Spice-Kissed Sweet Potato Crunch

Calling all sweet potato lovers out there ... this is 'da bomb  sweet potato casserole - like, the one that tops all others in my opinion. It has the perfect balance of fall spices, crunch, creaminess and sweetness. And, it doesn't have to be made just on Thanksgiving ... it went great with our Slow Cooker Root Beer Pulled Pork Sandwiches recently and I often make it anytime I make a big Sunday ham dinner. (Baked ham and sweet potatoes go hand-and-hand in my book.)

 

And, now that it's cooling down here in Michigan, it's great to have my kitchen fill up with the scents of fall while this dish is baking ... the cinnamon and nutmeg bring about those aromas of fall for me.  And, that crunch topping is seriously dangerous!

This recipe yields a good amount ... probably enough for 8 - 10 servings as a side dish. So, if you're only wanting enough for a smaller crowd, you could easily cut the recipe in half ... just be sure to use a slightly smaller baking dish.

Gratitude Turkey - A Lesson in Thankfulness (Craft Project)

 

One of the phrases I use often with my children is "have an attitude of gratitude."  I want my children to understand the concept and importance of thankfulness.  We are blessed on so many levels in our household.  Sometimes it's hard for kids to keep that in mind when mom or dad may say "no" to the newest Lego set or an expensive pair of jeans.

This project is a perfect way to allow them to pause for a few moments each day to really think about all that we have to be thankful for.  The month of November seemed like a wonderful time to really incorporate a project like this into the lesson of what Thanksgiving is all about!

The idea is to draw and cut out the body of a turkey on a large piece of paper.  Glue or tape it to a poster board or larger piece of paper and then, cut out a bunch of feathers from card stock or construction paper.  Each day during the month leading up to Thanksgiving, have your child think of something they are thankful for and write it on a feather to be added to the turkey.

By the time Thanksgiving rolls around, they will have created a beautiful turkey art project.

My plan is to have my children show off their turkeys to our family during our Thanksgiving dinner and read through the things that they have written on the feathers.

Turkey Tenderloins with Apple and Dried Cherry Stuffing

 

I know, I know ... Thanksgiving is just over a month away.  A full Thanksgiving feast will soon be before me in late-November and I'll be able to enjoy all of the tastes of said fabulous holiday soon enough!

If only I had patience.

'Tis not a virtue of mine.

I recently picked up the latest issues of EveryDay with Rachael Ray and Food Network magazines (my monthly indulgences) and I have been swooning over all of the Thanksgiving recipes. 

And, frankly, I didn't want to wait another month to have turkey and stuffing.  So, I went out and bought what I needed to throw together a quick(er) version of what will be on my Thanksgiving table next month!  And, we enjoyed it tonight ... here in October.  It was just what I was craving.  And, it reminded me that there need be no rules to cooking.  Why do we often think we have to wait until Thanksgiving to prepare turkey?  Who made that rule?  Well, rules are often made to be broken.  What a culinary rebel I am!  Ha!

And, just a little side note ... I'm thinking this would be perfect for someone only cooking for a few people at Thanksgiving, too.  Maybe a husband and wife.  All of the expected (and cherished) tastes and flavor components of Thanksgiving dinner without the hassle of a big bird!  Also, the turkey here is super inexpensive ... around four or five dollars for a three-pack of tenderloins.  This fed my family of five with enough leftover for two people the next day.