• Pork = for moving forward/progress
• Black Eyed Peas = for good luck
• Seasoned Mixed Greens = for money
• Cornbread & Potatoes = for the reminder to be humble

All three kids will be gone tonight (in fact 2 out of 3 are already gone) so DH and I will celebrate our New Year’s dinner with friends. Wish the kids were here for dinner but what do you do when they’re itching to hang with friends after being home many days??

What’s on your menu tonight?
Plans with family or friends?

Here’s an easy way to make some homemade chicken dumpling and no…I’m TERRIBLE when it comes to measuring things out. I often cook by eye and taste.

INGREDIENTS…

• Chicken Pieces
• Chicken Broth
• Water
• Milk
• Mixed Veggies
• Green Onion Chopped
• Butter
• Flour
• Salt & Pepper

DIRECTIONS…

• Boil water and broth in a large pot.
• While water boils…Mix flour and milk together to make a doughy consistency for the dumplings in a bowl. I like to “cut” butter in to make it moist like I’m making biscuits.
• Once water boils turn it down on low, scoop out (I use a mini cookie scooper) dumpling mix and drop into water.
• Add chicken pieces and mixed veggies.
• Add salt, pepper, and a little bit more butter to taste.
• Cook on low for about 30 minutes.
• Let cool and add green onions to top prior to serving.

Yeah, you read that right, THREE kids in a very busy chaotic grocery store THE day BEFORE Thanksgiving.

You know, the day you swear you’d NEVER set foot into a grocery store? The aisles were insane and let’s not even talk about the checkout lines!

All people hear from me is…

Put that down. Keep your hands to yourself. No, I’m not buying that. Get out of the way! Get behind me!

Then to make matters worse, the 10 year old is stating VERY loudly…

That’s only .50, we can afford that! Ooh Mommy! This turkey’s the cheapest!

SERIOUSLY?! While I’m happy she’s helping to be a bit more conscious on our purchases, it’s not something I want shouted throughout the store! I thought I was going to pull out my hair!

What the hell was my husband thinking when he thought it would be a GRAND idea to decide (TODAY) that we should have Thanksgiving at our place before going to spend it with his family?! Do I EVER cook for Thanksgiving? In the 12 years we’ve been living together I’ve made it perhaps ONE time pre-kids. ONE TIME! And that was because we had several friends without family for Thanksgiving.

I’m the Christmas girl! I do the big family Christmas Eve dinner and host the big family Christmas morning brunch.

I just don’t DO Thanksgiving, at least not without having time to plan it…

For those wondering what we’re eating this Thanksgiving at home on short notice:

• 8 pound Turkey
• Green Beans
• Mashed Potatoes
• Stuffing
• Turkey Gravy
• Macaroni & Cheese
• Seasoned Mixed Greens
• Homemade Pumpkin Pie

HAVE A SAFE AND HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!