Thanksgiving Hand Turkeys

Thanks Kelly for this fun project.

You will need:

Construction paper

Clear contact paper (optional)

Googly eyes (optional)

Markers

Glue stick

Scissors

We do this every year in November. It makes for a fun decoration and a neat keepsake.

Trace each child's hand on a piece of construction paper. If their hands are small, 2 hands will fit on one sheet.

Carefully cut out each hand shape.

Cut out wing shapes.

Cut out small triangles for the beaks and small red wattles. (distinctive red skin under turkey's beak)

Cut out legs/feet if desired. Our turkeys usually don't have legs or feet.

Glue the wings / beaks / wattles to the turkey.

Press on the googly eyes.

Allow the child to decorate the turkey.

Don't forget to write each child's name and the date on the back of each turkey!

Use the contact paper to "laminate" each turkey for longer life.

Giving Thanks Tablecloth

Heidi shared this tradition:

When my kids were little, I purchased a white tablecloth. I had the kids dip their hands in paint and make 2 handprints on the tablecloth, starting at one corner. I Then wrote their name, age and the date below the handprints. I asked each kid to tell me one thins they were most thankful for and I wrote that above their hands. When the handprints were dry, I let the kids decorate around their own prints with markers.

My kids are now 16, 12, and 10 and the tablecloth is filling up but we still do it every year.

I use the tablecloth once a year for the Thanksgiving meal. I cover it with a piece of clear plastic (like you get at a fabric store) so it doesn't get dirty.

It is always a lot of fun to look back at how their "thankfulnesses" have changed (as well as their handprints!)

Baklava

From Kim in Nevada:

My family is Jewish so we don't celebrate the usual "Christian" holidays. But since most of my friends are NOT Jews, I make Baklava for their "Christmas" presents.

There are many ways to make Baklava.

This is my favorite:

You will need:
1 package of Phyllo Dough
Lots of melted butter
Honey
Walnuts
cinnamon
sugar
pastry brush
8x8 pan or 9x13 pan


Melt the butter in a bowl.

Mix chopped nuts, cinnamon and sugar together (to taste)

Unroll Phyllo Dough and cut whole stack in half to fit in the pan.

Using the pastry brush, butter the pan.

Carefully lay 2 sheets of phyllo dougn in the pan, buttering the top of each sheet.
Sprinkle nut mixture over dough. Just enough to cover the dough. Lay 2 more sheets of phyllo dough over the nut mixture, buttering the top of each sheet. Repeat until you have reached the top of the pan. (approx 6-8 layers)

Use a sharp knife to cut the baklava into diamonds or squares. Cut all the way to the bottom.

Drizzle honey over the top of the pastry.

Bake at 350 degrees for approx 50 minutes.

Cool.

Store uncovered so it doesn't get soggy.

Baklava freezes well.

Thanx Kim!

Submitting Pictures:

If you'd like to submit pictures, include your email address in your comment and I will email you back.

You can then email the pictures to me and I will include them with your tradition.

Submissions:

Just in case I forgot to mention:

Submit your traditions and ideas in the comments.

I will copy your submission (making changes only if necessary to improve spelling and readability) and make them into a new post. I will then delete the comment.

If you don't want me to use your name or location, let me know in your comment.

Thanx everyone!! and Keep 'em coming!

Some recipe Submissions we have recieved

From Kelly in Chico:

Cocoa- Java Cake

¾ c butter

3 eggs

2 c flour

¾ c cocoa powder

1 t baking soda

¾ t baking powder

½ t salt

1½ c sugar

2 t vanilla

1 c strong coffee (3 T/8oz)

Directions:

- Allow butter and eggs to stand at room temp for 30 minutes

- Grease 3 8 x 1½ round pans. Line bottom of pans with waxed paper. Grease and lightly flour waxed paper and sides of pans

- Preheat oven to 350°

- Mix dry ingredients. Mix wet ingredients. Add alternately until just combined.

- Spread into prepared pans.

- Bake 30-35 minutes

- Cool 10 minutes

- Remove from pans

- Cool on wire racks

- Layer and frost

- Top with nuts

Chocolate Pecan Frosting

Combine 2 c semisweet chocolate pieces with ½ c butter.

Heat over low heat until melted. Stir often.

Cool for 5 minutes

Stir in 6 T milk.

Add 4½ c sifted powder sugar.

Mix until smooth

Add chopped pecans.

Note: For cupcakes: Make only half of the frosting recipe. Bake 19 minutes @ 350°


From Lorraine in Santa Barbara:

Apple Pie

Make a pie crust in a pizza pan

Cover with sliced apples

Sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar

Spray with lemon juice

Cover with pie crust. Slit.

Sprinkle top with cinnamon sugar

Bake at 350 until apples are soft (40-50 minutes)

Lightly ice while warm (powdered sugar, margarine, vanilla, milk)

From Phyllis in Kalispell:

Persimmon COokies

½ cup butter

1 cup sugar

1 egg

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 cup persimmon pulp

2 cups flour

½ teaspoon cinnamon

½ teaspoon cloves

½ teaspoon nutmeg

¼ teaspoon salt

1 cup raisins

1 cup nuts

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350°

Cream together butter, sugar and egg.

Dissolve baking soda in persimmon pulp. Puree and add to first mixture.

Sift together flour, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg and salt. Add raisins and nuts.

Mix all ingredients well.

Drop by rounded teaspoonful on greased cookie sheet.

Bake at 350° for 10 minutes.

Thanxgiving

Thank you to Dan in San Ramon for this Thanksgiving tradition:

"Ok, so ours is a little different...

Every Thanksgiving my brother brings his wife and kids to my dad's house. We spend all day making and enjoying a big Thanksgiving meal. My sister-in-law always makes the best pumpkin pies!!!)

Our tradition is actually the day after Thanksgiving when we go to the International Auto Show in San Francisco.

My brother's kids sit in all the cars while my dad looks at the newest Porsches and dreams.

After the auto show we all go out for dinner."

Thanks for sharing Dan!!