Thanksgiving Dinner Conversation Starters

Download and print on card stock and cut. We pass the questions around letting people choose which question they would like to answer. They answer and then let everyone else have an opportunity to answer.

I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving filled with friends, family and special moments!

If you are needing a simple last minute way to dress up your holiday food, I have made you some Thanksgiving Cupcake/Food Toppers. All you need to do is print on card stock. Use craft wood picks or tooth picks, a 2-Inch X-Large Scallop Punch and a glue stick to assemble.

Thanksgiving Cupcake/Food Picks

Punch out the designs.

Glue back to back with the wood pick in the middle.  You can mix up the designs or even use pretty patterned scrapbook paper for the backs.

Happy Thanksgiving!

YGS Supper Girls Cook up…

The Turkey’s Supporting Cast

1. Sausage and Apricot Stuffing

Brown 2 pounds of original sausage in a skillet. Add 2 cups each: chopped celery, chopped yellow onion. Cook until tender. Remove from heat. Add 24 oz can of apricot halves (drained and chopped, reserving juice). Add 6 cups of whole wheat bread cubes, 1 tbsp apple juice, and 1 tbsp poultry seasoning. Add reserved apricot juice if needed. Place in a greased baking sheet and bake at 350ºF for 30 to 45 minutes. Serves 10.

2. Sauteed Green Beans with Pecans

Cook 12 oz green beans in boiling water for 2 minutes or until crisp-tender. Drain and plunge in ice water. Melt 1 tbsp butter in a skillet over medium-high. Add green beans, ¼ cup chopped shallots and ¼ cup chopped pecans. Season with salt and pepper. Cook for 1 minute or until heated. Serves 4.

3. Maple Mashed Sweet Potatoes

Prick 3 pounds of sweet potatoes twice with a fork and bake at 400ºF in a foil-lined baking pan in the lower third of oven until tender, about 1 hour. Remove and let cool slightly. Halve potatoes lengthwise and scoop out warm flesh into a large bowl. Mash with a potato masher or electric mixer. Stir in ½ stick soft, unsalted butter, ¼ cup warm heavy whipping cream (or milk), and 1 ½ tbsp maple syrup. Season with salt and pepper. Serves 4 to 6.

4. Squash Apple Bake

Peel and cut 2 small butternut squash and 6 apples into ½ inch cubes. Place squash in ungreased, glass baking pan. Top with apples. Mix ½ cup brown sugar, 2 tbsp flour, and ½ tsp nutmeg. Sprinkle on top. Melt ¼ cup butter and drizzle on top. Bake, uncovered, at 350ºF for about an hour or until squash is tender. Serves 8.

5. Savory Cranberry Chutney

In a large saute pan, combine 12 oz package cranberries, 1 orange cut into bite size pieces, 2 tbsp lemon juice, 2 tbsp minced shallots, 1 tsp ginger powder, ½ tsp cumin, ¼ tsp cayenne, 1 tsp lightly crushed mustard seeds and 1 cup sugar. Bring to a gentle boil. Stir until sugar dissolves and cranberries begin to pop open. Remove from heat and let cool. Option: Fold in ½ cup chopped pistachios and ½ cup chopped dried figs or raisins. Yields 2 cups. Make up to 2 days ahead.

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If you are trying to make your plans for Thanksgiving check out  these ideas.

You might also enjoy these yummy sweet potatoes that can be made now and frozen.

Don't forget  about the kids and how to keep them busy. Last year I made finger puppets and crayon pouches.

This year, these free printables I contributed at AlphaMom will keep them busy (hopefully). Bella has been coloring everyday and will deliver some of the placemats to a few of the shut-ins from our church.

Keep the kids busy with the fun table ideas:

No Fuss Fabulous has a darling "Nuts About You Table."

I posted some free "Color Your Own Table Decorations" printables over at Alpha Mom

Ideas for a lovely adult table

A beautiful table can be made simply with pumkins and fall leaves.

More ideas...

Simplified Bee show you how to set a formal table.

Creature Comforts shares some free printables. The circle tags placed on wire hoops would make great glass markers.

Erin Vale has some beautiful cards that would make a nice activity for everyone to record what they are thankful for.

Blog n' Tell shows how to make some awesome candle holders!

It is never to early to start cooking!

From the Herald Tribune instructions for a make ahead meal.

Fine more food and table ideas here.

If they are still available, run don't walk to Williams Sonoma (sorry they are no longer available at their online store) to get some!  They are simply amazing!----just like my thoughtful and generous friend!