THANKSGIVING TURKEY TREATS

Happy Canadian Thanksgiving.

Many of you have already eaten the turkey, and will have leftovers with a relaxing day off today, so here is entertainment for the kids to enjoy making - really - I have made these with 4 and 5 year olds - but I do admit I 'let' them eat their own creation. If you want picture perfect place settings or neighbor gifts you may want to do that separately - most kids can't resist finger licking or snacking as they go.

Yes you did see the process last year but that was just for fun. I hope this is a more serious and useful version you may actually be able to follow to create a treat.

Ingredients:

Krispie-rice cereal, 

Butter (real butter = real taste)

Mini marshmallows 

Sandwich cookies                                      

(I prefer chocolate for contrast),

Candy Corn

1 container of icing

 (or powdered sugar to make your own).

[And perhaps some pretty (disposable) plates

and Zip closure bags that the loaded plate will fit in for deliveries].

Note: Watch for Candy Corn in individual bags near Halloween.  For group or class projects one bag per person, per turkey make these very handy.

Add caption

Find a largish bowl that can be microwaved

(the easy/lazy way) or a large kettle that will hold at least 8 cups (bigger is better). I tried it both ways. On the stove top the treats set harder and in the microwave they stay more soft and malleable.

It also depends on the brands you are using.  The marshmallow brand at one store, that has 'great values', made treats that were way too soft and sticky. If you encounter this problem let the mix cool more before handling.

[Aside: I avoid this store as their icing sugar tastes like it is mostly starch!] 

Note: Most mini marshmallows contain 6 cups - the ‘great value’ store brand does NOT!

RECIPE for krispie-rice treats:

1/4 cup butter (real butter = real taste)

6 cups of mini marshmallows

6-8 cups krispie-rice cereal

vanilla to taste (about 1/2 tsp)

I zap the butter just enough to melt it and then pour in about 2/3 of the marshmallows (whatever fits in with extra room to mix) and stir a little bit to coat with butter.

Next I microwave those marshmallows approximately 30 seconds until they soften (will depend on your power settings - I use high) and then add the rest of the marshmallows and zap them again until they are puffing and ready  to beat.

 Add vanilla and beat it in until smooth.

 Add the marshmallow mix to the cereal

and stir until cereal is coated evenly.

Cool slightly.

I put a small amount of butter on my hands, and using a large spoon to scoop out the mix, make balls about 1 - 1/2" to 2" in diameter.

Do not make these too large.

Cooling helps the shapes hold together better -otherwise the mix tends to stick to your hands not itself and the butter just melts.

These are your turkey tummies.

 Form Turkeys:

Split sandwich cookies in half and if icing is not sticking onto the cookie remove it. If it is not firmly adhering to the cookie it will cause trouble later - the tail falls off or the tummy rolls off the base.

Spread inside of both cookie pieces with frosting.

Place ball firmly in center of one cookie. 

Some cookie brands are quite fragile and break easily.

To avoid breakage always lay the cookie

on a flat surface when pressing  the turkey tummies into place. 


Next place that combination onto the other cookie half.
They are now in an L or chair (without legs) shape.

Place one Candy Corn, pointed tip down, at top center of cookie between tummy and cookie (chair back) but extending slightly above cookie edge.

Add an additional piece on either side, (making three) and then another one on both sides of those, making 5 all together. 

These are the tail feathers. 

If you run short of Candy Corn (as I always seem to do) use only 4 evenly spaced.  Pieces of Candy Corn that arrive broken in the package  can readily be used for feather 4 and 5. If needed dip the end of Candy Corn into icing to help secure it into place.

Sometimes I also find I need to gently encourage better shape by giving some pats and a squeeze here and there.

BE ADVISED: this is often when cookies break.

Last but not least select a very nice

Candy Corn for the turkey's beak and head.

Use frosting to 'glue' it to the front of the 'turkey tummy'. 

Keep it fairly low to the base and if desired tilt slightly to create attitude.

 I let the kids make and eat their own - it is my rule! 

Some creative kid is sure to want to add more details –

check out these wonderful wings on this fellow.

wings invented and placed by a determined 6 year old 

ATTITUDES

A friend posted a link to a you-tube video that tickled my funny bone titled "Secret to Happiness is to Be Thankful"

I feel like that when I use my cordless or cell.
Wow!
In my hand! In my pocket!

I feel just like that when I go on an airplane.
I AM FLYING - in the air - I love it! Every time!

Also as I sit here and type out this blog on the net.
Incredible!
HI MOM! I love you Grandma give me a kiss -
I can see you AND talk with you.

Miracles and wonders are a part of every day, every day.

My house has fingertip temperature control.
My bedroom, as a child, had frost on the roof - yes inside!
On the slope of the attic over our heads.
Mom had no trouble keeping us in bed at night - it was warm there.

And getting up? We made a dash to grab clothes and run downstairs to stand  over the furnace. That was a miracle too. Early every morning my father built up the banked coals (below the 3' square floor grid) in the furnace in the basement that created heat by burning wood and coal - yes - real fire - with smoke and ashes. If the fire went out or the chimney malfunctioned we knew what a wonder that warmth was - not to mention a father who faithfully day in and day out kept it burning. He even got up and stoked it in the night when Canadian winters were exceptionally harsh (temps lower than -30 degrees F). Usually banking it for the night saved fuel = money.

He was a wonder - but I often tell things I remember about him and mom.

And of course we got up - we wanted to eat.
If you stayed in bed you missed breakfast.
And that mattered even if it was 'mush'.
We were grateful to have food.
Treats were, well - treats - not everyday but an event.

Today I am counting blessings again.
 One by one x1x1x one x one by 1 by 1 x 1 . . .

TURKEY TREATS

I have spent the weekend with several grandchildren.
We made turkeys - lots of turkeys!

My daughter suggested I do a post.  I don't have completely detailed pictures but some of you may have fun with these. And here is a link for some from a different year.

Krispie Rice Turkeys

First visit your local grocer or department store for krispie rice cereal,  butter and mini marshmallows that you need to usually make squares, sandwich cookies (I prefer chocolate for the contrast), some Candy Corn, and a container of icing (you can make your own or be lazy like me and use ready made).

[And you may want some pretty and disposable plates and Zip closure bags that they fit in for deliveries].

Note: Watch for Candy Corn in individual bags near Halloween.  One bag, per person, per turkey when large groups or classes make these is very handy.

Find a largish bowl that can be microwaved (the lazy way) or a large kettle that will hold at least 8 cups (bigger is better). I tried it both ways. On the stove top the treats set harder and in the microwave they stay more soft and malable. Just use the recipe that works for you!

It also depends on the brands you are using.  The marshmallow brand at one store, that has 'great values', made treats that were way too soft and sticky. If you encounter this problem let the mix cool more before handling. [Aside: and their icing sugar tastes like it is mostly starch!]

 Note: Most mini marshmallows have 6 cups to a bag - this store's brand does NOT!

I use:
1/4 cup butter
6 cups of mini marshmallows
6-8 cups krispie rice cereal
vanilla to taste (about 1/2 tsp)

I measure the cereal very precisely [ NOT] and dump it into a very large bowl,

Put the butter in
 large cup/bowl

(real butter makes real taste!)

and zap it just long enough to make it liquid.

Then pour in about 2/3 of the marshmallows (whatever fits in with extra room to mix)

and stir a little bit to coat with butter. 

Next microwave the marshmallows approximately 30 seconds (will depend on your power settings - I use high)

until they soften and then add the rest of the marshmallows and zap them again until they are puffing and ready  to beat.

I then add the vanilla

and beat it in until smooth and uniform in texture. Make your cereal and marshmellow mix with your recipe and the way it works best for you. 

Add the marshmallow mix to the cereal and stir until cereal is coated evenly.

Let cool slightly.

I put a small amount of butter on my palms, and using a large spoon to scoop out the mix, make balls about 1 - 1/2" to 2" in diameter.

These are your turkey tummies.

not cool enough to shape easily

Cooling helps the shapes hold together better -otherwise the mix tends to stick to your hands not itself - the butter just melts.

Split sandwich cookies in half and if icing is not sticking onto the cookie remove it. If it is not firmly adhering to the cookie it will cause trouble later - the tail falls off or the tummy rolls off the base.

I discard it but kids and husbands that are hanging around may enjoy eating it.

Spread inside of both cookie pieces with frosting (beware of icing that is too soft or thin).

Place ball firmly in center of one cookie. Some cookie brands are quite fragile and break easily.

To avoid breakage always lay the cookie on a flat surface when presssing the turkey tummies into place. They are now in an L or chair (without legs) shape.

Place one Candy Corn, pointed tip down, at top center of cookie between tummy and cookie(chair back) but extending slightly above cookie edge.

These are the tail feathers. Sometimes they are easiest to insert by laying the cookie 'back' flat onto the table or counter.

 Add an additional piece on either side, (making three) and another one on both sides, making 5 all together.

If you run short of Candy Corn (as I always seem to do) use only 4 evenly spaced.  Pieces of Candy Corn that come in the package broken can readily be used for feather 4 and 5. If needed dip Candy Corn into icing to help secure it into place.

Sometimes I also find I need to gently encourage better shape by giving some pats and a squeeze here and there.

BE ADVISED: this is often when cookies break - so do the pats and squeezes while the cookie is flat on a hard surface.

Last but not least select a very nice Candy Corn for the turkey's beak and head.  Use frosting to 'glue' it to the front of the 'turkey tummy'. Keep it fairly low to the base and if desired tilt slightly to create attitude.

Most of all, have fun and let the kids lick their fingers and generally do it themselves.

I personally prefer keeping a wet cloth handy for the inevitable sticky fingers.

You are sure to also get the creative child that wants wings - look at this marvelous creation!
 He made one chocolate and one vanilla.

 If you want uniform, sanitary, picture perfect turkeys for table place settings or neighbor gifts make them when you have time to relax, or keep separate trays and don't stress out the kids.

 I let the kids eat their own - it is my rule!

COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS

Harvest Time.
Autumn.
Thanksgiving.
Family.
Country.

These all seem ingrained and entwined in my psyche.
I was born in the fall.
Canadian Thanksgiving is mid October and in the United States it finishes November nicely after both countries honor veterans.

Falling leaves and crisp air carry color and scent past routines
and daily activities to the very chambers of my heart and mind.

Something primal struggles to surface.
I apply many labels but never feel quite satisfied with a resultant full emptiness that wallows in steady exuberant feelings (that I still as they seem too private to shout or flaunt) until snow finally freezes winter into place and melts that confused state of being into the joyous Christmas season.

A loved hymn encourages me to voice some of those labels, thoughts and feelings - sometimes only to myself.

I start listing labels in my prayers, and they seem to pop out of my mouth each time I open it enough  to breathe.

1 x 1 x one x one x 1 x 1 x one x one x 1 x 1 x one x one x -

you get it ....

TRY IT!

Suddenly it is impossible to be discouraged or 'lost' and burdens become bearable.

1. When upon life’s billows you are tempest-tossed,

When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,
Count your many blessings; name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord has done.

[Chorus]
Count your blessings;
Name them one by one.
Count your blessings;
See what God hath done.
Count your blessings;
Name them one by one.
Count your many blessings;
See what God hath done.

2. Are you ever burdened with a load of care?
Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?
Count your many blessings; ev’ry doubt will fly,
And you will be singing as the days go by.

3. When you look at others with their lands and gold,
Think that Christ has promised you his wealth untold.
Count your many blessings; money cannot buy
Your reward in heaven nor your home on high.

4. So amid the conflict, whether great or small,
Do not be discouraged; God is over all.
Count your many blessings; angels will attend,
Help and comfort give you to your journey’s end.

Hymns of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, no. 241

Text: Johnson Oatman, Jr., 1856–1922  Music: Edwin O. Excell, 1851–19

THANKSGIVING

In Canada,
where I was born and much of my family continue to live,
today is Thanksgiving.

Yes - REALLY! Canadians have their own Thanksgiving. 

Harvest should be done there.

If not it may have snowed on your crop already.

So what am I thankful for . . .

I can list generalities - the usual categories  

Family, friends, health, shelter, food, transportation, technology, talents, opportunities, knowledge about God, the earth and universe, books or music and other media -

I can cover everything in a few words. 

Sometimes my prayers are like that.

Thanks for all the wonderful blessings I have.

Please bless my loved ones and the poor, the sick, the needy and help those with cause to mourn.

Please protect us all today and help us be happy -

you get the idea ...

Many years ago, while on an overnight visit, I knelt with my Uncle Ken and Aunt June in their home for evening prayer. I was grateful to feel loved and  included in their day's routine.  They prayed very specifically and personally for each one of their many loved ones, children and their spouses, grandchildren and me. Yes that took time.  They took time. They made time every day, every morning and every evening to specifically talk to Heavenly Father individually and personally about each and everyone, and everything on their mind.

WOW! 

Not only that, Aunt June (in her 80's and frail health) with difficulty, did kneel. I kidded her a tiny bit about making such an effort at her age. She said that although she understood that some people are unable to kneel, that she considered it a privilege to bow in gratitude before her maker, a privilege to thank Him for His mercy and blessings and talk with him.

I knelt with them there. I have seldom felt nearer to heaven.

A serious injury immobilized me, at one time, for almost a year .  Physical Therapy and persistent effort and exercise helped me regain the ability to walk - and kneel - sort of.  I became careless about kneeling for prayer (or anything else).  I knew God would understand.  He hears my prayers in all the postures and places they are offered. I know that - really! He does - so what did it matter.  I learned that what mattered more than posture was attitude. Kneeling is one demonstration of mine.

That day I vowed to follow Aunt June's example - and Uncle Ken's.  Despite additional injuries, immobilizations, and illnesses since then, each time I work persistently to kneel again.  I don't always tell my doctors or Physical Therapists why but mobility is a desirable commodity they seem willing to help me achieve.

Today I can walk.

 It is a wonderful thing to be able to rise from sleep in the night and  get to the bathroom, or to the kitchen for a drink, without waking anyone else or needing their assistance.  It is wonderful to feel the muscles of my body as they help lift and move me or objects I want.  

When I start to name the abilities and things and people I am thankful for, one by one, distinctly and uniquely, I find greater gratitude for much that I take for granted. I feel more love for my family and my friends and even my neighbors - I see them each more as a person - another human being. Aldous Huxley as quoted by President Thomas S. Monson in October General Conference said, "Most human beings have an almost infinite capacity for taking things for granted." President Monson was teaching about gratitude.

On that day, with Uncle Ken and Aunt June, I began to pray for my children and grandchildren and other loved ones by name, every day. Amidst all the busy comings and goings in their lives and mine, my mind dwells more on their needs and my heart yearns for them to feel happy and have their physical, emotional and spiritual desires met. I learned to pray for myself with faith too.

So today, what can I enumerate with gratitude?

Instead of just being grateful that I can see/hear/talk what can I see/ hear/say?

I was looking at a preying mantis the other day - I think it was looking back! What a marvel! I heard a bird warbling outside the screen and whispered to my granddaughter to listen - then we laughed and tried to imitate that incredible sound.  Over and over it sang and we tried.  It was delightful.  My husband walking past might have asked what we were doing. I would have needed to speak loudly and repeat my answer if he was not wearing his hearing aide - and maybe even if he was.  Hearing is so incredible.

Today most of my family (and many of my friends) will feast on turkey, pie, and family love.  I miss you all.

So to everyone in Canada (and elsewhere celebrating today)
-  to Mom and Dad, Rex and Bet, Gene and Deb, Randy and Kathy, Tim and Karyn, Shane and Sharon, Rick and Necia, Scott and Teri, Becky and Kevin, Bonnie and Darcy, Wilfred and Charlotte, Jason and Ginger, Tad and Kurri, Marty and Kimber, Ryan and Nena, Benjamin and Casey, Clarence, Erin, Raanin, Avalin, Calvin, Campbell, Cody, Benson, Meg, Joseph, Jaeger, Jaidon, Quinton, Winslow, Zaymes, Mikkel, Beckham, Hendrix, Cynthia and my dozens and dozens of nieces and nephews, cousins, aunts and uncles, with all your spouses and more dozens of children, Happy Thanksgiving.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

I will spend the rest of the day thinking of each one of you individually by name, looking at pictures, remembering things we have done together and the many, many things that have made all of it possible.

Things like: Rook, Rummicub, mountains, trees, piñatas,a '54 Chevy or the 'purple people eater' truck - that used to be blue, tents and tarps, cameras, marshmallows, rocks, water balloons, Bocce, t-shirts, Kimball, Orion, Mt.View, western movies, windows, doors, floors, beds, pancakes, cackle berries, moo juice, poetry, hamburgers, cake, birthdays, hammers, shingles, paint, doctors, weddings, Bishops, church, the temple, schools and buses, pencils, books, stories, pictures, Necia Bennett, Cheez Whiz and raspberry jam, pepper sandwiches, baloney and mustard,  macaroni and tomatoes, fried potatoes (and therefore lard!) and ketchup, fresh bread, chokecherry jelly, rhubarb, bleeding hearts, hollyhocks, peonies, ants,  shooting stars, buttercups, buffolo beans, baked beans in the can, beans - in the garden, pebbles, jam cans, Roger's Golden Syrup, Brownie, Beethoven, Shep, Chic, Gravy, salt blocks, post holes, wire-cutters, Ross Lake, Rothe's, HorseShoe Bend, St. Mary's, Waterton, hiking, weeding, ragweed, cinders, coal, apples, Creston, Westcastle, the sun and sky and stars and northern lights, fishing, Grandpa, Grandma, Uncle, Aunt, cousin, ...

What are you grateful for?

I LIKED ....

["God loves you - don't turn and look at your neighbor -
I'm talking to you, this is about you"]!

 Elder Jeffery R. Holland was the first conference speaker after President Monson and witnessed powerfully to each of us of the love our Heavenly Father has for each one of us - and then thanked each 'helper' - everyone that in anyway makes the gospel a manifestation of that love and the life and example of Jesus Christ.

I think that is one of the most important things I need to know - God loves me.

Henry B. Eyring instructed us about TRUSTING GOD  and quoted one of my favorite scriptures, 'be still and know that I am God' from Pslams - then he mentioned hearing President Ezra Taft Benson asking us to stay debt free and pay off mortgages if possible- wow - sure President Eyring, with God's help I will be able to do that ... I will work to get that done as soon as possible - WOW!! If not today - for sure tomorrow ...

And of course Elder Richard G. Scott as he explained what character is, and how to get it or lose it. "... we become what we want to be by being what we want to become ..."

I feel a little stuffed - like I've been at Thanksgiving dinner or something. Hopefully no one has eaten red blackberries that are green - giggle!

Oh yeah, and 'thanks giving' was addressed by President Monson too - I think I may have enjoyed so much 'light' for so long I may fail to remember to give and have sufficient thanks AND praise for relief from the dark because I take the light for granted.

I think I will go for a walk - just because I can.

And what does this all have to do with flying airplanes anyway?

lol

I will long remember poor President Uchtdorf's struggle to speak as his voice gave way while telling us to 'slow down' - he stopped - took a drink of water, tried to power on through his talk, could not, slowed down and thereby became an object lesson of the very thing he was telling us to do.

NOT SO SLOW SUNDAY

The first Sunday of most months is 'Fast Sunday' - the day, once a month, when LDS people go without food for 24 hours, may publicly express their feelings in church about anything that seems to be on their mind, and donate the approximate cost of the missed meals to help the needy.  (The public expression has guidelines but mostly I have to be creative to squeeze what is said into the prescribed parameters. It can be good mental exercise to figure out how or why what is said could be one of the things suggested; the first and foremost being that Jesus Christ is the Savior and Redeemer of this world.

Yesterday was 'Fast Sunday'! Although the combination of fasting and long meetings tends to make for a seemingly endless day that was not the case yesterday - I was lost in thought and it seemed suddenly gone.

I hate church - not really, you know, it is just very difficult for me to sit still for so long – and you have to sit still with ALL those other people that are sitting still too. ZZZZZZZzzzzzzz

(I especially hate Stake Conference. I have learned to take note paper to help direct, contain and channel my thoughts.)

Yesterday Elder Smalls [of course he is almost the biggest man in the room] shared his testimony. He said [and I paraphrase], “I love going into your homes. There is such a feeling of the spirit in your homes.”

Have you ever grabbed a load of laundry from the couch or stack of bills from an end table and chucked them into your bedroom or a closet when the doorbell rings? I had that furtive kind of feeling as he said that.  I often wonder how the spirit can be in my home when we are so imperfect. Wow, I thought, I wonder what I need to do so when he comes over to our house he will feel that way?  I wanted what he said to be true.

Elder Smalls continued, “And I am so grateful to all those that team teach with the missionaries. You share such great testimonies and are worthy men of God.”  As my husband sat a little taller, I looked around the chapel noticing that  Elder Smalls had the attention of most of the members and suddenly I remembered my favorite church meeting  - ever.

President Dennis Bullock stood in front of the conference of the Lethbridge Stake in the mid 1980’s and thanked the people; he thanked them for attending church, for paying tithing, for going Home/Visiting Teaching, for accepting callings, for having family home evenings, for doing genealogy, for faithful temple attendance, for … about a million more things like daily scripture study or personal and family prayer that Latter Day Saint people routinely do.  He kept saying, “If you do this you are [faithful, obedient etc ]” and outlined many of the blessings of doing each thing he talked about. 

I loved church that day.  Ironically many that usually like church did not.

I learned an important principle.

Gratitude validates what I am doing and encourages me to do more of what I should be doing – sometimes. Even when I am not doing it at all I may envision that I fit the category and what it would be like to belong to the category. My heart is turned to obedience.  I desire to choose to do better. (Just because sometimes I harden my heart and refuse to accept those impulses doesn’t mean I didn’t have them).

Gratitude brings us nearer to God. 

A Primary song crept through my conscious mind -

All over the world at the end of day

Heavenly Father’s children kneel down to pray

Each saying thank you in his own special way

Saying thank you, thank you in his own special way

 Children’s Songbook

What am I grateful for?

What am I so thankful for that I fall to my knees to thank God that I am so blessed?

Do I ever tell you thank you? Can I do so too often?

Gratitude is essential to my happiness and yours. I pledge to look for all the things I can thank you for AND I pledge to thank you more often.  I especially pledge to thank God for all I have and am and can be. My mind reels at all I have to be grateful for.

With the psalmist I shout, I clap my hands together and sing, ‘Great is the Lord, Praise ye him!’