasta and salad
Greek with rice and a greek salad (tomatoes, cucumbers, olives, feta)

Tuesday
We don't have a set theme for Tuesdays.

Wednesday
veggie soup night.  I need more of these recipes.

broccoli
pumpkin
potato
lemon bean

Thursday
We don't have a set theme for Thursdays.

Friday
other chicken dish

Orange with rice and broccoli
Korma with rice, aloo matar, chapati, and lassi
Honey-Lime with home fries and salad
Pot pie with cornbread
stroganoff with egg noodles and veggie
BBQ with mashed pots
Roast with mashed pot and salad

Saturday
homemade pizza - usually mini pizzas where everyone gets to "decorate" their own.


beef night.  sometimes.  we are not big beef fans, and dh is very anti-ground beef!  I need more recipes that we like.  sigh.  sometimes I just get tired of chicken (maybe that is why I make so many crazy recipes!)

stroganoff with egg noodles
stew
roast
au jus sandwiches


other bean dish.  I need more bean dishes that we like.  We like beans.  but a lot of the recipes I have found are either a sweet bean (like molasses lentils) or cold bean dishes (and dh says that beans should be hot!)

lemon bean soup
bean & rice tacos
bean quesadillas


Lunches
These are easy now that we have eaten all the chicken nuggets and fish sticks (and I am not buying again!) Everyone is learning the choices, the same everyday.

1. leftovers from dinner the night before (daddy gets first dibbs on this... he works at home, so he joins us)
2. sandwich: pbj, cheese or tuna
3. cheese quesadilla

you don't like it, I am not going to fight.  I will make whatever anyone wants while I am making lunch.  If you waste too much time fighting because you are used to chickens and want to have a temper tantrum over it, no lunch for you (we did that again today.  Soon they will learn that I am not buying chickens again, and that is that!)