Showing posts sorted by date for query Thanksgiving. Sort by relevance Show all posts
Showing posts sorted by date for query Thanksgiving. Sort by relevance Show all posts

Friday, December 5, 2025

Milk-Bone Holiday Biscuits Treats for Dogs and Puppies Reviewed

Milk-Bone Holiday Biscuits Treats for Dog
I recently discovered Milk-Bone Holiday Treats for puppies!  I was so excited to find these adorable treats for our new puppy.  He deserves something special for the holidays, just like everyone else.

The Milk-Bone holiday treats come in a collectible, reusable tin.  The treats themselves are shaped like stockings, Christmas trees and dog bones with "engraved" hearts.  They are also colored in green, red and the bones are the traditional brown.  Perfect for a special gift for a special dog or puppy.

Our puppy is 15 weeks old and he received his Christmas Milk-Bone treats in the specialty tin, the day after Thanksgiving.  He loves them and we love the size.  They are small enough for even a puppy to enjoy. 

I'm not sure if I will save the tin just for Christmas use, or if I will refill it with regular puppy Milk-Bones when it is empty.  I do know I will reuse the decorative tin for doggy treats.

The tin is available for a limited time only.  I hope that means the Milk-Bone brand will continue to have an annual tin.  What fun they would be to give each year for Christmas to all of our puppy friends.

 

The Milk-Bone Holiday Treats

The shaped Milk-Bones in this tin are suitable for all ages, from puppy to senior.  I wasn't sure if the shapes would matter to the pups or simply entertainment for us, but I have noticed that our baby dog seeks out the red stockings.  Will that continue?  I don't know, but it makes for a fun doggy game to see which one of the 3 shapes he will choose first.
 

    Puppy with Milk-Bone Holiday Treats
    Puppy is a Bit of a Blur as He Zooms in 
    for the Red Stocking Treat
  • 24 ounce Reusable Tin filled with Milk-Bone Treats
  • Stockings Shaped Treats in red, green & brown
  • Shaped Christmas Tree in green, red & brown
  • Brown Doggy Bones with "Engraved" Hearts 
  • Available for Limited Time 
  • Helps Clean Teeth
  • Freshens Breath 
  • 12 Vitamins and Minerals 

Another fun game for the humans in a puppies life would be to guess the count of treats in the holiday tin.  We did count ours just for fun and discovered there are/were 148 treats in our puppy's 24 ounce tin.

puppy treats
You Might Not Want to Turn Your Back on a Puppy with an Open Tin of Milk-Bone Treats!

 

 

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Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN), Esty (Awin), and/or Zazzle Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”


Wednesday, December 3, 2025

Spice Tea Recipe Shared and Reviewed

Spice Tea Recipe
My Award Winning Spice Tea Recipe

We could all use a moment of relaxation with a cup of spice tea, especially during the busiest time of the year. 

The holidays are often hectic and tiring, but in the end they are always filled with wonderful memories. Each year my family gathers together for the festivities. Since my siblings and their families live in different states of the US, there is a lot of travel involved, a lot of planning and a lot of cooking. My mother leads the pack and tries very hard to coordinate everyone and everything. Sometimes just finding a bed for everyone can be challenging. I am the only one of my parents' children who still lives in our hometown so I am frequently honored with guests. 

With so many people around and so much going on for days, my sister and I seek out moments to slip away from the crowd and sip tea, giggle and share the latest gossip. A pillow fight is definitely not out of the question. Occasionally our mother, my daughter or a sister-in-law will join us, but this little meeting always begins with me, my sister and a cup of tea. 

It is with this cherished time together in mind, that I wish to share our Spice Tea Recipe with you. I hope you find a few moments to slip away with a loved one and share a cup of tea. 

 

Award Winning Spice Tea Recipe

Prep Time    Ready In Yields
  10 min      10 min                           Approx. 50 ~ Depends on tea strength per cup


Ingredients
 

Hot Spice Tea Recipe Ingredients
  • 2 - 27 oz. Jars of Orange Drink (like Tang) 
  • 12 oz. Lemonade dry mix (like Countrytime) 
  • 1 cup Instant Tea 
  • 2 cups Sugar 
  • 1 teaspoon Cloves 
  •  2 teaspoon Cinnamon 

 

Instructions 

Simply mix everything together. Add 2 teaspoons of tea mix to 1 cup of hot water for one lovely cup of hot tea. 

Just remember, if you are using a mug, it will require approx. 3 teaspoons of tea to make a tantalizing cup of tea. 

Store in an air-tight container

 

An Easy Gift 

Simply fill a canning jar, an empty jelly jar or any small container with Spice Tea. If you are using a canning jar, cut a square of material with pinking shears and cover the top of the jar. 

You may also want to include a recipe card with the recipe for the recipient.  I know I always appreciate a new recipe. 

Voila! A delicious and easy gift! 

 

Gifting Spice Tea Recipe

 Country Time LemonadeCheck Price Tang Orange PowderedCheck Price Lipton Black TeaCheck Price McCormick Ground CinnamonCheck Price McCormick Ground ClovesCheck Price


Pretty Canning Jars 

Select a pretty jar for your Spice Tea gift. I actually really like this Bormioli Rocco Fido Latch Canning Jar, not only because it is attractive, but because it has a tight seal to seal in freshness so the spice tea will last longer.

 Bormioli Rocco Fido 17.5 Ounce Glass Storage Jars: Airtight Hinged Lid With Leak Proof Gasket, Wide Mouth Food ContainerCheck Price

 

Parting is Such Sweet Sorrow 

spice tea in a jar
After several days of company, we are all usually exhausted and in need of a long winters nap. I always like to send treats home with my guests and packing some of the remaining tea is just the right thing. When they get back home and have that moment to unwind, then they can fix a cup of Spice Tea and allow the fragrance of the tea to return them to the memory of our time together. 

The jar pictured on the right, is the container that held the original gift of Spice Tea given to me by my sister 35+ years ago. The tea is long since gone, but the refillable container and the memory remains.

Each year I refill this little jar and hide it as my personal reserve!

 

Contest Award  

I entered this recipe in the Squidoo Website Thanksgiving Cookoff (for Charity). It was one of the contest winners, therefore the charity I support, National Wildlife Federation's Alaska Regional Center, received $1000

I hope you enjoy -- and if you do, don't be shy, spread the word!

 

Acknowledgement Letter from $1000 recipient, National Wildlife Federation Alaska 

Sylvestermouse, many, many thanks from the small staff of the National Wildlife Federation Alaska office for earning us a $1,000 Squidoo donation. This is amazing! You have helped support our work in youth leadership cultivation, sustainable tourism, climate change policy, getting families outdoors, and protecting wildlife and habitat in the great State of Alaska! 
Also, BIG THANKS to Squidoo for making it all possible 
... 
Signed, Heather McGee, on behalf of our staff of 5 plus 1 AmeriCo

 

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Spice Tea Recipe Shared and Reviewed Written by:
House of Sylvestermouse





ALL PHOTOS ARE THE EXCLUSIVE PROPERTY OF SYLVESTERMOUSE 

This recipe article was originally published by me in 2009 on a different site that no longer exists. 

© 2009 Cynthia Sylvestermouse 

 

 




Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN), Esty (Awin), and/or Zazzle Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”


Thursday, November 27, 2025

An Autumn Visit to Veterans Tribute Park

American Flag

Today is Thanksgiving Day in the USA and first of all I'd like to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving from the staff at Review This.  We thank each and every one of you for your support over the years.  Your support for Review This Blogs is what makes us successful.  Thank you!

Veterans Tribute Park

Last week I took a group that I mentor to take photographs at our local Veterans Tribute Park.  We had been there last May, and I wrote a review at that time.  I have listed a link to it at the end of this article.  We enjoyed the park so much that we decided we would like to go to it again in the autumn when all the fall colors would be out.  The week before we were to go, we had a hard freeze so many of the color was depleted and yet t
here were lots of beautiful scenes to photograph.  The day we went was a perfect day weatherwise and we enjoyed walking through the park and capturing the beauty of the season on our cameras.


Photos from our Visit

This photo is of some of the grasses that adorn the fall landscape.

Veterans Tribute Park

 In this photo I was demonstrating to the group the use of natural framing of a subject by looking through the grasses to capture the lake in the background.


Framed Photo of Lake

In this photo we zoomed in to capture the orange trees surrounding the lake.  You will note that many of the trees in the background had already lost their leaves, but it still gives a nice framing for the lake.


Veterans Tribute Park

Veterans Tribute Park

There was a bridge that went down toward the lake.  It provided a nice overlook to the lakes.  I showed everyone how when they turned around and showed the path going up to the lake it gave a leading line to the trees beyond.
Veterans Tribute Park

Closeup of Leaves

Zooming in for a close-up photo of fall leaves makes a pretty photo.

Veterans Tribute Park in the Spring

Here is a review I wrote on our spring visit to the park.


Fall Designs from my photos on Zazzle


autumn leaves
fall leaves






Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN), Esty (Awin), and/or Zazzle Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”


Wednesday, November 26, 2025

Blessings for Thanksgiving~ From the Heart ~ A Reflection

 As we are moving to the end of the year faster than a speeding train, my thoughts and reflections seem to have taken a turn inwards.

Thanksgiving is just a day away and there is so much to be thankful for!

Here are just a few things that we should all be thankful for:

  • Family!  Yes even when they drive you crazy, you know that they are the ones that you can count on when you need an ear to listen, hands to help, and a loving response when times are troubled.
  • Friends! Sometimes friends are the family that we wish for and they will do everything in their powers to help you too!
  • Home!  It's that special place where you hang up your hat and coat, shake off the troubles of the day and relax.
  • Work!!  Sometimes we might not be thankful for this, but. really. we do like to be productive and accomplish things.  It helps us put clothes on our backs and food in our stomachs.
  • Children, they are the reason we do so many things!  They make us laugh and cry, puff out our chests in pride and sometimes challenge us.
  • Food!  So many sweet and savory dishes to tickle our palates.  
These are just a few things that we could focus on during our celebrations and I'm sure there are many many more!  I just focused on the immediate family, but we should also focus and our surroundings as well.

We are blessed to live in a country that gives us our freedom to do what our hearts desire.  We can travel, see things from around the world and experience many different customs and traditions.  We can speak our minds and dialogue with others even when we don't agree.  We can appreciate our differences and celebrate them!  

We are all different and yet we are all part of the human family.  How wonderful is that?

This Thanksgiving, let's all make it our goal to appreciate the wonderful things we have in this life and celebrate each other in our similarities and our differences.

dog in fall leaves

HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO YOU ALL





Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN), Esty (Awin), and/or Zazzle Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”


Sunday, November 23, 2025

Can You Unscramble These 20 Thanksgiving Related Words - Fun Activity!

 

Can You Unscramble These 20 Thanksgiving Related Words - Fun Activity!

American Thanksgiving is coming up, and I thought it would be fun to share a little mental break for anyone who’s knee-deep in planning, cooking, hosting, or just trying to keep up with the holiday buzz. 

Sometimes, between the grocery runs and the to-do lists, it’s nice to pause and do something entirely unrelated to casseroles and centerpieces. 

So this week, I’m offering a simple, festive word scramble. Nothing fancy—just a lighthearted way to shift your mind into a different gear and enjoy a few quiet minutes.

I’ve always liked word scrambles because they’re a nice change from the usual word searches and crosswords. There’s no complicated “find this in a grid” or “solve this clever clue” required—just a handful of jumbled letters waiting to be untangled. 

It feels calming, almost like giving your brain a gentle stretch without any pressure. So whether you’re taking a quick break from holiday prep or simply looking for a cozy little activity to sip your coffee with, this word scramble fits the mood. It’s festive, low-key, and a fun way to celebrate the season in a small but satisfying way.

Can You Unscramble These Words Relating To Thanksgiving?

If you’re in the mood to give your brain a fun little workout, head on down and tackle this jumble of mixed-up letters. See how many of these Thanksgiving-related words you can sort out without sneaking a look at the answers (I know — it’s tempting).

Whether you’re curled up with a warm drink, unwinding after a busy day, or just wanting a quick dose of distraction, this word scramble is a simple way to brighten your mood.

🦃Solve These Scrambled Words 🍂

1. 🦃 RADGUIETT ____________

2. 🌾 HARVTSE ____________

3. 🎃 UNKPIPM ____________

4. 🍽 ESTAF ____________

5. 🦃 ERUYTK ____________

6. 🍞 ACNDBEORR ____________

7. 🍒 NRERCYBRA ____________

8. 🥣 FTFGSIUN ____________

9. 🍁 MUUANT ____________

10. 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 LFYIAM ____________

11. 🥧 HGTGNRAEI ____________

12. ⛪ RLIMIPG ____________

13. 🎉 AEDPRA ____________

14. 🙏 BIELGSNSS ____________

15. 🌽 AORCCIUNPO ____________

16. 🎈 CTLEEBARE ____________

17. 📜 DTNAIOTIR ____________

18. 🍗 SEEOVFTLR ____________

19. 🥔 DMSHEA ____________

20. 🍏 DHARORC ____________

(Scroll down for the answers at the bottom of this page)

More Word Scramble Fun For the Holidays

If you had fun with this Thanksgiving Word Scramble, you’ll enjoy my Christmas Word Scramble book.

It’s filled with 500 holiday-themed words to unscramble, and the pages are large and easy to read. Each page has a little festive artwork, and every page features ten words centered around a new Christmas theme — plus the answers are included so you can check your work.

I created it as a cheerful, relaxing way to give your brain a little holiday workout. It’s perfect for teens or adults and makes a sweet stocking stuffer, a small party gift, or a thoughtful treat for anyone who loves a little festive fun.

How did you do? Were you able to solve a few of them?

🦃🦃🦃🦃🦃🦃

Here are the Answers For The Thanksgiving Word Scramble - (They'll drop down on this page when you click)

Click Here For The Answers

1. RADGUIETT → GRATITUDE

2. HARVTSE → HARVEST

3. UNKPIPM → PUMPKIN

4. ESTAF → FEAST

5. ERUYTK → TURKEY

6. ACNDBEORR → CORNBREAD

7. NRERCYBRA → CRANBERRY

8. FTFGSIUN → STUFFING

9. MUUANT → AUTUMN

10. LFYIAM → FAMILY

11. HGTGNRAEI → GATHERING

12. RLIMIPG → PILGRIM

13. AEDPRA → PARADE

14. BIELGSNSS → BLESSINGS

15. AORCCIUNPO → CORNUCOPIA

16. CTLEEBARE → CELEBRATE

17. DTNAIOTIR → TRADITION

18. SEEOVFTLR → LEFTOVERS

19. DMSHEA → MASHED

20. DHARORC → ORCHARD




Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN), Esty (Awin), and/or Zazzle Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”


Sunday, May 4, 2025

Gracie Always Knew - A Doll's Lesson - A Flash Fiction Story

Gracie Always Knew - A Doll's Lesson - A Flash Fiction Story

In March of this year, I wrote my first flash fiction story.

It was about an 82-year-old woman named Gracie, rocking in her chair on her porch, reflecting upon her life. 

Today is another flash fiction story about Gracie, who is eight years old. Long before those 82 years of life experience kicked in.

This flash fiction is about the early signs of who Gracie would become, and the first quiet stirrings of the peace she would one day find within herself—peace that would stay with her all the way to that rocking chair at 82.

______________________________

Gracie Always Knew - A Doll's Lesson

Gracie held her favorite doll, its painted smile forever unchanged. 

She studied it closely, realizing that while she had learned to run faster, dream bigger, and feel deeper, the doll had stayed exactly the same. Time moved through her like the changing seasons—shaping her in quiet, steady ways—while the doll stayed exactly the same.

That's when she understood: time only changes the living.

She gave the doll a pretend life, imagining it full of thoughts and adventures. But sometimes, late at night, another thought crept in—what if someone imagined me into being, giving me my lines, feelings, and story?

Church was as much a part of her life as brushing her teeth or saying goodnight. And with church came God, expected, unquestioned, and ever-present. 

But the older she got, the more she wondered: Where is God? Why is God? Her questions had grown more detailed now, shaped by the things she was starting to notice about the world and about herself. Those questions were still too big to hold, but she carried them anyway.

She thought often about who she was becoming. 

There was one thing she wanted to be more than anything—kind. Really kind. The type of kind that came from the inside, not just because someone was watching. At eight years old, she failed at that many times. But it remained ever-present in her spirit.

Most of the time, she was kind. But not always. Sometimes, she snapped at her little brother and was mean to her little brother! 

Sometimes, envy crept in like a thief. She felt that and knew jealousy was not something to cling to. Still, deep down, she understood those moments didn't define her. They were passing clouds, not her sky.

Something inside her—some glowing ember she couldn't name—kept telling her that kindness mattered more than almost anything else. It was what made people beautiful. Not their clothes, or their hair, or even their words. 

She felt kindness was like sunlight through a window—gentle, warm, and easy to miss if you weren't paying attention, but everything felt better there.

However, the world didn't always agree.

Gracie had started to notice contradictions. 

Adults talked about love, forgiveness, and doing what was right. They sang about it in church, prayed about it at dinner, and nodded solemnly as Church leaders spoke.

But then the same people would gossip, lose their tempers, or ignore someone who needed help. It confused her. How could they forget so quickly?

She wanted to believe people meant well—that they were just trying, like she was. But part of her couldn't shake the feeling that some were only pretending—that they wore kindness like a costume and took it off when it no longer served them.

And then, with a quiet sigh, she admitted it—Sometimes, I do that too.

The realization didn't crush her, but settled into her chest with weight. Maybe being good wasn't about getting it right every time. Perhaps it was about not giving up when you got it wrong.

Gracie didn't like the idea of perfection—something about it always felt impossible, like a game no one could win. And yet, she couldn't help but chase it. 

Even at eight, she felt the pressure to be the one who got it right, who made things better, who didn't let anyone down. Somewhere along the way, without meaning to, she'd written herself a silent set of rules: Be better. Fix it. Don't disappoint. 

She didn't know it then, but that quiet urge to rescue and make things right would shape much of her life—until years later, when she finally began to see its weight and learn a different way of being.

You see, Gracie was, by nature, a rescuer. But she didn't know that yet. 

For now, at eight years old, she knew only this: being a doll would be so much easier. Dolls didn't have to ask questions, feel pain, or wrestle with what was right. Dolls didn't worry about being enough.

It was the first time she realized how heavy it could be to be real—and maybe the first clue that she was beginning to understand more than most eight-year-olds.

That's when Gracie wrote her first poem, at 8 years old. She called it "Thanksgiving."

_____________________




Am I Gracie? 

You can safely presume that I'm Gracie, and yes, that first poem called Thanksgiving is included in my published poetry book below. I penned it when I was in grade 3; it is childlike and reflects the idealistic mind of an 8-year-old.

_____________________

I hope you've enjoyed the story of Gracie's life lesson at eight years old. 🕮

If you're into a longer story, I've penned this short story, The Gift of Knowing (can you sense a theme here?).

___________________

*50 Years of Poetry - We Will Have Morning Smiles, Available on Amazon (A lifetime of my personal poetry). *Commissionsearned




Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN), Esty (Awin), and/or Zazzle Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”


Tuesday, January 14, 2025

Hoover Smart Wash+ Automatic Carpet Cleaner - Reviewed

 Keeping your carpet clean can be challenging, especially in high-traffic areas. We like to have our carpet cleaned every year before the holidays. Fran called the carpet cleaner we used several times and left a message to make an appointment.

 After several days of not receiving a callback, she tried another local carpet cleaner. Once again we didn't receive a callback from the second carpet cleaner either.

So, we decided to buy our own carpet cleaner. Fran researched and decided on the Hoover Smart Wash+ Automatic Carpet Cleaner.

Hoover Carpet Cleaner

After receiving our new carpet cleaner, it was a matter of finding the time to clean it. One day, before the Thanksgiving holiday, we got almost two feet of snow. You're probably wondering what snow has to do with cleaning our carpet. Well, my car was plowed in, and I couldn't get out of the driveway to go to work that morning. So, I decided to stay home and clean the carpet with our new carpet cleaner.

After opening the box I found the assembly to be very easy. I filled one tank with warm water and the other tank with the cleaning solution as instructed.

Cleaning the carpet was as easy as vacuuming. The Smart Wash+ is equipped with motion-sensing technology. Push forward, and it automatically dispenses the cleaning solution. When you pull it back it activates a powerful drying process. No triggers or buttons - it's as intuitive as it gets.

When you advance the brushes activate penetrating deep into the carpet to remove embedded dirt. The drying has HeatForce technology, and the Smart Wash+ dries carpets faster letting you walk on them in just a few hours instead of waiting all day.

I cleaned our living room carpet, and hallway in a couple of hours. Clean-up was easy, the removable brushes and nozzle ensure hassle-free cleaning.

I love one other feature: there is a button on the tank for Dry Only. When you push it, the brushes and cleaner stop, and the tank will dry going forward and backward.

The Smart Wash+ also comes with accessory tools to clean your stairs and upholstery. All of these accessories are in a handy bag, that easily hangs in a closet.

Our Smart Wash+ was reasonably priced, and I'm sure it will pay for itself very quickly. If you are looking for a professional-level clean carpet without the professional price tag I recommend the Hoover Smat Wash+. We are very pleased with the results.

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Thursday, November 28, 2024

Happy Thanksgiving from Review This

 

Basket of Flowers

Today is a day of Thanksgiving in the USA and I wanted to take this opportunity to wish everyone a very happy and blessed Thanksgiving on behalf of the entire staff of Review This.

I have many things that I am thankful for, but on this post I'd like to share my thanks for my hobby of photography by sharing with you several of the photos that I have taken this fall.  I always see Thanksgiving as the end of the colorful fall colors and the start of the winter holidays.  

Fall  Photography

In the photo at the beginning of this post, I have shared a photo that I took down on Main Street in St. Charles, Missouri.  They always decorate for each holiday and fall is no exception.  I loved this box of fall flowers set against the wood railing.   Another place I visited to take some fall photos was our Missouri Extension gardens.  Fall is really the end of the blooming season, but there are still some great flowers to photograph.  The photo below shows some bright purple flowers peeking out of an old wooden fence.
Wooden fence and purple flowers


I love the beautiful shades of colors of the leaves in the fall.  Here are a few of my favorites from this year.
Fallen leaf

Bright Red Leaves


Brightly Colored Tree

One of the views I particularly enjoy all year round is the view from the sliding doors in our kitchen.  It looks out past our deck to the trees in a subdivision below us.  It is interesting to see how this view changes with each season.  In the photo below it is a early fall morning and the trees are just beginning to change colors.  The sky is full of color in the early morning light.
Beautiful sky and leaves

As I look at nature and my photographs, I thank God for this beautiful creation He has giving to us.

May you and your family be blessed with a thankful heart!



Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN), Esty (Awin), and/or Zazzle Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”


Tuesday, November 19, 2024

A Review of Three Lower Calorie Thanksgiving Recipes

 

thanksgiving recipes

Thanksgiving is right around the corner, and if you are like me, you worry that all that luscious food will be taking up residence on your hips after the event.  Over the years I have found a few recipes that help reduce this possibility, and are just as delicious as their full calorie counterparts.  I even started sneaking them into potluck events around the holidays, and not a single person has ever noticed that the calories have been trimmed.  

Substitute one or more of these recipes at your family feast, and see if anyone notices.  I can practically guarantee they won't!

  

cranberry relish

Low Sugar Cranberry Relish 

 

Ingredients:

12 ounce cranberries - fresh or frozen cranberries. 

1 whole orange with skin  If you are not a fan of oranges, they can be changed out with any crispy, tart apple that is cored, peeled and sliced.

1/2 cup almonds, chopped medium. If you aren't partial to almonds, you can use walnuts or if you prefer softer nuts, use pecans.

1/2 cup to 3/4 cups sweetener. I use Splenda, not in packages, but loose.


Instructions:


1.  Wash the orange and cut it in half.  Peel one half and discard the peel.  Peel the other half and put the peel into the food processor or blender.   Separate the orange sections and cut each in half and set aside.


2.  Turn on the food processor or blender and chop the orange peel as small as you can without pureeing it.


3 Wash and drain the cranberries well. Make sure they are all firm. Put in the food processor or blender.  


4.  Put the almonds and 1/2 cup sweetener in the food processor or blender.  


5.  Pulse the food processor or blender until the pieces of the mixture are smallish chunky, and the sweetener is well mixed in.  


6.  Add the orange pieces and pulse a few more times till the oranges are well mixed in with the other ingredients.


7.  Try the relish for sweetness and and add more if needed.  


8.  This relish should be stored in a covered bowl in the refrigerator for 8 hours before serving.



green bean casserole

Green Bean Casserole


Ingredients:


1/3 cup chopped onions

1/3 cup bread crumbs

4 slices turkey bacon

1 can (10 ounce) of 99%fat free cream of mushroom soup

1/2 cup plain fat free yogurt

1/2 teaspoon liquid smoke (I use Stubbs Hickory Liquid Smoke from Amazon)

3 9 ounce packages of frozen French cut green beans, frozen


Instructions:


1.  Preheat the oven to 350 degrees


2.  Lightly spray a cookie sheet with no stick spray


3.  In a small bowl, stir together the onions and bread crumbs.


4.  Evenly spread the mixture on the cookie sheet and bake about 12 minutes until golden brown.

  

5.  Remove from oven and set aside.


6.  Cook the the turkey bacon (I use the original Makin Bacon Microwave Dish to make mine)


7.  Chop the bacon and set aside.


8.  In a large bowl, stir together the condensed soup, yogurt and liquid smoke.

 

9.  Then stir in the beans and bacon.


10.  Lightly spray a glass baking dish (11" x 7" or 9" x 13") with no stick spray.


11.  Transfer the bean mixture to the backing dish.

  
12.  Top with the onion mixture to the glass dish.


13.  Top with the onion mixture and back for 25 to 30 minutes or until bubbly.


Makes 6 servings, 103 calories per serving.



Pumpkin Pie


Pumpkin Pie


If you prefer, you can make your pie shell from scratch.  I always use a premade pie shell to save time.


Pumpkin Pie Filling:


15 ounce can of pure pumpkin - Not pumpkin pie filling

12 ounces of fat free evaporated skim milk

2 eggs or 1/2 cup of Egg Beaters 

1/2 cup granulated sugar - I substitute Splenda for this

1/2 tsp salt

1 tsp cinnamon

1/2 tsp powdered ginger

1/4 tsp ground cloves - this is optional, as some don't like the taste

1/4 tsp nutmeg


Instructions:


1.  Preheat oven to 425 degrees


2.  Combine sugar, salt, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and cloves in a small bowl.


3.  Beat eggs lightly in a large bowl.  


4.  Stir in pumpkin and spice mixture. 


5.  Gradually stir in evaporated skim milk.


6.  Pour in to a pre-prepared pie shell.


7.  Bake pie in the oven for 15 minutes.


8.  Reduce temperature to 350 degrees and bake for 40-50 minutes or until a  knife inserted in the center comes out clean.


9.  Remove from oven and let cool for at least two hours, serve immediately or refrigerate before serving.  DO NOT chill before the pie has set, if you do it can begin to weep moisture on the top of the pie.  If this happens, blot the top lightly with a paper towel.


Makes 8 servings, about 150 calories each.



I especially love the relish.  It is so sweet and crunchy!  I always had eaten regular jellied cranberry sauce until about 10 years ago when my sister brought some relish to our Thanksgiving dinner.  I tried it and just never looked back.  It is YUMMY!!


The pumpkin pie is a recipe that I made myself when my husband developed diabetes and could not have sugar anymore.  While I was tweaking the recipe I decided to try to cut some calories too which is why I started using fat free evaporated skim milk.  I really cannot taste the difference.  


I hope you enjoy these recipes as much as I have and you and yours have a


Happy Thanksgiving!



fall leaves

Photos by Pixabay and eatloveeats







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