Thanksgiving Dinner

Thanksgiving is a week from today and I have not begun to plan, let alone shop. Truth be told, this year seems a little boring since last year, the entire family was on a Disney Cruise and at Disney World celebrating my parents' 50th Anniversary.  I mean, how can you beat that?

This weekend, I'll be part of the grocery store mob trying to get my act together.

What is Thanksgiving dinner like at your house?  Ours is familiar and predictable -- just the way we like it.  On the menu?  The same things that we served last year, and the year before -- just the way we like it.

"If it ain't broke,

don't fix it,"

they say.

Since my husband joined the family nineteen years ago, dinner rolls have often been added to the menu.  And since my brother-in-law joined the family eighteen years ago, we sometimes have a fabulous sweet-potato casserole.  But really... everything else is pretty much the same.  We've never thought about adding a new dessert -- because seriously, we look forward to our apple and pumpkin pies -- and who needs more dessert than that after all the other food that's served?

Our Standards?

Turkey

Stuffing (never in the bird)

Mashed Potatoes

Gravy

Vegetable (usually corn)

Cranberry Jelly

Cinnamon Jello Salad

Apple Pie & Pumpkin Pie

What's that you say?  You've never heard of Cinnamon Jello Salad?  Oh. My. Goodness.  It is delectable, and one of our family favs.  So easy, too!

It's original name is Cinnamon Applesauce Salad, and you can find the recipe in Once-A-Month Cooking by Mimi Wilson & Mary Beth Lagerborg.

Cinnamon Applesauce Salad

Two 3 oz. packages lemon jello (I use sugar-free)

1/2 c. red hots (cinnamon candy imperials)

2 c. unsweetened applesauce

1 T. lemon juice

dash of salt

Dissolve gelatin and red hots in 3 cups boiling water, stirring until they dissolve.  (This will take some time, and constant stirring helps.)  Stir in applesauce, lemon juice, and salt.  Chill until set in a serving dish or gelatin mold of your choice.  Makes 9 servings.

Mind you... I'm not suggesting that you make anything NEW for Thanksgiving dinner. Heavens no.  But save this recipe for another time!  It's a sweet surprise!