Macaroni and Cheese: An Easy and Inexpensive Thanksgiving Side Dish

by Sarah Ganly @ sarahganly.blogspot.com

Thanksgiving is my favorite time of the year to eat and cook. I love to bake and make huge meals, but the problem is money and time. Over the years I have devised some recipes that are not only cheap, but also quick and painless. Here is my favorite macaroni and cheese recipe.

A great and simple side dish to make is macaroni and cheese. You can buy pasta for very cheap, and most supermarkets sell the cheese ends for way cheaper than sliced cheese. Get as many different cheeses as you like and cut them into chunks. One cup of cheese is enough for 2 cups of uncooked pasta. Multiple measurements to suit the amount of people you are feeding.

Cook the pasta in boiling water until it is soft. While the pasta is boiling put the cheese chunks in a sauce pan and add milk or cream until the cheese is a quarter submerged. Stir this sauce constantly with a whisk or wooden spoon. Make sure to keep the flame low enough to not burn the sauce. When the cheese and cream have combined remove from heat and strain the pasta. Now add 2 tablespoons of butter to the pot and put the pasta back in it. Toss the pasta in the butter quickly and add the cheese sauce while stirring to combine.

You can eat this macaroni just the way it is or you can add a few special variations. Macaroni and cheese can be made with many different ingredients added in for different flavor combinations.
One delicious variation is to sprinkle parmesan cheese on the top and bake until it is crusty and golden. You can sprinkle crispy fried onions on top and bake until golden as well.
Another healthy and colorful way to spice up macaroni and cheese is by adding sautéed vegetables such as red and green peppers, celery, carrot, or onion. Diced tomatoes can also be added to this recipe; the tomatoes do not need to be cooked. Canned peas can also be stirred in for a softer taste.
My favorite macaroni and cheese recipe involves mixing some well strained spinach with the macaroni and sprinkling the top with crumbled up crackers. The spinach dish should be baked for about 10 minutes.

Thanksgiving dinner may be a little overwhelming but this recipe and the variations I have supplied can help you save time and money this Thanksgiving. The macaroni and cheese recipe is delicious as well!

Stuffing: An Easy Thanksgiving Side Dish on a Budget

by Sarah Ganly @ sarahganly.blogspot.com

Thanksgiving is a holiday that everyone loves. You eat until you fall asleep and then you do it again. You can watch some big balloons on television or some wood soldiers marching on Thanksgiving, but the best part is the food. An important but sometimes over looked part of the Thanksgiving meal is the side dishes. My favorite side dish recipe is cheap, easy, and simply delicious. Here is the recipe for the best stuffing I have ever had.

My favorite side dish for Thanksgiving is stuffing. Stuffing can me made in several ways, but the easiest most delicious stuffing can be made from left over bread or rolls. I usually save the left over bread from dinner in the fridge for a week and a half. It is good to have a variety of types of bread because it adds different textures. I like to fill the bottom of a sheet tray about half way with the bread. Any type of bread will work, and the more variety the better. Soak the bread in water until it can be smushed between your fingers. You want the bread wet, but you do not want it dripping.

While you are soaking the bread about half a cup of butter in a pan with some diced onion and celery. You can add a bit of crumbled sausage or bacon to the mix for a heartier flavor. Add some chopped or dried sage, thyme, garlic, and cumin to the butter and cook until the onions are soft and brown. Now mix the butter concoction with the bread.

You can put the stuffing inside a turkey or you can cook it in the oven. I usually put the bread mixture in a big tray pan and bake at 350 degrees for about half an hour.

Stuffing can be altered for different tastes as well. You can add a bit of crumbled sausage or bacon to the onion mix for a heartier flavor. You can also try using some leftover fruit bread such as cranberry or raisin bread in your stuffing to give it a sweeter taste. Nuts can add a crunchier texture to stuffing so add them while you are browning the onions.

Stuffing is a great and essential side dish for Thanksgiving, and with this easy recipe and its variations you can enjoy a delicious home made Thanksgiving day meal with the best stuffing ever.

Homemade Green Thanksgiving Day Invitations You Can Make for Free

Thanksgiving is a special holiday that reminds us to give thanks; there is no better way give thanks to Mother Nature then by using things you would normally throw away or find in nature to create homemade green Thanksgiving Day invitations. This article will give you step-by-step instructions on creating three homemade green Thanksgiving Day invitations for free.

Fall Foliage Invitation

Fall foliage is a great medium that is free for making homemade Thanksgiving Day invitations. You will need dried leaves; it is nice to find leaves when they are not completely dried out and press them in a book. You will also need glue, old cardboard, white paint, and a marker for this homemade, green, and free Thanksgiving Day invitation craft.

Simply cut the cardboard into a card size you like, and paint one side. Allow this part to dry, and sponge paint the outside to look like snow. The next step in this free Thanksgiving Day invitation is to glue the leaves flat to the front of the card and write a nice message on it. This green homemade Christmas invitation uses things you probably have lying around your home so it will cost you next to nothing, and free crafts are the best.

Pine Cone Flower Invitations

This free green Thanksgiving Day invitation idea is easy, elegant, and homemade. You will need a few pinecones, a pair of strong scissors or clippers, glue, a few beads or buttons, paper, and a green marker. This homemade green Thanksgiving Day invitation is virtually free.

Start by clipping individual petals off of the pine cone. Arrange these pieces into flower shapes, and glue them to the card; add the beads to the center of the flowers for the inside. Add leaves and stem using the marker, and it will add to the style you can turn them into a spiral border around the card. Add a nice message to the card with the marker, and you will have a lovely homemade Christmas card that is green and free.

Thanksgiving Day Collage Invitation

For this free homemade Thanksgiving Day craft you will need old magazines, paper, glue, and a marker. Start by cutting several images that remind you of what you are thankful for out of the magazines. Arrange these images onto the invitations and glue them in place. This is a fun and sentimental invitation craft because you can customize the images you use for the person who is receiving the homemade Thanksgiving invitation. Write a thoughtful message that conveys your thanks on the card, and everyone will enjoy these green homemade Thanksgiving Day invitations that you have made for free.

Making your own homemade Thanksgiving Day invitations using free and green methods is a positive way to spend your time crafting. Try these homemade Thanksgiving Day invitations ideas, and you will be proud of your green and free methods.

Pine Cone Crafts for Thanksgiving

There are several pine cone crafts for Thanksgiving; they are inexpensive and easy to create, and they add special holiday spirit to your home. This article will discuss several pine cone crafts for Thanksgiving.

Turkey Centerpiece

Pine cones can help you make a lovely turkey centerpiece for Thanksgiving. For this craft you will need several pine cones, red, orange, and yellow paint, a gourd with a long neck like a turkey, a hot glue gun, hot glue sticks, a paintbrush, newspaper, two cloves, a toothpick, and a piece of candy corn.

Start this centerpiece by covering the work area with newspaper. Then paint each pine cone different colors like the tail feathers of the turkey. You will also want to paint some small pine cones for the turkey's head feathers. While the feathers are drying press the cloves into the top of the gourd using the pointed side. You may want to start the hole with a toothpick. The cloves will look like eyes.

Then add the candy corn like a beak by pushing a toothpick into the flat end of the candy corn. Push the toothpick into the gourd to secure it in place. Finally glue the pine cones onto the back of the gourd like feathers, and your turkey centerpiece is ready for Thanksgiving.

Thanks Garland

Another pine cone craft that will add a special touch to your Thanksgiving decor is a thanks garland. For this holiday craft you will need several pine cones, ribbon, heavy paper in fall colors, scissors, a pencil, leaves, glue, a paintbrush, a marker, hot glue sticks, and a hot glue gun.

Start this craft by cutting the ribbon long enough to suit the garland you want to make. Then use the paintbrush and glue to attach several leaves to the paper. Use the paintbrush to create a fine, even layer of glue. When the leaves have dried use the marker to write something you are thankful for on the backs of each leaf. Cut each leaf out and glue a pint cone to the top of them. Make sure the pine cone slightly hangs off the edge of the leaf. Then glue the other end of the pine cone to the ribbon to complete the garland.

These Thanksgiving craft projects are fun and easy, and they use pine cones as their main source. Enjoy taking a walk in the brisk autumn air, and you will find many pine cones to use for this craft.

Thanksgiving Themed Pipe Cleaner and Pompom Crafts with Kids

You can make fun Thanksgiving themed pipe cleaner and pompom crafts with kids this holiday season. Pipe cleaners and pompoms are fun craft items for kids. These craft materials are also very inexpensive and come in a variety of colors. This article will provide you with detailed instructions on creating Thanksgiving themed pipe cleaner and pompom crafts with kids.

Turkey

Making a turkey using pipe cleaners and pompom crafts with kids is fun and easy. For this Thanksgiving craft you will need a medium sized brown pompom, a small brown pompom, a hot glue gun, hot glue sticks, wiggly eyes, scissors, and red, brown, orange, and yellow pipe cleaners.

Start by cutting 6 pieces of brown pipe cleaners into 1 inch lengths. Hold 3 pieces together and twist the ends slightly. Repeat this with the other 3 pieces. Add some glue to secure and bend apart to look like feet. Glue the feet to the bottom of the medium brown pompom.

Then glue the small pompom to the top of the medium pompom. Add wiggly eyes to the small pompom. Then cut a small piece of yellow pipe cleaner below the eyes to make a beak. Also add a little piece of red pipe cleaner to the bottom of the head. Then cut several pieces of red, orange, and yellow pipe cleaner about 2 inches in length. Then glue them to the back of the medium pompom. When the glue dries you can display your Thanksgiving turkey for the holiday.

Pumpkin

Another simple Thanksgiving craft is a pumpkin. For this Thanksgiving craft you will need a medium orange pompom, a green pipe cleaner, scissor, a hot glue gun, and a hot glue stick. Start by cutting the green pipe cleaner about 2 inches in length.

Fold the pipe cleaner in half. Pinch the top half of the folded end and twist. Then pull up the ends of the pipe cleaner and twist into a curl. You can use a needle or toothpick to create a spiral. Glue the pipe cleaner stem to the center of the pompom to complete the pumpkin for Thanksgiving.

Pipe cleaners and pompoms are fun craft materials for kids. They can be used for a variety of craft ideas. Pipe cleaners and pompoms can be purchased inexpensively at local dollar stores or craft stores. Try these Thanksgiving themed crafts with your kids this holiday season!

Thanksgiving Table Crafts for Adults

There are some great Thanksgiving table crafts for adults that cost little and look great in your home. Table decorations are a great way to bring the spirit of the season into your home. This article will provide you with detailed instructions on creating Thanksgiving table crafts for adults.

Centerpiece

A fun and easy centerpiece that can be made for your Thanksgiving table is a centerpiece using pine cones, tissue paper, a paintbrush, glue, and a glass bowl. You can also use glitter or paint for this project for added effect.

Start this table craft by ripping the tissue paper into small pieces. Using the paintbrush and glue add the tissue paper to the pine cone. You can choose to cover each individual petal, or you can add different colors to different areas. When you have covered enough of the pine cones to fill the glass bowl you are done. Place the pinecones in the bowl with some glitter and place on your table.

Place Card Holder

You can make unique Thanksgiving place card holders using pine cones. You will also need pipe cleaners, scissors, a hot glue gun, glue sticks, an acorn, and wiggly eyes. Start by gluing the acorns to the pine cones so that the acorn looks like the head of the turkey.

Then add pipe cleaner pieces and wiggly eyes to the acorn to make a face. Cut long pieces of pipe cleaners to emulate the tail feathers and fold them in half to be tear drop shaped like feathers. Glue the pipe cleaner feathers to the back of the pine cone. Put place cards in between the tail feathers and the pine cone to hold them in place.

Placemats

You can make unique Thanksgiving themed placemats for your table using contact paper, leaves, construction paper, glue, and markers. Start this placemat by writing something you are thankful for on the piece of construction paper.

Then glue leaves to the paper. When the glue has dried, cover both sides of the construction paper with contact paper. Cut the majority of the excess contact paper off of the edge of the placemat, but make sure to leave some of the excess to seal the paper in. You can also add stickers or glitter to the inside of your placemats for special sparkle.

These Thanksgiving crafts will make a one of a kind addition to your holiday table. Try creating these Thanksgiving table crafts, and you will love the special touch they create in your home.

Paper Plate Thanksgiving Crafts for Kids

Paper plate Thanksgiving crafts for kids can be easy and inexpensive. Paper plates are an ideal medium for holiday crafts. This article will provide you with detailed instructions for paper plate Thanksgiving crafts for kids.
Turkey


A traditional paper plate craft for Thanksgiving is a turkey. This great craft is good for young kids. You will need a paper plate, brown paint, a paintbrush, tissue paper, a black marker, and glue. Start this craft by helping kids rip up the tissue paper into long strips.


Then help kids paint the entire plate brown. When the paint has dried help kids draw an upside down U shape for the head of the turkey. Add eyes and a piece of tissue paper for the beak. Then help kids glue the tissue paper onto the turkey like feathers. When the glue has dried you can hang this Thanksgiving craft in your home using some ribbon or string.


Thanksgiving Wreath


Another easy paper plate craft is a thanks wreath. For this craft you will need construction paper in red, yellow, and orange; you will also need pencils, markers, glue, a paper plate, ribbon, and scissors. Start this craft by helping kids trace their hands onto the construction paper.


Then help kids cut out the handprints. Glue the handprints around the edge of the paper plate. You can feel free to overlap the handprints. Help kids write Happy Thanksgiving on the center of the paper plate. Cut a small piece of ribbon and bend it in half. Tie the ends of the ribbon into a knot. Glue the knot to the back of the wreath to hang this inexpensive craft.


Pilgrim Hat


A pilgrim hat is the easiest paper plate craft for Thanksgiving, and it makes a great centerpiece for the table. For this craft you will need a paper plate, an empty coffee can, glue, black paint, a paintbrush, black paper, scissors, and yellow paper.


That this craft by gluing the coffee can to the center of the paper plate. Help kids paint the entire thing black. Cut a black strip of paper about an inch wide and long enough to fit around the bottom of the coffee can. Also cut a small square out of yellow paper. The square should be slightly bigger than the strip of paper. Then fold the yellow square in half and help kids cut the center of the square out. Glue the strip around the bottom of the can and glue the yellow square on top like a buckle to complete this craft with your kids.


Paper plates are inexpensive, and they are easy to use. Kids will enjoy these Thanksgiving crafts so try them this Thanksgiving holiday season.