Konfor... That's Turkish for Comfort

It's officially turkey season, y'all!!  What better way to celebrate than with a traditional Kilim rug?  A rug is an essential part of any home.  It is what brings a room together and defines a space.  It creates a mood and gives a room much needed character.

 So I say, forget the turkey,  I want a Kilim!  

Both of these rugs can be found on Ebay here and here.

And if you haven't heard, they look stunning in any kitchen!

Photo: House Beautiful

I'm really trying to convince my friend, whose kitchen needs a quick pick me up, to forgo the Home Depot bargain and instead buy something a little more aged.

Simplicity and Community... Home is Wherever You Are

This video pretty much sums up the feelings I have about this Thanksgiving.  I'd really like to adopt this way of thinking throughout my daily living while in Philadelphia... where Jason and I have no biological family. 

Not forgetting those at home, however our family this year, and I hope years to come, are the people that we go to school with, work with and fellowship with.  The people that give us rides when our car breaks down.  The people that call us when we've missed two days of work/school.  The people that play bocce ball with us barefoot in the winter.  The people that we dine with.  The people that live with.  The people that we celebrate with.  This is my family.  I'd like to treat them as so. 

~I hope you've found yours~

Shutterfly Explanation

Ok, so some of you may have been thinking, "What's the deal with her promoting all these companies?"  Well, my friends, there are incentives.  First things first... you must be a blogger to benefit from the Shutterfly deal I'm about to tell you about.  As mentioned in the previous blog, Shutterfly is one of the best photo sites I've come across that has a tremendous amount of benefits for their loyal customers.  No credit card included... no gimmick.  It really is easy to reap the benefits, I promise.  

All I did was sign-up to receive Shutterfly's email, and promos just come my way... like magic.  This particular promo consisted of creating a blog basically to brag about Shutterfly (and rightly so), and afterwards inform Shutterfly of your blog.  Well my friends, doing that granted me 50 FREE holiday cards of my choice to send out this Christmas.  The only catch is the selection.  I had to choose a 5 x 7 flat or folded stationary.  All I'm paying for is shipping which is around $8.00... not too bad seeing that most boxes at our favorite stores... ehmm Target... cost around $5.00 if not more a box.  I can't post the one I chose because then it wouldn't be a surprise to all of the lucky ones to receive it!  However, now you know my secret.  Whoever said, "Secrets don't make friends?"  

Here's a sneak peak of one of the pictures included in this year's Christmas card. 

 I hope you all have a wonderful holiday with family and friends.  Eat lots of Turkey!!  And don't miss me too much!  Jason and I will be celebrating in Philadelphia.  If you are still looking for an awesome dish to bring to a Thanksgiving dinner, you may want to try the Turkey N' Dressing recipe I posted a few weeks back.

Happy Thanksgiving, Y'all!!!

Turkey N' Dressin!

Hey y'all!!  I'm bringing on the Southern Charm right now if you can't tell.  I've been hearing all kinds of remarks stating that so many people are just skipping right over Thanksgiving and jumping straight to Christmas without even blinking.  Well, (EhHmmm...Aunt Jan), this post is dedicated to you!!  

She's the talented one in the middle with the sideways frown on her face. 

In the South tradition is Turkey N' Dressin!!  No stuffing here.  We prefer to serve our stuffing alongside the bird not actually inside the bird.  Plus the bird wouldn't be able to handle it!  Dressing, as we like to call it, is enough to feed an entire family.  I'm talking about the whole shabang!  Cousins, aunts, uncles, brothers, mother's ex-husband's boyfriends... all of em!  

I hope you enjoy this true Southern Thanksgiving recipe and the left-overs too!

SOUTHERN CORNBREAD DRESSING

Yield
Makes 16 to 18 servings
Ingredients
1 cup butter or margarine, divided
3 cups white cornmeal
1 cup all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
7 large eggs, divided
3 cups buttermilk
3 cups soft breadcrumbs
2 medium onions, diced (2 cups)
1 large bunch celery, diced (3 cups)
1/2 cup finely chopped fresh sage*
6 (10 1/2-ounce) cans condensed chicken broth, undiluted
1 tablespoon pepper
Preparation
Place 1/2 cup butter in a 13- x 9-inch pan; heat in oven at 425° for 4 minutes.
Combine cornmeal and next 5 ingredients; whisk in 3 eggs and buttermilk.
Pour hot butter into batter, stirring until blended. Pour batter into pan.
Bake at 425° for 30 minutes or until golden brown. Cool.
Crumble cornbread into a large bowl; stir in breadcrumbs, and set aside.
Melt remaining 1/2 cup butter in a large skillet over medium heat; add onions and celery, and saute until tender. Stir in sage, and saute 1 more minute.
Stir vegetables, remaining 4 eggs, chicken broth, and pepper into cornbread mixture; pour evenly into 1 lightly greased 13- x 9-inch baking dish and 1 lightly greased 8-inch square baking dish. Cover and chill 8 hours.
Bake, uncovered, at 375° for 35 to 40 minutes or until golden brown.
*1 tablespoon dried rubbed sage may be substituted for fresh sage.