A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day....11-17-05....Thanksgiving Countdown - T minus 7

DollyCali | November 17, 2005 | DollyCali

[DollyCali]

A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day

Free Republic made its debut in September, 1996, and the forum was added in early 1997.   Over 100,000 people have registered for posting privileges on Free Republic, and the forum is read daily by tens of thousands of concerned citizens and patriots from all around the country and the world.

A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day was introduced on June 24, 2002. It's only a small room in JimRob's house where we can get to know one another a little better; salute and support our military and our leaders; pray for those in need; and congratulate those deserving. We strive to keep our threads entertaining, fun, and pleasing to look at, and often have guest writers contribute an essay, or a profile of another FReeper.

On Mondays please visit us to see photos of A FEW OF FR'S VETERANS AND ACTIVE MILITARY

If you have a suggestion, or an idea, or if there's a FReeper you would like to see featured, please drop one of us a note in FR mail.

We're having fun and hope you are!
~ Billie, Dutchess, DollyCali, Mama_Bear ~

Holidays beginning at Thanksgiving and going until New Years can be Joyous or Gut-wrenching Lonely.

Or anywhere in between.

The absence or presence of people doesn’t always make it one way or another.

Fast forward one week. It is NOW Thanksgiving Day 2005

Some families have a tradition of touch football…some have a tradition of couch potato spectator football with the slew of bowl games. Some women (and a FEW Men) spend the afternoon scowering the ads for the next day Shopping mania at the various stores.

You may be with a large group of family or friends at a home for an elegant sit down dinner. You may be with this same group for a more casual homey pot luck/pitch in affair. You may go to Hometown Buffet for a massive dinner including drinks for under ten dollars or to a 4 star hotel for a grand buffet for $39.95 per head (beverages extra). You maybe with three dozen people. You may just be with one or two of your family/friends.. Or you may be alone. But you don’t have to be lonely, UNLESS you want to.

If you have had a significant death this past year, holidays are hard. VERY HARD. Go thru the pain but go thru the celebration also. You honor the lost loved one by remembering with joy the good times and the good experiences you shared.

Various factors contribute to how you will experience these holidays but lets join in here & help those that maybe are leaning toward the lonely & the depressed during this time while at the same time we are going to also share party/menu ideas & decorating thoughts for those that are in the spirit & flying high.

Some have had this day planned for months. Some will start “working on it” on Tuesday before T-Day.

First of all for those who don’t have a dinner commitment until later in day or those alone. Make this the best Thanksgiving you have had --- by ……volunteering at a Homeless Shelter, Battered Women’s shelter, VA center, Nursing home , retirement center etc. I will honestly tell you that my best holidays have been those where I have spent the time to do this very simple but mighty act of service. Take the kids, take the whole family.

If you are smart enough to be reading this thread, you are smart enough to research where you can go to help. JUST DO IT! Afterward you can join your other activities & I’ll bet your mind will dwell on where you were earlier, and wish you had stayed longer.

If you have a pet that is friendly take it (check first). Most places are pleased their folks can have interaction with well behaved, leashed pets. Take small gifts. Nothing fancy. Some cookies, mixed nuts or pretzels in baggies. Some of your old knick knacks you were going to throw away will thrill someone in a nursing home often. Find a person or two to adopt. Make a point of visiting them now & then. You will both be blessed.

<

Dolly’s SOGGY Greens
(Salad of Great Goodness = Yummy)

Prepare the Bath. In Largest container you have: very cold water mixed with ¼ cup white vinegar & ¼ cup table salt. (If any of the ingredients are extra dirty(black soil) do pre-washing

Add

1 cup celery in 1/4 inch segments (save the inner w/leaves for bloody Mary)
1 cup Baby carrots - julienne
4 cups each of the following Greens:

Romaine - remove the core & the edge of the remainder of leaves. Chop into 1 “ squares.
Baby Bibb - chopped into 1” squares
Spinach (remove the stems & brown leaves
Mixed wild greens

Gently swoosh to remove any dirt. Soak for at least one hour until all become firm. Drain gently. Or preferred method lift with hands into colander(the dirt will be at bottom) Place in plastic container in fridge until serving time.

At that time Mix with:

2 sweet onions chopped onions
I cup chopped basil
1 cup pecans
1 cup cashews
1 cup pineapple tidbits
1 cup sliced strawberries (or raspberries whole)
1 cup mandarin oranges
1 cup crumbled blue cheese
1 cup shredded Swiss cheese
1 cup shredded Colby-jack cheese
2 cups grape or cherry tomatoes

Serve with favorite dressing. This mixture lends itself to a delicate vinaigrette, or sweet dressing

Dolly’s Crunchy Dressing (nope - no meat)

1 package Pepperidge Farm dried bread crumbs
1 eggs
1 sm can cream celery soup
¼ cup melted butter
1 T Italian herbs
½ t salt
½ ground pepper
1 t minced (bottled) garlic
1 can chopped water chestnuts ( all veggies chopped medium fne)
1 cup chopped celery
1 cup chopped sweet onions
1 cup coarsely chopped pecans
1 cup coarsely chopped apple (skins removed)

Sauté onions & celery in butter. Mix in celery soup & egg & seasonings. Blend well. Add remainder of ingredients. If too thick, dry, add water. Should be moist.

Place the mixture in a greased 2-quart casserole; cover with lid or foil and bake at 325° for 25 to 30 minutes. Uncover the last 5 minutes of baking time.

Tortilla Chips & sauces/dips

Warm the tortilla’s of choice (best to use plain, non-flavored if you warm)in over for a few minutes to have the warm fresh taste

Serve with Pico de Gallo, Gaucamole, Chessy Wheezy, and Pico Cream.

Pico De Gallo (salsa)

3 large tomatoes diced
1 large onion diced
2 tablespoons diced Jalapenos
1/2 cup fresh cilantro (diced)
2 teaspoons Salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon apple vinegar

Directions: Mix all ingredients together in large container until well blended. Allow to set for at least 6 hours, it is better if allowed to sit overnight.

Guacamole

2 large avacados
3 T lemon juice (fresh or Real Lemon)
½ cup salsa (or Pico de Gallo)
½ c shredded Monterey jack cheese
½ c chopped yellow pepper

Cut the avocados in half and remove the seeds. Scoop out the pulp and place in a bowl. Drizzle the pulp with lemon juice and mash, leaving some chunks. Mix well with remaining ingredients. Add Jalapeno to taste and garnish with cheese

Cheesee wheezee

In small crock pot mix 1 large bottle of cheese (cheese whiz, Mexican) with ½ cup salsa or pico de gallo. Serve hot ( will be thin)

Pico Cream

Mix equal portions of Sour cream & Pico de gallo. Mix well. Serve cold

Easiest centerpiece in the world

Collect fall leaves of various shapes/colors and an assortment of pinecones. Put them in Freezer for a few hours or oven a few minutes to prevent unwanted guests from crawling out of your display. Put them in a huge brandy snuffer or cut crystal bowl in center of table. The colored leaves is really very pretty even against elegant crystal, china & white lace.

LINKY LINKS

Thanksgiving Timeline

Holiday Tips & Recipes w/ Grocery List!

Chef & Freeper Carlo3b’s Another of those dreaded Thanksgiving Recipe Threads You can count on Carlo

Annie‘s Homepage Homespun ideas

Kids Crafts

Stuffing Recipes

Now, share your thoughts… your decorating tips… your favorite recipe from Grandma, the cookbook or one you made up yourself (the best). And each holiday work on having ONE thing you do the best. The one thing others will look forward to.

09-27-05 ~ Hall of Fame #13

THIS WEEK'S THREADS 11-14-05 Military Monday 11-15,16-05 Oh, My Eyes!!

Opinions by our own 'King of Ping' Every Thursday at the Finest The guy's good, folks!

[DollyCali]

[Jemian]

Greetings, Dolly.

[DollyCali]

[DollyCali]

Boy are you fast! and we dont even give away toasters!

But you can pick up your new Jaguar tomorrow at Billie's home

[Jemian]

Now THAT would solve about all my problems.

[DollyCali]

Haven't chatted with you for ages but do keep up most of time at ATRW. I dive in when it is "safe"

:-)

[DollyCali]

10 and a half!

drat

[Jemian]

I haven't totally pulled away, but I'm not regular every day anymore, either.

[Jemian]

At present I'm trying to get over a bad case of poison ivy and keep from developing a serious bout of bronchitis. I don't have any fever or any serious congestion, but just a feeling of heaviness and a dry cough. I'm supposed to go out to a farm tomorrow to help with 20 four-year olds. The farm ministers to kids who have been traumatized in some way. Truth be told, however, I volunteer because I wanted the animal input.

[DollyCali]

I have selfishly been glad you are still here. I still have hopes of seeing you yet (one negative thing after another happens here anymore) & was worried about the situation abroad. I know we are to have faith, but doggone, it is really rough going.

[DollyCali]

I had read about both your conditions. you have had your share of rough stuff this furlough. I have had poison Ivy 3 times this year. I don't' get bronchitis but have chronic allergies. Take antihistamines regularly for them (and they help the poison Ivy when I find it or it finds me

[Jemian]

I understand the concerns. I had a really bad nightmare last night, that the rag heads were targeting my daughter and we had to sneak out of the country in a quick get-away.

[DollyCali]

the farm sounds like a great place. the pix of the little one BACKWARD on horse is funny. How is Lion's Daughter doing? boyfriend? don't hear or her/from her of threads so thought that might be the case. But I might miss some things.

[Jemian]

No boyfriend. She's busy with band and her studies. She doesn't get on FR very much these days.

[DollyCali]

should we let anyone else post here?

[Jemian]

Yes, for a number of reasons. One major one is that I'm falling asleep and will bug out in a little bit.

[DollyCali]

I need to crash soon also , I have a "date" in traffic court tomorrow. ugh

[Gucho]

Thanksgiving Countdown - T minus 7


Bump

[DollyCali]

LOVE IT! thanks for stopping by. doing anything special next weekend? ( I mean other than posting at your thread 24/7

???


:-)

[Gucho]

doing anything special next weekend?


No, nothing special.