Monday Morning Musings #6

If you’ve landed on my homepage looking for my Monday’s Music Moves Me post, then click here to join me on the dance floor. Otherwise, keep reading!

October was the last time I participated in my own Monday Morning Musings post and that was on my old blog (Cathy Kennedy’s Blog). I thought it was time to get back into doing this.  I know everyone is busy as little bees this week and I hope if you’re reading this today, then you might be interested in adding these recipes among the feast you’ll be partaking on Thursday.

The first recipe, I wish to share with you is one I have made since 2002 and it has been a favorite. DH discovered it in the 2002 November issue of Yankee Magazine. He’s talented for spotting tasty recipes without even having to try the dish.

 
Cranberry Compote
 
1 c. seedless raisins
1 12-oz package cranberries
1 c. sugar
½ tsp. salt
½ tsp. cinnamon
½ tsp. ground ginger
¼ tsp. allspice
⅛ tsp.  ground cloves
¾ c. cider vinegar
1 Tbsp. grated lemon peel
¼ c. organ juice
Garnish: Orange zest
 
 
Up to 2 weeks ahead: In a large saucepan over medium heat, combine all ingredients. Cover mixture and cook 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Cool in pan. Transfer to a glass jar with an airtight lid, cover, and refrigerate.
 
Thanksgiving Day: Pour compote into a serving dish and garnish with orange zest
 
 
 
While I am on the subject of cranberries and you know pumpkin is a major ingredient for many of our Thanksgiving recipes, I want to pass to you a delicious bread recipe that my brother-in-law’s wife gave me. 
 
 
 
Cranberry-Pumpkin Bread
 
3½ c. all-purpose flour
1½ c. (1 can) pumpkin
½ c. oil
2  tsp. salt
4  eggs
3  c. sugar
⅔ c. milk
2 Tbsp. pumpkin pie spice
4 tsp. baking soda
1½ c. chopped walnuts
1 lb. cranberries (sorted, washed, & drained)
 
PREPARATION grease and flour loaf pans; set aside. Preheat oven to 375°F.
 
MIX everything together, except flour; then add it a little at a time. Fill pans ½ way and bake about 40 minutes.
 
MAKES about 2 large and 1 small loaves.
 
TIP excellent served with spreadable cream cheese on warm bread.
 

 

That’s a wrap for now on a few recipes that I made for our Thanksgiving feast this week. Maybe, these will find their way onto your table and if not, then these are great additions for Christmas!

 
A last look at the fall colors around town.

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Image captured mid-October with iPhone4.
Image captured mid-October with iPhone4.

Now, let’s visit do a little fun hopping.  My first blog hop takes me to Sasha from The Good Life has a fun Monday Listicles prompt, 10 THING THAT BRING YOU COMFORT.

  1. Music
  2. Old photos
  3. Family
  4. Friends
  5. Chocolate
  6. Kitchen aromas
  7. The Smoky Mountains
  8. Cooking
  9. Crafting – making hand-stamped cards
  10. Memories


Each week, Heather puts on loan FOUR QUESTIONS for anyone to borrow and answer for your blog post, and then she gives you the option to add a fifth question of your own for those who are visiting your blog to answer in the comment section, along with commenting on the four questions you answered. Don’t forget to grab the MQAM badge for your blog or post or both from Acting Balanced blog!

1. Yesterday (Sunday) was National Adoption Day in the US – does your family (or friend family) have an adoption story?

My parents adopted my 1st cousin in the early 70s. His mother died of cancer. His dad, my dad’s brother, either fell completely apart or was simply unable to deal with small kids as he pretty much abandoned them leaving the children in the care of close friends or family. That’s truly sad, but anyhow, my folks decided to take in my cousin and later adopted him. Although, I love children I don’t know that I could do this. Adopting another person’s child takes a special heart.

2. Do you plan out your Thanksgiving preparations? When do you start?

I keep Thanksgiving dinner preparations fairly simple. There isn’t a lot of planning that needs to be done, other than shopping and then cooking. I generally starting buying items in October and then begin to cook the meal the week before. I store everything in the freezer since it has to be transported to my in-laws on Thanksgiving Day. They are elderly and aren’t able to do what they once could. This is my small contribution for all the meals they prepared for us over the years.

3. Shopping on holidays – pro or con? What do you think of stores and malls opening at 6 PM or 10 PM on Thanksgiving for “Black Friday” What about Midnight or 3 AM? Are you planning to shop at any time this coming weekend?

It used to bother me that stores were open on “Black Friday”, but it doesn’t bother me so much anymore. Perhaps, I’ve grown a bit numb to that aspect of the holidays. For the past several years, we pretty much do 99% of our shopping off the internet all year round. I don’t like being forced to buy gifts in December. The craziness of it all takes away from my enjoyment of the season’s true meaning. I am a much happier gal doing shopping on my terms 11 months out of the year, instead of all at once in a short couple of weeks. Oh to answer your question, no, I do not have any plans to be out among the shopping madness on Black Friday.

4. Do you have a fireplace? Do you use it? If you don’t, do you want one?

Yes, we have a fireplace, but it’s not in use. The previous owner built it himself and I do not feel comfortable with burning anything in it. It looks pretty is about all I can say. Maybe, one day in my dream home we will have a fireplace that I feel safe with and we can enjoy a cozy fire’s glow.

Here’s my bonus question for today…

 
What are you looking forward to most on Thanksgiving Day?
 
 

To complete my Monday morning ramblings, I want to skip over to Carissa’s of lowercase letters to play Miscellany Monday

My stereo CD player is having an issue. It won’t turn on. That really, really bothers me. I am so hyped up to play my favorite Christmas music and now THIS. GRRR! I could look at this as an opportunity for Santa to do something wonderful about my problem or I could just try to figure out a workaround till DH can find time to look it over. *sigh* Oh well, I won’t be without music this Christmas season. I can always listen to internet radio or upload my Christmas CDs onto my computer and play them that way or sync to my iPhone. Either way, I will be blissfully happy listening to my favorite Christmas tunes. 

 
Photographed with iPhone5s in Dillsboro, NC


Do you like music? Would you like a fun, loving group of loyal bloggers to visit you week after week after week? If you’re nodding your head yes like I think you are, then you’re gonna wanna check out my Monday’s Music Moves Me post and be a part of the dance floor shakin’!  X💋X💋, Cathy

Knoxville, TN 37901, USA

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5 comments

    1. Callie, the recipe is really simple. Give it a try! BTW, send me your address via email coz I would like to include you on my Christmas card this year. That is, if you’re interested and if not, I certainly respect that. 🙂

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