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Thanksgiving Decorations and Recipes

While I'd like to get started decking the halls for Christmas right after Halloween as I've been known to do in year's past, I'm trying to not skip over Thanksgiving.  The problem is that I don't have a ton of Thanksgiving decorations because when it is time to think Thanksgiving, the stores are thinking Christmas!  Next year I will try to be better...I'm on the lookout for a couple of turkeys (of course I have specific ones in mind). 

Here are the Thanksgiving decorations in my house...
The mantle tweaked from Halloween
With the addition of pilgrims
and Indians
and a cornucopia
The dining table is the same as it was for Halloween
but the Kitchen table has a different center piece
a new purchase of turkey parts has enabled me to turn this pumpkin into a turkey
The front door
flag
a very pumpkin welcome...

I also wanted to share a couple of my favorite side dishes for Thanksgiving.  They will both change your life.  Make them.  Make them now.  Make them for Thanksgiving.  Make them for Christmas.  They are always great!

The first is a Sweet Potato Casserole.  This is honestly the best I've ever had.  People who don't like sweet potatoes find that they LOVE this.  Truth be known, it should probably be in the dessert category instead of the side dishes because it is THAT GOOD!  It's from Southern Living and so is this photo

The other one is called Swiss Green Beans.  It is different than the "normal" green bean casserole made with cream of whatever and  those onion things on top.  This is better.  Way better.

I don't have a picture to show you, but here's the recipe:

4 Tbsp. butter (including 2 Tbsp. melted butter for topping)
2 Tbsp. flour
1 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
1 tsp. sugar
1/2 grated onion
1 cup sour cream
4 cups drained French style green beans
1/2 pound swiss cheese
2 cups corn flakes

Melt 2 Tbsp. of butter in large saute pan/skillet.  Stir in flour, salt, pepper, sugar and onion.  Add in sour cream gradually, stirring constantly.  Cook until thickened.  Add drained green beans and heat thoroughly.

Pour into a greased 1 1/2 quart casserole dish.  Grate cheese* and sprinkle over the top.  Crush corn flakes and mix with 2 Tbsp. of melted butter.  Spread on top of cheese. 

Bake at 400 degrees for 20 minutes.  Serve when super hot so that cheese is still nice and melted.

* I have used sliced swiss cheese before and it worked fine, so if you cannot find pre-grated swiss cheese and want to save some time, you can go that route.

Comments

Abby said…
I love the pumpkin turkey. I have tried to buy it twice this year and both times it was sold out and they wouldn't give me the display!!
Anonymous said…
I love your little Indians! I'm on the hunt for Thanksgiving decorations too. Everywhere I've been has been all Christmas already. I found a few things at Williams Sonoma, but mostly linens. Tweet me if you find the Thanksgiving jackpot in DFW! :)
Caroline said…
Love your decorations. I always feel like such a slacker when I see all of your cute stuff!! You inspire me!
Scrappy Girl said…
Everything looks really good. Love the turkey pumpkin!

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