Updates & Things

Not much going on here
Just work work work and well the next 5 days I have off.
Updated my blog background and pic as ya can see
Not much else at the moment ..
Father in law and one of his co-workers are installing a new tap thingy in my bathroom, hubby is still sound asleep it hasn't woke him up yet.
Well he is sick too, nothing will prolly wake him up until it's time for work
I was also asked to work in the scoop for the City Of Heroes news Letter!
My first article was today!
Ill leave it here also for everyone to read.
So in closure, here is my article!
have a good one!


Wait Just a Minute!
Stop for a Moment and Give Thanks!

Being in the food industry since high school, my career has gone to beauty retail as a manager. When I moved to the United States and started working in retail, I noticed how fast we move from Halloween to Christmas with no in between, no time to enjoy Thanksgiving. I have come to remind you there is a Thanksgiving, a time to be thankful for a lot of things, and most of all, a time to be spent with family and friends.

I could sit here and write out the history of Thanksgiving, but you know as well as I do that there is no point in me doing so. I am sure everyone knows already. I am going to list the top five Thanksgiving traditions followed by some recipes instead.

Top Five Thanksgiving Traditions

Turkey and Trimmings
From the first Thanksgiving to today's turkey burgers, turkeys are an American tradition dating back for centuries. According to the Turkey Federation, 95% of Americans eat turkey at Thanksgiving. There are so many different ways to enjoy a turkey now, such as coffee rubbed turkey from Hawaii, salt encrusted turkey from New England, deep fried turkey from the South, and last but not least, oven roasted. How you choose to make your turkey is up to you.

Time Out for the Pigskin
Yes I am talking FOOTBALL, one of my favorite sports to watch now and again, and another tradition on Thanksgiving. Remember the first intercollegiate football championship held on Thanksgiving Day back in 1876? No? Well, the traditional holiday football rivalries have become so popular that a reporter once called Thanksgiving "a holiday granted by the State and the Nation to see a game of football."

Parading Around
The first American Thanksgiving Day parade was held in 1920, organized by Gimbel's Department store in Philadelphia—not Macy's as most people think. The NYC Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade tradition actually started in 1924 and has grown since then. More then 46 million people each year watch it in person or on TV.

Making a Wish
Who fights over the wishbone? I sure do! Everyone wants to make that wish!

Giving Thanks
Thanksgiving is about giving thanks for the people that are around you and everything you have or have accomplished over the past year. Some folks even do pre-meals for the homeless or help out at shelters for the holidays to help those in need. This holiday is truly a celebration of praise and thanks.

LadyK came to me, and asked me if I would be interested in helping her out with the foodie section for the Scoop. I told her that I sure would love to. I look forward to doing more of this, and as we get closer to Christmas time, I have a bunch of stuff running though my head to write, and I am sure LadyK does as well. We are going to put out heads together, so stay tuned, folks, you won’t wanna miss out!

~Mistress Noire~


Now for what everyone’s been waiting for: RECIPES!
I listed the two most common recipes people look for on Thanksgiving—turkey and pumpkin pie. Take a look, and try them out! Enjoy!


Oven Roasted Turkey

1 (12 pound) whole turkey, neck and giblets removed
1/2 cup butter, cubed
2 apples, cored and halved
1 tablespoon garlic powder
salt and pepper to taste
2/3 (750 milliliter) bottle champagne

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

Rinse turkey, and pat dry. Gently loosen turkey breast skin, and insert pieces of butter between the skin and breast. Place apples inside the turkey's cavity.

Sprinkle with garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Place turkey in a roasting bag, and pour champagne over the inside and outside of the bird.

Close bag, and place turkey in a roasting pan.

Bake turkey 3 to 3 1/2 hours in the preheated oven, or until the internal temperature is 180 degrees F (85 degrees C) when measured in the meatiest part of the thigh. Remove turkey from bag, and let stand for at least 20 minutes before carving.


Pumpkin Pie

1 (15 ounce) can pumpkin
1 (14 ounce) can EAGLE BRAND® Sweetened Condensed Milk (NOT evaporated milk)
2 eggs
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 (9 inch) unbaked pie crust

Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.

Whisk pumpkin, EAGLE BRAND®, eggs, spices and salt in medium bowl until smooth. Pour into crust. Bake 15 minutes.

Reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees F and continue baking 35 to 40 minutes or until knife inserted 1 inch from crust comes out clean. Cool. Garnish as desired. Store leftovers covered in refrigerator.