November 10, 2009 8:37 PM
Thanksgiving - cranberry sauce and kids - a perfect recipe
Thanksgiving is coming up. It's a holiday that became much more special after Tripp and I became Christians in 1987. And each year, it seems to mean even more. In the midst of the political turmoil, it's good to keep balanced. So I'll be rummaging through my archives and dishing (no pun intended) out Thanksgiving ideas here and there over the next couple weeks.
But you need to know, I'm no Martha Stewart - just a mom who started 18 years ago looking for ways to help my kids have a more meaningful holiday. Having grown up in a home where Thanksgiving was about stuffing ourselves, watching TV, and perhaps a drunken brawl in the front yard between my mother's latest husband and the most foolhardy of my three younger brothers - well, let's just say I was always looking for something a little more refined. Becoming a believer and then learning more about the Christian foundation of our country as I homeschooled my kids gave me a deep appreciation of the spiritual significance of Thanksgiving. I wanted to do all I could to pass that meaning on to my children.
Young children are not abstract thinkers. For them the sights, sounds, and scents play an important part in the foundation you are laying for the later years when you will tell the story of Thanksgiving. And for your older children, these touches are important too, because the more senses involved in the learning process, the more likely we are to remember.
If you grew up in a home with traditions, you already have a rich legacy from which to draw. Some of the things I offer here may seem pretty goes-without-saying. But some of us from broken homes or dysfunctional families have to start from scratch - and so I'll be sharing some basics for those like me who had to learn on the job how to make the most of Thanksgiving.
Cranberry Sauce For anyone who grew up with cranberry sauce from a can, here's something simple and foolproof that will create a memory for your kids while offering more cachet for your Thanksgiving table. Or in a special jar wrapped with ribbon as a special contribution wherever you go to celebrate.1 bag cranberries
1 cup sugar
1 cup water
a little orange zest (what you get when you grate an orange peel)Rinse and pick through the berries to get rid of any bad ones. Bring the sugar and water to a boil, then add berries. Return to boil, then simmer for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat, cool and refrigerate.
You can double or triple this recipe. The fun part is when the berries make popping sounds while cooking, so let your children participate and enjoy.
I'm sharing this early because cranberries are in stores now and they often run out before Thanksgiving. They keep a long time and can be frozen.
Posted in Thanksgiving | Permalink
Comments
Thanks for sharing Barbara! I think sometimes it is the simple things that are so important that we do forget to do.
Posted by: cortney | November 11, 2009 1:36 PM
I would like to share my cranberry recipe. I found it about 20 years ago and still make it every year. My kids (boys - 15 and 12) are very into family traditions and would be mad if I didn't make it.
Spiced Cranberries
3 C. cranberries (one 12 oz bag)
1 C sugar (or to taste, sometimes 3/4 C is enough)
1 C water
½ t crushed cardamom pods
¾ t freshly grated nutmeg
½ t ground allspice
Heat sugar and water. Stir until sugar dissolves and water comes to a boil. Add washed cranberries and spices to taste. Cook and stir occasionally for about 5 minutes, until cranberries start to pop. Cool completely before storing in refrigerator. Serve warm or at room temperature.
Happy Thanksgiving, Barbara. I love your site!
Posted by: Deb Hart | November 11, 2009 7:38 PM
