Homemade Holiday Recipe and Bathroom Pics

Happy Friday, my prim friends!!  It’s going to be another gorgeous day here in Ohio.  Sunny and in the 60’s.  Can’t complain about that!!

And now get ready to hear a collective “groan” in blogland when I tell you . . . . . .I’m about done with my Christmas shopping!!  :o)  Did you hear it?   lol 

I’m all done with my daughter Kory, I have one more thing to get my son – but it doesn’t get released until Nov. 20th, I have a couple more things to get for my hubby (I need to find a place to hide them, first!) and I have the few items my daughter, Brittney, had on her list.  She really didn’t have many ideas this year other than a new ipod and a few books.  She’ll probably get gift cards for the remainder of the amount we spend, but I’ll hold off getting those in case she comes up with something else.  I also picked up a few stocking stuffers along with a few bags of holiday candy (3 musketeers, twix, peppermint patties, etc.)  We started a tradition several years ago that after Santa ate his milk and cookies, he left a basket full of candy.  You know. . . .because there wasn’t enough goodies already in the house!! lol

I love getting my shopping done early!!!  Now I can relax and enjoy decorating and baking for the holidays. 

A few of you have left comments or emails in regards to my Dining Room furniture.  My hubby and I made all of the furniture pieces with the exception of the dining room chairs and the bottom portion of the stereo cupboard, which is a dresser I bought at a garage sale and then made the top piece for it.  The desk was made many years ago and was our 2nd attempt at making furniture!  It went through a few transformations before ending up the way it is now.  The cupboard above it was actually a “now-you-see-it-now-you-don’t” cover for an in-the-wall air conditioning unit that has now been removed due to having central air installed.   We’ve added a shelf and now use it for storing various things.  The wing chair was sitting out for the garbage just down the road from me and I sent my hubby in the dark to go pick it up!!  It was in great shape, but the upholstery was filthy and had a couple of tears in it.  It was my first attempt at reupholstering a piece of furniture!!  I really didn’t know what I was doing. . . .I just “winged” it!  lol  It’s been about two years and I still haven’t finished the cushion or put the face pieces on the front of the arms.  I keep putting off making the piping and learning how to make box pleats, so for now, I just have some fabric tucked around the seat!  For those that have commented on the fabric – I bought it at Joann Fabrics in the Home Decor fabric section.  And, finally, the hutch is made in three pieces and is actually navy blue, not black.  I hope I answered all of the questions!!

This stuffing recipe is fabulous.  My family loves it!  It’s a perfect addition to a Thanksgiving dinner. 

Cornbread, Sausage, Apple & Pecan Stuffing

12 T. butter (1 1/2 sticks)

2 c. finely-chopped yellow onions

3 tart apples, cored and chunked, but not peeled

1 lb. bulk breakfast sausage, with sage (Bob Evans)

3 c. coarsely crumbled cornbread

3 c. coarsely crumbled whole-wheat or multi-grain bread

3 c. coarsely crumbled French or Italian bread

2 tsp. dried thyme

1 tsp. dried sage

salt and pepper, to taste

1/2 c. chopped Italian parsley

1 1/2 c. shelled pecan halves (do not chop)

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.

Melt half the butter in a large skillet.

Remove onion and butter from pan and put in a very large bowl to be mixed later.

In same skillet, melt rest of butter, add apple, and cook quickly over high heat until lightly browned, but not mushy.

Remove apples and butter from pan and put in the bowl with the onions.

With the pan back on the burner, add sausage, crumbling as you cook it over medium heat, and cook until lightly browned.

When done, remove with a slotted spoon and add it to the mixing bowl.

Reserve drippings for basting later.

Add remaining ingredients to the mixing bowl and combine gently.

If you’re going to stuff a turkey, cool completely in the refrigerator first.

To cook it as a separate dressing, spoon the mixture into a large casserole (13x9 or slightly larger), cover with aluminum foil and bake 30-45 minutes at 325 degrees, basting occasionally with cooking juices from the turkey or with reserved sausage fat, if needed.

Uncover the pan for the last 10 minutes of cooking to brown.

To see who else is participating in Colleen’s (And Baby Makes Five) Homemade Holiday Recipe Swap, click here:

  Here are a few pictures of my main bathroom.  I’m going to change out my light fixtures on both sides of the mirror once I choose between three styles of sconces that I like, which has been a dilemma for the last couple of months!  lol   I’d also like to get a new cabinet and sink top some time,  especially since the sink doesn’t line up with the mirror!!  I’ve lived with it for 21 years like that, what’s a few more, right?

Thanks for stopping by.  I appreciate each and every one of you and I love hearing your comments .  I hope you all have a great weekend!!

Until Next Time . . . . Kris